First part .

It was said of old , that zeale was an Intention of loue : of late , that it is a compound of loue and anger , or indignation .

The Ancients aymed right , and shot neere , if not somwhat with the shortest . The moderne well discouered the vse and exercise of more affections , then loue , within the fadome and compasse of zeale ; but in helping that default , went themselues somewhat wide , and came not close to the marke : which I ascribe not to any defect of eye-sight in those sharpe sighted Eagles ; but onely to the want of fixed contemplation . And to speake truth , I haue oft wondred why poore Zeale , a vertue so high in Gods books , could neuer be so much beholding to mens writings as to obtaine a iust treatise , which hath been the lot of many particular vertues of inferiour worth ; a plaine signe of too much vnder-value and neglect .

He that shall stedfastly viewe it , shall finde it not to be a degree or Intension of loue , or any single affection ( as the Schools rather confined than defined zeal ) neither yet any mixt affection ( as the ●●ter , rather compounded then comprehended the nature of it ) but an hot temper , higher degree or intension of them all . As varnish is no one colour , but that which giues glosse and lustre to all ; So the opposites of zeale , keye-coldnes and luke-warmenesse , which by the lawe of contraries must bee of the same nature , are no affections , but seuerall tempers of them all .

Paul warrants this description where he speakes of the twelue Tribes . Act 26. 7 They serued God with intension or vehemency .

The roote shewes the nature of the branch . Zeale comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a word framed of the very sound and hissing noise which hot coales , or burning iron make when they meete with their contrary . In plaine English , zeale is nothing but heate , from whence it is that zealous men are oft in Scripture said to burne in the spirit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

He that doth moderately or remisly affect any thing , may be stil'd Philemon a louer : He that ernestly or extreamely , Zelotes a zelot : who to all the obiects of his affections , is excessiuely and passionately disposed , his loue is euer feruent , his desires eager , his delights rauishing , his hopes longing , his hatred deadly , his anger fierce , his griefe deepe , his feare terrible . The Hebrewes expresse these Intensions by doubling the word .

This being the nature of zeale in generall , Christian zeale of which wee desire onely to speake , differs from carnall and worldly , chiefly in the causes and obiects .

It is a spirituall heate wrought in the heart of man by the holy Ghost , improouing the good affections of loue , ioy , hope , &c. for the best seruice and furtherance of Gods glory , with all the appurtenances thereof , his worde , his house , his Saints and saluation of soules : vsing the contrary of hatred , anger , griefe , &c. as so many mastiues to fly vpon the throat of Gods enemies , the diuell , his Angels , sinne , the world with the lusts thereof . By the vertue whereof a Zealot may runne through all his affections , and with Dauid , breath zeale out of euery pipe , after this manner for a taste ;

How doe I loue thy law ( O Lord ) more then the hony or the hony combe , Psalm. more then thousands of siluer and gold ! Loue .

Thine enemies I hate with a perfect Hatred . hatred .

Thy testimonies are my delight , Ioy . I reioyce more in them , then they that finde great spoyles , more then in my appointed food .

Mine eyes gush out riuers of teares . Griefe . O that my head were a fountaine of teares , because they destroy thy law .

Mine eyes are dimme with waiting : Hope . how doe I long for thy saluation ?

Thy iudgements are terrible , Feare . I tremble and quake , &c.

Look what pitch of affection the naturall man bestowes vpon his dearest darling , what vnsatiable thirst the couetous worlding vpon his Mammon , the ambitious vpon his honour , the voluptuous vpon his pleasure ; the same the Christian striueth in equall , yea , ( if possible ) farre exceeding tearmes to conuert and conferre vpon God and his worship .

In briefe , to open a little creuise of further light , and to giue a little glimpse of heat : Zeal is to the soule , that which the spirits are to the body ; wine to the spirits , putting vigour and agility into them . Whence comes that elegant Antithesis in the Scripture . Be not drunke with wine wherein is excesse , but bee filled with the spirit .

