A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 2 · Subpart 2

A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4 · Part 2 · Subpart 2

p. 324VERSE 2. Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrine.

IN these Words we have the duty expressed, to the due performance of which the Apostle so solemnely, and seriously adjures Timothy, and in him all the Ministers of the Gospel successively to the end of the World, viz. to Preach the Word. I may call it The Preachers Directory. Where we have, 1. A duty enjoyned, viz. the Preaching of the Word. 'Tis not a Toleration, but an Injunction; 'tis not a bare allowance, but a peremptory command, as of that which not onelyonly may be done, but upon the greatest peril must be done.

2. The time when we must Preach, or the measure how oft we must preach; it must be in season and out of season, (i.) at all times as occasion shall require.

3. Here is the manner how this duty may be rightly performed, viz. 1. In general by being instant and zealously urgent in it, by indefatigable industry and undaunted resolution. 2. Particularly, by discharging the particular duties of our office, which are to

Reprove.

Rebuke.

Exhort.

3. By a due Qualification and right tempering of all these, with Long-suffering and Doctrine, with Lenity and Instruction.

Preach.

The Word is Metaphorical, and is borrowed from Heralds and publick Cryers,foreign, praedica, velinstar praeconis palàm proclama Evangelium. which are sent from Rulers and States to make known their minds and edicts plainely and punctually to the people. The Word is taken two wayes in Scripture, 1. Largely and improperly for any declaration of Gods wisedom, power, praise and goodness, thus every creature may be called a Preacher, so the Heavens preach Gods praise. Psal. 19.1. and 145.6. Isai. 60.6. Thus every man is a Preacher, and must shew forth Gods praise in his place and sphear. 1 Pet. 2.9. Thus reading the Word may be called Preaching. But the Question is not whether reading (in some sense) may not be called Preaching, taking Preaching in a large sense, for any Declaration of Gods Will; but the question is whether it be Ministerical preaching…; whether when the Apostle bids us divide the word aright, he meanes no more then to read aright? and when he saith, who is sufficient for these things, he mean, who is able to read a Chapter? 2. 'Tis taken strictly and properly (so in the Text) for the action of a lawful Minister, who in an Authoritative way doth soundly interpret the Word, and apply it to his hearers. This is the formal act and duty of the Ministry, 'tis a Pastoral p. 325Act which is not common to every gifted Brother in the Flock. Others may be speakers (as they call themselves) of Blasphemy, Heresie, Nonsence; but none are true Preachers but such as are sent by God in an ordinary, orderly way, Romans 10.15. These have their Commission from God to declare all his Counsel with Majesty and Authority publickly and power-fully, fully and faithfully to his people.

foreign ▪ Verbum, The Word.

We must not Preach our own inventions, Non quicquid in buc…as venerit, our own idle, addle conceits; but we must Preach the pure Will and Word of God revealed to us in the Scriptures of the Old and new Testament. So much the Word foreign importeth, Luke 11.28. Acts 11.19.

2 The Gospel is called the Word, Verbum antonomasticè pro Evangelio ponitur.by way of Eminency, because it contains the marrow and Quintescence, the summe and substance of the Word, Iohn 17.8.14. Acts 13.26. and 15.7. Eph. 1.13. This is called the written, inspired, created Word.

3. There is the Essential, Divine and uncreated Word, and this foreign is Christ himself who is the subject of the Gospel. Iohn 1.1. In the begining was the Word (i) The Eternal Son of God, the Essential Word of his Father, so called because he is the summe and substance of that Word; in him that great promise, Genesis 3.15. yea and all the promises are made good to us. Now a Minister must preach the whole Word, (Acts 20.27.) but more especially, Christ and his Gospel. Thus Iohn Baptist was a Crier▪ Matthew 3.3. He proclaimed the coming of Christ into the World. Thus Paul was foreign, a Herald to publish the Gospel.

Be instant.

The Word signifieth to stand over it,foreign, adsto, insto, urgeo, Acts 4.1.39.Acts 4:1Acts 4:39 stand close to it, or to stand much upon it.

To be instant in Preaching implies a standing to it with diligence and earnestnesse;Insta cum sedulitate, Syriac. Incumbe operi, Instanter age quod agendum est. Estius. hence Tindal renders it, Be fervent in Preaching. We must rouse up our selves to the work, we shall meet with many dangers, difficulties, discouragements; we must expect many Temptations from within and from without us, from profits, pleasure, ease; so that if we be not Instant and Urgent in the work, offering a kind of holy Violence to our selves, we shall fail in the duty: and though for the present we see no fruit of our labours, yet must we not give over, but be instant and unwearied in the work of the Lord, and even compell men to come in to Christ, Luke 14.33.

In season, out of season.

Q. D. Preach the Word on all occasions, take all Opportunities, be active in the duty,foreign; tempestivè, intempestivè; opportunè, importunè. Paran…masia est Proverbialis locutio, significans idem quod assiduè & instante…. he that will be a Bishop must be apt to teach, 1 Timothy, 3.3.

1. We must Preach in season, (i.) on the Lords Day, that is the ordinary time set apart by God himself for this duety. This season Christ and his Apostles usually observed, Marke 6.1. Luke 4.16. Acts 2.46. and 13.14. and 20.7.

p. 3262. There are times and seasons when the Word may be most acceptable and most profitable to the hearers, as when Gods hand lies heavy upon a people, and they are broken with some great affliction; then is a time to speak a word in season, then they will hear our words for they are sweet, Psalm 141.6.

2. Out of Season. Not that the Word is ever out of season in it self, for it is the Bread of Life, all other meats have their times and seasons, but Bread is the Staffe of Nature, and is never out of season. There is no season unseasonable for so seasonable, for so necessary a duty in the Opinion of a Natural man, and in the eye of carnal reason it seems sometimes to be out of season, as when it is preached on the week day, when Pastor and people have profits and pleasures, and worldly imployments to draw them off: Now a Sermon seems like snow in Harvest to such earthly souls, it is out of season with them, yet even these seasons which the world judgeth unseasonable must a Minister redeem for preaching. Thus Christ himself did not onelyonly preach on the Sabbath day, but on the week dayes also, Luke 8.1. and 19.47. We must not to favour our selves preach once a monethmonth, or once a day, but we must be diligent labourers in the Lords Vineyard if we expect our penny: So that there is no contradiction in these commands, both may and must be done by a faithful Minister, who must Preach in season when God gives the opportunity, and the people desire it, Nehem. 8.1. Acts 13.42. and out of season, when peoples hearts are so distracted with worldly cares that they have no desire after it. Now if Ministers must preach the Word in season and out of season, then People must hear the Word and be instant in season and out of season. Preaching and Hearing are Relatives, if there lye a Necessity on us to Preach, by the same Rule there lieth a Necessity on you to hear, you must redeem time from your worldly affairs to attend on this Ordinance, not onelyonly on the Lords day, but even on the week day. It will not repent you when you come into your Kingdome. The comfort and peace which you will gain by a right attendance on this Ordinance will abundantly recompence all worldly losses, you shall incur by it. Let thy bodily affairs wait on thy Spiritual, and the lesser give place to the greater, we have a notable instance for this in the men of Bethshemesh, who were busie at their Harvest till the Arke came, and then for joy they lay by all, and goe to offer Sacrifice, 1 Sam. 6.13, 14, 15.

Question, But would you have us cast off our callings, and doe nothing but follow Sermons?

Answer, By no means, for he that commands us to be swift to heare, Iames 1.19. commands us also to be diligent in our callings, yet whetting is no letting, the oyling of the wheels doth not hinder the going of of the Clock. An houre spent in hearing a Sermon is no hinderance to our particular calling. We can spend two or three houres in Visiting our friends, and think it no impediment to our Temporal imployments. So that in Cities and Towns especially where people may meet conveniently in respect of cohabitation it will be their wisedome to improve these opportunities for their spiritual advantage, as they did (Acts 13.42.) who desired the Apostles to preach in the space between that and the next Sabbath (i.)(i.)foreign, medio tempore inter duo Sabbata. Grotius. See this Case excellently cleared by Master Hildersham on Iohn 4. Lect. 51. p. 218. And Church his Miscelan. 2. P. p. 41, 42.John 4on the week day, saith Diodat.

p. 327Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort.

Having spoken before of Preaching in General, now he comes to the particular branches of it; whereof the first is to reprove such as are erroneous in Judgement, by Scripture demonstrations to confute and confound them and put them to silence,foreign (i.) Argumentis convince, nam si absque Argumentis aliquem increpes, temerarius esse videberis, & ille increpes fiet impudens & obstianatus. Chrysost. Titus 1.9.

2. Rebuke and chide such as are exorbitant in their manners and corrupt in their lives,foreign reprehendo, objurgo. others may doe it ex Charitate, Leviticus 19.17. Ministers ex Officio with all authority, Titus 2.25. 1 Timothy, 5.20. Isay 58.1. Many call it Rayling, when it is onelyonly Rebuking: by this means some may be reclaimed, others restrained, and the wicked left without excuse.

3. Exhort such as run well to persevere, foreign hortor, consolor.Comfort the dejected, quicken the slothful, the words of the wise are as goads to rouse men out of their dulness, Eccles. 12.11. people then must suffer the word of Exhortation to work on their Affections without quarrelling or fretting against it, Hebrewes 13.22. q. d. Reprove all errours, rebuke all sins,Mitem & pacatum animum praestare debemus peccantibus, & illos non persequi, sed revocare. Seneca de Ira l. 1. c. 14. and exhort to all Duties, yet still with the spirit of Love and meeknesse: that we may convert and not exasperate them: so that the Apostle here repeateth and presseth again these Ministerial Dueties before mentioned, 2 Tim. 3.16.

