The Fire of the Sanctuary Newly Uncovered, Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Of the Ends of Zeale.
THE End, in intention,The ends of Zeale are 1. Principall, or 2. leſſe Principall. euer precedeth a Wiſe mans Action. A true zealous man neuer kindles a fire till his ends bee reſolued vponupon.
Zeale hath Two maine ends at which it aymeth. The One, Principall, and that is the aduancement of the Glory of God. The Other, Secondary, and that is, Reformation of what is a miſſe.
Sect. 1.Sect. 1. Shewing the Prinpall end. The maine and and top End of Zeale is the aduancement of Gods Glory. At this eueryevery true zealot muſt truely and ſincerely Leuel, elſe, let his knowledge be neuer ſo exact, his Calling neuer ſo warrantable, his Zeale cannot be iuſtifiable.
Moſes commanded thoſe that were on the Lords ſide againſt Aarons Calfe, to ſlay eueryevery man his brother, and eueryevery man his companion, aExod. 32.27.and eueryevery man his neighbour. But marke: he firſt charged them to goe about this bloudy ſeruice for the Glory of God, which was then laid in the duſt by Idolatry. For Moſes had ſaid;bVer. 29. conſecrate your ſelues to day to the Lord, euen eueryevery man vponupon his ſonne, and vponupon his brother, that hee may beſtow vponupon you a bleſsing this day.
He therefore that in that ſlaughter ſlew his owne Father in Zeale for God, offended not; becauſe in that caſe Father and mother muſt bee hated. Whereas on the contrary, hee that put to the ſword his very enemy, vponupon this occaſion taking reuenge on him, vnderunder colour of execution of Iuſtice for God, was a murtherer.
It was not the affection it ſelfe that Saint Paul condemned in thoſe ſeducing Zelots among the Galathians, but their ſiniſter ends. cGal. 4.They zealouſly affect you, but not well. That is, their ends bee corrupt. And the ſame Apoſtle hath ſet downe,d1 Cor. 10. elſewhere, this End, to which all our Actions muſt directly point as the needle to the Pole: Whatſoeuer yee doe, doe all to the glory of God.
The heart of man is deceitful aboue all things, 7. Markes to know that Zeale which armes at the glory of God.ſometimes perſwading him that hee aymes at this end, when indeed he doth not, other times putting him into needleſſe feares that hee ſhoots wide, when yet his ayme is well enough taken. It will bee therefore needfull to inſert ſome Rules & markes whereby eueryevery man may be able to know whether he ſteereth his courſe to land his Zeale at the Port of Gods Glory.
The firſt Rule is this; True Zeale is entire and vniuerſall. 1 Rule. Zeale is vniuerſallIt makes a man as carefull to approue the inſide to God, as the outſide to men. It prouokes to a conſcionable obedience in all things, as well as in that particular wee ſeeme ſometimes to be ſo zealous in.
Holy Dauid by this Rule, was a ſound Zealot indeed. Hee often burned in ſpirit when he ſuppreſſed the flame from the view of man. God onelyonly diſcerned the vent hee gaue it. I was dumbe with ſilence, I held my peace euen from good, and my ſorrow was ſtirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was muſing the fire burned. Then ſpake I with my tongue, Lord make mee to know mine end, &c. His heart was firſt on fire before the flame was in his tongue▪ and when hee opened the tunnel, it did, after the nature of fire, aſcend, and ſhewed it ſelfe firſt vntounto God. This Zeale of his did not make him fiery onelyonly in a point or two: for he ſaith of himſelfe;ePſal. 119 128. I eſteeme all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate eueryevery falſe way.
On the other ſide we may ſee the Zeale of the Phariſes diſcouered for counterfeit. They tooke great paines to ſet out a glorious outſide and a painted face of Profeſſion: but within were no better then painted Sepulchers, or the Sumpters offSee Speeds Chron. Cardinal Wolſey.
If you looke vponupon their outward carriage, it is with as much auſterity and rigour as may be. Behold their very pots and platters; Math. 23.you ſhall ſee them bright without: but looke not within, leaſt the filthineſſe annoy you, they being filled to the brim with extortion & exceſſe. Outwardly they appeare righteous vntounto men, but within they are full of hypocriſie and iniquity.
To this muſt bee added, that euen in their outward Actions their Zeale is not vniuerſall. They are more carefull for Mint, and Annis, and Cummin, then for the weightier matters of the Law, iudgement, mercy, and faith. For theſe haultings, our Sauiour brands them with the Hypocrites marke, ouer and ouer, three times together. Hypocrites in graine.
If then a Miniſter ſet himſelf in great heat againſt ſome ſins and not againſt all:The Triall. If he preſſe many duties on his flock and performe few or none himſelfe; denounce terrors with a thundring tone, but not comfort the broken ſpirit; inueigh againſt Conformers on the one ſide, or Puritans on the other, and yet liue like an Atheiſt: let his pretence bee what it will, his End is not Gods glory, for then his Zeale would be Vniuerſall.
I do not ſay that he ſhould at the ſame time do all things at once. There is a time to launce and cut, as well as to bind vp and heale. All Texts afford not al points, al ſorts of applicatiō: All Anditories require them not. But I ſpeake this onelyonly to this end that a conſtāt zealous temper muſt bee ſhewed in performance of eueryevery particular duty throughout ſo oft as opportunity and occaſion are offered; and that as well in life, as in Preaching or any other Miniſteriall Seruice. If he be not thus proportionable in all, he is not truly zealous in any.
