The Christian Temper, Discourse 8
Of Zeal.
TIT. 2.14.
A peculiar People, zealous of good Works.
foreign, accenſum ſtudio bonorum operum, (as Beza) fervently given unto good Works, (as in our old Engliſh tranſlation.)
Zeal is a word of various acceptation. In general, it ſignifies heat, and fervour. From foreign, ferveo. In Heb. 10.27. there is foreign, which we read fiery indignation, in our old Tranſlation, violent Fire.
This Word is transferred to the heat, and fervour of the Spirit and Affections, which is of diverſe kinds. As
1. There is a natural Zeal. As ſome naturally are of lively, active ſpirits, full of mettle, (as we uſe to ſay.) Luther ſeemeth to have been naturally of ſuch a temper. As Bucer ſaid of him, Nihil in eo non vehemens. What an happy thing it is, when ſuch a temper is guided, and acted by Grace. Ordinarily ſuch will do more for God.
2. There is a carnal Zeal. We find emulations, among the works of the Fleſh reckoned up, Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. In the Greek foreign. And the Apoſtle James condemns foreign, a bitter Zeal, Jam. 3.14. Envy is a kind of Zeal; but not of the right kind. It is bitter Zeal. It is a ſort of wild Grapes.
There is a Blind Zeal. Such as Idolaters, Papiſts, Perſecuters may be acted by. A blind zeal, when Men are Zealous in a falſe way, and Zealous againſt the Truth. Taking light for darkneſs, and darkneſs for light. Calling good evil, and evil good.
There is a ſuperſtitious, extravagant, and erratick zeal, when Men are Zealous about ſuch things, where it would be a vertue to be cool and moderate.
And there is an Hypocritical Zeal, when Men have, or ſeem to have great Zeal for the Truth, and againſt Errour, and falſhood; but it is only for ſelf-reſpects, and carnal ends. Thus carnal Zeal moves in a large Sphere, takes a great compaſs.
3. There is a Spiritual Zeal. A being zealous of good Works indeed, and zealous for God, even for his ſake. An holy Zeal. This is both commanded, Rev. 3.19. Be zealous. And commended, Num. 25.11. Phinehas the Son of Eleazer hath turned my wrath away (while he was zealous for my ſake.) So this Zeal ſhould not go unrewarded.
Many commend lukewarmneſs and indifferency in Religion, under the terms of Moderation, Prudence, and Diſcretion. But Chriſt and the World are not of a mind. A lukewarm temper the Lord cannot endure. Rev. 3.15, 16. Becauſe thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will ſpue thee out of my mouth. But as Biſhop Hall obſerves, (Vol. 1. p. 903.) The goodneſs of God winks at the Errors of honeſt Zeal, and ſo loveth the ſtrength of good Affections, that it paſſeth over their Infirmities. Again, (ib. p. 938.) He Pardoneth the Errours of our fervency, rather than the indifferencies of lukewarmneſs.
Indeed where there is no Zeal for God, there is no Love to God. Qui non Zelat, non amat. Where there is Life, there will be ſome heat. Here foreign, to be ſpiritually alive and to be lively, are not more alike in ſound, than really akin. Zeal in one degree or other is as inſeparable from ſpiritual Life, as heat is from fire. It's true, as every ſincere Chriſtian is not a Nathaniel for degree and meaſure of Sincerity, and plain-heartedneſs; So neither is every ſuch Soul a Moſes, a Phinehas, an Elias for Zeal: Yet the Kingdom of Heaven ſuffers violence, and the violent take it by force, Mat 11.12. And it is one property of Chriſt's redeemed ones, his peculiar People, to be zealous of good Works.
This holy Zeal, of which I am to ſpeak, (as was ſaid of Ʋprightneſs, and Sincerity) is not any diſtinct, particular Grace; but a modus, or reſpect of other Graces. Though ſome define it as a compound of Love and Anger. (Zelus eſt affectus ex amore & irâ mixtus, cum ſcil. iraſcimur ei, à quo laeditur id quod amamus.) Yet I cannot ſo confine it. There muſt be Zeal accompanying our Repentance, 2 Cor. 7.11. And Zeal in our Love. We muſt love fervently, 1 Pet. 1.22. and 4.8. And it is the ſymtom of corrupt times, when love waxeth cold, Mat. 24.12. Zeal is the ſpritely vigour, and activity of all Grace, the ardor of all the Affections, with the earneſtneſs and intention that is in all ſpiritual actings. Indeed the chief heat of it is in the Spirit, (foreign, Rom. 12.11.) This Fire is burning in the gracious Heart, in the ſanctified Will and Affections; yet its heat is further diffuſed into the Converſation. All our Spiritual Sacrifices muſt be offered up with this Fire. Fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord. Prayer muſt be Zealous, fervent Prayer, Jam. 5.16. Col. 4.12, 13. Miniſters muſt Preach zealouſly, as Apollos, Act. 18.25. None are allowed to do the work of the Lord negligently, remiſly. There muſt be Zeal in hearing the Word. Here our hearts ſhould burn within us, as Luk. 24.32. we ſhould be zealous in reproving, as Gal. 2.11. Yea, no good work is well done without Zeal. We muſt be zealous of, and zealous in good Works. Its not enough barely to do good Works: but we muſt be earneſt upon it, and vigorous in the Work.
