Element to live in the earth or as if Camels and Elephants should strive to leave the earth and go live and swim in the Sea 2. But this Interpretation it self is judged by some to be too much forced and violent and therefore Ambrose and Hillary take violence here as opposed to just and right * We are wont you know to call them violent who invade and seize upon that by force which they have no good right nor title unto as theeves and robters do by the high way In like manner the Gentiles say these Authors who had no right unto the Kingdom of Heaven for they were strangers from the Common-wealth of Israell aliens from the Covenants of promise without God and without hope in the world yet they came thronging and crowding in howsoever whether they had any good tenure or no quo jure quaque Injuriâ they came according to our Saviours prediction from the East and from the West and from the North and from the South and seated themselves in the Kingdome of God whiles the Jewes which were the children of the Kingdom were cast out of doores Luk. 13.28.29 Rapuit Ecclesia regnum a Synagogue saith Ambrose the Jewes being Abrahams children thought this kingdom to be an inheritance due unto them onely in respect of their lineall descent and propagation from their Ancestors but the Gentiles came by force and shouldered them out and took all their Ancient rights and Priviledges from them This exposition carries smoothnesse and concinnity enough with it and might well be admitted were it not that it antedates a little too soone the conversion of the Gentiles who sprung not in with such violence nor in such numbers and multitudes till after the dayes of Iohn the Baptist in whose time yet this violence began 3. Therefore the more received and as I think the more judicious interpretation of this violence here takes it as opposed to temper and moderation for so in moralls we account them violent who are not dull and sluggish but earnest and serious in their work warm and zealous in their pursuite impetuous and resolute in their undertakings and such was the disposition of many people in Johns dayes they were so bent and set upon the Kingdom of heaven that no difficulties or discouragements could take them off they would have a share whatsoever it cost them As Souldiers when they lye before a besieged City they set to their long ladders and Scale the walls and when they are got in they flye upon the spoyl and seize upon what ever comes next to hand so was the course of these violent ones The Kingdom of heaven was no sooner opened but they sprung in and took hold of this glorious prize and carried all away before them with maine force But there is yet another Interpretation of this place given by Melancton which though it lye a little out of the common rode and is not much nor so far as I can finde at all taken notice of by others yet it seemes to me very considerable and worthy of due regard as well as any of the former the sum of his notion to give you an account of it in a word it is grounded upon the proper signification and common use of the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which in all sorts of Authors is for the most part taken in the active and but seldom and very sparingly in the passive and if you please thus to take it here the sense will run cleer and smooth to this effect from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now regnum caelorum vi ingruit vi irrumpit the kingdom of heaven breakes in by force As the sun though it may be over-cast with a dark cloud yet the beames of it will at last break out or as a mighty violent flood or winter torrent though it meete with many obstructions to dam up its course yet it will burst through and flow over them so the kingdom of heaven howsoever there were oppositions raised to obstruct the passages and proceedings of it yet it violently rushed in bearing down all resistance removing all rubs and raigning over all impediments that lay in the way of it This Exposition hath nothing forced nor strained in it it agreeth well with that native force and common use of the word and there is another paralell place Luk. 16.16 which much favoureth this sence From the dayes of Iohn the Baptist untill now the Kingdom of heaven is preached and every one presseth into it the word is the same there and here and I know no reason of any force why the Active signification of it may not be admitted here as well as there the places being parallell its probable enough that one and the same line of Interpretation may serve them both Besides the currant use of the word in this sense among other Authors the Septuagint as far as I can finde takes it alwayes thus to wave other places for the present that in Exod. 19.24 is full and punctuall for this {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Let not the Priests and people break through to come up unto God and the next clause to the Text for the Law and the Prophets were untill Iohn fairely admits if not requires this construction his Ministry being the common bound-stone betwixt the Jewish and the Christian Church the limits from which the Law and the Prophets took their conclusion and the Gospell and Kingdome of Christ its commencement and inauguration However because I delight not to recede from the beaten tract unlesse it be upon urgent necessity therefore choose whether sence you please the difference will not be materiall in respect of the observations arising hence which before I enter upon there is yet one thing more to be explained in a word or two and that is Why from the dayes of John the Baptist this Kingdome of the heavens doth thus violently come in or if you relish the former notion better Why it suffered such violence in his dayes more then in former times The Reasons are 1. Because the Law and the Prophets were in force untill those dayes and then upon the expiring of that dispensation Johns ministery with the Gospell and Kingdome of Christ like time and the motion of the heavens took beginning together at one and the same instant therefore the Evangelist hath coupled them both together Mar. 1.1 2 3. and S. Peter hath done the like Act. 10.37 The Word you know which was published through all Judea beginning at Galilee after the Baptisme which John Preached Iohns Ministery it was you see preparatory and introductive unto Christ the whole designe of his Preaching and Baptisme was to discover Christ and to make him manifest unto Israel Iohn 1.31 His preaching being in the Spirit and power of Elias tended unto this to make ready a people prepared for the Lord Luke 1.17 and his Baptisme being a summons to repentance for the
remission of sins Mar. 1.4 did manifestly pre-ingage the people to beleeve in him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus Acts 19.4 Now the gospell being preached which is the word of the Kingdom it never returnes back without successe but like a draw-net when it is let down some or other are caught and converted unto Christ by it 2. Johns ministery was mighty and powerfull above the proportion of former times the people lived under shadowes and dark clouds before which cast forth but little light and yeelded lesse heate their hearts were as cold and frozen as yee under the Ministery of the Pharisees and Scribes but Iohn was a burning and shining light Ioh. 5.35 His Doctrin and conversation kindled a light of knowledge and an heat of zeal in the hearts and consciences of men which drew them to Christ with much violence 3. When Iohn had once begun this course soone after our Saviour with his twelve Apostles and 70. Disciples came after him advancing and carrying on the work to a greater height and progresse and look how far Iohns ministery excelled all that went before so far did the ministery of our Saviour and his followers excell and go beyond him both in respect of a more cleer manifestation of glorious truths and also in respect of a more forcible operation upon the consciences of men And now having rubbed out these eares of Corne come we in the next place to reap from them such fruits of instruction as they will afford the points arising hence are foure 1. That the Church and people of the New Testament is the Kingdom of heaven 2. Where it pleaseth God to