Holy Zeal against Sin SHEWN To be an Acceptable And Seasonable Duty IN A SERMON PREACHED At Lyme Regis IN THE County of DORSET Sept. 4th 1700. At a Quarterly Lecture appointed for the promoting the Reformation of Manners By J. E. Minister of the Gospel Gal. 4.8 It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing LONDON Printed by J. H. for the Author 1700. Num. XXV 12 13. part Behold I give unto him my Covenâ—… Peace and he shall have it and his after him even the Covenant of an eâ—…sting Priesthood because he was zeâ—… for his God IT is the observation of wise men that 〈◊〉 Age has some special duty belonging 〈◊〉 For the most part every Age brings with new turn of affairs and hence arise new Dâ—… I shall not go back to the days of old and enâ—… what was the special duty of our Forefathâ—… their time let it suffice to tell you that thâ—… sent duty of this generation and which Gâ—… his Providence calls us to seems to be the Refâ—…tion of Manners You need not be informed that vice is gâ—… rampant that prophaness and immorality â—… overrun our Land that swearing and sabâ—… breaking drunkenness and whoredom dâ—… much abound and walk in our Streets in somâ—…ces at noon-day it is too evident to be unobseâ—… So that we stand in great need of a Reformatioâ—… And we have a very fair opportunity for it â—… command and countenance both of King Parliament We have been told that in general Reforâ—…ons we should wait the Magistrates motionâ—… concurrence I will not dispute that now â—â—…ther it be universally true It is sufficient tâ—… will answer the present case we have thâ—… pream Magistrate's concurrence in this matteâ—â—… â—…he Honourable House of Commons the great â—…esentative body of the Nation have made a â—… pious Address to his Majesty desiring him â—…e out his Royal Proclamation commanding all â—…es Justices of the Peace and other Magistrates â—…t in speedy execution those good Laws that are â—…in force against Prophaness and Immorality 〈◊〉 to give due incouragement to all such as do 〈◊〉 duty therein â—…nd accordingly the King Our Gracious â—…reign whom God long preserve has issued 〈◊〉 his Proclamation wherein he strictly charâ—… all persons Judges Mayors Justices of the â—…e and all other Officers and Ministers both â—…esiastical and Civil and all other his Subjects â—…n it may concern to be very vigilant and strict â—…he discovery and prosecution of all persons who 〈◊〉 be guilty of Excessive drinking Blasphemy 〈◊〉 hane Swearing and Cursing Lewdness Prophaâ—… on of the Lord's day or other dissolute immoral â—…isorderly practices as they will answer it to â—…ighty God and upon pain of the King 's highest â—…easure 〈◊〉 that now we have a loud call in the proâ—…nce of God to apply our selves to this work Reformation Now is a time for the Pious 〈◊〉 Sober for all that are on God's side to shew â—…r Zeal against Vice to shew themselves Zealous â—…heir God â—…hat I might incourage so good a work and 〈◊〉 note the Reformation already begun in many â—…s of this Kingdom I thought it not amiss â—…ropose to your consideration the above Text. â—…ich shews how acceptable to Almighty God 〈◊〉 Zeal of Phinehas was in executing judgment on Zimri and Cosbi two debaucht persons â—… tells him that as a reward of his Zeal he shâ—… have confirm'd to him an everlasting Priesthâ—… Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace â—… That you may see the Occasion and Scopâ—… these words I shall give you in brief the hiâ—… of the matter The Israelites being comâ—… their wilderness march to the plains of Mâ—… Balak King of Moab sent to Balaam a 〈◊〉 Soothsayer in those parts to come and curse tâ—… But Balaam being able to do nothing agâ—… Israel with all his Enchantments whilst Israelâ—… faithful unto his God whilst God beheld no iniâ—… in Jacob as Balaam expresseth it Num. 23.21 This wicked Prophet therefore advised Balaâ—… insnare them into Sin well knowing that sin wâ—… provoke the displeasure of the Almighty agâ—… them who was their protection and so wâ—… make them fall an easy prey unto their Enemiâ—… By the way note That nothing tends moâ—â—… rob a people or nation of its strength and glory 〈◊〉 to expose them to contempt and ruine than Sin 〈◊〉 Therefore those that are Zealous in the worâ—… Reformation are some of the Nation 's best frieâ—… It is the Interest of Princes to incourage such 〈◊〉 sons It is some of the best state-policy in 〈◊〉 world to give check to growing Impiety anâ—… encourage the Vertuous For Righteousness exâ—… eth a Nation but Sin is a reproach unto any peâ—… Prov. 20.14 34. This