2. And again consider how zealous Iesus Christ hath been for us 2. The zeal of Jesus Christ in giving himself What affection he hath shewn to us in doing what the Text mindeth us of giving himself for us and that to the Death even that accursed death treading the winepresse of his Fathers wrath for our sakes What zeal did he herein shew for us How earnest was his desire of effecting the work of our Redemption This is that which he telleth his Disciples Luke 12.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptized with saith he and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Baptism meaning his Death and Passion whereby he was consecrated to be the Saviour of the world And concerning this he saith he was straitned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earnestly desiring the accomplishment thereof that so the work of mans Redemption which he made his grand design might be effected A work which he was very zealous of And hereupon it was that he was so far from declining of that bitter Cup as Peter would have had him to do that he even maketh haste as it were to drink it going into the Garden where he knew the High Priests officers would come to apprehend him and there going forth to meet them offering himself unto them not accepting of any attempt for his rescue as I shewed you in opening the first Branch of the Text how Christ gave himself for us Such was his zeal for us that he thought not his dearest blood too dear for us And oh how zealous then should we be for him Was he so zealous in suffering for us how zealous should we be in doing for him Let these Considerations serve as well they may for the kindling of this fire 2. Considerations useful for the blowing up of this fire Which being in this way kindled let our next work be to inflame and blow it up In which way among other make use of these Considerations 1. The zeal of Angels in serving their God 1. Look upon the blessed Angels considering how zealous they are in serving their God and us So much we are put in mind of by that name which is given to some of them who are called Seraphim So we find them Isa 6.2 where the Prophet describing the Majesty of God represented to him in a Vision as sitting upon his Throne with a guard of Angels about him he saith About it stood the Seraphims or rather Seraphim as the plural termination in the Hebrew requires it should be Seraphim a word coming from Saraph which signifieth to burn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ussit form whence they were so called as to import their singular splendor so also their fervency of love to God and zeal in his service Who maketh his Angels Spirits his Ministers a flaming fire Psa 146. Such are those glorious Spirits Whence it is that in the verse there following they are said to have each of them six wings two whereof were to fly withall as also the Cherubins in the Temple had 1 King 6.27 intimating their promptness to and swiftness in executing the will of their God doing whatsoever he putteth them upon Doing his commandements hearkning to the voice of his word as the Psalmist describeth those heavenly Spirits Psalm 103.20 And as they are zealous in doing service to their God so to his people In serving his people Being Ministring Spirits unto them sent forth to Minister unto them who shall be heirs of Salvation as the Apostle sets forth their office Heb. 1. last how intent are they about this work Take heed saith our Saviour that ye despise not one of these little ones the meanest of Gods servants For I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.10 waiting for Gods command to be imployed for the meanest of his servants And are they so zealous in his service Why then should not they who hope to be like unto them another day which our Saviour tells us all true believers in the Resurrection shall be Matth. 22.30 strive to be herein like unto them 2. And as Angels so the Saints of God 2. The zeal of Gods Saints upon earth how zealous do we find many of them to have been How zealous for their God So was Moses and Phineas and Elias and David of whom I spake before And such was Iohn the Baptist A burning and a shining light John 5.35 burning in his zeal for God and shining in his doctrine and life before men And of the like spirit was Paul who when the Disciples understanding what troubles he was like to meet with at Ierusalem disswaded him from going up thither tells them I am ready not to be bound only but to die at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Acts 21.13 And how zealous for their Brethren So was Moses who rather than Israels sin should not be forgiven them wisheth that God would blot his name out of his book of life Exod. 32.32 In like manner St. Paul being transported with the like affectionate zeal for his Countreymen the Iewes I could wish saith he that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethrens sake my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9.3 And like zeal we find in other of the servants of God As in Mart. Luther who being disswaded by his friends from adventuring his person at the Council at Wormes took up that Heroick resolution that though there were as many Devils there as tiles to cover the houses yet would he in the name of the Lord Iesus present himself there And the like we read of Mr. Calvin how that bewailing the sad differences amongst the Churches in his time he professed Ne decem quidem maria that it was not the sailing over of ten Seas that would grieve him so he might but obtain an uniform draught of Religion Now setting these and the like Presidents and Examples before us let them be as so many provocatives unto us Such effect had the forwardness and liberality of the Corinthians in their charitable Contributions this their zeal provoked very many as the Apostle tells them 2 Cor. 9.2 And of such use let the zeal of Gods servants be unto us serving to blow up this heavenly zeal in our hearts 3. And such use make we of that zeal which we see betwixt Men upon Civil interests 3. Zeal betwixt men upon civil interests Thus when railing Shimei reviled and cursed the Lords Anointed King David in that base and unworthy manner that he did Abishai hearing it he could not endure it but presently he tenders his service to his Master for the revenging of his quarrel by taking off the head of the dead dog as he calls him as we have the story 2 Sam. 16.9 And like instances we meet with many of such as having espoused the interest of some other have been so zealous in the
like course take we for the keeping in of this holy fire in our hearts By the Fewel of divine Meditation Three useful Considerations Feed it every morning every day and that by the fewel of Divine Meditation frequently meditating as upon what hath been already propounded so also upon these two or three other Considerations 1. Whose work it is that we do Even the work of the Great God Such are all good works 1. Good works are Gods work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The works of God Joh. 6.28 His works because commanded by him and done for him Which being duely considered it cannot but quicken the soul up to this service wherein we serve so great so good a Master This we do in whatever the work be if a good work Servants in serving their Masters they serve the Lord as I shewed you And so do Christians in whatever duties as of Pietie which immediately respect God so of Charitie He that hath pitie upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord Prov. 19.17 So God taketh what is done for his sake as done unto himself In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Math. 25.40 2. And being thus his work consider how acceptable it is to him Acceptable to him So Paul tells his Philippians concerning their charitable contribution which he had received from them Phil. 4.18 where he calleth it an odour of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God And so is it with all other good works being good they are acceptable Thence is it that the Apostle puts these two together 1 Tim. 