David's zeal FOR ZION. A SERMON Preached before sundry of the Honourable House of Commons: At St. Margaret's at Westminster, April 4. By THO: WILSON Preacher of the Word at Otham in KENT. LONDON, Printed for John Bartlet, and are to be sold at the Gilt Cup near S. Austin's Gate, in Paul's churchyard. 1641. TO THE RIGHT worshipful, Sir EDWARD DERING, of Sarendon-Dering, in the County of Kent, Knight and Baronet. SIR, IT is Bernard's Bern. Ep. 91. saying, Nemo esse bonus plusquàm oporter potest; There is not a man alive can be better than he should be; and it is without doubt he is not good, who would not be better: Ubi incipis nolle fieri melior, ibi etiam desinis esse bonus; adding they be professedly the children of the lukewarm, who say, We will be no better than our Fathers: Nolumus esse meliores quàm patres nostri; whereas men are in Religion not to be stinted by any Antiquity, but what is divine from God the Ancient of days. The children of light be proficients, they reach forward, their spark comes to be a coal, their coal a most vehement flame; God hath kindled in your breast an ardent love to the house of God, your zeal provokes many, your zeal makes many a glad heart, your zeal honours God, who hath put honour upon you: For them that honour him, he will honour. Your present employment in the honourable House of Commons in Parliament, calls for zeal: It is a fire, 1. Active, to set all on work, the hand, the tongue, the head, the heart. 2. Quick, speedy; it is an utter enemy of delays in its work. 3. Vehement; it bestoweth the top of affection, and strength of intentions on what it loves. 4. Aspiring; it is the highest element, mounts up nearer heaven, nearer the Lord. Anciently, they who published Books were wont to honour Personages with the patronage of that, which they found them to be lovers or professors of; To whom then may this present word of zeal (which once you heard with patience) be Dedicated more properly, then unto you? Whose abilities in conjunction with zeal, graced with magnanimity, and modesty, render you amiable to all that know you, and honourable in minds that hear of you. I humbly pray your acceptance of this my memorizing your zeal for Zion; You read not here swelling words of vanity, my study was to be not plausible but profitable; Nos autem qui rerum magis quàm verborum amatores, utilia potius quàm plausibilia sectamur: Salvian. praef. in lib. de Gubern. This I present you withal, to deliver myself from suspicion and imputation of an unthankful mind towards you, who countenanced me with a * in your first speech in Parliament, when I was pursued by a Pu●sevant from the Archbishop of Cant. for not reading the prayer against Scots, &c. mention too honourable for me, when I was in contempt; who testify my respect to you much honoured of good men for well-doing: Others zeal would have consumed me, but that your zeal z Ps. 119. 139. consumed you; for I have seen God in you, yet I have a greater bond of deeper acknowledgement of your zeal, than your many favours to me-ward amount unto, which is the faithful discharge of that place the Country hath most worthily put upon you, and entrusted you withal; wherein your forwardness for the good of the Church (the welfare whereof is above my chief joy) hath been to my comfort, hath warmed many a heart, and hath occasioned thanksgiving by many unto God. The fruit of true wisdom is credit and confidence, Eccl. 8. 1. A man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed, as faultless and fearless. Adorn your personal sufficiencies with the true fear of God, a wise man's treasure, a zealous forwardness for God's glory, goodness, and good causes, whereby your public employment may be blessed: Keep good conscience, the dearest jewel your heart can have in it; Hold a constant countermotion to the course of the world; mind the life of grace as that which far excels all ornaments of nature, art, or policy, that it animates and ennobles them. What you do for God, do it by his Word, all Laws are to be rectified by God's Law, men must set their Watch by the dial, and the dial by the Sun. This way the more you labour, the more rest will you find. Thus with my unfeigned prayers to the God of all grace, 1. Thess. 3. 13. That he may establish your heart unblamable in holiness, and guiding you by his counsel, may after receive you to glory. Otham, in Kent. Your worship's Petitioner to the Throne of Grace, THO: WILSON. David's zeal FOR ZION: A SERMON, Preached at WESTMINSTER, April 4. 1641. PSAL. LXIX. Ix.. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up. THis book of Praises and spiritual Songs was penned by diverse men: This is evident by the various arguments in it; It is the breviary of the Bible, the anatomy of conscience, the art of prayer. This psalm, inspired of God, was writ by David's royal pen, who was both the father and figure of Christ. Communis est Psalmus {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Davidis. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Christi. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ecclesiae. Iun. Paral. in loc. It is not purely proper to either Christ or David, but common both to David and Christ, with his Church. To David typically, to Christ truly, to the Church prophetically. The psalm containeth A Petition. A Reason. I. A Petition, most humbly requesting God, 1 By supplication, to be delivered from manifold troubles, called waters: Save me O God, Vers. 1. 2. By imprecation, with pureness of spirit, against persecutors, Let their table become a snare, &c. Verse 22. II. A reason of his request, mentioned in many verses. One ground of it was, the nature of his cause; his cause was good, he suffered for his love to God. For, The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up, Verse 9 The zeal. Zelus est affectus mixtus ex amore, dolore. zeal comes {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, to be fervent, as hot as fire: it is not any single affection, but the earnestness and increase of all the affections, liking or disliking, as love and hatred, grief and joy, desires, delights, fears, and anger, boiled to the highest degree, and to the hottest temper and intention. 1 It is set against evil, as sin and sinners, with all that which opposeth God's will and glory, with kindled anger and indignation. 2 It is carried towards goods, as God's Word and Glory, Name and Worship (and not our own ends) with all eagerness. Zelus est impetus mentis erga gloriam Dei & cultum divinum. Of thy house. God's house, not his own house, or his own name and honour: he was moved not so much with his own injuries and contumelies, more private; as with that which was more public. 1 He had indignation for the Church corrupted, the worship of God polluted, his law violated, and the things of God unworthily handled. 2 He had a studious care and ardent love to have the true religion taught and professed, the right worship of God established and preserved holy and pure from superstition, error and corruption in worship and worshippers, that they may be Saints, and not profane. Me, may be meant properly and simply both of David and Christ. Eaten up. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ab {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} comedit, consumpsit. Consumed or devoured, as the fire fully burnt up the fat of some sacrifices (as their peace-offerings) it was wholly the Lords: so the zeal of God's house burnt up David, he was fully for it. The words show a pious man's study: He is zealous, 1 In the object, and matter of it, God's house. 2 In the effect, and nature of it, it eats him up. A man thoroughly religious is truly zealous for God's Church. Doctrine. Witness David a figure of Christ, and Christ the son of David, of whom it is written, and the Disciples remembered it was written, The zeal zeal consists of thy house hath eaten me up, John 2. 17. 1 In removing what is prejudicial to God's glory. Zealous in removing, (according as God hath called and enabled every man) in purging out and opposing with depth of detestation, what is corrupt, and contrary to God's will, and prejudicial to his glory, revenging his dishonour: Thus Jesus found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting, and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen, and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables, and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence, make not my father's house an house of merchandise, John 2. 14, 15, 16. A most heroical act of Christ; beholding the Temple most corrupt, Verse 14. He swept the house, Verse 15. moved with the great care and zeal of his father's house, Verse 16. 1 Persons, vicious ministers or members. Persons to be removed, as enemies to Christ, men of false callings, not warranted of God, pretending divine right, which cannot be demonstrated out of his Word: Men to be dealt withal as polluted priests; these sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found, therefore were they as polluted, put from the priesthood, Ezra 2. 