Sermons preached

3. There is the working Patience; which is a going on with our self-denying Obedience, how tedious soever it be to the Flesh. Thus we are told, the good Ground bringeth forth fruit with Patience. They were hasty to have present satisfaction, or else grew weary of Religion, and turned aside to worldly things. So the Heirs of the promises are described, Rom. 2. 7. To be those that continued with Patience in well-doing. And to the Church of Ephesus, God saith, Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works, thy labour, and thy Patience. Religion is not an idle and sluggish profession, the work of it is carried on by diligence and faithfulness. Lusts are not easily mortified; neither do Graces produce their perfect work with a little perfunctory ⟨p. 129⟩care. Much labour, and serious diligence is required of us; we have many things to conflict withal, there is the burden of a wearisome Body, the seducing Flesh, unruly Passions, disordered Thoughts, a dark Mind, dead Affections, and sometimes the misery of a troubled Conscience that we conflict withal: and therefore we need much Patience, that we may not faint, but be accepted of the Lord at his coming. Well then, to live in this constant and patient expectation of Christ is the perpetual necessary duty of all those that love him.

3. There is the working Patience; which is a going on with our self-denying Obedience, how tedious soever it be to the Flesh. Thus we are told, the good Ground bringeth forth fruit with Patience. They were hasty to have present satisfaction, or else grew weary of Religion, and turned aside to worldly things. So the Heirs of the promises are described, Rom. 2. 7. To be those that continued with Patience in well-doing. And to the Church of Ephesus, God saith, Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works, thy labour, and thy Patience. Religion is not an idle and sluggish profession, the work of it is carried on by diligence and faithfulness. Lusts are not easily mortified; neither do Graces produce their perfect work with a little perfunctory ⟨p. 129⟩