Queſt. But how ſhall we know whether our Zeal be right.
Anſw. (1.) True Zeal is guided by a right Judgment, a judgment regulated by the Word. To allude to that, Iſa. 4.4. The ſpirit of judgment muſt go along with the ſpirit of burning. A blind, ignorant, raſh Zeal is not good, nor will it prove ones eſtate good. Such a Zeal Paul had, while a deſperate Perſecuter, Act. 26.9. which afterwards he ſaw to be fury, and madneſs, rather than Zeal. v. 11. This made him Mad once: not his learning, (as Feſtus would have had it, v. 24.) ſuch a Zeal the carnal, unbelieving Jews had, Rom. 10.2. Let Men be never ſo zealous in their way, if it be not God's way, their Zeal runs waſte. God is not honoured, but diſhonoured; not well pleaſed, but diſpleaſed with that Zeal, which is not according to his Word. To be zealous for what he hath not commanded, and much more, to be zealous for what he hath forbidden; to be zealous againſt what he allows, and much more to be zealous againſt what he approves, and commandeth, is contrary to his Will, Intereſt, and Honour. This is not in a true account, Zeal for God, but rather againſt him. That Zeal, which is not according to knowledg, which is not guided, and warranted by the Word, hath an errour in the foundation. It hath nothing to difference it from the Zeal of the groſſeſt Idolaters in the World. A Papiſt may be heartily zealous in his way, zealous to promote his Religion, and gain Proſelytes to it, zealous againſt the ſoundeſt Chriſtians, crying out againſt ſuch, as dangerous Hereticks, wiſhing that they might come to their old work again, to burn ſuch as Hereticks. In this his Zeal he may follow his judgment, thinking he ſhould do God good ſervice, as Joh. 16.2. even in perſecuting the faithful to the death, if it was in his power, when (alas!) he is miſerably miſtaken. This will not juſtifie any in their Zeal for Idolatry, that they think God beſt ſerved, moſt honoured that way. This will not warrant any in their rage againſt the Saints, and Servants of the moſt High God, that they take them to be Hereticks, or Hypocrites. But they ſhall find, it was their duty to have informed themſelves better, and not to condemn the righteous, and not to call good evil. The Devil, that cannot endure, but is an utter enemy to right Zeal, is ready to promote a falſe, blind Zeal all he can. He is never weary of blowing this coal. This (he knows) would do him Knights ſervice. He cannot but account ſuch his beſt ſervants, who are zealous in his ſervice. Such do as much as can be, to credit his Cauſe, who put the honourable title of [Zeal for God] upon the ſervice they do his grand enemy. Such fight againſt God, while they carry his Colours. blind Zeal is a piece of the greateſt diſſervice to the intereſt of God, and Religion. Sometimes blind Zeal fights with a ſhadow, ſtrikes at a Signpoſt; but letteth the enemy quietly paſs by. And which is worſe, it ſometimes falleth foul on thoſe whom it ought to defend. A Man acted with Blind Zeal is like one that ſhoots at Rovers, who is more likely to do miſchief than hit the Mark: or like one that fighteth blindfold, ſtriking Friends, as ſoon as Foes. What ſad havock, what woful work hath blind Zeal oft made in the Church? Even like a violent Fire, that getting head, layeth all waſte before it. The Devil has no ſtiffer prop to uphold his Kingdom, and no fiercer engine of Perſecution, or battering Ram to employ againſt the Kingdom of Chriſt.