62. Let them be dealt withal as God would have it, For the wickedness of their doings, I will drive them out of my house, Hosea 9 15. Idolatrous priests were no more to minister in the priest's office. Men that once processed themselves for God, who fell to idols, and by their example and counsel caused others to fall to sin, should bear their shame, their sin, but never come near God in their office any more, as it is recorded in the Prophet, because they (the Levites gone away far from God) ministered unto them, before their idols, and (as stumbling-blocks) caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore have I lift up my hand against them, saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity, and they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a Priest unto me, nor come near unto any of my holy things in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed, Ezekiel 44. 12, 13. After this manner did renowned Nehemiah, cleansed the chambers, and chased out the wicked corrupters, who relates it thus: I understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the Courts of the house of God, Nehemiah 13. 7. And it grieved me sore, therefore I cast forth all the householdstuff of Tobiah out of the chamber, Verse 8. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers, Verse 9 And one of the sons of Jojada, the son of Eliashib the High Priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite, therefore I chased him from me, Verse 28. It is to be provided, that holy things may be kept from profanation; Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under feet, and turn again and rent you, Matth. 7. 6. Aim at conformity with that new Jerusalem, on earth, into which there shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, Revel. 21. 27. Men are to be without, that be not fit for a congregation of the Lord's people, but the blemish of our Church. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, Vers. 22. 2 Doctrines erroneous and unsound. Doctrines to be opposed, unsound and corrupt doctrines be hateful and to be hated. This was good in languishing Ephesus, she hated poisonful doctrines: Christ saith, This thou hast, thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate, Revel. 2. 6. Thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars, in regard of their errors and false doctrine, Vers. 2. Doctrines that oppose God's free grace, as if it were no grace, Rom. 11. 6. which exalt man's freewill, as if God did not work the will, Phil. 2. 13. which teach the apostasy of Saints, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. and others like vented and printed, are not to be permitted: Thyatira was checked for such a permission. Christ will have no such toleration. I (saith he) have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols, Revel. 2. 20. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, praete. doctrinam, Trem, interpr. Christians are to avoid what is contrary to, or besides the doctrine of Christ, as very offensive, and the cause of divisions and offences. The Doctor of the Gentiles told the Romans, how to mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them, Rom. 16. 17. 3 Worship corrupt and idolatrous. Worship to be purged out: What is false, superstitious, idolatrous, spiritual adulteries, adoration of creatures, Altars, worshipping wood, images, and names, the images of things, invocation of Saints, praying about and for the dead, and all other appearances and practices of evil. God's jealousy is against image-making, or any likeness to adore, bow to, or serve. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, Exod. 20. 45. An Idolater, Where is forbid, 1 material, is the artificer. To make an image for religious worship: 2 Formall, he that worships the idol. To worship it. In all idolatry the devil is worshipped. The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God, 1 Cor. 10. 20. Should not all fellowship with devils be detested and renounced? I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. To worship before a thing with reference to a thing, is to worship that thing. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. To worship before me, Luk. 4. 7. is to worship me, Matth. 4. 9 The children are to plead with their mother, to put away her idolatries; and it is no more than duty to do it. Plead with your mother, plead, she only is faulty, for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: Let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts, Hos. 2. 2. 1 In the substance of worship. In the substance of worship, it is false and corrupt, by mingling men's traditions and inventions, with Christ's commands and institutions, which is a vain worship: In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men, Matth. 15. 9 To frustrate God's law, and put it by, by this means. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups, and many other such like things ye do, Mat. 7. 8. Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition, Verse 9 It is thus when men by constitutions make their inventions as thresholds, without which you cannot enter into a house, into the Church, to any office or ordinance, or as posts which uphold a house, without which the Church will fall and go down. They have defiled my holy name, saith the Lord, in their setting of their thresholds by my thresholds, and their posts by my posts, Ezek. 43. 8. 2 In the circumstance of worship. In the external form and circumstance, many superstitions be to be cast out, injunctions not of God, not good, after the doctrines and commandments of men, Col. 2. 22. to which a Christian redeemed by Christ hath no reason to be subject, if ye be 〈◊〉 with Christ from the rudiments of the world, Why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances? Coloss. 2. vers. 20. Many additions, gestures, now standing, now kneeling, are not necessary, but cumbersome, not to be tolerated any more than diminutions, or mutations, and alterations in God's worship, Whatsoever I command you, observe to do it, thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it, Deuteronom. Chap. 12. Vers. 32. God's Word is perfect, to teach us what to know, and what to do, and lacks not a jot, nor a tittle, Matth. Chap. 5. Vers. 18. The least commands to an iota, or a tittle, are to be religiously observed, and the least additions by the same reason are to be rejected, Mat. Chap. 5. Vers. 19 Away with all imagery, which provokes God to be gone from his Sanctuary. Let every image of jealousy be scene as an abomination. and cast out as a provocation, Ezek. Chap. 8. Vers. 5, 6. That as we justly abhor the Romish harlot, let us not wear her favour, but deface and detest all her trumpery, as the Lord's Prophet told the people of the Lord, Ye shall defile the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornaments of thy molten images of gold; thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth, thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence, Isa. Chap. 30. Vers. 22. Thus the thoroughly religious is to be truly zealous in God's Church, to remove, purge out, and oppose vicious persons, erroneous doctrines, superstitious worship. 2 2 In promoting God's glory. Zealous in promoting God's glory with intention of affection, and fervency in all good services for the house of the Lord, to establish all in it aright: This was in an eminent manner and measure in Nehemiah, whom the zeal of God's house did eat upon. Remember me O my God concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds or kindnesses that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof, Nehem. 13. 14. 1 In persons. In persons who are to be in the house of God. 1 Ministers qualified. Ministers to be countenanced and continued to labour in word and doctrine, to stand and minister before the Lord. When good Hezekiah beheld how the fathers before him had shut up the doors of the porch, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord: they had put out the lamps, he brought in the Priests, that religion might be restored, hear him telling his purpose of heart, Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us, 2 Chron. 29. 10. He animateth the Priests, my sons, be not now negligent, for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that you should minister unto him and burn incense, Verse 10. These must be sent, have a good call: How shall they preach except they be sent? Rom. 10. 15. Well qualified persons, apt to teach the Word of God with prudence and utterance, 1 Tim. 3. 2. Able, well furnished with necessary abilities to instruct others, 2 Tim. 2. 2. Virtuous in conversation, showing themselves patterns of good works, Titus 2. 7. Lovers of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, 1. 8. 