A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

CHAP. XXIX. Remarkable Patience.

THE Patience of Christian Confessors and Martyrs in the early Ages of the Church, was a Potent Argument to persuade many of their Adversaries, that they were bore up with some∣what more than the Principles of mere Philosophy, or the stiffness of a depraved Nature; and that the Christian Religion furnished them with a better Assurance, and a clearer ground of Confidence in their Cause, than was obvious to a common Age, or to be found in any other System of Religion in the World; and therefore it cannot be amiss to enquire, what Examples of this kind we can meet with.

1. Ignatius, to the Church of Trallis, exhorting them not to refuse Martyrdom, useth these Expressions. From Syria to Rome, I had a Battle with Beasts, as well by Sea as by Land, Night and Day, being bound by Ten cruel Leopards (Soldiers) which the more Benefits they receive at my hands, became so much the worse to me; but I being exercised, and now well acquainted with their Injuries, am taught every Day more and more to bear the Cross, yet here∣by am I not Justified. Would to God I were once come to the Beasts prepared for me, which I wish also to fall upon me with all their violence, &c. Vid. Dr. Cave's Prim. Christ. Clark's Mar. of Eccl. Hist. &c.

2. S. Hierom Reports of Melania, That her Husband lying dead by her, she lost two of her Sons at the same time; but she, instead of bursting into a Passion, fell down, and said; Lord, I shall serve Thee more nimbly and readily, by being eased of this weight which thou hast taken from me. Dr. Cave's Prim. Christ.

3. When Lucius, one of the Primitive Martyrs, for speaking in behalf of one of the Chri∣stians, that he had very hard measure, was Condemned forth-with; he heartily thanked his Judge for it, that by this means he should be delivered from such unrighteous Gover∣nours, and be sooner sent home to his Heavenly Father. Justin M.

4. John Picus Mirandula was of a chearful Countenance, and of so composed a Mind, That he was scarce ever seen angry. Clark in his Life.

5. By reason of our strange and wonderful Courage and Strength (saith Lactantius) new Additions are made to us; for when the People see Men with infinite variety of Torments torn in pieces, and yet maintain a Patience unconquerable, and able to live out its Tormen∣tors, they are convinced (what the Truth is) that the Consent of so many, and the Perse∣verance of dying Persons, cannot be in vain; nor that Patience it self, were it not from God, could hold out under such Racks and Tortures: Thieves, and Men of a robust Body, are not able to bear such tearing in pieces, they groan and cry out, and are overcome with Pain, because not endued with Divine Patience; but our very Children and Women (to say nothing of our Men) do with Silence conquer their Torments; nor can the hottest Fire force the least groan from them. Dr. Cave, out of Lactant.

6. Justin Martyr, by the force of such Arguments, turned from being a Platonic Philoso∣pher to be a Christian. I thought, saith he, it was impossible for such Persons to live in Vice and Luxury, &c. Apo••. 1. c. 50.

7. Li••s••••••, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Friends, who minded him on his Death-bed of his Stoical Philo∣sophy, whose Principle of Patience was Fate and Necessity, made Answer, De mihi Chri∣stianem Patientiam, Give me the Christian Patience.

8. Reproaches, said Luther, are my Meat and Feeding; I am afraid of Praises, glad of Slanders and Reproaches.

9. Socrates was observed, Semper eodem incedere vuleu, to go Abroad, and return Home, with the same composed Countenance; he bore the outragious peevishness of his Wife with great Patience, calling her his School Mistress, &c.

10. Dr. Sandes his Stable being Robb'd, and an Inventory taken of all his Goods, and he set on a lame Jade, and carried through London in scorn, at Bishopsgate a Woman throw∣ing a Stone at him, hit him so full on the Breast, that he was near falling from his Horse, to whom he mildly said, Woman, I pray God forgive thee. See his Life by Mr. Clark Page 8.

11. Cassianus tells of a Devout Gentlewoman desirous to exercise the Vertue of Patience, that came to Athanasus upon that score, to advise with him; who, at her Request, placed a poor Widow with her so VVayward, Cholerick, Peevish and Insolent, that she gave suf∣ficient occasion for the practice of Patience. S. Franc. Sales Introd.

12. Bishop Bonner gave this Testimony of Cuthert Sympson's Patience: I say unto you, That if he were not an Heretick, he is a Man of the greatest Patience that ever came before me; for I tell you, he hath been thrice Rack'd in one Day in the Tower, and in my House he hath felt some Sorrow, yet I never saw his Patience broken. Fox Martyrol.

13. 'Tis said of Calvin and Ʋrsin, that they were both Cholerick by Nature, yet had so learned the Meekness of Christ, as not to utter one Word under the greatest Provocation, un∣beseeming Religion. Joh. Flavel.

14. Greenham (that Saint of ours) can lye spread quietly upon the Form, looking for the Chyrurgeons Knife, binding himself as fast with a resolved Patience, as others with strongest Cords, abiding his Flesh carved, and his Bowels rifled; and not stirring more, than if he felt not, while others tremble to expect, and shrink to feel the pricking of a Vein. Bish. Jos. Hall Medit. &c.

15. I never heard, saith Dr. Walker, speaking of the late Countess of Warwick, That she was blamed for more than two Faults, by the most curious Observers of her Disposition and Behaviour, viz. Excess of Charity, and Defect of Anger; — For as to the latter, though I confess (saith he) she could not rage and storm, and discover her Anger, as some Persons do, who verisie the Saying, Anger is a kind of Madness; for her sedate, compos'd, serene Mind, and sweet and amicable Disposition, was scarce forcible to what was so conttary to her Nature; yet would she make deeper Impressions of her Displeasure for great Faults, than those who appeared most furious; like a still soaking Shower, which will wet more than a driving Storm; and therefore it was observed, that if any Servant had been faulty, they had rather have passed the Gantlet of their Lords most furious Expressions, than have once been sent for to their Lady's Closet, whose Treatment was soft Words, but hard Arguments against their Faults, and like that silent Lightning, which without the Noise of Thunder, melts the Blade, and singeth not the Scabbard; her Reproofs were neither the frightful his∣sing, nor the venom'd Sting, but the penetrating Oil of Scorpions. Dr. Walker, in her Life, Page 114.

16. Bishop Cowper's Wife, being a froward Woman, she, lest her Husband should pre∣judice his Health by his over much Study, when he was Compiling his famous Dictionary, one Day (in his Absence) got into his Study, and took all the Notes he had been for Eight Years a gathering, and burned them, whereof when she had acquainted him, he only said, Woman, thou hast put me to eight Years Study more. See the Treatise call'd, Mankind Displayed.