2.3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour speaking of praying for Governors Now this is a thing which Christians in their whole course should still have an eye at Proving what is acceptable to the Lord Eph. 5.10 And knowing it so to be this should make them forward and zealous in doing it To do good communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased saith the Apostle Heb. 13.16 3. And being so acceptable to him he will not forget it Shall be rewarded by him God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed unto his Name in what ye have ministred to the Saints and do Minister saith the Apostle to the Hebrews Heb. 6.10 So unrighteous are men oft-times what service is done unto them they forget it But so is not God Whatever service is done unto him or to others in his name and for his sake it shall not be lost The assurance whereof should make Christians more forward in his work Finally my brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord so Paul closeth up that Chapter 1 Cor. 15. last Oft-times as to men men labour in vain I have laboured in vain and spent my strength for nought saith Isai Isa 49.4 But not so as to God who hath promised that if it be but a cup of cold water yet being given in his name it shall not lose its reward Mat. 10. last A consideration which cannot but be of special force to make men zealous of good works This is that which men generally have in their eye in going about any work What they shall get by it what profit there is in it Now of all things there is nothing so profitable as Godlinesse Of which the Apostle tells us it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profitable for all things 1 Tim. 4.8 So false groundlesse is that imputation which those Hypocrites cast upon the service of God of whom the Prophet Malachy speaketh Mal. 3.14 Ye have said it is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance What profit in this service Nay what profit is there in all other things besides it As for the service which men do unto this world how unprofitable What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the Sun saith the Preacher Eccl. 1.3 3.9 Whatever he thereby gets at the grave it leaveth him But so do not good works they follow the doers of them Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 follow them to Heaven where they shall receive the reward of them Thus do men by doing of good works lay up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come so as they may lay hold on eternal life as the Apostle hath it 1 Tim. 6.19 Not that Christians may so build upon their good works as Papists do expecting to receive eternal life by way of merit for them this is a rotten foundation but yet they may make these a ground or argument of their hope which they have of eternal life in regard of the gracious promise which God hath made to those that practice them who thus sowing to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting as the Apostle hath it Gal. 6.8 This is their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Recompence of reward which they may assuredly expect after they have done their work And this let all the Lords people continually have in their eye as Moses is said to have had Heb. 11.26 setting it before them This will be as fewel to this fire useful for the continuing and keeping in of this holy fervour in the soul Which being thus kept in now in the next place as occasion is let us make use of it So did the Priests of their holy fire which when ever they were to sacrifice or offer Incense they took from the Altar The like do we in all the services which we do to or for God in every good work that we do make use of this fire make use of our zeal Cold services yield but cold comfort and shall find but cold acceptance Cold prayers bespeak their own denial Qui frigidè rogat And cold Charity must expect but a cold reward And therefore whatever service we do do it in a zealous way with inward fervour of soul Being fervent in Spirit serving the Lord as the Apostle puts them together Rom. 12.11 In Duties of Piety Thus perform we duties of Piety Thus Pray bringing fire in our Censers without which the smoke of our Incense will never ascend up to Heaven The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much saith St. James Jam. 5.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not a faint languid prayer made in a formal and perfunctory way which is no other but lip-labour but a devout a zealous prayer Such let our prayers be Remember still to put fire under the Incense And so in our hearing and receiving of the Sacrament see that we perform not these duties in a formal and
of Promise the earthly Canaan but the eternal reward And the like may Christians in their good works which they do they may have an eye to their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Recompence of Reward which God hath promised to such workers And that both Temporal and Eternal reward Therefore is it that our Saviour propoundeth this as a motive unto them to put them upon the practice of good works setting their reward before them Love your Enemies saith he and do good and lend looking for nothing again and your reward shall be great Luke 6.35 And elsewhere he tells us that whosoever shall do the least office of love Disciple in the name of a Disciple but give a cup of cold water unto him he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10. ult This Christians may yea and for their incouragement ought to have an eye at as in their sufferings so in their doings for Christ By patient eontinuance in well-doing seeking for Glory and Honour and Immortalitie as the Apostle describeth the true believer Rom. 2.7 Gods glory to be eyed in the first place not vain-glory But the chief and main end which they are to aym at is the Glory of God seeking that in the first place Not their own glory This was the Leaven which sowred whatever duties or services the Pharisees performed What they did they did it in an ambitious way out of vain-glory that they might be seen of men◠and have glory from them So our Saviour chargeth it upon them Mat. 6. v. 2. where also he tells his Auditors what they must expect for such services Verily saith he they have their reward v. 2 5 16. All the reward they must look for They must look for none from God Now this let us abandon Take heed that ye do not your Alms to be seen of men that is our Saviours caveat in the first v. there Not seeking our selves our own Glorie This we may hear our blessed Saviour disclaiming I seek not mine own glorie saith he Iohn 8.50 But the glory of his Father he did the glorie of him that sent him as he intimates there in the Chapter fore-going Iohn 7.18 And this let us in imitation of this our heavenly pattern seek after In whatever we do making this our Alpha and Omega our first and last the chief of all our ayms that God may be glorified in us and by us This was Pauls main design in whatever he did or suffered that God might be glorified in him whether by life or death as he telleth his Philippians c. 1. v. 20. And this let us make the main end of all our good works that God as I say may be glorified in us and by us Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven saith our Saviour to his Disciples Mat. 5.16 Let your light shine Manifest your inward graces by your outward actions which are as beams from the Sun Shine before men who cannot judge of your hearts but by your deeds That they may see your good works not onely hear your words but behold your works And so glorifie your Father which is in heaven And let this be the main design of every of us in whatever works we doe that God may be glorified in us as Paul saith he was in him Gal. 1. last So doing now doubt not but our works shal be acceptable to God and profitable to our selves of which more hereafter in the last particular to which I now come 2. Partic. The inward Affection in doing good works The Modus the inward Affection or Disposition of this peculiar people in performing of this service doing of these works and that