A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4

4. Observation.

Ministers must be Instant and Vrgent, Active and Zealous in the discharge of their Duty. Many temptations from profits and pleasures, from ease and quietness will assail us on the one hand; and many discouragements from an ungrateful malignant world on the other hand; so that if we be not instant and earnest we shall never break through them, but shall be ready to look back, yea, and to leave God's Plough in the open field. Men are dead in sin and therefore we had need to Cry aloud and lift up our voices like Trumpets, that we may help to raise them, Isaiah 58.2. Cry, it is not Say or Read a Sermon, but Cry it, and that aloud, with fervor and affection that the dead may hear and live.

2. Be impartial, spare not for fear or favor, but be they high or low, rich or poor, show them their sins.

3. Lift up thy voice like a Trumpet ( i. ) set to all thy strength, and rouse up others; the speech is borrowed from soldiers in battle, where if any be faint-hearted or drowsy, yet the sound of the Trumpet quickens them to the battle.

4. Shew my people their transgressions, viz. plainly and particularly, cause them to know their own abominations. Thus it is good to be earnest and zealously affected in a good thing, Gal. 4.18. We cannot be zealous in a better cause, for it is God's cause, the Churches cause, and the cause not of bodies but of souls, their Eternal happiness depends upon it. This made Ap • llos so fervent and diligent in teaching the things of God, ( Acts 18.25.) and Isaiah, and Christ to labor and spend their strength, Isaiah 49.4. laziness is naught in any calling, but most odious in a Minister who is called to the highest and hardest work in the world. This will require the whole man, and therefore we should give up ourselves wholly to it, Acts 6.4. 1 Timothy 4.15. for who is sufficient for this alone? 2 Cor. 2.16. There is no grace that more graceth a Minister then zeal for God and his Worship; hence Christ sent not fleshly, but fiery tongues on his Disciples that th • y might inflame the hearts of their hearers, Acts 2.3. The Angels that publish the Everlasting Gospel to the world, do not creep or walk, but speedily fly upon that service, Revelations 14.6. We must be Seraphims with • ix wings which are most ready to do what ever God shall command us. Isaiah 6.2. we must be burning and shining lights, John 5.35. So was Elijha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John B • ptist, they were all men of fire, who helped to • haw the frozen and cold hearts of their hearers. Such a one was Luther, what ever he spake or writ was operative on men's hearts, what an intense and high degree of zeal was in our Savior, John 2.17. his zeal for God's House and the purity of his Worship was so vehement, that like fire which eats up and devours that whereon it lights, it even eat him up; it even consumed his very moisture and exhausted him and made him unmindful of himself. He neither regarded life nor limb, but exposed all to hazard in defense of God's honor against a pack of malicious, covetous Scribes and Pharisees. Zeal in an Holy Sense, consumeth the Flesh, and eateth the bones, Ierem. 20.9. many waste and consume themselves; some in drunkenness, some in whoring, some in moyling for the world; woe to such as die of these unholy and unhappy Consumptions: but when the zeal for God's Glory consumes us, happy those that die of such holy consumptions.

Thus to loose our lives is to save them, and to wast them is the way to preserve and renew them; no man ever yet lost by spending himself for God. And though we cannot be zealous as Christ was by way of Equality, yet by way of Conformity and similitude we must in our Degree labor to resemble him. Christ will own none for his peculiar people, but such as are zealous of good works, Titus 2.14. The dull Ass is no sacrifice for the Living God, Exodus 13.13. and the lingering Snail is reckoned amongst unclean creatures, Leviticus 11.30. Grace is no sleepy, idle, drowsy habit, but an active, lively, operative thing; hence all God's servants have been men of fire. Abraham how zealous in Praying for Sodom, how ready to circumcise himself and all the men in his house, how ready to part with all at God's bare command. Lot doth not only abstain from the sins of Sodom, but his soul was tortured and tormented with their wickedness. 2 Peter 2.8. Moses, one of the meekest men in the world, yet when God was dishonored in an holy heat he throweth down the two Tables of stone, and breaketh them, signifying thereby their breach of Covenant with God by their sins; yet did not the Lord check him for it, He only bid him go make new ones: where we may observe the goodness of God, that if our zeal transport us too far, yet the Lord pardons the error of our fervency, rather then the Indifferencies of Security and Luke-warmness.

Thus Bar • e how earnestly doth he act in God's work, Nehemiah 3.20. Nehemiah forsook all his Court preferment, passed through many dangers and difficulties and contends even with Rulers for profaning the Sabbath, he cursed them ( i. ) he caused them to be excommunicated and driven out of the Congregation, or he sharply reproved them, telling them they had made themselves guilty of the curses whereinto they had entered, Nehemiah 10.29. and 13.25. Holy David was a man even compounded of zeal, as appeareth, Psalm 119.53, 97.136.139.158.174. How did he prepare with all his might for the House of God, and thinketh all the gold and riches he had given to be as nothing, 1 Chronicles 29.2, 3, 4. he prepared an hundred thousand Talents of Gold, and a thousand thousand Talents of Silver; he gave of his own proper goods thirteen Millions, eight hundred seventy five thousand pound sterling. But what makes David so magnificently liberal? Why it was his zealous affection to the House of God. It is want of affection, not want of money that makes men give so basely to the promoting of God's Worship: yet so enlarged was David's heart, that he accounts all this but a poor gift, 1 Chronicles 22.14.

