CHAPTER XV.
_Of suffering injuries; and who is proved to be truly patient._
_Christ._ WHAT is it thou sayest, son? Cease to complain, considering my passion, and that of my other saints.
Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood.
Do not say, I cannot suffer these things at the hand of such a person, nor ought I to suffer these things; for he hath done me great wrong, and upbraided me with those things which I never thought of: but of another I will willingly suffer.
Such a thought is foolish, it considereth not the virtue of patience, nor by whom it shall be crowned; but rather weigheth the persons and the injuries offered.
*2. He is not truly patient, that will not suffer but as much as he thinketh good, and by whom he listeth.
*But the truly patient man mindeth not by whom he is exercised, whether by his superior, or his equal, or by his inferior: whether by a good and holy man, or by a perverse and unworthy person.
*But indifferently from all creatures, how much soever, or how often soever any adversity befalleth him, he taketh all thankfully from the hands of God, and esteemeth it great gain;
*Seeing nothing how little soever, so it be suffered for God, shall pass without its reward.
3. Be thou therefore prepared for the fight, if thou wilt have the victory.
Without a combat thou canst not attain unto the crown of patience.
If thou wilt not suffer, thou refusest to be crowned;
But if thou desirest to be crowned, fight manfully and endure patiently.
Without labour there is no coming to rest, nor without fighting can victory be obtained.
4. _Christian._ Lord, let that be made possible to me by thy grace, which seemeth impossible to me by nature.
Thou knowest, that I can suffer but little, and that I am quickly dismayed when a small adversity ariseth.
Let every exercise of tribulation be made amiable unto me, and be welcome for thy name; for to suffer and to be troubled for thy sake is very profitable for my soul.
I will confess against me my unrighteousness; I will confess unto thee, O Lord, my infirmities.
It is often a small matter that grieveth and dejecteth me.
I purpose to act with courage; but when a small temptation cometh, it bringeth me into great straits.
It is sometimes a very trifle, from whence great temptations proceed.
And whilst I think myself safe, when I least expect it, I am overcome with a small blast.
5. Behold, therefore, Lord, my frailty, every way known unto thee.
Have mercy on me, and deliver me out of the mire, that I stick not fast therein, and that I may not be cast down altogether.
6. O mighty God of Israel, the zealous lover of faithful souls, let it please thee to consider the labour and sorrow of thy servant, and assist him in all whatsoever he undertaketh.
Strengthen me with heavenly strength, lest the old man, the miserable flesh, not yet fully subject to the Spirit, prevail.