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15.Lastly, and most properly God sends afflictions for the trial of our patience, in that it never appeares but under pressures (though, if true, it is alwayes waiting upon God in habit and affections) and is the soules retiring roome in all [Page 68] distresses; a Mount Sion, which is not to be removed, but standeth fast for ever Isa. 26. 20 21. Psa. 12 5.. A peice of earth as the Spaniards say, however trod upon, and exposed to injuries, that is the last thing that triumphs over its enemies: A grace that ever shewes best with the Diamond, upon a darke foyle; a well drawne picture, whose ground-worke is ever laid in the saddest colours, and like the spangled canopy of heaven ever shines brightest when the curtaines are drawne, and the chamber hung with blacks in the most sad and darkest night of temptation.

Thus this Grace did shine cleerest in the setting of the Sunne of Righteousnesse, and his greatest eclips upon the crosse, who did then possesse his soule in patience, [Page 69] Luk. 21. 10. when torne from his body by his passions, for thither it retired against the wrath of God, and malice of men, as to the heart sconce, or fort Royall for security, which is never to be taken by famine, nor the assault of any enemy: In that patience (if pious) is so fortified (having the strength of all the other graces, and God himselfe to be its hiding place, strength, sheild, and delivererPsal. 23 35. 37. 119. 114., the rock upon which it is built) as it can never be overcome, nor want a rich harvest for supply of provisions, when most straitened; for it can bring forth humble and penitent (though not repining) teares, which are ever a rich granary to the godly, in that God will feed them with the bread of teares, and (though it [Page 70] be but a thinne and penitentiall diet,) will make them as the staffe of food to nourish and support them, when all other refreshments failePs. 42. 13. 80. 5. Mat. 4. 4. Luk. 6. 21. And at last, when almost exhausted, they have a voice and cry loudest, Psal. 6. and have such a charming sound, such a powerfull oratory in them, as God himselfe cannot resist it, but presently approaches like a man of warre, and brings releife to streightened and besieged patience.

And if the batteries of the enemy shall not onely have destroyed and demolished its towers, and turrets of ornament, but throwne downe all its upper roomes of state and conveniency; Patience can lodge more safely and as contentedly upon the lowest floore amongst the rubbish and [Page 71] ruines of a decaied greatnesse; knowing that he cannot want the conveniency of any place, that hath God with him that fils all places, but chiefely makes his servants Prison his Mantion to abide in with them (be it spoken in a pious sence) and needs no rich Tapestries for State, but humility; no perfumes, but Prayes; no Ornaments but the Graces, no Crown but the Crosse, though then he will turne our Crosses into Crownes, our pressures, into Praises, ravishing us with Anthems of delight, composed of sighes, and groanes.