In my poverty (so 'tis in the margin of your Bibles) have I prepared all this, he accounts his 1300. cart load of gold and silver, but a poor gift, it was no • answerable to his desires, nor according to that which the transcendent Majesty of God might require, but it was according as he was able by reason of his continual troubles and afflictions, what a Seraphim was Paul ? how did he burn with a zeal for God's Glory? how was his Spirit kindled in him when he saw the Idolatry at Athens? Acts 17.16. How gladly doth he spend himself for the Church of God? 2 Cor. 12.25. What pains did he take, what hazards did he run that he might win souls? Rom. 15.19. He surpassed Alexander the Great, and all the Conquerors of the world, for they conquered men by the Sword, but Paul by the Word, they gained Kingdoms to themselves, but Paul for Christ; they conquered bodies, he souls; they men, he devils. But where shall we now find a zealous Elijah, a man of fire against sin and errors? where are our Luther's, Lattimers, Bradfords that fear not the faces of great ones? Blessed be God, he hath many in the Land that both in the Pulpit, and by their Pens, do witness against the enormities of the times, yet in comparison of the swarms of idle, heretical, profane, self-seeking Ministers, they are thin sown, for 1. Some are ignorant, and cannot. 2. Others are scandalous, and dare not reprove sin, for fear of being upbraided themselves. 3. Others are Time-servers, and to keep their places, they go along with the current of the times, and say as the great ones would have them. Are the times for liberty? so are they. Are the times for Anabaptists? &c. so are they: Doctors aerei, like wax, ready to take any impression, that the Rulers and great ones will put upon them. 4. Others are zealous, but 'tis against zeal ; instead of being instant in Preaching, they are earnest against zealous Preachers and preaching. Instead of heavenly fire, they are full of strange fire. They are zealous, but 'tis for Superstition, Will-worship, Anabaptism, &c. When they should use all means to keep in, and increase this holy fire, as the Priest was commanded. ( Levite. 6.12, 13.) not to suffer the fire of the Altar to go forth, but he must bring wood to it, and nourish it that it always might burn; yet these by their negligence suffer it to decay. 'It is said that the Image of Isis was carried by a dull Ass, such a servant may fit such a saint: but dead Ministers are no servants for the living God. I rejoice not in these victories of the devil, but shall turn my complaint into a prayer, that the Lord would purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold, that they may offer in righteousness. Malac. 3.3. And that all Zion's Nazarites may be purer then snow, and whiter then milk. Lam. 47.13. That all those whom the Lord hath set apart for his own immeditate service, may in some measure resemble their Lord and Master in the beauty of holiness, that they may be like Apollos, who was fervent in spirit, mighty in the Scriptures, and taught diligently the way of the Lord. Acts 18.25, 26. that like Micah (3.8.) we may be filled with the Spirit of God, and so may be enabled to fulfil our duty. That he would flame us with the fire of love, that we may help to inflame others. Did Ministers love their people's souls more, they would be more zealous for their good. Love is an active thing, it will make one do and suffer much for the party beloved. A mother loves her child, which makes all her pains with it light. One being asked out of what book he got such fiery, fervent Sermons, answered, I get them out of the Book of Love. This will make us fervent in prayer for our people, and faithfully to discharge our duty, by admonishing the wicked, comforting the afflicted, resolving their doubts, sympathizing with them in their sorrows, and visiting them in their distresses, as Isaiah did Hezekiah in his sickness. 2 Kings 20 1. The false Prophets are branded, for feeding themselves, but not the flock, the sick they did not heal, nor bind up the broken. Ezek. 34.24. Much of the sins and errors of the times lie at Ministers doors, and cold Ministers make bold sinners. Hence Christ blames the Angels and Pastors of the Churches for the sins of the Churches, Rev. 2. and 3. Our Apostysy makes others to apostatize, many begin like thunder, but they end like smoke. We may say of many Ministers as they say of Butter, 'tis gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead at night, or like one Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, whom Pope Urban greets in the style of a fervent Monk, a warm Abbot, a Luke-warm Bishop, and a key cold Arch-bishop. Or like Pope Pius the Third, who was wont to say of himself, that the higher he was raised, the worse he was.

