To be Patient under Gods afflicting ••and, And why so? [ 1087]
SAmuel having told Eli of the destruction of his house,* 1.1 he said; It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, saith David, be∣cause it was thy doing. He knew that Gods hand should be no further stretcht out to smite then to save; that as he might do what he pleased with him, so he would not overdo: Pater est, si Pater non esset; this cooled the boyling rage of the young Man in Terence. Thus let every Man sit down with the like consideration, & say with∣in himself;* 1.2 Shall I not drink of the Cap that my Father hath put into my hands? stand under the Cross, that he hath laid on my shoulders? sto••p unto the yoak, that he hath laid on my neck? Bears and Lions take blows from their keepers, And shall not I do the like from the keeper of Israel? If I contend with my Maker, worse will come of it; I cannot ward off his blow, nor grott my self up against his fire, I will therefore with meeknesse and silence, buckle and bow under his hand, and not make my crosses heavier than he hath made them by frowardness and impatience.