raise up choyce and prâ—â—ious Instruments to Preâ—ch the Gospell as he did here there the Kingdom of Christ will forcibly come in and numbers will as forcibly presse and throng into it though there be never so much opposition against it 3. Those that would have a share in this Kingdome they must not be dull and remisse but earnest and violent in their pursuit 4. All those and onely those which are thus earnest and violent shall prevaile in their design and carry the prize which they are so eager for For the first of these That the Church and people of the New Testament is the Kingdom of heaven This is coucht in the Text and implyed onely as a ground and therefore to insist upon it at large would be a little impertinent I shall therefore hint you to some reasons for this manner of denomination and so passe it over First therefore the Church of the New Testament is called The Kingdom of heaven because in the Church and in it onely the * Heavens govern and that not onely in a generall way of power and providence for so is all the world under that government Nebuchadnâ—zzâ—r when he had been schooled by grazing 7. yeeres among the bruits he came to see this cleerly that the heavens do rule Dan. 4.26 But the Church is under the rule and government of the heavens in another manner then the world is God raignes over the world onely in a Providenciall way ordering and disposing all things according to his secret Councell but he raignes over the Church according to his own hearts desire by the Scepter of his Word and Spirit looke upon which you will of all the States and Governments in the world even those that are most exactly ordered according to the rules of Civill Policy Justice and prudence and you shall finde that they are but men at the best and often worse then men beasts and sometimes worse than beasts devils that beare all the rule and carry all the stroak The foure great Monarchies which have been so glorious in the world would you know what Emblem the Holy Scripture sets them forth by Dan. 7.17 They are foure great beasts which arise out of the Earth and to the last beast of this litter the worst of all the former though in outward respects the most glorious the Dragon resigned his power and his Throne and great authority Rev. 13.2 S. Augustin is in the right for this Magna Regna Magna lâ—troâ—ima the great Kingdomes of the world what are they else in plain English but Tabernacles of Robbers dens of Lyons and mountaines of Leopars Job 12.6 Cant. 4.8 Copernicus his conceit is here no paradox the earth mooves and the heavens are at a stand the Wisdome the Councell the Policy and Interests of the Earth turne all the spheares move all the Engins and do all in all but the Wisdome the Councell the Policie and Interests of heaven stand still and strike never a stroke carries no sway at all But in the Church it s otherwise there the Lord alone raignes in a peculiar manner and his Will is done in earth as it is in heaven c. that is the princiall reason others are of inferiour remark which I shall briefly glyde over 2. The Church is the kingdom of heaven because the Prince that commands there is the Lord from heaven * The stone cut out of the mountaine without hands heavenly in respect of his extraction and originall as being sprung from the bosome of his Father by an eternall and ineffable generation and from the womb of his Mother by a Divine and miraculous conception without any concurrence or help of man and heavenly to in respect of his Inauguration and entrance into his Kingdome which was neither by popular Election which course he declined John 6.15 nor by succession for his Kingdome rests solely in his own hands and never did nor can passe from predecessour to successor nor yet by conquest or force of Armes as other Princes enter Christ waved all these wayes and came into his Throne by an Ordinance from heaven Dan. 7.13.14 When Peter drew his sword he commanded him to put it up For my Kingdome saith he is not of this world it s in this world but not of this world the prime source and originall of it is not from hence John 18.36 3. The first planting establishing and the continuall advancement and propagation of this Kingdome proceeds not from any councell policy or strength of the world but from the Wisedome and Power of God It is God alone and no other That plants the heavens and layes the foundation of the Earth and saith unto Sion Thou art my people Esay 5.16 As they say of Thebes That it was built by the sound of Amphious harpe so its true much more of the Church and Kingdome of God it was built by the Fishermen of Galilee and not any other way but onely by the preaching of the Gospell Micah 7.11 In the day that thy walls shall be built the Dâ—cree shall be far removed which Piscator Interprets thus longe latique propagalitur Evangelium the Gospell shall be propaged far and wide all the world over 4. In respect of the Subjects who are not of this world but severed and separated from it 1.
By an heavenly Election They are the Congregation of the first born whose names are enrolled in heaven Heb. 12 23. And 2. They are taken and bought from the earth by a speciall work of Redemption out of every Country and Kindred and People and Nation Revel. 59. and cap. 14.3 4.3 They are singled out from others by a powerfull conversion upon which ground they are saluted Holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling Heb. 3.1 And 4. Their trading and traffique is not for the things of this world but their conversation is in heaven Phil. 3 20.5 Their inheritance and portion is not in the earth for here they are but strangers and pilgrims out of their own Country but they have an inheritance immortall undefiled reserved in the heavens for them 1 Pet. 1.4 In these and divers other respects the Saints which are members of the Church though they live in the earth yet they are accounted in Scripture the Citizens and Inhabitants of heaven 5. The Lawes and Ordinances which the Church is governed by are all extracts taken from an heavenly originall copies and draughts derived from the Pattern in the Mount as Moses Tabernacle and Solomons Temple were {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The Church of God saith Nazianzen which is the inferiour Tabernacle and House of God here below it is in all its institutions rites and Ordâ—nances commensurable to its pattern and prototipe for the heavenly Tabernacle which is above 6. The Acts and administrations of the Church if they be such as they should be divine and Spirituall they sent not of the earth breathe not of the world but the whole savour and rellish of them is heavenly when the Word is Preached it is not the Wisdome and Spirit of man but the Lord from heaven that speakes Heb. 12.25 Mat. 10.20 And the Apostle tels us likewise that when men Prophecy there is such a demonstration of divine power that unbeleevers comming in are convinced by it saying God is in you of a truth 1 Cor. 14.25 The like may be sayd of prayer it s the Spirit that must frame every request and indite every Petition if it be according to Gods Will Rom. 8 27. So the execution of Church censures and generally all Church administrations they are not such as they should be if they carry not with them a certaine perfume as it were or odor of heaven This may suffice for the first point I defer the Use of it till I have done with the next which is this Where the Lord raiseth up choyce Instruments to Preach the Gospell as he did here in the dayes of Iohn and of our Saviour there the Kingdom of heaven comes in amaire and multitudes take hold of it For the proof of this see the truth of it in cleer predictions and prophecies foretelling that it should be so Esay 2.1 2 3. It shall come to passe in the latter dayes that the Mountaine of the Lords house shall be lifted up not onely on the Mount Marlah at Jerusalem but on the top of the Mountaines and all nations not the Jews only shall flow unto it but how shall this be brought about the Law of the Lord shall go out of Sion and the Word of the Lord out of Jerusalem and then he shall rule among the Nations If the Gospell be preached the Kingdome of God will advance and get ground among all the Nations of the world The like Prophecy we