So for a Magiſtrate to be very ſharpe againſt ſome outrages committed by meane and contemptible perſons, but letting alone ſuch as offend as highly in other kinds, & perhaps in the ſame kinds too, if they be perſons of Qualitie, or otherwiſe can make him by friends. To bee hot againſt ſtrangers, but cold enough in puniſhing ſuch as are vnderunder his owne roofe: to ſeeme zealous for God and the King onelyonly to proſecute with more violence, ſuch as they beare a ſecret grudge vntounto: to boaſt of impartialitie, and yet giuegive no countenance to Religious men; but rather for this very cauſe, that they labour to liue ſtrictly, in the ſenſe of the Apoſtle,gEphe. 5.15. (although they bee eueryevery way conformable to the Lawes of God, the Church, and Common-wealth) to hauehave a preiudicate opinion of them, and a ſecret heart-burning againſt them: this is not zeale, but furious paſsion, blazing onelyonly that way which the wind driues it, and flaming as the baſe affectation of windie popularitie which God abhorreth, ſhall happen to blow it vp.
Iehu was ſo ſicke of this diſeaſe, that he was not aſhamed to be his owne Herald to proclaime it vnderunder the name of zeale; fathering his baſtard furie vponupon zeale for the h2. King. 10.16.Lord, when none but the baſe ambition of his owne falſe heart begat it. He muſt needs call Iehonadab to witneſſe his zeale, when Gods Spirit diſcouered it to be but an hypocriticall ladder to aſcend the Throne.
Could that be zeale to grub vp Ahabs ſtocke by the roots for his ſinne againſt God, that could yet ſuffer thoſe monuments of Idolatry in Dan and Bethel to remaine as quiet, as much eſteemed, as much adored, as euer before in Ahabs life, and that by Iehu himſelfe?
How is it that the Lord complaines; Iehu tooke no heed to walke in the Law of the Lord God of Iſrael with all his heart, iIbid. ver. 31&c? Here is euidence enough to proue his zeale to be counterfeit, and to giuegive all men notice how little the Lord cares for ſuch flaſhes of lightning in ſtead of a ſolid fire of heauenly zeale.
Such alſo who being in inferiour offices, take occaſion then to crie quit with ſome that heretofore did offend them; and preſent a few poore ſnakes, let…ing more eſcape vnobſerued that deſerue puniſhment more; cannot ſo bleare the eyes of the world, as to be taken for zealous. They will be diſcouered by the moſt blincking drunkards to be malitious reuengers of their owne priuate paſſions, and that it is not conſcience of an Oath, but other reſpects that make them ſo buſie.
Finally, by this all ciuill Profeſſors and formall hypocr…tes may find themſelues empty of zeale for Gods glorie, in the beſt actions they performe. What ſhall the zealous faſtings kIſai. 58.3.4., and ſacrificeslCap. 66.3. of hollow hearted Chriſtians, who want zeale to kindle them, gaine at Gods hand but reproofe and loathing?
That is not zeale that brings men to Church on the Lords day, and yet ſuffereth them to liue like Diuels all the weeke after; that will make a man pray in the Church, or in his familie in the morning, and yet neuer put him in mind (to any purpoſe) of God all the day after, vnleſſe to blaſpheme his terrible Name: that will make men ſeeme deuout in the duties of the firſt Table, and yet ſuffer them to be very deceitfull, couetous, and corrupt in their dealings with men: that will carrie them with violence againſt an oath, but not againſt iugling and lying for their owne aduantage.
2. Rule, zeale is moued by ſinne, not by priuate iniuries or profits.2. True zeale is ſet on worke by the conſideration of ſinne againſt God, and not by iniuries or profits of our owne. Zealous Lot, doubtles, ſuffered much, and long vnderunder the vncleane, vnnaturall, barbarous Sodomites. Yet we heare of no fretting or impatience at their vnneighborly dealing. Nay when he was in perill of his life, & they readie to offer violence vntounto him, and to pull his houſe downe about his eares: he anſwered with mildneſſe and prayers; I pray you brethren do not ſo nGen. 19.7.wickedly.
Yet the diſhonours of God he tooke deepely to heart, and feared not to declare how much he was vexed with the filthy conuerſation of the wicked. For that righteous man dwelling among them, in ſeeing and hearing vexed his righteous ſoule from day to day with their vnlawfull o2. Pet. 2.7.8deeds. He that could contemne all iniuries done to himſelfe, could not digeſt any that was done to his God.
When Moſes was perſonally abuſed in a high degree, not onelyonly by the skumme of the Congregation, but by his owne Brother &pNum. 12. Siſter; he was not ſtirred a whit. The holy Ghoſt notes of him, euen at that very time, that he was very meeke aboue all the men that were vponupon the face of the qIbid. ver. 3.earth. Howbeit when God was abuſed, he could then ſend forth great flames of ſire. Witneſſe his zeale in the matter of therExod 32.19 Calfe; and after, in the buſineſſe of Corah ſNum. 16.15. He that before, could neglect his honour to retaine his meekneſſe; now forgets his meekneſſe to ſhew his zeale for the Lord.
Let it not ſeeme tedious that I adde the example of our Lord himſelfe. Neuer any ſuffered ſo many, and ſuch contradictions of tHeb. 12.3.ſinners: yet at priuate wrongs he was neuer troubled. When he was reuiled, he reuiled not againe; when he ſuffered, he threatened u1. Pet. 2.23.not. Nay, not ſo much as opened his *Iſai. 53.7.mouth. Neuertheleſſe, when he ſaw the Temple prophaned, Gods worſhip polluted, whereby the honour of God was layd in the duſt; ſo great a fire was kindled within him, that the flame was readie to waſt and eate himſelfexIoh. 2.17. vp.
