Besides, Patience has a special eminence above other Graces, and advances a Christian to the highest Honour and Perfection that is attainable here. All Graces are of the same Divine Extraction, and have the same general effect upon the Soul: They come from ⟨p. 115⟩God, and produce a God-like Temper and Disposition: But they are distinguished by their Objects and Operations; some are Heroic, exercised about great things, and produce more noble Actions: others are humble and conversant in meaner things, and their Operations are less eminent. As amongst the Birds, the Eagles fly aloft, and only stoop for a great Prey: The Bees fly from Flower to Flower, and extract a little Dew, but 'tis all Honey. It is the Counsel of St. James to the afflicted, Let Patience have her perfect Work, in bearing Afflictions though heavy and continued, that you may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. A singular Perfection and Encomium is attributed to Patience, in that the trial and exercise of it is the most difficult ⟨p. 116⟩part of our Duty, and without it we can neither obey the Commands, nor obtain the Promises of the Gospel. Patience is the truest Fortitude, and draws forth other Divine Graces in their excellent activity. What the temper is to material Weapons that are blunted or broken in the Combat without it, Patience is to other Graces, their stability is derived from it. This was the most glorious perfection of Christ's Obedience, For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all 1things, in bringing many Sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings. Patience is not only defensive Armour, but has noble Operations. When our Saviour was nailed to the Cross, and was the Mark wherein all the poisoned Arrows ⟨p. 117⟩of Rage and Malice were received, he seemed only to Suffer, yet even then performed the most divine Exploits, and obtained the most glorious Victory; he reconciled God, disarmed the Law, subdued Satan, broke the Gates of Hell, destroyed Death, and rescued us miserable forlorn Captives. Upon this account Chrysostom breaks forth in rapturous Expressions, That our Saviour suffering on the Cross, was more glorious than in his creating the World. Thus the Patience of a Christian, which in appearance is only a quiet bearing Affliction from God, yet produceth many blessed effects:
Besides, Patience has a special eminence above other Graces, and advances a Christian to the highest Honour and Perfection that is attainable here. All Graces are of the same Divine Extraction, and have the same general effect upon the Soul: They come from ⟨p. 115⟩God, and produce a God-like Temper and Disposition: But they are distinguish'd by their Objects and Operations; some are Heroick, exercis'd about great things, and produce more noble Actions: others are humble and conversant in meaner things, and their Operations are less eminent. As amongst the Birds, the Eagles fly aloft, and only stoop for a great Prey: The Bees fly from Flower to Flower, and extract a little Dew, but 'tis all Honey. It is the Counsel of St. James to the afflicted, Let Patience have her perfect Work, in bearing Afflictions though heavy and continued, that you may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. A singular Perfection and Encomium is attributed to Patience, in that the trial and exercise of it is the most difficult ⟨p. 116⟩part of our Duty, and without it we can neither obey the Commands, nor obtain the Promises of the Gospel. Patience is the truest Fortitude, and draws forth other Divine Graces in their excellent activity. What the temper is to material Weapons that are blunted or broken in the Combate without it, Patience is to other Graces, their stability is derived from it. This was the most glorious perfection of Christ's Obedience, For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all 1things, in bringing many Sons to Glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings. Patience is not only defensive Armour, but has noble Operations. When our Saviour was nailed to the Cross, and was the Mark wherein all the poisoned Arrows ⟨p. 117⟩of Rage and Malice were received, he seemed only to Suffer, yet even then performed the most divine Exploits, and obtained the most glorious Victory; he reconciled God, disarm'd the Law, subdued Satan, broke the Gates of Hell, destroyed Death, and rescued us miserable forlorn Captives. Upon this account Chrysostom breaks forth in rapturous Expressions, That our Saviour suffering on the Cross, was more glorious than in his creating the World. Thus the Patience of a Christian, which in appearance is only a quiet bearing Affliction from God, yet produceth many blessed effects:
- 1Heb. 2.