With all Long-suffering.

Here is the manner how all these must be done,foreign, longanimitas, lenitas, (i.) Patientia & tolerantia injuriarum. Paraeus. viz. with a great deal of Patience and lenity, least we become dispondent because we see not the present fruit and success of our rebukes and exhortations. Our reproofes never work kindly, unless people see that they come from a patient and a loving mind. We must doe all in Love and in the spirit of meeknesse,Dilige & dic quod voles. Aug. Vide Sal. Terrae cap. ult. Plus in corrigendos agir benevolentia quàm severitas; cohortatio quàm commotio: Charitas quàm potestas. Lev. Epist. 84. mourning for their folly, and endeavouring their restauration. We must doe nothing proudly, superciliously or Tyrannically, but do all with a Paternal affection without malice, wrath, bitternesse. If a man have broke his bones or lost his sight we do not use to revile him, or rage against him, but we pitty him, we pray for him, we bemoan his condition. A little Patience will not serve a Ministers turn who hath to doe with all sorts of persons, he must get a suffering frame of Spirit, Long-suffering, yea, all Long-suffering and Patience, that he may be able to bear with the weak, not despair of the wicked, nor rashly cast off any, but patiently wait till the Lord shall give them repentance to salvation. As the Apostle prayed for his Colossians (1.11.) that they might be strengthened with Patience, yea, all patienee; so we had need to pray for our selves that God would strengthen us with Long-suffering, yea with All long-suffering that we may patiently endure the reproaches and indignities which attend our callings, and are annexed to our Orders, that so we may condescend and stoop to the slowness and dulness, weakness, and waywardness of our people.

p. 328See more on 2 Tim. 3.10.2 Tim 3:10This will make us like to God who beareth long, and is slow to wrath, Exodus 34, 6. Romans 9.22.

Objection, The Apostle commandeth Titus to be sharp and severe, Titus 1.13.

Answer, Distinguish the persons and the doubt is resolved. The Cretians to whom Titus preached were rugged and refractory, now a hard knot must have a hard wedge. But the Ephesians to whom Timothy was sent were of a better temper and disposition as appeareth, Acts 20.32. and therefore to be more meekly and mildly dealt withall.

2. Others draw the difference from the persons to whom the Apostle writ, the one was Timothy, who (they say) was severe and austere, and is therefore exhorted to lenity and patience. The other Titus, who (they say) was gentle of nature, and mild, and is therefore stirred up to sharpnesse and severity.

And with (All) Doctrine.

The Apostle very seasonably addeth this Caution and Qualification, viz. That all our reproofs and exhortations should have a good foundation and be grounded on sound Doctrine; being clearly agreeable to Gods Word and Will.Vbi non subest Doctrina, ibi frustrà laboratur; quia est aedificatio sine fundamento. Paraeus. Let a man preach never so fervently and affectionately, yet unlesse by Scripture Arguments he convince me of my sin and errour, he doth but beat the Aire, and all that he saith doth but vanish into smoak. Doctrine must be laid as the ground of all, and a reason of the reproof must be given. Man is a rational creature, and it is not words but solid Arguments that must convince him, stir him, comfort him. Many young men make a great noise, they Primaria dos Episcopi est Scientia & Doctrina. Hilar. Parum eruditi nimiùm fervidi Calvin.flutter and make a great clutter in a Pulpit, they have many high-flowen words, and that is all. The emptiest carts maketh the greatest rattle, and the emptiest barrels the loudest sound; but for want of substantial Arguments they leave their Auditors unsatisfied and unwrought upon,To such we may say, as the Eccho to the Painter. Vane quid affectas similem mihi pingere Pictor? Si mihi vis simile pingere, pinge sonum. would you not then have their advice contemned, convince their Auditors of the Truth of what you say, and then they will, yea they must submit or doe worse. Now these two Qualifications are very necessary for a Minister.

1. He had need of a great deal of patience to undergo the oppositions and reproaches of an ungrateful world.

2. He had need to be accomplished **Vox omni refertur ad utrámque, ut & nulli succumbat adversitati, & nullum documentum necessarium praetermittat. Espencaeus.with all manner of Learning, that he may be able to stop the mouths of all gain-sayers.

Observations.

1. Note, Gods Timothies onelyonly, who are called and set apart by Imposition of hands for the work of the Ministery, V. Tactica. S. l. 2. c. 2. Sect. 5. and Mr. Ienkins on Iude to p. 5.6. folio.must Preach the Word. Preaching is not every mans work in common, it belongs not to the flock, but to the Pastors and Leaders of the flock. The Apostle layes not the Injunction upon all, but onelyonly on Timothies, who are fitted and ordained to the work. Every Minister is an Herald, an Ambassador, an Officer, and p. 329must not go without his Commission, nor deliver any thing but what his Lord who sends him shall give him in charge, Acts 20.27. Faith comes not by hearing every speaker, but by attending on such Preachers as are sent, Romans 10.15. If any run before they are sent, they may speak as long as they please, but they shall never benefit the people, Ier. 23.32. But of this see more at large in my Pulpit-Guard.

2. Observation, Ministers must be Preachers. As they must be Ministers, (i.) Men called to the Work, So when they are called, not onelyonly they may, but they must Preach. There is a necessity lieth upon them, yea, a necessity backt with a Woe, 1 Corinthians 9.16. So that they must either Preach or perish: this must be done, or they are undone. Verbi Minister es, Hoc age, was Master Perkins his Motto. Reading is not sufficient, we must Preach and Expound the Word. When God had given the Law to his People, he presently appoints Priests and Levites to expound it to them, Nehem. 8.7, 8. Mal. 2.7.

This is that Est ad hoc primum & maximum Episcopi officium ad quod Episcopus Iure Divino obligatur, Teste vel Concilio, Trident. Ses. 24 c. 4.great Ministerial Duty which the Apostle doth so seriously here press upon us. This was the first thing which our Saviour gave in charge to his Apostles, when he sent them forth into the World, Matthew 10.7. Goe Preach, and this was his last charge to them when he was leaving the World, Goe Preach and Baptize, Matthew 28 19. This he commanded Peter once and again, that as he loved him he would feed his sheep, Iohn 21. So that if we either love Christ or the soules of our Brethren, or our own soules,The necessity and Efficacy of Preaching, you may see in my Sal Torrae. cap. 1.2, 3… 6. we must feed the flockes, and be prompt and ready to Preach on all Occasions, 1 Timothy 3.2. and 2.2, 24. He must not conceal his gifts to himself,foreign, significat non simpliciter Doctorem, sed facultate docendi praeditum, & ad docendum appositum. Muscul. but on all occasions he must be ready to communicate them to others. 'Tis true, a Ministers Conversation must be unspotted and blamelesse, but let him live never so well, yet unlesse he Preach and faithfully discharge the Dueties of his calling,Ignavissimum hoc animalium genus vix porcis alendis idoneum. Luther. he shall never convert souls. As for dumbe Dogs, and blinde watch-men, they are worthless, useless things, not fit to be swineherds. Let such lazy droans read, Ierem. 23. and Ezekiel 34. and if they have not lost all sense and savour it will awaken them.

3. Observation, Ministers must not preach the fancies and inventions of men, nor the Canons and Decrees of Prelates, but they must Preach the pure Word of God. They are Heralds and must keepe to the instructions of him that sent them without adding or dectracting: If any man speake in the Church, he must speak the Oracles of God, 1 Peter 4.11. and what Christ commands, Matth. 28.20.

'Tis the whole Word of God which we must preach both Law and Gospell, the One will keepe us from Presumption, and the Other from Despaire; the One will Humble us, and the Other will Raise us.

The Law makes way for the Gospel, it breaketh the stubborne heart of man, and maketh him prize a Saviour, and cry out with Paul, Acts 9.6. Lord what wilt thou that I shall doe? q. d. I doe now Resigne and Devote my self wholly to thee, I am ready to doe and suffer what ever thou shalt command me.

p. 330Thus the Preaching of the Law prepareth the heart for Christ, and must first be preached, the Spirits Method is first by the Law to convince us of the exceeding sinfulnesse of sin, and then by the Gospel to convince us of Christs Righteousnesse, Iohn 16.9, 10. But our great Worke is to Preach the Gospell, and the Law onelyonly in Reference to the Gospell.

The expresse words of our Commission are, Goe **Respectu externae praedicationis & Vocationis omnibus qui Evangelium audiunt, respectu efficaciae, fidelibus tantum.Preach the Gospel to every Creature (i.) to every Rational Creature of what Nation, Language, Sex or Condition soever; make a tender of Christ to them all: Hence we are called Ministers of the Gospel, because it is our Primary worke to publish Christ and his Benefits to the World.

The Gospel inlightens & enlivens us, it purifieth & pacifieth the soul: light is a desirable thing, this is a light to them that sit in darknesse, Esay 9.2. 'Tis the Horn of Salvation, Luke 1.69. The Scepter of Christ Kingdome, Psalm 44.7. The Kingdome of Christ, because it sheweth us the way thither. By it we receive the Spirit, Galathians 3.2. Hence the Preaching of the Gospell is called the Ministery of the Spirit, (2 Corinthians 3.5.) by which the Spirit is conveighed into our souls.