Therefore let not any pleaſe themſelves in this, that they are Zealous in their way, when (perhaps) they are out of the way. And if ſo, the more haſte, the worſe ſpeed. Zeal in a falſe way caſts Men more behind. No Offering acceptable to God without Fire; yet to offer ſtrange-Fire here is very perillous. And that is not Fire from Heaven, where there is heat without Light. Where theſe go alone, either Heat without Light, (Zeal without Knowledg) or Light without Heat. (Knowledg without Zeal) it is ſadly ominous: but where they go together, very comfortable.
Are you zealous? but who, and what are you zealous for? And what is your Zeal againſt? I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hoſts; (ſays Elijah) becauſe the Children of Iſrael have forſaken thy Covenant, thrown down thine Altars, and ſlain thy Prophets, &c. 1 King. 19.14. Is thy Zeal againſt Sin indeed? So that thou canſt not indure to ſee God diſhonoured, his Worſhip neglected and contemned, his Truth oppoſed, his Saints and Servants evil intreated, &c. Is thy Zeal for that which is good? Gal. 4.18. It is good to be zealouſly affected alwayes in a good thing. The Apoſtle Paul was very zealous before his Converſion, but of the traditions of his Fathers, Gal. 1.14. Many have a Zeal, but for their own fancies, and private opinions. Oh what pitty is it that ſuch ſpirits ſhould evaporate, and be loſt! Let a Man's Zeal be never ſo hearty, if the Mettal have not a right ſtamp, it is not currant.
Zeal, unleſs it be rightly guided, (ſayes learned Hooker) when it indeavoureth moſt buſily to pleaſe God, Eccl. polit. l. 5. §. 3. p. 190.forceth upon him thoſe unſeaſonable Offices, which pleaſe him not. For which cauſe, if they who this way ſwerve, be compared with ſuch as are ſincere, ſound and diſcreet, as was Abraham the friend of God, the ſervice of the one is like unto flattery, the other like the faithful ſedulity of friendſhip.
(2.) Right Zeal burns within, before it flames out. Hypocrites can be hot in their expreſſions, but are not fervent in ſpirit. Hot in the Mouth, but cold at Stomach, cold at Heart. Like Glow-worms, fiery in appearance, yet really cold in themſelves. Blind Zeal is ſtrange Fire; an hypocritical fained Zeal is falſe Fire. But true Zeal is not all in ſhew, though it will ſhew it ſelf. It lieth chiefly in the fervency and intention of the Spirit, and Affections. The life of Zeal is in the Heart. As when the Apoſtle Paul was at Athens, ſeeing the City wholly given to Idolatry, his ſpirit was ſtirred in him, and this ſtirred him up to diſpute, and Preach againſt their Idolatry, Act. 17.16. &c. As Ezekiel's hearers with their mouth ſhewed much love, (Ezek. 33.13.) it is poſſible, that many in their outward expreſſions may ſhew much Zeal, declaming freely and often againſt the Sins of the Age, as the horrible increaſe of Prophaneneſs, growth of Popery, &c. and may ſeem to bewail the woful declining ſtate of true Piety amongſt us: but are our hearts deeply touched, and affected with the ſenſe of theſe things? Surely, that Zeal which is only from the teeth outward, is not true, but feigned.
(3.) True Zeal hath reſpect to God, it pointeth towards God. As Fire aſcends. Sparks fly upwards. That is not right Zeal, which is flaſhy, vain-glorious, in pretence for God; but really for ſelf. To pretend Zeal for the Lord, (as Jehu did) but really to deſign, and aim at ſelf-applauſe, and ſelf-advantage, this is to mock God, or this is but to flatter him. And certainly, that God which ſearcheth the heart, will put a difference betwixt ſuch flatterers, and his true friends. They that have a true Zeal for God, will ordinarily prefer God's Honour and Intereſt before their own concerns. True Zeal is accompanied with ſelf-denial. Such can be zealous for God, when they are like to ſuffer for their Zeal. They could better endure to ſuffer themſelves, than that the Truth ſhould ſuffer. They could take it more patiently, to be reviled themſelves, to have their names caſt out as evil, than that the good wayes of God be evil ſpoken of.
