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Page 9
[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.
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