2. It should be a matter of great lamentation to us, when we consider the great Luke-warmness, and want of zeal that is amongst us; we may take up the Prophets complaint, Ier. 9.3. there's no man valiant for the truth. If men can save themselves they care not what becomes of God's Paul's or service. Acts 18.14. There is indeed a great profession of Religion in the Land, but where, oh where's the power! most are become like Pharaoh King of Egypt, who was nothing but a noise, Jer. 46.17. Nothing but words, he promised much, but performed nothing. So that our Nation hath lost it's former glory, piety is now turned into an empty show, and those Ordinances which formerly converted many, now seem to have lost their converting power. S. Peter at one Sermon converted three thousand, but we may preach three thousand Sermons before we can convert one. After the world, how furiously do men drive like John • , as they would break their wheels in pieces; they rise early and break their brains, they pant a • ter the dust of the earth Amos 2.7. and run themselves out of breath in pursuit of worldly things. Ahab is sick for Naboth 's Vineyard, and cannot sleep till he have it. Men are as hot as fire for earth, but as cold as ice for heaven. So that 'tis not now the Kingdom of Heaven that suffers violence, but the Kingdoms of the Eearth suffer violence, and the violent take them by force. The voluptuous man follows his pleasures with all his might, and gives his strength to women, Prov. 31.3. with dangers and difficulties do they break through to obtain them, and what great expenses to maintain their lusts. Herod can part with half his Kingdom to please an harlot; yet had no zeal for the Ministry, but suffers John to be beheaded, whose life was more worth then his whole Kingdom. The Ambitious man how active is he for promotion, how doth he ride and run for a little preferm • nt? • cluster of honor is more esteemed by him then all the vintage of Piety & Religion. The envious man, how full of fiery indignation is he against his adversaries. James 3.14. and 4.12. Galath. 5.20. The superstitious man how zealous is he in his blind way? how doth he compass Sea and Land to make a proselite? what pilgrimages, whipping, cutting, lancing, selling estates, and offering their very children unto Molech. Ezek. 26.20, 21. they can part with thousands of Rams, and ten thousands of Rivers of oil, and give the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls. Micah. 6.7. The Israelites can freely part with their ornaments of gold and silver to make a golden Calf. The Seducing Sectary, the white Devil that under pretence of extraordinary sanctity practiseth all manner of iniquity, how active is he to sow the Devils seed. As the Devil their Master, so these who are his Factors, rage because their time's but short, Revel. 12.12. The Devils themselves seem to be possessed of far worse Devils, and to act with greater fury then formerly. The Sacrilegious -Church-robber, when the zeal for God's house should eat him up, such is his zeal, that it eats up God's house. He devours Tythes, Glebe, all that he can lay hands on, all's Fish that comes to his Net; he thinks all's gain that he can get from the Minister. These are Latrons not Patrous, not Church-pillars but Church-peelers. They should maintain the Ministry, and they get Impropriations (a very proper Term for their improper Tenure) into their hands. 'It is true de facto, that the Tythes are sold, but quo jure ? what power had they to sell that which was devoted to the immediate worship of God? Had there been a sufficient maintenance left for the Ministry, they might the better have taken the remaining superfluity. But to take away a Ministers necessary maintenance, and thereby to starve souls (for scandalous means breeds scandalous Ministers) is the ready way to bring a curse on such persons, and all they possess. 'It is a snare to devour holy things. Prov. 20.25. They that take the Lord's possessions into their possession shall perish like Oreb and Zeeb which lay like dung on the earth, Psalm 83. There's a curse attends such Thieves. Belshazzar drunk but once in the Vessels of the Temple, and it cost him both his Kingdom and his life to boot. There is no way (in my opinion and experience) to uphold the Ministry of England, but by gaining Impropriations out of the hands of private persons, and laying them to the Church, to whom most properly they belong. We see how Augmentations fly and fail, and if we should be put to live on the Peoples benevolence, it would soon prove a malevolence. But of this I have spoken at large elsewhere. Others are zealous but 'tis for sin, their tongues are set on fire of hell. Their heads are always plotting miscief, they cannot sleep till they have done some evil ( Prov. 4.16.) as a zealous good man sleeps not till he hath done some good. Psal. 132.4, 5, 6. His house was no house, and his rest no rest to him, till he had finished God's work. So the wicked man sleeps not till he have brought his wicked devices to pass, and as the good man hath his awaking thoughts with God and goodness. Psal. 139.18. So soon as ever I awake my thoughts and meditations are with God: So the wicked man when he awakes, he is still with sin; his waking-thoughts in the night are to do mischief in the morning. Micah 2.1, 2. they hinder themselves from sleep that they may further themselves in sin; the night is spent in plotting and contriving mischief, and the day in accomplishing these plots. Thus night & day they follow the Trade of sin, & so are justly styled workers of iniquity. Now as to be zealous in goodness is the height of goodness, so to be active in wickedness is the height of wickedness, when men shall sell themselves to sin, and work wickedness with greediness. 1 Kings 21.20. and 2 Kings 17.17. Lastly, others are zealous against zealous ones; they cannot endure to see any better then themselves. The Scribes and Pharisees will not go to Heaven themselves, nor yet will they endure that others should go. If Christ do but set his face towards Jerusalem, the Samaritans will hate him. While Paul was a Persecutor, he met with no persecution, but when he was converted and preached the Truth, then he's a pestilent follew, and is mad. In other Religions the more zealous a man is, the more he is esteemed, but amongst us the more zealous, the more hated. These hate their best friends, for these zealous Elijah's are the Pillars of a Land, the very Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel, the strength and ammunition of the Land, that by their prayers and tears keep off many a Judgment. The wicked fare the better for them every day, why is the heap of chaff kept from burning, but because there's some wheat mixed with it; but if once the wheat were out, the chaff should soon be set on fire. When once the number of God's Elect is accomplisht the world shall not stand a moment. 'It is just with God to take them from us for our abusing them, we cast dirt, and God casts dust on them, many great men are fallen of late in this our English Israel, nigh an hundred godly Ministers are taken from us within the space of three years past, many of them young and eminent for Piety; so that we this day are weakened both in Church and State. Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and Benjamin is not, all these things are against us. This is and should be a Lamentation to us.

Now since there is such abundance of false fire and fein'd zeal in the world; we had the more need to try our own. Some are mislead by a blind zeal. Rom. 20.2. Others by an indiscreet zeal. Matth. 26.51. Luke 9.52, 53 54. John 8. ult. Others by an hyrocritical zeal, they pretend Religion, but they intend their own enriching. So Demetrius pretended the preservation of Religion, when indeed he intended his own silver Trade. Acts 19, 24.

1. True zeal is known by the Rise and Original of it. 1. If it be wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God; we are not born zealous for God, his Truth and People, but by nature are full of enmity to all these. Acts 9.1. Phil. 36. Paul in his natural state persecutes the Church out of a blind zeal, many mistake the fire of their own flints, and the fire of Hell for this celestial fire. But the Author of all true zeal and Heavenly fire is the holy Spirit of God, which is oft called fire. Acts 2.3, 4. Matth. 3.11. because like fire it enlightens, and heats our cold and frozen hearts. Luke 24.32. A man that hath fire in his bosom will quickly be sensible of it. Prov. 6.27, 28. 2. It is operative like fire, daily burning up our lusts, purging out our dross, and working out our scum. 'It is the true purgatory fire which all believers pass through Isaiah 4.4.

2. It springs from knowledge, as David first believed, and then spake, so the zealous man first knows God's Will, and then is zealous in the prosecution of it. Blind zeal is rather fury and madness, rashness and rudeness then zeal. 'It is celeris cursus extra viam. It's like mettle in a blind Horse, which carries the Rider into many dangers. Like a Ship without a Pilot, which runs itself on many Rocks and Sands. Like wild-fire in a Fools hand, or the Devil in the Demoniac, which cast him, sometimes into the fire and anon into the water. The Jews had a zeal after Legal Rites and Ceremonies, but 'twas a blind zeal: that, But spoiled all, Rom. 10.2. as without knowledge the mind is not good, so neither is the man, nor his zeal. Prov. 19.2. as blind obedience is no obedience, so blind zeal is not zeal. Such is the zeal of Papists and Sectaries.

3. It springs from a Love to Christ, this constrains us to do and suffer for Christ. 2 Cor. 5.14. As Christ loved us, and spent himself for us, so the sense of this love being shed abroad in our hearts will make us to spend ourselves for him. This fire of God's love to us will make us contemn all other fire.

4. When it springs from a Love and Compassion to our Brethren, when all our admonishions and reproofs come from a spirit of love and tenderness, and are mixed with meekness and mourning, this is true zeal. Thus Samuel (1.16.) tells Saul plainly and sharply of his sin, yet mourns for his person. Lot reproves the Sodomites for their wickedness, yet calls them Brethren. Gen. 19.7. Christ was angry at the sin, yet mourned for the sinners. Mark 3.5. So doth Paul. 2 Cor. 12.22. Hot and moist is the best temper, both in nature and grace. When men rave and rage, and are full of bitterness, then Satan casts out Satan, and they do more hurt then good. These hate the sinner and not the sin, when the good man is merciful to the sinner, but cruel and unmerciful to the sin.