was the Observation Solomon the wisest of Men and the greatesâ—… Kings But this by the bye Balaam that crafty Diviner and Prophet well skill'd in these Politicks And therefore Moses takes notice of it Num. 31.15 16. hâ—… Balak to insnare Israel by their Women And were insnared first to Whoredom and â—…o Idolatry as you read in the two first Verses â—…e Chapter of my Text. Num. 25.1 2. And abode in Shittim and the people begun to commit â—â—…dom with the daughters of Moab And they 〈◊〉 the people unto the Sacrifices of their Gods â—…he people did eat and bowed down to their Gods â—…ow God was so displeased with these abominaâ—…ractices that he sent a destructive plague aâ—…g them which swept away many thousands â—â—…em And he commanded Moses to execute â—â—â—…ent upon the transgressors v. 3 4. Moses having received this commandement 〈◊〉 the Lord gave order to the Judges the â—…nty that were chosen to assist him in the Goâ—…ment to slay every one his men those unâ—…charge as many of them as were guilty v. 5. â—…ow in the interim before this command was â—…n Execution comes one of the Israelites named â—â—…ri and brings unto his Brethren a Midianitish â—â—…han in the sight of Moses and the Congregatiâ—â—… so bold and impudent was he in his sin v. 6. â—â—…ereupon Phinehas in a holy Zeal takes a â—â—…elin in his hand goes to their Tent and thrusts â—…n both through the Man of Israel and the â—â—…man through her belly and so the plague was â—â—…ed v. 7 8. â—…hether Phinehas did this in the person of a â—â—…gistrate and as one of those Judges that were â—â—â—…ered by Moses to slay these transgressors v. 5. 〈◊〉 whether he did as a Private person being moved â—â—…reto by some Speical direction and motion of â—â—…d's spirit and so there was something extraorâ—â—â—…ary in the action It is not material at present to determine For either way it is no warrant fâ—â—… private persons in ordinary cases to take upoâ—… them the Execution of Justice That which at present I would note to you 〈◊〉 Phinehas his zeal and fervour against Sin which 〈◊〉 manifested by that action Which zeal of 〈◊〉 was so pleasing to God that he testified his higâ—… approbation of it not only by
Sin And was it in the Sinner's power as it is in his will Psal 14.1 there should be no God to punish him for his sin Now this being the nature and tendency of Sin who that hath any concern for God's glory who that hath any true zeal for God can chuse but have an abhorrence of it By Sin God's glory is eclipsed and sullied his very being and government are opposed and slighted those persons therefore that are zealous for God must needs have a holy indignation against Sin 3. It imports a diligent endeavour to suppress Sin Activity and Zeal go always together The active Christian and the zealous Christian are never separated Zeal in Scripture is opposed to laziness indifferency lukewarmness Rev. 3.16 20. It is of the nature of Zeal to be fervent and to make persons vigorous and active wherever it is Jehu being zealous was very active in his way And so was Phinehas the Instance of my Text he was very active in suppressing vice and executing â—â—…dgment upon the Sinners And where the is true zeal for God against Sin it will make persons in their respective places to appear against it and endeavour to suppress it This briefly for the first general what it is to be zealous for God and what it imports I come Secondly to prove that it is a duty very pleasing unto God That it is a duty is plain from Scripture Precept and Precedent both lay an obligation on 〈◊〉 to be zealous for God 1. Scripture-Precept Unless we break Godâ—â—… bands asunder and cast away his cords from us and so act like those wicked ones Psal 2.3 we must resolve to comply with this duty because by Precept we are injoyned to be zealous for God against Sin The Scripture requires us to be zealously affected in a good thing Gal. 4.18 And what better thing can a person be imployed in than iâ—… endeavouring to suppress vice whereby God iâ—… dishonoured in the world Without compliant with this duty we cannot answer one great end 〈◊〉 Christ's Redemption who gave himself for us the he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie 〈◊〉 himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tâ—â—… 2.14 It is one end of Christ's Redemption thâ—… we might be zealous of good works and amoâ—â—… good works this of Reformation the reforming of Sinners is none of the least It is a foul blot in Laodicea's character that 〈◊〉 had no heart to restrain evil-doers 'T is mentioned to the praise