have Psal. 110.2.3 When Christ sends out his Gospell which is that rod of his power out of Sion he will then be ruler in the midst of his enemies In the day when he sends out his Armies to wit of Apostles and Prophets His people shall be a willing people or as some Interpretors turn it they shall be all voluntiers in the beauty of his holinesse and the dew of his youth that is the multitudes of children that shall be born unto him shall be as numerous as drops of dew in a spring or summers morning 2. See the reall performances and accomplishment of these Prophecies In the first dawning of the Gospell when the state of the Jewish Church was exceeding corrupt even then by the preaching of Iohn great numbers of people came over unto Christ and by Solemn Baptisme took the oath of allegeance unto him Mat. 3.5 6. And the Ministery of Christ and his Apostles was yet more effectuall their diligence was such that they went through every City and Village preaching and shewing the glad tydings of the Kingdome of God Luk 8.1 And the people flocked after them in such multitudes that they trode one upon another Luke 12.1 And they were so eager and violent for the Kingdom of God that they came by break of day to seek Christ in the desert and they layd hold of him that he should not depart from them Luk. 4.42 And the successe of those endeavours was such that Satan fell from heaven like lightning Luke 10.18 All this came to passe whiles the Gospell and Kingdom of Christ was yet penâ—â—o as it were in a corner confined only to the Jews but after that Christ was once by his Ascention lifted up unto heaven then he drew all men after him John 12.32 then was fulfilled and not before as some learned conceive that prediction of our Saviour Mat. 16.28 Verily I say unto you there be some standing here that shall not taste of death till they have seen the Kingdome of God come with power The Kingdom of God came with power when the Holy Ghost came down like a mighty rushing wind and shooke the place where the Apostles were on the day of Pentecost gathered together Act. 2.2 This violent rushing wind was an Emblem of the great power of the Gospell which shooke the foundations of Sathans Kingdom and overthrew all his strong holds demolished Idols subdued all the learning policy and power of the world and captivated all Nations to the obedience of faith The Jewes had most of them a strong prejudice against Christ yet S. Peter with his Fishâ—rs net came over them and caught 3000. of them at one draught Act. 2.41 The Samaritans had for a long time been held under the power of Sathan by the Inchantments and Sorceries of Simon the Conjurer but the Gospell comming among them those Magick Spells lost their force and were un-witched by a more potâ—nt and effectuall charm Act. 8.12 It s recorded there That when they beleeved the things that were spoken by Philip concerning the kingdome of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were Baptized both men and women When the Word is Preached it s as possible to keepe down the Sun from rising as to hinder Christ from getting up into his Kingdom But how comes the empty breath of a few weak and despised men to be so effectuall and prevalent The Reasons are 1. This is the Institution and Ordinance of God which therefore must needs be
of heaven and to omit the various use of the notion if yet it be taken at all in a various use for I rather hold with the Judicious Cameron that it imports alwayes one and the same thing even the Kingdom of Christ the mediator over the Church and people of the New Testament with the preaching of the Gospell and the other Ordinances of Evangelicall and Christian worship which properly belong thereunto There is first a Kingdom of power and providence which Christ hath as God over all the world Angels and men and devils being put in subjection under him and of this the Prophet speakes Psal. 102. v. 19. The Lord hath prepared his Throne in heaven and his Kingdom ruleth over all this is not meant here 2. There is a Kingdom of Grace which Christ as Mediator exercised in a more especiall and peculiar manner over the Church and Common-wealth of the Jewes before the time of his Incarnation and comming into the world for even the Jewes as well as we were unto God a Kingdom of Priests and an holy Nation Exod. 19.5 and the Lord was their King Judge and Lawgiver Esay 33.22 and Salomon after David his Father is said to raign over Israel sitting upon the thron of Jah 1 Chron. 29 23. and hence as one of the Ancients * well observes out of Josephus The Politick State and form of Government among the Jewes It was neither a Monarchy nor an Aristocracy nor a Democracy but a Theocracy or Divine Government the Son of God being in that Common-wealth Commander in Chief and ordering all things therein according to his own will Christ therefore reigned over the Jewes as mediator many hundreds of yeeres before he was born of the Virgin Mother the Kingdom and government even then was upon his shoulders yet you shall never finde throughout all the whol Scripture that State and manner of Christs Raign over the Church of the Old Testament called The Kingdom of Heaven and the principall reason seemes to be this because the whol policy and form of it was Typicall and Ceremoniall all things being carried then in clouds and shadows and mysticall prefigurations of good things to come the truth and substance whereof was not yet exhibited and revealed Hence the Apostle shuns not to call the Jewish Tabernacle a worldly Sanctuary Heb. 9.1 and their Ordinances and rites of Worship carnall Ordinances imposed onely untill the time of reformation vers. 10. the like censure he is bold to passe upon their sacrifices and offerings They were only patterns and * figures of things in the heavens and not the heavenly things themselves vers. 23. the people also were in comparison of the Christian Church a carnall people and the whole oeconomy and frame of their Religion worship and government was to be shaken and removed as with an earth-quake at Christs comming Heb. 2.27 * therefore that pollicy and ceremoniall forme of Church administration was not fit to be called by so high and glorious a Title The Kingdom of heaven But now in the dayes and by the ministery of John the Baptist the Leviticall Paedagogie with all the carnall rudiments and umbrages of it began to wax old and to weare out of date another manner of Church State much more spirituall entring then upon the Stage and comming in by degrees in the roome of it which therefore in the New Testament is commonly called The Kingdom of heaven The mother place in Scripture from which this notion was derived is Dan. 2.44 In the dayes of those Kings the God of heaven shall set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed c. this passage Aben-Ezra and the Jewish Rabbins do generally interpret as Cameron observes of the Messias his Kingdom which they were wont to call {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Kingdome of heaven * The denomination is not taken as is commonly thought from the subject or place of residence but from the efficient rather for with them in their Dialect the Kingdom of the Messias or Son of God and the Kingdom of the heavens are termes of promiscuous use as they are also in Scripture compare Mat. 70.7 with Luke 10.9 and you shall finde that which in the former place is called the Kingdom of heaven in the latter is the Kingdom of God the difference in the thing it self being none at all but onely in the sound of words But now this Evangelicall state of the Christian Church called the Kingdom of heaven it is either Militant or Triumphant the State of Grace or the State of Glory which for kinde and nature are both one and differ but onely in degrees for the State of grace what is it else but glory begun the way to the Kingdom is not without some first fruits of the Kingdom saith * Bernard And the State of glory on the other side what is it else but grace fully perfect and consummate It is the former of these which is here principally meant to wit the Militant Estate of the Christian Church in which men are brought to live under the gracious and milde government of Christ their minds being inlightned guided and