(4.) True Zeal will burn alone. As Elijah was zealous for the Lord God of Hoſts, even when he ſeemed to himſelf to be left alone, when he knew not of one, that would take his part, 1 Kings 19.10. As the Apoſtle Paul could not but expreſs his Zeal for God at Athens, when he had none to back him, Acts 17. Come, ſee my Zeal for the Lord, ſays Jehu, a Kings 10.16. An Hypocrite is not well pleaſed if he have not ſome to take notice of his Zeal, ſome that will applaud him for it. His Zeal in a good cauſe is ſoon cooled, if he have not ſome about him, ſuch as would encourage, and help to blow it up. Whereas true Zeal will burn ſtill, when there are none about it but ſuch as endeavour to blow it out. As Lot's Soul was vexed from day to day (in Sodom) with their unlawful deeds, 2 Pet. 2.8. If a Zealous Chriſtian hath his lot caſt in a wicked prophane Place, or Family, even there will his Zeal be breaking forth. True Zeal will not be ſmothered, or put out with the coldneſs, and deadneſs of others about it; but rather uſeth to be more excited, and intended: As Fire burns hotteſt in cold froſty Weather.
(5.) True Zeal is not Partial, but would appear for all that, wherein God's Honour and Intereſt lieth. It is as Extenſive, as ſincere and ſound Obedience. It is Quantitas intenſiva obedientiae, according to Dr. Ames. Thus to be Zealous of good works, in the whole kind of them, ready to promote any good Work, earneſtly deſirous to abound in every good Work, would ſhew our Zeal to be right. But a partial Zeal, as a partial Obedience, is not right. As partial heats in the Body are no ſigns of good Health. To be Zealous for works of Charity, but no friends of Holineſs, and true Piety: Or to ſeem forward for pious Exerciſes, but to be careleſs of other Moral Duties. To be negligent in the duties of our particular Callings, and Relations, cannot be right. True Zeal in a Magiſtrate, will make him active for God, as a Magiſtrate, as Nehemiah was. True Zeal in a Miniſter, will make him diligent in the work of his Miniſtry. Like Apollos, who being fervent in Spirit, ſpake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, Acts 18.25. True Zeal in the Maſter of a Family, will make him Induſtrious in his Place, To inſtruct his Houſhold in the Way of the Lord, and to engage them in God's Service; after Abraham's example. Yea, one that is truly Zealous of good Works, will act uniformly: Not be hot in Prayer, Hearing, Conference; and Cold and Heartleſs, as to other Duties.
(6.) True Zeal ſets againſt all Sin, as it is diſcovered. This will cauſe ones Blood to riſe againſt Sin. So a Man will be ready to reprove, and ſhew his diſlike of Sin, as he has opportunity. So he will endeavour in his Place, according to his Power, to oppoſe Sin, to prevent, ſuppreſs it. True Zeal will make a Man an enemy to Sin, whereſoever he ſees it, whereſoever he meets with it. To appear very forward to condemn the faults of an Enemy, of ſuch as bear no good will to us; and to bear with Sin in our Friends, in ſuch as are nearly related to us, this is not right. True Zeal would make one like Levi, in God's Cauſe, Who ſaid unto his Father, and to his Mother, I have not ſeen him, neither did he acknowledg his Brethren, nor knew his own Children, (Deut. 33.9.) As Aſa would not bear with Idolatry in his own Mother, 2 Chron. 15.16. In the trial of your Love, obſerve its working at a diſtance, as this will better appear, in its workings towards thoſe that are fartheſt off, in its being extended to Strangers, Enemies; than in its workings towards Friends, and Relations, that are near you. But in the trial of your Zeal, on the contrary, eſpecially obſerve how it worketh near hand. To condemn Sin in others, but to indulge, and ſpare our own Sins, is not right, Some are ſo Zealous againſt others Offences, De Adventu Dom. Ser. 4.(as Bernard ſays) that they might ſeem to hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, if they had the ſame judgment alſo of their own Sins: But now a weight, and a weight, (as he alludes) is an abomination to the Lord. True Zeal would leaſt endure Sin in its own Territories. As Fire has moſt power on what is next it: Zeal where it is in truth, will be firing out ones own Corruptions. Like an Hearth of fire among Wood, and like a Torch of fire in a Sheaf. As the Pſalmiſt ſays, My Zeal hath conſumed me, Pſal. 119.139. So Zeal will be conſuming ones Luſts. Are we ſalted with this Fire, according to the expreſſion, Mark 9.49? A truly Zealous Chriſtian has the greateſt indignation againſt his own Sins, and is moſt forward to take revenge on himſelf, and them, (2 Cor. 7.11.) And he would not ſpare one of his Sins. Jehu deſtroyed Baal out of Iſrael: yet this ſhewed his Zeal was not right, that he departed not from the ſins of Jeroboam, he was ſtill for the Golden Calves, 2 Kings 10.28, 29. A reſolved indulgence, and allowance of any known Sin, and true Zeal, are inconſiſtent.