And as zeale is not ſtirred with the apprehenſion of iniuries offered; no more is it blowne vp by the bellowes of profit expected. He, that was ſo zealous that no man was in labours ſo abundant, vnderunder ſtripes ſo much, in priſons ſo frequent, in deaths ſo often, in iourneyes ſo painefull, in perils of waters, of robbers, by his owne Country men, by the heathens, in the Citie, in the wilderneſſe, in the ſea, among falſe brethren, &c. in zeale ſo much exceeding others, that when they were but offended, he burned y2 Cor. 11.: not counting his life deare vntounto himſelfe, ſo that he might finiſh his courſe with ioy, and the Miniſtrie which he had receiued of the Lord Ieſus, to teſtifie the Goſpell of the grace of zActs 20.24God; he, I ſay, that aduentured and endured ſo much, vndertooke none of all this for his priuate aduantage.
To the Epheſians he appealed, that he had coueted none of their ſiluer, or gold, or apparell; but they well knew his owne hands had miniſtred to his neceſsities, and to them that were with aIbid. ver. 33.34.him.
To the Corinthians he proteſteth, that he ſought not his owne profit, but the profit of many that they might be b1. Cor. 10.33.ſaued. And when he was ſo iealous ouer them with godly c2. Cor. 11.2iealouſie, it was not for feare he ſhould looſe their exhibition: for he preached vntounto them the Goſpell of God dIbid. ver 7.freely. He ſought not theirs bute2. Cor. 12.14. them. All this did abundantly demonſtrate his zeale to ayme at the glorie of God.
Now then,Triall. if men can ſee God diſhonoured, and their brethren abuſed, yet lie ſtill and be as quiet as Lambes, till ſome perſonall wrongs arouze and enrage them, and then play the Bedlams, and Tygers vnderunder a pretence of zeale; this is certainly no fire from heauen, nor kindled for God.
The heate of Simeon and Leui was great for the defiling of Dinah theirfGen 34.7. Siſter: but becauſe it was not the conſideration of ſinne againſt God, but the apprehenſion of an indignitie put vponupon themſelues; it was iuſtly cenſured and accurſed by their owne father, for no better then cruell gGen. 49.7.wrath; though Shechē could not be excuſed.
If men make zeale a meanes to diſcharge their gaule againſt ſuch as are faithfull in the Land, and to be as Gunſhot to reuenge their priuate quarrells vponupon the Seruants of Chriſt, making a man a tranſgreſſor for a word, picking quarrells for trifles, and taking malitious aduantage from the omiſſion of of ſome ſmall thing (for which they care as little as for the duſt of their feet, yet) to make this for want of a better, the cudgell to giuegive him whom they hate the Baſtinado: If all this I ſay, or any of this may paſſe for zeale towards God; then, bloudy Doeg (glad of an opportunity to murther the Prieſts of the Lord,)h1. Sam. 22. and the Butcherly Iewes who perſecuted to death the Lord of life, may be accounted good Zealots. Yea the Diuell himſelfe would put in for a roome among Zealots, as high as the beſt of them all.
So alſo if men ſhall make zeale their drudging Aſſe to bring in gaine to themſelues; make deuotion the cummin to towle cuſtomers to their ſhops; and profeſſion, a painted cloth to cozen them with a falſe light when they hauehave gotten them thither; and in all theſe pretend zeale, and the glory of God; they exceedingly gull & deceiue themſelues.
This is, with Ziba, to accuſe Mephiheſh…th to Saul, in hope of his eſtate. It is like Iezabels Faſt, for Naboths Vineyard; like Iudas his Sermon, for the cramming of his bag; like Felix his hearing, in hope of money from Paul; like Demetrius his practiſe, to keepe vp his trade; like the zeale of Iehu, to obtaine the kingdome; and like the preaching of the Diuell, to perſwade our Sauiour to ſwallow his baite.
3.3. Rule. zeale makes no difference betweene friends and foes. True zeale is as violent againſt ſin in the deareſt friend, as in the greateſt enemy. It ſets againſt eueryevery one that ſetteth againſt God. It takes them for enemies that are enemies to God, be they father, brothers, ſiſters, or any others neuer ſoiAmbros in Pſal 119. zelū Dei qui habent, omnes ſibi inimicos putant, qui ſunt hostes Dei, quamuis patrem, fratres, ſorores, &c. neare. Do not I hate them, ſaith a zealous ſparke, that hate thee, and am not I grieued with thoſe that riſe vp againſt thee? I hate them with a perfect hatred: I count them mine kPſal. 139.21.22.enemies.
In this caſe and ſenſe our Sauiour ſpeaketh, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſiſters, yea and his owne life alſo, he cannot be my lLuke 14.26diſciple. It was Leui his commendation in reuenge of GodsmExod. 32.27, 28. quarrell, to know neither father nor mother, brethren nor children, ſo as to pittie or ſpare when God bad killnDeut 33.9. them.
Memorable alſo is that of good King Aſa, who for Idolatrie depoſed his owne mother, M…acha his mother, Euen her, ſaith the text, he remoued from being Queene, becauſe ſhe had made an Idoll oThat obſcene Idoll Priapus.in a groue, p1 Kings 15 13.afterwards, he cut downe her Idol, and ſtampt it and burnt it at the brooke q2 Chron. 15.16.Kidron, that the very place of execution might further expreſſe his heate and hatred againſt that ſinne, and diſgrace that fact of his mother the more.
