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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	worship_n	zeal_n	zealous_a	84	3	9.0141	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91897	Christ the perfect pattern, of a Christian's practice, being the substance of severall sermons, about the Imitation of Christ. / Preached by the reverend and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Ralph Robinson, late minister of Mary Wolnoth London. Published by Sim. Ash, Wil. Taylor, Sam. Clarke.	Robinson, Ralph, 1614-1655.	1658 (1658)	Wing R1709; Thomason E1818_1; ESTC R209810	135,574	295

to reprove so he had zeal to reform the corruptions which he had reproved We read of two solemn Reformations of things amisse in the worship of God which Christ made with his own hands One we have in the Text. Another we read of Mat. 21. 12 13. They are two several stories This is John was done in his entrance upon his Prophetical and Kingly Office as appeares John 2. 11. That in Matth. was towards the end of his life In this of John Christ drave only the sellers out but in that of Matth. he proceeded farther and cast out both them that sold and them that bought Here in John our Saviour speaks only of the deceit of their Merchandize but there in Mat. he speaks of a Den. of Theeves First he rebukes them mildly then afterwards more severely so that twice Christ took this work into his own hand 3 His zeal for the worship of God will appear by his care in the institution of Gospel-worship when he had abolished the Jewish vid. Mat. 28. 19. 20. and Mat. 26. 26 27. And Acts 1. 3. those 40. dayes which he spent in the World after his Resurrection were passed in giving them order about worship and other matters of the Church He gave them punctual Directions for every piece of worship and bindes up their hands that they should exactly keep to the Rule Mat. 28. 20. The Reasons hereof are these 1 The work of reforming corruptions in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church did appertain to Christ by vertue of his Offices As the Prophet and King of his Church it lay upon him to remove all the Rubbish which was in the worship of God Jesus Christ was the great Reformer and the great visitor of the Church sent from Heaven for this purpose John Baptist the immediate forerunner of Christ describes the manner of his comming Mat. 3. 13. whose Fan is in his hand and he will thorowly purge his floore c. He could not have been a faithful King if his soul had not been stirred within him at the beholding of such corruptions All the Prophets which foretold of him speak of that glory which he should bring to the Church Hag. 2. 7. vid. Zech. 6. 12 13. and Mal. 3. init 2 This proceeded from that love and dutiful Respect he bore to his Father There is nothing by which God is more dishonoured then by corruptions in worship The Name of God is in his worship and the soyling of Gods worship is the defiling of his Name Now Gods honour was very dear to Christ therefore his zeal burned within him to see such abuse done to his Father This is that which is in the verse before the Text vers 16. Make not my Fathers House an house of Merchandize The Temple was the House of God the place of his rest the place where he had set his Name c. It was the Court of God upon Earth c. Therefore was our Saviour so offended to see it polluted 3 From that love and affection he bore to Religion and to the worship of God Jesus Christ saw a great Beauty in the holy Institutions of God in the Church The Ordinances of God were glorious in his sight therefore was he so zealous against the corruptions which were in them Vid. Mat. 7. 6. Holy things Pearles those words testifie what our Saviour thought of the Institutions of God They were Pearles in his sight they were holy things in his esteem and the corruptions of men would soyl these Pearles would prophane these holy things c. 4 From that love he bore to the souls of this People 1. Some amongst them who loved the worship of God were without question much grieved to behold such defilements And for their sake did our Saviour now act so vigorously vid. Zeph. 3. 