of the Church of Ephesus thâ—… he could not bear with them that were evil Rev. 2. â—… But as for Laodicea she was lukewarm neither not nor cold very indifferent as to this matter and therefore God threatens to spue her out of his mouth Rev. 3.15 16. and to prevent this judgment calls on her to be zealous and repent v. 19. If therefore God's call his command and injunction have any weight with us it is our duty to shew our selves zealous against sin We are obliged thereto by Precept 2. Scripture-Precedent does oblige to it We are bid to follow the footsteps of the flock Can. 1.8 And to be followers of the Saints wherein they are followers of God Phil. 3.17 Eph. 5.1 Now 't is recorded to the everlasting praise and commendation of the Saints many of them how eminently zealous they were in their days for God against vice This was the commendation of David Jehoshaphat Hezekiah and Josiah Kings of Judah that they set themselves against vice and zealously promoted a Reformation This was that which good Nehemiah took such comfort in when he had been reforming and cleansing the people and manifesting his zeal against the prophanation of the Sabbath said he Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the greatâ—…ess of thy mercy Neh. 13.15 22. Elijah also pleased his zeal before God 1 Kin. 19.10 14. I have â—…een very jealous or zealous for the Lord God of â—…osts for the children of Israel have forsaken thy Covenant c. And to mention no more it was this â—…hat made Phinehas so famous to posterity and â—…ained him the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God because â—…e appeared boldly for God against sin and executed judgment on those presumptuous sinners â—…imri and Cosbi without having respect to their â—…ality and greatness notwithstanding Zimri was 〈◊〉 Son of a Prince and Cosbi was the Daughter of a chief House in Midian Num. 25.8 14 15. Thus if we look back to the Saints of old wâ—… find many instances recorded in Scripture of pesons zealous for God against vice It is therefoâ—â—… our duty to be so too that we may be like thâ—… people of God in old time That it is a duty very pleasing unto God mâ—… be demonstrated from divers particulars but 〈◊〉 present I shall keep to the instance of my Texâ—… and thence make it appear to be an acceptable â—â—…ty That Phinehas his zeal was very pleasing 〈◊〉 to God will evidently appear from the considerâ—… on of these two particulars both mentioned in 〈◊〉 Text and Context One is God's removing 〈◊〉 Plague from the Israelites thereupon The othâ—â—… his bestowing an everlasting Priesthood on Phinâ—… 1. God's removing the Plague from the Israelâ—â—… upon Phinehas his performing this duty is a plâ—â—… indication how acceptable his zeal was unto Gâ—… The Israelites having greatly corrupted themselâ—… by whoredom and idolatry God sent amoâ—… them a sweeping Plague which took away noâ—… than twenty four thousand Num. 25.9 Times of general debauchery are usually 〈◊〉 forerunners of some sore judgment Whateâ—… pretences men make to Loyalty to the Templâ—… the Lord to the Church and the like yet if thâ—… are debaucht persons they are some of the Nâ—…on's worst enemies These were the persons 〈◊〉 brought wrath upon Israel and caused Godâ—… send the Plague among them Now when God's judgments are abroad in 〈◊〉 earth the Inhabitants thereof should learn Rigâ—…teousness It should be so but what shall we say The wicked will do wickedly still Mercies 〈◊〉 Judgments they are all one to them they wâ—… be reclaimed Thus 't is in our days and 〈◊〉 't was in the days of old An instance whereof 〈◊〉 have in Zimri and Cosbi who notwithstandâ—â—â—… that dreadful judgment God sent on the peâ—… for their great wickedness went on still boldlyâ—… the same debaucht practices not being afraidâ—… commit lewdness in the face of the Sun But â—…nehas on the other hand was no less bold in Gâ—… cause in executing judgment for in a holy zâ—… he went forthwith to them and thrust them bâ—… through Which action of his was so pleasing 〈◊〉 to God that hereupon he stayed the Plague 〈◊〉 And he went to the man of Israel into the tent 〈◊〉 thrust them both through the man of Israel and 〈◊〉 woman through her belly and the plague was stayâ—… And if any should doubt whether 't was on the 〈◊〉 count of Phinehas his zeal that the