And left any ſhould thinke this a worke of ſuperirrogation, let him obſerue that iniunction in the caſe of falſerZach 13.3. Prophecie; When any ſhall prophecie (falſly or without commiſſion) then his father and mother that begat him, ſhall ſay vntounto him, thou ſhalt not liue: for thou ſpeakeſt lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and mother that begate him: (marke how hee purpoſely repeates the relation) ſhall thruſt him through when he prophecieth. No combination ſo neare muſt ſmoother the zeale we ought to expreſſe againſt ſuch as offend againſt God in ſo high a degree.
When a man therefore is like a Lion awaked out of ſleepe,Triall. if his enemie do but looke or ſet a foote awry, and ſeeme in his paſſion deepely affected with the wrong offered to God; and with thoſe hypocriticall Malice-Pits, cry, away with ſuch a fellow from the earth: But on the other ſide, no ſuch taking on when a friend doth as bad, or worſe by tearing Gods name in his mouth, prophaning the Lords day, keeping of whores, delighting in drunkenneſſe, & taking a pride in boaſting of his filthineſſe, &c. This is but franticke paſſion in the one, and partiall affection in the other; both differing as farre from zeale, as kitchin fire from the Celeſtiall. LoueLove is blind, they ſay: It appeares in nothing ſo much as in this. It cannot ſee any faults in our ſpeciall friends, till God finde them out, and leade vsus vntounto them by the markes of his vengeance.
How many parents and husbands now adayes thinke eueryevery thing done or ſpoken by wiues, or children, to be prettie, and wittie; which they condemne in others, as bold and ſcurrilous; and others, in them? Dauid had cauſe to rue this, in Adoniah, and let all doting parents that can be ſo indulgent to children, (whiles they are curſt enough & too much to their ſeruants) remember what bitter fruites both Dauid and Ely reapt of their cockering folly.
How many are there that can terme that, thrift in a friend, which they would call, couetouſneſſe in an enemie; call that, handſomneſſe in one they affect, which they would condemne for pride in another, eſteeme that, ſalt, and ſmartneſſe, of wit in him whom they louelove, which they would call rayling in him they hate; call that but a tricke of youth in their companions, which they would make another ſtand in a white ſheete for?
Let all ſuch be admoniſhed, that true zeale, ayming at Gods glorie, as it loueth goodneſſe in an enemie as well as a friend; ſo it hateth vice as much in a friend as in an enemie. It affecteth eueryevery one, as they affect God. It cannot but louelove pietie in a profeſſed enemie. It cannot but ſet fire on ſin in the boſome of the deareſt friend. It offers violence to the heart, as powder to the bullet, that the heart cannot but offer violence to ſinne where euer it be found.
4.4. Rule, zeale equally ſet vponupon rich & poore. True zeale oppoſeth ſinne in the rich, as well as the poore, in great perſons as well as in meane. Celeſtiall fire catcheth in the higheſt turrets, rather then in the loweſt houels: melteth the hardeſt mettle, rather then more yeelding matter: zeale telleth them their owne, that if they be ſo diuelliſhly minded, may bee able to do vsus a miſchiefe; as well as it is plaine with ſuch, as we are ſure can do vsus no harme. Fire will burne the houſes of rich men, as well as of beggers. Zeale, ſo long as it keepes within thoſe bounds which God hath ſet downe, feares not the proudeſt Hee that can ſwell in his paſſions as big as Beh…moth who thinketh to drinke vp ſIob 40.23.Iordan at a draught, or that can caſt fire out of his mouth, & towers of ſmoake at his noſtrels enough to darken the heauens, as faſt astIob 41.19. Leuiathan himſelfe.
If greatneſſe attempt to ring Cour-feu to zeale at midday, and to couer it with the aſhes of thunder, when God would hauehave it to flame; Zeale will not ſo be kept in, but rather flie in their faces that ſeeke to ſuppreſſe it. Ieroboams preſence ſhall not hinder the man of God from prophecying againſt his Idolatrous Alter, and of the ruines of thoſe that offered*1 King. 13.2 thereon.
Let Ahab reſolue to chop Eliah into gobbets, the Prophet will not be afraid to look him in the face, and roundly to tell him, that Hee is the troubler of u1 Kin. 18.Iſrael. Micaiah will not baulke him a whit; though he know too well the hatred of the Tyrant, and be ſure to kiſſe the iayle for hisx1. Kin. 22. labour.
The Nobles of Iudah ſhall not eſcape Nehemiahs check, no more then the reſt that trod in the ſteps of their godleſſe example in the breach of the yNeh. 13.17.Sabbath. What cared the three children for great Nebuchadnezzers wrath, burning 7. times hotter then his ſeauen-fold hot fierie zDan. 3.fornace.
Proud Agag ſhall ſpeede no better in a Samuels hands, then the baſeſt1. Sam. 15 33. Amalakite. The great Iewiſh Sanedrim ſhall not go without reproofe of Peter and Iohn, The Sanedrim was their great Iudiciarie Councel, conſiſting of 72. perſons.if they ſhall forbid them the ſeruice ofbActs 4.19.20. God.