powerfully moved and over-ruled 1. To repent of all their sins and then 2. To accept of the pardon and remission of them in such sort as it is offered in the tenor of the New Covenant 3. To render back as a Tribute of thankfulnesse a free cheerfull universall and constant obedience to all the revealed Will of God The next thing to be cleered is how this Kingdom may be said to suffer violence And here Interpretors varie I shall give a touch of their severall descantings It may be the very discords will help to make the Musick better and the harmony more pleasing the sum of all or most of the tendries I have met with is reducible to these three heads The violence here spoken of may be taken either as it is opposed 1. To Natures 2. To Just and right or 3. As it is opposed to temper and moderation First it may be taken as opposed to that which is according to Nature the Philosophers are wont to distinguish of motion thus That it is either naturall or violent naturall motion springs from naturall principles and tends to naturall objects and ends but the motion saith Hierome of these enterprizers was not such but violent and strained in respect of its principles object and end It was in all these beyond the spheare and compasse of nature those that were by nature born men of an elementary constitution being upon the matter little other then mushromes sprung out of the earth were transported with a more then generous affectation to become Angels and their ambition was so transcendent and supernaturall that nothing could satisfie them under heaven and this seemed to be such an extream violence against the common course and strain of nature as if fishes should affect to leave their watery
Rome the Imperiall City and not onely so but even grow famous too in Caesars Palace the Apostle tooke notice else-where of a great doore and effectuall which was opened unto him when yet there were many adversaries 1 Cor. 16.9 which plainly imports great successe in despight of great resistance when the Dragon lay in waite to devoure the Churches man-childe as soone as it was borne he was frustrate of his hopes notwithstanding all his rage the childe was caught up to the Throne of God Revel. 12.5 So in Dioclesians time when there was set up an Edict in the Market place for the utter extirpation of Christianity the whol world soon after turned Christian See then how great and singular a blessing it is which God affords unto any people when he raiseth up store of precious and choyce Instruments to Preach the Gospell among them Howsoever we may haply despise the day of small things and make but slight account of such a mercy yet it is a favour certainely of as much worth in the intendment and consequence of it as the kingdome of heaven amounts unto It s a sign that God is comming to Keep his Court of residence where he sends out harbingers to take up roomes and to prepare lodging and entertainment for him When Saviours come upon mount Sion the next newes is this That the Kingdom is the Lords Obad. v. 21. God abates nothing to a people of the height of his favours when he vouchsafes unto them this mercy Jer. 3.14 15. It s promised as a speciall token and pledge of Gods matrimoniall love Return unto me ye back-sliding children for I am married unto you how doth that appeare I will give you Pastors according to my own heart which shall feede you with knowledge and understanding and would you know of what consequence that is vers. 17. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord the Lord Raignes to be sure and hath a Throne where he is pleased to plant a faithfull and powerfull ministery and where the Lord Raignes there is 1. The greatest Honour and advancement that can befall a Nation It s that which makes a Country to be the land of Immannel Esay 8.8 A glorious high Throne Jer. 17.12 A Crown of glory and a Royall Diadem in the Lords hand Esay 62.3 In a word this is it which lifts up a people as high as heaven Mat. 11.23 Let Italy glory in this That it is for pleasure the garden of the world we shall never neede to envie them whilst it may be truly said of great Britain That it is the Court and presence Chamber of the great King this is the Churches peculiar honour The name of it shall be called from henceforth The Lord is There Ezech. 48 35. 2. As the greatest honour so the greatest safety and protection attends where the Lord Raignes The Church it is the Kingdom of heaven upon Earth and it is a strong City having Salvation for its walls and Bulwarkes Esay 26.1 It may indeed before assaulted and battered but cannot be overcome it may be endangered but not destroyed Christ must be plucked out of heaven and the Scepter wrested out of his hands before the Church can miscarry 3. The Kingdome of heaven is a storehouse of all blessings temporall Spirituall and Eternall the blessings of the heaven above and of the deepe that coucheth beneath Irriguum superius irriguum inferius the upper springs and the nether springs yea all Gods fresh springs have their course here Psal. 87.7 Christ hath unsearchable riches of grace and glory and he makes them all over together with himself to those that receive him That State can never be bankrupt that possesseth him who is the possessour of all things looke over all the world and consider what good thing we would have in reference to our private or publike well-fare whether it be riches honour wealth peace liberty policy plenty prosperity or whatsoever else which heaven can afford they come in as additions with the Kingdom of God Mat. 6.33 We value our Magna Charta much our civill rights and liberties we count them precious and yet they are but for this life but the grand Patent and Charter of heaven Feoffes us in the promises of the life that now is and of that also which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 To winde up therefore this clew Wheresoever the Lord is pleased by the Ministery of his Servants to establish himselfe a Kingdom among men there is a Throne of honour a myne of wealth a store-house of blessings an Ocean of comforts In a word there is the spring-head where all happinesse flourisheth and all misery withers 2. Here 's matter of comfort and encouragement That wheresoever the Gospell is preached there the Kingdom of heaven comes in and no opposition can keep it out The Prophets are wont to make this as a ground of greatest comfort even in the midst of sad times How beautifull are the feete how welcome the accesse of those which bring this good tydings unto Sion Thy God raignes Esay 52.7 We may feede upon this cordiall even on our solemne Fast in our greatest mourning in the midst of all our teares this may excite us to some expressions of thankfulnesse and strains of gratulation The Lord raignes saith the man after Gods own heart and what then let the earth rejoyce let the multitudes of the Isles be glad thereof Psal. 97.1 If any other people in the world surely wee of this Island have great cause to rejoyce and be glad in this regard howsoever it be with us in other respects yet blessed be God it may not it cannot be denyed but that the Lord raignes and hath had his Throne among us for a long time Tertullian observed long since that Christ set up his colours and came in as a conquerer before the Roman Eagles could spread their wings here and S. Hierom hath an expression to this purpose That the Court and Kingdom of heaven is as open at great Brittaine as at Jerusalem and although in the generall Apostacy of Antichrist the Kingdom of heaven was here fast locked and barred up for many hundreds of yeares yet it was afterward by the happy reformation in the dayes of our Fathers here also as well as in other Churches set open againe according to that prediction Revel. 15.5 After this I looked and behold the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven was opened I neede not tell you what store of excellent and glorious Instruments the Lord then raised up both of Magistrates and Ministers nor how mightily they carried on the work though against a world of opposition It sufficeth that we all know that the foundation of the Temple and Tabernacle of God was layd and the street and walls of the heavenly Jerusalem built though in troublous times and from that day forward to this the Lord that
