A Christian library, or, A pleasant and plentiful paradise of practical divinity in 37 treatises of sundry and select subjects ... / by R. Younge ...

CHAP. XXXI. That they may follow Christs example, and imitate the Patience of the Saints in all Ages.

16. Reason.

6. IN the sixth and last place, they bear the slanders and persecutions of wicked men patiently, that they may follow Christs example, and imi∣tate the patience of the Saints in all ages.

Christ also suffered for you (saith S^t Peter) leaving you an example that you should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2.21. And it is written of him, that When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered he threatned not, 1 Pet. 2.23. He was called of his enemies Conjurer, Samaritane, Wine∣bibber, &c. was scoft at, scorned, scourged, crucified, and what not? yea, he suffered in every place, in every part.

First, In every place, hunger in the desart, resistance in the Temple, sorrow in the Garden, contumelies in the Iudgement-hall, Crucifying without the City, &c.

Secondly, In every part, his eyes run down with tears, his temples with blood, his ears tingled with buffetings, glowed with reproaches; they affli∣cted his taste with Gall, spit in his face, pierc'd his head with thorns, his hands with nayles, his side with a spear: his heart was full of sorrow, his soul of anguish, his whole body was sacrificed as an offering for sinne; and

yet he suffered all for us, to the end he might leave us an example, that we should follow his steps. Neither was it so much what he suffered, as with what affection, willingnesse and patience he suffered, that did Nobilitate the merit of his sufferings.

As touching the first, Why descended he to take our flesh? but that we might ascend to take his Kingdom; he descended to be crucified, that we might ascend to be glorified; he descended to hell, that we might ascend to Heaven.

Touching the second, What King ever went so willingly to be Crown∣ed, as he to be crucified? Who so gladly from execution, as he to it? What man was ever so desirous to save his life, as Christ was to lose it? witnesse that speech, I have a baptisme to be baptised with, and how am I pained till it be accomplished, Luk. 12.50? His minde was in pain, till his body and soul came to it: And to him that disswaded him from it, he used no other termes, than avoid, Satan.

And thirdly, With what patience he suffered all, let both Testaments, de∣termine; he was oppressed and afflicted, yet did he not open his mouth; he was brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so opened he not his mouth, Isa. 53.7. His behaviour was so mild and gentle, that all the malice of his enemies, could not wrest an angry word from him. Yea, when his own Disciple was determined to betray him; I see not a frown, I hear not a check from him again: but what thou doest, do quickly. O the admirable meeknesse of this Lamb of God! Why do we startle at our petty wrongs, and swell with anger, and break into furious revenges, upon every occasion, when the pattern of our patience lets not fall one harsh word, upon so foul and bloody a Traytor? When the Jews cried out, Crucifie him, as before they cried out, His blood be upon us and upon our Children; he out cries, Father, pardon them: being beaten with Rods, crowned with Thorns, pierced with Nayls, nayled to the Crosse, bathed all his body over in blood, filled with reproaches, &c in the very pangs of death; as unmindfull of all his great griefs, he prayeth for his per∣secutors, and that earnestly, Father forgive them: Pendebat, & tamen petebat, as S^t Augustine sweetly: O patient and compassionate love! Yee wicked and foolish Iews, you would be miserable, he will not let you: His ears had been still more open to the voice of grief, than of malice: and so his lips also are open to the one, shut to the other.

Thus Christ upon the Crosse, as a Doctor in his chair, read to us all a Lecture of Patience, for his actions are our instructions: and the same that Gideon spake to Israel, he speaks still to us: as ye see me do, so do you: And no man be he never so cunning, or practised, can make a strait line, or perfect circle by steddinesse of hand, which may easily be done by the help of a Rule or Compasse: Besides, is Christ gone before us in the like sufferings? what greater incouragement? When we read that Caesars example (who not only was in those battels, but went before them) yea his very Eye made his Souldiers prodigall of their blood: when we read that young King Philip, being but carried in his Cradle to

the Warres, did greatly animate the Souldiers. Besides, what servan•• will wish to fare better than his Lord? Is it meet that he who is not only thy Master, but thy Maker, should passe his time in continuall travell, and thou in continuall case?

When a lewd Malefactor being condemned to die with just Phocion▪ rayled at the Iudge, the Law, his Accusers, and looked on Death with terrour and amazednesse: he thus cheered him with encouragement, Dost thou grudge to die with Phocion? so say I to thee: Dost thou grudge to suffer with thy Saviour? O blessed Iesus! O thou Co-eternall Sonne of thine Eternall Father, why should I think strange to be scourged with tongue or hand, when I see thee bleeding? what lashes can I fear, either from Heaven or Earth, since thy scourges have been born for me, and have sanctified them to me▪

True, It is Satans policy to make men beleeve, that to do and suffer as a Christian, is so extreamly difficult for them, that it is altogether impossi∣ble; wherein he deals like the inhospitable Salvages of some Countreys, who make strange fires, and a shew of dismall torrours upon the shores, keep passengers from landing: But if Christ be gone before us in the like, and it is for his sake that we smart; then we may be sure to have him present with us (even within us by his spirit, 1 Pet. 4.12, 13, 14.) to assist us, and prevent our enemies; and is not he able enough to vindicate all our wrongs?

Learn we therefore from him to suffer

• ...Innocently.
• ...Patiently.