is a holy fervour Zeal Zealous of good works Obs Christs people Zelots Such the Redeemed of the Lord Christs people are or ought to be Zelots Mark it this is the last Conclusion which the Text holdeth forth unto us Christs people must be zelots So was one of his Apostles sirnamed Quod Zelo ferveret Hieron Epl. 53. ad Riparium Simon called Zelotes Luke 6.15 Acts 1.13 Simon the zealous And such ought all his Disciples to be zelots all Such were the Iewes generally under the Law they were zealous of the Law So Iames tells Paul concerning them Acts 21.20 Thou seest brother saith he how many thousand of Iewes there are which believe and they are all zealous of the Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in the Chapter following Paul speaking to the Iewes concerning himself he tells them how that being a Iew born and bred and taught according to the manner of the Fathers I was saith he zealous towards God as ye all are this day Such were they under the Law And such Christians ought to be under the Gospel though not in the same way yet zelots still Not key-cold nor yet tepid and lukewarm in their Religion but zealous That is the Charge which the Son of man giveth to lukewarm Laodicea Rev. 3.19 Be zealous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which if she were not he threatens to spew her out of his mouth Thus Christ will own none for his people but such as are zealous Quest And wherein zealous Quest Wherein to be zealous Ans Why generally in somwhat that is good It is good saith the Apostle to be zealously affected alwaies in a good thing Ans Generally in a good matter Gal. 4.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeal in it self as it is with Affections and Passions whereof zeal is onely the Intension the heightning of them it is vox media indifferent so as it may be taken either in good or bad part according to the nature of the Object or matter whereabout it is exercised So much we may take notice of from that Apostle who as he there minds us of a good zeal so in the Chapter following he tells us of an evil one Gal. 5.20 where speaking of the works of the flesh among other he reckons this for one Emulations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeals inordinate heats and contentions about matters not fit for Christians to contend about Thus then there is a double zeal Spiritus Carnis the one a fruit of the Spirit the other of the Flesh a spiritual a carnal zeal It is the former of these we have to deal with a spiritual zeal Which as it is proper so it ought to be common to those that are Christs They must be zealous in a good way in a good matter This in the General In Particular In Particular the good things whereabout they are to be zealous may be reduced to two heads either Gifts or Works that they may receive the one that they may act the other 1. For Gifts 1. For Gifts This the Apostle calleth for 1 Cor. 14.1 Desire spiritual Gifts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Original be zealous of them earnestly coveting them So we find the same word
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealously affected saith the Apostle there Gal. 4.18 To be zealous in good works is a good thing Good 1. In as much as it is acceptable to God 1. Acceptable to God That is Pauls Argument which he maketh use of to bring Christians upon their knees to pray for Magistrates supreme and subordinate For Kings and all that are in authoritie For saith he this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2.3 And so is such a zealous performance of duties it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good acceptable in the sight of God So was Phinehas's zeal whereby he made an atonement for the people and procured to himself and his the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood as the Lord tells Moses Numb 25.11 12 13. Phinehas hath turned my wrath away from the Children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them Wherefore say Behold I give unto him my Covenant of peace And he shall have it and his seed after him even the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God c. Nothing more acceptable unto God than zeal for him Which he hath such a regard unto that for the sake thereof he oft times overlooks many infirmities in his people So was it in that act of Moses of which we read Exod. 32.19 When being transported with a holy zeal for God and his glorie he cast the Tables of the Law which God had newly written with his own finger out of his hands and brake them An Act however by some excused and defended as being done by a divine Instinct and so rather out of deliberation than Passion to signifie the Breach of Covenant betwixt God and his people whom they had so highly provoked by their Idolatrie yet it is more probably looked upon as unadvisedly done His spirit being exasperated by what he saw tending so highly to the dishonour of his God as thereupon he spakes unadvisedlie with his lips which the Psalmist saith he did Psal 106.33 so he also did unadvisedly with his hands But in as much as it was a holy zeal for the glory of God that thus transported him we do not any where find that God was angry with him for it So well pleased is God with such a Zeal in his people a holy zeal a religious zeal zeal for his glory that where that is he overlooketh any imperfections and faylings in their performances And secondly as it is acceptable to God so profitable to a mans self being very advantagious to a Christian in the course of his obedience 1. Fitting him for good works 1. Fitting him for it preparing him to every good work Of such use is Natural heat in the Body it maketh fit for motion and Action which otherwise being cold it is indisposed to and unfit for And of like use is this Spiritual heat a holy fervour in the Soul it fitteth and prepareth it for well doing the doing of what ever service to God or Man 2. And secondly preparing a man for it it putteth him upon it 2. Putting him upon them causeth him not to delay but to make haste to take every opportunity that is offered for the doing of good Even as fire being in a flame now it layeth hold of whatever combustible matter commeth near it So doth Zeal which is nothing but Love in a flame it readily taketh hold of all opportunities of doing good works making men not sloathfull but diligent in the work and service which they have to do Thus it is said of Apollos Act. 18.25 that being fervent in spirit he spake taught diligently the things of the Lord. Tuhs where there is this zeal in the heart it will set the head and hands on work making men as I said not sloathfull but diligent in the service of their God So much the Apostle insinuates in the Text Rom. 12.11 where he conjoines those Precepts Not sloathfull in businesses fervent in spirit serving the Lord. 3. Carrying him through them 3. And thirdly thus putting a man upon good works it will carrie him thorow them not withstanding what ever difficulties he may meet with in his way So is it with the Traveller having as we say a good will in his way now he goeth through thick and thin through all wayes and weathers And even so is it with a Christian that is zealous in the service of God this carrieth him through whatever opposition or discouragements he may meet with Such effect it had in and upon the blessed Apostle S. Paul who notwithstanding he took notice what rubs lay in his way how that Bonds and Affliction did abide him wait for him as the Holy Ghost witnessed in every City as himself telleth the Elders at Miletum Acts 20.23 Yet saith he none of these things move me neither count I my life dear to my self that I might finish my course with joy and the Ministerie which I have received of the Lord v. 24. Being zealous for his Lord and Master Christ that carrieth him through the service which he had to do for him maugre all opposition And so will it do the Christian in whose heart it lodgeth Thus is this zeal a good thing acceptable to God and profitable to a mans self preparing him to good works putting him upon them and carrying