we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
never true Use 1. How opposite are they to godliness who cry down zeal and count it a Religious phrensie They are for the light of knowledge but not for the heat of zeal When Basil was earnest in preaching against the Arrian Heresie it was interpreted folly and dotage Religion is a matter requires zeal the Kingdom of heaven will not be taken but by violence Mat. 12. 11. Object But why so much fervour in Religion what becomes then of Prudence Answ. Though Prudence be to direct zeal yet not to destroy it because sight is requisite must the body therefore have no heat If Prudence be the eye in Religion zeal is the heart Quest. But where is moderation Answ. Though moderation in things of indifferency be commendable and doubtless it would much tend to the setling the peace of the Church yet in the main Articles of Faith wherein Gods glory and our Salvation lie at stake here moderation is nothing else but sinful neutrality It was Calvins advice to Melancthon that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at length he lost all his zeal Object But the Apostle presseth moderation Phil. 4. 5. Let your moderation be known to all Answ. The Apostle speaks there of moderating our passion the Greek word for moderation signifies candour and meekness opposite to rash anger and so the word is rendred in another place Patient 1 Tim. 3. 3. By moderation then is meant meekness of spirit and that is clear by the subsequent words The Lord is at hand As if the Apostle had said avenge not your selves for the Lord is at hand he is ready to avenge your personal wrongs but this doth not at all hinder but that in matters of Religion a Christian should be zealous 2 What strangers are they to godliness who have no zeal for the glory of God they can see his ordinances despised his worship adulterated yet their spirits are not at all stirred in them How many are of a dull lukewarm temper zealous for their own secular interest but have no zeal for the things of heaven hot in their own cause but cool in Gods The Lord doth most abominate lukewarm professours I had almost said hee is sick of them Rev. 3. 15. I would thou wert cold or hot any thing but lukewarm but because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth A lukewarm Christian is but dough-baked just like Ephraim Hos. 7. 8. Ephraim is a cake not turned To keep up a form of Religion without zeal is to be like those bodies the Angels assumed which mooved but had no life in them I would ask these Tepid neutral professors this question If Religion be not a good cause why did they undertake it at first if it be why do they go so faintly about it why have they no more holy ardours of soul these persons would fain go to heaven in a soft bed but are loath to bee carried thither in a fiery Chariot of zeal Remember God will be zealous against them who are not zealous he provides the fire of hell for those that want the fire of zeal Use 2. As you would be found in the catalogue of the godly labour for zeal as good bee of no religion as not to be zealous in religion Beware of carnal policy This is one of those three things which Luther feared would bee the death of Religion Some men have been too wise to bee saved Their discretion hath quenched their zeal beware of stoth which is an enemy to zeal be zealous and repent Rev. 3. 19. Christians what do you reserve your zeal for is it for your gold that perisheth or for your lusts that will make you perish can you bestow your zeal better than upon God how zealous have men been in a false religion Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance The Iews did spare no cost in their idolatrous worship nay Ier. 32. 35. They cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire to Molech They were so zealous in their idol-worship that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their false Gods how far did the purblinde Heathens go in their false zeal 〈◊〉 the Tribunes of Rome complained they wanted gold in their Treasurâ—es to offer to Apollo the Roman Matrons plucked off their chains of gold and rings and bracelets and gave them to the Priests to offer up sacrifice were these so zealous in their sinful worship and will not you bee zealous in the worship of the true God can you loose any thing by your zeal shall it not bee super-abundantly recompenced what is heaven worth what is a sight of God worth was not Jesus Christ zealous for you he sweat drops of blood hee conflicted with his Fathers wrath how zealous was hee for your redemption and have you no zeal for him is there any thing you your selves hate more than dulness and slothfulness in your servants you are weary of such servants do you dislike a dull temper in others and not in your selves what are all your duties without zeal but non entia meer fancies and nullities Do you know what a glorious thing zeal is it is the lustre that sparkles from grace it is the flame of love it resembles the Holy Ghost Act. 2. 2. There appeared cloven tongues like fire which sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Tongues of fire were an Emblem to represent that fire of zeal which the spirit powred upon them Zeal makes all our religious performances prevalent with God When the iron is red hot it enters best and when our services are red hot with zeal they soonest pierce heaven SECT XVI 16. A godly man is a patient man Iam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob. Patience is a star which shines in a dark night There is a twofold patience 1. Patience in waiting 2. Patience in bearing 1. Patience in waiting A godly man if he hath not his desire presently he will wait till the mercy be ripe Psa. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord. Good reason God should have the Timing of our mercies Isa. 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Deliverance may tarry beyond our time but it will not tarry beyond Gods time Why should not we wait patiently upon God 1. We are servants it becomes servants to be in a waiting posture 2. We wait upon every thing else we wait upon the fire till it burns we wait upon the seed till it grows Iam. 5. 7. Why cannot we wait upon God 3. God hath waited upon us Did not he wait for our repentance How often did he come year after year before he found fruit Did God wait upon us and cannot we wait upon him A godly man is content to stay Gods leisure though the Vision tarry he will wait for