(7.) A right and regular Zeal is moſt vehement in the greateſt Matters. As Fire, the groſſer the ſubſtance that it takes hold, Ignis in materia denſiori acriùs urit.and feeds upon, the hotter it burns. True Zeal is more for plain and neceſſary Duties, than for any diſputable point, or matter of Controverſie. So likewiſe it riſeth againſt Sin, according to the quality, and aggravations thereof. What one noteth, to have always been the Hypocrites guiſe, Dr. Downam, on Pſal. 15. p. 33.is the genius of falſe Zeal, ſcil. To neglect the greater Duties, and to affect the obſervation of the leſs, to prefer Circumſtances before the Subſtance, and Ceremonies before the works either of Piety or Charity; to place the height of their Religion, either in obſerving, or urging Ceremonies, or contrariwiſe in inveighing againſt them. Obſerve it, to be more Zealous for, or againſt a Ceremony, than for the weightieſt and moſt ſubſtantial Duties, or than againſt great and foul Enormities; to be more Zealous about ſome diſputable Point, and Opinion, (wherein ſound Chriſtians may have different apprehenſions) than for main matters of Faith and Godlineſs, matters eſſential to true Chriſtianity, (wherein all that are Chriſtians indeed muſt agree, both as to Belief, and Practice) is no good ſign. You would not take him for a wiſe, and careful Builder, that laid the greateſt weight on the weakeſt part of the Wall: So it muſt be indiſcreet Zeal, or worſe than indiſcreet, which is more for unneceſſary Opinions, than for the moſt ſubſtantial Duties, and fundamental Truths. Is that true Zeal for God? Or rather is it not a ſelfiſh Zeal, which is for ones own Opinions, neglecting thoſe things, which make moſt for the Honour of God, and wherein the main intereſt of Religion lieth? Though many warm themſelves at theſe Sparks, many comfort themſelves that they are Zealous in their way, for their own Parties, and Opinions, yet in the end they may lie down in ſorrow for it.
But ſome will ſay, Would you not have us Zealous for the Truth, and in the Cauſe of God? Anſwer, 1. It concerns you to be well aſſured, that it is God's Truth you are Zealous for. How many that take their own private conceits for Divine Truths? 2. All Truths are not of equal importance. And though the leaſt Truth may not be denied, or oppoſed; yet leſſer Truths may be ſilenced, and concealed, when a Zealous contending for them would be to the wrong and prejudice of far greater and more neceſſary Matters. That is not to defend, but to betray the Intereſt of God, and his Truth, when Men care not perdere ſubſtantiam propter accidentia, to loſe the ſubſtance of Religion for Accidents, and Circumſtances. And that is Erratick Zeal, and Miſchievous, like Fire out of its place, when Men are ſo hot and earneſt in contending about leſſer Points, that they themſelves neglect, and do what in them lieth to hinder others minding the main of Religion. Zeal (like Fire) in its proper place, is of great uſe and benefit: But out of its place, very dangerous and deſtructive. And remember, Sirs, that true Zeal for God, is moſt for thoſe Truths, and Duties, wherein the great intereſt of Religion lieth: And is moſt againſt ſuch things, whereby God is moſt diſhonoured, the Goſpel obſtructed, Religion moſt wronged, diſcredited, &c.
