care not much to be contained within the limits of their Duty the Boundaries that are set them for a holy life in an exact obedience to government both sacred and civil however that zeal which is not only for but according unto Godliness is no enemy unto Charity it beareth all things and it believeth all things till it find it self to be miserably deceived and then zeal being provoked to shew it self is honest still just and upright in the sight of God and Man it rejoyceth not in iniquity but persisteth in the truth exhibiting it self chiefly in vertuous and holy Actions spending it self upon the ingenuous arts and contrivances of love that so it may be Profitable unto all which is the Third Thing In which Zeal manifests its self as Good it is Bonum Vtile a most profitable good it is profitable for example and imitation like the Holy Scriptures the Rule by which it acts it is profitable for correction and reproof and for instruction in righteousness who will ever take that man for his pattern who is unconstant to himself he is shrewdly to be suspected for a double-minded man who is unstable in his ways But he that sets himself against all opposition to persevere in the way of truth who hath made his face like a flint in the Prophets phrase neither will he be ashamed one that will not give himself the least ease or relaxation from the performance of that which he has learnt to be his Duty one that has no Latitude as to those things in which both Law and Conscience do oblige him such a one is a successful example of courage and constancy unto others that they do not fall away from their own stedfastness whilst Daniel prayes in Babylon with his window open to Jerusalem notwithstanding the danger he was in for so doing though the Children of the Captivity were in a strange Land yet having so good a president they could not but think of the songs of Sion Some are like the Fish Polipus of the colour of the Rock unto which they cleave and because so they are in the common Proverb neither good fish nor flesh they tell us that we must comply with present circumstances it is disputable whether God does and it 's certain Man does not know future contingencies and whatsoever they be by a fatal necessity we must yield to them the God of Nature does not command that we should make our lives a snare to our selves a prudential un-vexatious obedience is all that he requires and this is to be perfect as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect This indeed were good Divinity were a Politician the Dr. of the Chair but how it will consist with the plain and simple Dictates of Christianity we want a Machiavel or his soul by an unheard of Metempsychosis actuating a Leviathan one who resolves all anorality either into positive Laws or into present local though contingent circumstances to determine the controversie But a resolved generous Soul is not of so temporary a Spirit his zeal is profitable unto others because good in it self every way and at all times good good because it is pleasant even the peace of God unto the pious soul and good because it is honest it thinks no evil but rejoyceth in the truth and good because it is a steddy example of holiness of purity and constancy unto others without being puffed up in prosperity terrified in adversity It remains therefore that this Apostolical Approbation have both an honorable mention and an hearty entertainment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealous And so I proceed to the Second part of the Text Ratio Approbandi The Reason of this Approbation and that First Taken from the Object 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must be in a good thing In qualifying and distinguishing the Passions by their Objects some are good when their Objects are bad such is anger and hatred which are only then good when they are vented against Sin Be ye angry and sin not some are Bad when their Objects are but semingly good such is Love and Desire for it is possible and we find it often by sad experience that we do affect that which is in it self really evil only because it presents it self to us sub specie Boni jucundi under the specious pretence of a pleasurable Good But after all this zeal is a kind of more mixed Passion in reference to its Object take it for envy when it is bad when the Object is Good it is like the unhappy Locusts that cannot endure to see a green Leaf on the Trees take it for imitation or emulation only when the Object is Good is that Good also bonum est ut invideamini in bonis rebus semper Vars. Syr. It is Good either that you should be envied at by others or that you should have some kind strivings amongst your selves concerning things that are Good there is a pious kind of envy a holy zeal and emulation when we do strive and provoke one another in love unto Good Works To be a little more close and particular Zeal is good in relation unto a good Object upon these three accounts 1. Because it is there directed by a good rule the Word of God 2ly Managed upon a good Matter which bears a due proportion to that Rule 3ly Guided by a good intention not being over-byassed or over-ballanced by any sinister and by-respects A word or two of each of these First Zeal is good in relation to the Object if it be directed by a good Rule the Word of God The truly pious Zealiot in all his heats and ardors for the cause of God is to be very careful lest he should in any wise transgress that Rule of Righteousness which is prescribed to him as the revealed Will of that Master to whom he serves though Jehu drove furiously yet he was not to be blamed when he had this fixed resolution That there should fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord which the Lord had spoken There is a thing which is called a sure Word of Prophecy to which we shall do well that we take heed in meekness and in fear that we do not in the least prevent the impulse of the Holy Ghost within us moving us to do that which is contrary to the dictates of the Spirit either speaking in his Word ruling in the sanctions and determinations of the Church They then who talk big words of an illumination or a Light within them and yet regard not the Law of God which should be a Light unto their feet and a Lanthern unto their paths whilst they offer up strange fire to the Lord they and their Sacrifices are abhorred and God seems thus to speak to them in the Language of his Prophet Isaiah 50.11 All you that kindle a fire that compass your selves about with sparks walk you in the light of your fire and in the sparks which you