him through them And not only good but Necessary Reas 2. Zeal necessary without which good works cannot be done well so done as that they may be acceptable to God As it was before and under the Law the Sacrifices could not be offered without fire And therefore Abraham being to offer his son he carrieth fire with him He took the fire in his hand and went Gen. 22.6 And to this end was it that the sacred fire which first came down from heaven was continually kept in upon the Altar that they might alwayes have it at hand to offer their sacrifices with upon all occasions Even of such use is zeal to the Christian who must himself be salted with fire So our Saviour expresseth it Mar. 9.49 Every one shall be salted with fire have his heart seasoned with the fire of divine love and zeal without which he cannot offer up a sacrifice unto God It was the fire which made the smoke of the Incense-offering to asscend up unto heaven And so it is the zeal of the person in doing good works that maketh them come up before God As the Angel telleth Cornelius Acts 10.4 Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God How so why he was zealous of those good works A devout man and one that feared God with all his house giving much alms to the people and praying to God alwaies as the second verse there describeth him He was a true Zelot And being so his services were accepted To proceed no further in the Doctrinal part You see that it is so and why
meeting with him saluting him in that scornful manner as we find it there v. 20. How glorious was the King of Israel to day who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamefully uncovereth himself But what saith David this That we may read in the verses following v. 21 22. It was before the Lord saith he which chose me before thy Father and before all his house c. Therefore will I play before the Lord and I will yet be more vile than this So far was this from quenching or cooling his zeal that it inflames it so far from taking him off from such demonstrations of his affection to his God that it heightens his resolution that way And of like use let the reproaches and scorns which wicked men cast upon the wayes of God and those that walk conscionably in them be unto us every one as a blast to blow up this fire 3. This fire to be kept in Which being thus kindled and blown up then let our next care be to keep it in This was the Charge which God committed to his Priests under the Law concerning the fire upon the Altar That they should look to it to keep it in by day and by night so as it should never go out but be continually burning as we have the Law for it Lev. 6.12 13. And such care let all the Lords people have of this heavenly fire this holy zeal for their God Being once kindled in their hearts let them be careful to keep it in See that it do not die and go out As knowing it that they shall have occasion every day to make use of it Upon this account was that fire upon the Altar to be looked to in that manner Reason 2. Being of daily use in regard of the dayly use which they had of it in offering of Sacrifices And upon the like account let all the Lords people have a care to keep in this sacred fire in their hearts in as much as they shall have a daily use of it Use of it in all the services which they do to God or Man All which they are to do with a holy zeal and fervour And 2ly if it be not looked to Reason 1. Subject to die it is ready to go out So the Spirit tells the Church of Sardis concerning her graces Rev. 3.2 Strengthen the things which remain which are ready to die So is it with Graces themselves and so is it much more with zeal which is as I said not so much any distinct grace as the intension and heightning of other graces Now this Christians are subject to lose Though the fire be not quite put out yet the flame may Though believers shall never fall from grace it self totally and finally yet from the degree they may So was it with languishing Ephesus against whom the Son of Man the Lord Jesus bringeth that Action Rev. 2.4 Neverthelesse I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love Though not her Love yet her first love her zeal was gone This is a fire which if not looked to will quickly go out especially having so many Quench-coals as it meeteth with in and from the world which should make Christians looking upon this as heavenly fire as that upon the Altar was fire which came down from Heaven to be the more carefull of it Quest How kept in Quest What then shall we do for the keeping of it in A needful Question in these declining Apostatizing times wherein how many may we see every where sick of Ephesus's disease having lost their first love Times too like those which our Saviour foretold of Mat. 24.12 Because iniquitie shall abound saith he the love of many shall wax cold Love to God and love to man shall grow cold not shewing it self as before in offices of Piety and Charity A truth which we see too sad an experience of everywhere So as this Question as it is useful at all times so needful at this Ans The Metaphor followed Ans In Answer hereunto I shall still follow the Metaphor which the word in the Text leadeth me to which as I have shewn you is taken from fire Now for the keeping in of fire there are three things principally useful and needful viz. the Stirring of it Blowing of it Feeding of it And every of these let us in a spiritual sense practice as to our zeal 1. Stirring up this fire Dir. 1. This fire to be stirred up That is the advice which Paul giveth to Timothy concerning his Ministerial gift 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Metaphor taken from fire which being ready to go out is revived by stirring it up And this do we concerning those graces which we have received stir them up And as all other so specially our love whereof as I said zeal is the flame the Intension of it Stir we up this Grace Which do we as by other means so specially by working those aforesaid considerations upon our hearts touching the love of God and Iesus Christ to us manifested in giving himself for us Which was Love in the height of it Zeal love beyond all our Comprehensions So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son John 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So so as cannot be parallell'd nor yet expressed Often call we to mind this Love this Zeal of God and Jesus Christ for us This will be of singular efficacie in stirring up the like intense affection in us towards them again The love of Christ constraineth us 2 Cor. 6.14 2. Stirring up the fire blow it Dir. 2. This fire must be blown by Prayer Which is done by Prayer Prayer is as the Bellows for the blowing of this fire which Christians upon that account are every day to make use of Pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5.17 Begging from God not only Grace to do his will but Zeal in doing it This course took Baals Priests when they would have fire to consume their sacrifice They cryed unto their God for it They called on the name of Baal from morning to evening saying O Baal hear us 1 King 18.26 What they did in an impious way to their deaf and dumb Idol do we the like in a Religious way to the true and living God as Elias there did v. 37 38. Being every day to offer up the sacrifice of some good works or other unto him beg we from him this heavenly fire that he would inflame our hearts with affections suitable to the services which we are to do Dir. 3. This fire to be fed 3. And then in the third place Feed this fire This course took the Priests for the keeping in of the fire upon the Altar they fed it with wood every morning as we find them ordered to do Lev. 6.12 And