18. It s spoken there of the ●educing of the Captivity God would do it for their sakes who were grieved for the solemn Assembly c. Now it s not to be imagined but many were grieved especially after Christ had the first time acted about it Ergo. 2. All of them had losse by it This must needs cause an Intermission of those things which were to be performed in this place Both publick Instruction and publick sacrifices were to be performed in this place c. They had not then liberty to sacrifice elsewhere as we have now c. 1. Vse This is good newes for us and a ground of consolation to all the Sons and Daughters of the Church that are so in truth That the corruptions which are now in the Church shall at last be purged out and reformed It is now many years since we engaged our selves in a work of Reformation where the work hath stuck and still sticks the God of Heaven knowes very well for he can see clearly through all the masks which the Sons of men shall put upon their faces who have hindered the sweeping out of corrupt and noysom Doctrines and who have impeded the removal of false Worships and setling the true And the Lord Jesus hath not lost one spark of his zeal by ascending into Heaven And besides 1. It belongs as much to him now as it did while he was on Earth he hath not laid aside any of those Offices which he had when he was upon Earth He is still Prophet and he is still King He cannot be deposed nor dethroned from his Regency and Kingship over the Church Psal 110. per totum What charge he had on Earth he hath still in Heaven 2. His love to his Father is not any thing abated his affections are still within him burning and boyling 3. Nor is his love to the worship of God and Religion cooled the worship of God and the truth of Religion is still as precious to him as ever it was on Earth 4 Nor are his bowels straitned in the least measure towards his Servants on Earth He is still as sensible of their mournings for the corruption of worship and the defilement of Ordinances as ever he was And he is as careful of their edification as when he was on Earth The Reasons of his former zeal continue and therefore his zeal also continueth And besides all this he hath given us many promises which he will never break that his worship in the Gospel Church shall be established in purity vid. Esa 9. 7. Esa 54 11 12. which refers to the Gospel-Church Rev. 21. per totum Most understand it of a Reformation of the Church in this World Therefore lift up your heads O ye mournful Sons of Zion to whom the present corruptions in the Church are a burden Christ will at last free you from this burthen And let it not seem the lesse possible or feisible because of the small power that is visible on the Churches part or for the great visible power that opposeth it Christs whip of Cords is strong enough against all the power of Creatures If he do but take up his whip

false Teachers which also do much spoyl in the Church And yet these men would have the Foxes nourished Those gins of penal Lawes which zealous Magistrates have made to take these Foxes must now be repealed that they may devoure uncontrolably And yet these men have the impudence as to repute themselves the chief Patrons if not the only friends of Religion and are displeased with those who account them otherwise But wisdom is justified of her Children If they be the friends of Religion Religion hath no enemies in the World Is he a friend to his Patient who knowing him to be full of mortal Diseases will suffer no effectual meanes to be used which may remove them then are these men friends to Religion Is he a Friend to his Garden who plucks up the hedge and proclaims liberty to all kinde of wilde Beasts to come and tread down the flowers then are the Patrons of Toleration friends to Religion Is he a Friend to a Garison City who would have all the watch Towers demolished all the Works slighted all Guards removed and proclaim License for all enemies to come in and plunder and destroy at their pleasure Then are they friends to Religion who contend for this universal Toleration If these be the Guardians of Religion Religion is not like to be long lived under their protection God grant Religion better Protectors How soon will our Church be overflow●n if liberty be granted to all Hereticks and seducers to spread their pernicious Doctrines if all manner of Religions be let in true Religion at least the power of it will soon be destroyed All you who have any Interest in the Bridegroom of the Church awaken him by your prayers that he would scourge such defilers out of his Temple who for sinful respects and private advantage would permit all cheats and deceivers to put off and vent their abominable falshoods in the Church of Christ how soon would a City be infected if all rotten unwholsom meats should be freely sold in an open Market This is the way to make a whole Church sick not to make a sick Church whole God hath told us of a better cure to recover a sick Church Jer. 33. 6. Peace and truth not dissension and error is the way to recover a languishing Church a dying Nation And that which doth most highly aggravate this wickedness is this That it s endeavoured by a People who have solemnly promised to settle purity of truth and purity and unity of worship and to abolish all false wayes of worship and all things contrary to sound Doctrine 3d Vse Exhortation 1 John 2. 