their hands to the most high God in a most wicked and seditious Covenant though by Oath they were obliged to a Canonical Obedience that they would not onely destroy the hewers of wood and the drawers of water from amongst us but sacrilegiously take away both wood and water from the sanctuary leaving us nothing but a strange fire that would have consumed every thing that was sacred from the midst of us These men were like Saul of old of a most bloody house O my soul come not thou into their secret unto their Assembly let me not be united Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel in their anger they flew a Man a Man that was worth ten thousands of men nay two Men unto which the Ages before did never shew the like Moses and Aaron fell both under the same stroke in their self-will they digged down a wall broke through all inclosures to lay our Sion waste and for these sins unrepented of and still persisted in has not our Jerusalem been made a heap of Stones But blessed be our God who raised up Jacob when he was small and have we not seen with our eyes the reward of rebellious sinners God hath scattered them in Jacob they are at this day divided in Israel thus their sin of Division and Separation is the worst of judgments from Gods permission upon them whilst their hearts are hardned through their Disobedience and Vnbelief These are not like David men after Gods own heart the Zeal of Gods house devoured him yea and the Son of David when he twice whip'd the the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple but their Zeal has been to consume the house of God either to brake down the carved work thereof with Axes and Hammers to destroy all the Synagogues of God in the Land or to prophane those they leave standing some evil Angel or other appointed to hover over the Mercies Seat the Houses of Prayer made so many Dens of Thieves in a word these are like Saul in the New Testament before his conversion Philip. 3. As concerning zeal persecuting the Church not like St. Paul having embraced the Faith of Christ Zealous toward God in that which is good herein always exercising himself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward all men That in this Digression whither our unreasonable Zealots as evil workers have carried me I may not loose the scope of my Text These seditious Gnosticks who disturbed the Peace of the Church by obtruding upon the Disciples Mosaical rigours and so bewitching these foolish Galatians from the stedfastness of their obedience both Schism and Rebellion are as the sin of witchcraft had a Zeal for God St. Paul bears them witness but it was not according to knowledge or if they had as their very compellation signifies nothing less then Science yet it was falsly so called the understanding of all mysteries and of all knowledg neither was their Zeal mistaken or blind so much the worse for it was not according to Godliness since they were not careful to square their actions by that Rule of obedience which they did profess They were zealously affected but not well Buâ— on the contrary while St. Paul fights it is the good fight of Faith does he contend earnestly It is for the word of truth which he had received for and delivered to them according to the Scriptures while he does withstand the adversaries to the face it is not his forward zeal or his pious eagerness but their back-sliding their frowardness and peevishness their Dissimulation and Hypocrisie was to be blamed for this he had secured in the first place that the thing for which he contended was just and good and this he was assured of to the last that having no sinister or by designs it was good to be always zealously affected which is the Third and last Thing In which zeal is good in relation to the Object when it is rightly qualified and stated directed to a good end because where there is such a pious care that the thing contended for be good there likewise we do charitably believe that the zeal is guided by a good intention not being over-byassed or over-ballanced by any sinister or by-respects The Pious Zealot is many times counted singular this may be a more charitable reason for the compellation then is usually urged He is indeed singular that is he is neither double-tongued nor double-minded the preparations of his heart are from the Lord. Some mens Zeal is not from an inward principle of Conscience but some outward reason or motive to incite them as was hinted in the close of the former Discourse either the thing for which they are so zealous makes for their interest or else they will make it so while their design is to get a name and to appear some-Body in the world or as bad nay worse then both these because it comprehends them both a sordid and an unworthy compliance for there is a kind of zeal in luke-warmness it self a Complemental congenial Religion in suiting our selves to the company with whom we converse changing faces with every one we meet is an hypocritical principle by which too too many act and walk amongst us These are they who would fain have every ones good word care not much to venture their credit to be evil spoken of in the cause of Piety they are altogether for a good they cannot go thorow a bad report and it is observable that such persons who do thus ambire famam court every ones applause seldom speak well of any but those with whom at present they are conversing their Detraction is as notorious as their flattery and be it for their advantage to steal into the heart to win upon the affections of some leading men of whatsoever Perswasion they are as good at their Satyricks as at Panegyricks they are furnished at all adventures and can as smartly declaim against as possibly not long before to another company they did ingeniously commend the same thing And sad it is but too notoriously apparent that such a humour as this doth transport many men in Religion it self who because of advantage can have Schism and Faction in admiration Men who have as different Behaviours as they have Habits suting themselves to the untowardness of those with whom they have to do rather then to the strictness of that profession to which they are obliged by all the ties imaginable these can urge the severity and Letter of a Law though it be for Uniformity strain it contrary to its meaning against any that will not comply with them in their luke-warmness that so they may have the less disturbance in the promotion and strengthning of schism and sedition This is their keeping wind-ward of the Law It is but their moderation to deviate from an established Rule pro hic nunc according to time and place to sute themselves to the humours of