perfunctory manner contenting our selves with the bare Opus operatum the doing of the work but have an eye to the manner of performance that there be a spiritual vigour in it that we come to these Ordinances with an eager appetite As new born babes desiring the sincere milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 hungring and thirsting after Jesus Christ the eating of his flesh the drinking of his blood And so hearing attentively and receiving thankfully And such also let our works of Charitie be In duties of Charity Having a zeal for our brethren as St. Paul saith his Corinthians had for him 2 Cor. 7.7 They had a fervent mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a zeal towards him earnestly wishing his welfare Thus be we affected toward our Brethren See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently saith St. Peter 1 Pet. 1.22 And again Cap. 4. v. 8. Above all things have fervent Charitie among your selves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Intense Charity so as earnestly to desire the good each of other And out of that affection taking all opportunities for the doing of good unto them Shewing mercy with cheerfulnesse as the Apostle requires it Rom. 12.8 So doing good as seeking to be Rich in good works being ready to distribute willing to communicate as he there willeth Rich men 1 Tim. 6.18 Thus put fire to every Sacrifice joyn zeal to every duty Only in the last place to draw towards a Conclusion see that this fire be right fire Caution See that our zeal be right zeal Not strange fire this zeal right zeal Where have an eye to two things 1. See that this fire be not strange fire Such is that fire said to be wherewith the sons of Aaron Nadab Abihu sacrificed Lev. 10.1 They offered strange fire before the Lord which he commanded them not Strange fire not that fire which at first coming down from heaven was proper for the temple-Temple-service but Common Culinarie fire Take we heed that our fire our zeal be not such common fire a carnal zeal such as is to be found among too many who would it may be seem to be zealous But whence is it Out of some by and sinister Not carnal zeal some carnal respects as of Credit or Profit c But see that it be heavenly fire zeal from God and zeal for God wrought by his Spirit and seeking his Glory Thus see we that it be right zeal sincere not Hypocritical Not hypocritical zeal A great deal of such zeal there is to be found in the world Such was Jehu's zeal who meeting with Jehonadab Come saith he and see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10.16 when as in truth it was rather for himself than for the Lord his heart whatever he pretended not being right in what he did which if it had been he would not having destroyed Baal have suffered the Calves at Dan and Bethel to stand still which the 29th v. there informs us that he did And such was the zeal of the Scribes and Pharisees as I have shewn you Take we heed that our zeal be not such but such as the Apostle requires our faith and love should be 1 Tim. 1.5 Rom. 12.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sincere unfeigned without dissimulation Which if it be not what do we but mock God whilest we seem to be zealous for him but are not A thing which let all of us beware of Is it good that he should search you out saith Job to his friends or as some man mocketh another do ye so mock God Job 13.9 This God will do sooner or later he will search men out discover them to be such as they are And therefore take heed of mocking him who will not cannot be mocked Be not deceived God is not mocked saith the Apostle Gal. 6.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 However men may think to mock him yet he is not cannot be mocked deluded deceived Neither will he suffer himself so to be but will take vengeance upon them that attempt it Now what greater working of God can there be than to pretend a zeal for him and not to be so in truth This take we heed of See that our zeal be a right zeal sincere unfeigned not Hypocritical Much less Diabolical Not Diabolical zeal Such is that zeal which St. James speakes of Jam. 3.14 calling it a Bitter Zeal so the Original hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bitter envying Of this kind of zeal I fear there is yet too much to be found in this Nation Among those who seem to be zealous for God there is too much bitter zeal Bitter zeal which sheweth it self in bitter invectives against those who are not every wayes of their mind and judgment whom they are ready with all eagerness to pursue as enemies Such zeal let Christians beware of Let all bitterness and wrath and anger c. be put away from you saith the Apostle Eph. 4.31 And elsewhere we are warned to beware lest any root of bitterness spring up amongst us Heb. 12.15 Among which this Bitter zeal may well be reckoned as one But whilest we are zealous for God be we meek and gentle towards our Brethren Such is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wisdome from above heavenly wisdome as St. James tells us it is first pure then peaceable gentle Christians to be meek and gentle towards their Brethren c. Jam. 3.17 And this wisdome seek we after that we may be such A Lesson which our Apostle requires our Evangelist Titus to press upon his Auditors in the Chapter following Tit. 3.2 Where having in the former verse minded them of being Ready to every good work he subjoynes To speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekness unto all men Not that all persons are to be treated and dealt with after the same manner All not to be treated alike Paul who there giveth that charge to others yet himself being to deal with the obstinate Jewes who opposed his Doctrine and blasphemed He shook his raiment saith the Text and said unto them Your blood be upon your own heads I am clean from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles so turning his back upon them Acts 18.6 And before having to deal with Elimas the Sorcerer who withstood him in the course of his Ministery seeking to seduce the Deputie whom he had converted to the faith Paul being filled with the holy Ghost saith the Text set his eyes upon him and said O full of all subtilty and all mischief thou child of the Devil thou enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord Acts 13.9 10. Thus as the Ministers of God so others having to deal with obstinate sinners or dangerous seducers now they both may and ought to shew their zeal for God in treating them in measure according to their demerits But not so with others whose errors and miscarriages
Redeemer have you Lost sinners excited not to despair but to come unto Jesus Christ the Redeemer And therefore what ever your condition be yet do not desponde do not despair Remember who it is that is your Redeemer This it was that bore up the hearts and spirits of the Isralites when they were in their greatest straits reduced to the greatest extremities They remembred saith the Psalmist that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer Psal 78.35 And the like do you whatever your condition be never so sinfull never so miserable yet remember who it is that is your Redeemer even the great God and your Saviour Iesus Christ He hath given himself for the redeeming of such as you are And therefore let not the Guilt of sin nor yet the Power of it be any discouragement unto you Only come ye unto this your Redeemer that so you may be made actual partakers of this benefit which he hath purchased and obtained for all those who being truly sensible of the need they have of it shall come unto him for it Q. But how shall we come unto him Quest How come unto him A. Take the Answer in one word come to him as to a Redeemer Ans As to a Redeemer Which I shall explain in two Come to him as to a Saviour and as to a Lord. 1. Come to him as to a Redeemer a Saviour 1. As a Saviour taking hold of the promise applying the merit of his death unto your selves by faith laying hold upon the Promise of Redemption Even as the story tells us of Ieremiah Jer. 38.11 12 13. how being a Prisoner in the dungeon he made use of those Cords which were let down by Ebedmelech the Ethiopian to draw him up with taking hold of them he put them under his arms applying them in such a way as Ebedmelech directed him by which means he was drawn up and freed from that noysom Cel. The like do you Being Captives lying under the guilt and power of sin as Prisoners in that Dungeon loe your