Obedient patience in general, and in XX particular cases with helps to obtain and use it, and impatience repressed : cross-bearers less to be pityed that cross-makers / written for his own use under the cross, imposed by God and man, and published as now seasonable ... by Richard Baxter.

CASE XX.

No probability in any visible means that ever the World should be much better. Twelve General Directions to get and use Pati∣ence in every Case.

XX. AND it adds much to the tryal of our Faith and Pati∣ence, that There is no apparent means of deliverance, nor probability, in the eye of rea∣son, that ever the world should become better, but it groweth worse and worse: Could we see any hope of better daies, we might the easier wait in Patience. 1. The Heathen World is out of our reach: We know not how to send any probable means a∣mong

them: The Roman Jesuits and Fryers, who have greater stocks of mony, have been encouraged by Kings, especi∣ally of Portugal, to go among some Hea∣thens with their Embassadors, or by their help: And to their due praise be it spo∣ken, in Congo, Japan, China, and some other Countrirs, they toook great pains and did much: But most that they did was quickly undone, partly by the previ∣ty of sensual Heathens, and partly by their depravation of the Christian Doct∣rine which they should have Preacht. The consulting with carnal Wisdom, durst not tell Men long of Christs Cru∣cifixion; and they did but change their Heathenish Images, for Agnus Dei's, and Pictures of the Virgin Mary, and other Trinkets like their own; which was easily received, but made not sound Christians, while the People thought that Christi∣anity lay in such little things: And two things broke down all their paper buil∣ding. In Congo they liked the Profession of Christianity, when it toucht not the flesh, and lay but in opinions, Names and Relicks; but when they were told that they must leave Drunkenness, Whore∣dom and Royotous Sports, they cast off

all and would go no further. In Japan (and most places,) when they perceive that the design is Secular, to subject all Kingdoms to the Pope, the Princes abhor them, and cruelly persecuted the new made Christians, till they had utterly ex∣tirpated Christianity there.

The Protestant Princes and States are little regardful for the Conversion of Heathens, but contend about their own Dominions, interests and Wills, when they should confederate for the promoting of the Gospel of Salvation; Save that old Mr. John Eliots, and his helpers have by long unwearied labour done much intensively, but not much extensively in New England. And how to carry it fur∣ther they know not: Merchants that should contrive to make their factories serviceable hereto, take little care of it but prosecute the way of their own gain.

The most capable persons were Princes by their Embassadours; but who much, regards it? Or rather, the Neighbour Nations of Christians, who live near the Heathens and Mahometans, and trafik with them. But alas, these are mostly an ignorant sort of Christians, unfit to man∣age so great a work, such as the Armeni∣ans, Georgians, Circassians, Mengrelians,

Abassines, and most of the Jacobites and Nestorians; or ignorant and vicious also, such as mostly are the Greeks, and Mos∣covites; or contemned by those that Ma∣ster them, such as are the Transilvanians, and Hungarians. So that they are a scan∣dal to the Turks and Heathens, and bring Christianity with them into contempt.

And among Christians how small is the number of those that are sincerely godly, and keep sound Doctrine and live accordingly: And there appeareth no probability of Reforming them. The great and famous Eastern Churches are mostly gone already to Mahometanism. And the servitude of the Greeks keeps them in ignorance, and ignorance che∣risheth all vice. The Moscovites have nei∣ther Bishops or Priests that can Preach or desire it, nor Emperours that will suffer it, but are ignorant slaves under the name of Christians. The Roman party are Ar∣med with Wealth, Learning, Policy and Power to keep up the Papal claim and corruptions, and keep out that Refor∣mation, which would restore Christianity to its Primitive purity. The Reformed in France are under heavy sufferings and near extirpation. The Lutherans too bitter Enemies to Concord, and most

Germans too sensual in their lives: The Protestant Churches seem every where declining, if not hastening to ruin: Some Rulers that have professed Reformation are serving the Papists, with resolved vio∣lence to root it out, and bring themselves and subjects under a Forreign Jurisdicti∣on. And George Herberts Prophesy seem∣eth to go on, that Religion is forsaking Europe and flying to America. Scultetus in Curriculo vitae suae, tells us that one time all seemed to go so strongly for Reformati∣on in Germany, Bohemia, France, England, &c. That many said the Golden age was coming: And in one year all was chang∣ed and brought as low as formerly. And if we might judge by probabilities, all of Christianity saving a lifeless name, and shell and Ceremonies, is like to be rooted out of the Earth: And the Devil reign∣eth as powerfully by wicked Rulers, and Prelates, and Priests, called Christians, as by Mahometans: And Godlyness is as effectually destroyed in such a Kingdom as ••••scovy, as it is in some Infidel Lands. And when Christ cometh, will he find faith on the Earth?