2 Members sanctified. Members, to be men sanctified to perform duties, and to partake of what is holy: Men should be sanctified, and that sufficiently; for they could not keep the Passeover, because they had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, 2 Chron. 30. 3. Men upon whom is writ, holiness to the Lord, Zechar. 14. 20. But the Ganaanite is to be no more in the house of the Lord, Verse 21. Without shall be the uncircumcised and the unclean. God is in the assembly of his Saints, Psal. 89. 7. God promiseth to dwell in Zion, his holy mountain, then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no stranger pass through her any more, Joel 3. 17. It is sure, men that are to be members, are to profess holiness: and it is as true, they should be as they profess, Saints be calling, 1 Cor. 1. 2. God's way is called a way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it, isaiah 35. 8. 2 In doctrines. In doctrines, zeal contends for truth, and strives for the faith of the gospel, Jude v. 3. It was needful to exhort you, that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. Paul's care was, that the truth of the gospel might abide with the Church, Gal. 2. 5. and would not give place to them (the false brethron, Verse 4.) no not for an hour. Constantia in doctrina, seu in veritate, hic est balthcus ille, Zanch. in loc. It is truth is the ornament of man's speech and profession. Truth beautifieth men's dealings; and is not truth the glory of religion? It is a girdle, Ephes. 6. 14. In worship. 3 In worship. The zeal of Elias is as needful as not able, who was jealous for the Lord of hosts, to behold what was done in Israel, 1 King. 19 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was in the worship, nor peace to the worshippers of God. I. In the substance 1 In the substance, three things instanced in. and inward form, that all Gods worship be in spiritual means and true manner, with all purity; They that worship God, must worship him in spirit and truth, John 4. 24. 1 Preaching the Word of life and salvation. It is the way of God's good pleasure to save men, albeit wittols call it foolishness, 1 Corinth. 1. 21. It is Christ's institution, established by his commission, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, Mark Chap. 16. Verse 15. 2 Reading the Scriptures, not omitting them for Apocryphals. Is not that order with some disgrace to God's Spirit, which excepts certain books and Chapters which be least edifying, and might best be spared, and therefore be left unread? It was not so of old, when Moses had in every city them that preach him, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day, Acts 15. Vers. 21. 3 Prayer in the Holy Ghost, as the Church is charged to pray, Jude Vers. 20. customary forms of prayer removed, would cause an unworthy, unable and dumb ministry to fall to the earth; and continued, bring most of men to rest in the iniquity of the last and perilous times, a powerless form of godliness to be shunned, 2 Tim. 3.1, 5. Christ who commends prayer according to the will of God, condemneth vain repetition in prayer, Matth. 6. 7. God's house is a house of prayer, but not for chopping and changing, Mat. 21. 12, 13. Men for the ministry should be as studious in praying as preaching, and give themselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word, they had not the heart of them who rest in a prayer given to them, Acts Chap. 6. Vers. 4. II. In the circumstance 2 In the circumstance. and external form: Let all things be done decently and in order, not intending the inventing of any new thing, but the performing of what Christ instituted, in a manner come by, and consentaneous to the dignity of holy ordinances of the Lord, 1 Corinth. 14. 40. And that is in that general rule, that all be done for time, place and persons, as is most to edification, Verse 26. Thus the man thoroughly religious will be truly zealous for the Church of God, in promoting in it persons, materials for it, Ministers qualified, members sanctified, doctrines true and wholesome, worship pure and spiritual, which believed as truth, will help us both by Information, and Exhortation. I zeal in and for true religion is a praiseworthy thing. Inform. 1 zeal is commendable. Was David zealous? it may then become a royal spirit. Was Christ our Saviour zealous? it may become an heroical spirit. Albeit zeal is out of grace with most men, who sit still, and love to be at quiet rest; yet it is no disgrace to any generous spirit that is regenerate, to have the zeal of God's house to eat him up. It is a slander to call it folly: Was not zealous David wiser than his teachers, than his enemies, than the aged? Lukewarm men call it fury; God's Spirit names it a live-coal, that hath a most vehement flame. Why bears zeal the imputation of indiscretion, rashness, Puritanism or headiness? Was it David's rashness? It was fervency in religion. Was Christ indiscreet? The wisdom of his Father. Festus called Paul mad, with a loud voice, Acts 26. 24. when he spoke but words of truth and soberness, verse 25. Christ's kinsmen thought he was beside himself, Mar. 3. 21. Was the judgement of such solid men any disparagement to our saviour's zeal? Nay, it is a commendation to root out evil from, and to establish good in the house of God, is a good thing, Gal. 4. 18. 2 zeal is not only in and for things civil. All a man's care, who is religious indeed, is not to be for civil affairs, immunities and societies, (things in their order and measure to be minded) David was zealous for God's house; for Zion, as well as Jerusalem; for religion, as well as righteousness. men's spirits must be more stirred in them for the Church of Christ, his house, than their own houses. As many men's industry and activeness is for great buildings, great matches, great house-keeping, and their own famous names, their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations, Psal. 49. 11. but while they run every man to his own house, the house of God lieth wast, Hag. 1. 9 A pious man's greatest care is, that (whatever become of him and his liberty, credit, or creature-comforts) vile persons that speak villainy, may have their mouths stopped, the vain and profane persons that pollute the ordinances may be censured, the doctrines of devils may be condemned, the worship idolatrous and corrupt, may be no more in the house of the Lord, but be removed and cast out, that Pastors after God's own heart may be established to feed the Lord's flock, that they that fear the Lord, may dwell in his house, that the truth of doctrine may be continued and confirmed among us, that the purity of discipline (a sacred way of promoting the gospel, without which all Christ's kingdom and gospel is not received) very necessary to the condition of the Church, Christ's care was not to be great in this world, but for the truth, his father's house, will, and glory. may be introduced, that the instituted worship of God may be continued in his Church, in a holy and spiritual manner, without worthless and witless innovations, and wicked inventions of men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, that a man may say as David, The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up: thus those victorious martyrs were willing to lay down, as not loving their lives, for the word, the truth which they held and believed, Rev. 12. 11. 3 Men thoroughly religious, being truly zealous, we learn, It is irreligious lukewarmness is irreligious, to be lukewarm, neuters, time-servers, indifferent men, for all companies and religions, middle-men between truth and error, between Christ and Antichrist, between holiness and profaneness, untrue in religion, without love or zeal to God, as was the lukewarm angel of Laodicea. mixed worship is under a commination, God will stretch out his hand upon them that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham, Zeph. 1. 5. God abhors mixtures now as much as then. It is a defilement to sow a vineyard with divers seeds, doctrines of Christ, and traditions of men. Saints and believers not mixed with scandalous infidels and idolaters, Deut. 22. 9 But the pure worship kept from superstitions: Men may not be linsey-woolsey professors, not plow with an ox and an ass; those in the Lord's plow must not be mixed of the clean and unclean, labourers and loiterers, of the servants of Christ and Antichrist, Verse 10, 11. Men may not be key-cold Gallioes in religion, a deputy that would not meddle in such matters, and cared for none of those things, Acts 18. 12, 17. This indifferency brings great judgements, if men repent not, it unchurches a people, a Church by it may prove no Church, it removes the candlestick, and sets Mahomet where the candlestick stood, Rev. 2. 5. Yea God abhors lukewarmeness as most loathsome, he will spew them out of his mouth, as Laodicea, as the Historians testify, was swallowed up in an earthquake, we were near going in 88 near a blow by the Powder-treason: and how nigh was our trouble these two last years? 