hath the key of the house of David that opens and none shuts and shuts none opens he hath set before us an open door as he did for Philadelphia Rev. 3.7.8 and although there hath been and still is much opposition and great endeavours to have this door shut and fast bolted yet still it s kept open in despight of Rome and hell and is not this just matter of comfort that God hath by his Word opened us a passage into his Kingdom which no Art or power of the Enemies can block up Doth it not revive and cheer up our Spirits in our saddest droopings that although the Lord suffers our treasures to waste our estates to be drayned our provisions and supplies brought low though he feede us with the bread of adversity and water of affliction as it is in the Prophet Esay 30.20 21. Yet he suffers not our teachers to be scattered into corners notwithstanding all opposition he still continues a fresh Spring of the Gospell and with it the cloud of his presence among us Surely we are injurious to the bounty and goodnesse of our God in this kinde and value it not aright If it beare not such weight in our estimations and thoughts as to counter-vaile and more then countervaile to out-ballance all our afflictions And though there be some that would make us beleeve That we are still in the midst of Babylon and that it is not Christ but Antichrist that hath his Throne among us yet that is not a more malicious then an ignorant slander and tends not a little were it true to the honour of that man of sin For how almost can you honour him more as a reverend and grave Author sayes well then by holding him to be such an one under whose raigne a faithfull and effectuall ministery takes place the Word of the Kingdom being purely preached the Sacraments rightly administred for substance thousands of people converted and the way to Salvation and life eternall as open as in any other place in the world Surely we should be worse scared then hurt with those expressions of horrour and atrocity which the Scripture brands the kingdom of Antichrist with if this were the condition of his raign and government Sed non sic notus Vlysses I hope we are taught of God to know the manners of that man of sin otherwise then so But to passe over this let us descend into a more particular survey and discovery of our present condition and then I doubt me we shall finde but too much ground of just mourning and humiliation for although it is true that there is a Kingdom of heaven among us which prospers and flourishes in a considerable degree yet it hath not spread and got ground in such a large manner as might have beene expected and desired A man would think that we who have been tenants in the Lords land and have had a Patent and Charter of the Gospell leased out unto us for the terme of more than fourescore yeeres with many other great advantages above other parts of the world a man would think I say we should have been long since a people so refined in Religion so ripe in knowledge so eminent for the life and power of godlinesse so exemplary for purity of Ordinances Ministery Doctrine Worship and Government as might have rendred us a praise in all the Reformed Churches and a singular pattern and myrrour to the other parts of the world But alas how far short are we of such a condition and what great cause have we of mourning and humiliation in sundry respects 1. Its matter of mourning That although there be some yet we have not workmen enough rightly fitted and furnished with ability and fidelity for the Kingdom of God if we had as many labourers as Solomon had for the building of the Temple and he had many hundreds of thousands 1 Kings 5.15.16 yet all this would be no more then sufficient in respect or the great Work of God now in hand and upon the wheeles among us But alas we have scarce the tithe of that number the harvest is great and the labourers but few as our Saviour complained in a like case Luke 10.2 The Apostle having mentioned some 4. or 5. men of principall note who assisted him in the great work of Preaching the Gospell hee doth as it were fetch a sigh and breath out his soul in an expression of some griefe for that there were no more such Col. 4.11 These onely saith he are my fellow workers unto the Kingdom of God which have beene a comfort unto me you know how our Saviour mourned and how his bowels yearned with compassion over the multitudes when he observed them to be destitute in this kinde and scattered abroad like sheep without a sheepheard Mat. 9.36 2. It s yet more to be lamented that we are clogged and cumbred with others who in stead of promoting and carrying on do indeed retard and set back the proceedings of the Gospell and Kingdom of Christ {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as the saying of Byas was their very help is a disadvantage and an hinderance rather there be no small numbers imployed in the Service of the house of God whom a man would disdaine to set with the dogs of his flock as Job hath it Chap. 30.1 of this sort are 1. Those troopes of blinde guides ignorant sots priests of Jeroboams order the scum and froth of the people Indeed the silliest creatures in the world if they were but men were good enough as one fayes to make priests for Jeroboams gods which were but calves but what hath the Gospell and Kingdome of Christ deserved that it should be put into the hands of such hucksters 2. Little better upon the matter though some of them are more learned are those Loiterers rather than labourers in Gods Vineyard who feede themselves and famish their flocks Non-residents I meane who through covetousnesse make Merchandize of the Church of God and care not what becomes of the soules of the people bought with Christs blood so they may wallow in their pomp and jollity Master Greenham wished that this Inscription or Motto might be written on their doores and posts on their beds and tables on their study bookes plate and all their furniture precium sanguinis pretium sanguinis The price of blood The price of blood 3. Worse then both the former are those sonnes of Eli or sons of Belial rather who by their corrupt Doctrine or scandalous conversation poyson those who are committed to their charge pulling down the Church and Kingdom of God with both hands but building it up with neither if the people call for bread they give them a stone and when they aske a fish reach them a Serpent are not Christs flock trow ye well provided for when they are set over to the feeding of such Wolves 4. That small sprinkling of faithfull Ministers and people that are in
bespeakes this at their hands wherefore else are they appointed of God and separated from others but to be both by their preaching and conversation builders of his house Stewards in his family Watchmen in his City Labourers in his Vineyard burning Lamps in his Temple the successe and fortune of Christs Kingdome depends next unto God upon the Issue of their endeavours If they whose office it is to attend the Sanctuary had but the fire of the Sanctuary burning on the Altar of their own hearts If they were like John the Baptist Burning and shining lights oh what a goodly light of knowledge and flame of zeale would be kindled in the hearts of the people How would multitudes come flowing in to borrow fire from their hearth and light their candles at their Lampes What a singular honour would this be to have it recorded as 't is here of John That from the days of such and such a Minister since the time of his arivall and continuance in such and such a Congregation with the parts adjacent there hath bin great contention much wrestling and violence for the Kingdome of heaven great trading and trafficking for remission of sinnes the Graces of the Spirit which before were scarce at all looked after How much better were this then to have it left upon record That since the entrance of such and such a Dumbe Minister or lazie Drone there hath been a great decay of Religion and piety a great famine of the Word with a Mighty Inundation of Popery Atheisme and all Prophannesse since the entrance of such Idoll Sheepheards and Priests of Baalam all vices have grown all vertues withered What a wofull account will such men have at the day of judgement when it shall be charged upon them as upon the Pharisees That they neither entred themselves into the Kingdome of God and that they hindred others that were desirous to enter molesting discouraging and doing what they could to cast them out with a rage that reached as high as heaven with such a violence as this they will finde that God was not nor ever will be well pleased I descend to that part of this Exhortation which concernes our honourable Senators If powerfull and plentifull preaching of the Gospell be the next way to bring down the Kingdome of heaven among us you see then Worthy Patriots what it is which the Lord and his people expect and call for at your hands The generall complaint is from every corner of the Land That the people have been for a long time almost quite without the true God and without a teaching Priest and without the Law as the Israelites were 2 Chron. 