This Case is indeed a great tryal of our faith and patience, but let us consider,

1. That this World was never intend∣ed to be the place of our felicity or long abode, but only as is aforesaid, as the Womb where we are conceived and form∣ed for a better World: Or as the Wilder∣ness to the Isralites where they were to be tryed by difficulty in their way to the Land of promise; or as a Winter Journy tho dirty or craggy waies homeward. And what if this Womb, this Wilderness, these ways never amend? What Man is so weak as to be discouraged, because po∣sterity is like to find the waies as fowl or rough as he hath done? Or because the deserts of Lybia, or Arabia, or the dan∣gerous passages over the Alps, will be no better to the next Generation than they are to this? It is indeed the desire of every true Christian that the World were bet∣ter; and these desires are not vain: They shew the honesty of them that wish it: But God will not do all that he hath made it our duty to desire: We must desire the Conversion and Salvation of many that never will be Converted and saved.

2. God will give us all that we de∣sire, but it is not on Earth: If we did still see by saith the greater, perfect glo∣rious World, which we are near, it would

quiet us against all our perplexing doubts and troubles in this World: All is well in Heaven, even better than we can de∣sire; there is no Ignorance, no Infide∣lity, Atheism, Mahometanism, no Wars, no Sects, no Cruelties, no Contentions; Reformation is there perfect, and the Church all holy.

3. In all reason, our Affections should be but proportioned to their Objects: It is our duty to mourn for the miserable World, and the corrupt state of the Church on Earth: But seeing the Hea∣venly Glory incomparable, exceedeth the Worlds Misery; our joy should be far greater to think of Heaven, than our trouble when we think of Earth. Again I say, All the Earth is no bigger compared to Heaven, than our Goal is compared to all this Kingdom, yea, to all the Kingdoms on Earth; and it is our duty to be sorry, if those in Prison do not amend; and yet those must dye that are condemned: But should we not more rejoyce, if it went as well as we could wish it with all the rest of the Kingdom, or of the World: Heaven which is many thousand times bigger than Earth; hath nothing but perfect

felicity and glory, perfect knowledge, love and joy.

4. And this Earth shall serve to all Gods Ends: He will gather all his Chosen; and he will be glorified in his Providence towards the rest: Out of this Bedlam, Christ bringeth many to saving Wisdom; and out of this Goal Gods Mercy taketh many Sons to Glory; He repreveth all, and pardoneth all, that are penitent Belivers; and Traytors and Enemies are reconciled to him by Christ, and being justified by Faith, have peace with God: God placed man in an earthly Paradise, as the passage to the heavenly; and mans own wilful sin and folly, tur∣ned his Paradise into a Prison, and it is now a House of Correction, where God joyneth Instruction, and by the Book and Rod doth teach his Chosen saving Wisdom: And as the Israelites in the Wilderness had their suitable mercies for their forty years; and as Jeremy led the captive Jews to build, and plant, and marry in Babilon, and pray for its Peace, as the Place in which their own Peace must be had, till seventy years were past, (which is the age of man) so God here giveth us great mercies suit∣able

to our Wilderness and Captive State; and when a little time is over, we shall have better than we could here believe. And though I would not che∣rish that sinful desire, which would have that on Earth whcih is proper to Heaven, nor have I skill enough in the exposition of hard Prophesies, to make a particu∣lar determination, about the thousand years Reign of Christ on Earth before the final Judgment; yet I may say, that I cannot confute what such Learned Men as Mr. Mead, Dr. Twisse and others (after the old Fathers) have hereof as∣serted: And I am certain, that Christ teacheth us all to pray that Gods Name may be hallowed, his Kingdom come and his Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven; and that he appointeth us to use no Prayer or means in vain: And many are ready to believe the old saying, that as the World was made in six days, and the seventh was made a day of holy rest, and a day with the Lord is as a thousand years; so after six thousand years of sin and sorrow, a thousand years holy rest shall follow: Of this I am un∣certain; but I believe there will be a new Heaven and Earth, in which will