1639, 1640. and God's hand lift up, as if there were with us but a sport, as once Abner's men and joab's, to play Scots and English. Ely his remissness in dealing with his sons (an impure pair of Priests) ruined his house, 1 Sam. 2. Vers. 23, 29, 31. God is not pleased with neuters, neither shall the lukewarm dwell in his presence. 4 viciousness of men's spirits. In that a man thoroughly religious is truly zealous for God's Church, learn the viciousness of men's spirits, and the naughtiness of diverse sorts. 1 Who blame zeal in good and for good, 1 Who blame zeal, miscalling it. as a thing disgraceful and sinful. The devil and his imps never wanted names, to discover and deliver their spite and spirit against zeal, alas what hath zeal done! 1 It is sedition, an enemy to government, as inconsistent with royal laws, cries Haman, a fit accuser (whose word is no slander) but an unjust judge in this point. Haman said unto King Ahashuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people, in all the provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the King's laws: Therefore it is not for the King's profit to suffer them, Esther Chap. 3. Verse 8. Zeal in piety is said to trouble the country, whereas iniquity and lukewarmness ruins all; as Ahab sinned, and Elias is blamed: Well did Elias retort it to him, Not I, but thou hast troubled Israel, 1 King. Chap. 18. Vers. 17, 18. 2 It is singularity and oddness: but till a man seem odd to the world, he is never right in religion and righteousness, in piety and sincerity: A man must do more than others, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Mat. 5. 47. It was well for Noah, that he was a singular man in a sober and sincere singularity, when the flood swept away the world of the ungodly: and is it now proved bad to excel in following holiness, and approving things that are excellent? Or is it only the safe way to do as most do, and perish in the broad way, and not rather to go in the narrow way to life, which few find? Matth. 7. 13, 14. 3 It is heresy, to receive and follow the truth of God's fiery Law and everlasting gospel, in the days of Paul they called it heresy; to preach the faith, to defend the faith, to keep the truth, is by men of an antichristian spirit called heresy; and men that keep the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus, condemned as heretical, Acts 24. 14. 4 It is schism to depart from the unhallowed, crooked, cursed ways of unblessed men. If men for peace of conscience, and desire to please, and not offend God, would make God's law, and not men's lusts, their rule, and so to walk humbly with God, walk not in the ways of men, and save themselves from the untoward generation, they are presently accused of pestilent schism, the devil's scarecrow to keep men from zeal in religion, and forwardness in godliness, Acts 28. 22. 2 Who are zealous against God's house six ways. Who are zealous against the zealous, and the house of God, as men set on fire of hell: It was once Paul's sin and misery, concerning zeal, persecuting the Church, Phil. 3. 6. As the serpent's mouth hath a flood (aspersions, reproaches, accusations, edicts, and orders) to cast after the woman (the Church of Christ) Rev. 12. 15. Satan hath still instruments full of fire and fury against the house of the Lord. 1 Quenching all zeal in preaching Christ, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as the High-priest and his complices, filled with zeal and indignation, put the blessed Apostles in the common goal for preaching, Acts 5. 17, 18. being as afraid of it as they are of fire, one spark they think would set all in a flame, Vers. 24. There be men who put preaching of Christ, and teaching of the people among their grievances: They were grieved that they taught the people, Acts 4. 2. crying out of such as unsufferable, as they to Paul, Away with such a fellow from the earth, it is not fit (most able judges) that he should live, Acts 22. 22. Forbidding men to preach in Christ's name, and Christ's words, as the very enemies of men's salvation, 1 Thes. 2. 16. they would have us blind, and muzzle our mouths: except they may be soothed and smoothed, men must be turned out of their places, as hindrances in their way, Ministers must turn out of the path, God's way cast up, and our way to walk in, and may not preach sincere sanctification and mortification, but Constitutions and Canons. Thus they did to the Prophets before us, They say to the Seers see not, and to the Prophets, prophesy not unto us right things; speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits, get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us, Isa. 30. 10, 11. How many have been made to forsake their allegiance and fealty to Christ our King, and break their vows of obedience to him, they gave the Nazarites wine to drink, and commanded the Prophets, saying, prophesy not, Amos 2. 12. 2 Censuring hearing of God's Word, as the great transgression in people, who are to hear it as they would be saved, as it is read, The next Sabbath day came almost all the city together to hear the Word of God, but when the Jews saw the multitude, they were filled with envy, Acts 13. 44, 45. Men are eaten up with envy at hearers of Sermons, who wait on the Word of the Lord, albeit men that reject his commands be vexed by God, yet they who hear his commands be vexed by men, as if they were no ordinary malefactors. 3 Crying down all prayer, unless given to men, and prescribed by a powerless, prayerless Canon and Order, which a gracious heart finds empty and heartless; as once that decree, Whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man, for thirty days, save of thee O King, he shall be cast into the den of Lions, Dan. 6. 7. O men greatly in love with prayer! An order a godly man had rather lose his life (as well as liberty) than follow: Daniel he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did afore time, Dan. 6. 10. Men of atheistical spirits have twitted conceived prayer as extemporary, and scornfully called it prayer by the spirit. 4 Throwing down the things of God, as in elder time was complained of by Elias, They have thrown down thine altars, 1 King. 19 10. 1 Rejecting Christ's doctrine, men cannot away with it, the second commandment is cast out by vain superstitions, and the fourth commandment is violated by profane sports, of whom it is true the Prophet speaks, They have rejected the Word of the Lord, Ier. 8. 9 2 Despising Christ's discipline, whereby scandals might be prevented or removed, that men might set up their own dominion, that they may be Lords in the Church over God's heritage, whereas his government is not by any man or men at their pleasure to be taken away, diminished or changed; they refuse his government, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us, Luke 19 14. 5 Disdaining God's glory, by small ones judged silly ones, they (the chief Priests) saw the children crying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were sore displeased, though it was according to Scripture, and for God's praise, by babes, Mat. 21. 15, 16. The multitude, which then was no multitude, acknowledged Christ whom they dishonoured, Mat. 21. 9 How many have a flouting spirit, when young ones or mean ones have Christ's Word dwell richly in them: as many worthies of the Lord wandered in sheep skins and goat skin's, men here afflicted and destitute. 6 Conspiring to hinder reformation of the house of the Lord. If any good be undertaken for religion, for holiness, pure worship, or Christ's government in his house, with what opposition is it contraried? Men are, as of old, full of wrath, indignation, and mockery, as Sanballat and others conspired against Jerusalem, to hinder the building of the wall, and the stopping of the breaches, Nehem. 4. v. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8. These men are zealously affected, but not well, as Gal. 4. 17. And shall be ashamed for their envy at the people, isaiah 26.11. 3 Who are zealous for traditions. Who are not ashamed of zeal for traditions, ceremonies, superstitions, unnecessary, burdensome, which have proved of no use to edify the Church, but as nets, snares, and bands, to entangle and cumber the children of God in their father's house and service. Paul was once zealous exceedingly for the traditions of his fathers, Gal. 1. 14. How many have placed the beauty of holiness, and the glory of religion, in things devised by men, which can be no mean to sanctify the worshippers? How forward have many been to contribute their best assistance unto forbidden vanity? as they to idolatry: The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the Queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto other gods, Ier. 7. 18. Encouraging their fellows in and to idolatry, as those of old animated one another, They helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage: so the Carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote with the anvil. Thus superstitions have been set up, isaiah 41. 