15 3. No Ministery no Worship no Ordinances or that which is little better then none and the generall request and desire is like to that motion of the man of Macedonia That you would send some over to helpe them If therefore the glory of Jesus Christ and the Salvation of his people bought with his own blood be deare and precious unto you as we know they are If ever you desire to have the honour of being the chiefest Instruments to plant a new heaven and a new earth in this Land Helpe every Congregation to faithfull Pastors and pure Ordinances you are as Joshuah and Zerubbabel the two Olive-branches or the two anointed ones which stand before the Lord of the whole earth Oh let the golden Oyle still stream out in abundance from you to feede the Lamps of the golden Candlestick Zach. 4.12 14. God hath made you nursing fathers and nursing mothers to his Church blessed be God we have found you such Go on still with your honour and make yet more full and liberall provisions for all the children of his family by this meanes Religion and the Church shall flourish more than ever and thousand thousands shall blesse God for you If you would straine your selves to do a work of the richest merit and grandest importance for the Churches of Christ I do not know any other that may be of superiour or but of equall consideration with this which among many things usefull is without all doubt That one thing mainely necessary Luke 10.42 The Kingdome of God cannot be held up without this The key of knowledge you know the custody of it in the Priests lips it is the key of heaven take away this and suppose the whole land were paved with gold and walled with rockes of Adamant suppose we were crowned like the fortunate Islands with the richest confluence of all worldly prosperity honour and happinesse what would all this availe whiles the heavens are shut up and fast locked against us Take away a right Ministery and what is the most flourishing Common-wealth but as a Paradise without the tree of life as the firmament without the Sun or as a goodly Palace richly furnished and hung about with stately ornaments but without any windowes to let in the light of heaven Among all the Religious and worthy Acts of Jehoshaphat this is recorded as one of the chiefe 2 Chron. 17.7 8 9. That he sent his Princes and with them the Levites to teach the People in the Cities of Judah and I neede not tell you for it s well knowne how prosperous and successefull that design prooved I doubt not but this practise of that incomparable Prince will be set up unto you as a pattern for imitation Blessed be God ye have begun well I shall neede to say nothing but as that Greek Commander said unto Teucer {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} go on and prosper Gather out of the Kingdome of our God {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} all things and persons that are offensive and that do Iniquity Mat. 13.41 Ye have displaced sundry unworthy and scandalous ones which like drones cumbred the hive and preyed upon the honey which should have served for the laborious Bees take the same course with the rest Remove the stumbling blockes prepare the way of the people lift up a standard that they may flocke to it as doves to their windowes this is the way to leave the Church a Pallace of Marble which you found as a cottage of brick I have insisted but too long upon this wherefore I passe it over and come to the next Those that would put in for a share in this Kingdome they must not be dull and sluggish but earnest and violent in pursuance of it There is indeed a violence nothing praise-worthy held out in Scripture which is either 1. In generall when men put forth themselves to the uttermost and draw out their strength in any sinfull way be it what it will As the Priests and people when Ahab-like they sold themselves over to Idols and the full bent and sway of their spirits was unto sin here was a violence such as it was Jer. 23.10 Their course was evill and their force not right Or 2. There is a violence taken in a more speciall
must be excommunicated for the Pontificall tribe had made a Canon That whosoever confessed Christ should be put out of the Synagogue John 9.22 34. If once we begin to advance in good earnest and set forward towards heaven it will not be long to be sure ere some furious storme of persecution be raised to drive us back againe if possible to the gates of hell In all these and sundry other respects there must be much fervency in our desires affectionate obstinacy in our resolutions and endeavours much wrestling and conflicting with God and our selves friends and enemies or else admission and entrance into the Kingdome of heaven is a thing to be despaired of I come now to inferences of use and practise and to omit others which offer themselves in variety I pitch upon three onely 1. For Instruction 2. For Reproofe 3. For Exhortation For Instruction in two Branches 1. This may informe us That Salvation is a prize not so easily won as it s commonly Imagined There is an opinion in the world Paulus Tarnovius calls it Novum Evangelium A new Gospell that if so be a man professe the true Religion and be Orthodox in his Judgement and not grosly notorious for any enormious crymes in his conversation if he come to Church and heare the Word and receive the Sacraments and have forme of Godlinesse though not the power and life of it why then such a man shall certainely be saved This new Gospell as that Reverend and worthy Divine calls it is an old Delusion and fallacy of Sathan which hath prevailed in the world from the beginning and in all ages jugled thousands out of their Salvation and wheresoever it is received and entertained it will be the destruction not of particular persons alone but of whole States and Kingdomes as it was of the old world and the Jewish Common-wealth and of Germany too now of late if the judgement of that learned man mistooke not its marke Oh this {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as Nazianzen speakes this new Gospell without charges this cheap Religion which would open us such an easie way with a few good words with a little wholsome breath to purchase the Kingdome of heaven we could rellish it well its marvellous pleasing and delightfull to our lazie and sluggish dispositions As Marcus Lepidus when he stretched himself and lay along on the grasse O utimam hoe essâ—t laborare Oh saith he that this were to labour and to get the Mastery so many of us when we stretch ourselves on our beds like them in Amos and live at ease in Sion denying nothing to our carnall affections and appetites which we have a minde to Oh say we that this were to be violent for the Kingdom of heaven for then we would list our Names and be as forward as who most but let us not be deceived The Kingdome of God consists not in Words but in power I Cor. 4.20 If Christianity were a soft and delicate profession were the way to heaven over green meddowes and floury plaines strewed with Roses and Violet and not beset with tryers and thornes with difficulties encumbrances and oppositions every Agrippa would then be not onely almost but altogether perswaded to be a Christian every prophane Esau would come in for a share none would sit out but heaven is not got with a wish nor Paradise with a song Remission of sinnes and the Graces of