A golden treatise of mental prayer/— his patience
CHAPTER VII.
OF HIS PATIENCE.
He traced the steps of our blessed Saviour, and all his glorious saints, all which did never merit their crowns without carrying of the cross of Christ.
He was another patient Job, in suffering the temptations, and afflictions, the infirmity of man is subject unto, he was in a particular manner loaded with the heavy burden of them, notwithstanding his fervent spirit, patiently supported, and victoriously triumphed over all his difficulties, maugre all the force of Satan. His frequent combats, his persecutions, his sickness, his long and tedious travels, the difficulties he did undergo in erecting his province, would take up too much time to relate. He was so greedy of suffering, that he esteemed himself happy, to bear afflictions for the name of Jesus, saying, that there was no way so sure and easy to attain unto perfection, as the carrying of the cross of Christ. He would, therefore, beg of Almighty God, that he might never be without some affliction. Thus did our courageous champion trample upon his enemies. Thou shall walk upon the Asp and the Basilisk; and thou shall trample under foot the Lion and the Dragon.[1] Whilst he vanquished all his foes, not so much by resisting, as by suffering.
- ↑ Psal. 90