Christ is said to lead his Spouse into the wine cellar : which Simily Bernard delighting oft to repeat , Ser. 41. in Cant. 49 in two or three Sermons interprets of a speciall measure of zeale inspired into his Church . Thus ( saith he ) Christ led his Disciples into the wine cellar on the day of Pentecost ; and filled them , and the house with such zeal as they came forth like Giants refreshed with wine , and seemed to the people as men drunke with Act. 2 new wine .

It is to the soule as wings to the foule : this also is a Scripture embleme to picture the Angels with wings , as in the hangings of the Temple , & in the visions of the reuelation , in token of their ardent and zealous execution of Gods will : whence also they haue their name Seraphim ; he maketh his ministers a flame of fire . Heb. 1. 7.

To this fire and these wings , which we in the Lords praier desire to imitate , there is nothing in vs answerable but our zeale ; As wheeles to the chariot : which makes vs not goe , but runne the waies of Gods commandements , and so runne that we may obtain . As sailes to the ship , and wind to the sailes , to which alludes the phrase so frequent in Scripture , Plerophorie .

As courage to the souldier , metall to the horse , dust to the ground which makes it bring forth much fruit , yee an hundred fold : viuacity to all creatures . To conclude this , this is that celestiall fire which was shaddowed out vnto vs by that poore element in comparison and beggerly rudiment , the fire ( I meane ) of such necessary vse in the law , which rather then it should be wanting , the Lord caused it to descend from heauen , that it might cause the Sacrifices to ascend thither again as a sweet incense vnto the Lord without which no burnt offering was acceptable .

The second part .

But now , as then , there are certaine false fires , abhominable to God , odious to men , dangerous to the Nadabs and Abihues that meddle with them , bringing thereby coales vpon their owne heades , an ill sauour vpon all their seruices ; and not only so , but that which is worse , an ill report and surmise euen on those that offer the right fire , and serue the Lord in spirit and truth : yet for their sakes is the name of zeale blasphemed all the day long .

Against these , as then , so now seuere caueats and cleare distinctions must bee laid , lest such as haue not their senses exercised to put a difference , mistake poisonfull weedes for wholsome hearbes , to their owne destruction ; and for the sake of the one , reuile the other to the wrong of God and his Saints .

It fares not otherwise with the soule than with the body : besides the natiue & radicall heat , the principall instrument of life , there are aguish and distempered heats , the causes of sicknes and death .

To discerne of those , requires some skill and iudgement : yet a good Empirick , a Christian of experience , wil giue a shrewd guesse at them , the easier and the better if hee marke these following signes and symptomes , common to all the kindes of false zeale , here also following .

First they are deeply sick of the pharisaicall humor , Oftentation . they loue to be seene of men , and say with Iehu , Come and see how zealous I am for the Lord of hosts : they proclaime their almes with a trumpet , paint their good deedes vpon Church windowes , engraue their legacies vpon tombes , haue their acts vppon record : Thus , Comets blaze more then fixed Starres . Aguish heates breed flushings , & are more seen in the face , then natural warmeth at the hart . Scholers count hiding of Art the best Art : the godly man studies by all meanes how to conceal the one hand from the other , in doing well ; hiding of zeale is the best zeale .

Secondly , of Ahabs disease exceeding in externall humiliation , affected gestures , passionate sighs , loudnesse of voyce , odde attires & such like : These know how to rend the garment , hang the head with the bulrush , to whip and launce their skinnes with Baals Priests ; and yet strangers to a wounded spirit : not but that true and hearty zeale doth lift vp the eyes , knock the breast , dance before the Arke . Therefore this character may deceiue the vnwary ; Let Ely take heed of iudging Hannaes spirit rashly by the moouing of her lips : yet hypocrites so vsually straine nature and without a cause exceed , and that in publike , and vppon the stage , that for the most part , their actions and affections are palpable : as Iesuites , Cappuchines , &c. yea in many histrionicall Protestants : Horse-coursers iades wil bound , curuet and shew shew more tricks , then a hose well mettled for the rode or cart .

Thirdly , Complementall . you may knowe them by their diligence and curiosity in lighter matters ioyned with omission and neglect of greater , wise in circumstance , and carelesse in substance , tithing mint , straining at gnats , &c. In all cheape and easie duties , prodigall : niggardly & slothfull in the waighty things of the Lawe : these haue at command good wordes , countenance , yea teares from their eyes , sooner then a farthing from their purse , hauing this worlds goods , and see their brother want ; these sticke vp feathers for the carcasse , beguiling the simple , coozening the world , but chiefly themselues .