Abedmelech the Lord Iesus having obtained from God his father as Ebedmelech there did for Ieremie from the King his Master v. 9 of that Chapter a grant for your Redemption now he letteth down cords to you for the drawing you forth even the sweet Promises of the Gospel holding forth this benefit to you Now then what remains but that you put those Cords under your Arms taking hold of these Promises apply them to your hearts by faith so resting upon the merits of the Lord Jesus as your only Saviour and Redeemer By such a means it was that Ebedmelech himself was delivered from the Babylonish Captivity when the rest of his Companions the Jews were carried away Thy life shall be for a prey unto thee because thou hast put thy trust in me saith the Lord to him in the Chapter following Ier. 39. And the like way do you put your souls upon that you may be freed and delivered from that spiritual Captivity under which all the Sons of men by naturely put you your trust and confidence in this your Lord the Lord Iesus resting and relying upon the price which he hath payed the satisfaction which he hath made the all sufficiency of his merit for the pardon of your sins and eternal salvation This do that you may be freed from the Guilt of sin 2. And coming to him as a Saviour beleeving on him come to him also as a Lord yeelding up your selves to him 2. As a Lord yealdidg up themselves to his service as his servants Such you are upon the account of this your Redemption Being Redeemed by Christ now you are no longer your own so much you may learn from the Apostle 1 Cor. 19.20 Ye are not your own ye are bought with a price No nor yet any others so as that you should be their slaves or yet their servants as to your Consciences Ye are bought with a price be ye not the servants of men saith the same Apostle in the next Chapter 1 Cor. 7.23 But you are his who hath redeemed you Thus saith the Lord that created thee O Iacob c. I have Redeemed thee and called thee by thy name thou art mine Isa 43.1 So is it with you who look upon your Lord Christ as your Redeemer now know that you being called by his name Christians are his His and that upon a double account As of Creation which all men and other Creatures are so of Redemption which being intended for you giveth him a peculiar right to you and interest in you And being so give up your selves to him upon this account coming returning unto him So the Lord presseth it upon the Iews Isa 44.22 Return unto me for I have redeemed thee Not only formed thee as the verse foregoing hath it that is Created thee but also Redeemed thee and so have the best right in thee And therefore Return unto me The like upon the like account do you unto this your Redeemer He having not only formed created but also Redeemed you and so having a double right unto you now come ye unto him give up your selves unto him as his servants begging it from him that he would declare and put forth his power in and upon you in freeing you from the servitude of sin delivering you from the power of it that it may no longer rule and raign in you induing and upholding you with that his free Spirit which David prayeth for Psal 51.12 Spiritu spontaneo that spirit of Grace which making you free setting you at liberty from the thraldom of all sinfull and inordinate lusts may incline your hearts to serve him freely and willingly so as being by him Redeemed and delivered out of the hands of all your Enemies you may serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness all the dayes of your lives as you have it Luk. 1.74 75. Thus come ye unto Christ as your Lord that by him as I said you may be made freemen set at liberty from the service of sin from the power of it which being through his Spirit now assure your selves of your interest in his merit that you are Redeemed from the Guilt of it This from the first Branch To pass on Vse 3. The Redeemed of the Lord excited to Is it so that Christ hath given himself to Redeem us and can we evidence this to our selves that we are in the number of those for whom he thus gave himself and to whom he intended this Benefit of his death now 1 Rejoyce we in this our Privilege 1. Rejoyce in this their privilege This is that which the Prophet saith of the Iews Isa 51.11 when they should be delivered from their Babylonian Captivity The Redeemed of the Lord shall come with singing unto Sion and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and mourning shall flee away And thus be we affected with
Neither of which they could be were they not thus purified Unclean vessels are not meet to be brought into the presence of a Prince neither are they fit for any honourable service until they be washed and sweetned And so is it with impure sinners till they be washen by the Blood and Spirit of Christ as they are not fit for his presence so much less for his use So much we may take notice of from that fore-cited Text of the Apostle 2 Tim. 2.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these viz. impure Doctrines and Practises he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use None are fit for the service of Christ or for Communion with him to honour him or to be honoured by him but such as are purified sanctified But I shall not insist upon this General Come we to the Particulars here assigned in this End Which are two Christ purifieth this people to himself 1. That they may be a Peculiar people 2. Zealous of good works In the former we have their Appropriation in the latter their Qualification Deal with them severally beginning with the Former A Peculiar people SUch is the Church for which Christ gave himself a Peculiar people Obs The Church a peculiar people So we find the people of the Iewes often called Deut. 14.2 The Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people to himself above all the Nations that are upon the earth So again Cap. 26. v. 18. The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be a peculiar people All Nations they were a people yea in a general sense they were Gods people his by Creation and by a generel Government but the Israelites were his by a special Appropriation a special people to him So we find the same word rendred Cap. 7. v. 6. The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people to himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Populus peculii seu peculiaris A people whom God having Redeemed from their Egyptian Captivity he had taken into a special Covenat with himself so as they were more nearly related unto him than any other people in the world What Nation hath God so nigh unto them c. Deut. 4.7 Now what the Apostle saith of other things which befel that people 1 Cor. 10.11 we may also say of this It happened unto them for a figure they being herein a Type of the true Church which being by Christ Redeemed from spiritual captivity is to him a Peculiar people So our Apostle alluding to those Texts of the Old Testament where the Iewes are so called here applyeth it unto Christians true Believers calling them Christs peculiar people As also St. Peter 1 Pet. 2.9 where setting forth the Saints privileges among other stiles which he giveth them The word Peculiat explained Saepè mecum considerans quid sibi vellet verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â sapientibus hujus soeculiinterrogans si fortè alicubi legissent nunquam invenire potui qui mihi quid significaret exponeret Hieron Com. in Text. Hoc vocabulum finxerunt Graeci Interpretes Beza Gr. Annot. in loc Scultet ibid. he calls them A Peculiar people A Peculiar people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Text. A word concerning which Ierom in his Commentary on this place tells us that having with himself often considered what should be the sense and meaning of it he consulted with the most learned of his time about it whether they had met with it in any of their Authors but could not receive satisfaction from any of them about it Whereupon he concluded as others after him have done the Apostle to have borrowed this word from the Old Testament where the 70. Interpreters not finding a word fitly answering to the Hebrew Segallah they coyned this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as the Hebrew word also doth properly signifieth a Choise Treasure somewhat which a man for some apprehended excellency in it setteth a special affection upon and so severing it from the rest of his substance layeth it up reserving it for some other use and purpose This is properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which being compounded of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth the choisest and most precious part of a mans substance a peculiar Treasure So we find it used in the proper signification of it Eccles 2.8 where Solomon setteth forth how he gathered unto himself Silver and Gold and the peculiar Treasure of Kings and of Provinces Segullah saith the Hebrew rendred by the 70. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most choise and precious Rarities wherewith Princes and Provinces did use to present him And such a peculiar Treasure is the Church unto Iesus Christ As the Israelites were unto God his Segullah his Peculiar Treasure So our Translation renders the word Exod. 19.5 Ye shall be a Peculiar Treasure unto me above all people All people were his as it there followeth All the Earth is mine that is all the people of the earth but they his Segullah his Peculiar Treasure The Lord hath chosen Iacob to himself and Israel for his Peculiar Treasure saith the Psalmist Psal 135.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say the 70. Even such is the Church for which Christ gave himself even all true Believers unto him Believers called a peculiar people upon a divers account They are his Peculiar Treasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Peculiar people And so they may be called upon a divers account Being 1. 1. Being chosen out of the world A Chosen Generation The Lord hath chosen thee to be a special a Peculiar people to himself saith Moses to Israel in those Texts forenamed Deut. 7.6 14.2 Ye are a Chosen Generation a Peculiar people saith Peter there of Believers 1 Pet. 2.9 Chosen out of the world and so distinguished from others by the grace of Election whereby they are given unto Christ to be his Peculiar people 2. Being redeemed out of the world .2 As they are chosen so they are Redeemed out of the world Thou hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation so sing the 24. Elders Rev. 5.9 They are a people whom Christ hath paid a peculiar price for a people which have cost him dear more than all the world besides That cost him but a word of his mouth He spake and it was done Psal 33.9 But these the Blood of his heart A dearly purchased Possession So the Apostle calleth them Eph. 1.14 To the Redemption of the purchased Possession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such are true Believers and upon that account called by St. Peter a Peculiar people in that Text 1 Pet. 2.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Populus ad acquisitionem or acquisitionis A Purchased people whom God that is Christ God and Man purchased with his own blood as we have it Act. 20.28 3. Of high esteem with Jesus Christ 3. A
Cabinet for them a hiding place in the midst of whatever troubles In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavilion in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me so saith David of himself Psal 27.5 And the like he saith of all others who truely fear the Lord Psal 31.19 20. O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues Such Repositories hath Christ for his Saints Such as the Closets of Kings and Princes which are looked upon as sacred and inviolable or as the Sanctum Sanctorum the Holy of holies the inward most part of the Sanctuarie which was inaccessible a place which none might enter or look into and thereupon called Gods Secret or Hidden place Ezek. 7.22 Such Coverts such Sanctuaries such hiding places hath the Lord for his Saints who are thereupon called his hidden ones Psal 83.3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden ones Gods people they are his Abscondity his hidden ones whom he hideth in the secret of his Tabernacle having a special care of them for their protection And therefore though those who wish ill unto them take crafty counsel consulting against them yet let them rest secure committing themselves to the care and custody of this their Redeemer who having been at so much cost and pains with them as to buy them at so dear a rate and to purifie them unto himself a peculiar people will not be regardless of them This by way of Incouragement Which that we may all of us have a right unto Vse 2. Christians to make sure that they are of this number and take hold upon see that we be of this number in the number of Christs peculiar people Where content we not our selves that we are outwardly and visibly such So were all the people of the Iews they were all Gods people and his peculiar people as we find them often called being all under an outward visible Covenant yet there were many among them who deserved nothing less than to be so owned by God being some and many of them Hypocrites and others openly profane In so much as the Lord though he call them his people which he doth Is 1.3 My people Yet in the verse following he calleth them a sinfull Nation a seed of evil doers Children that were corrupters And so may it be said of all Christians who are members of the visible Church being under a visible Covenant outwardly purified by the Sacrament of Baptism having their Bodies washen with that clean water as some understand that of the Apostle Heb. 10.22 they are hereby severed from Heathens and Infidels and so may be called Christs people being dedicated to him and such as to an outward profession But see that we be such inwardly really such as are truly washen by the Blood and Spirit of Christ such whose hearts are purified by faith Act. 15.9 such whose Consciences are purged from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 Being such now take we hold of this Privilege of being Christs peculiar people indeed And being so Vse 3. Christians to walk after a peculiar manner now see that we walk answerably hereunto approving and shewing our selves to be of this number by our peculiar walking This is that which Paul presseth upon his Ephesians Cap. 4. v. 17. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind c. And the like let me press upon you who lay claim to this Privilege See that you walk not as other Gentiles walk that you no longer walk after the course of this World Remember that you are a peculiar people and therefore see that you walk after a peculiar manner No longer living the rest of your time in the flesh but to the will of God as Saint Peter there presseth it 1 Pet. 4.2 Which while you do regatd not what the men of the world think of you Though they think it strange which they will be ready to do that you run not with them into the same excess of riot and so speak evill of you as it there followeth v. 4. branding you with opprobrious names of Precisians Puritanes or what they please yet hold you on your course Living Soberly Righteously and Godly walking precisely strictly which Paul calls for from his Ephesians Eph. 5.15 See that you walk circumspectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exactly Precisely so much that word properly imports which being compounded of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graecis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est quod ab imo ad supremum ascendatur quod est exquisitae prefectae diligentiae Beza in Luk. 1.3 Gr. Annot. signifieth a proceeding and going to the height the extremity of a thing And such let your walking be therein indeavouring to go to the utmost of every Commandement Thus did that Religious pair Zacharie Elizabeth walk They were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandements and Ordinances of the Lord blamelesse Luk. 1.16 They were persons of upright hearts and so accepted of God and they were desirous of approving