they fall foul one upon another cutting themselves with Knives and Lances till the blood gush out upon them these are the heats of Brethren in iniquity a friendship turned to the worst of hatred till amongst them many times blood touch blood whereas that zeal which conerns it self for God and for his Glory is the peaceable fruit of Righteousness it is a coal brought by the Ministration of Cherubims and Seraphins those Spirits that are a flame of Fire with which both mouth and lips being touched all sin is purged away and the zeal because Permanent and Constant is therefore Good Good a word that speaks all perfection as much as finite Beings are capable of it is what the B. Apostle recommends to the Galatians in the Text after he had given them an account in the verse preceding of the Temper of their Seducers a description of their wicked Zeal to pervert them from the Faith he would not have the Galatians in the last to abate any thing of their Christian Fervours for God and for his Truth It is God that answereth by fire in them against their opposers and Gainsayers and therefore let him be God this fire let it be preserved alive yea though St. Paul be absent from them For it is good to be zealously affected alwaies in a good thing and not only when I who have authority and a jurisdiction over you am present with you but out of love to the thing it self when in my care of the other Churches I have occasion to withdraw and to be absent from you In the words which are the commendation of a Pious and a holy Zeal we have these two Parts as I have before mentioned 1. Approbatio ipsa The Approbation it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealous 2ly Ratio Approbandi The reason of this Approbation which is Three-fold First Ab Objecto From the Object of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be in a good thing Secondly Ab Habitu From the Habit which must be as unlimited as the Object is universally good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be always Thirdly Ab Occasione From the Occasion of expressing it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not only when I your Apostle am present with you First The scope of the Text being such a Zeal commended to us as is it self a Moderation that is a Medium between luke-warm indifference and hot-headed Phrenzey in the general it is laid down as the Foundation of all That it is good to be Zealous Zeal is many times the Product of a true Repentance 2 Cor. 7.11 In that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what Zeal certainly then it is not alwayes it self to be repented of nay it was the Command of him who sat in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks whose eyes were as a flame of Fire and his feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a furnace unto the Church of Laodicea that Church which was neither hot nor cold Rev. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be thou zealous and Repent Zeal is like the Element to which it is often compared a good Servant though a bad Master a Good Servant when in subjection to in subordination with that obedience which we are to pay unto our God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When we are fervent in Spirit serving the Lord but a Bad Master when it rules not only in us but over us transporting us so much that we forget either our Duty to God or our Charity to our Brother As bad as some may esteem of Zeal who care not to put themselves to over-much trouble for God and for his service who consult their own ease and quiet so much that they are not sollicitous what becomes of the outward Professions the publick attestations of Holiness and Piety who are for doing their own business but nothing else let the World go how it will they are not concerned so they may be permitted a lazy retiredness and unusefull privacy yet zeal is Good when it walks abroad to be seen of men when it is not a candle under a bushel but on the house top or set upon a hill the holy hill of Sion that all the Passengers may behold it and be directed by it it is transcendently Good and that in the three common acceptions of Goodness jucundum honestum utile it is a pleasant Good it is honest and of good report it is every way profitable First Zeal is Good that is it is bonum jucundum it is a pleasant good though it be the exerting of our passions there is great complacency and satisfaction in it whilst we are musing the Fire burns and we have no rest till at last we speak with our tongues the result of it is great peace to a mans Conscience when at any time he supposes that he has disburdened his Soul in the cause of God it is a comfortable reflection upon a spiritual and a holy magnanimity when a man is satisfied with himself that he is not afraid or ashamed to speak and write his mind and to act according to an honest Principle maugre all opposition and discouragement when it is rightly qualified it is an excellent pre-requisite disposing a man to be a resolute Confessour or a joyful Martyr it fits a man to suffer with great joy and gladness the spoiling of his goods the loss of his life any thing rather then make shipwrack of his faith and of a good Conscience It is not requisite therefore that a true zealot should be an ill-natured person one that is contented with any thing rather then his present state and condition of life it is not like the peevishness of Jobs wife upbraiding its self with its own integrity as if we had served our God for nought and washed our hands in innocency to no purpose therefore upon every little and light affliction we must presently curse God and die neither is it like the fretting and fuming of Jonas displeased because God is gratious because the sentence of judgment against the evil works of the sons of men is not executed speedily therefore Jonas thinks that he does well to be angry even unto death No there are the comforts of life in the heats of a holy zeal and that life is the light of God Nay further yet This Supererogating grace I want a name for it it is somthing more then Love the surplusage of it not by it self a distinct vertue for once therefore allow me the expression I say this Supererogating grace is not onely a pleasant good that is warmth and refreshment Peace that passeth all understanding to the pious soul where it is seated but it is likewise comfort and encouragement unto others how many have taken fire at such heats as these to see a Martyr die with courage and resolution was the great inducement for others chearfully to embrace the same flames the Phoenix providing