(8.) Right Zeal is joyned with Chriſtian Moderation, is for Chriſtian Concord. One of a truly zealous Spirit, is alſo of an healing, cloſing Spirit: is of a publick Spirit. Right Zeal is more for the common intereſt of Religion, than for private Opinions. It is no Firebrand, no Incendiary in the Church. It is moved at what it ſees amiſs, it is for Reformation; but will not hurry Men upon diſorderly actings in their paſſionate ſenſe of Diſorders. It is againſt extreams on both Hands. Paſſionate Tranſports, and raſh heady Courſes, are not the effects of an holy, but of a bitter Zeal. Right Zeal keepeth within due compaſs. It is for Edification, not for Deſtruction. It is for Peace and Unity. It is for Sodering and Cementing, not for Separating ſuch as ſhould Joyn. As Fire, though it ſeparate Heterogenials, congregates Homogenials: Yea, it will melt divers Metals into one Lump. True Zeal is not for perverſe Diſputings, tending to Strife; but for godly Edifying in Faith. It is not for kindling Diſſentions, or cauſing Offences and Diviſions amongſt Chriſtians; but is moved with great Grief at the ſight of ſuch things. (As the Apoſtle, Who is offended, and I burn not?) It is for maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. And they that are more zealous to maintain ſome By-opinions, than to maintain Union and Communion with their Fellow-Chriſtians, are quite beſides the Mark. The Churches Peace, and Edifying one another in Love, are far greater Matters, than any unneceſſary Opinions, which too many too zealouſly contend for. Yea, Ʋnneceſſary, is too good a word for ſome of them; I ſhould have ſaid, unſound Opinions. O that the Guilty here would ſeriouſly conſider, whether it would not be more for the Honour of God, the Credit, and Intereſt of the Goſpel, and the ſecuring of true Religion amongſt us, to joyn with their Fellow-Chriſtians, ſo far as they can, to hold together, to their mutual help, ſtrengthening, and encouragement; than to be ſo hot for their Opinions, which if they were true, yet are far remote from the Foundation, and ſo far from being neceſſary to Salvation, that not one of hundreds that are ſaved, and now in Heaven, was ever of their Way and Opinion here. To be ſo rigid in their Way, to carry, as if all were unfit, and unworthy for them to hold Chriſtian Communion with, that come not over to ſuch Opinions of theirs; alas! this is Wild-fire, not true Spiritual Zeal. And verily, I cannot think of any thing, that will probably more harden, and encourage Papiſts at this Day, than the ſad Rents and Diſſentions amongſt Proteſtants. As he ſaid, Is not the hand of Joab in all this? So it is probable enough, the Heads of Jeſuites have been in this. Divide, & impera. They know, a Kingdom divided againſt it ſelf, is not likely to ſtand long; and hope to raiſe themſelves on our Ruines.
(9.) That is right Zeal, when we are more moved with Indignities offered unto God, than with any Injuries done to our ſelves. When we are more zealous in God's Cauſe, than in our own. We find, Numb. 12.1, 2. Miriam and Aaron ſpeak againſt Moſes, yet he ſeemed not at all concerned for himſelf: We find not any reply that he made. He was meek in his own cauſe. Whereas upon ſight of the Peoples Impiety, their Idolatry, in the Cauſe of God he was preſently all on a flame. His anger waxed hot, Exod. 32.19. To be mild in our own cauſe, but zealous in God's, is a ſign, that we are indeed zealous for God. As it is a ſign of the contrary, when we are remiſs as can be, unmoved, unleſs when our own Intereſt is wrapt together with God's Intereſt. As moſt Parents and Maſters can bear it well enough though Children fail never ſo groſly in reſpect of the Duty that they owe to God, though Servants plainly neglect, and contemn God's Service; They can bear with their Impiety, with their taking God's Name in vain, with the prophaning of his Day, &c. And yet many times they are all Fire and Tow, if ſuch do but fail in point of good Manners to them, if they be not very obſervant of them, and their commands. Now it is true, the leaſt Irreverence towards Parents, and ſo negligence in Servants, are Sins againſt God. But if upon that account you are moſt moved, and diſpleaſed, then you will be diſpleaſed at other Sins as well; and more diſpleaſed at greater Sins, than you are at theſe. You will be zealous for God, when Self is not ſo much concerned.
(10.) Right Zeal for God is joyned with real Love, and true compaſſion towards Men, towards Sinners. Thus while we hate their Sins, we ſhould yet love, and heartily wiſh well to their Perſons. While we cannot bear with them that are evil, in that which is evil; yet we ſhould be glad to do them good, and glad indeed, if by any means we might be helping to make them better. As great Enemies as the Jews were to the Goſpel, and to the Apoſtle Paul, yet he could not but pity them, and his hearts deſire and prayer to God was for them, that they might be ſaved, Rom. 10.1. Zeal againſt Sinners hath anger, and grief in it; not hatred. As in the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 12.21. True Zeal deſires their Converſion, rather than Confuſion: And would rejoyce more in their Reformation, than in their Ruine. Our Saviour checked the furious Zeal of the Diſciples, when they would fain have been calling down Fire from Heaven, to conſume thoſe poor Creatures that would not receive him. Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of, Luke 9.54, 55. They were too haſty: at that time a ſpirit of Revenge was ſtirring in them, which was not Elias's ſpirit.