2. True zeal is known by its End: viz. God's glory. It can be content to decrease, so God's, honor may increase. John 3.30. As true zeal comes from God, so 'tis for God and his glory, and not for self. The hypocrite may seem very zealous, but 'tis for his own ends, like the Sheca • ites that would be cirumcised, that they might get cattle. Gen. 34.33. Jehu did an act that for the matter was good, but his selfish, Vain-glorious ends marred all, and made it murder. Hosea 1.4.

3. By the properties and effects of it, which are five. 1. It increaseth by opposition. Like Fountain-water, 'tis hottest in the coldest weather. As water cast on lime. (by an Antiperistasis) burns more fiercely. The more the wicked oppose God's Law, the more David loves it. Psal. 119.126. If Michal mock David for dancing before the Ark, he will resolve to be yet more vile. 2 Sam. 6.22. True zeal over-looks and over-leaps all lets and impediments, difficulties are but whet-stones to fortitude. Heroic spirits know not what discouragements mean. Many waters of opposition cannot quench this ardent love, but intend it rather. Cant. 8.6, 7. As we see in Jacob, (Gen. 32.24, 25, 26.) and the Woman of Canaan. Tell Caleb, there are Anakims, and he will say, lets go up courageously against them. Numb. 13.30. Tell Paul of bonds, why he fears not death. Hypocrites make a great show till they meet with oppositions, and then like snailes they pull in their horns.

2. It will make us abound in duty, if there be the fire of zeal within, there will be a flame of a holy Conversation without; love, especially zealous love is bountiful, it thinks it can never do enough for God, he's glad he hath anything of worth to lose for him, and resolves with the Martyr, if he had as many lives to lose as he hath hairs on his head, and as much blood to venture as there is water in the Sea, it should all go for Christ. They are ready to act to their power, yea, and beyond their power. 2 Cor. 8.3. Zeal is a very high and intensive heat of all the affections, it makes us burn in our love to God, in our desires after him, our joy in him, our fear to offend him, our indignation against all that speak or do anything against him, or his. Psal. 139.21. Ier. 13.9, 10. 'It is not so much any one Affection, as the intensive Degree of all, when they are all improved to the utmost for the furtherance of God's glory, and the good of his People. A zealous man is a man of mettle and spirit, he's all life and activity. 'It is the very formalis ratio, the quintescence of zeal, to be intense and increased to the utmost, 'It is not every degree of Affection, for a formalist may have some cold Vellieties and Luke-warm desires, and a carnal man may have some joy and fear. But zeal is another thing; 'tis a boiling over again with extremity of heat. 'It is sacra ebullitio, a holy heat, and rising of the heart against sin. It makes a man fervent, or seething hot against sin. Rom. 12.11. Water may be hot in some measure and yet not seeth, seething hot is the highest degree of heat. But the Hypocrite is afraid of being too zealous and active for God; whereas we can never be too zealous in that we know to be good in itself, and good for us to do. We cannot exceed in our love to God, nor in our obedience to him. No virtue in its formal reason can be too much intended; a man cannot be nimis liberalis, though he may be nimius in largitione. Keep the horse under the bridle, and in the right way; and keep the stream within its banks, let it run in a right channel, and then the stronger the better.

3. It will make us sharp and severe against our own sins, but pitiful and compassionate to others. As charity so zeal begins at home, no man can speak so sharply against him, as he doth against himself; though others may excuse him, yet he will not excuse himself▪ 2 Sam. 24.10. But the Hypocrite he's parcus sibi, severus aliis. High and harsh in his censures of others, but indulgent to himself. Matth. 7.4. the worst men are usually the greatest censurers. Acts 28.4.

4. It makes a man more zealous in great matters then in lesser. In great causes, he showeth great zeal, and in lesser causes, lesser zeal. He calls not for a Sword to kill a Flea, nor for an Axe to crack an Egg. He well knows that the same fire is not requisite for the roasting of an Egg, as is for the roasting of an Ox. But the Hypocrite he's magnus in minimis, he's fiery in small matters, and cold in weighty ones. With Saul he kills the lean, but spares the fat. And with the Pharisees, he Tythes Mint and Cumin, but neglects obedience in the great things of the Law. Matth. 23.23.

5. He's more zealous in God's cause then in his own. Moses, how meek and quiet in his own cause. Numb. 12.3. Yet how hot in God's. Exod. 32.9.19.27. Hezekiah mourns more for Sennacherib 's blasphemy, then for the Sword that was drawn against himself. 2 Kings 19.3, 4.16. David when himself was persecuted became as a deaf man, but when God's Law is transgressed his zeal consumes him, and rivers of tears run down his eyes. Christ himself in his own sufferings was as a Sheep before the Shearer dumb, but when God's house is profaned, he doth not only by words, but blows drive them out with an holy violence. Nehemiah, how silent when himself was reproached, but when God's Sabbaths are profaned he contends even with Nobles about it. Joshua (7.8.) is more tender over God's Name, then his own: he doth not say, what shall our names, estates and lives do, but what wilt thou do for thy own name? The Church of Ephesus could bear any suffering, but not sin. Rev. 2.2. But the hypocrite is hot in his own case, and key-cold in God's, let any wrong him, or rob him, he's all on a flame, but let God's Name, Sabbaths, Servants be wronged, he cares for no such things.

4. True zeal may be known by it's concomitants and companions, which are 4.1. 'It is ever attended with wisdom and discretion. 'It is not a rash ungrounded zeal, but a wise, sober, well-grounded fervor. As a good dish may be spoiled in the dressing, so a good reproof for want of observing due circumstances of persons, time and place, may loose it's due operation. Hence Solomon commends a word that's spoken, Beophman, super rotis suis, running on the wheels of all due circumstances. Psal. 25.11. Fire on the hearth is good, but fire in the top of the house is dangerous. Love allows us to be warm and plain, but not scalding hot in our reproofs. A well-ordered zeal will teach a Nathan to catch a David in a parable.

Caut. Yet must we beware least under pretence of discretion we destroy zeal, of which see more in the Objections.

