July 18

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. —HEB. x, 36.

How poor are they who have not patience!

What wound did ever heal but by degrees?

SHAKESPEARE.

Seeing we live for this life among so many and great perils and dangers, we must be well assured by God's Word how to bear them and how patiently to take them as they be sent to us from God. We must also assure ourselves that there is no other remedy for Christians in the time of trouble than Christ Himself hath appointed us. In St. Luke He giveth us this commandment: Ye shall possess your lives in patience, saith He. In the which words He giveth us both commandment what to do and also great consolation and comfort in all our troubles. He showeth also what is to be done and what is to be hoped for in troubles; and when troubles happen He biddeth us be patient, and in no case violently nor seditiously to resist our persecutors, because God hath such care and charge of us that He will keep in the midst of all troubles the very hairs of our head, so that one of them should not fall away without the Will and pleasure of our Heavenly Father. Whether the hair, therefore, tarry on the head or fall from the head, it is the Will of the Father. And seeing he hath such care for the hairs of our head, how much more doth He care for life itself! Wherefore let God's adversaries do what they list, whether they take the life or take it not, they can do us no hurt, for their cruelty hath no further power than God permitteth them; and that which cometh unto us by the Will of our Heavenly Father can be no harm, no loss, neither destruction unto us, but rather gain, wealth, and felicity. For all troubles and adversity that chance to such as be of God, by the Will of the Heavenly Father, can be none but gain and advantage.

JOHN HOOPER.