dwell Righteousness. We must not look for too great matters in a sinful cursed Earth. We would fain have all the blessedness of Heaven, but we are loth to dye, and therefore would have it here on Earth; and the rather because as hear-say without sight doth not give a man a satisfactory conception of any house or place that he would know; so such a sensible conception we would have of Heaven: But death is the wages of sin, and dye we must, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ who hath overcome him that had the power of death, by the fear of which we are kept in bondage: And we may rejoyce by an implicite trust to Christ, in the hope of that Glory which we can in the flesh have no explicite idea or conception of; where will be no sin, no death, no fear, no im∣perfection, no unbelief or censorious distaste at any of Gods words or works; but beautifying vision, and fulness of everlasting joy in glory.

And against this and other Objections, you must still remember that a suffering condition is not so bad for the Church on Earth, as unbelief and flesh would make you think. For

1. A fleshly prosperity is too bruitish and short to be true felicity: Its the por∣tion of the wicked, and the occasion of their deceit and mine. Psal. 17. 14. Luke 12. 15, 20, 21. And is the Church less happy, because it is saved from so dangerous temptations?

2. Forget not the unvaluable riches of the Church, in its lowest state: Their God, their Christ, their Comforter, the promises, and all suitable providences fit∣ted to their good, are a thousand fold greater riches and honour, than all the Kingdoms and power of the ungodly world.

3. The Church in its most depressed state, hath impregnable strength and safe∣ty: Their God is invincible: Their Sa∣viour is the Rock which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against. Mat. 16. 18.

4. When they are most scorned and contemned, and used as Fools and Rogues, and as the basest and most odious of man∣kind; they are the Members of Christ, the Children of God, and bear his Image, and are the charge of Angels, and passing to a Crown of Glory. And what is any to a Crown of Glory. And what is any dishonour from man, as set against such honours with God, and all the Blessed?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mat. 5. The reproach of Christ is grea∣ter riches than Worldlings treasure. Heb. 11. 26. Eph. 2. 7. and 5. 25, 27. and 1. 22. 23. and 3. 10.

5. Remember that the far greatest part of the Church, even all since the Creation, are in possession of Heaven al∣ready, and it is but a small remnant as the gleanings, that are here yet behind. Heb. 12. 22, 23. read the description of them there: Christ is not ashamed to call them Brethren. Heb. 2. 11. And useth them as such: In his Fathers House he hath many Mansions for them, John 14. 1, 2, 3. And if you saw all those Millions in Heaven with Christ, could you for shame grudge that the few behind are passing thither through temptation and tribulation? Or that it must be as by swiming, or on broaken pieces of the Ship, that they must come all safe to Land, as Acts 27. If all be well in Heaven, grudge not at the way; These things are never the worse, or more uncertain in themselves, for being unseen.

6. And how great security hath God given the Church of all this heavenly glory promised? Can we fear that Christ

will be defeated of the great design of mans Redemption, and reigning in the new Jerusalem, where he is to be its Light instead of the Sun? And doth not God love his Church much better than we do; and better know how to deal with it, and all the World? Shall we blind Sinners, who do nothing throughly well, be afraid lest God will miscarry, or do any thing amiss.

8. The Church must have its Purga∣tory on Earth; and Prosperity filleth it with Hypocrites who corrupt it; and Adversity must refine it from such dross.

9. Particular Christians are better by affliction; and what else is the Church but particular Christians: God will not leave our temptations to the damning Love of the World too strong.

10. The Church must be conformed to its Head, who suffred and then entered into glory.

11. While all Individuals are sinful and imperfect, what wonder if all the Church do suffer by it?

12. Most graces must shine and increase by exercise; like some Jewels that must be rub'd; as Fire in a Flint or Steel, that must be called into sight by violence. We

are but like common men in appearance, till somewhat more than common work, or suffering call us out, and shew our difference from Hypocrites.

These and many such Considerations before intimated, may convince us that the worst state of the Church or World, is no just cause of censuring Gods Provi∣dence, nor of discouragement or impa∣tience to any true Believer: But still in Patience we may possess our Souls.