67. Some with their tongues, loud in Pulpits; some with their pens, allowed in Presses; others with their commands, forcible in their Courts; and not a few forward and obsequious, have set to their hand, and all for superstitious vanities: Few places be so happy, as to be without some zealots in these things, under well-liked names of decency and order, to win credit to vile inventions; Whereas in religion we must inquire, who, how good and great he is that requireth it, and appoints it: not as the devil turns it, into what, and of what quality, and how great and decent the thing enjoined is, that we may know what to say, when God examines our service, Who required this at your hand? Isa. 1. 12. Receive the words of exhortation, 2 Exhort. all that be thoroughly religious, to be truly zealous; Rest not in knowledge, and good principles, but be heated with good affection, as well as taught; With good light have good fire, have grace with your knowledge, and zeal with religion; witty heads, and zealous hearts, as we are commanded, Be zealous, Revel. 3. 19 1 The persons to be zealous. 2 The properties of this zeal. 3 The means for this zeal. 4 The motives to this zeal. 1 The persons to be zealous, the word is spoken to a mixed assembly, and is fit for all: I would have none here sent away without fire. 1 People must be zealous. 2 Preachers 3 Magistrates 1 The people are to feed zeal: 1 People to be zealous in six things. zeal is good among them; It is good to be zealously affected, Gal. 4. 18. 1 In taking the kingdom of heaven by violence, as Israel took Canaan, by a holy violence offered to the dulness of heart, and by withstanding spiritual sloth, removing all impediments in the way, crowding in as in a great concourse, pressing in and unto means of grace in their day, as a matter of life, The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force: Duty requires it, necessity urgeth it, it is for a kingdom, neglect it not, Matth. 11. 12. 2 In serving the Lord, doing his work with fervency, that the hearts of men should burn within them, not be cold or lukewarm, but fervent in spirit, in spirit serving the Lord, having a holy fire kindled on the hearth, in the heart, Rom. 12. 11. 3 In loving the house of God, minding means of grace, and performing holy duties with spiritual affection, delighted in God, and united to God, in whose house we find such satisfaction and contentment, as David's zeal was, Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth; his longings were after it, to dwell in it, Psal. 26. 8. 4 In exciting others with all earnestness and importunity to seek the Lord, Call on your friends, kinsmen, neighbours, call thy husband, thy child, thy servant, be enlarged in desire after men to seek and serve the Lord, be not unnatural, uncivil, to mind goodness alone, but be spiritual, have bowels of compassion to thy brother, to thy friend that thou lovest as thy own soul, that they may have communion with God, and comfort in the Lord, and access to the Lord, as well as thyself, as it is in the Prophet, The inhabitants of one city shall go to another saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts, I will go also, Zechar. 8. 21. 5 In grieving for men's neglect of God's Law, and the dishonour that is done to God by disobedience. I beheld the transgressors and was grieved, because they keep not thy word, Psal. 119. 158. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy laws: My zeal hath even consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 119. ver. 139. Thus Lot a just and an honest man was vexed passively by sinners; and actively, voluntarily for sinners. Just Let was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: for that righteous man dwelling among them (of Sodom and Gomorrha) in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds, 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. 6 In distributing cheerfully to it, for the maintenance of the service of God, that God may be honoured with men's substance, as they for the tabernacle, they came every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lords offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, Exod. 35. 21. they were so forward in erecting it, till an order was made for their restraint; so the people by Moses command were restrained, for the stuff they had was sufficient, and too much for it, Exod. 36. 6, 7. Ministering too, to the necessities of the Saints, as Christ's members, in which the Corinthians were forward, and of exemplary zeal, 2 Corinth. 9 1, 2. the Apostle commended their zeal, which provoked very many. 2 Preachers to be zealous in four● things. Preachers be to be zealous, not lukewarm, not cold, but as men touched with a live coal from the altar, that the word of life die not in their mouths, albeit zeal and the power of the ministry is not in words, nor a loud voice. Thus was Isaiah touched by the Seraphim, isaiah 6. 6, 7. Thus Jeremy found the Word of the Lord as a fire, not to be kept in, Ier. 20. 9 1 In preaching the word of God, constantly without looking back, and diligently without weariness and sloth, out of love to the Church, to be as bellows to stir up the fire in others, to promote grace in them, to warm a cold, and thaw a frozen people. This is Apollo's his praise, who being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, Act. 18. 25. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 2 In praying for the Church, for God's blessing on their people, that they may be settled in the truth, and confirmed in the will of God. Preachers are to lift up a prayer for the Church by the help of God's spirit. King Hezekiah sent to the Prophet Isaiah, Not to read out a prayer, but to lift up a prayer for the remnant that is left, 2 King. 19 4. This zeal in praying is not in being (as a boy) bound up in a book, nor as a child tied to a form: Paul gives record to the Minister of coloss, that he had a great zeal, labouring or striving fervently for the Colossians in prayer, this zeal in prayer is Epaphras his praise, Col. 4. 12, 13. 3 In hating evil with indignation, a blessed passion against corruption. 1 In doctrine, to abhor lies, falsities, vanities, this was in the Ephesian Angel, who could not bear with them which are evil, which upon trial were found not Apostles, but Apostates, deceivers, liars, Rev. 2. 2. 2 In Worship, our spirit should rise against all idolatries, superstitions, vain inventions, that no man may defile the temple of God. Thus Paul his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry, Acts 17. 16. 3 In practice, draw out the sword of God's spirit against all iniquity; discover how God doth dislike all lewdness, in any of their hearers. Albeit men be great and bold sinners, tell them what is not lawful for them, by a divine law: learn of the Baptist, who would venture the liberty of his person, rather than neglect the freedom of his ministry, and the delivering of the law of liberty, freely and indifferently removing sin in all estates; He would rather lose his head than hold his tongue before hypocritical Herod, Mat. 14. 4. 4 In suffering for the Church, to confirm it in the truth. Herein was Paul's zeal, who saith, If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all, Phil. 2. 17. Preachers are to let liberties and lives go for the good of the Church. I am ready (saith the Apostle) not to be bound only, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus, Acts 21. 13. Yea we should not only undergo the cross, abide the prison, but sometimes desire the deferring of our glory for the furtherance of the Church in grace, as it is evident in that great strait Paul was in, to depart and be with Christ was better for him, to live and abide in the flesh, was better for them, Phil. 1. 23, 24. 3 Magistrates to be zealous in three things Magistrates God's Ministers, the Ministers of State, be ye zealous, Feed you this holy fire: as David's zeal eat him up, so let zeal of God's house begin to eat upon you, The helpful friends of afflicted Zion. 1 In casting out the filth in God's house, take away the wicked, that it may not be a den of thieves, stir up your spirits against them that are as the Cretians were, always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. Let Priests be held as pestilent, let Jesuites be as Jebusites, reckon false Apostles as withered Apostates. Mind ye with all heedfulness that of our Saviour, Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be rooted up, Mat. 15. 13. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Christ intends not topping or lopping of such trees, he dislikes the root: It is not any cutting or cropping will be the cure, it is the plucking up he intends: when your wisdom discovers to you out of God's Word by divine light, What God your father, and the father of our Lord Jesus Christ planted not, up with that as ill weeds by the root, should you shave them with a razor, they would grow again. O think it not enough to clip their wings, when Christ is against the being of such a body. Let your zeal be kindled in your breasts against them who have lift up their face against God's law, and by this made themselves contemptible and base before all the people; against idolaters, that by their false have caused many to stumble. Gird on your sword against cursed swearers, profane Sabbath-breakers, the impure persons, and those belly-gods, drunkards, and other of that infamous nature, that are a sin and a shame among us. Let David be your pattern in your work for the Church, I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord, Psal. 101. 