Plague 〈◊〉 stayed t is farther added v. 10 11. And the Lâ—… spake unto Moses saying Phinehas the Son of Eâ—…azar the Son of Aaron the Priest hath turned aâ—… my wrath from the Children of Israel whilst he 〈◊〉 zealous for my sake among them that I consumed 〈◊〉 the Children of Israel in my jealousie 2. God's bestowing an everlasting Priesthood 〈◊〉 Phinehas as a reward of his zeal is another maâ—…fest indication of his being greatly well pleaâ—… with it This evidence we have in the wordsâ—… my Text Behold I give unto him my covenantâ—… peace c. Behold God calls upon others 〈◊〉 take notice of it for their incouragement 〈◊〉 God will reward others as well as Phinehas 〈◊〉 they shew themselves zealous in his Cause 〈◊〉 give unto him my Covenant of Peace i. e. the 〈◊〉 venant of Priesthood as it is expressed v. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here the Covenant of Peace partly with reâ—…ct to the happy effect of this heroical action of 〈◊〉 whereby he made peace between God and the â—…ple but chiefly in regard to the principal end 〈◊〉 use of the Priestly Office which was to mediâ—… between God and Men and to make atonement 〈◊〉 offering up Sacrifice Incense and Prayers â—…nd he shall have it His zeal was so pleasing to mighty God that he doubles the promise to â—…e him the greater assurance of it And his â—…d after him The promised blessing the reward 〈◊〉 his zeal extends likewise unto his posterity 〈◊〉 God sometimes visiteth the sins of Parents upâ—… their Children so he ofttimes blesseth the â—…d of the righteous for the Parents sake Phiâ—…has his zeal brought a blessing on his Children â—…ven the Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood â—…e word Everlasting in the Old Testament does â—…ually signify 'till Christ's coming And so the â—…port of the promise is this that if Phinehas â—…s posterity did not forfeit it by some remarkable 〈◊〉 they should have the Priesthood continued to â—…em as long as the Law and Commonwealth of â—…e Jews lasted i. e. till the coming of the Mesâ—…h at which time the Aaronical Priesthood was 〈◊〉 give place to that of Christ Heb. 7.11 Beâ—…use he was zealous for his God Here 's the reason 〈◊〉 all rendred why God shewed such favour to â—…hinehas because he appeared boldly for God â—…ainst sin So that 't is evident from that reward â—…hich was annexed to Phinehas his zeal that God 〈◊〉 as highly well pleased with it And hence we may gather that to be zealous for â—…od at any time is also a duty well-pleasing to the â—…lmighty because the reason of the duty is the same still the same now as it was then Et 〈◊〉 milibus idem est judicium of like things we 〈◊〉 pass a like judgment I come Thirdly to shew Who be the persons that shâ—… exercise this zeal Whether Phinehas in that action of execuâ—… judgment may be considered as a Magistrate 〈◊〉 some think or as a Priest or Private personâ—… matters not for it is the duty of all personsâ—… their respective places whether Magistrates 〈◊〉 nisters or private Christians to shew themseâ—… zealous for God against sin 1. Magistrates ought to be zealous for Godâ—… to this particular These have not only the câ—…mon obligations of all Christians but some peâ—…liar bonds and ties whereby they are obligeâ—… this duty above others It is one great end of the Magistrate's Office 〈◊〉 be a terrour to evil-doers and to execute wrathâ—… them that do evil and this by the appointmâ—… and constitution of God Ro. 13.3 4. For Ruâ—… are not a terrour to good works but to the evil 〈◊〉 thou then not be afraid of the power Do tâ—… which is good and thou shalt have praise of the saâ—… For he is the Minister of God to thee for good 〈◊〉 if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beâ—…eth not the sword in vain for he is the Ministerâ—… God a Revenger to execute wrath on him that dâ—… evil Magistrates are God's Ministers of his 〈◊〉 pointment And they bear not the Sword in vaâ—… the meaning is they should not do it 'T is coâ—…mon in Scripture to speak of things as alreaâ—… done that ought to be done Because every pâ—…son in the judgment of charity unless somewâ—… appears to the contrary is supposed to act accâ—… â—…g to his duty But if Magistrates bear with evilâ—…rs and suffer vice to go unpunished they do â—…great measure bear the Sword in vain and so 〈◊〉 not answer the end of their Office the great â—…gn whereof is to restrain vice and disorder 〈◊〉 to punish evil-doers Besides Magistrates are under the peculiar tye 〈◊〉 a sacred Oath whereby they oblige themselves 〈◊〉 be faithfull to that trust committed to their â—…arge and in all articles of the King's Commission â—…hem directed to do legal right to the poor and to 〈◊〉 rich after their cunning wit and power accordâ—… to the known Laws and Statutes of the Realm â—…d consequently by oath they are obliged to puâ—…h offenders