John Robinson

“Of Patience

Of all manner of crosses none are so hard to bear by God's servants, without despair, as those, wherein the Lord seems, to their sense and reason, to be their enemy, by reason of some strange and unusual working against them; as we have Job for an example, Job xix. 6—13. Nor any so hardly borne by them, without inordinate stirring, and spurning again, as those, in which a man must be a mere patient, using, as they call it, that passive patience; and may, or can say, or do nothing in defending himself, or offending an adversary. A blow, or wound received in fight, or action, is scarce perceived: but if a man must sit still, and suffer himself to be bobbed on the mouth; or, as the Prophet saith, must "give his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that pluck off the hair," Isa. 1. 6, or must be cooped up alone in a dungeon, or prison, where none may come at him, this goes near him, and tries his patience.

-- John Robinson, The Works of John Robinson: Pastor of the Pilgrim Fathers, Essay 35: "Of Patience", pp. 153”
― John Robinson, The works of John Robinson, pastor of the pilgrim fathers 1851