Fervent Zeal Against Flagrant Wickedness, Title page
Fervent ZEAL Againſt Flagrant Wickedneſs. A Lecture-Sermon, Preach'd at Boston, N. E. On Novemb. 27. 1718.
By Benjamin Wadſworth, A. M. Paſtor of a Church in Boſton, N. E.
Joh. ii. 17.
—The zeal of thine houſe hath eaten me up.
Numb. xxv. 11, 13.
Phineas—hath tuned my wrath away from the Children of Iſrael, while he was zealous for my ſake among them—He was zealous for his God.
2 Cor. vii. 11.
For behold, this ſelf-ſame thing that ye ſorrowed after a godly ſort, what carefulneſs it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your ſelves; yea, what Indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what vehement deſire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge? In all things ye have approved your ſelves clean in this matter.
BOSTON: Printed by B. Green, for B. Eliot, at his Shop. 1718.
Fervent ZEAL Againſt Flagrant Wickedneſs.
ACTS XVII. 16.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his Spirit was stirred in him, when he ſaw the City wholly given to Idolatry.
WE find, v. 13. that when Paul had Preach'd at Berea, there came wicked Jews from Theſſalonica, and ſo ſtir'd up the People, that 'twas dangerous for him to ſtay any longer there. Where upon, leaving Silas and Timotheus behind him, Paul himſelf came to Athens, v. 14, 15. And our Text tells us, that while Paul waited at Athens for the two Perſons thus left behind; His ſpirit was stirred in him, when he ſaw the City wholly given to Idolatry. The City was wholly given to Idolatry, to the Worſhipping of Idols; this was a groſs, abominable Crime, highly provoking to GOD, and hurtful to their own Souls. And when the holy Apoſtle ſaw, obſerv'd, conſider'd, this plain, this great and highhanded wickedneſs; then his Spirit, his Heart was ſtirred in him. Was ſtirred, the Original Word ſignifies, to be mov'd or provok'd. It's rendred, To provoke, (Heb. 10.24.) Eaſily provoked, (1 Cor. 13.5.) Sharp Contention, Acts 15.39. When our Text tells us, Paul's Spirit was ſtirred, it muſt needs ſignifie, that he had a quick, lively, keen reſentment of the great wickedneſs he obſerved: he was griev'd for it, mov'd and provok'd againſt it. He was put into an holy flame, a Paroxiſm of fervent zeal againſt the flagrant wickedneſs he beheld. It was the commendation of the Angel of the Church of Epheſus, That he could not bear that which was evil, Rev. 2.2. So, this holy Apoſtle of Chriſt, this New-born, Heaven born Soul, could not behold the groſs crimes of others; without being fired with an holy diſlike of, Zeal and Indignation againſt, the ſame. And ſo it ſhould be with other Chriſtians alſo.
From the words therefore we may obſerve th…s