themselves both to God and Man blameless by the conscionable indeavour of an universal obedience having a regard to all his Commandements and Ordinances And the like see that you do To this end it was that God took the people of the Iews to be a peculiar people that they should keep all his Commandements as we find it in that Text forecited Deut. 26.11 And you looking upon your selves as such see that you have a regard hereunto now living in such a peculiar way living to him who hath taken you into so near a relation made you a peculiar people to himself Acknowledging the Lord Jesus for your Peculiar Lord Christians to own Christ as their peculiar Lord. having a peculiar interest in you which he hath purchased with his Blood Now yield your selves up unto him whose wholly you are serving him glorifying of him Serving him not Men. Serving him So the Apostle presseth it upon his Corinthians 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be ye not the servants of men viz. so as to enslave your selves your consciences unto them to obey their wills in any thing that is contrary to the will of your Lord and Master Christ whose servants you are as the verse there fore-going hath it And being so serve you him This is a true Character of a true Believer he is one that serveth the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 And this do you serving him not onely with the outward man by performing of external duties and services unto him but with the Inward serving him in your Spirits as Paul saith he
their design so to be Lukewarm in their Religion Lukewarmness in some a politick design As for zeal it is a temper which their policy approves not of No a middle temper is the best neither hot nor cold But herein how are they mistaken Of all tempers Christ liketh it worst So he tells the Laodicean Church there Rev. 3.15 16. I would thou wert either cold or hot So then because thou art lukewarm c. I will spew thee out of my mouth Meats and drinks which are luke-warm are most offensive and displeasing to the stomach apt to provoke vomit And such are all Newters and Politick Time-servers unto Jesus Christ loathsome and detestable such as sooner or later he will cast out with loathing and detestation Here is a second sort Lukewarm Christians Besides these a third sort there are who are zealous I but of what Not of good works 3. Some zealous but not of good works What then Why either 1. Of things Indifferent which they superstitiously doting upon make necessary 1. Of things indifferent shewing more zeal for humane inventions than for any part of the instituted worship and service of God Such was the zeal of the Pharisees who found fault with the Disciples of Christ and quarrel with him their Master about it because they did not observe their Traditions Why do thy Disciples transgresse the Tradition of the Elders say they For they wash not their hands when they eat bread Matth. 1.2 Thus were they very zealous for those ceremonious observances which being in themselves indifferent they putting a Religion in them made necessary preferring them before divine Institutions and Commands So our Saviour there chargeth it upon the v. 6. Thus have ye made the Commandements of God of none effect by your Traditions And such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Gal. 1.14 I was then saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of my Fathers And such a zeal may we see at this day among those great Zelots of the Roman Church who are transcendently more exceedingly zealous than others But whereof is it Why of the Traditions of their Fathers humane Inventions Rites Ceremonies such as have no warrant from the Word And would to God there were not too much of this zeal to be found amongst some Protestants at this day even amongst our selves who are still so much addicted to old Customes and Rites and Ceremonies as that their zeal to them maketh them overlook the substance of Religion and to neglect as I said some of the Ordinances of God Being zealous for Humane they neglect Divine Institutions 2. Of evil works 2. Others there are worse than these who are zealous about things in themselves evil Such are persons openly wicked who are zealous Actors of sin committing it with greediness Such were some of the Gentiles whom the Apostle describeth Eph. 4.19 Being past feeling they have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse with greedinesse Would to God there were not some such to be found among Christians amongst us Riotous Intemperate Luxurious persons such as Run to all excess of Riot as St. Peter hath it 1. Pet. 4.4 And such zeal shall we find amongst Idolaters Those of old whom we read of among whom some thought nothing too dear for their Idols not sparing some of them to sacrifice their Children unto them So did the worshippers of Molech or Baal of whom the Prophet Jeremie speaketh Jer. 19.5 They have built also the high-places of Baal to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal And such are the prime Zelots of the Church of Rome at this day such as are zealous for their Idolatry and Superstition as Invocating of Saints Worshipping of Images Adoring the Sacrament c. 3. Another sort there are who are zealous against good works 3. Against good works speaking evill of them and persecuting those that do them Such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Phil. 3.6 Concerning zeal persecuting the Church Such zeal our Saviour tels his Disciples they should make account to meet with from those who liked not their way John 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues Yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service And such zeal may we find among Papists at this day who care not what cruelties they exercise upon the true Professors of Gods Religion And would to God there were not some of this zeal to be found among our selves in such as are zealous against the wayes of God and those that walk in them not sparing to revile the Ministers of God for doing their duty and to rail upon his servants for being so forward so zealous as they are of good works Thus their zeal is against zeal which they look upon as no better than folly and madness in those who express it in the course of their lives and conversations by being more forward and zealous than others Now to close up this Branch of the Application as for all these let them here take notice that being such we cannot reckon them in the number of this peculiar people whom Christ hath Redeemed and Purified to this end that they should be zealous and zealous of good works Vse 2. Exh. Be zealous Which let all of us in the second place be exhorted and excited to That we may approve and evidence our selves to be of this blessed number such as belong unto Jesus Christ be we zealous zealous for God in doing his will Be zealous saith the Spirit to the Laodicean Church And such let us be 1. Motives and means for the kindling of this fire For the kindling of which fire in our hearts do but consider in the first place how zealous God hath been and is for us for his people Thus saith the Lord of hosts I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousie Zach. 1.14 1. Consider Gods zeal for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kinnethi saith the Original zelatus sum I have been zealous for them with a great zeal Such is Gods affection towards his Church and people like that of a most affectionate husband towards his beloved wife whom he cannot endure to see wronged Such is Gods zeal for his people Which as it induceth him to make so to perform and make good his promises unto them This it was that moved him to give his Son Christ for them to send him into the world to do what he hath done and shall do for them To us a child is born to us a son is given saith the Prophet Esay speaking of Christ Isa 9.6 And what moved God to do this Why The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this so the Reason is rendred in the verse following Thus hath God been zealous for us great reason then that we should be zealous for him