'Tis the **Vide Master Strongs two and thirty Sermons, p. 309. Matthew, 11.23. and Robinson on Ephesians, 6, 14. p. 603.greatest Honour any Nation can have to be the Seat of the Gospel, As the Arke was the Glory of Israel, so is this of Gods People. It ennobles and raiseth mens spirits, and enables them to doe more then others, Matthew 5.47. We dishonour the Gospel, when we suffer Heathens by their Moral low Education to excell us who have the Gospel which is mighty to raise us to supernatural Operations: Hence the Apostle blames the Corinthians, because they walked like Natural men, 1 Corinthians 3.3. We are Redeemed from the Earth, Revlations 4.3. and therefore must not live like men of the Earth, but must walke up to our Principles and Priviledges, leading lives sutable to the Gospel, Philippians 1.27. Let us highly prize it and receive it with all readinesse. As Rachel cried for Children, Give me Children or I die; so say you, Give me Christ, or I die.

A man may want liberty and yet be happy, as Ioseph. He may want Peace and yet be happy, as David. Want Children and yet be happy, as Iob. But he that wanteth the Gospel which should discover Christ to him, wanteth every thing that is good.

A Throne without the Gospel is but the Devils Dungeon. Wealth without the Gospel is but Fuel for Hell; and Honour without Christ, is but meere dishonour and a Cypher. Let us then intreat the Lord to discover to us the deep Mysteries of it, Ephesians 1.17, 18. They are above Natures reach, 2 Corinthians 2.9. and 1.2.14. Nil dat quod non habet.

The Vegitative Creature cannot doe the Acts of the Sensitive, nor the Sensitive of the Rational, nor the Rational of the Spiritual and believeing Christian: Hence more Errours have risen about the Gospel, then about the Law: because the Principles of the Law are written in mens Natures, Heathens have made Lawes against Drunkennesse, Whoredome, Theft, &c. But the Gospel is Supernatural. Hence Arians, Arminians, Socinians, and Papists, have erred exceedingly concerning it.

p. 3314. Observation.

Ministers must be Instant and Vrgent, Active and Zealous in the discharge of their Dutie. Many tentations from profits and pleasures, from ease and quietnesse will assail us on the one hand; and many discouragements from an ungrateful malignant world on the other hand;His verbis non assidaitatem modò commendat sed etiam contentionem quae oinnia difficultatum obstacula superat. Calvin in locum. so that if we be not instant and earnest we shall never breake through them, but shall be ready to look back, yea, and to leave Gods Plough in the open field. Men are dead in sin and therefore we had need to Cry aloud and lift up our voyces like Trumpets, that we may help to raise them, Isay 58.2. Cry, it is not Say or Read a Sermon, but Cry it, and that aloud, with fervour and affection that the dead may hear and live.

2. Be impartial, spare not for fear or favour, but be they high or low, rich or poore, shew them their sins.

3. Lift up thy voyce like a Trumpet (i.) set to all thy strength,Summa in vendorum affectuum in …o est ut priùs ipse sis m…tus. Quintilian. and rouse up others; the speech is borrowed from souldiers in battle, where if any be faint-hearted or drowsie, yet the sound of the Trumpet quickens them to the battle.

4. Shew my people their transgressions, viz. plainly and particularly, cause them to know their own abominations. Thus it is good to be earnest and zealously affected in a good thing, Gal. 4.18. We cannot be zealous in a better cause, for it is Gods cause, the Churches cause, and the cause not of bodies but of souls, their Eternal happinesse depends upon it. This made Ap…llos so fervent and diligent in teaching the things of God, (Acts 18.25.) and Isay, and Christ to labour and spend their strength, Isay 49.4. lazinesse is naught in any calling, but most odious in a Minister who is called to the highest and hardest work in the world. This will require the whole man,Examples of zealous Ministers. See Mr. Sam. Cle…ks Mirror, chap. 82. edit. 3. and therefore we should give up our selves wholly to it, Acts 6.4. 1 Timothy 4.15. for who is sufficient for this alone? 2 Cor. 2.16. There is no grace that more graceth a Minister then zeal for God and his Worship; hence Christ sent not fleshly, but fiery tongues on his Disciples that th…y might inflame the hearts of their hearers, Acts 2.3. The Angels that publish the Everlasting Gospel to the world, doe not creep or walke, but speedily fly upon that service, Revelations 14.6. We must be Seraphims with …ix wings which are most ready to doe what ever God shall command us. Isay 6.2. we must be burning and shining lights, Iohn 5.35. So was Elijha, Isay, Ieremy, Iohn B…ptist, they were all men of fire, who helpt to …haw the frozen and cold hearts of their hearers. Such a one was Ardeat orator qui v…lt accendere plebem.Luther, what ever he spake or writ was operative on mens hearts, what an intense and high degree of zeal was in our Saviour, Iohn 2.17. his zeal for Gods House and the purity of his Worship was so vehement, that like Quicquid dicit Lutherus, quicquid sc…ibit id in anim…s penet…at, & mirificos relinquit acule…s in cordibus ho…min…m. Adam. in vita Luth.fire which eats up and devours that whereon it lights, it even eat him up;Dicitu… Zelus exedens, quia tan quam ignis inter praecordia conclus…s u…it, torquet & consumit animum, molestè fere…tem prosanationem D…mus De… Chemnitius. it even consumed his very moysture and exhausted him and made him unmindful of himself. He neither regarded life nor limbe, but exposed all to hazard in defence of Gods honour against a pack of malicious, covetous Scribes and Pharisees. Zeal in an Holy Sense, consumeth the Flesh, and eateth the bones, Ierem. 20.9. many waste and consume themselves; some in drunkennesse, some in whoreing, some in moyling for the world; woe to such as dye of these p. 332unholy and unhappy Consumptions: but when the zeal for Gods Glory consumes us, happy those that dye of such holy consumptions.

Thus to **Perde te ne Pereas. Salvian.loose our lives is to save them, and to wast them is the way to preserve and renew them; no man ever yet lost by spending himselfe for God.Abjicere curam nostri propter Dei zelum, est Dei custodiae fidelissimae nosmetipsos committere. Rolloc. And though we cannot be zealous as Christ was by way of Equality, yet by way of Conformity and similitude we must in our Degree labour to resemble him. Christ will owne none for his peculiar people, but such as are zealous of good works, Titus 2.14. The dull Asse is no sacrifice for the Living God, Exodus 13.13. and the lingring Snail is reckoned amongst uncleane creatures, Leviticus 11.30. Grace is no sleepy, idle, drowsie habit, but an active, lively, operative thing; hence all Gods servants have been men of fire. Abraham how zealous in Praying for Sodom, how ready to circumcise himselfe and all the men in his house, how ready to part with all at Gods bare command. Lot doth not onelyonly abstaine from the sins of Sodom, but his soul was foreign, Excruciabat se adeò ut a…xiam ac doloribus confectam traheret animam.tortured and tormented with their wickednesse. 2 Peter 2.8. Moses, one of the meekest men in the world, yet when God was dishonoured in an holy heate he throweth down the two Tables of stone, and breaketh them, signifying thereby their breach of Covenant with God by their sins; yet did not the Lord checke him for it, He onelyonly bid him goe make new ones: where we may observe the goodnesse of God, that if our zeal transport us too far, yet the Lord pardons the errour of our fervency, rather then the Indifferencies of Security and Luke-warmnesse.

Thus**Scipsum accendit, he burst out into an holy heat, and built his part with a special fervour of Spirit. Bar…e how earnestly doth he act in Gods work, Nehemiah 3.20. Nehemiah forsooke all his Court preferment, passed through many dangers and difficulties and contends even with Rulers for profaning the Sabbath, he cursed them (i.) he caused them to be excommunicated and driven out of the Congregation, or he sharply reproved them, telling them they had made themselves guilty of the curses whereinto they had entered, Nehemiah 10.29. and 13.25. Holy David was a man even compounded of zeal, as appeareth, Psalm 119.53, 97.136.139.158.174. How did he prepare with all his might for the House of God, and thinketh all the gold and riches he had given to be as nothing, 1 Chronicles 29.2, 3, 4. he prepared an hundred thousand Talents of Gold, and a thousand thousand Talents of Silver; he gave of his owne proper goods thirteen Millions, eight hundred seventy five thousand pound sterling. But what makes David so magnificently liberal? Why it was his zealous affection to the House of God. It is want of affection, not want of money that makes men give so basely to the promoting of Gods Worship: yet so inlarged was Davids heart, that he accounts all this but a poor gift, 1 Chronicles 22.14.