8. where he intended diligence, constancy, and impartiality. Let your hearts be encouraged, as that princely spirit of Jehoshaphat, His heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord, and he took away the high places and groves out of Judah, 2 Chro. 17. 6. Be ye baptised with our saviour's spirit, when you meet with doctrines not after godliness, and worship not after God, Say by authority, take these things hence, 10. 2. 16. 2 In building God a house, that the Lord God may dwell among us, in zeal prepare him an habitation, Exo. 15. 2. Baruch the son of Zabbai is renowned, who repaired the wall of Jerusalem, earnestly he was set on fire, yea he fired himself, burst out into heat, as angry with himself and others, so slothful in the Lord's work, Nehem. 3. 20. Accendit se. Trem. Be ye of an high spirit, bold in promoting the things of God's house, that all your best abilities and deepest projects may be with all stirring of heart, subservient to God's Church, and subordinate to his glory. Let the love of Christ be so warm in your hearts, that whatsoever you perceive is wanting in the ministry, in our assemblies, in doctrine, in discipline, or any part of the worship of your God, it may be repaired according to the law of the Lord, and the counsel of the most High, who will save Zion, and hath his instruments, his sanctified ones, that ye may be called the repairers of the breach, the restorers of the paths to dwell in, Isa. 58. 12. 3 In defending the innocent, countenancing well-doers, you are for the praise of them that do well; disgrace your flatterers and their slanderers, plead ye the cause of Jeremy, charged with revolt; the cause of Paul, accused of great and grievous things which cannot be proved; remember ye Christ's case, when he in his is called seditious. Men run under your protection who had no comforter, You are the shields of the earth, let the cause of the poor come before you, and let the needy that hath no helper dwell safe by you. You are governors for the protection of well-doers, 1 Pet. 2. 14. Let it be free for men whose heart is to their work, the work of the Lord, in preaching, praying, and in all the offices of the house of the Lord, to serve the Lord in the liberty of Christ, without fear or snare. Say of all such as Cyrus, The God of heaven be with them, Ezra 1. 3. that they may without hindrance pray for the life of the King and his sons, and those be cut off that trouble them, as was Darius his decree, that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the King and his sons; Also I make a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill for this, and the God that hath caused his name to dwell there, destroy all kings and people that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem, Ezra 6. 10, 11, 12. The properties 2 The properties of zeal 6. of this zeal, showing in part the manner and nature of it. 1 It is personal, David saith, My zeal hath eaten up me, a man should be himself a good instance for zeal, not thinking it enough others to work and he be idle, others to study, stand up and speak, and he to sleep, sit still and say nothing for the house of God. Let a man be exemplary in himself, in his family, his children, his servants, his followers, that as they say of love, they may say of zeal, your zeal begins at home. Let there be admonition and instruction in the words of the Lord, let there be discipline and orderly walking: This was David's zeal, hear him; I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. I hate the work of them that turn aside, it shall not cleave to me, a froward heart shall depart from me, I will not know a wicked person, Psal. 101. 3. 4. Let every man be a burnt offering unto the Lord, let zeal eat up all corrupt affections in us, consume our sins, and inflame our hearts toward him, Rom. 12. 1. 2 It is celestial, it is fire from heaven, it is not from the earth; it is divine, from God's Spirit, not from angered nature, or hellish metal set on fire of hell: but it is a supernatural work to have such raised affection and fervent mind for the house of the Lord, it is the Holy Ghost baptizeth with this fire, Mat. 3. 11. men's persons and actions will not relish till they be salted with the fire of heavenly doctrine, Every one shall be salted with fire, Mar. 9 49. 3 It is regular, guided by rule, zeal is bold, but not blind, it is not rash or indiscreet, but wisely discerning things that differ. There is great odds, between sins and sins, sinners and sinners, one error and another, one time and another, zeal graceth knowledge, and knowledge guideth zeal, men fervent in spirit had need be prudent and wise in heart: It is God's Word is zeals rule, according unto that, cast out every evil in the temple, and by that make every pin for the tabernacle. Thus Moses was admonished, Heb. 8. 5. This Judah missed, Rom. 10. 2. 4 It is impartial, a zeal that layeth aside all partial affection, or respect of persons, great or small, King or people, kinsman or countryman, it will do right to all, without doing a friend a pleasure, or a foe a spite: Asa did a little to his mother, but very lamely; he removed her from being Queen, because she had made an idol in a grove, 2 Chron. 15. 16. He did not as was covenanted, that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman, v. 13. Mind how Levi, impartial in zeal, recovered his honour, is renowned, and hath a blessing on him, who said unto his father, and to his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children; for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant, Deut. 33. 9 5 It is superlative in power, it overcomes great discouragements, as Caleb's spirit, not afraid of giants the children of Anak, he fully followed the Lord, laboured to still the tumultuous, and stay the faint-hearted people; for he had another spirit with him, Num. 14. 24. Moses was a man whose mind was elevated in the Church-cause above honour, he refused it, Heb. 11. 24. above pleasure, which he chose not, v. 25. above riches and treasures, which he esteemed not, v. 26. above favours or fears of mortal man, he saw the invisible God, v. 27. It is resolute in holy undertakings, walks in ways of good conscience with lion-like courage, it spares no Agag, as Saul did, but hews him in pieces, as Samuel did, 1 Sam. 15. 33. It will not be overpowered with wealth, worship, learning or greatness; jealousy is cruel as the grave, the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame, many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned; neither waters of adversity and fear of punishment, nor favours of the world, and hopes of preferment can stop zeals mouth, it cannot be quenched, it will not be bribed, Cant. 8. 6, 7. 6 It is constant, zeal is a fire should never go out, but from a spark increaseth to a most vehement flame, it forgetteth those things which are behind, and reacheth forth unto those things which are before, it presseth forward, is not declining, You that began well, spoke well, wrought well, draw not back, grow not weary, decay not in zeal: as it is good to be righteous still and holy still, so it is good to be always zealous, till the sons of Levi be purified, and the ungodly be no more, till errors be abandoned or buried, and superstitions abolished, till truth be established, Christ's government erected, till all the work about the house of the Lord be finished, in every speech, in every project, in every day's work let zeal be in you, Gal. 4. 18. 3 means to be zealous. The means for this Zeal, to maintain this heavenly sire, so necessary in all the services of the Sanctuary. 1 Avoid four things. Avoid as quench-coales, 1 Vanity of speculation, shun vain janglings and contentions, which edify not in faith and obedience; Paul would have men charged before the Lord, that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers, 2 Tim. 2. 14. and to avoid foolish and unlearned questions, v. 23. It is ill spent time and zeal that is spent this way. These evaporations hinder the inward zeal and warmth of heart in the truth after godliness. 2 vain companions, to be familiar with cold or lukewarm men, chills men. Vain society decayed the love of Manna; it was the mixed multitude in Israel, which was not of Israel, who fell a-lusting, that brought Israel to lament after the Egyptians flesh, Cucumbers, Melons, Leeks, Onions, and garlic, but Manna was looked on as course fare, Numb. 11. 