(11.) True Zeal is for expedition in God's Service. As Phinehas, Ignis eſt maxime actuoſus, & maximè mobilis.who was zealous for God could not ſit ſtill, when he ſaw God ſo greatly Diſhonoured, Pſal. 106. Then ſtood up Phinehas, and executed Judgment. [Then ſtood up Phinehas.] The word may import his readineſs, and forwardneſs to appear for God againſt Sin, as occaſion was then offered. So Nehemiah teſtified againſt the Merchants, that had lodged but once or twice without Jeruſalem under the Wall on the Sabbath, threatning to clap them up. If they did ſo again, he would lay hands on them, Neh. 13.20, 21. So David, Pſal. 101.8. I will early deſtroy all the wicked. Though it may point at the uſual time of ſitting in Judgment, in the morning; yet withal it may import, that he would not be delatory in the work. Thus Zeal will ſet Men early on work for God, will make Men quick and ſpeedy in giving check to Sin, as they have power, and opportunity to put a ſtop to it as ſoon as they can. Sinful ſluggiſh demurs, delays, put-offs, are contrary to the nature of true Zeal. So a liſtleſneſs to Duty, is no ſign of Zeal. It is cold that benummeth. So it is a ſign of the want of Zeal, a ſign of extream coldneſs, when we cannot find our hands, to turn them to any good work, when we are like the ſlothful, (Prov. 19.24.) that hides his hand in his boſom.
(12.) True Zeal makes ſouls, as forward unto, ſo free, and lively in God's ſervice. What a Man does zealouſly, he does very heartily. To be zealous of good Works, is not barely to do ſome good Works, but it further implieth earneſtneſs, alacrity, and fervency of ſpirit in the doing of Good Works. To pray with Zeal, is more than ſaying a Prayer: it is no leſs than to be fervent in Prayer, to pray earneſtly. To be zealous in works of Charity, is not meerly to give to ſuch that ſtand in need; but to give willingly and freely, Like thoſe of Macedonia, (2 Cor. 8.3.) that were willing of themſelves: That needed no ſpurring on. What the Apoſtle ſayes of Love, 1 Cor. 13.4. It is kind, bountiful; this may well be ſaid of Zeal, which is the fervour of Love. Zeal is bountiful; at leaſt in will, and deſire. Cold has a condenſing, and contracting quality: but heat rarifies, and extends. So Zeal in the Heart enlarges it. A zealous Chriſtian would not ſerve God at an ordinary rate, he deſires to abound in the work of the Lord. The flame will be mounting upwards: A zealous ſpirit is a raiſed ſpirit, raiſed in God's Service. But a cold dead heart is ſtill bearing downward. We read of Jehoſhaphat, that his heart was lifted up in the wayes of the Lord, 2 Chron. 17.6. So one of a zealous ſpirit never thinks he does enough for God. He will deſire ſtill to ſerve him more, and to ſerve him better.
(13.) True Zeal gives courage in the Cauſe of God, filleth the Soul full of reſolution for God. And indeed that may be the meaning of Jehoſhaphat's heart being lifted up in the wayes of the Lord. A zealous Spirit is a magnanimous Spirit. An holy Zeal is indeed Cos fortitudinis, the Whetſtone of Valour. As Eſther's Zeal for God, and his People, put courage into her, (though ſhe might naturally be timorous, as is common to her Sex.) What an heroick reſolution was there, Eſth. 4.16. I will go in unto the King; and if I periſh, I periſh. If we have no Spirit, no Courage, to appear for God, his Truth, and Wayes, ſure, we have no Zeal forthem. Indeed of all things Sinners are moſt offended at holy Zeal. They that have nothing to ſay againſt Chriſtian Meekneſs, or Charitableneſs, and ſome other Graces; yet can ill endure the heat of Godly Zeal. O it is ſcorching, and tormenting to them! Here they are ready to cry out Fire, fire, as one ſays. This oft puts them into a great combuſtion. Yet true Zeal will break thorow oppoſition. Many Waters cannot quench Love, neither can the Floods drown it. The like may be ſaid of Zeal. It is not quenched, or cooled; but oft more intended and increaſed, when others would diſcourage it.
(14.) True Zeal, that is a cauſe of ſuch courage and reſolution for God, that giveth confidence and boldneſs before Men, yet is joyned with Humility and Holy Fear and Trembling before God. One gracious diſpoſition is not contrary to another. And true Zeal is not blown up with high thoughts of ones ſelf, but with high thoughts of God. The Dread and Reverence of the moſt High, of an infinitely Glorious and Holy Majeſty, promotes true Zeal for God; helpeth to ſet an edge upon it, and ſteeleth the Soul with an holy boldneſs, hardeneth it againſt a baſe carnal fear of Man. Mr. Vines.But it is not right, when (as one ſays) Zeal that ſhould eat us up, is eaten up of Pride.