Fourthly , these fires cannot keepe themselues within their owne hearths , Pragmaticall . these spirites cannot keepe themselues within their owne circles . True zeale loues to keepe home , studieth to be quiet in other mens Diocess : false zeale loues to be gadding , is eagle eyd abroad , and moule eyd at home : In stead of burning bright and shining cleare , like brinish lights , Censorious . they sparkle & spet at others , or like ill couched fireworks let fly on all sides : onely out of their wisedome they know how to spare Agag and the great ones , and bee sure they anger not their great Masters , and meddle with their matches : whereas it is the property of fire that comes from aboue to spare the yeelding sheath , and melt the resisting metall , to passe by the lower roofes , and strike the towred pinacle , as Nathan , Dauid , Elias , Ahab , Iohn , Herod , Ionas , Niniuie , &c. Note also in all their proceeding with others , in steede of wholsome seuerity ( which rightly zealous men neuer come vnto but by compulsion , Cruell . and not without compassion of the offender , weeping with Moses and Samuel ouer the people , beeing sory with the Emperour , that they knowe how to write sentences of condemnation ) These delight in cruelty , the brand of the Malignant Church ; feede their eyes with Massacres as the Queene mother . No diet so pleasing to these rauening wolues , as the warme blood of the sheepe . They are they that cry fire and fagot , away with them , not worthy to liue , their very mercies are cruelty : especially in their owne cause , they heat the fornace seuen times hotter then in Gods .

Lastly , these Meteors and vapours haue no constant light , Variable and inconstant . or continued heat ( as the fixed starres euer like themselues ) but haue onely their aguish fits , & lunatick moods ; somtimes in aduersity they are good vnder the rod as Pharaoh , again in prosperity like the fat kine of Bashan , ingratefull and forgetfull : sometimes in prosperity when the sun of peace shineth on them , & the fauourable influence of great ones , they shoot forth their blade with the corne on the house top , running with the streame , & sailing with the wind ; sometimes their zeale depends vpon the life of Iehoiada ; sometimes on the company of the Prophets : commonly in the beginning they blaze like straw fires , but in the end goe out in smoake and smother ; whereas in their entrance into profession , they galloped into shewes , and made some girds at hand , they tire , giue in , and end in the flesh , whereas all naturall motions are swiftest toward their end .

The vestall fires were perpetuall , and the fire of the Altar neuer went out . Spices and wefts of these euills may be found in the sincerest Christians : but they suffer not these dead flyes to ly and putrefie in the precious boxes of true zeale ; Be not ouer iust hath 7. expositions . here . 2. or 3. more hereafter . of all these the preachers caueat may be construed , Be not ouer iust , thogh it may also admit other interpretations , as after shall appeare .

These are the speciall notes and symtomes of strange fires : the kinds also are many , & might be distributed into many heads ; but I will reduce them into three which are known by their names . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , counterfeit zeale , false fire . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , blind zeale , smoakie fire , or fooles fire , ignis fatuus .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , turbulent zeale , wild fire .

The first , wanting truth and sincerity , propounds sinister ends :

The second , knowledge and discretion , takes wrong waies .

The third , loue and humility , exceeds measure .

The first abounds amongst subtile & crafty professors , and is to be abhorred and detected .

The second amongst simple and deuout , is to be pitied and directed .

The third amongst passionate and affectionate , and is to be moderated and corrected .

The first is the meere vizor of zeale , looking asquint one way and tending another ; pretending God and his glory , intending some priuate and sinister end ; first , either of honour and promotion , as Iehu who marched furiously , and his worde was the Lorde of hosts , but his proiect was the kingdome .