heaven the Blessed of the Lord even amongst Indians and Armenians those that sate in darkness and the shadow of death unto them by this Apostle was preached the word of life and that life was the Light of God and last of all how he seal'd the Doctrine which he deliver'd with his Blood his skin flay'd off and so he was exposed like his Master a man of sorrows neither was he in his death unlike unto him being nailed to a cross he committed himself and his cause to God that judgeth righteously All this it may be piously received and entertained from a literal and oral Tradition but ignorantly enough God knows how true fides penes sit Authores let those who have a more easy faith believe whose main business it is to gain credit to such things of which they are not themselves overmuch perswaded Our Church therefore having little or no regard to all these has rather chose to celebrate this Apostle as one of the Twelve without any particular specifications concerning him save only that he was Brother and Companion with the rest in Tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of our Lord Jesus Christ Accordingly the Gospel for the Day St. Luk. 22.24 is our Saviours Determination of that perplexing Question which so much troubled the Disciples at first among themselves and has since been no small cause of Division in the Christian Church Which of them should be the Greatest not St. Bartholomew himself should we grant him right Noble by his Birth yet he must not pretend here to a Priority therefore in the Gospel the words run thus The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship and they that exercise authority are called Patrons and Benefactors But ye shall not be so not so untill that Kings be your Nursing fathers and Queens your Nursing Mothers in the mean while let no one vindicate to himself Power and Prerogative amongst you over the rest of his brethren But he that is greatest among you let him be as the Younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve And the Epistle for this Day part of which is the Text was the happy effect and result upon this Determination The Apostles agreeing together amongst themselves the Gospel of Jesus did run and was glorified their Unity was causal of respect from those who were without whilst they kept together with one accord even the place where they met was an an indication both of their piety and their prudence in or about the Temple in Solomons Porch and as an ancient Gloss upon the Text fuerunt simul sapientes in domo sapientis The wisdom of God was here justified by the children of Wisdom and that in no other place then in an House of Wisdom whilst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the rest whither they were Friends or enemies seeing and observing their Unity ecce ut seinvicem deligant they could not but keep their distance no man durst to joyn himself to them and yet notwithstanding this awe upon their spirits the Apostles wanted neither Praise nor Admiration But the People magnified them and upon the whole the word of God grew and was multiplied Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Well therefore has our Church in her Divine Service furnished us at this time with a Prayer for the continuance of that Vnity and Vniformity which beares its later date from this Festival to wit that it would please Almighty God to grant unto his Church to love that Word which this Apostle in the Communion of the rest believed that both those who Minister may preach and the people may receive the same in the fear of God in the love of those truths and of one another through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The words of the Text having thus given you an account of our Churches choice in the selection of them for the Epistle at this time which I could not well omit partly out of a respect to the Festival and chiefly out of a design to speak a word in season too much and sadly in season even all the year long because of these days of error schism and sedition in which we live are in themselves a Parenthesis and so an Historicall observation made in the midst of a continued Narration A Descant made of what effect the judgment of God had upon the sin of sacriledge in the verses before to wit what influence the punishment of this sin in the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira had upon the Church as also what was the effect of Gods Providence in the verses following how that God was with his Apostles to deliver them from the expectation of those who sought their lives he sent his Angel to open the prison door and out of prison they were sent to reign in the hearts of all that heard them and at length by the counsel of their enemies they were acquitted God over-ruling in those Determinations also so that this seems to be the Historical though Parenthetical observation of St. Luke writing the whole story That the Apostles and new convert Disciples being altogether with one accord in Solomons Porch of the rest durst no man joyn himself to them but the People magnified them and Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes of men and women Observe with me in the whole Parenthesis as the limits to what may be Discoused from it these four things 1. A Holy Convention They were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch 2. A Due Distance observed in that Convention Of the rest durst no man joyn himself to them 3. An awefull Reverence exhibited upon that Distance But the People magnified them 4. A Great Benefit redounding to the whole Community upon that Reverence or rather upon the whole present Dispensation Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes of men and women Of these in their order 1 A Holy Convention They were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch in which words we may observe 1. The Persons convening 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all of them 2. The Place of their meeting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Solomon's Porch 3. Their Behaviour at their meeting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together with one accord These Three the Subject of the first Discourse 1. The Persons convening 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all of them Whether with the Apostles the new Convert Disciples or the multitudes called together at the noise of the wonders that were wrought or it may be amongst so many some out of curiosity to pry and observe and others out of evil will to seek and occasion against them that so they might deliver up these Apostles to the Rulers Thus might these multitudes at this time have been divided The Apostles were there labouring in the Word and Doctrine the new Converts were there receiving as new born babes the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby those who were curious and inquisitive came