(15.) Right regular Zeal will more diſpoſe, and fit us for our Work and Duty; not take off from Duty, or tranſport into Sin. That is not Zeal, but diſtempered Paſſion; it is not from Grace, but from the workings of Corruption, when we are diſcompoſed and unhinged,
(16.) If we have true Zeal for God, it will be a joy to us, to ſee any zealous and active for God. As on the other hand it will be our great grief, to ſee Men generally cold, indifferent, lukewarm in Religion. To ſee others regardleſs of God, and of the intereſt of true Religion, will move our diſpleaſure and indignation. But it will not offend us, to ſee any acted with regular Zeal for God. Indeed the Apoſtle did, and would rejoyce, that Chriſt was Preached, though ſome preached Chriſt out of envy, Phil. 1.15, 18. How much more would he have rejoyced, to have ſeen as good proof and evidence of their pure Love and Zeal, as he ſaw of their Envy, carrying them out in the work. If we are truly zealous for God, we ſhall be taken with thoſe whom we ſee, or hear to be zealous for him, our hearts will be towards ſuch, yea knit to them (as Jonathans was to David.) And we ſhall bleſs God for ſuch. As Deborah, Judg. 5.9. My heart is towards the Governours of Iſrael, that offered themſelves willingly among the People: Bleſs the Lord. She deſired that the Lord might be praiſed, that put ſuch a ſpirit into them. If others out-ſhine us here, yet if we have true Zeal for God, we ſhall be ſo far from envying them, that the more zealous any are, the more we ſhall honour and be taken with them.
(17.) If we are truly zealous, we have an holy emulation, a deſire to follow, yea, if it might be, to outſtrip thoſe that excel in vertue. As the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 14.12. Foraſmuch as ye are zealous of ſpiritual gifts, ſeek that ye may excel.—As the Corinthians Zeal and forwardneſs provoked very many, 2 Cor 9.2. We ſhould not envy ſuch as have got the ſtart of us; and yet ſhould (in a good ſenſe) emulate them. We ſhould ſtrive at leaſt to overtake thoſe that are foremoſt. Yea, true Zeal for God and Godlineſs, will not ſet it ſelf any bounds or limits. You cannot call them zealous that ſtint themſelves, and count it an high point of prudence and diſcretion, not to be too forward in Religion. But as Love, ſo Zeal is like Fire, that cannot be hid, it will break forth.
—Quis enim celaverit ignem,
Lumine qui ſemper proditur ipſe ſuo?
Such as are afraid of being counted zealous, as if it was a matter of diſgrace, are far from ſuch a ſpirit as David had, who when he was mocked, and deſpiſed of Michal, ſpake reſolvedly, I will yet be more vile than thus, (if this be to be vile.) Fire is one of thoſe things, which ſay not, It is enough. (Prov. 30.16.) So true Zeal never ſays, It is enough. A zealous Chriſtian would have more Grace, more Zeal for God. They that are zealous of good works, deſire to abound more and more in good works.
(18.) True Zeal is not for a ſpurt, for a flaſh, it is conſtant, a Fire that never goes out. Like that Fire upon the Altar, Lev. 6.13. Though I muſt grant, the Zeal of a true Chriſtian doth not flame up at all times alike; yet it is never totally extinguiſhed. It is good to be zealouſly affected [always] in a good thing, Gal. 4.18. And this is a good ſign, thy Zeal is right, if it be conſtant. There are ſome whoſe Zeal is but a flaſh, ſcarce any ſooner in, than out again. Some have a burning fit of Zeal for a while, that is quickly over. Their praeter-natural heat ſtays not. But true Zeal is like the natural heat of the Body, that continues as long as one lives. Yea, though it is like Fire in green wood, ſubject to go out if it be not blown up; yet that Spirit which firſt kindled this ſpark in Believers, is given to dwell in them, and to abide with them for ever. And therefore though there may be ſome decays of Holy Zeal for a time; yet it is ſtirred up again in the Faithful; and uſually burneth clearer after it is recovered: As we ſometimes ſee Fire blaze up more, after a daſh of water caſt on it. Yea, ordinarily (as we may obſerve a flame mount higheſt, before it goes out:) ordinarily I ſay, a Chriſtians Zeal is moſt raiſed, the nearer he is to his end. But ſuch as once ſeemed very forward for that which is good, but are quite fallen off again, have quite out-lived their Zeal, they even give others cauſe enough to ſuſpect, that they were never ſound.