In my **Begnani, in afflictione mea Montan. In paupertate mea. Vulg. foreign, secundum inopiam meam, Septuag. Paupertatem nominat modestiae & humilitatis ergò, quod sciret illa nihil esse comparatione illorum quae Deo debentur. Lavater.poverty (so 'tis in the margin of your Bibles) have I prepared all this, he accounts his 1300. cart load of gold and silver, but a poor gift, it was no… answerable to his desires, nor according to that which the transcendent Majesty of God might require, but it was according as he was able by reason of his continual troubles and afflictions, what a Seraphim was Paul? how did he burn with a zeal for Gods Glory? how was his Spirit kindled in him when p. 333he saw the Idolatry at Athens? Acts 17.16. How gladly doth he spend himself for the Church of God? 2 Cor. 12.25. What pains did he take,Quasi fulgur celerrimè orbem pertransiit & subegit Christo. Chrysost. what hazards did he run that he might win souls? Rom. 15.19. He surpassed Alexander the Great, and all the Conquerours of the world, for they conquered men by the Sword, but Paul by the Word, Paulus est verus ille Hercules, verus Sampson, qui non duodecim, sed mille trephaea, mille triumphos peregit. à Lap.they gained Kingdoms to themselves, but Paul for Christ; they conquered bodyes, he souls; they men, he devils. But where shall we now find a zealous Elijah, a man of fire against sin and errors? where are our Luthers, Lattimers, Bradfords that fear not the faces of great ones? Blessed be God, he hath many in the Land that both in the Pulpit, and by their Pens, do witness against the enormities of the times, yet in comparison of the swarms of idle, heretical, profane, self-seeking Ministers, they are thin sowen, for 1. Some are ignorant, and cannot. 2. Others are scandalous, and dare not reprove sin, for fear of being upbraided themselves. 3. Others are Time-servers, and to keep their places, they go along with the current of the times, and say as the great ones would have them. Are the times for liberty? so are they. Are the times for Anabaptists? &c. so are they: Doctores aerei, like wax, ready to take any impression, that the Rulers and great ones will put upon them. 4. Others are zealous, but 'tis against zeal; instead of being instant in Preaching, they are earnest against zealous Preachers and preaching. Instead of heavenly fire, they are full of strange fire. They are zealous, but 'tis for Superstition, Will-worship, Anabaptisme, &c. When they should use all means to keep in, and increase this holy fire, as the Priest was commanded. (Levit. 6.12, 13.) not to suffer the fire of the Altar to go forth, but he must bring wood to it, and nourish it that it alwayes might burn; yet these by their negligence suffer it to decay. 'Tis said that the Image of Isis was carried by a dull Asse,Isidis effigiem tardus gestabat asellus. such a servant may fit such a saint: but dead Ministers are no servants for the living God. I rejoyce not in these victories of the devil,Qui de lapsu gaudet alieno, gaudet de diaboli vict…ia. but shall turn my complaint into a prayer, that the Lord would purifie the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold, that they may offer in righteousness. Malac. 3.3. And that all Zions Nazarites may be purer then snow,Omnium divin…rum est divinissimum c…opora…i Deo in conve…si ne errantium, qui puro amore pro univ…sorum salute laborat, rectè Deiformes & divini imò divinissimi nuncupantur. Dionys. reop. and whiter then milk. Lam. 47.13. That all those whom the Lord hath set apart for his own immeditate service, may in some measure resemble their Lord and Master in the beauty of holiness, that they may be like Apollos, who was fervent in spirit, mighty in the Scriptures, and taught diligently the way of the Lord. Acts 18.25, 26. that like Micah (3.8.) we may be filled with the Spirit of God, and so may be enabled to fulfil our duty. That he would flame us with the fire of love, that we may help to inflame others. Did Ministers love their peoples souls more, they would be more zealous for their good. Love is an active thing, it will make one do and suffer much for the party beloved. A mother loves her child, which makes all her pains with it light. One being askt out of what book he got such fiery,Ex Libro Charitatis, buic uni studeo, ex cóque verba non inflantia, sed inflammantia depromo. fervent Sermons, answered, I get them out of the Book of Love. This will make us fervent in prayer for our people, and faithfully to discharge p. 334our duty, by admonishing the wicked, comforting the afflicted, resolving their doubts, sympathizing with them in their sorrows, and visiting them in their distresses, as Esay did Hezekiah in his sickness. 2 Kings 20 1. The false Prophets are branded, for feeding themselves, but not the flock, the sick they did not heal, nor bind up the broken. Ezek. 34.24. Much of the sins and errors of the times lie at Ministers doors, and cold Ministers make bold sinners. Hence Christ blames the Angels and Pastors of the Churches for the sins of the Churches, Rev. 2. and 3. Our Apostysy makes others to apostatize, many begin like thunder, but they end like smoak. We may say of many Ministers as they say of Butter, 'tis gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead at night, or like one Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, whom Pope Vrban greets in the stile of a fervent Monk, a warm Abbot, a Luke-warm Bishop, and a key cold Arch-bishop. Cum religiosus essem bene spera…am de salute anim meae, Cardinalis factus, extimu…; nunc …ontifex creatus penè despero. V. à Lapide in num. 11.11.Or like Pope Pius the Third, who was wont to say of himself, that the higher he was raised, the worse he was.

2. It should be a matter of great lamentation to us, when we consider the great Luke-warmness, and want of zeal that is amongst us; we may take up the Prophets complaint, Ier. 9.3. there's no man valiant for the truth. If men can save themselves they care not what becomes of Gods Pauls or service. Acts 18.14. There is indeed a great profession of Religion in the Land, but where, oh where's the power!There is more light th…n formerly, but where's our ancient heat? Ignis qui in parentitus fui… calidus, in nobis lucid…s. most are become like Pharaoh King of Egypt, who was nothing but a noise, Jer. 46.17. Nothing but words, he promised much, but performed nothing. So that our Nation hath lost it's former glory, piety is now turned into an empty shew, and those Ordinances which formerly converted many, now seem to have lost their converting power. S. Peter at one Sermon converted three thousand, but we may preach three thousand Sermons before we can convert one. After the world, how furiously do men drive like Ioh…, as they would break their wheels in pieces; they rise early and break their brains, they pant a…ter the dust of the earth Amos 2.7. and run themselves out of breath in pursuit of wordly things. Ahab is sick for Naboth's Vineyard, and cannot sleep till he have it. Men are as hot as fire for earth, but as cold as ice for heaven. So that 'tis not now the Kingdom of Heaven that suffers violence, but the Kingdoms of the Eearth suffer violence, and the violent take them by force. The voluptuous man follows his pleasures with all his might, and gives his strength to women, Prov. 31.3. with dangers and difficulties do they break through to obtain them, and what great expenses to maintain their lusts. Herod can part with half his Kingdom to please an harlot; yet had no zeal for the Ministery, but suffers Iohn to be beheaded, whose life was more worth then his whole Kingdom. The Ambitious man how active is he for promotion, how doth he ride and run for a little preferm…nt? … cluster of honor is more esteemd by him then all the vintage of Piety & Religion. The envious man, how full of siery indignation is he against his adversaries. Iames 3.14. and 4.12. Galath. 5.20. The superstitious man how zealous is he in his blind way? how doth he compass Sea and Land to make a proselite? what pilgrimages, whipping, cutting, lancing, selling estates, and offering their very children unto Molech. See 12 Sorts of false Zealots, Byfield on Col…s. 4 14. p. 194.Ezek. 26.20, 21. they can part with thousands of Rams, and ten thousands of Rivers of oyl, and give the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls. Micah. 6.7. The Israelits can freely part with their ornaments of gold and silver to make a golden p. 335Calf. The Seducing Sectary, the white Devil that under pretence of extraordinary sanctity practiseth all manner of iniquity, how active is he to sow the Devils seed. As the Devil their Master, so these who are his Factors, rage because their time's but short, Revel. 12.12. The Devils themselves seem to be possest of far worse Devils, and to act with greater fury then formerly. The Sacrilegious-Church-robber, when the zeal for Gods house should eat him up,Against these see Perkins on Iude … Vol. 3. p. 432. and 555. such is his zeal, that it eats up Gods house. He devours Tythes, Glebe, all that he can lay hands on, all's Fish that comes to his Net;'Tis a World of hurt that comes to the Church by impropriations, especially in the North parts, in great Parishes to set up poor weak men and others, to receive all the Revenues, this increaseth Popery in those parts. D. Sibbs Ser. on Heb. 11 30. p. 82.Heb 11:30 he thinks all's gain that he can get from the Minister. These are Latrons not Patrous, not Church-pillars but Church-peelers. They should maintain the Ministery, and they get Impropriations (a very proper Term for their improper Tenure) into their hands. 'Tis true de facto, that the Tythes are sold, but quo jure? what power had they to sell that which was devoted to the immediate worship of God? Had there been a sufficient maintenance left for the Ministery, they might the better have taken the remaining superfluity. But to take away a Ministers necessary maintenance, and thereby to starve souls (for scandalous means breeds scandalous Ministers) is the ready way to bring a curse on such persons, and all they possess. 'Tis a snare to devour holy things. Prov. 20.25. They that take the Lords possessions into their possession shall perish like Oreb and Zeeb which lay like dung on the earth, Psalm 83. There's a curse attends such Thieves. Belshazar drunk but once in the Vessels of the Temple, and it cost him both his Kingdom and his life to boote. There is no way (in my opinion and experience) to uphold the Ministry of England, but by gaining Impropriations out of the hands of private persons, and laying them to the Church, to whom most properly they belong. We see how Augmentations fly and fail, and if we should be put to live on the Peoples benevolence, it would soon prove a malevolence. But of this I have spoken at large elsewhere. Others are zealous but 'tis for sin, their tongues are set on fire of hell.V. Sal. Terra. cap. 9.9. Their heads are alwayes plotting miscief, they cannot sleep till they have done some evil (Prov. 4.16.) as a zealous good man sleeps not till he hath done some good. Psal. 132.4, 5, 6. His house was no house, and his rest no rest to him, till he had finisht Gods work. So the wicked man sleeps not till he have brought his wicked devices to pass, and as the good man hath his awaking thoughts with God and goodness. Psal. 139.18. So soon as ever I awake my thoughts and meditations are with God: So the wicked man when he awakes, he is still with sin; his waking-thoughts in the night are to do mischief in the morning. Micah 2.1, 2. they hinder themselves from sleep that they may further themselves in sin; the night is spent in plotting and contriving mischief, and the day in accomplishing these plots. Thus night & day they follow the Trade of sin, & so are justly stiled workers of iniquity. Now as to be zealous in goodness is the height of goodness, so to be active in wickedness is the height of wickedness, when men shall sell themselves to sin, and work wickedness with greediness. 1 Kings 21.20. and 2 Kings 17.17. Lastly, others are zealous against zealous ones; they cannot endure to see any better then themselves. The Scribes and Pharisees will not go to Heaven themselves, nor yet will they endure that others should go. If Christ do but set his face towards Ierusalem, the Samaritans will hate him. While Paul was a Persecutor, he met with no persecution, but when he was converted and p. 336preached the Truth, then he's a pestilent follew, and is mad. In other Religions the more zealous a man is, the more he is esteemed, but amongst us the more zealous, the more hated. These hate their best friends, for these zealous Elijahs are the Pillars of a Land, the very Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel, the strength and ammunition of the Land, that by their prayers and tears keep off many a Judgement. The wicked fare the better for them every day, why is the heap of chaff kept from burning, but because there's some wheat mixt with it; but if once the wheat were out, the chaff should soon be set on fire. When once the number of Gods Elect is accomplisht the world shall not stand a moment. 'Tis just with God to take them from us for our abusing them, we cast dirt, and God casts dust on them, many great men are fallen of late in this our English Israel, nigh an hundred godly Ministers are taken from us within the space of three years past, many of them young and eminent for Piety; so that we this day are weakned both in Church and State. Ioseph is not, and Simeon is not, and Benjamin is not, all these things are against us. This is and should be a Lamentation to us.

