But all sorrows and afflictions, whether they are the result of our own fault, or of the malice of others, are both from God, and of God; because He concurs in them, and that which He would not have us do as being utterly hateful and abominable in His most pure eyes. He yet wills that we should suffer, both for our quicker growth in holiness, and for other wise reasons: unknown to us.
If, then, it is most certainly our Lord's Will that we should cheerfully endure all crosses which may come to us, either from our own evil doings, or from those of others, for us to say—as many say as an excuse for their impatience—that God wills not, nay, hates evil deeds, is but a vain pretext for hiding our own fault, and for refusing the cross which we well know He intended us to bear.
Indeed, I will go further and say, that, taking all things into consideration, our Lord is more pleased with our endurance of those sufferings which come to us from the misdeeds of others, especially from those who are under an obligation to us, than with our endurance of those trials which arise from other distressing accidents. And this because our proud nature is more humbled in the former than in the latter case; and also because, by cheerfully enduring them, we do most especially please and magnify our God,