Wilt thou (saith one) look to reign, and not expect to suffer? Why Christ himself went not up to his glory, until first he suffered pain: Or wilt thou (saith Saint Cyprian) be impatient, by seeking present revenge upon thine enemies, when Christ himself is not yet revenged of his enemies? Do thou bear with others, God bears with thee; Is there a too much, which thou canst suffer for so patient a Lord? But to go on; wilt thou follow Gods example? Then note, whereas Christ hath in many particulars comman∣ded us to follow his example; yet in no place (saith Saint Chrysostome) he inferreth we should be like our Heavenly Father, but in doing good to our ene∣mies. And therein resemble we the whole three Persons in Trinity. God was only in the still winde; Christ is compared to a Lamb, the holy Ghost to a Dove. Now if we will resemble these three Persons, we must be softly, Lambs, Doves; but if on the contrary we be fierce, cruell, and take revenge, so using violence, we resemble rather the devil who is called a roaring Lion; and the wicked, who are termed Dogges, Wolves, Ty∣gers, &c.

3. To adde to the precept of God, and the practice of our Saviour, the example of Gods people; they are patient in suffering of injuries, that they might imitate the Saints in all ages. They were so, and we are like∣wise commanded to follow their steps, as in all things which are good; so especially in this, Take, my brethren the Prophets (saith Saint Iames) for an example of suffering adversities, and of long patience, Jam. 5.10. ••••e∣thren,

saith Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. Ye are become followers of the Churches of God, which in Iudes are in Christ Iesus, because ye have also suffer∣ed the same things of your own Countreymen, even as they have of the Iews▪ 1 Thes. 2.14. And to the Philippians, Be ye Followers of me. Brethren, and look on them which walk so, as ye have us for an example, Phil. 3.17. And see how he followed his Masters example▪ for who, amongst us so loves his benefactors, as Saint Paul loved his malefactors? He would do any thing (even he rased out of the book of life) to save them that would do any thing to ••ell him. Amongst many examples recorded for thy imitation and mine; Behold the patience of Iob. Jam. 5.11. of Abraham, Gen. 20.17, 18. of Isa••c▪ Chap. 26.1••. of Ioseph. Chap. 3••.32, 33. who notwithstanding his brethren hated him for his goodnesse, and could not speak peaceably unto him, conspired to kill him, stript him of his Goat, cast him into a pit, sold him for a slave, recompenc'd them good for evil; when he was armed with power to revenge: for when these his enemies did hunger, he fed them; when they were thirsty, he gave them drink; whereas they stript him of his party-coloured-coat, he gave them all change of ray∣ment; whereas they sold him for twenty pieces of money, he would not sell them Corn, but gave it them freely, and put their money again into their sacks: whereas they cast him into a pit, without either bread or water, he brought them into his own lodging, and feasted them sum∣ptuously with delicate fare, and gave them of the best wine: Thus he gave them a good measure pressed down, and shaken together; yea, running over into their bosomes, of kindnesse for unkindnesse. And thus holy David 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the steps of good Ioseph, Psal. 38.12, to 15. 1 Sam. 26.20. For when Saul had bent his howe, and made ready the arrowes within his qui∣ver, to shoot at this upright in heart, and sweet singer of Israel: Yea, when this Fowler hunted him like a Partridge to the mountains; so that his soul was ••ain to ask for the wings of a Dove, that he might fly away and be at rest: Yet see when his mortall foe was delivered into his hand in the Cave▪ he would not lay hands on his enemy, nor suffer his blood-thirsty followers to fall upon him; but only to give him notice what he could have done, cut off the lap of his garment, and rendred him good for evill, as Saul himself confessed, 1 Sam. 24.18. Yea again, when he found him asleep in the field, he spared his life which was in his hand; and to give him a second warning, only took away his pot of water and his spea••. •••• Sam. 26. And lastly of Stev••n, who when the Iews were sto∣ning him to death, kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, ••ay not this sinne to their charge, Acts. 7.60. A true Scholer of CHRIST: For first, He prayed for enemies; Secondly, For mortall enemies that stoned him: Thirdly, In hot blood, at the time when they wronged him most •• as being more sorry for their ryot, than for his own ruin. Now what is it that we suffer, being compared with their sufferings? Even nothing in a manner: Ye have not (saith S^t Paul to the Hebrews) yet resisted unto blood: we have passed (saith the Prophet) through fire and water; not fire only, as the three Children; nor w••ter only, as the

Israelites; but fire and water, all kinde of afflictions and adversities. For shame then let us passe through a little tongu-tryall, without the least answering or repining. In which, take M^• Calvin for a pattern, who said, Though Luther call me a Devill, yet I will honour him as a dear servant of God.

Now all ye scoffers, behold the patience of the Saints, and stand ama∣zed. That which you (not for want of ignorance) esteemed base, sottish and unworthy, ye see hath sixteen solid Reasons, as so many pillars to sup∣port it; and these hewen out of the Rock of Gods Word. Ye see the Childe of God is above nature, while he seems below himself: the vilest crea∣ture knowes how to turn again; but to command himself, not to resist, being urged, is more then Heroicall. Here then is matter worth your emulation, worthy your imitation.

Again, Behold the Reasons why God suffers you to deride, hate and persecute his people, which are likewise declared to be sixteen in number, and those no lesse weighty; of which three concern his own glory; thirteen our spiritual and everlasting good, benefit and advantage. Yea reflect yet further you seed of the Serpent, and see * 1.1 the Ori∣ginall, continuance, properties, causes, ends, and what will be the issue of your devillish enmity against the seed of the Woman; And then you will acquit the Religious with Christ and his Apostles for well doing; or confesse that you condemn Christ and his Apostles with them; as Erasmus said in his own defence. But if of the two, you will choose to go on, and perish; your blood be on your own heads, and not on mine; I have discharged my duty.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In the Cause and Cure of Prejudice, &c.