Now since there is such aboundance of false fire and fein'd zeal in the world; we had the more need to try our own. Some are mislead by a blind zeal. Rom. 20.2. Others by an indiscreet zeal. Matth. 26.51. Luke 9.52, 53 54. Iohn 8. ult. Others by an hyrocritical zeal, they pretend Religion, but they intend their own inriching. So Demetrius pretended the preservation of Religion, when indeed he intended his own silver Trade. Acts 19, 24.

1. True zeal is known by the Rise and Original of it. 1. If it be wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God;It must be …ight quoad fontem & quoad finem. we are not born zealous for God, his Truth and People, but by nature are full of enmity to all these. Acts 9.1. Phil. 36. Paul in his natural state persecutes the Church out of a blind zeal, many mistake the fire of their own flints, and the fire of Hell for this celestial fire. But the Author of all true zeal and Heavenly fire is the holy Spirit of God, which is oft called fire. Acts 2.3, 4. Matth. 3.11. because like fire it inlightens, and heats our cold and frozen hearts. Luke 24.32. A man that hath fire in his bosom will quickly be sensible of it. Prov. 6.27, 28. 2. Tis operative like fire, daily burning up our lusts, purging out our dross, and working out our scumme. 'Tis the true purgatory fire which all beleevers pass through Isay 4.4.

2. It springs from knowledge, as David first beleeved, and then spake, so the zealous man first knows Gods Will, and then is zealous in the prosecution of it.Verus zelus non est sinevera cognitione. Rabies est non zelus sine vera scientia. Rolloc. Blind zeal is rather fury and madness, rashness and rudeness then zeal. 'Tis celeris cursus extra viam. It's like mettle in a blind Horse, which carries the Rider into many dangers. Like a Ship without a Pilot, which runs it self on many Rocks and Sands. Like wild-fire in a Fools hand, or the Devil in the Demoniack, which cast him, sometimes into the fire and anon into the water. The Jews had a zeal after Legal Rites and Ceremonies, but 'twas a blind zeal: that, But spoiled all, Rom. 10.2. as without knowledg the mind is not good, so neither is the man, nor his zeal. Prov. 19.2. as blind obedience is no obedience, so blind zeal is not zeal. Such is the zeal of Papists and Sectaries.

3. It springs from a Love to Christ, this constrains us to do and suffer for Christ.Dilectio Christi …ita suos constringit, ut non possint non velle extrema quaeque pro Christo perpeti. Aretius. 2 Cor. 5.14. As Christ loved us, and spent himself for us, so the sense of this love being shed abroad in our hearts p. 337will make us to spend our selves for him. This fire of Gods love to us will make us contemn all other fire.

4. When it springs from a Love and Compassion to our Brethren, when all our admonishions and reproofs come from a spirit of love and tenderness,Ignis zelt ardeat olco misericordiae. and are mixt with meekness and mourning, this is true zeal. Thus Samuel (1.16.) tells Saul plainely and sharply of his sin, yet mourns for his person. Lot reproves the Sodomites for their wickedness, yet calls them Brethren. Gen. 19.7. Christ was angry at the sin, yet mourned for the sinners. Mark 3.5. So doth Paul. 2 Cor. 12.22. Hot and moist is the best temper, both in nature and grace. When men rave and rage, and are full of bitterness, then Satan casts out Satan, and they do more hurt then good. These hate the sinner and not the sin, when the good man is merciful to the sinner, but cruel and unmerciful to the sin.

2. True zeal is known by its End: Bonitas Theol…gica pendet à sine.viz. Gods glory. It can be content to decrease, so Gods, honor may increase. Iohn 3.30. As true zeal comes from God, so 'tis for God and his glory, and not for self. The hypocrite may seem very zealous, but 'tis for his own ends, like the Sheca…ites that would be cirumcised, that they might get cattle. Gen. 34.33. Iehu did an act that for the matter was good, but his selfish, Vain-glorious ends marred all, and made it murder. Hosea 1.4.

3. By the properties and effects of it, which are five. 1. It increaseth by opposition. Like Fountain-water, 'tis hottest in the coldest weather. As water cast on lime. (by an Antiperistasis) burnes more fiercely. The more the wicked oppose Gods Law, the more David loves it. Psal. 119.126. If Michol mock David for dancing before the Ark, he'l resolve to be yet more vile. 2 Sam. 6.22. True zeal over-looks and over-leaps all lets and impediments, difficulties are but whet-stones to fortitude. Heroick spirits know not what discouragements mean. Many waters of opposition cannot quench this ardent love, but intend it rather. Cant. 8.6, 7. As we see in Iacob, (Gen. 32.24, 25, 26.) and the Woman of Canaan. Amor nescit difficultates.Tell Caleb, there are Anakims, and he'l say, lets go up couragiously against them. Numb. 13.30. Tell Paul of bonds, why he fears not death. Hypocrites make a great shew till they meet with oppositions, and then like snailes they pull in their horns.

2. It will make us abound in duty, if there be the fire of zeal within, there will be a flame of a holy Conversation without; love, especially zealous love is bountiful, it thinks it can never do enough for God, he's glad he hath any thing of worth to lose for him, and resolves with the Martyr,Zelus est intensus gradus purae affectionis. if he had as many lives to lose as he hath haires on his head, and as much blood to venture as there is water in the Sea, it should all go for Christ. They are ready to act to their power, yea, and beyond their power. 2 Cor. 8.3. Zeal is a very high and intensive heat of all the affections, it makes us burn in our love to God, in our desires after him,Zelum qui habent omnes sibi inimicos suos putant qui sunt hostes Dei, quamvis patrem, fratres, socios, Ambros. in …sal. 118. our joy in him, our fear to offend him, our indignation against all that speak or do any thing against him, or his. Psal. 139.21. Ier. 13.9, 10. 'Tis not so much any one Affection, as the intensive Degree of all, when they are all improved to the utmost for the furtherance of Gods glory, and the good of his People. A zealous man is a man of mettle and spirit, he's all life and activity. 'Tis the very formalis ratio, the quintescence of zeal, to be intense p. 338and increased to the utmost, 'Tis not every degree of Affection, for a formalist may have some cold Vellieties and Luke-warm desires, and a carnal man may have some joy and fear. But zeal is another thing; 'tis a boiling over again with extremity of heat. 'Tis sacra ebullitio, a holy heat, and rising of the heart against sin. It makes a man fervent, foreign a foreign, ferveo, bullio.or seething hot against sin. Rom. 12.11. Water may be hot in some measure and yet not seeth, seething hot is the highest degree of heat. But the Hypocrite is affraid of being too zealous and active for God; whereas we can never be too zealous in that we know to be good in it self, and good for us to do. We cannot exceed in our love to God, nor in our obedience to him. No vertue in its formal reason can be too much intended;In eo non potest esse nimiùm, in quo debet esse maximum. a man cannot be nimis liberalis, tho he may be nimius in largitione. Keep the horse under the bridle, and in the right way; and keep the stream within its banks, let it run in a right channel, and then the stronger the better.

3. It will make us sharp and severe against our own sins, but pittiful and compassionate to others. As charity so zeal begins at home, no man can speak so sharply against him, as he doth against himself; though others may excuse him, yet he'l not excuse himself▪ 2 Sam. 24.10. But the Hypocrite he's parcus sibi, severus aliis. High and harsh in his censures of others, but indulgent to himself. Matth. 7.4. the worst men are usually the greatest censurers. Acts 28.4.

4. It makes a man more zealous in great matters then in lesser. In great causes, he sheweth great zeal, and in lesser causes, lesser zeal. He calls not for a Sword to kill a Flea, nor for an Axe to crack an Egge.Ne scuticâ dignum horribili sectere flagello. Horat. l. 1. Sac. 3. He well knows that the same fire is not requisite for the roasting of an Egge, as is for the roasting of an Ox. But the Hypocrite he's magnus in minimis, he's fiery in small matters, and cold in weighty ones. With Saul he kills the lean, but spares the fat. And with the Pharises, he Tythes Mint and Cummin, but neglects obedience in the great things of the Law. Matth. 23.23.