I will draw out this Treatise no lon∣ger, but to remember all Christians, that the common great defect of Patience is a great dishonour to our profession of Faith and heavenly hope, and leadeth us to that within as the Cause which we should be greatly humbled for; and that it is a disease so painful to our selves, as should make us loth to cherish or excuse it: A tender state of Body is not desirable, which can endure no Cold or Air, no Dyet but curiously drest, neither Winter nor Summer, &c. Much worse is a ten∣der impatient mind, that is hardly plea∣sed by Man or God; that is impatient at every loss or cross, at every real or sup∣posed wrong; at every danger, threat∣ning, or ill news; that must be strok'd,

and rock'd, and used as a Child. Alas, ma∣ny people that truly fear God, have so great a want of patience, as that one can hardly live quietly with them; but he must have extraordinary skill, and care and tenderness, if not flattery, who will not be a trouble to them.

And yet because some causlesly judge these to be worse than they are, I will say again, that Passion, and the Wills defection, are very different sorts of Impatience.

I conclude with these few brief Directi∣ons, for establishing the heart with pa∣tience in all Tryals whatsoever.

I. Understand well the true nature of Patience and Impatience, that you mi∣stake not natural Temper for either sa∣ving Grace, or damning Sin. The Passions must be distinguished from the Judgement and Will. A man of a cho∣lerick temper, and aged, sick or weak persons may be peevish, and impatient with the little provocations which daily befall them; so far as to be angry, and trouble themselves and others: Chil∣dren will cry; and most Women are easilier cast into passion than Men; they are apt to fear beyond all reason, and to be troubled and troublesome to others

with unquiet grief, displeasedness or an∣ger: This must neither be made light of as no fault, nor yet made a greater fault than it is. Many men have stronger na∣tures, and free from passion, (and some al∣most to stupidity) which joyned with Grace and a due sense of weighty things, is a great advantage and ornament: But its found oft in the most graceless wicked men, who deceive themselves by it, and think they are better than passionate honest men: Yea, it usually proveth a great hinderance to their Repentance and Reformation; no Sermon, no Reason, no thought of Death or Eternity will move and change their sensless hearts.

But the saving Grace of Patience is principally in this, when a man hath so resolvedly given up himself to God by Christ for Life eternal, and is so much under Divine Authority, that he can en∣dure the loss of all, even Reputation, Estate, Friends, Liberty or Life, rather than forsake Christ, or hazard his Salvati∣on by wilful sin; and therefore also stri∣veth against all sinful passions, and re∣penteth of that which doth surprize him.

And damning Impatience is, when a man cannot deliberately bear the loss of

corporal prosperity, for the sake of Christ and Righteousness, nor hold on in a holy, righteous, sober life; but will rather fall off, and wilfully sin, and venture his Soul, than deny his flesh, and be undone in the world; such take Godliness for a grievous Yoke, or else they would not be impati∣ent to bear it, and they take not God and Heaven for their best.

II. Nothing therefore will make one patient in a holy saving sense, but the well grounded resolved choice of Gods Love in Christ, and the blessedness of another world, as that portion which must make us happy, what ever we lose or suffer on Earth: Therefore Faith and Hope must be above, and fetch from Heaven the mat∣ter of our constant resolution, or else there can be no true patience: If we live more on earthly hopes and comforts than hea∣venly, and more to the Flesh than to the Spirit; there can be no true patience, much less durable: For in the World we shall have troubles; and if we have not yet a content in the love of it, is more damnable than trouble,

III. Therefore the true contempt of fleshly prosperity and worldly things, by mortification, is absolutely necessary to

patience. While the body and its appe∣tite, ease or life, is over dear to us, we shall never patiently lose or spare them; and while we love the flesh; and world, reputation, wealth and pleas••re too much, we shall be overmuch troubled to lose them. Account all loss and dung for Christ, as Paul did, and you'l easily bear he loss of it.

IV. Think what you have as well as what you want; reckon up truly all the riches of Grace in Christ; to be a Child of God, beloved by him, an Heir of Heaven, a Member of Christ, pardoned, justified, sanctified, under Gods true promise of everlasting Joy; and compare this with your suffering, and think whether it be∣comes an Heir of Heaven to be impatient in the way.

V. Therefore be diligent to make your Calling and Election sure; neither neg∣lect necessary obedience, nor cherish cause∣less doubts; lest you lose that comfort of hope which must make you patient in all tryals; else when Heaven and Gods Love should support you under all, you will be still questioning your title to it, and so have nothing to set against all your suf∣ferings and ••ears. If this Anchor of Hope

be not well grounded, what shall uphold men in sufferings and death.