Secondly , at filthy lucre : as Demetrius , and his followers , who cried great is Diana of Ephesus ; but meant her little siluer shrines . It cannot bee denied , but many such there were who helped to pull downe the Abbies ; not out of any hatred to those vncleane cages , but to reare their owne houses out of the ruines , and spoyled copes to make cushions . Iudas complained of superfluity , but grieued it fell besides his bagge ; many , temporalities tithes and glebes , vnlawful , because they are loth to forgo them : If Iezabel proclaime a Fast , let Naboth looke to his vineyard ; If the Vsurer and tradesman frequent sermons , let the buyer and borrower looke to themselues . It is too common a thing to make zeale a lure and state , to drawe customers ; a bait of fraud , a net to entrap ; with malicious Doegs , to make it a stalking horse for reuenge against the Priest , thereby to discharge their gall at Ministers and other Christians , for the omission and commission of such things , as them selues care not for ; with the Strumpet in the Prouerbs , to wipe their mouthes , and frequent the Sacrifices , that they may be free from suspicion .

All these euills , haue I seene vnder the sunne-shine of the Gospell : but by how much , zeale is more glorious then common profession , by so much is dissembled feruency more detestable then vsuall hypocrisie ; yea , no better then diuelish villany & double iniquity : such painted wals and whited sepulchers , the Lord will breake downe . Let all Timothies and Nathanaels learne to discry them , and discard them : The cure of this was deeply forelaid by Christ ; I counsell thee to buy gold tryed in the fire : all is not gold that glistereth , an image of faith breeds but a shew of zeale ; many seemed to trust in Christ , but Christ would not trust them : but such faith as will abide the fire , brings forth zeale that will abide the touchstone .

The second , is erronious or blinde zeale , not according to knowledge Rom. 10. I beare many deuout Papists witnesse ( though I feare the learnedst of them be selfe condemned ) that they haue this zeale perswading themselues , they doe God best seruice , when they please the diuell most in their will-worship . The same witnesse I beare many Separatists ( though I feare most of them be sicke of selfe conceitednesse , new fanglenesse , and desire of mastership : ) who would not suspect such zeale , which condemnes all reformed Churches , and refuseth communion with such as they themselues confesse to bee Christians , and consequently such as haue communion with Christ . It would grieue a man indeede , to see zeale misplaced , like metall in a blind horse ; to see men take such paines , and yet fall into the pit . This made Paul to wish himselfe Anathema , for the sake of such ; and yet the multitude and common people , often thus ; Is it possible but these men haue the right ? But alas , how should it be otherwise when a blinde company will follow a blinde sect-master ; This being one property of blinde zeale , a fond admiration , and apish imitation of some person , for some excellency they see in him , which so dazles their eyes , that they cannot discerne their errours and infirmīties , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which they oftner inherit then their virtues ; as appeares in the Lutherans , & the Iewes , that would sacrifice their children to Molech , in imitation of Abraham : In these the diuell becomes an Angel of light , and plaieth that Dragon , Reuel. 12. pouring out floudes of persecution against the Church , causing deuour men and women , to raise tragedies , breath out thretnings , and persecute without measure ; then these the diuell hath no better souldiers : but when their scales fall from their eyes , and they come into Gods tents ; God hath none like vnto them . The cure of this diuinely is forelaid by Christ also , to buy eye-saule of him ; Angels haue eyes as well as wings to guide their flight : when the shippe is vnder saile , and hath the freshest way ; it hath most neede to looke to the sterage , keepe the watch , haue an eye to the Compasse , and land marks .

The third kinde , is turbulent zeale , called by Iames bitter zeale , a kinde of wild-fire transporting men beyond all bounds , and compasse of moderation ; proceeding sometimes of a weakenesse of nature in men , that haue no stay of their passion , like to Clockes whose springs are broken , and Cities whose walls are down . Zeale is a good seruant , but an ill master : metall is dangerous in a head-strong horse . And so the Poets ( which were the Heathens Prophets ) shadowed out the cure of this , in Mineruas golden bridle , where with she menaged her winged Pegasus . There is too much of this bitter zeale , of this Hierapicra , in all our books of controuersies : but especially there hath been too much in our domesticall warres ; some sons of Bichri haue blowen the trumpet of contention , trumpets of anger ; the Churches of God should haue no such custome : Oh that our Churches vnderstood that saying .