6. Let us be zealous for the House of God as Christ was zealous for the Doctrine zealous for the worship of Gods House In this use I shall 1. Give Motives 2. Some Rules 3. Meanes Motive 1. 'T is that which is commanded every Christian vid. Jude 3. Contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word notes a holy heat eagerness and violence Rev. 3. 19. Be zealous therefore and repent Motive 2. The Saints of God who are renowned in Scripture they have been zealous in these matters The fire of God hath sparkled out of their mouthes we may see their hands feet hearts lips red hot with zeal for the house of their God Nehemiah how zealous was he against the corruptions of Gods Courts he could not endure any filthiness there when he understood that Elias●ib the Priest had given to Tobiah his Kinsman one of the Chambers of the Temple for his private use where the things for Gods worship were wont to be laid see how his Spirit works against that corruption Neh. 13. 8 9. He cast forth his Houshold-stuffe out of the Chamber and commanded the Chambers to be cleansed and brought again the Vessels of the House of God with the meat-offering and the Frankincense And when he understood that the Levites and Priests who did the service of Gods House had been defrauded of their portions designed for that work see how zealously he contended with the Rulers and so reforms that corruption vid. vers 10 11 12 13. When he saw the Sabbaths of the Lord prophaned see how he bestirs himself vers 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. Elijah also was a man of zeal for Gods House vid. 1 Reg. 19. 10. 14. He hath reference to that zealous act of his upon the Prophets of Baal Cap. 18. 40. David Psal 69. 9. The Apostle Paul Acts 17. 16. His Spirit was stirred within him when he saw them wholly given to Idolatry Moses how was his Spirit set on fire when he saw the Idol-Calf set up and worshipped Exo. 32. 20 21 22. And generally all the Prophets and Apostles So the primitive Martyrs and Confessors c. All these should be as sparks to set our hearts on fire and those holy mourners in Ezekiels time Cap. 9. 4. they had a zeal for Gods worship vid. Cap. 8. see what those abominations were Corruptions in the House of God defilements in Worship Vid. Luc. 6. 15. Simon the Zelot They had a jealousie against the Image of jealousie set up in the House of God These are written for our learning and imitation Motive 3. Consider what a long and hot Summer we have enjoyed of the Ordinances of God The Gospel of God hath been preached amongst us for almost 100. yeares since the first Reformation And are we still cold and careless This should put some life into us We have had many burning Tapers who have wasted themselves to heat us c. Motive 4. Consider how likely we are to lose the Worship and Ordinances and the Truth if our zeal do not keep them with us Never was there more heat against the Truth and Worship of God then now there is Some are zealously undermining the very Foundation of Gods House endevoring to take away all that which hath a tendency to support Religion laying snares for Ministry removing all that which should maintain Ministry and Worship that so the Levites may flee every one to his field setting up the lowest of Gen. 47. 22. the People to be Preachers in the Church opening a door to Idolatry by endeavouring to take away all punishments from Papists and Idolaters c. This is enough to turn Ice into flames to make the coldest heart to burn violently with zeal for God This was that which made Elijah so zealous he looked upon the Worship of God as being in danger to be lost 1 Reg. 19. 10. They have forsaken thy Covenant throwen down thy Altars slain thy Servants with the Sword and I only am left c. The glorie of the Lord seems to be removing from the Cherubims to the Threshold of the Temple and if we be not now more then ordinarilie zealous Religion will be gone Motive 5. Consider how zealous all People are for their false Worships Papists what heat is there in them for their Idols The Worshippers of