2. It keeps the bounds of its calling. It dares do nothing without a call from God. Simeon and Levi were good men, and the cause was good, but the prosecution of it was ill, for they assumed the Magistrates power without a call. Gen. 3.4. Excessive heat, or excessive cold is poysen.

3. He loves to see, and to make others zealous. It's the nature of fire to multiply, one living • coal kindles another, zealous Abraham will not keep his goodness to himself, but he will communicate it to his family. So Moses, Numb. 11.29. and Paul Acts 26.29.

4. 'It is of a growing nature, we must grow in zeal as well as in other graces. A grain of mustard seed though it be little, yet 'tis lively. Fire on the Altar might not be suffered to go out. Levite. 6.13. As natural strength, so this is increased by exercise. To him that hath true zeal shall be given more.

Lastly, this must quicken us all to an holy zeal and emulation in well-doing. Most men seek to excel their Neighbors in riches, fine houses, fine fare, but who labors to excel in virtue? The living God delights not in dead hearts, dead spirits become not his servants; cold wishes, and faint desires please not him, we must be active and stirring, if we desire that God should be with us; for our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Who should be zealous and active for God if we be not? as Nehemiah said in another case, ( Neh. 6.11.) Should such a one as I fly? I that am under such special promises, special protection, special providences, should I dishonor my profession and in a fearful manner fly? so should such as we be cold and dead who live upon the bread of life, and drink the water of life, who have lively Oracles, and lively Ordinances, and all means to make us lively? Let us therefore do what we do with all our might, as David did when he danced before the Ark. 2 Sam. 6.14. Let us oppose sin with all our might, Preach, Pray, and praise God with all our might. Judge 5.12. Psal. 103.23. Rom. 12.11. We should burn and boil up in our spirits in duty. By this means we shall prevent abundance of dangerous temptations which seise on Luke-warm professors. When Honey is cold, every Fly and Wasp robs us of it, but when 'tis boiling and scalding hot, they dare not come near it. When men are cold, and indifferent in Religion, every Sectary and Seducer (which are the Devils, Flies, and Emissaries) makes a prey of us, but when we are hot and resolute, we dis-hearten them in their attempts, and dismay that great Belzebub the Prince of these Flies. Let therefore this salt season all our services. Christ calls for such Worshipps. Matth. 22.37, 38, 39. Christianity is a work of activity, we must ask, seek, knock, strive, wrestle, run, and work out our salvation with the greatest accuratness, care and diligence. Philip. 2.12. We must not rest content with the beginnings of grace, but we must work it up, and increase with the increasings of God. Colos. 2.19. We must be filled with the Spirit and with the fire of zeal, we must have fiery-heads, and fiery-hearts, fiery words, and fiery works, that (what in us lieth) we may set the whole world on fire with the love of Christ. If we be to hear the Word, we should be swift to hear, and gladly embrace the opportunity, flying as the clouds and flocking as the Doves to their windows. When we come to the Sacrament, we must earnestly desire it as Christ did. Luke 22.15. With a desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you. ( i. ) I have earnestly and heartily desired it. Hezekiah kept the Passover with joy. 2 Chron. 30. If we be called to Covenant with God, we must do it with joy, and with all our hearts, as Asa and the people did. 2 Chron. 15.12, 15. If we be to Pray, it must be fervent, operative, energetical praying. James 5.16. We must strive in our prayers. Rom. 15.30. and stir up ourselves, that we may lay hold on God. Cant. 3.4. Isai. 27.5. and 647. That's the way to have peace with him. When we see a man angry, those that are friends lay hold on him to prevent a danger: so when we see God angry with his People, we should compass God about like an Army, one lay hold on him, and another lay hold on him till he be pacified with his people. But then we must be holy men, else if a Rebel or Traitor should come to the Princes Chamber, and lay hold on him, it would be accounted Treason, before we come to reason with God, we must wash ourselves, and then come and welcome. Isai. 1.16, 17, 18. We must get a spiritual induration and holy impudency, let God do what he will with us, let him oppose, delay, deny us, yet we will not let him go till he bless us. As Pharaoh had a cursed Induration, and a plerophory of hardness, so that no plagues could work on him; so we should get a blessed induration and fullness of assurance, resolving though God should crush and kill us, yet that we will trust in him. Job 13.15. And when we find our spirits flat then cry, because thou canst not cry; and be in an agony, because thou canst not be agonized. Formality in duty is the bane of duty and Religion. There's little difference between a careless performance of duties, and a total omission of them, since men loose both ways. Let us then rouse up ourselves, remembering that the more zealous any are here, the more glorious they shall be hereafter. Let us all in our several callings be active for God. Let Magistrates and Rulers rule for him, as Nehemiah did. Let them not bear the sword in vain, nor tolerate such things as are intolerable. There's no Precept or President in the whole Book of God for any Toleration of one Error, much less of all; but promises that God will give us one heart, and one way. If Magistrates suffer God's Name to be despised, he will make them to be despised. 1 Sam. 2.30. Ahab lost his life for not punishing blasphemous Benhadad with death. 1 Kings 20.42. I Plead not for Cruelty, but Justice ; as Magistrates must be clement and merciful when occasion requires, so they must be just & sharp against incorrigible & incurable offenders. If Abishai out of love to David would have slain Shim • i, who reviled him, saying, Why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King, let me go to take off his head, 2 Sam. 16.9. and shall the Magistrate be silent when the King of Kings is blasphemed and reviled to his face? if men will still bear with such, yet God will not.

Objection, If we punish them we shall loose a party.

Answer, Such a party (as I now speak against) are better lost then found. They cannot long prosper with them whoever hath them. But by punishing such we shall make God our friend, who hath promised to defend those that defend his Truth: We have a notable instance in the City of Geneva, which from the beginning of the Reformation to this day have punished Sectaries and Heretics, and yet God hath kept them safe and sound. Many create to themselves needless fears.

2. Governors of Families should be zealous against sin in all their Relations; hate it in father, mother, wife, children. Asa punisheth his own mother for her idolatry, 2 Chronicles 15.16. The Lord taketh notice what every man doth in his Family, he observes who prays, who reads, who supresseth sin in his Family, who acts for him, and who for themselves, Mal. 3.16. Our zeal is the best thing we have, and therefore to be given to God who is the best of beings. But yet there is nothing that the world so much opposeth as zeal; the Devil and his Agents can bear with any man save the zealous man. The Hypocrite, Formalist, Civilian, Temporizer, &c. All pass through the world with praise. 'It is only these Zealots that oppose the sins of the time which are counted the troublers of the places where they come, though they be never so peaceable. To discourage men from this course the world hath raised many Cavils.