In quarrels of this nature Paul spends his zeale , not in partaking but in parting the tray , beating downe the weapons on both sides : Who art thou that iudgest ? who art thou that condemnest thy brother ? Rom. 14. 10 as if he should say , The matters are not Tanti , wee haue made the diuell too much sport already ; who threw in these bones to set vs together by the eares , whilst he lets-in the common Enemie vpon vs . Charity , Charity , is the builder of Churches : Strife about trifles , hath wasted many famous ones , and placed the temples of Mahomet , where the golden candlesticke was wont to stand . We pittie the former ages , contending about leauened and vnleauened bread : keeping of Easter , fasting on Sundayes , &c. The future ages , will do the like for vs . Oh that the Lord would put into the hearts both of the gouernours and parties to these quarells , once to make an end of these Midianitish warres ; that wee might ioyntly poure out the vials of our zeale , vpon the throne of the beast .

Thus haue you heard the errors and counterfeits of zeale , through whose sides , and vpon the backe of which , diuerse of the malicious world vse to beat those whom it hates , because their workes are better then their owne ; iniuriously concluding , that all Zealots are alike . Thus I haue heard our Marchants complain , that the set vp blewes haue made strangers loath the rich oaded blewes , onely in request : this is an old sophisme . Trew iudgement would teach vs to conclude , that the best drugs haue their adulterates ; the most current coynes their slippes ; and that virtue which so many hypocrites put on , to grace themselues withall ; is surely some rare and excellent iewell .

The third part .

The true Zealote , whose feruency is in the spirit , not in shew ; in substance not in circumstance ; for God , not himselfe ; guided by the word , not with humors ; tempered with charity , not with bitternesse : such a mans praise is of God though not of men : such a mans worth cannot bee set forth with the tongues of men and Angels .

Oh that I had so much zeale , as to steep it in it owne liquor ; Arguments of commendation . to set it forth in it owne colours , that the Lord would touch my tongue with a coale from his Altar , that I might regaine the decaied credit of it , with the sons of men .

It is good to bee zealous in a good thing : From Gods excellency whom zeale onely becomes , vnworthily placed elsewhere . and is it not best , in the best ? or is there any better then God , or the kingdome of heauen ? Is it comly what euer we do , to do it with all our might ? onely vncomely when wee serue God ? Is meane and mediocrity , in all excellent Arts excluded , and onely to be admitted in religion ? Were it not better to forbeare Poetry or Painting , then to rime or daube ? and were it not better , to be of no religion then to be cold , or lukewarme in any ? Is it good to be earnest for a friend , & cold for the Lord of hosts ? For whom dost thou reserue the top of thy affections ? for thy gold ? for thy Herodias , &c. O ye adulterers and adulteresses , can ye offer God a baser indignity ? What ayleth the world ? Is it afraid thinke we , that God can haue too much loue ; who in regard of his owne infinite beauty , and the beames hee vouchsafeth to cast vpon vs , deserues the best , yea all , and a thousand times more then all ? Ought not all the springs and brookes of our affection , to run into this maine ? may not he iustly disdain , that the least Riueret shold be drained another way ? that anything in the world should be respected before him , equalled with him , or loued out of him , of whom , for whome , and through whom are all things ? who , or what can bee sufficient for him our Maker and Sauiour ? In other obiects feare exceeds : here no extasie is high enough .

Consider and reason thus with thy selfe ( O man ) canst thou brook a sluggard in thy worke , From his spirituall nature . if thou bee of any spirit thy selfe ? is not a slouthfull messenger as vinegar to thy teeth , and as smoake to thine eyes ? Hast thou any sharpnesse of wit , is not dulnesse tedious vnto thee ? And shall hee that is all spirit ( for whom the Angels are slow and cold enough ) take pleasure in thy drowzie and heauy seruice ? Doe men choose the forwardest Deere in the heard , and the liueliest Colt in the droue ? And is the backwardest man fittest for God ? Is not all his delight in the quickest and cheerfullest giuers and seruitors ? Euen to Iudas he saith , That thou doest doe quickely ; so odious is dulnesse vnto him : what else mooued him to ordaine that the necke of the consecrated Asse should bee broken , rather then offered vppe in sacrifice ; doth God hate the Asse ? or is it not for the sake of the quality of the creature ; which hath euer among the heathens beene an Hierogliphick of heauinesse and tarditie ?