Baal how zealous were they 1 Reg. 18. 28. The Ephesians for their Diana what extraordinarie zeal when they perceived that by Pauls preaching against gods made with hands was like to overthrow their Religion they cryed for the space of two Iudg. 6. 28 29 30. houres together Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19. 34. Motive 6. If you will be zealous for the House of God God will be zealous for your houses vid. 2 Sam. 6. 10 11. Obed Edom he had a zeal for the Ark when others were afraid of it God blesses him vid. Hag. 2. 18 19. If you will be dead and cold for the matters of God God will be cold for your civil concernments Motive 7. It s one of the best wayes to take off and abate the heat of enemies against the House of God The colder you are the more hot will they be and the more zealous you are the more cold will they be in promoting their designes 2. Rules for zeal 1 Your Zeal must be universal and that 1. In respect of things you must be zealous for everie part of Gods House for all and everie part of Truth against all and everie kind of corruption in Worship some are zealous against Schisme and Heresie but they have no great Zeal against superstition and humane inventions others have a Zeal against Superstition but they have not against Heresie c. This is not right heat vid. Psal 119. 104. Josiah his Zeal was against everie Corruption 2 Reg. 23. 4. ad 20. God commands him vers 25. Such was the Zeal of Christ also He leaves nothing behinde Sacraments Preaching Prayer 2. In respect of persons he that hath a right zeal for Truth will oppose all is contrarie to Truth in one person as well as in another in great as well as in small c. in a Friend as well as in an Enemie Zeal is like God in this there is no respect of persons with it Whosoever defiles the House of God let his Profession his Power be what it will Zeal will oppose him Zeal doth not hate error in a Prelate and love it in another c. Christ will throw down the Tables of the Money-changers whosoever they be that fit there c. 3. In respect of times True Zeal for Gods House hath no winter it burns in one Age as well as in another Manie men were verie zealous against corruption in Worship and Doctrine in the raign of Prelacie which now are cold against the same or worse corruptions in the raign of Heresie These were never truly zealous for Gods House Corruption of Truth and Worship is as bad one year as another c. 2 Zeal must be joyned with prudence and knowledge Rom. 10. 2. God hath given to man an understanding as well as affection Zeal without Discretion is rashness like mettle in a blinde Horse or a sharp edged Sword in a mad mans hand Those 4. Beasts Rev. 4. 8. which represent the Churches of the Gospel they had 6. Wings and they were full of Eyes a Christian must have Eyes as well as Wings Knowledge as well as Zeal Zeal with Knowledge saith one is like an Unicorns Horn in the hand of an Artist verie precious but Zeal without Knowledge is as the Unicorns Horn in the Beasts Head verie dangerous Zeal without Knowledge is like Pegasus without a Bridle or like an Offering without an Eye which God accepts not Lev. 22. 22. Mal. 1. 8. It s like Phaeton in his Fathers Chariot may burn himself and the World too 3 Zeal for Gods House must be confined within the Compasse of our Calling The Minister in his place the Magistrate in his the private person in his place 'T is a good glosse which Calvin hath on this Text. All must imitate Christ all must as much as in them lyeth preserve the Temple of God from defilement yet everie man must take heed that he go not beyond his bounds Non omnibus protinus licet flagellum arripere ut vitia manu corrigamus neque enim eadem nobis potest as data est nec idem injunctum munus Zeal out of its place is like fire in the Thatch Private Christians they must express their zeal by Prayer Teares Dispute complaining to the Church to the Magistrates where they are if they be such as care for Religion He that should being a private person do as Phinehas did and pretend zeal would be a murtherer or as Christ here did would be seditious c. 4 Our zeal for Gods House must be for the glorie of God not either to get our selves a name or to oppose men or to please others c. but meerly discharge of duty respect to Gods Honour This was the ground of our Saviours zeal make not my Fathers House c. Jehu lost all his zeal for want of a right end vid. 2 Reg. 10. He did verie much and he calls it zeal for God vers 16. but the truth is it was meerly for his own house and therefore God threatens Hos 1. 4. to avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the House of Jehu c. look well to this 5 It must be put out against private corruptions in your own case 3. Meanes to get zeal for Gods House 1 Consider often the worth and excellency of Gods House Truth Worship they are glorious things beauties of holiness Psal 110. 3. the glorie of God the glorie is departed from Israel c. 1 Sam. 4. latter end the Tabernacle of God with men c. 2 Beg much of the Spirit of God that spirit of fire the fire of the Altar came down from Heaven so doth the fire of zeal get much of that fiery Baptisme of the Holy Ghost c. vid. Acts 2. 3. 3 Be much in the Company of zealous persons he that kisseth the lips of the Servants of God who are zealous will get heat from them 4 Take heed of too much carnal policie This will make you but cold and dead for the Worship of God He whose zeal is extreme hot for outward things will be extreme cold at least luke-warm for the Worship of God a little Earth cast on a hot fire puts it out Mary Wol●oth Septemb. 