were the greatest piece of gallantry in the world for a man to be so fool-hardy as to imagine that sometime for Diversion God himself may be mocked No wonder that there is such looseness in the lives of men when there is no stronger a bridle upon their tongues how are the reins let loose to all impiety to draw iniquity as it were with a Cart-rope with all ones might and all ones strength even with the hand of violence Hell it self suffers violence and the violent take it by force Woe and Alas how can it be otherwise but that the heart must be a sink of uncleanness where the eyes are as so many casements to let in vanity and the mouth is so wide a door to let out folly But surely it was never intended that the Word of Life should be thus magnified only in the great swelling words of vanity and impiety would you be happy in the earth live long and see good daies Psal 34.13 Keep your Tongues from evil and your Lips that they speak no guile Whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report especially in the Dispensation of the Gospel in the solemn Administration of the Service of God since there is so much vertue let there be some praise think upon and follow these things Let that which is our chief happiness be our greatest honour what shall we villifie that which according to the entertainment it meets with I mean our Holy Religion proves where ever it comes either the ruine or the exalting of a Nation what must the Ark of God be set up in the House of Dagon made to truckle under Heatheanism and Atheisme how could it be otherwise but that the Philistines should be struck with Emerods the Plague to follow them from one City to another until they be almost utterly consumed But at another time bring the Ark aside to the House of Obed-Edom who receives it and the Salvation of his God with joy the House is blessed for the Guests sake the Lord prospers him and all that he has every thing that he puts his hand unto Never any man fared the worse for any respect or kindness unto Gods Service it was Nehemiah's prayer and the prayer of Faith heard in an accepted time in that he had Magnified the worship of the God of his Fathers with all his heart and with all his soul Nehemiah 13.14 Remember me O my God concerning this and wipe not out the good deeds which I have done for the House of my God and for the offices thereof But Alas How has the Church cause to invert this prayer against those that have evil will to Sion that God would Remember them concerning this and forget not the bad deeds which they have done against the House of their God and the solemnities thereof against Solomon's Porch the service and those that Minister therein they have returned evil for good not Blessing but contrariwise railing not suffering the Dispensation of holiness and life to be as it ought Magnified amongst them yea the very abjects have gathered themselves together making mows and mockings at what they will not learn to know and understand quite contrary to what was done in the Text where the very ordinary sort of people had the persons of holy men in admiration onely because of a Spiritual and holy advantage and that is the Second thing now to be considered in this Third part of the Text the Persons by and to whom this respect was given from the People to the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this the honour of these Saints their Persons to be had in esteem amongst the Multitudes First From the People whose voice at this time was the voice of God not many wise nor many noble Excluditur Pontificia factio they who sate in the Chair of Moses would give no heed to those who Preached Jesus that great Prophet who was to come into the World of whom Moses and all the Prophets did write ver 17. The High Priests and those that were with him even the whole Sect of the Sadduces were filled with indignation Thus as our Saviour formerly so fared his Disciples here St. John 7.48 Have any of the Pharisees or Rulers believed on him but this People who know not the Law are cursed and yet fullfilling all Righteousness they are Blessed having embraced the everlasting Gospel from the Multitudes where there was Love there was Honour also they met in Solomon's Porch the more company the greater was the welcome and the more glorious the solemnity when there the People who did here Magnifie were such as would not come too near and yet they would not stay away that so the Publick place for Divine Worship might be full Thronged Multitudes when they betake themselves into corners and separate from the places of open Assemblies are such who heap up Teachers to themselves and despise their lawful Guides they make themselves judges of those constitutions which they should not dispute but obey they speak evil of those Dignities which they should respect and despise those Dominions to which they should submit themselves and that not for wrath only but for Conscience sake But when the People go up by their Tribes to the House of God with the voice of Joy and Praise exercising themselves in a holy Religion with one Arm and one Shoulder the Saints singing with joyfulness and all the Priests cloathed with Righteousness how is the value of things and of Persons Sacred enhanced even to a popular veneration Popularity though it has its snares and temptations yet it is a joy and a comfort to those who labour honestly in the discharge of their Duty so long as it be found in the way of truth Applause from the vulgar though it be not to be sought by such as will approve themselves the Ministers of Christ Jesus through a bad as well as through a good report yet neither is it altogether to be despised when a man can chearfully reflect upon himself and his own labours that he has rightly divided the word of Truth and approved himself as a Workman that need not be ashamed herein alwayes exercising himself to have a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward all men Let the servant of God spend and be spent in the sincerer severer exercises of Religion and surely the very ordinary sort of People cannot be so disingenuous as the more he loves and takes care for their Souls the less he should be loved of them especially when he doth thus heartily bespeake them I seek not yours but you certainly when thus qualified and thus resolved without appearing all things to all men he may gain the more Honesty when all is done will prove the best Policy it is that which will set a man right in the eyes of God and of the People the result of integrity is peace both within and without to stand firm to the principles of order and solemnity without