Regeneration they are not obtained with a sigh victory over all oppositions from earth and hell is not atchieved with a breath it s not dull and faint wishes cold and languishing velleities feeble and heardlesse endeavours that can hope to win the crowne of Glory there must be passionate longings and breakings of the heart with continuall desires after God the operation of Gods Word upon us must be as a burning fire shut up in our bones Jer. 20.9 Our zeale for God must eate us up Psal. 69.9 We must be valiant for the truth Jer. 9.3 Resist oppositions and temptations unto blood Heb. 12.4 Else were there as many heavens as there be dayes in the yeere we are never like to arrive in any of them 2. This may let us see what we are to judge of temper and moderation in matters of Religion In other things it is a vertue and worthy of much praise and it is not to be denyed That even in Religion too there are some things in which it may have place When there was too much heate in the Church of Rome about some matters of indifferency not much importing any way the Apostle to calme both parties and to compose them unto moderation and mutuall bearing with one another The Kingdome of God saith he is not meate and drinke but righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 All truth carries Gods stampe and is pretious but not alike there be some truths of such moment and consequence as that they cannot be over violently striven for but there be others of an inferiour alloy which need not be held much lesse pressed upon others with so hard a hand such are not a few speculative opinions and rituall practises in matters of externall Worship in contending about which if the excesses of zeale were corrected and allayed with a little cooling of moderation no doubt it would be much better then now it is with the Church of God It s a good rule to this purpose that of the famous Chauncellour of Paris Honey is good with the honey comb and so is the Savour of Devotion when it is seasoned with a discreete mixture of moderation But although it be true that in these punctilioes as it were in Religion moderation is a Jewell yet in the profession and practise of those maine fundamentalls of Faith and Worship with other superstructions neerly bordering and coasting thereupon it is far otherwise In these things its easie to be too moderate but impossible to be over violent If we seeme to be transported into an extasie so as the world judgeth us to be besides our selves it matters not much If we be besides our selves it is unto God 2 Cor. 5.13 Religion is a tender businesse and of great concernment the glory of God and our Salvation depends on it and as Calvin said of drawing too much water out of the well of life so may I of drawing out our Spirits in too much violence for the honour of God I do not know where any man is blamed in all the Scripture for such a fault If it were possile that in hearing the Word a man were all eare if in prayer he could be rapt up into an extasie in mourning for sin if he could melt out his soule at his eyes in all the other parts of worship and practises of piety could he be all devotion and pure pure zeale it would become him well and there should be no danger of excesse How is it possible that we should have
once and improving the miseries of the times by dilatory proceedings dead pay false musters betraying of advantages and letting opportunities of action slip with other stratagems and feates of pollicy very depths of Sathan profound as hell which I have not wit enough to reach If there be any such Judas's masked devills here let me informe them If their bosome intelligencer their Consciences I meane be asleepe perhaps it may arouse them a little that thunderbolt Esay 29.15 Wo unto them that dig deepe and seeke to hide their Counsell from the Lord and their workes are in the darke and they say who seeeth and who knoweth us and let them take that along with them too Esay 30.33 There is a Tophet prepared of old its deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a streame of brimstone kindles it and let me tell them yet further If this fiery gulfe be not for such I do not know whether it can challenge any guests 5. There be others zealous in Religion but not enough they have like the Laodiccan Angell and Church some heate which makes them luke-warme but they are not violent their dram of zeale is tempered with so many ounces of discretion that the operation of it can scarce be discerned they are Orthodox in opinion not much exorbitant in conversation owne the great cause of the Kingdom set their faces towards heaven are not against Reformation but then they must not be over-driven you must not put them out of their owne pace they like not a Jehu's March It s good to be zealous but not too much say any what they will doe what they can their affected moderation will never suffer them to exceede the middle temper of that wise Statesman in Tiberius his Court who to be sure would not strike a stroke against the streame nor engage himselfe so far in any cause as might tend to his prejudice how-ever the world went he would be sure to save one Such is the polititian and wordly wise-man he will move no stone though never so needfull to be removed if he suspect that there lyes a Scorpion under it or if he apprehend the least feare that any part of the wall will fall upon himselfe well fare yet the Roman Consul that incomparable patriot who in his private and retired condition when he was removed from the Helme of the Common-wealth imployed all his force and strength to keep off those waves from the great vessell of the State which had well-nigh drowned the cock-boat of his owne private Fortunes 6. There be others zealous and violent for a while but they hold not out to the end The Philosopher sayes No violent thing lasts long It s true in Divinity as well as in Nature If the violent motion proceede from some externall artificiall cause and not from a rooted stirring principle within when that which is the cause is removed the motion arising from it ceaseth If our violent stirrings and heates of zeale be not from the right fountaine of heate the heart tract of time and other occurrances will be calm them by degrees and wear them out the stony ground set forward and put on with great animosity at the first but when difficulties and unlooked for dangers when a storme of persecution arose then they plucked in the tender horne their zeale cooled their courage abated their resolutions fell like leaves in Autumne In the beginning of this Parliament when the Lord tolled us on with fresh mercies and allured us into the wildernesse as the Prophet speakes that there he might give us the valley of Achor for a doore of hope when every day we were pasti miraculis as Cyprian speakes feasted with miracles in ordinary the Lord setting himselfe on purpose to ingage us firmely in his worke by divers rare and astonishing providences that all bridges might be cut off and that we might never thinke to retire backe againe At that time many that were not sound at the heart-roote joyned with us and who more resolute then they but when the wheele of Providence seemed to turne and many sad clouds began to gather and threaten a storme now they tacked about and set their sailes backe they were willing to follow us out of Egypt when they had seene the wonders and miracles of God at our departure thence but when they came into the wildernesse and met with Scorpions and fiery Serpents and great afflictions then their hearts fainted and they fell on murmuring as the unbeleeving Jewes and that mixed multitude did Numb. 11.4 A man might as well never own the cause of God as afterwards desert it whatsoever a man hath done and suffered for Religion and there be many that have done and suffered much It s al lost and forgotten when once he begins to looke backe Ezek. 18.24 Judas and Demas and Hymaeneus and Alexander the Copper-smith with other such flinchers what were they the better for all their hopefull beginnings when afterwards they declined their zeale-being all spent their violence tyred and all their alacrity lost It s not good beginnings but perseverance in Religion that takes this glorious prize and wins the garland Be faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a Crown of life Revel. 