Thirdly , this zeale is so gratious a fauorite with God , Effects of zeale . that it graces with him all the rest of his graces ; Reuel . 12 Prayer if it be feruent , preuaileth much : the zealous witnesses had power to shut and open heauen : by this , Israel wrastled with God , ouercame , and was called a Prince with God : this strengthened the hart of Moses ( as Aaron and Hur supported his hands ) till the Lord saide , Let me alone : this made Cornelius his prayer to come into heauen ; whither our cold sutes can no more ascend , then vapours from the Still , vnlesse there be fire vnder it : Repentance , a needfull and Primary grace , which the Baptist so vrged : but then we must bee zealous and repent ( as my text ioynes them ) or else no repentance pleaseth God ; nor are there fruites worthy repentance . Almes and good deedes are sacrifices pleasing to God ; but without zeale , the widowes mites are no better then the rest ; It is the cheerefull loose , that doubleth the gift . Generally , as some mans marke and name , furthereth the sale of his commodity ; so zeale inhanceth all the graces of God . It pitties me for Laodicea that lost so much cost ; had as many virtues , did as many duties as other Churches : but for want of this , Christ could not sup with them . Furnish a Table with the principallest fare , and daintiest dishes that may be had ; let them be rosted & boiled to the halues , or stand on the Table till they be lukewarme ; what wil the guests say ? All that we can doe is but the deed done , Opus operatum vnlesse zeale conferre grace .

Fourthly , zeale is the richest euidence of faith , and the clearest demonstration of the Spirit : Baptismus Plaminis & Pluminis . The Baptisme of water , is but a cold proofe of a mans Christendome ; being common to all commers : but if any be baptised with fire , the same is sealed vp to the day of Redemption . If any shall say , friend , what dost thou professe a religion without it ; how can hee choose but bee strooke dumbe ? Can we suppose wormewood without bitternesse , a man without reason ? then may wee imagine a religion , and a Christian , without spirit and zeale . The Iesuit saith , I am zealous ; the Separatist , I am zealous ; their plea is more probable , then the lukewarme worldlings , that serue God without life . If the colour be pale and wan , and the motion insensible , the party is dead or in a swoune ; if good and swift , wee make no question . The zealous Christian is neuer to seeke for a proofe of his saluation : what makes one Christian differ from another in grace , as starres doe in glory ; but zeale ? All beleeuers haue a like precious faith : All true Christians haue all graces in their seedes ; but the degrees of them are no way better discerned then by zeale : Men of place distinguish themselues , by glistering pearles : A Christian of degrees shines aboue other in zeale . Comparisons I knowe are odious to the world , that faine would haue all alike : but the righteous is better then his neighbour : All Christians are the excellent of the earth , the Zelot surmounteth them all , as Saul the people by the head and shoulders ; hee is euer striuing to excell , and exceede others and himselfe .

One of these is worth a thousand others , one doth the worke of many : which made him speake of Elisha in the plurall number , The horsemen and Chariots of Israel ; besides his owne worke , he winnes and procures others , makes Proselytes . It is the nature of fire to multiply , one coale kindles another : his worke so shines that others come in and glorifie God ; maruelling and enquiring what such forwardnesse should meane , concluding with Nebuchadnezzar , Surely the seruants of the most high God .

These are good Factors and Agents , doing God as good seruice as Boutefewes doe the Diuell , and Iesuites the Pope , sparing no cost , nor labour ; and what they cannot doe themselues , they doe by their friends , Who is on my side , who ? &c.