And why not? Is the great God of heauen and earth, whoſe ſeruice zeale vndertaketh, a reſpecter of Perſons? If great men offend, muſt they not know that there is a greater then they, who will trample on the necks of Kings that dare trample on his word? Are not they worthy of ſo many deaths ouer andcGreg. Mag. lib. 3. Past…. 1 admon. 5. Scire etenim praelau debent, quia ſi p…ru…ſ… …nquam perpetrant, tot mo… tibus digni ſunt, quot a… ſu… ditos …uo… p rditio…is e…e…pla tranſmitiunt. ouer, as they giuegive leud examples to ſubiects that are more apt to imitate the euils of bad Princes, then the vertues of good?
It is not a more thankleſſe then perillous taske to performe: but the danger of this is nothing to that of letting it alone. To do it may offend men that ſhall die; but to omit it, when God calleth vsus to it, is to run vponupon the rocks of his diſpleaſure, who is Lord both of vsus and them, and can caſt both into hell. Better ſuffer on earth for doing our dutie, then frie in hell for fearing the faces of men.
Triall.If then our courage go no higher, then the beating of curres, not daring to looke a Lion in the face: If our zeale do louelove to runne vponupon the ground, and dares not faſten vponupon the high places of ſinne: if we ſet our foote vponupon ſilly wormes, that if they turne againe can do vsus no hurt; but are afraid ſo much as to touch the hole of the Aſpe; and to put our hand on the cockatrice den; this is as farre from zeale for the glorie of God, as cowardiſe from the nobleſt valour. None ſo tyrannicall ouer inferiors as the baſeſt Cowards. True valour counts nothing ſo baſe, as medling with ſuch as are not very well able, if they liſt, to reſiſt.
5. True zeale not beaten downe, but more inflamed by difficulties. 5 Rule. Zeale is inflamed by difficulties.It deuoureth the briars and thornes, prick they neuer ſo ſharply. It kindles in the thickets of the forreſt, bee they neuer ſo greene and ſappie to quench it. It will not onelyonly burne when it hath authoritie to countenance it, but blazeth aloft when greatneſſe it ſelfe ſeekes to bucket it out.
Wee may ſee it in Nehemiah counſelled by Shemaiah to leaue worke and take Sanctuarie for feare of Sanballet conſpiring to ſurprize and ſlay him in the night. Should ſuch a man, as I, flee? and who is there that being, as I am, would goe into the Temple to ſaue his life? dNeh. 6.11.I will not go in, ſaith that burning Lampe.
As fire leapeth from one houſe to another, burning the ayre as it goes; ſo Zeale, from one duty to another, notwithſtanding all oppoſitions; and it cauſeth a Chriſtian to be among difficulties, as a man made of fire, walking in ſtubble.
Much puddle water may be caſt vponupon it, but fire from heauen not bee ſo quenched. Yea as water cauſeth the fire in the forge to flame the higher; ſo difficulties increaſe the feruor of Zeale.
Paul being diſſwaded from going to Ieruſalem, becauſe of the dangers waiting him there, grew into a paſſion, which made him more hot on the iourney, not without anger at them who out of the heate of their entire affection deſired toeAct. 21.13. preſerue him in peace.
Luther feares not his Enimies at Wormes, though hee hauehave timely intelligence of their conſpiracy to cut him off. The news rather animates then abates his reſolution, and thither hee will, though he were ſure to meet with as many Deuils in that place, as there are tyles on the houſes.
Yea in very Horſes that hauehave mettle, we may diſcerne moſt courage to the Battle, when the Inſtruments of Warre ſound loudeſt in the enemies Campe. Let difficulties daunt Fooles that neuer expect them, nor know how to breake through them. A true zealot hath fireballes enough to fire the ſtrongeſt Fort of the Enimy. Hee knowes the Kingdome of heauen ſuffers violence, and there is no taking of it, but by force. Nothing befalls him which he looked not for.
Seneca's enemies could not faſter learne to raile; then he, to contemne it. Will the Chriſtian Zealot then bee to ſeeke, how to keepe off the boyiſh ſquibbs of ſcorne and diſgrace? Nay; if any man will hurt Gods faithfull witneſſes that vexe thoſe that dwel on the earth, they hauehave fire enough in their mouthes to deuoure fReu. 11.5.them. Nay; Antichriſt himſelfe with all his forces & Armies cannot ſtand before them: for Zeale in them is thatgReu. 20.9. fire (if Saint Auguſtine miſtakehDe ciuit. Dei. lib. 20. cap. 12. per totum. not,) that came down from heauen and conſumed them all that compaſſed the Campe of the Saints aboue, and the beloued Citie.
Such Zeale then as goes out by eueryevery drop of water caſt on it by a flouting Sanballat, or a gybeing Tobiah; and by eueryevery glimmering Sun-ſhine of perſecution ariſing: ſuch as make a great blaze when proſperity, credit, peace, and preferment are bellowes to blow it: but are ſo carried about as hay in a whirle-wind with the blaſt of the Time, that they will bee ready to fire that which before they maintained, if the wind turne neuer ſo little about; and through feares or hopes will bee of any Religion and temper, that the ſtrongeſt Faction imbraceth; reſoluing to goe no further then a faire wind & weather and a calme tide will carry them; and, and if any ſtorme ariſe preſently to make to the ſhore, to preuent perill of life and goods: Such Zealots I ſay, as theſe neuer had any coale from the Alter to kindle their Sacrifices; they neuer knew what it was to ayme at the Glory of God.
If they did, they would not like ſheepes-heads fall a running at the ſight of eueryevery dog that offereth to put his noſe ouer the hedge. They would not bee ſuch cowardly cu…res, as to runne in at doores, ſo oft as they ſee one ſtoope for a ſtone.