4, 5, 6. Who can be zealous for truth and familiar with the erroneous; for pure worship, and yet go hand in hand with the superstitious? What got Peter in the high priest's hall? More inward cold and cowardliness, than outward warmth by the fire, because where iniquity doth abound, love of many will wax cold, Mat. 24. 12. 3 spiritual satiety, when men have fullness, all is well with them, poor preaching, seldom preaching, no preaching contents them. Superstitions and inventions of men go down with them, as comely and decent things, that when some cry for the Word of God, and the ways and laws of Christ (unknown to them) they wonder what they lack, what they would have, what they mean, darkness and error be not distinct, with them, from light and truth; this conceit of all being well, brought Laodicea to be lukewarm; Thou sayest, I have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art poor, Rev. 3. 17. 4 carnal policy, fears carnal, and sinful sloth in men, hinders their activeness, when men have it in their hands to cast out all evil in the house of the Lord, and remove wickedness from the city of our God, that the Canaanite shall no more dwell there, than policy overcomes piety, and sloth decays men's might, as in Israel it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out, Iud. 1. v. 28. which brought them under the oppressions of Jabin King of Canaan twenty years, Iudg. 4. 2, 3. Wherefore whosoever desires to be truly zealous, shun vain speculations and vain companions, beware of spiritual satiety, and carnal policy, the enemies of zeal. II. Provide and mind what zeal needs to keep in this holy fire, in the coldest times, provide for your firing. 1 God's Spirit works this warmth of affection in the heart: By this Spirit Christ comes to be refiners fire, where he makes any zealous, he gives them his Spirit, which baptizeth with fire of pious affection; nature doth not bring it forth, it is from above, by the Holy Ghost is this fire, Mat. 3. 11. 2 The Word of God lively taught is a fire to heat men's hearts, Ier. 23. 29. Is not my word a fire? It is fire in the mouth of God's messengers. Men that need heat, must mind this, to preserve and increase zeal: Great care must be had to enjoy Preachers, whose lips are touched with a coal taken from God's Altar, Isa. 6. 67. They who preach the Word of God remissely and coldly, as they be cold, they leave their hearers cold; cold preaching makes cold people. Men under such lukewarmness in Preachers, are daily more cold, and come to be hardened by a spiritual frost, and zeal perisheth, and where vision faileth, the people are made naked, cold, lame, and benumbed, Pro. 29. 18. 3 Zealous company is a live coal to set others on fire, one will warm another. I only take in the Preachers phrase, If two lie together, than they have heat, but how can one be warm alone? Eccl. 4. 11. When some want fire, they fetch then a coal at their neighbours: Godly men provoke on another to love and good works, Heb. 10. 24. and do sharpen one another. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend, Pro. 27. 17. 4 Prayer to God whose Spirit is fire, pour out your hearts to the God of heaven for this zeal, as Jabez, 1 Chro. 4. 10. O that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast:— and God granted him his request, Put up one petition for zeal, for this fire to be kindled on thy haith, in thee, that the breadth of thy spirit may not be straightened, by any coldness or freezing, the duty is, quench not the spirit, 1 Thes. 5. 19 the mean is, pray without ceasing, vers. 17. 4 Motives to zeal: The motives to zeal, to excite men to be zealous, 1 In regard of God, four motives. In regard of God, 1 God commands it, he requires it, we may not deny it, he will have it, under pain of disobedience to the highest Majesty, we may not neglect it, his command is the argument of conscience, Be zealous, Rev. 3. 19 should ye not obey him? will ye reject his Word? It is God, it is God calls on you for zeal for his house, it is he saith, the mind according to my mind must be as I command, zealous. 2 God is zealous, a jealous God against spiritual fornication, ¹ in general, all sin a going a-whoring from him; ² in special, idolatry, superstition, this is hateful to him, Exod. 20. 5. I am a jealous God, he will not spare in the day of vengeance, when the time of recompense is come: he regards not broken wedlock; Which my covenant they continued not in, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord, Heb. 8. 9 Your Zeal in taking away & defacing every whorish thing, every provocation, may prevent God's jealousy, that it burn not like fire, that none can quench it: weigh it in your hearts, and the Lord stir your spirits within you, that we may find such a fruit of your zeal, that we feel not his fury. 3 God ardently loves Zion, his Church, and the welfare of it: Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury, Zech. 8. 2. When you hear God is zealous, may not you be zealous? Will not you be zealous? God is with you in this work of Zion, he is engaged for his son's throne, and will establish it, he hath set the government upon his shoulder, he hath promised all shall be ordered with justice and judgement, and his zeal will perform it, isaiah 9, 67. are you to mind and mend the ministry? he is with you. Are you zealous for the truth of the gospel? so is he. Are you fervent that God may be worshipped according to his own heart? he is more abundant. May it not embolden any man when it may be truly said to him, in his way, in his work for Zion, The Lord is with thee thou valiant man, Go on in your might, that you may save our Israel, and build up Zion. 4 God promiseth most familiar communion with the zealous, which should persuade to this zeal, he who stomachs the lukewarm, loves the zealous, and saith, he will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with Christ. Christ sups with us, in cheering and delighting himself with his own graces, and gifts of his Spirit bestowed on us, as one that eats sweet and pleasant meat. We sup with Christ, when we communicate in all the cates and spiritual delicates of Christ, as they that sup together, partake in bodily food. Would you meet with Christ in his ordinances, or be welcomed by him in his house? Be zealous, lose not such a presence by our lukewarmness, and such communion for lack of zeal, Rev. 3. 20. 2 In regard of the Church three motives. In regard of the Church. 1 mind four things. 1 The wall of the vineyard is down, the hedge is full of gaps, any beast or boar may get in, it is eaten up, it is trodden down, it is laid wast in many places, overspread with woods, it wants rain hath clouds without rain, the hedge, corporal help, without good laws, good Magistrates; the wall, a spiritual defence, inward, as godly Ministers, true discipline, clouds without rain over it, Ministers which make a fair show, and yet are wells without water, only barren, without goodness in their ministry, no refreshing to the vineyard, Isa. 5. 56. doth it not pertain to you, Men sought out among men to make up the hedge, and to stand in the gap? it is fallen into the hands of ill husbandmen, they have made it desolate; the church's strength is small, it is brought very low, to it which is afflicted pity should be showed from its friends, that Zion may be raised off the ground, out of dust. 2 It is very corrupt in many things, in persons vicious, the wicked walk on every side, and the vilest men are exalted, promoted. In doctrines, how many speak strange things, perverse things, contrary to the doctrine of Christ! In discipline how many eat the sins of the people, and grow fat by the virtues of the people, that God's house is for such merchandise in corrupt courts made a den of thieves, Matth. 21. 12, 13. In the worship of God, men in most places have set up calves, as once in Moses absence Israel did, Exod. 32. 4. and all, while men slept, and wanted zeal, while you see these things, Let your anger with Moses wax hot, vers. 19 down with all calves, burn them in the fire, grind them to powder, to be utterly abolished, vers. 20. 3 It is the house of God, David saith, thy house. It is the spouse of Christ married to Christ for ever. Whose bowels yearn not to see Christ's spouse in the dust! O for Zion sake (the Zion of the holy one of Israel) hold not your peace. David tells us his love to Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord our God, Psa. 122. 