1. Objection, I am but one, and what good will my zeal do?

Answer, One zealous man may, yea, and hath done much good to a whole Land. One Phinehas by executing Justice turned away God's wrath from all Israel, Numbers 25.6, 7, 11. One faithful Hushai by his Counsel spoiled Ahithophel's policy, 1 Samuel 17.14. One poor man saved a City, Eccles. 9.15. and the Prayers of One righteous man availeth much, James 5.16. When God's judgments were falling on Jerusalem, he sought but for a man that he might spare it, Jeremiah 5.2. A carnal man dares not stir without company, especially the company of great ones, they inquire whether any of the Rulers and learned Pharisees have gone that way, John 7.47. Jades will not go unless some lead them the way; and Cowards stand still to see who will go first, but a gracious soul is content to fit alone, Lam. 3.28. and go alone in the way to Heaven, 1 Kings 19.10. He stays not for company, but if the cause be good, rather then it shall fall, he will endeavor to uphold it himself. Hester will venture all for God's people, and if she must perish, she will perish in this cause. Let nothing discourage you, if God have called thee to a good work and none will join with thee in it, yet remember he that called thee alone will bless thee, Isaiah 51.2.

1. Objection, I am but a woman, the weaker Vessel, and therefore my zeal can do but little good.

Answer, Yet thou mayest do somewhat for God; we read in Scripture what great things God hath done by women, Deborah and Jael two excellent women. The one ruled with an Heroic Spirit, the other killed Sisera a valiant Commander, Judges 4.4, 5.22. The woman of Abel by her prudence saved the City, 2 Samuel 20.16.22. Abigail by her wisdom preserved her husband and family from an imminent danger. The Shunamite that great good woman stirred up her husband to entertain Elisha to the great benefit of her family, and Hester was a means to save the Jews from ruin. God loveth to hang the greatest weights on the weakest wyres, and to do great things by weak Instruments, that his Name may have all the Glory.

3. Objection, It is good to be discreet and wise in what we do.

Answer, Discretion doth not hinder but further our zeal, it doth not diminish it, but directs it; and therefore they are not to be Opposed, but Composed and made subservient to each other. Prudence doth not abate our Diligence, but guideth it in its work, it teacheth us not to do less, but to do better. Thus there is an Harmony amongst the Graces, and we may in no wise set them at variance amongst themselves. Yet 'tis the property of the men of the world to accuse God's faithful ministers (who tell them discreetly and zealously of their sins) for rash, heady men, and such as want discretion..

Thus when Bishop Latimer reproved the sins of the Court, they would accuse him for lack of discretion. It rejoiceth me (saith he) when my Friend telleth me that they find fault with my indiscretion, for by likelihood the Doctrine is true; for if they could find fault with my Doctrine, they would not charge me with lack of discretion, &c.

4. Objection, It is good to be moderate, Virtue consisteth in a mean.

Answer, Moderation in our own causes and quarrels doth well, Phil. 4.5. But moderation and indifferency in God's Cause is not moderation, but luke-warmness and coldness, which God abhorreth; and if wicked men will not content themselves with moderation in pursuit of their lusts and Idols, Ier. 8.2. but will spend their estates, lavish Gold out of the bag upon them, Isaiah 46.6. shall not we in an holy prodigality spend ourselves and what we have from God for his honor?

'It is true in Moral Virtues which are circa res medias, the mean is best. But Religion admits of no mediocrity. e. g. our love to God, and our hatred against sin can never be too intense. Yea, no Virtue in its formal Reason can be too much intended nor admit of an excess: that man that saith he hath zeal enough, had never any true zeal at all. The Apostle saith its good to be zealous in a good thing, and is not zeal then best in the best things? and are there any things better then God, his Truth, Worship, People? Is it good to be earnest for a friend, and is it not much better to be zealous for God? The things we strive for are so Excellent that no zeal can be too much. 'It is for a Kingdom, for an Heavenly Kingdom, 'tis for Christ for grace and glory; and if thou canst find anything in the world that better deserveth thy zeal, let it have it.

5. Objection, The Apostle would have Timothy to be gentle, 2 Timothy, 2.24.

Answer, True, for he was employed amongst the Gentiles who were newly converted to the Faith, and therefore must be wisely and gently handled, such bruised Reeds must not be broken, but when men are obstinate they must be rebuked with all authority, Titus 2.15.

6. Observation, If we be thus zealous we may loose all.

Answer, True, and yet be no losers neither. The Martyrs lost all and yet were gainers. God will make up your losses in a better kind, Matth. 10.37. Let us do our duty, and commit the success to God. Many like Ammaziah could be content to do God's Will, but they are afraid of looseing some hundreds of Talents by it, but the Prophets answer may satisfy us. The Lord is able to give thee much more then that, 2 Cor. 25.9.

7. Observation, I may bring pain and sorrow on myself by my forwardness.

Answer, Thou mayest bring greater sorrow on thyself by thy backwardness.

2. We see what pain men will endure to preserve a Natural life, and shall we endure nothing for our spiritual life?

3. God will assist thee, and in the multitude of thy perplexities he will delight thy soul, Psalm 94.19.

8. Observation, The world will think us mad and out of our wits if we thus oppose their sinful counsels.

Answer, This is no new thing, Christ himself was called mad, and they said that he had a Devil, Mark 3.21. the Disciple is not above his Master.

[But of this see more in 2 Tim. 3.9.

9. Observation, I am of a dull and heavy constitution, and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so hot as others.

Answer, See how 'tis with thee in other things, art full of life, spirit and activity for profits and pleasures; and yet hast thou no mettle nor life for God and his worship? certainly the fault is not in thy cold constituti • n, but in thy wretched corruption ; where thou lovest thou hast heat enough. Let a man touch the coldest of you in your gains, pleasures, reputations, and you have heat more then enough▪ only God's honor lieth unregarded by you.