As for lets and impediments , they ouer-looke and ouer-leape them , as fire passeth from one house to another ; neither is there any standing for any Gods enemies before them : they make hauock of their owne and others corruptions . If you will rightly conceiue of Peters zeale in conuerting and confounding , you must imagine ( saith Chrysostome ) a man made all of fire walking in stubble . All difficulties are but whetstones of their fortitude . The sluggard saith , There is a Lyon in the way ; tell Samson & Dauid so , they will the rather goe out to meet them . Tell Nehemiah of Samballat , hee answereth , Shall such a man as I feare ? Tell Caleb there are Anakims , and he will say , Let vs goe vppe at once , &c. Let Agabus put off his girdle and binde Paul , let him be told in euery City , that bonds await him , hee is not onely ready for bonds , but for death ; tell Iubentius , he must lay downe his life , he is as willing as to lay off his clothes : tell Luther of enemies in Wormes , hee will goe if all the tiles of the houses were diuels . The Horse neighs at the trumpet ; the Leuiathan laughes at the speare . They that meane to take the kingdome of God by violence , prouide themselues to goe through fire and water , carry their liues in their hands , embrace faggots ; they say to father and mother , I know you not to carnall Counsellers and friendly enemies , Get you behind mee Satan . Zeale is as strong as death , hot as the coles of Iuniper ; flouds of many waters cannot quench it . Agar , Pro. 30. speakes of foure things , stately in their kinde ; I will make bold to adde a fift , comprehending and excelling them all ; namely , the zealous Christian , strong and bold as the Lion ; not turning his head for any ; as swift as the greihound in the waies of Gods commandements ; in the race to heauen , as nimble as the Goate climbing the steep and craggy mountaines of pietie and vertue ; A victorious King , ouercoming the world and his lusts : Salomon in all his royalty , is not cloathed like one of these in his fiery Chariot .

To cut off the infinite praises of zeal , let vs heare what honourable testimonies and glorious rewards , it pleaseth God to confer vpon it ; Dauids ruddie complexion and his skill in musicke , made him amiable in the eyes of men : but the zeale of his heart , stiled him a man after Gods owne heart ; and the sweete singer of Israel . Abraham , that could finde in his heart to sacrifice his Isaack , was called the friend of God . The same virtue denominated Iacob a Prince with God . Elisha , The Chariots and horsemen . Paul , A chosen vessell , &c.

Neither doth God put them off , with names and empty fauours , but vpon these he bestowes his graces : Dauid dedicateth his Psalmes to him that excelled : God in dispensing of fauours obserueth the same rule , To him that ouercommeth will I giue , &c. To him that hath , shall be giuen . Husbandmen cast their seede vppon the fertilest ground , which returnes it with the greatest interest : God giues most talents to those that improoue them in the best banke . Ioseph shall haue a party coloured coate , of all kinde of graces and blessings : And because hee knowes this will purchase them hatred and enuy , he takes them into speciall tuition ; if any will hurt his zealous witnesses , there goeth out a fire out of their mouthes , Reuel . 12 to deuoure their enemies . A man were better anger all the witches in the world then one of these . If God bring any common iudgements , he sets his Seale & Thau on their foreheads , Reuel. 7. 3 & sprinkles their posts ; Eze. 9. snatcheth Lot out of the fire ( who burned in zeale , Exod. 12 as Sodome in lust ) as men doe their plate whiles they let the baser stuffe burne . In fine , he taketh Enoch and Eliah in triumphant Chariots vp to heauen , and after their labours and toyles , setteth them in speciall Thrones , to rest in glory ; The Apostles in their twelue , the rest in their order , according to their zeale . And though hee may well reckon the best of these , vnprofitable seruants ; yet such congruity ( not of merits , but of fauour ) it pleaseth him to obserue in crowning his graces , that the most zealous heere , are the most glorious there .

Who would not now wonder how euer this royall vertue should haue lost it grace with the world ; how euer any should admit a lowe thought of it ? But what ? shall all the indignitie which hell can cast vpon it , make it vile in our eyes ? or rather shall wee not reason from the opposition as Tertullian did of Nero : That religion which Nero so persecutes , must needs be excellent .

If zeale were not some admirable good , the diuell and world would not so hate it ; yet lest silence should be thought to baulke some vnanswerable reasons , let vs see how they labour to be mad with reason : 1 Obiect . Let Festus bee the speaker for the rest , Zeal is mad , and makes men mad . for he speakes what all the rest thinke ; you know his mad obiection , Act. 26. 24 and Pauls sober answere in that place , 1 Cor. and the like , 2. Cor. 5. 13. whether hee bee mad or sober it is for God and you .