5. He's more zealous in Gods cause then in his own. Moses, how meek and quiet in his own cause. Numb. 12.3. Yet how hot in Gods. Exod. 32.9.19.27. Hezekiah mourns more for Senacherib's blasphemy, then for the Sword that was drawn against himself. 2 Kings 19.3, 4.16. David when himself was persecuted became as a deaf man, but when Gods Law is transgressed his zeal consumes him, and rivers of tears run down his eyes. Christ himself in his own sufferings was as a Sheep before the Shearer dumb, but when Gods house is profaned, he doth not onelyonly by words, but blows drive them out with an holy violence. Nehemiah, how silent when himself was reproached, but when Gods Sabbaths are profaned he contends even with Nobles about it. Ioshua (7.8.) is more tender over Gods Name, then his own: he doth not say, what shall our names, estates and lives do, but what wilt thou do for thy own name? The Church of Ephesus could bear any suffering, but not sin. Rev. 2.2. But the hypocrite is hot in his own case, and key-cold in Gods, let any wrong him, or rob him, he's all on a flame, but let Gods Name, Sabbaths, Servants be wronged, he cares for no such things.

4. True zeal may be known by it's concomitants and companions, p. 339which are 4.1. 'Tis ever attended with wisedom and discretion. 'Tis not a rash ungrounded zeal, but a wise, sober, well-grounded fervour. As a good dish may be spoiled in the dressing, so a good reproof for want of observing due circumstances of persons, time and place, may loose it's due operation. Hence Solomon commends a word that's spoken, Beophman, super rotis suis, running on the wheels of all due circumstances. Psal. 25.11. Fire on the hearth is good, but fire in the top of the house is dangerous. Love allows us to be warm and plain, but not scalding hot in our reproofs. A well-ordred zeal will teach a Nathan to catch a David in a parable.

Caut. Yet must we beware least under pretence of discretion we destroy zeal, of which see more in the Objections.

2. It keeps the bounds of its calling. It dares do nothing without a call from God. Simeon and Levi were good men, and the cause was good, but the prosecution of it was ill, for they assumed the Magistrates power without a call. Gen. 3.4. Excessive heat, or excessive cold is poysen.

3. He loves to see, and to make others zealous. It's the nature of fire to multiply, one living…coal kindles another, zealous Abraham will not keep his goodness to himself, but he'l communicate it to his family. So Moses, Numb. 11.29. and Paul Acts 26.29.

4. 'Tis of a growing nature, we must grow in zeal as well as in other graces.Ignis charitatu semper aerdere debet in Altari cordis; G…eg. A grain of mustard seed though it be little, yet 'tis lively. Fire on the Altar might not be suffered to go out. Levit. 6.13. As natural strength, so this is increased by exercise. To him that hath true zeal shall be given more.

Lastly, this must quicken us all to an holy zeal and emulation in well-doing. Most men seek to excell their Neighbours in riches, fine houses, fine fare, but who labours to excel in vertue? The living God delights not in dead hearts, dead spirits become not his servants; cold wishes, and faint desires please not him, we must be active and stirring, if we desire that God should be with us; for our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Who should be zealous and active for God if we be not? as Nehemiah said in another case, (Neh. 6.11.) Should such a one as I fly? I that am under such special promises, special protection, special providences, should I dishonour my profession and in a fearful manner fly? so should such as we be cold and dead who live upon the bread of life, and drink the water of life, who have lively Oracles, and lively Ordinances, and all meanes to make us lively? Let us therefore do what we do with all our might, as David did when he danced before the Ark. 2 Sam. 6.14. Let us oppose sin with all our might, Preach, Pray, and praise God with all our might. Iudge 5.12. Psal. 103.23. Rom. 12.11. We should burn and boyl up in our spirits in duty. By this meanes we shall prevent aboundance of dangerous temptations which seise on Luke-warm professors. When Honey is cold, every Fly and Wasp robs us of it, but when 'tis boyling and scalding hot, they dare not come neer it. When men are cold, and indifferent in Religion, every Sectary and Seducer (which are the p. 340Devils, Flies, and Emissaries) makes a prey of us, but when we are hot and resolute, we dis-hearten them in their attempts, and dismay that great Belzebub the Prince of these Flies. Let therefore this salt season all our services. Christ calls for such Worshipps. Matth. 22.37, 38, 39. Christianity is a work of activity, we must ask, seek, knock, strive, wrastle, run, and work out our salvation with the greatest accuratness,Non dicit foreign operamini, sed foreign accuratè magnóque cum studio operamini. cum multa diligentia & solicitudine pergite vestram operari salutem; operari enim hîc non inchoatum (antè enim coeperant benè operari. c. 1. v. 6.) sed continuatum significat. à Lapide. care and diligence. Philip. 2.12. We must not rest content with the beginnings of grace, but we must work it up, and increase with the increasings of God. Colos. 2.19. We must be filled with the Spirit and with the fire of zeal, we must have fiery-heads, and fiery-hearts, fiery words, and fiery works, that (what in us lyeth) we may set the whole world on fire with the love of Christ. If we be to hear the Word, we should be swift to hear, and gladly embrace the opportunity, flying as the clouds and flocking as the Doves to their windows. When we come to the Sacrament, we must earnestly desire it as Christ did. Luke 22.15. With a desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you. foreign, desiderio desideravi, (i.) summopre desideravi. Est Hebraismus.(i.) I have earnestly and heartily desired it. Hezekiah kept the Passover with joy. 2 Chron. 30. If we be called to Covenant with God, we must do it with joy, and with all our hearts, as Asa and the people did. 2 Chron. 15.12, 15. If we be to Pray, it must be fervent, operative, energetical praying. Iames 5.16. We must strive in our prayers. Rom. 15.30. and stir up our selves, that we may lay hold on God. Cant. 3.4. Isai. 27.5. and 647. That's the way to have peace with him. When we see a man angry, those that are friends lay hold on him to prevent a danger: so when we see God angry with his People, we should compass God about like an Army, one lay hold on him, and another lay hold on him till he be pacified with his people. But then we must be holy men, else if a Rebel or Traitor should come to the Princes Chamber, and lay hold on him, it would be accounted Treason, before we come to reason with God, we must wash our selves, and then come and welcome. Isai. 1.16, 17, 18. We must get a spiritual induration and holy impudency, let God do what he will with us, let him oppose, delay, deny us, yet we will not let him go till he bless us. As Pharaoh had a cursed Induration, and a plerophory of hardness, so that no plagues could work on him; so we should get a blessed induration and fulness of assurance, resolving though God should crush and kill us, yet that we will trust in him. Iob 13.15. And when we find our spirits flat then cry, because thou canst not cry; and be in an agony, because thou canst not be agonized. Formality in duty is the bane of duty and Religion. There's little difference between a careless performance of duties, and a total omission of them, since men loose both wayes. Let us then rouse up our selves, remembring that the more zealous any are here, the more glorious they shall be hereafter. Let us all in our several callings be active for God. Let Magistrates and Rulers rule for him, as Nehemiah did. Let them not bear the sword in vain, nor tolerate such things as are intolerable. There's no Precept or President in the whole Book of God for any Toleration of one Error, much less of all; but promises that God will give us one heart, and one way. If Magistrates suffer Gods Name to be despised, he'l make them to be despised. 1 Sam. 2.30. Ahab lost his life for not punishing blasphemous Benhadad with death. 1 Kings 20.42. I p. 341Plead not for Cruelty, Vide Cobbet for Magistracy. p. 86, &c.but Iustice; as Magistrates must be clement and merciful when occasion requires, so they must be just & sharp against incorrigible & incurable offenders. If Abishai out of love to David would have slain Shim…i, who reviled him, saying, Why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King, let me goe to take off his head, 2 Sam. 16.9. and shall the Magistrate be silent when the King of Kings is blasphemed and reviled to his face? if men will still bear with such, yet God will not.

Objection, If we punish them we shall loose a partie.

Answer, Such a partie (as I now speak against) are better lost then found. They cannot long prosper with them who ever hath them. But by punishing such we shall make God our friend, who hath promised to defend those that defend his Truth:They are false Worshippers, and not true ones that destroy a people, H…seah 8.5. Thy Calfe hath cast thee off. They had cast off God, and now the Cal… casts off th…m We have a notable instance in the City of Geneva, which from the beginning of the Reformation to this day have punished Sectaries and Hereticks, and yet God hath kept them safe and sound. Many create to themselves needless fears.

2. Governours of Families should be zealous against sin in all their Relations; hate it in father, mother, wife, children. Asa punisheth his own mother for her idolatry, 2 Chronicles 15.16. The Lord taketh notice what every man doth in his Family, he observes who prayes, who reads, who supresseth sin in his Family, who acts for him, and who for themselves, Mal. 3.16. Our zeal is the best thing we have, and therefore to be given to God who is the best of beings. But yet there is nothing that the world so much opposeth as zeal; the Devil and his Agents can bear with any man save the zealous man. The Hypocrite, Formalist, Civilian, Temporizer, &c. All pass through the world with praise. 'Tis onelyonly these Zelots that oppose the sins of the time which are counted the troublers of the places where they come, though they be never so peaceable. To discourage men from this course the world hath raised many Cavils.

