Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Another Grace actuated by Faith, is Patience. This is Meekness towards God, as Meekness is Patience towards Man, and respecteth Gods Disposing Will as Obedience doth his Commanding: This is a Subjection to God, a Possession of our Selves, and an Admiration to Others. Hence the Constancy of Annas Burgus a Senator of Paris, suffering for the Protestant Cause, made many curious to know what Religion that was for which he so patiently endured death. To promote this Grace, Faith in the first place looks up to God as sitting at the stern and ruling all; every Affliction is a piece of his Government; to murmur against it is rebellion: in such a case nothing becomes us so much as with Aaron to hold our peace; or if we open our lips to do it with Job, Blessing the name of the great Giver and Taker. Is he not the Lord, and may he not do as he will in his own World, and among his own Creatures? Should not all flesh be silent before him? None but himself may or can be Rector of the World, and yet in every act of Impatience we aspire and virtually would be such our selves: and is he not Infinitely wise and just in all that he doth? Every Wheel hath an eye in it, and every Cross its just proportion, and to think that it might have been better is to blaspheme Providence. This made that holy Man Mr. Dod in his Sickness after extreme sits of pain say to his Servant, O think well of God for it, for it is most justly and wisely done whatsoever he doth. ⟨p. 319⟩And is he not gracious and merciful, and doth not Mercy rejoice against Judgment? The measure of Grace (as the Jewish Rabbins say) is ever larger than the measure of Judgment, for one Cross we have many Blessings. And shall we receive good, much good at his hand, and not a little evil? If we have his Heavenly Graces, how much may we bate of Earth and its Comforts? If Sin, the greatest burden of all be taken off in a Pardon, may we not easily bear the lesser ones? Thus Mr. Greenham told his Son in Law, complaining of his Crosses, When Affliction lieth heavy, Sin lieth light: If guilt press not, any thing may be born, nay, is not he gracious and merciful in the very Affliction? Doth he not support with one hand, whilst he smites with another? St. Paul glories in his Infirmities, That the power of Christ may rest upon him, 2 Cor. 12.9.

Another Grace actuated by Faith, is Patience. This is Meekness towards God, as Meekness is Patience towards Man, and respecteth Gods Disposing Will as Obedience doth his Commanding: This is a Subjection to God, a Possession of our Selves, and an Admiration to Others. Hence the Constancy of Annas Burgus a Senator of Paris, suffering for the Protestant Cause, made many curious to know what Religion that was for which he so patiently endured death. To promote this Grace, Faith in the first place looks up to God as sitting at the stern and ruling all; every Affliction is a piece of his Government; to murmur against it is rebellion: in such a case nothing becomes us so much as with Aaron to hold our peace; or if we open our lips to do it with Job, Blessing the name of the great Giver and Taker. Is he not the Lord, and may he not do as he will in his own World, and among his own Creatures? Should not all flesh be silent before him? None but himself may or can be Rector of the World, and yet in every act of Impatience we aspire and virtutually would be such our selves: and is he not Insinitely wise and just in all that he doth? Every Wheel hath an eye in it, and every Cross its just proportion, and to think that it might have been better is to blaspheme Providence. This made that holy Man Mr. Dod in his Sickness after extream sits of pain say to his Servant, O think well of God for it, for it is most justly and wisely done whatsoever he doth.