they who they will it cannot be good it may be a zealous affection or affectation rather But it is not well And so I pass to the second thing In which Zeal is reprehensible and that is in relation to the Subject when the affectators of this kind are not rightly qualified as to affection or intention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They zealously affect but not well The question was cautelously put by Jehu however he was afterward mistaken in the management of his zeal when Jehonadab the son of Rechab came forth to meet him and salute him 2 Kings 10.15 Is thy heart right as my heart is right and he answered it is then was it a fit opportunity to call him up to him into his Chariot that he might see his zeal for the Lord of Hosts unless the heart be right zeal degenerates into hypocrisie and he that strains himself to act a passion upon the Stage for that while is as great a zealot as such a one who would fain make the world believe that he is transported upon the account of his Religion when neither his affection is real nor his intention sincere 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are Zealously affected but not well whose affection is not real such whose Zeal is rather Jealousie than love and this seems to be the proper import of the Phrase in the Text sumpta Metaphora a Procis Zelotypis Zelotypiae causa Paulum rivalem pseudo-apostoli non patiebantur Beza in loc The false Apostles who disturbed these Galatians in their Faith were jealous of St. Paul as their Rival lest he should too much win and gain upon the affections of the People and therefore they must needs be Zealous too and preach Christ out of strife and envy supposing so to add affliction to the other persecutions of this Blessed Apostle We find in Ezekiels Vision chap. 8.3 That in the same place where was the Image of Jealousie that prevoketh unto Jealousie behold the glory of the God of Israel was likewise there Sad it is that there should be cause to invert the Prophets Vision thus The Glory of the God of Israel is too much pretended where there are nothing but Images of jealousie erected and by uncharitable surmises and suspicions strange provocations unto Jealousie are fomented Thus in the words of a late excellent pen Zeal is many times both a Fire and Fan unto it self being blown by the ambient airy desire of applause out of a fond conceit of some selfish excellence and an evil eye upon the gifts and happy endowments of another True indeed we may covet earnestly the best gifts yea and especially that of Prophesie but then our emulations in reference to these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ordinary gifts of the holy Ghost bestowed by vertue of their Mission upon such as are diligent in the work of the Ministry ought not to be with a soure and a supercilious eye upon the better parts or more happy success of our Brethren covet we may and that earnestly the best gifts but yet says the Apostle shew I unto you a more excellent way 2 Cor. 12.31 and that is Love and Charity which is the Bond of all perfection Should we have the tongues of Men and Angels and yet want charity we are like a sounding brass and a tinckling Cymbal what is the gift of Prophecy the understanding of all mystery and of all knowledge without charity it is nothing charity envyeth not vaunteth not it self is not puffed up seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things since then there are some whose Zeal has burnt up their Love they are so suspitious lest others should go before them that they overshoot themselves we may pity them because they are in a distemper and wish that they will return to a right and a sober mind but we cannot at all approve of such jealous ardors as these which spend themselves only that they may make a greater braze then is at their neighbours fire in such a case the Affection is not Real and therefore the Zeal is to be suspected 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not well 2. Men are Zealously affected 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but not well when the Intention is not sincere and this is the result of the former where the heart is not right void of a true affection there the main drift and scope of any action must needs be amiss A Man may shew a Zeal to himself in his earnestness for his Religion when it is more out of love to himself then to the thing which he professes as in the Text being willing that you should affect them Nay though it be a sad aggravation of the sin yet there is just cause to fear it that many are Zealous out of a Designe to Subvert and Supplant Religion when it is not established according to their humour and to bring an evil report upon the way of Godliness Such are they who decry Prophaneness and Debauchery so much that they forget Rebellion and Disobedience to be a sin who attribute the immoralities that are in mens lives to a certain Discipline restored in the Church and Government in the State and not to the general corruption of humane nature unhappily worse depraved amongst us from the Principles of Libertenisme in the late days of Rebellion first raised and since too much fomented So that these zealots have no reason to reproach us that the former days were better than these as if it were possible that God and his glory could be then more regarded when Tyranny and Usurpation was in the Throne Sacrilege and profane invasion in the Church Robbery and Oppression in every Street Sequestration and unjust Possession almost in every Estate And yet now we are Governed by a Law of Love every man sits under his own Vine and Figtree with great delight and our God is or may be worshipped in his Temple and there in the Beauties of his holiness now there is a King in Israel every man doth that which seemeth good in his own eyes Pudet haec opprobria Sad it is I confess that there should be any in the strength of such restored and renewed Mercies who provoke a Gracious God to anger and give occasion to the adversary to blaspheme but this does not excuse their malice who upon this account are ready to seek opportunity to themselves of shewing their Disaffection to the Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical rather then their Zeal for Piety and Holiness To these I have only this to say notwithstanding their pretended sanctity they cannot bragg over much of their honesty even to this day we observe it that they are a subtil crafty and a supplanting Generation And to all the world I do here profess it that upon thorow search and examination amongst all the divisions and separations that are in the midst of us could I but any where