without respect of persons and 〈◊〉 put the Laws in execution against vice when â—…e informations are brought to them If they 〈◊〉 of performing their duty in this respect they 〈◊〉 in danger of incurring the guilt of perjury Furthermore Magistrates are the Representatives 〈◊〉 God And accordingly in Scripture they are â—…gnified with his Name Psal 82.6 I have said ye â—…e Gods and all of you the children of the most high â—…d therefore considering whose Representatives â—…d Vicegerents they are they should shew a zeal â—…ainst vice because nothing is so abominable to â—…e holy God as sin is The Scripture tells us 〈◊〉 is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity Hab. 1.13 â—…ot that God does not see and behold all the â—…ckedness done under the Sun even that comâ—…tted in secret places for he is Omniscient â—…t the meaning is he cannot behold sin so as to â—…prove it And therefore those Magistrates that â—…untenance vice they are not like God notâ—…thstanding by Office they bear his Image Last of all though Magistrates are little Gâ—… upon earth with respect to the people yet in 〈◊〉 gard of the great God who is higher than 〈◊〉 highest they are but Stewards and must be 〈◊〉 countable for their Stewardship However digâ—…fied among Men yet they are Servants of the mâ—… high and have a great trust as well as honouâ—…ble committed to their charge and God will oâ—… day call them to account concerning this trust coâ—…mitted to them He will hereafter call on theâ—… in such language as that Luke 16.2 Come give 〈◊〉 account of thy Stewardship for thou maist be no loâ—…ger Steward The time of their Stewardship wâ—… come to an end and they must be accountable fâ—… what they have done And therefore if Magâ—… strates Gallio-like are very indifferent in Goâ—… cause have no heart to punish vice but in thâ—… respect bear the Sword in vain they will be abâ—… to give but a sorry account unto their great
of my soul to see how difficult 〈◊〉 is to engage some Ministers to put to their asâ—â—…sting hand in promoting this work of Reformaâ—…ion I do not say that all are so God forbid 〈◊〉 should then fear it an awful prelude of some fore â—…udgment To see persons all life in a Ceremony but iâ—… God's cause to have no heart in some of the subâ—…tantial points of Religion to be as dead as a stone what is it but the height of hypocrisie Our Saâ—…iour himself has decided this case He hath told â—…s there are weightier matters and lesser matters â—…nd he hath branded those for hypocrites and â—…as denounced a woe against them who keep 〈◊〉 â—…other about smaller matters such as Ceremoniâ—… 〈◊〉 of Man's making mint anice cummin but negâ—…ect the weightier matters of the Law sobrieâ—â—…â—…ighteousness peace charity faith judgment mercy You know where it is written Mat. 23.23 When we see some persons thus zealous aboâ—â—…â—…esser matters Jehu-like driving on with a furioâ—…â—…eal and at the same time to have no regard foâ—… God's honour to be careless and indifferent whâ—…â—…her God's law and the great things of it be observed yea or no it is a temptation to many 〈◊〉 believe that there is more than a Ceremony thâ—…â—…s the difference between the Church and the Meâ—â—…â—…ng and that a separation is in some sort necessâ—…â—…y to keep up the power of Religion I could heartily wish that we could unite oâ—…â—…ne common bottom and walk together whereâ—â—… we are agreed and particularly in suppressing viâ—â—…â—…nd prophaness now we have an opportunity foâ—…â—…t the supream Magistrate's countenance and gooâ—… It was the observation of our Blessed Lord tâ—… the children of this world are wiser in their generâ—â—…on than the children of light Luke 16.8 O 〈◊〉 it not my Reverend and dear Brethren hâ—… true of Ministers Shall the men of the world 〈◊〉 different Interests unite their forces to promâ—… one common and general design Yea let me aâ—… shall the Devils themselves as I have shewn elâ—… where see my late Treatise Man's Sinfulness aâ—… Misery by Nature p. 145. unite and agree to caâ—… on one common Interest against Christ and his Kinâ—…dom And shall not Christians shall not Ministeâ—… unite in opposing the Interest of Satan by endeâ—…vouring the suppression of vice and prophaness Tell it not in Gath publish it not in Askelon let nâ—… the Papists hear of it lest these uncircumcised Phâ—…listins rejoyce who know that when we aâ—… throughly debaucht we are then fit for any Relâ—…gion and so may give them new hopes In the Name therefore of our great Master lâ—… us lay by our lesser heats and shew our selves zeâ—…lous for