30th 1649. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 19. 47. And He taught daily in the Temple 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THere are five principal Passages or Stories recorded of Jesus Christ in this Chapter which is the best division can be made of it viz. 1 The story of the Conversion of one Zacheus a Publican a little man but a very great sinner this we have from the first verse to the 11th He came out of curiosity to gaze upon Christs person having heard the fame of his works and he did not only behold his Person but was converted by his Power we may note from his conversion 1. It s good to be in the way in which Christ travels Zach●us being in Christs way was apprehended by Christs power and made partaker of

14. 3 The occason of this miracle this is ver 14. The original of this custome is from that which is written Deut. 14. 24. The Jewes were at this time scattered throughout almost all Nations now that they might not at their repairing to Jerusalem for worship be constrained to run up and downe to provide sacrifices it was agreed by the Priests and Scribes c. that those things which were necessary for sacrifice should be sold about the Temple This was their pretence but that which really caused this was the covetuousnesse of the Priests who made great gaine by these merchandizings 4 The manner of it ver 15. 5 The reason rendred ver 16. make not my Fathers house c. The Temple was a shadow and type of those things the lively Image whereof is in Christ therefore it was to be applyed onely to spirituall uses for this reason our Saviour denyes it to be lawfull to convert it to such a common use as a Market place 2 The effect or consequence of this miracle 1. The effect it wrought upon the Disciples ver 17. Not that they presently remembred this but afterwards when they had been better instructed then God brought this Scripture to their minds as the reason of this act of Christ with which they were satisfied 2. The effect it wrought upon the Jewes this is twofold 1 Some quarreld with him ver 28 19 20 c. 2 Others did seemingly professe faith and subjection to him ver 23 24 25. upon this and other miracles whom Christ did not trust The Text is the effect which this great Heroick act of Christ wrought on his Disciples They remembred c. This Scripture is Psal 69. 9. where David writing of himselfe as a Type of Christ hath these words The zeale c. I shall handle them distinctly as spoken of Christ In them we have two things 1 An excellent vertue or grace of Christ 1. Grace in the Habite the zeale of thy house 2 The operativenesse of this grace hath eaten me up the activity of it Grace in exercise Zeale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If we consider the word it comes from a verbe that signifies to boyle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Wh●t zeal is it signifies the hissing noyse of water when it boyles If we consider the Nature of the thing we find it used both in a good sense and in a bad sense There is a zeale which is a fruit of the Spirit And there is also a zeale which is a fruit of the flesh Gal. 5. 20. The fruits of the 2 Cor. 7. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flesh are manifest which are these Adulteries c. Emulations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When it is used in a bad sense it signifies 1 Envy Acts 5. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Acts 7. 9. the Patriarchs moved with envy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. 3. 14. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vid. Bezam in textum de zelo distinguentem 2 For misguided blind zeale Phil. 3. 9. concerning zeale persecuting the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 1. 14. being more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of my Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 For contentiousness of spirit Jam. 3. 16. where strife and envying is there is confusion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 For pretended jealousie and affection towards another Gal. 4. 17. They zealously affect you but not well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When it is used in a good sense it signifieth 1 Godly jealousie 2 Cor. 11. 2. I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 For a good Emulation when we desire to be followers and imitators of others in that which is good Gal. 4. 18. T is good to be ze●lous alwayes in a good matter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12. 