in strength to pull down the inclosure yet every mans hand shall be against his Brother who shall first go in and take possession of the Field It was the pious animadversions of our late glorious Martyred King upon the mutual dissentions that happened amongst his enemies when both himself and the Ark was taken Captive That those contentions were but the struggling of Twins which before One Womb had inclosed the younger striving to prevail against the elder what one sort hunted after the other sought to catch for themselves and hence the same Royal Pen gives us this remark what a benefit their accrues from Unity and Uniformity So impossible it is that the Lines should be drawn from the Centre and not to divide from each other so much the wider by how much the farther they go from the point of Vnion Brethren in iniquity are not long friends Herod and Pontius are onely reconciled against Christ when their interests come once to be different they will again divide and be insolent enemies there being nothing harder then to keep ill men long in one Mind they are loth to be eclipsed or out-done in one common design he that gets most of popular applause is looked upon with an evil eye by the rest whilst on the other side they who are the most expert in framing snares and gins to hold the Vulgar Credulity by seemingly pious stratagems do hug themselves in the conceit of their own ingenuity above their fellows and still they pretend nothing but zeal and affection to those with whom they converse and all that they may keep the Populacy fast to themselves They would that the people should affect none but them And thus I have done with the first part of the Text which is the account given us of a bad and a wicked zeal described to us from the object of it when it is of Persons not of things of men and not their graces and those either Clergy Laity or persons in a more mixed Relation a certain Juncto or Knot of acquaintance they zealously affect you from the Subject of it when the affectators are not rightly quallified as to affection or intention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not well from the nature of the zeal it self when in its direct consequence it tends to a Shisme or Separation and Dis-union nay though the pretence be Comprehension yet the design is to exclude you or us separate us from you and you from us And lastly from the zealots themselves when their design is to warm themselves by the Church when it is one fire to gain Proselytes to their Party rather then to their Cause they would that you should affect them Application That we be careful lest we be drawn into temptation and a snare that we be not deceived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the slight of men as if the Dice were to be set upon us and we were to be hectored out of our Religion as too too many are out of their estates as it were by the cogging of a Dye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that we beware of the subtilty of the old Scrpent and the craft of a new Generation of Vipers who lie in wait to deceive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that we take heed of the cunning wiles the curious arts and Methods the industrious contrivances the ingenious sophisms of error and sedition By these two hints we may both examine our selves and be circumspect as to others know a false Zeal should either we be carried away with it or we may discover it in any one else should they seduce us by it And they are these Is not the Zeal pretended the product of Passion more than Piety the result of the Bodies Gonstitution more then a virtuous habit and frame of Mind and again is not the Thing for which there is so much Zeal more the Zealots interest then his Devotion Is he not a more laborious slave to his worldly profit than a diligent servant to his Gracious God First Is not the Zeal the product of Passion more then Piety the result chiefly of the Bodies Constitution rather then of a Virtuous habit and frame of Mind that Zeal which is the consequence of mans temper is to be suspect for choler as is moderation for lukewarmness which proceeds from an easie facil Disposition we are not to ascribe that to Piety says a late excellent pen which a man owes to his Complexion and think Religion makes him zealous when it is his Constitution Not by the way but that a Mans Natural Disposition may be Sanctified and God may and does make use of our tempers and inclinations in order to his service yet there is cause enough of suspition when the passions are not regulated or in the language of the Apostle rather then the Philosopher when we have not crucified the affections and the lusts that zeal is not kindled by a coal from the Altar in which iniquity is not done away the lips are still unclean when in other circumstances of life there are the same heats nothing but choler and anger and that violent and long continued upon every little or no occasion They whose hearts are a sacrifice of holy incense a pure flame a burnt-offering a sweet smelling savour acceptable unto God cannot spare any of their heat upon outward provocations they can pass by injuries unconcerned and be quiet so God may have his honour intire they value not their own they have not given up their understanding to their splene love and charity is the Rule they walk by amongst men and though many times they shew themselves concerned in the cause of God yet it is not so much a fretful humour running in their blood as the overflowing and circulation of Grace from the heart in a word it is a zeal for Gods House that it may stand not a design to promote their own house that it may be exalted higher which doth thus Consume them and that is the Second Note of distinction whereby we may know and beware of a false Zeal Is not the thing for which there is so much zeal more the Zealots interest then his Devotion is he not more a laborious slave to his worldly Mammon then a diligent servant to his gracious God And this is that which renders zeal though for a good thing it self to be bad The Devil thought it a sufficient Plea against Job that he did not serve God for nought none was like Job for prosperity which he knew to be the result of his Piety God hedged him in on every side no wonder if none were like him in all the earth for his integrity one that feared God an eschewed evil Had not they reason think you those who made Silver shrines for Diana to set the whole City in an uproar in the defence of their great Goddess in so much that nothing else could be heard for two hours together but this Out-cry Great is the Diana of the Ephesians whom not only