below an heaven-born soul nay for such as profess to be enobled with a principle of Piety and to have their hopes above for them to have their hearts below how do they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 disparage their Heavenly Calling and spot their silver wings of Grace by beliming them with earth 3. Consider what a poor contemptible thing the world is it is not worth setting the affections on it cannot fill the heart if Satan should take a Christian up to the Mount of Temptation and show him all the Kingdomes and glory of the world what could he show him but a phancy an apparition Nothing here can be proportionable to the immense soul of man Iob 20. 22. In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in streights Here is want in plenty the creature will no more fill the soul than a drop will fill the bucket and that little sweet we suck from the creature is intermixed with some bitterness like that Cup which the Jews gave Christ Mar. 15. 23. They gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrhe And this imperfect sweet will not last long 1 Iohn 2. 17. The world passeth away The creature doth but salute us and is presently upon the wing The world rings Changes it is never constant but in its disappointments how quickly may we remove our lodgings and make our pillow in the dust The world is but a great Inne where we are to stay a night or two and be gone what madness is it so to set our heart upon our Inne as to forget our home 4. Consider what a glorious place heaven is We read of an Angel coming down from heaven who did tread with his right foot on the Sea and with his left foot on the earth Revel 10. 2. Had we but once been in heaven and viewed the superlative glory of it how might we in an holy scorn trample with one foot upon the earth and with the other foot upon the Sea Heaven is called a better Country Heb. 11. 16. But now they desire a better Country that is an heavenly Heaven is said to be a better Country in opposition to the Country where we now sojourn What should we mind but that better Country Quest. In what sense is heaven a better Country Answ. 1. In that Country above there are better delights there is the Tree of Life the Rivers of Pleasure there is amazing beauty unsearchable riches there are the delights of Angels there is the Flower of Joy fully blown there is more than we can ask or think there is glory in its full dimensions and beyond all hyperbole 2. In that Country there is a better dwelling house 1. It is an house not made with hands 2 Cor. 5. 1. To denote the excellency of it There was never any house but was made with hands but the house above surpasseth the art of man or Angel none besides God could lay a stone in that building 2. It is eternal in the heavens it is not a sojourning house but a Mansion-house it is an house will never be out of repair Wisdome hath built this house and hewn out her seven Pillars which can never moulder 3. In that Country there are better provisions in our Fathers house is bread enough Heaven was typified by Canaan which did flow with milk and honey There is the Royal Feast the spiced Wine there is Angels food there are those rare viands and dainties served in as exceed not only our expressions but our faith 4. In that Country is better Society There is God blessed for ever How infinitely sweet and ravishing will a smile of his face be the Kings presence makes the Court There are the glorious Cherubims in this terrestrial Country where we now live we are among Wolves and Serpents in that Country above we shall be among Angels There are the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. Here the people of God are clouded with infirmities we see them with spots in their faces they are full of pride passion censoriousness in that Hierusalem above we shall see them in their Royal attire deck'd with unparallell'd beauty not having the least tincture or shadow of sin upon them 5. In that Country there is a better ayr to breathe in We go into the Country for ayr the best ayr is only to be had in that better Country 1. It is a more temperate ayr the Climate is calm and moderate we shall neither freeze with the cold nor faint with the heat 2. It is a brighter ayr there is a better light shines there The Sun of Righteousness enlightens that Horison with his glorious beams Rev. 21. 23. The Lamb is the light thereof 3. It is a purer ayr The Fens which are full of black vapours we count a bad ayr and unwholesome to live in This world is a place of Bogs and Fens where the noxious vapours of sin arise which make it pestilential and unwholesome to live in but in that Country above there are none of these vapours but a sweet perfume of holiness there is the smell of the Orange-tree and the Pomgranate there is the Myrrhe and Cassia coming from Christ which send forth a most odoriferous smell 6. In that Country there is a better soil the Land or Soil is better 1. For its altitude the earth lying low is of a baser pedigree the Element which is neerest heaven is purer and more excellent as the fire that Country above is the High Country Psal. 24. 3. it is seated far above all the visible Orbs. 2. It is a better Land for its fertilness it bear a richer Crop The richest Harvest on earth is the golden Harvest but the Country above yields Nobier Commodities there are Pearls Caelestial there is the Spiritual Vine there is the honey-comb of Gods love dropping there is the Water of Life the hidden Manna there is fruit that doth not rot flowers that never fade there is a Crop which cannot be quite reaped it will be ever reaping time in heaven and all this the Land yields without the labour of ploughing and sowing 3. It is a better Land for its inoffensiveness There are no bryars there the World is a Wilderness where are wicked men and the best of them is a bryar Mica 7. 4. They will be tearing the people of God in their spiritual Liberties but in the Country above there is not one bryar to be seen all the bryars are burned 4. It is a better Land for the rareness of the prospect all that a man sees there is his own I account that the best prospect where a man can see furthest on his own ground 7. In that Country is better union all the Inhabitants are knit together in love The poysonful weed of malice doth not grow there there is harmony without division and charity without envy In that Country above as in Solomons Temple no noyse of Hammer is heard 8. In that Country is better imployment while