9 what you do for his house, you do for him, to him. It is storied as a worthy act of a religious heart, in Terentius, a captain under the Emperor Valens, who having done some special service, for which the Emperor thought him worthy of a recompense, and being thereupon willed by him, to demand what he would, presented this petition, That the true Christians might have the liberty of a Church by themselves, wherein to worship God apart from the Arrians, whose heresy had then spread itself exceedingly. The Emperor reading his supplication, was much displeased, tore it in pieces, and threw it away. Terentius modestly gathered up the pieces again, professing to him, that if he could not be heard in God's cause, he would make no suit for his own profit. Show you your sincere and faithful respect to the good and prosperous estate of God's Church, above all personal concernments: be not put off with worldly profits, peace, and civil rights and liberties, you have more transcendent matters, the good of souls, the liberty of consciences, the means of grace, the worship of God, the kingdom of Christ, the house of the Lord, about this let your zeal have a most vehement flame. 3 In regard of men, three motives. In regard of men, many things may kindle zeal. 1 Good men zealous. Good men's examples, they be all zealous of good works, Tit. 2. 14. and may you be cold? pious men all pray for it, as if it were a time of mercy for Zion, they take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof, Psal. 102. 13, 14. and shall it not come into your minds? the martyrs of renowned zeal loved not their lives for the truth of God's word which they did so affect, Revel. 12. 11. and may not men's hearts now be fired for it? Moses was a meek man in his own case, but no Sheep in God's cause, he was angry and very hot against wicked doers, Exod. 32. 19 shall men now be pleased with the wicked? Nehemiah was sad for it, Nehem. 2. 3. Why should not my countenance be sad? he fasted, wept, prayed, 1. 4. shall men now not lay it to heart? Phineas was zealous for God for his good in the matter of Zimri and Cozbi, Numb. 25. 11. and is it a time to be lukewarm when there be many Zimries and Cozbies? Paul was jealous for the Church, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Shall these be the days to bring forth careless ones? Godly men to remember Zion, wept for its sad condition, Psal. 137. 1. we should as they never be comforted, but with its comforts and welfare; If I forget thee o Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy, verse 5, 6. 2 Bad men zealots in two things. Bad men are great zealots. 1. To make many Proselytes, to promote Antichrists power, how do they consult, plot, practice, yea compass sea and land to make one Proselyte? Mat. 23. 15. Can they thus employ their hearts, heads and hands for that kingdom, a kingdom of darkness? and who shall not, will not be quickened for Christ's kingdom, and his house? 2. To bring down the house of God, perverting the Scriptures, corrupting the worship of God, suspending the servants of Christ, ensnaring the Saints of God, Who say of the name of Christ, Down to it, down to it even to the ground, but of the Church of Christ, Down with it, down with it even to the ground; old Edom's race Psal. 137. 7. Shall the lewd be thus against it, and shall not any man that hath any spirit within him be moved for Zion? is their work better? is their lord better? is their wages better? your work, your cause, your conscience may more hearten you. 3 men's conditions. men's conditions minded would quicken zeal. 1 under burdens. The present condition of many under men's burdens, impositions, oppressions, fears, shares on every side, as Moses went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens, and spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, his zeal was kindled to endeavour his brethren's liberty, Exod. 2. 11, 12. You have heard our cries, seen our burdens, know our sorrows, you need not go out to know this, the other day you were interest in this; the City cries to you, the Country complains, the Preachers be pleading before you, the people praying to you as a way of mercy, help, help, help us; our consciences, our people's consciences be heavied, be endangered, o pass not by us, o let it not be as nothing to you, that the blessing of them that are ready to perish may come upon you, deliver the poor that crieth, and him that hath none to help, that you may make our sad hearts sing for joy. 2 under Satan. under Satan's power many are, you would be clad with zeal to consider (as it deserves your deepest thoughts) how poor people, who for their outward being live under a gracious Prince, are for their souls in spiritual vassalage under the Prince of darkness, Ephes. 6. 12. the ruler of the darkness of this world: how many perish in darkness as a blind people served by a blinking guide, where the people perish for lack of knowledge? Hosea 4. 6. O how many places and people in this famous Island are yet in the shadow of death! who are not under the joyful sound of God's word, who yet feel no want of the Word of life, fear no misery; o their security! unless God by his providence send it to them, they complain not to you, o do not (I beseech you) expect that of them, it is out of their blindness, deadness, and (as it is in all such men) a natural carelessness in them; o that I might in all humility commend their Petition to you this day, o let this come into your mind, put on zeal and they shall be relieved, It is a death to have the glory depart where it hath been, 1 Sam. 4. 22. With what thoughts can ye take up their case where the glory never was? 2 The future condition of men. The future condition of our posterity should at this kindle zeal in men; o let us not leave children after us to inherit our follies, lies and vanities, let your zeal in reforming the house of God according to the word of God, prevent their repenting of our corruptions: will it be a credit to this present age to have the next generation come to God with grieved hearts, and to clear themselves of our abominations say, surely, Our Fathers inherited lies, vanities, and things wherein there is no profit? Jer. 16. 19 Surely Reformation will be, for the present should be, put it not off for after times to do it, do your utmost that no Canaanite may be left, no leaven uncast out or cursed, no superstitions be left to posterity, but the word of God as an heritage for ever. 4 In regard of special men, 4. Motives. In regard of particular choice men who fear the Lord and hear his word this day, to inflame your zeal, mind: 1 Their place. Your place and calling speaks to you; Is it not of God that you are sent hither? Is it not for Zion that you are employed here? Had you not your Countries, Counties hearts, voices, hands to do worthily in Zion? mind what Mordecai said to Queen Esther 4. 14. Who knows, whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? May not I with little change say, Who knows whether ye be come to the Parliament, for such a time as this? We hope for such a time as this (when was there such a time) for such a thing as this, when was there such a cause, such a call, calleth for zeal. 2 Their peace. Your peace and prosperity is in the welfare of God's house, you have a share in that ship, in the peace thereof shall you have peace; it is said of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love it, Psal. 122. 6. will not the beauty of the assemblies, a godly ministry, a pure Discipline, a spiritual worship bring in unto you much peace, and comfort, but if truth be suppressed, godliness oppressed, the ministry corrupt, the worship of God polluted, what will become of yourselves, your souls, your families? No peace if you stir not this day, you and yours may perish for it, Esther 4. 14. 3 Their honour. Your honour is in marching valiantly on for God's house; Barucks slowness made the journey that he took, not to be for his honour, Iudg. 4. 8, 9 what honour will this coming to Parliament be to a man that spoke nothing, or did nothing for those poor people, the children of God, who gave their voices in hope of help in the Church, in Religion? how can ye look upon them in your return into your Countries, when you have made their eyes to fail, their hearts to bleed, their condition in spiritual things as heavy & helpless? but what love will be to you & honour put upon you, when you behave yourselves worthily as saviours come up on Mount Zion? 4 Their happiness. Your happiness shall be great in pleading thoroughly for Zion, and against Babylon, as it is prophesied, O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us, Psal. 137. 8. happy in yourselves, happy in your families, happy in your credit, happy in your Country, happy in your souls, happy in your bodies. Wherefore (that I may not be farther tedious to any's patience) let Zion come into our minds, and as Joab animated Abishai, 2 Sam. 10. 12. be of good courage and let us play the men for our people, and for the City of our God, and the Lord do that which seemeth him good; so strengthen your hands for this good work, Nehem. 2. 18. take heed what ye do, for it is for the house of the Lord, 2 Chron. 19 6. Let the fear of the Lord be upon you, v. 7. deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good, v. 11. FINIS. Die Iovis, 20. Maii 1641. At a Committee of the Commons House of Parliament, for licensing of Books, It is ordered that this Sermon of M. WILSONS be published in Print: Sir Edward Dering, Knight and Baronet.