31. Covet earnestly t●e best gifts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 For the violent fervor of all the affection towards others whom we love Gal. 4. 13. I bear him record that he hath a great zeal for you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And so t is used here in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some of the Schoo●men there are who only place this in the affection of love others make it to be a mixture of love and anger but its clear that it hath place in every other affection as well as these and the heighth and intention of every affection is called zeal The heighth of anger is the zeal of anger the heighth of pitty is the zeal of pitty and the heighth of love is the zeal of love c. Of thy house This is the Object of Christ's 2. What Gods House is zeal the house of God which by a Synechdoche doth comprehend the whole worship and service of God appointed to be observed in the Temple All matters of Religion and Worship Hath eaten me up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This 3. What to devour is shewes the fervor and heat of Christs zeal it was not any ordinary heat but an extraordinary and violent which put forth it self by such an heroical Act as this was Christ was even as if he had had fire in his bowels he could not refrain himself The Lesson which we may learn is this The Lord Jesus Christ was exceeding zealous Doct. against all manner of Corruptions and defilements in Religion in the worship of God He had in his breast a very hot zeal for his Fathers house and all the Ordinances and Services thereof As it was prophesied of him that he should come as a Refiner to his Temple and should be very hot for the worship of God so was his carriage from his taking upon him the publick Ministry to the day of his Death and crucifying There are three things wherein Christ manifested 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proved 3. wayes his zeal this way 1 He did very zealously assert the purity of Religion and Gods worship in his publick Ministry and zealously defend it against the corrupters of it In the 5th 6th and 7th Chapters of Matth. in that excellent Sermon upon the Mount we shall finde many Instructions given by our Saviour both concerning matters of Doctrine and concerning matters of worship as Chap. 5. vers 21. ad finem and Chapter 6. concerning prayer fasting vid. Chap. 6. v. 5. ad 16. concerning prayer and v. 16. ad 19. concerning the right manner of fasting And Mat. 15. v. 1. ad 21 Christ preacheth against their Traditions which they had brought into the Church And Matth. 19. 3. ad 10. preacheth against the Doctrine of Divorce which they had introduced And Chap. 22. v. 23. he cleares the Doctrine of the Resurrection against the sadduces And he that reads seriously the Evangelists will finde that there was no corruption either in Doctrine or worship but Christ boldly and zealously refuted it in his Ministry 2 As he had zeal

he will soon put to flight all opposers 2d Vse How unlike to Jesus Christ are the greatest part of Christians in our dayes we may take up sad complaints against sundry sorts of persons 1 There are some like Gallio that care for no such things as the worship of God They are Act. 18. 17. indifferent whether they have Religion amongst them or no if they have the worship of God they can be content and if the Tabernacle of God be removed they can bear it without grief it doth not much trouble their spirits though all the Synagogues of God in the Land be burnt up So they may enjoy their civil liberties have free Trading secure their Estates raise their Families fill their Treasuries with the good things of this life they are not much solicitous for the concernments of Religion or the worship of God They will not much dispute against Religion neither will they contend for it with any great life the presence of Religion is no great burden to them and the want of it is no great losse They will not repine if they have the Ark and they will not be greatly offended if they have it not if the Ordinances of God be in the Temple t is well and if the buyers and sellers there be t is not much amisse They stand in aequilibrio as to these matters if Religion dwell in their Coasts they will not thrust it out of doors and if it be removing they will not lament after it nor beg its continuance They are affected with these matters as some men are with their ordinary friends if they will stay with them they will not bid them be gone and if they have a minde to depart they will not desire their stay c. They are concerning Religion of that minde which Paul commands believing Husbands to be of towards their unbelieving Wives 1 Cor. 7. 13. 