2.10 7. I may not passe over another sort without a gentle touch such I meane as are unfeinedly cordiall in the cause of God and zealous for it yet do not a little hurt to themselves and others and the Cause it selfe too through their indescreete and unwary managing of it they desire nothing more then this That Christ might raigne and weild the Scepter of his Kingdom according to his own hearts content in all the parts of the Land they are active in endeavours for Reformation and this deserves just praise but they step out of their bounds sometimes exceede the limits of their speciall calling in which the Will of God is they should containe themselves How happy were it for us if all would keepe within their proper spheare and wherein so ever they are called therein to abide with God 1 Cor. 7.24 But there be some that do {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} overstretch themselves beyond their line and Compasse 2 Cor. 10.14 They reach and straine after a perfect Reformation of the Church and that is well but they run before the Parliament and do anticipate the worke taking it out of those able and faithfull hands unto which God hath committed it and that deserves just censure That have a great zeale of God Oh that it were a little more according to knowledge We have all entred into the bonds of a Religious Conant with God in which among other things we have vowed our utmost endeavours to reforme Religion Worship Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches and withall to draw the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest
uniformity and to labour the extirpation of heresies sects and schismes which how we can make good if every one take liberty to reare up a modell and platforme according to his owne principles without respect unto publique Authority I cannot see How can it be avoyded but there will be divisions in the worke when those that should carry it on act severall wayes without any regard to one another I wish such would consider that zeale in Religion though it be exceeding good and necessary yet it needes a sober guide much wisedome is requisite to prescribe when and where and how far and in what manner and order to proceede in carrying on a worke of so great consequence as a publique Church-Reformation is Zeale except it be ordered aright in conflicting with corruptions and abuses whether reall or pretended useth the razor sometimes with such eagernesse that Religion it selfe is thereby endangered and through hatred of tares the good corne in the field of God is pluckt up That which Isocrates said of strength is as true of zeale that if it be tempered with sound wisedome and a right Judgement it doth much good but without such a mixture it doth much mischiefe to our selves and others like Granadoes and other fire Workes which if they be not well looked to and discreetly ordered when they break do more hurt to those that cast them then to the enemy no man can be ignorant of the ill effects of an indiscreet and ill governed zeale which like unto a fire when it burnes out of compasse sets all the house and towne in a combustion It may perhaps justly be doubted whether a too slack moderation or an over-violent zeale be worse seeing the one does no good and the other does much hurt discretion without zeale is slow paced and zeale without discretion heady take therefore St. Bernards counsell let zeale spur on discretion and discretion reine zeale joyne them both together and the conjunction will be lovely I would not willingly drop one word to quench one sparke of any true Heaven-bred zeale my errand is as our Saviours was rather to kindle this fire Luke 12.49 which every Sacrifice must be salted with Marke 9.4 Let us all labour to blow up and to keepe alive this Sacred fire upon the Altar of our hearts that it may inflame our devotion towards God kindle our love towards men and burne out all our owne corruptions let it never coole with age nor abate with opposition nor be quenched with any floods of persecution whatsoever 1. As the Apostle said of patience so may I of zeale we have all neede of it especially Reformers 1. Because of the glory of God which we ought to have a tender resentment of more then of our owne lives or whatsoever is deare or precious unto us in this world Our Saviour resented the injuries and reproaches offered unto God as done unto himselfe Rom. 15.2 Because of the honour and happinesse of the Church which we ought to prefer before all our owne Interests Psal. 137.6 I have read of Ambrose that he was so zealous for the Church that he wished any storme might light upon himselfe rather then the State of it should be endangered Reverend Calvin would be content to saile over ten Seas for an uniforme draught of Religion amongst the Evangelicall Churches Moses and Paul were so transcendent in this kinde of zeale that they would have redeemed the Churches losses with their owne damnation 3 Because of the great difficulties and obstructions which we must make account to encounter with If you set your faces towards Sion the Jebusites hold it which you must remove with an Host of Idolls to boote even the blind and the lame the abhorring of Davids soule or else you shall never take the Fort 2 Sam. 5 6 7. If you will endeavour with Elias to put down the Priests of Baal Jezabel will send you a message of defiance threatning to make the Land too hot for us There are many Lyons that lye in our way it s onely a zealous violence that can Sampson-like get victory over them and honey out of them If we declare our for heaven all the faction and power of hell will be up in Armes against us Therefore we have neede of much violence 2. This will stand us in much stead 1. It will make us bold and daring it will put us upon the uttermost adventures Love and zeale will if neede be run upon the Cannons mouth dare through deaths gauntlet Cant. 8.7 Esther knew not whether she should prevaile yet she would venture though to the apparent hazarding of her Crowne and life Est 4.16 Zeale and love blush at the Name of difficulty 2. It will quicken you up to mighty endeavours a bow full bent will violently deliver the Arrow and carry it home to the marke with full strength a peece full charged will go off with great force A zealous Christian is like a ship saith Clemens carried on with full sayles towards heaven 3. It will make you constant and steady That 's no heaven-borne violence which tract of time or opposition weares out True zeal is like the Philosophers {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a sparkling firy stone no floods can quench it 4. It will make us prevalent and successefull in our endeavours if any thing in the world can Love is a pleasing Tyrant saith Chrysostome the power of it is above all power it raignes over all impediments in heaven and earth prevailing both with God and man as Jacob did This zeale then being so necessary and usefull labour we to get our hearts stored with it and see that it be of the right stampe sincere and upright ayming onely at the right end Gods glory and the Churches good Let there be no sonnes of Zebedee among us to project for themselves places of honour at the right hand or the left when Christ comes into his Kingdome away with all private designes preserve we our intentions single and sincere and we shall prosper the better 2. Let our zeale flame out upon all occasions let nothing smother the operation of it Aristotle writes of the bathes in the Pythecusian Islands that they are fiery hot yet send out no flame I cannot commend such a zeale which is smothered and pent up in the heart and gets no vent hath no externall operation a treasure concealed and an hidden vertue are both alike When that prophane King had burnt the Roll the Prophet wrote it over againe with an addition of many other like words Jer. 36.32 The more Gods Worship Ordinances Servants are opposed the more will true-hearted Zealots appeare for them to assist and vindicate them They write of a fish that hath a sword but no heart but I hope better things of you 3. Let your zeale be guided by the right Rule which is the Word of God In al your consultations and