1. Objection, I am but one, and what good will my zeal doe?

Answer, One zealous man may, yea, and hath done much good to a whole Land. One Phinees by executing Justice turned away Gods wrath from all Israel, Numbers 25.6, 7, 11. One faithful Hushai by his Counsel spoyled Achitophels policy, 1 Samuel 17.14. One poor man saved a Citie, Eccles. 9.15. and the Prayers of One righteous man availeth much, Iames 5.16. When Gods judgements were falling on Ierusalem, he sought but for a man that he might spare it, Ieremiah 5.2. A carnal man dares not stir without company, especially the company of great ones, they enquire whether any of the Rulers and learned Pharisees have gone that way, Iohn 7.47. Jades will not go unless some lead them the way; and Cowards stand still to see who will go first, but a gracious soul is content to fit alone, Lam. 3.28. and go alone in the way to Heaven, 1 Kings 19.10. He stayes not for company, but if the cause be good, rather then it shall fall, he will endeavour to uphold it himself. Hester will venture all for Gods people, and if she must perish, she will perish in this cause. Let nothing discourage you, if God have called thee to a good work and none will joyne with thee in it, yet remember he that called thee alone will bless thee, Isaiah 51.2.

p. 3421. Objection, I am but a woman, the weaker Vessel, and therefore my zeal can doe but little good.

Answer, Yet thou mayest doe somewhat for God; we reade in Scripture what great things God hath done by women, Deborah and Iael two excellent women. The one ruled with an Heroick Spirit, the other killed Sisera a valiant Commander, Iudges 4.4, 5.22. The woman of Abel by her prudence saved the City, 2 Samuel 20.16.22. Abigail by her wisedome preserved her husband and family from an imminent danger. The Shunamite that great good woman stirred up her husband to entertain Elisha to the great benefit of her family, and Hester was a means to save the Jewes from ruine. God loveth to hang the greatest weights on the weakest wyres, and to doe great things by weak Instruments, that his Name may have all the Glory.

3. Objection, It is good to be discreet and wise in what we doe.

Answer, Discretion doth not hinder but further our zeal, it doth not diminish it, but directs it; and therefore they are not to be Opposed, but Composed and made subservient to each other. Prudence doth not abate our Diligence, but guideth it in its work, it teacheth us not to doe lesse, but to doe better. Thus there is an Harmony amongst the Graces, and we may in no wise set them at variance amongst themselves. Yet 'tis the property of the men of the world to accuse Gods faithful ministers (who tell them discreetly and zealously of their sins) for rash, heady men, and such as want discretion..

Thus when Bishop **Latimer Sermon before K. Edward 6. p. 101.102. edit. ult.Latimer reproved the sins of the Court, they would accuse him for lack of discretion. It rejoyceth me (saith he) when my Friend telleth me that they finde fault with my indiscretion, for by likelyhood the Doctrine is true; for if they could finde fault with my Doctrine, they would not charge me with lack of discretion, &c.

4. Objection, It is good to be moderate, Vertue consisteth in a mean.

Answer, Moderation in our own causes and quarrels doth well, Phil. 4.5. But moderation and indifferency in Gods Cause is not moderation, but luke-warmness and coldness, which God abhorreth; and if wicked men will not content themselves with moderation in pursuit of their lusts and Idols, Ier. 8.2. but will spend their estates, lavish Gold out of the bag upon them, Isay 46.6. shall not we in an holy prodigality spend our selves and what we have from God for his honour?

'Tis true in Moral Vertues which are circa res medias, the mean is best. But Religion admits of no mediocrity. e. g. our love to God, and our hatred against sin can never be too intense. Yea, no Vertue in its formal Reason can be too much intended nor admit of an excess: that man that saith he hath zeal enough, had never any true zeal at all. The Apostle saith its good to be zealous in a good thing, and is not zeal then best in the best things? and are there any things better then God, his Truth, Worship, People? Is it good to be earnest for a friend, and is it not much better to be zealous for God? The things we strive for are so Excellent that no zeal can be too much. 'Tis for a Kingdome, for an Heavenly Kingdome, 'tis for Christ for grace and glory; and if thou canst finde any thing in the world that better deserveth thy zeal, let it have it.

5. Objection, The Apostle would have Timothy to be gentle, 2 Timothy, 2.24.

p. 343Answer, True, for he was imployed amongst the Gentiles who were newly converted to the Faith, and therefore must be wisely and gently handled, such bruised Reeds must not be broken, but when men are obstinate they must be rebuked with all authority, Titus 2.15.

6. Observation, If we be thus zealous we may loose all.

Answer, True, and yet be no loosers neither. The Martyrs lost all and yet were gainers. God will make up your losses in a better kind, Matth. 10.37. Let us do our duty, and commit the success to God. Many like Ammaziah could be content to do Gods Will, but they are affraid of looseing some hundreds of Talents by it, but the Prophets answer may satisfie us. The Lord is able to give thee much more then that, 2 Cor. 25.9.

7. Observation, I may bring paine and sorrow on my selfe by my forwardness.

Answer, Thou mayest bring greater sorrow on thy selfe by thy backwardnesse.

2. Wee see what pain men will endure to preserve a Natural life, and shall we endure nothing for our spiritual life?

3. God will assist thee, and in the multitude of thy perplexities he will delight thy soul, Psalm 94.19.

8. Observation, The world will thinke us mad and out of our wits if we thus oppose their sinfull counsels.

Answer, This is no new thing, Christ himself was called mad, and they said that he had a Devil, Mark 3.21. the Disciple is not above his Master.

[But of this see more in 2 Tim. 3.9.

9. Observation, I am of a dull and heavy constitution, and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so hot as others.

Answer, See how 'tis with thee in other things, art full of life, spirit and activity for profits and pleasures; and yet hast thou no mettle nor life for God and his worship? certainly the fault is not in thy cold constituti…n, but in thy wretched corruption; where thou lovest thou hast heat enough. Let a man touch the coldest of you in your gains, pleasures, reputations, and you have heat more then enough▪ onelyonly Gods honour lieth unregarded by you.

2. Suppose thou art of a sad and heavy constitution,Gratia non tollit, sed attollit naturam. yet Grace is above Nature, it rayseth and rectifieth it. 'Tis like gold in the Mine which turneth every thing into the nature of it. Hence the Spirit of Grace is compared to Oyle which is a Royal liquor and will be above all.

Now to quicken you, take these Considerations and Motives.

1. Consider this is no Arbitrary or indifferent thing, but 'tis that which God hath oft commanded, That we should love him with all our strength. (i.) zealously and sincerely, Deut. 6.5. and do what we do with all our might, Eccles. 9.10. Rom. 12.11. Striving and earnestly contending for the faith, Iude. 3. The compound implieth an ardent and vehement defence of the Truth,It is not foreign, but foreign, supercertaris. foreign super, notata ingens; acre, continuum certandi studium▪ significat strenuum, & quasi super Vires certamen, instar athlet arum qui in agon… suas vires & seipsos quasi transcendunt dum de vita agitur. á Lap. we must contend for it with our utmost strength. Truth is a precious Jewel, and heavenly Treasure which we must labour to preserve unto Posterity. One grain of it is of more worth then all the world. Malim ut pereat totus mundus quàm veritatis mica, said Luther. Little deviations from the Truth must not be suffered, least they increase to p. 344greater, as thin exhalations turn into thick clouds, and little sparks make great fires. God will not have his least commandments contemned,For zeal to Gods Word and Worship. See Doctot Burges his Tract. of Zeal. Chap. 3. p. 27, &c. Matth. 5.19. Hence Christ commands us not onelyonly to destroy Vulpes, sed Vul peculas; even the litle Foxes, that hurt his Vine, Cant. 2.15. But we are not put to contend pro tricis & terminis, for the out-works of Religion, but for the Fundamentals, and for the whole possession. We must contend with Papists about our Justification, with Arminians about our Election,Talia Zizani a non sunt toleranda in agro Domini maledictum silentium quod hi… connivet. Luther. with Antimonians for the Law, with Socinians for the Gospel, and with the Antiscripturists for all.

2. The Lord commends this in his servants, he hath recorded the zeal of Moses, Phinees, Paul, Apollos, &c. to their everlasting prayse, they are the Apple of his Eye, which is Oculus Oculi, the glory of the Eye, Zach. 2.8. They are his jewels, he counts himself honoured and adorned by such, and therefore he calls them his glory, Isay 4.5. These glorifie God on earth, and therefore we will glorifie them with himself, Iohn 15.8. and 17.4.5. God hath more glory from his little zealous flock then from all the world besides. Hence he so much glories in him, Iob 2, 3. Acts 13.22.

3. He Rewards it where ever he finds it; Phinees for his zealous execution of Justice was blest both he and his posterity, Numb. 15.11, 12, 13. Levi for his zeal in vindicating Gods Honour was exalted to the Priesthood, Exod. 32.29. Deut. 33.8, 9, 10. Zabulum and Napthali that ventured their lives in Gods cause, Iudge 5.18. God remembers the kindness and rewards it many years after, in sending Christ to preach the Gospel first to them, Matth. 4.13.14. yea so greatly is the Lord delighted with zeal that Iehu his Hypocritical zeal went not unrewarded, 2 King. 10.30.

4. It graceth all our graces, and is the Honour of our honours. All Grace without this is nothing, V. My Schools Guard Rule.Dead Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, are of no esteem with God: dead Prayer is not Prayer. As under the Law no sacrifice was acceptable without fire; so no duty now is acceptable without the fire of zeal.

5. Christ hath paid best for our zeal. The fair price that he paid to Redeem us, the same precious blood he gave to purchase us to himselfe a zealous and peculiar people, Titus 2.14. If any have paid dearer for it, or can shew better Title to it, let him take it.