and now with tears Chap. 3.18 That they were enemies to the Cross of Christ whose God was their belly whose glory was their shame who minded earthly things this was to be their Moderation Chap. 11.15 That they be blameless without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation among whom they were to shine as lights and upon this account in their patience they were to possess their Souls not to cast away their hope though afflicted but let it be known unto all men that this was their comfortable expectation through many tribulations that they should enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and this they were to be assured of that whatsoever afflictions did befall them as they were for their sins and why should men complain men that are alive for the punishment of their Sins so were they for their tryal too that patience might have its perfect work neither should their hope make them ashamed this is the hard usage which they that will live godly in Christ Jesus must expect even the Rod of the Wicked sometimes upon their backs and the Righteous must be careful that upon this they do not put their hands forth unto iniquity and so return to folly Let us examine him with despitefullness and with torture saith the ungodly oppressour Wisd 11.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That we may know his meekness and prove his patience So then this grace Moderation as it is here recommended implies valour as well as meekness whilst it is gentle it is couragious too 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sylbury Etym. It s Concomitant may not improperly be a stedfast Hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gloss It is not in the least inconsistent with nay the very word it self doth sometimes import a generous resolvedness a well-grounded immoveable Constancy and therefore it is the APostles advice to these Philippians Chap. 1.27 That they should stand fast in one Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 striving together for the faith of the Gospel Chap. 3.16 Whereunto any of them had attained they were to walk by the same Rule and to mind the same things And ver the first of this Chap. They were thus his dearly Beloved and longed for his Crown and his joy in that they stood fast in the Lord thus while the Apostle recommends to his Philippians Moderation a Spirit of Love and Charity towards all men he gives them this likewise in advice ver the 8th of this Chapter That they follow things that are true and just in themselves as well as honest in the sight of men things that are pure as well as those that are lovely or of good report if there be any vertue as well as if there be any praise and this chiefly to be their Moderation that they think upon and do those things And after all and throughout all that they be sure to have an eye to him and to his both work and reward who is to be their pattern the great exemplar for Moderation Chap. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem of others better than themselves let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus In the Text Let your Moderation be known unto all men The Lord is at Hand which is the Third Thing I propounded to wit the consideration of this vertue as it was eminent in our Saviour who is proposed here as the pattern for our Moderation the Lord is at hand whilst converseing with our Flesh he went about doing good humility was his cloathing and love was his delight 2 Cor. 10.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Moderation of our Saviour was his Meekness as a Lamb he was led unto the slaughter and as a Sheep before his shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth being reviled he reviled not again being persecuted he threatned not and yet though dumb and answering nothing it is said of him that before Pontius Pilate he witnessed a good confession silentem videmus non audimus confitentem reum his silence was no argument of his guilt but of his well-resolved constancy his courage and fortitude was all the while as evident as were his Meekness and Gentleness and throughout all he committed himself and his cause to God alone that that judgeth righteously We therefore being to learn of our Saviour who was meek and lowly must be careful that our Moderation be manifest as was his in the personal occurrences of our lives His Moderation was not in the least a Dispensation granted either to himself or his Disciples from that Subjection which he acknowledged to be due to the Jewish Polity whether Sacred or Civil under which he lived No in such cases it behoved him to fullfil all Righteousness he wrought a Miracle rather than he would not pay Cesar his due and his command to his Disciples was to hear those who sat in the Chair of Moses to sum up what I have elsewhere delivered at large he went up to Jerusalem according to the custome of the feast every year and though once the Pharisees enquired most eagerly after him what will he not come unto the Feast his presence immediately took off those suspitions and told them and all the World that his Principle was Conformity he kept the Feast of Dedication though of humane institution this being an argument both of his innocence and his Piety that he could thus defend and plead for himself to the very last that he was daily in the Temple and in the Synagogues and that in secret he had said nothing But then where his Person was in the least concerned there his Moderation was conspicuous to shew that he was no enemy to Cesar he with-drew himself when the People would have took him by force and have made him a King he never rode in Triumph but once and then it was to his Passion and at the same time when he owned himself to be the King of Israel he publickly professed and denied it not that his Kingdom was not of this World true he was Crowned but with Thornes the Sceptre in his hand was a Reed the Purple Robe upon him was the Robe of shame his humility was his greatest honour his Cross was his Throne the Proclamation of his Majesty was at Golgotha and whatsoever truth might be in the Title St. Mar. 15.26 The Inscription over his head is styled his Accusation written Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews This is he who is thus proposed to our imitation who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross and despised the shame this was his Moderation Chap. 11.7 of this Epistle in that he made himself of no reputation He took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of man and being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross And thus I have done with the first thing I proposed to