A Coal From The Altar, To Kindle The Holy Fire of Zeale | Page 9

and the sweet Singer of Israel. Abraham, that could finde in his heart to sacrifice his Isaack, was called the friend of God. The same vertue denominated Jacob a Prince with God. Elisha, The Charriots and horse-men. Paul, A chosen vessell, &c.
[Sidenote: Revel. 12.]
[Sidenote: Revel. 7. 3. Ezek. 9. Exod. 12.]
Neither doth God put them off, with names and empty favours, but upon these he bestowes his graces: David dedicateth his Psalmes to him that excelled: God in dispensing of favours, observeth the same rule, to him that overcommeth will I give, &c, To him that hath, shall bee given. Husbandmen cast their seede uppon the fertilest ground, which returnes it with the greatest interest: God gives most talents to those that improove them in the best banke. Joseph shall have a party coloured coat, of all kindes of graces and blessings: And because he knowes this will purchase them hatred and envy, hee takes them into speciall tuition; if any will hurt his zealous witnesses, there goeth out a fire out of their mouthes, to devoure their enemies. A man were better anger all the witches in the world then one of these. If God bring any common judgements, he sets his seale and Thau on their fore-heads, & sprinkles their posts; snatcheth Lot out of the fire (who burneth in zeale, as Sodome in lust) as men doe their plate whiles they let the baser stuffe burne. In fine, hee taketh Enoch and Eliah in triumphant Charriots up to heaven, and after their labours and toyles, setteth them in speciall Thrones, to rest in glory; The Apostles in their twelve, the rest in their order, according to their zeale. And though hee may well reckon the best of these, unprofitable servants; yet such congruity (not of merits, but of favour) it pleaseth him to observe in crowning his graces, that the most zealous heere, are the most glorious there.
Who would not now wonder, how ever this royall vertue should have lost it grace with the world; how ever any should admit a low thought of it? But what? Shall all the indignity which hell can cast upon it, make it vile in our eyes? or rather, shall wee not reason from the opposition, as Tertullian did of _Nero:_ That religion which Nero so persecutes, must needs be excellent.
[Sidenote: 1 Object. Zeale is madd, and makes men mad.]
[Sidenote: Acts 26. 24 1 Cor.]
If zeale were not some admirable good, the Divell and World would not so hate it; Yet lest silence should bee thought to baulke some unanswerable reasons, let us see how they labour to be madd with reason: Let Festus bee the Speaker for the rest, for hee speakes what all the rest thinke; you know his madd objection, and Pauls sober answer in that place, and the like, 2 Cor. 5.13. whether hee bee madd or sober, it is for God and you.
This text bids us bee zealous and repent; the word signifies be wise againe, or returne to your wits. The prodigall is sayd to come to himselfe, when he was first heat with this fire. Wee may well answer the world as old men doe young: You thinke us Christians to bee madd that follow heaven so eagerly; but we know you to bee madd, that run a-madding so after vanity.
[Sidenote: Acts. 2.]
[Sidenote: Acts. 7.]
A Christian indeed is never right, till he seeme to the world to be beside himselfe; Christs owne kindred were afrayd of him. The Apostles are sayd to be full of new wine; besides, with these the world is madd: they runn with Stephan like madd men; Nichodemus and such as he, never offends them.
[Sidenote: 2 Object.]
[Sidenote: A makebate.]
[Sidenote: Tenterden steeple.]
You know also what Ahab laid to the charge of _Eliah_; with the Apologie hee made for himselfe. This is a stale imputation in ages. Haman accused Mordechay and the Jewes of it. The Apostles are sayd to bee troubles of the whole earth. In the Primitive Church all mutinies and contentions were layd to the Martyrs. True it is, where zeale is, there is opposition, and so consequently troubles: Christ sets this fire on earth, not as an author, but by accident: The theefe is the authour of the fray, though the true man strike never so many blowes: but the Ahabs of the world, trouble Israel; then, complaine of _Eliah:_ The Papists will blow upp the State, then father it upon the Puritans. It is not for any wise man, to beleeve the tythe of the tales and slanders, which flie abroad of the zealous: Lewd men would fain strike at all goodnes through their sides.
[Sidenote: 3 Object. Proud.]
You may remember also Eliabs uncharitable censure of David, I know the pride of thine heart. So doe all worldlings