2. Suppose thou art of a sad and heavy constitution, yet Grace is above Nature, it raiseth and rectifieth it. 'It is like gold in the Mine which turneth everything into the nature of it. Hence the Spirit of Grace is compared to Oil which is a Royal liquor and will be above all.

Now to quicken you, take these Considerations and Motives.

• 1. Consider this is no Arbitrary or indifferent thing, but 'tis that which God hath oft commanded, That we should love him with all our strength. ( i. ) zealously and sincerely, Deut. 6.5. and do what we do with all our might, Eccles. 9.10. Rom. 12.11. Striving and earnestly contending for the faith, Jude. 3. The compound implieth an ardent and vehement defense of the Truth, we must contend for it with our utmost strength. Truth is a precious Jewel, and heavenly Treasure which we must labor to preserve unto Posterity. One grain of it is of more worth then all the world. Malim ut pereat totus mundus quàm veritatis mica, said Luther. Little deviations from the Truth must not be suffered, least they increase to greater, as thin exhalations turn into thick clouds, and little sparks make great fires. God will not have his least commandments contemned, Matth. 5.19. Hence Christ commands us not only to destroy Vulpes, sed Vul peculas ; even the little Foxes, that hurt his Vine, Cant. 2.15. But we are not put to contend pro tricis & terminis, for the out-works of Religion, but for the Fundamentals, and for the whole possession. We must contend with Papists about our Justification, with Arminians about our Election, with Antimonians for the Law, with Socinians for the Gospel, and with the Antiscripturists for all.
• 2. The Lord commends this in his servants, he hath recorded the zeal of Moses, Phinehas, Paul, Apollos, &c. to their everlasting praise, they are the Apple of his Eye, which is Oculus Oculi, the glory of the Eye, Zach. 2.8. They are his jewels, he counts himself honored and adorned by such, and therefore he calls them his glory, Isaiah 4.5. These glorify God on earth, and therefore we will glorify them with himself, John 15.8. and 17.4.5. God hath more glory from his little zealous flock then from all the world besides. Hence he so much glories in him, Job 2, 3. Acts 13.22.
• 3. He Rewards it where ever he finds it; Phinehas for his zealous execution of Justice was blest both he and his posterity, Numb. 15.11, 12, 13. Levi for his zeal in vindicating God's Honor was exalted to the Priesthood, Exod. 32.29. Deut. 33.8, 9, 10. Zabulum and Naphtali that ventured their lives in God's cause, Judge 5.18. God remembers the kindness and rewards it many years after, in sending Christ to preach the Gospel first to them, Matth. 4.13.14. yea so greatly is the Lord delighted with zeal that Jehu his Hypocritical zeal went not unrewarded, 2 King. 10.30.
• 4. It graceth all our graces, and is the Honor of our honors. All Grace without this is nothing, Dead Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, are of no esteem with God: dead Prayer is not Prayer. As under the Law no sacrifice was acceptable without fire; so no duty now is acceptable without the fire of zeal.
• 5. Christ hath paid best for our zeal. The fair price that he paid to Redeem us, the same precious blood he gave to purchase us to himself a zealous and peculiar people, Titus 2.14. If any have paid dearer for it, or can show better Title to it, let him take it.
• 6. Our zeal doth denominate us that we are, that we are zealous for. 'It is true, we may love the creature but it must be with a subordinate & inferior love: but our zeal which is the cream of our affections must be given only to God. 'It is a glory which he will not suffer to be given to another.
• 7. Our zeal may provoke others, the Corinthians zeal provoked many, 2 Cor. 9.12. When the Love-sick Church began to commend Christ, Cant. 5. ult. This is my friend, and this is my Beloved, in the very next Chapter 6.1. Others begin to inquire, Where is thy Beloved, that we may seek him with thee.
• 8. Such help to save a Land from ruin: One zealous Moses kept off judgment from Israel, Psalm 106.23. One zealous Phinehas stays the Plague. One zealous innocent man may save an Island. Job 22. ult.
• 9. This makes a man to excel, we are all by Nature of one blood, 'tis Holy zeal that makes the difference. This makes the Righteous to excel his Neighbor ( Prov. 12.26.) both in life and death one of these Pearls surpasseth ten thousand peebles; as one living creature excels a thousand dead ones. These are called lively stones, 1 Pet. 2.5.
  • 1. They are stones in respect of stability and solidness, they stir not from their principles, but are an everlasting foundation, Prov. 10.25.
  • 2. Lively, because of their Zeal and Activity, they are prompt and ready for every good work, 2 Timothy 2.21. Their spirits are raised to the highest excellencies, and so are capable of the high stactings. They live the life of God, Ephesians, 4.18. or a godly life, because it is from God as the Author, it is according to God as the pattern, and it tends to God as the end. Others may do well, but the zealous man excels them all. Hence he's called in Scripture not Adam, a common man, but Ish quasi Esh a man of fire, heat and courage; a man of spirit, life, activity, a man of men, an excellent man fitted to honor God, and rule others.
• 10. You will have no cause to repent of this zeal; yea if the saints in Heaven were capable of sorrow, they would grieve for nothing so much as that they had not done more for God in their generation. How many have repented of their superstitious, carnal zeal, as Cardinal Woolsy sometimes did, Had I served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my gray hairs, but this is my just reward for serving men before God.
• 11, There is an absolute necessity of it in respect of the many enemies that oppose us. So soon as ever a man begins to look towards Heaven, he must look for Giants and sons of Anak to oppose him. We have the Devil above us with all his methods, Eph. 6.11. depths, Rev. 2.24. Devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. The world about us, with all its baits and snares; and an evil heart within us ready to betray us into the hands of our enemies. So that unless we be resolute, violent men we shall never get Heaven, Matth. 11.12. 'tis not the lazy, somnolent Christian, but the active and the violent that take Heaven by force.
• 12. All thy gifts and parts without zeal to improve them, become useless. A Stag or Hart that hath great strength and horns, yet doth little with them for want of courage. As a bird without wings, a body without a soul, and salt without savor, so is a man without zeal; like Jeremiah's rotten girdle that was good for nothing Ier. 13.7. Zeal is to the soul that which spirits are to the body, and wine to the Spirits, it puts activity and quickening in us. 'It is as wheels to the Chariot which make us run the ways of God's Commandments; as courage to a soldier, as mettle to the horse, and as manure to the ground which makes it abound in fruitfulness. Now that you may get and keep this Gace we must shun those Quench • coals which extinguish this holy fire in us.