our God by promoting in our places thaâ—… National Reformation that is begun in some partâ—… I would hope my Brethren you need not mâ—…tives or a spur though I take this liberty to puâ—… you in remembrance Thirdly a word briefly to Private Christianâ—… and so I have done Is it a duty very pleasing untâ—… God to shew our selves zealous for him Then puâ—… this duty into practice It belongs to you as welâ—… as others Shew your selves zealous for God against Sin by promoting in your places the sâ—… much talkt of Reformation of Manners More particularly 1. Reform your selves Begin at home You â—…ll never be able to proceed with courage in reâ—…rming of others whilst guilt lies at your own â—…or It will be objected first mend your selves â—…al your self The Snuffers of the Sanctuary were 〈◊〉 be of pure gold Exod. 25.38 A Ceremony â—…as one has lately noted significative of this â—…nong other truths that they must be holy and â—…blameable themselves who take upon them to reprove â—…nd reform others 2. As there is occasion Rebuke your nighbour â—…ow plain is this duty though little practised â—…ev 19.17 Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Broâ—…her and not suffer sin upon him There is indeed â—…ome prudence required in giving rebukes someâ—â—…mes It may be done verbally or by withdrawâ—…ng our presence or some testimony of dislike as â—…rudence shall direct according to the circumstance â—…f time place and person 3. Lastly if after rebuke he continues obstiâ—…ate and other ways will not reclaim him giâ—â—…â—…nformation against him to the Magistrate that so 〈◊〉 â—…ay be brought to condign punishment What caâ—… Magistrates or Laws do though never so good â—…f none will take it on them to give information I know the Name of an Informer is become odious because the thing has been abused which â—…s either good or evil according to the matter anâ—…â—…ause of it To inform against the godly for maâ—…â—…er of duty to expose them to the rage of Persâ—…cutors that is wicked But to inform against thâ—… wicked upon the account of their sin wherebâ—… God is dishonoured to bring them to condign pâ—…nishment that is godly and a Scripture-duâ—… Lev. 5.1 Deut. 17.4 5. Perhaps you meet with some trouble and reproâ—… by giving Informations and by endeavouring 〈◊〉 reform others Well be it so Is it not our duâ—… to deny our selves in some cases Can we be Châ—â—…stians without self-denial Pray see Mat. 24.16 Who knows but you by your zeal may keâ—… off God's judgments from the land Did not Phâ—…nehas turn away God's wrath from the Childreâ—… of Israel Is it not recorded for the incouragâ—…ment of others Num. 25.11 Remember that it is the Cause of God Hoâ—… zealous were the wicked in time past in persecutinâ—… the godly for matter of duty in hunting them aâ—… Partridges on the Mountains sparing no cosâ—… time or pains And shall their zeal in a baâ—… cause wherein they did the Devil's works ouâ—… doe yours in the cause of God wherein God honour and glory is concerned Consider this God takes notice of all that yoâ—… do for he is Omniscient He sees your zeal your labour of love and all your trouble anâ—… notes it down in his book Your zeal to him is aâ—… well pleasing act of faith you may learn this from the instance of my Text. God was so well pleased with Phinehas his zeal that he bestowed on him an everlasting Priesthood and not only so â—…ut blest his Children for his sake Behold I give â—â—…to him my Covenant of Peace and he shall have â—…t and his seed after him Who knows but that you by your zeal may derive a blessing unto â—…our posterity Besides if with Phinehas your zeal be rigâ—â—… all be imputed to you for righteousness as his 〈◊〉 â—…sal 106.31 And God hereafter will rewaâ—â—…â—…ou for it and will abundantly recompence yoâ—…â—…ouble Therefore comfort your selves undâ—â—…â—…l discouragements with these thoughts To conclude If Magistrates Ministers and pâ—â—…â—…ate Christians would each do their duty aâ—… new themselves zealous for God against vice 〈…〉 hearty promoting of the present Reformatioâ—… were an easy thing to drive sin into corners 〈◊〉 â—…lear our Towns of whoremasters drunkarâ—…â—…rophane swearers and sabbath-breakers and 〈◊〉 â—…ring Religion and a shew of Godliness into 〈◊〉 â—…ute 'T would also be a means of lengtheâ—…â—…ut our present tranquillity and of procuring â—…us many blessings as well as the averting impeâ—…â—…ng judgments which in case this work of 〈◊〉 â—â—…formation be obstructed will in all probabilitâ—…â—…poured down on us Which God of his infâ—…â—…mercy prevent FINIS