If their Zeale were true, they would make all time ſeruing-Monkies afraid to play with their fires, or to come neere them: and the world ſhould ſoone know that it were better to anger all the Waſpes in the Countrey, all the Witches in the world, all the Deuils in hell, then one of theſe Sparkes, by ſin againſt God.
The right Zealot dreads no weather, feares no colors: he takes Chriſts Croſſe on his ſhoulders, a fagot in his armes, and his life in his hand, and ſo reſolues to goe through fire and water, priſon and ſword, or any thing elſe that ſtands in his way vntounto God.
Reproaches for Chriſt, hee laies vp as his Treaſures. The greateſt difficulties oppoſing, are not ſo much as vnwelcome to this Herculean Chriſtian. Ioſhua will not looſe Canaan for the Iebuſites Towre: euen the children of Anak are butiNum. 14.9. bread for his teeth.
6. Rule. Zeale is moſt ſharp againſt a mans owne corruptions.6. True Zeale Proſecutes not ſinne in any, ſo much as in our ſelues, wee are ſo well acquainted with our owne corruptions, that impartiall Zeale cannot finde ſo much cauſe of fury againſt others as our ſelues: nor will it allow vsus that liberty which wee deniekChriſost. hom. 18. in Matth. vntounto others.
When Paul was a Saul, who but hee againſt others with neglect of himſelfe, binding and deliuering into Priſons both men and women, for Chriſt, and perſecuting this way to the death. lAct. 22.4.But when Saul was a Paul, then he laies the traine to his owne heart, and giues fire cheefly to the Canon planted againſt himſelfe: iudging himſelfe the greateſt of ſinners, m1 Tim. 1.15.and the leaſtnEpheſ. 3.8. of Saints.
Zeale will make a man tie himſelfe to as much or more ſtrictneſſe, then hee requires of another. Paul did not enioyne Timothy to beate downe his body, while himſelfe drunk wine; but allowed Timothy theo1 Tim. 5.23. wine, and tooke the blowesp1 Cor. 9.27. foreign. Triall. himſelfe.
If then we can be like Bedlams at other mens ſinnes, and defend or ſuffer the ſame, or as bad, in our ſelues: pull moates out of other mens eyes, and neuer complaine of beames, in our owne: take liberty from others, and giuegive it to our ſelues:qGal. 2.4. force others to circumciſion, whiles we breake the Law:rGal. 6.13. be in a rage at that man that eateth our ſheepe, but neuer take offence at the ſheepe that eates vp the man:Depopulators executing Lawes againſt ſheep ſtealers. let vsus bluſh to ſay wee ayme at Gods Glory be we neuer ſo hot againſt other mens ſinnes.
If the Apoſtle eſpy ſuch fire breaking out, hee will ſoone ſuppreſſe it with that cold water; Thou that teacheſt another, teacheſt thou not thy ſelfe? Thou that preacheſt a man ſhould not ſteale, doſt thou ſteale? Thou that ſaieſt a man ſhould not commit adultery, doſt thou commit adultery? ſRom. 2.21, 22.Thou that abhorreſt Idols, doſt thou commit Sacriledge?
Canſt thou laſh another mans back, and not thinke to be laſhed thy ſelf, when thou layeſt thy back open vntounto him, and putteſt a whip in his hand? Either bee ſure to bee more righteous then Iudah, or elſe forbeare to ſit in iudgement on Tamar, leaſt ſhee though bad enough, be the better of the two; thine owne conſcience drag thee to the Barre, lift her to the Bench; and thou proue the Felon; ſhe, the Iudge.
7. True Zeale is conſtant. 7. Rule. Zeale is conſtant.No eſtate, perſons, places, or time can either put it out, or abate it. True Zeale will not onelyonly ſhew it ſelf in a zealous beginning either to preach or profeſſe the Goſpell, while Miniſters want Liuings, and the People ſomewhat, that a zealous profeſſion may bring them in; but alſo when they are at the topp of preferment, and the greateſt glut of outward proſperity.
Looke vponupon Dauid, and you ſhall finde him no leſſe zealous with the Crowne on his head, then when God humbled and kept him low, by the Perſecution of Saul: no leſſe frequent and feruent in religious duties, at Court, then any where elſe. Good old Samuel, as free from Bribes and neglect of duty when hee was Primate of all Iſrael, as when he was but an inferiour Miniſter at Ieruſalem.
Behold Daniel a Fauorite in an Idolaters Court, when al the Grandees of Babilon had vowed and plotted his ruine for obſeruing the Law of his God; yet euen then and there, when Daniel knew that the writing was ſigned which would coſt him his life, he went into his houſe; and his windowes being open in his chamber towards Ieruſalem, he kneeled vponupon his knees three times a day, and prayed, tDan. 6.10.and gau… thankes before God, as hee did afore time. Yea true Zeale the higher it is liſted, the more it will flame, the brighter it ſhines, and the further it will be diſcerned. No fire is ſeene ſo farre as that of the Beacon.