1. The first is the retaining of any one bosom beloved sin, be it Pride, Idleness, Formality, Covetousness; either thy zeal must destroy thy sin, or thy sin will destroy thy zeal. Zealous affections are the wings of the soul, but sin like bird-lime intangles them that they cannot fly Heaven-ward. They are the feet of the soul, but sin like fetters hindereth us from running. They are the fire of the soul; but sin like water quencheth this fire. We must resolve therefore against all sin if ever we would have the Spirit of zeal to dwell in us.

2. Take heed of the inordinate love of the world. These thorns will choke our zeal, and this outward heat extracts and consumes our inward. Cast earth upon fire and you put it out; Demas and Judas the love of the world drew them off; we must get our affections loosened from the world, and use it as though we used it not. Use it we may as the Traveler doth his Staff, but love it inordinately we may not, unless we will renounce the Love of God, 1 John 2.15. Our love cannot stand in intense degrees to two such contrary Masters.

3. Evil company is a great extinguisher of this Holy Fire, scarce anything more. Hence zealous David commands evil company to depart, Psalm 119.115. We must therefore be very choice of our company for it hath great operation upon us either to good or evil. As iron sharpens iron, and one edged tool helps to sharpen another; so God hath ordained the society of men to quicken men. Conference and communication of experiences hath incredible profit in all Sciences. Hence the Saints that lived in dead times did by conference excite and quicken each other in the ways of God. Mal. 3.16, 17

4. Formality in Religion is a great enemy to zeal, When men rest in a bare performance of duties without any power of godliness, this is the bane of Religion: when ever we come to duties we should stir up the graces of God's Spirit in us, 2 Timothy 1.7. If fire be not blown and stirred up, it will decay and go out. We must also daily be adding fuel to it, for where there is no fuel the fire goeth out, Proverbs 26.20. Pray much, men of much Prayer have been men of much zeal, as we see in David, Daniel, Paul, Bradford. Frequent the Preaching of the Word. Accede ad hunc ignem, there is a hidden Virtue in this Ordinance to kindle this fire in our breasts, which maketh the Devil so busy in drawing men to separation, for he well knows by long experience that if he can but get men out of God's way they will soon decay in grace; the body may as soon live without food as the soul can live without this bread of Life.

[If any would see more, let him peruse D. Corn. Burgess Treatise of Zeal. Master Henry Hall's Sermon on Matthew 11.12. and Master Loves 4. Sermon on Matthew 11.12. Master Fenner on the Affections Sermon, the ninth, tenth, eleventh, Hildersham on John 4.32. Lect. 56. Doctor Sibbs Beams of Light, Sermon on Matthew 11.12. Master Ash his Sermon of Zeal.

5. Observe.

Ministers must take all occasions to preach the Word. They must preach on the Lord's Day, and on the week day, in public and private, at home and abroad, In prosperity and adversity, In War and Peace, In Prisons and Palaces. We must not be Strawberry-Preachers (as Bishop Latimer calleth them) which come but once a year and are quickly gone again. Not long since the Church was troubled with Canon-Preachers, who preached according to the Canon once a month, or once a day; instead of these we have State-Preachers who preach such stuff for quality as may please the State; and so much for quantity as will bring in their Angmentations, no Catechizing of the flock, no preaching on the week day unless Angels or Nobles call them. No baptizing of Infants, no fitting of the flock for the Lord's Supper, but all lies at random and in confusion; surely such Halving-Preachers should have half-pay. Doth not he that commands us to Preach command us to Baptize also, and to dispense the Lord's Supper often. Surely, this is either not Scripture, or else some of us do not do our duty. Let us therefore either do our duty, or else cast off our Ministry, and give place to such as will. As the woman said to the King, either do me justice and act as a King, or else put off the Title: so either let us do the whole work of our Ministry, or put off the Name. For nomen inane, crimen immane.

Let us preach in season and out of season, so did our Savior; he took all occasions to preach; sometimes he preached in the Synagogues, anon in a Mountain. Matth. 5.1. sometimes in a ship Luke 5.3. and anon in a desert, Luke 4.42. when the heart is willing it will find out opportunites of doing good. So Paul preacheth in Synagogues, in Houses, by a Rivers side Act. 16.13. in prison Philem. 9. and on other occasions. We are God's Husbandmen and in the morning we must sow our seed, and in the Evening not be idle, for some may prosper: when we consider the great price that was paid for souls ( Acts 20.28.) it must quicken us to redeem all opportunities to gain them to Christ. Love is active, but lazy persons; have a thousand excuses, either their bodies are unable, the place unfit, the company inconvenient, &c. Many Lions lie in the way of the sluggard, but willing minds know no difficulties.

6. Observe,

We are exceeding backward to the best things, and have need of many admonitions and exhortations in season and out of season to quicken us in God's work. It's much ado to make us begin, and when we have begun, we are ready to look back on every discouragement. Were there in us that Tractableness and teachableness which ought to be, how easily might Ministers lead us in good paths.

'It is prophesied of Gospel times that so meek and teachable men shall be, that even a child with Scripture reason shall lead them, Isaiah 11.6. A wicked man, though you bring an hundred plain Scriptures yet he will not be convinced; but a gracious soul if he have but a little hint from Scripture, that what he holds or doth is displeasing to God, he presently casts it off. We should therefore lament the sad depravation of our Natures that have need of so much quickening to the best things. Many wonder why we are so fervent and frequent in reproofs, why our necessity requires it, and God in this Text enjoins it. Many love us whilst we comfort them, but when we come to cutting, reproving and lancing their soars, then they look upon us as enemies. [See more before on 2 Timothy 3.16.]

7. Observe,

Application must be joined to Doctrine. The Foundation and the building must go together; for a foundation without a building argues the folly of him that laid it; and a building without a Foundation will soon fall. 'It is not sufficient that by sound Doctrine we inform the judgment, but by Application we must work it on the Affections.

This is the very life of Preaching Doctrine is the whole loaf (as 'twere) but Application is the dividing the word aright, and distributing thereof to everyone according to their several conditions. For these very ends and uses God hath given us his word, 2 Tim. 3.16.