VI. Live in the constant belief and ap∣prehension of Gods absolute dispose of all the world; and see all things and persons as in his hand, and remember that there is nothing comes to pass without him, and that he useth even the permitted sins of men, to his good and holy ends. Think on no man, or action, or event as inde∣pendent upon God; but remember still with whom you have to do, and who it is that over-ruleth all, and whose Rod your Enemies and Afflictions are: And this will tell you that nothing is done amiss by him, and that nothing shall be finally hurtful to the Faithful; and that we must not dare to accuse our Maker: And it will make you say, It is the Lord; Let him do a•• seemeth him good, The Will of the Lord be done.

VII. Here see still the certain end of all: How the sufferings of the Faithful will end; and how the power, wealth, pros∣perity, and triumph of the wicked will end: Go into the Sanctuary: Believe what God hath foretold you, and faith may fully satisfie you.

VIII. Keep a due humbling sense of your own and others sin, and of Gods common mercies to you and all men, that

you may still perceive how much better God dealeth with you than you deserve: Its no small mercy to be alive, out of Hell, and to have the free offers of a Saviour, of Pardon and Salvation, and to have God intreating you to be reconciled to him, and promise you Christ and Life, if you do but willingly accept his gift.

IX. Be acquainted with your chief temptations, both to impatience, and to other sin, that you may live in Arms and watchful resistance. 1. Renew not your own wounds and sufferings, by gross neg∣ligence or wilful sin, and yielding to the Tempter: For if you put God to use a sharper Rod, your patience will have a harder work: And do not by rashness make your own suffering, and run into it, (as by rash words, by surety-ship, and imprudent actions many do) you may more confidently look for Gods support under the cross which he layeth on you for tryal, than that which you make for your selves; though there also Repen∣tance may give us a comfortable Remedy.

2. And understand what are your temptations to impatience; Is it crosses, poverty, threatnings of men, a froward Companion, a wicked Child, or rather a weak and peevish passionate temper?

Whatever it is, g••t those particular con∣siderations against it, which must be your Armour, and live in the daily use of them.

X. Resist the beginnings of unbelieving troubling thoughts, and role them not in your mind: Abhor the first degrees of distrusting God, or discontent with hi•• pro∣vidence, or any secret accusation of his disposals; and turn your thoughts present∣ly to his love, and mercies, and promises, and Christs abundant grace; pore not up∣on troubling and discontented things any further than is necessary to avoid the evil; but study the satisfactory promises and terms of further grace and endless glory: Be careful (with distrust and trouble) for nothing, but in all wants and straits go to God, and open all to him, and ask him for your daily bread, remembring that he cloa∣thed the Lillies of the field, and that a Spar∣row moveth not without his providence, and that all the hairs of your head are numbred, and that he knoweth what you need, and what is best for you, and that sufficient to the day is the evil thereof: Think what a mercy it is that he commands you, to cast all your care on God who careth for you: And whether if the King bid a Begar or Prisoner, trust him, and cast all his care on him, it would not comfort him.

XI. Forget not all the wonderful delive∣rances that you and the Church of God have had, and how oft his mercies have confuted and reproved your distrust.

XII. Lastly, throughly study a crucified Christ, and the reasons and use of the Cross, and why he will have us imitate him and follow him in sufferings to Glory! And ne∣ver think God disappointeth you, if he will but bring you safe to Heaven. And read oft the suffrings of Christ, and his Sermons, Mat. 5. John 12. 14, 15, 16. and Mat. 6. Rom. 8. 1 Pet. 3, and 4. Jam. 4. and 5. Rev. 2, and 3. Rom. 5. 3, 4. Col. 1. 11. Heb. 6. 12. and 12. 1, &c. Ro. 12. 12. &c. 15. 4, 5. 1 Tim. 6. 11. For you have need of patience, that after you have done the Will of God you may in∣herit the promise, Heb. 10. 36. Count it all joy when you fall into divers (trying) temp∣tations, knowing that the trying of your faith (which is more precious than Gold which perisheth) worketh patience: But let pati∣ence have its perfect work. And shew that you are patient toward God by your patience toward men. Now the God of Patience and Con∣solation grant you to be like minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus, Rom. 15. 5. So prayeth, your Brother and Companion in Tribulation, and in the Kingdom and Pati∣ence of Jesus Christ. R. B.