If then wee can be religigiousTriall. and zealous when wee are young or poore; and thinke Zeale a cumber, when we are growne wealthy and great: if we can be good only during the life and gouerment of ſome Iehoiadah; Kindle a great fire when a Miniſter commeth, and put it out in whole or in part ſo ſoone as hee is gone; reproue a ſwearer when hee that abhorres it is preſent, & ſweare (like Deuills) our ſelues, when he is away: If a cramm'd belly will allay our heate for God; and like thoſe curſed Prieſts, wee can cry, Peace; ſo long as men giuegive vsus whereon to gnawe:uMic. 3.5. And if ſome preferment can ſtop our mouthes, and we can be content to bee ſilent, out of Pollicy to keepe that, and hope to get more: If we can tune our fidles to the Baſe of the Time: and iuſt like Fidlers, who are ſaid to hauehave Pſalmes for Puritans & obſcene Songs for Good fellowes, & reſolue to play nothing but what the company call for: Bee Proteſtants in the Morning, and Papiſts at Euen-Songe: If wee carry this candle in a darke Lanthorne ſo as with the turne of a hand it may bee quite ſhut in, if any approach to whom wee would not bee knowne by our light, or are loath to be obſerued to hauehave any ſuch about vsus; All this is but horrible Paraſiticall baſeneſſe that holds a candle to the Time; no fire, to kindle a Sacrifice for God.
The fire of the Sanctuary neuer went out: that, therfore, which the moſt hauehave in their Cenſers, is no better then that of Nadab and Abihu, who, offering ſtrange fire before the Lord, by a fire that went out from the Lord, xLeuit. 10.1, 2.were deuoured.
Sect. 2.Sect. 2. Shewing the ſubordinate end of Zeale, Reformation. Thus farre the Principall end of Zeale, the aduancement of Gods Glory; and the Rules to try if our Leuell bee right. I come now to point at the other which is ſubordinate, the Reformation of what is amiſſe.
To be on fire at diſorder is a commendable temper, if our aime be as right, as our paſſion is ſtrong. It is not our heate but our end that commendeth the Action.
When the God of Iſrael and his Worſhip were forſaken, and the flames of Idolatry horribly breaking out in all parts of the Church; ſome bringing fire; ſome, fewell; others, laying it on; and all the reſt repairing thither to warme themſelues at it; vnleſſe ſome that could not Go, for halting betweene two opinions, whether God or Baal were the better:y1 King. 18 Eliah then beſtirred himſelfe, and beſtowed the fire balls of Zeale vponupon ſuch as had been Principall Actors in this diſorder.
But that which iuſtified his action, was his end, the remouing of Idolatry, and re-eſtabliſhing the truth and true worſhip of God. This appeares by his owne words vntounto God himſelfe, I hauehave beene very iealous for the Lord God of Hoſts: for the children of Iſrael hauehave forſaken thy couenant, throwne downe thine Alters, z1 Kin. 19.10.and ſlaine thy Prophets with the ſword.
When Nehemiah ſaw the Iewes that had taken wiues of Aſhdod, Ammon, and Moab, and their children ſpeake halfe in the ſpeech of Aſhdod, and could not ſpeake in the Iewes Language, but according to the Language of each people, (A hodg-potch of both;) he contended with them, and curſed them, and ſmote certaine of them, and pluckt of their haire, and made them ſweare by God ſaying, yee ſhall not giuegive your daughters to their ſonnes, aNeh. 13.23, 24, 25.nor take their daughters for your ſonnes or your ſelues.
A ſtrong and ſtrange heate; yet no other then Seraphicall: for Zeale was his Line; a lawfull calling, his circumference; and reformation, his Center.
Paul was not afraid ſometimes to vſe the dreadful Axe of Excommunication, to cut off ſcandalous ſinners from the Viſible body of Chriſt, for a time: but hee neuer durſt medle with that edge-toole, but for Reformation.
Writing to the Church of Corinth he coniured them in the name of the Lord Ieſus to deliuer vntounto Satan the Inceſtuous Malefactor. Hee meant, by a ſolemne Excommunication publikely denounced in the face of the whole Congregation: But to what end? for the deſtruction of the fleſh, that the ſpirit may bee ſaued in the day of the b1 Cor. 5.5.Lord Ieſus. Thus alſo hee handled Hymeneus and Alexander, that they might learne c1 Tim. 1.20.not to blaſpheme.
To Parents alſo the Wiſdome of God ſaith,dProu. correct thy ſonne while there is hope. Therefore hee muſt doe it in hope of his childes amendment; not onelyonly for preuenting his own greife or ſhame, but Gods diſhonor, and his childs deſtruction. And if this be his aime, Let not his ſoule ſpare for his crying.
Magiſtrates then both may and muſt puniſh; Parents, and Maſters chaſtiſe delinquents vnderunder their Charge. And a zealous puniſhment of ſinne (ſo hee that vndertakes it, thirſt not after reueng, but profitable correction)cAnſel. in Mat. 18. Non cupidus vindi…tae, ſed correctionis fraternae. Alex. Hales. par. 3. q. 59. m. 5. ar. 3. Bonus magis cupitinimicum corrigi quam puniri. is not onelyonly a needfull but a pious, yea a mercifull worke of him to whom that Power is committed of God.
When diſcipline ſleepes, ſinne playes Rex.fAuſt. de verb. domini Ser. 15. Si ſeueritas diſciplinae dormiat, repreſſa diſciplina ſaeuit impunita iniquitia. What can bee more mercifull in a Chyrurgian then to Launce a tumorous ſoare, or to ſearch a feſtered wound to the bottome? He angers the wound to cure the man, who would otherwiſe periſh by ſparing hisgQuid tam …ium quam n…dicus ferēs ferramentū? plorat ſecan d…s & ſecatur. Pl…rat vren…us & vitur. Non e…t illa crud…litas, abſit vt ſ…tutia … dicatu… Saeuit in vu…s vt h…mo ſ…n… tur, qu…a ſi vuln… pal…tur homo …e…ditur. Jdem ibid. wound.