6. Our zeal doth denominate us that we are, that we are zealous for. 'Tis true, we may love the creature but it must be with a subordinate & inferior love: but our zeal which is the cream of our affections must be given only to God. 'Tis a glory which he will not suffer to be given to another.

7. Our zeal may provoke others, the Corinthians zeal provoked many, 2 Cor. 9.12. When the Love-sick Church began to commend Christ, Cant. 5. ult. This is my friend, and this is my Beloved, in the very next Chapter 6.1. Others begin to inquire, Where is thy Beloved, that we may seeke him with thee.

8. Such help to save a Land from ruine: One zealous Moses kept off judgement from Israel, Psalm 106.23. One zealous Phinees stayes the Plague. One zealous innocent man may save an Iland. Iob 22. ult.

9. This makes a man to excel, we are all by Nature of one blood, 'tis Holy zeal that makes the difference. This makes the Righteous to excel his Neighbour (Prov. 12.26.) both in life and death one of these Pearles surpasseth ten thousand peebles; as one living creature excels a thousand dead ones. These are called lively stones, 1 Pet. 2.5.

p. 3451. They are stones in respect of stability and solidness, they stir not from their principles, but are an everlasting foundation, Prov. 10.25.

2. Lively, because of their Zeale and Activity, they are prompt and ready for every good work, 2 Timothy 2.21. Their spirits are raised to the highest excellencies, and so are capable of the highe stactings. They live the life of God, Ephesians, 4.18. or a godly life, because it is from God as the Author, it is according to God as the pattern, and it tends to God as the end. Others may do well, but the zealous man excels them all. Hence he's called in Scripture not Adam, a common man, but Ish quasi Esh a man of fire, heat and courage; a man of spirit, life, activity, a man of men, an excellent man fitted to honour God, and rule others.

10. You will have no cause to repent of this zeal; yea if the saints in Heaven were capable of sorrow, they would grieve for nothing so much as that they had not done more for God in their generation. How many have repented of their superstitious, carnal zeal, as Cardinal Woolsy sometimes did, Had I served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my gray hairs, but this is my just reward for serving men before God.

11, There is an absolute necessity of it in respect of the many enemies that oppose us. So soon as ever a man begins to look towards Heaven, he must look for Giants and sons of Anak to oppose him. We have the Devil above us with all his methods, Eph. 6.11. depths, Rev. 2.24. Devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. The world about us, with all its baits and snares; and an evil heart within us ready to betray us into the hands of our enemies. So that unless we be resolute, violent men we shall never get Heaven, Matth. 11.12. 'tis not the lazy, somnolent Christian, but the active and the violent that take Heaven by force.

12. All thy gifts and parts without zeal to improve them, become useless. A Stag or Hart that hath great strength and horns, yet doth little with them for want of courage. As a bird without wings, a body without a soul, and salt without savor, so is a man without zeal; like Ieremiahs rotten girdle that was good for nothing Ier. 13.7. Zeal is to the soul that which spirits are to the body, and wine to the Spirits, it puts activity and quickning in us. 'Tis as wheels to the Chariot which make us run the wayes of Gods Commandments; as courage to a souldier, as mettle to the horse, and as manure to the ground which makes it abound in fruitfulness. Now that you may get and keep this Gace we must shun those Quench…coals which extinguish this holy fire in us.

1. The first is the retaining of any one bosome beloved sin, be it Pride, Idleness, Formality, Covetousness; either thy zeal must destroy thy sin, or thy sin will destroy thy zeal. Zealous affections are the wings of the soul, but sin like bird-lime intangles them that they cannot fly Heaven-ward. They are the feet of the soul, but sin like fetters hindereth us from runing. They are the fire of the soul; but sin like water quencheth this fire. We must resolve therefore against all sin if ever we would have the Spirit of zeal to dwell in us.

2. Take heed of the inordinate love of the world. These thornes will choak our zeal, and this outward heat extracts and consumes our inward. Cast earth upon fire and you put it out; Demas and Iudas the love of the world drew them off; we must get our affections loosened from the world, and use it as though we used it not. Use it we may as the Traveller doth his Staffe, but love it inordinately we may not, unlesse we will renounce the Love of God, 1 Iohn 2.15. Our love cannot stand in intense degrees to two such contrary Masters.

p. 3463. Evil company is a great extinguisher of this Holy Fire, scarce any thing more. Hence zealous David commands evil company to depart, Psalm 119.115. We must therefore be very choyce of our company for it hath great operation upon us either to good or evil. As iron sharpens iron, and one edged tool helps to sharpen another; so God hath ordained the society of men to quicken men. Conference and communication of experiences hath incredible profit in all Sciences. Hence the Saints that lived in dead times did by conference excite and quicken each other in the wayes of God. Mal. 3.16, 17

4. Formality in Religion is a great enemy to zeal, When men rest in a bare performance of duties without any power of godlyness, this is the See notes on 2 Tim. 3.5.2 Tim 3:5bane of Religion: when ever we come to duties we should stir up the graces of Gods Spirit in us, 2 Timothy 1.7. If fire be not blown and stirred up, it will decay and goe out. We must also dayly be adding fuel to it, for where there is no fuel the fire goeth out, Proverbs 26.20. Pray much, men of much Prayer have been men of much zeal, as we see in David, Daniel, Paul, Bradford. Frequent the Preaching of the Word. Accede ad hunc ignem, there is a hidden Vertue in this Ordinance to kindle this fire in our breasts, which maketh the Devil so busie in drawing men to separation, for he well knowes by long experience that if he can but get men out of Gods way they will soon decay in grace; the body may assoon live without food as the soul can live without this bread of Life.

[If any would see more, let him peruse D. Corn. Burgess Treatise of Zeal. Master Henry Hall's Sermon on Matthew 11.12. and Master Loves 4. Sermon on Matthew 11.12. Master Fenner on the Affections Sermon, the ninth, tenth, eleventh, Hildersham on Iohn 4.32. Lect. 56. Doctor Sibbs Beams of Light, Sermon on Matthew 11.12. Master Ash his Sermon of Zeal.

5. Observe.

Ministers must take all occasions to preach the Word. They must preach on the Lords Day, and on the week day, in publick and private, at home and abroad, In prosperity and adversity, In War and Peace, In Prisons and Palaces. We must not be Strawberry-Preachers (as Bishop Latimer calleth them) which come but once a year and are quickly gone again. Not long since the Church was troubled with Canon-Preachers, who preached according to the Canon once a monethmonth, or once a day; insteed of these we have State-Preachers who preach such stuffe for quality as may please the State; and so much for quantity as will bring in their Angmentations, no Catechizing of the flock, no preaching on the week day unless Angels or Nobles call them. No baptizing of Infants, no fitting of the flocke for the Lords Supper, but all lies at random and in confusion; surely such Halving-Preachers should have half-pay. Doth not he that commands us to Preach command us to Baptize also, and to dispense the Lords Supper often. Surely, this is either not Scripture, or els some of us do not doe our duty. Let us therefore either do our duty, or else cast off our Ministery, and give place to such as will. As the woman said to the King, either do me justice and act as a King, or else put off the Title: so either let us do the whole work of our Ministery, or put off the Name. For nomen inane, crimen immane.

Let us preach in season and out of season, so did our Saviour; he took all occasions to preach; sometimes he preached in the Synagogues, anon in a Mountain. See Dr. Harris on that Text. p. 99. folio.Matth. 5.1. sometimes in a ship Luke 5.3. and anon in a desert, Luke 4.42. when the heart is willing it will find out opportunites of p. 339doing good. So Paul preacheth in Synagogues, in Houses, by a Rivers side Act. 16.13. in prison Philem. 9. and on other occasions. We are Gods Husbandmen and in the morning we must sowe our seed, and in the Evening not be idle, for some may prosper: when we consider the great price that was paid for souls (Acts 20.28.) it must quicken us to redeeme all opportunities to gain them to Christ. Love is active, but lazy persons; have a thousand excuses, either their bodies are unable, the place unfit, the company inconvenient, &c. Many Lions ly in the way of the sluggard, but willing minds know no difficulties.

6. Observe,

We are exceeding backward to the best things, and have need of many admonitions and exhortations in season and out of season to quicken us in Gods work. It's much adoe to make us begin, and when we have begun, we are ready to look back on every discouragement. Were there in us that Tractableness and teachableness which ought to be, how easily might Ministers lead us in good paths.

'Tis prophesied of Gospel times that so meek and teachable men shall be, that even a child with Scripture reason shall lead them, Isay 11.6. A wicked man, though you bring an hundred plain Scriptures yet he will not be convinced; but a gracious soul if he have but a little hint from Scripture, that what he holds or doth is displeasing to God, he presently casts it off. We should therefore lament the sad depravation of our Natures that have need of so much quickning to the best things. Many wonder why we are so fervent and frequent in reproofs, why our necessitie requires it, and God in this Text injoynes it. Many love us whilest we comfort them, but when we come to cutting, reproving and launcing their soares, then they look upon us as enemies. [See more before on 2 Timothy 3.16.]

7. Observe,

Application must be joyned to Doctrine. The Foundation and the building must go together; for a foundation without a building argues the folly of him that laid it; and a building without a Foundation will soon fall. 'Tis not sufficient that by sound Doctrine we inform the judgement, but by Application we must work it on the Affections.

This is the very life of Preaching Doctrine is the whole loaf (as 'twere) but Application is the dividing the word aright, and distributing thereof to every one according to their several conditions. For these very ends and uses God hath given us his word, 2 Tim. 3.16.