15. If she be pleased to dwell with him let him not put her away but if she will depart let her depart so they say and so they act concerning Religion and the Ordinances of God I have a few things to say to such They are not like the Gaderenes Matth. 8. 34. Nor are they like the two Disciples Luk. 24. 29. 1. Certainly they are not acted by the Spirit of Jesus Christ his was a fiery Spirit but theirs is a cold Spirit he had life they are dead 2. God hath threatned that he will spue such luke-warm Christians out of his mouth Rev. 3. 15 16. They are just between Heaven and Hell They are like Ephraim Hos 7. 8. Half-baked The Prophet Elijah chides such halters as these 1 Reg. 18. 21. 3. The Ordinances of God are not very like to do much good upon the Spirits of such Christians The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 12. Heaven must be stormed or never entred 2 Others there are who are zealous against the worship of God and against Religion Some are very zealous for superstition the Traditions of their Fathers Unsawful and unwarranted Ceremonies and sinful Inventions of men in the worship of God such was Demetrius and his Associates Acts 19. 24. He was as hot for the golden shrines for Diana as if they had been the golden Plates of the Temple Great is Diana of the Ephesians Such were those old Idolaters with whom the Prophet Jeremiah had to do Jer. 44. 16 17. We will do as we have done We and our Fathers to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven They are grieved to see any endeavour to purge the waters of the Sanctuary from defilements Others are zealous for errors in Doctrine They would have an unlimited Toleration of all opinions and all kindes of worship in the Church of God The Woman Jezebel shall have liberty to vent her falsehoods as well as the Prophets of God to preach their Truths Antichrist shall have his Throne as well as Christ Altars shall be set up to the unknown God as well as to the true God the Ministers of Satan shall keep as free Markets as the Ministers of Christ the envious man shall have Field-room to scatter his Tares as well as the Seeds-men of the Gospel their wheat And if any of the Ministers of Christ out of zeal to Gods glory endeavour to whip out these abuses out of the Temple they are looked upon as firebrands Incendiaries by them who are the true Incendiaries They are reputed worse then Theeves because they disturb this Den of Theeves from nesting in the Temple of God They are looked upon as abominable because they would sweep out these abominations They are thought unworthy to have a liberty in the Kingdom because they will not proclaim a liberty to all these false wayes in the Church the Kingdom of Christ This zeal is certainly none of that which was in Christ It is Diabolical zeal like the unruly Tongue set on fire of Hell James 3. 6. Jesus Christ whipt the buyers and sellers out of the Temple and these lash such as would whip them out Jesus Christ was sore displeased with the Angel of Thyatira for suffering such corruptions Rev. 2. 20. and they are displeased with the Angels of the Churches because they will not tolerate such corruptions Jesus Christ would not have any bid God speed to such 2 Epist John 10 and they would have such embraced and encouraged Jesus Christ saith the mouthes of such as teach false Doctrines must be stopped Tit. 1. 11. And they are ready to stop the mouthes of such as would have these disturbed Jesus Christ layes a Command upon Ministers and Magistrates to apprehend these Foxes but they lay snares for such as would have them apprehended vid. Cant. 2. 15. Take us the Foxes the little Foxes c. Answ By Foxes there we are to understand Hereticks and false Prophets as Ezech. 13. 4. they are Foxes for their subtilty therefore the Apostle calls them deceitful workers transforming themse●ves into the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11. 23. Now Christ would have these taken and rooted out The Church is to take them by censuring confuting and casting them out of the Church and the godly Magistrate is to take them by penal lawes civil punishments c. vid. Deut. 13. 6 7 8 9. which is again Zech. 13. 3. applyed to Gospel-times And that Law was given by Jesus Christ the Mr. Cotton Bloody Tenet washed c. p. 66. 67. Angel of Gods presence whom God promised to send with his People Exod. 33. 2 3. And that Angel was Christ whom they tempted in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10. 9. Therefore Jesus Christ appointed the civil Sword for a Remedy in such a case and hath not repealed it in the Gospel And accordingly the good Kings of Judah exercised this power Asa Joash Josiah and are commended for so doing Nor are only the greater and the worser sort of Foxes to be taken but even the little Foxes the lesser sort of errors