But if they ſhall abuſe their Authority, onelyonly to ſhew their Maſterhood, to vent their frantique paſſions, and and to reuenge themſelues, not ayming at the reformation of ſuch as they puniſh; this is not Zeale, but tyranny and oppreſſion which God will neuer put vp at their hands, but owe them a ſhame for it, and at one time or other, early or late will be ſure to pay them home in their owne coyne.
God hath often in all Ages ſold his People into the hands of cruel Tyrants whom hee hath vſed as rodds in his hand to ſcourge them. Yet when theſe Executioners hauehave vndertaken to doe execution vponupon them, aymeing at their owne Ends, he hath euer plagued the Tormentors with greater Wrath.
Iſrael had few Neighbours whoſe hands at one time or other were not heauy vponupon them but marke the Concluſion, and we ſhall euer finde the rod caſt into the fire.
Aſhur had a large Commiſſion to make hauocke of Iudah. The Prophet Iſaiah ſets out to life the Power which God gaue the Aſſirian, ouer his people; his abuſe of that power; and the wofull Cataſtrophe of thathIſay 10.5.6 abuſe.
O Aſsirian, the rod of mine anger, and the ſtaffe in their hand is mine indignation. I will ſend him against an hypocriticall nation, and againſt the people of my wrath will I giuegive him a charge to take the ſpoile and the prey, and to tread them down like the mire in the ſtreets.
Here is a Commiſſion as firme as might be, which, no doubt, he would bee carefull to execute to the vtmoſt. But obſerue his ayme; Howbeit he meaneth not ſo, neither doth his heart thinke ſo: that is he meaneth not to goe againſt Gods People in Gods ſtrength, but his owne; nor to Gods end which was to refine them from the droſſe of their ſinne; but it is in his heart onelyonly to deſtroy, and to cut off Nations not iVer. 7.a few, to make himſelfe the Catholick King, and the onelyonly Monarch of the World.
But behold the euent; wherefore it ſhall come to paſſe that whē the Lord hath performed his whole work on Mount Zion, and on Ieruſalem, hee will puniſh the fruite of the ſtout heart of the King of Aſſiria,kVer. 12. and the glory of his high Lookes, &c. The Lord taketh reuenge vponupon the reuenger, and deſtroyes the deſtroyer. And ſo let all the Churches enemies periſh, O Lord.
Yea, which is more remarkable, conſider the hand of God vponupon furious Iehu. How fierce hee was againſt the houſe of wicked Ahab, his maſter, wee know. How God had a purpoſe to cut off eueryevery branch of Ahabs houſe, and to roote him out as an enemie, wee cannot be ignorant; that he meant to do all this by the ſword of Iehu, whom he had annointed for this very purpoſe the Scripturel2. Chron. 22 7. 2. Kin 9.7. declares.
After he had done it, the Lord commends and rewards him for it to the fourth generation, though Iehu were otherwiſe a moſt wicked man; Becauſe thou haſt done well, and executed that which was right in mine eyes, and haſt done vntounto the houſe of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation ſhall ſit vponupon the throne of m2. Kin. 10.30.Iſrael.
Would any man imagine there were any flaw in this peece; and that Iehu, or any of his, ſhould euer heare ill for this act? yet lo, aboue ſixtie yeares after, euen in the dayes of Ieroboam, his great Grand-child, and the laſt but one of his race that ſwayed the Scepter; God calleth Iehu to the barre, indites him of murther, and vowes to auenge vponupon Iehues houſe the bloud of nHoſ. 1.4.Iezreel: that is, as Expoſitors interpret, that very ſtocke of Ahab which God had put in his hand to plucke vp by the rootes: and that very houſe which hee was to ſweepe with the beſome of deſtruction.
Why was this, but becauſe Iehu though hee did Gods worke, yet he did it with a bloudie and ambitious mind, not deſiring or ſeeking either Ahabs repentance, or the reformation of the people, who were as groſſe Idolaters vnderunder Iehu, as euer they were vnderunder Ahab? When he had the kingdome his worke was at an end, ſaue onelyonly that hee changed Iezabels Baal, for Ieroboams o2. Kin. 10.28.29.Calues.
Thus doth God turne the point of his ſword in the Magiſtrates hand, into his owne bowels, when he directeth it againſt others, not for God, but for himſelfe.
And as the caſe ſtands thus with Magiſtrates, ſo, in proportion, with Parents and Maſters; they may chaſtiſe, but not for their pleaſure, as fathers of the fleſh vſe topHeb. 12.9. do, (and therfore ſhall pay deare for their Nabal-like q1. Sam 25.16.cariage,) but they muſt do it, as God doth it to them, for the profit of thoſe theyrIbid. ver. 10 correct.
And that their corrections may proueſforeign. inſtructions, they muſt lay aſide all thoughts of reuenge and furious paſſion; doing it in zeale for God, & as performing his worke, not theirtAlex. Hales, p. 3 q. 59. m. 5. ar. 3. Aliud est dimittere rancorem qui comitatur vindictam: aliud dimittere p… nitionem quā comitatur zelus iuſtitiae. owne: adding withall, inſtructions to their corrections, and prayers to all their reproofes; as Samuel, for Saul euen after he had reſolued to ſee his face no more all the dayes of hisu1. Sam. 15.35. life.
Thus if they do, they ſhall breake the hearts of their children more with one blow, then otherwiſe with a thouſand. Then ſhall men diſcerne it to bee an holy zeale that makes them ſo ſharpe; if notwithſtanding their paſſion of anger, they can expreſſe ſo much bowels of compaſſion, as to teach them to mourne, and to pray for them, when their hands are moſt heauy vponupon them.