This text bids vs be zealous and repent ; the word signifies be wise againe , or returne to your wits . The prodigall is said to come to himselfe , when he was first heat with this fire . We may well answer the world as old men do yong : You thinke vs Christians to bee madde that follow heauen so eagerly ; but we knowe you to be mad , that run a-madding so after vanity .

A Christian indeed is neuer right , till he seeme to the world to be beside himselfe ; Christs owne kindred were afraid of him . Act. 2 The Apostles are said to bee full of newe wine ; besides , with these the world is madde : Act. 7 they runne vpon Stephan like mad men ; Nichodemus & such as he , neuer offends them .

You know also what Ahab laid to the charge of Eliah ; 2 Obiect . with the Apology hee made for himselfe . This is a stale imputation in all ages . Haman accused Mordechaie and the Iewes of it . A make-bate . The Apostles are saide to bee troublers of the whole earth . In the Primitiue Church , all mutinies and contentions were laide to the Martyrs . Tenterden steeple . True it is , where zeale is , there is opposition , and so consequently troubles : Christ sets this fire on earth , not as an author , but by accident : The theefe is the author of the fray , though the true man strike neuer so many blowes : but the Ahabs of the worlde , trouble Israel ; then , complain of Eliah : The Papists will blowe vppe the state , then , father it vpon the Puritanes . It is not for any wise man , to beleeue the tythe of the tales and slaunders , which fly abroad of the zealous : Leud men would fain strike at al goodnes through their sides .

You may remember also , 3 Obiect . Eliabs vncharitable censure of Dauid , Proud . I know the pride of thine heart . So doe all worldlings measure others by their owne length ; if they see any forwardnesse in the peaceablest spirit , they ascribe it either to vaine glory , or couetousnesse ; the onely springs that set their wheeles on going : but of this the knower of the hearts must iudge betweene vs .

When slaundering will not serue , 4 Obiect . They keep no meane . then fall they to glauering , cunningly glancing at zeale , whiles they commend the golden meane wherein vertue consists . But Christians , take heed none spoile you through such Philosophy ; or rather Sophistry : for true Philosophy will tell you that the meane wherein virtue is placed , is the middle betwixt two kindes , and not degrees : And it is but meane virtue that loues the meane in their sense .

Oh say they , 5 Obiect . Vndiscreet . but some discretion would doe well ; It is true , but take withall Caluins caueat to Melanchton : That he affect not so the name of a moderate man , and listen to such Syrens songs , till he lose his zeale .

I haue obserued , that which the world miscalls discretion , to eate vppe zeale , as that which they call policy , doth wisdome . As Ioab stabbed Abner , vnder a colour of friendshippe : Antichrist vndermineth Christ , by pretending to be his vicar . The feare of ouerdoing makes most come too short ; of the two extremities , wee should most feare lukewarmenesse : rather let your milk boyle ouer then be raw .

From glauering , they fall to scoffing ; yong Saints , will proue but old Diuels ; these hot-spurs will soone runne themselues out of breath . But we say , such were neuer right bred ; such as prooue falling starres , neuer were ought but meteors ; the other neuer loose light or motion : spirituall motions may be violent and perpetuall .

When none of these wil take , they fal to right downe rayling ; these Puritans , these singular fellowes , &c. vnfit for all honest company . I hope the states Puritan , and the common Puritan bee two creatures . For with that staffe the multitude beates all that are better then selues , and le ts fly at all that haue any shew of goodnes . But with that which most call Puritanisme , I desire to worship God . For singularity , Christ calls for it , and presseth & vrgeth it ; What singular thing doe you , or what odde thing doe you ? Shall Gods peculiar people , doe nothing peculiar ? The world thinks it strange , wee runne not with them into excesses , and do not as most doe , that we might escape derisino . Iudge you which of these men shall please : I beleeue none shall euer please Christ , till they appeare odde , strange , and precise men , to the common sort ; and yet neede not bee ouer iust neither . Let them that haue tender eares , stop them against the charmes of the world , and scornes of Michol , vnles they were wiser : let him that hath a right eare , heare what Christ saith to the Churches , Be zealous .