200 The Danger of Zeal, without Knowledge. Vol. I, ofall theProphets and Righteous menof all Ages ; fo St. john in the Revelation frays ofRome, that in her wasfound the blood ofProphets, andofSaints, and ofall that were fain upon the earth, ch. 18. 24. Which is no lefs true of Rome Chrian, than of Rome Pagan. In all the Churches and Religions in the World, and per- haps in Rome Pagan her felf, hath not fo much innocent Blood been fhed, as in Rome Chrian and Catholick, and that under a pretence of Religion : And no doubt there is a Day coming, when fhe {hall be called to a heavy Account for there things, when the Heavens (hall rejoyce over her, and theHoly Angels and Prophets, becaufe Godhath avenged them on her. SERVIOLA XXVIII. Preached Nov, Ç. 2682. The Danger of Zeal, without Knowledge. ROM. X. 2. I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God ; but not according to knowledge. Here is nothing more commonly cryed up, than Zeal in Religion; and yet there is nothing in which Men do more frequently and fatally mi- Rake and mifcarry, and in the Expreflions and Effe&s whereof Men ought to govern themfelves with more Care and Caution. To fpeak the truth, Zeal is as all other Pallions are, in its own Nature indifferent, and of it felf neither Good nor Bad ; but according to the Obje& and Degree of it : for Zeal is nothing elfe, but an earne/l Concernment for, or again(i fomething, and a violent Purfrait and Profecution of' it. For if it be applied to a right Obje&, fo as we be earneftly concerned for things that are unqueflionably Good, and againft things that are unqueftionably Evil; and in a due Degree; that is, if the Exprefion of it be Proportionable to the lets or greater Good or Evil of things; then it is a com- mendable Quality or Virtue : But if it be wrong placed, and webe earneftly con- cerned for that which is Evil, and againft that which is Good, or about things which are ofan indifferent, or doubtful Nature, as to the Good andEvil of them; or if we notorioufly exceed in the Degree of it, being more zealoufly concerned a- bout things, than they deferve, and zealoufly concerned about Idler things, to the prejudice of greater ; in any of thefe Cafes, it is fo far from being a Virtue, that it is a Vice, of a molt pernicious and mifchievous confequence, and many timespath as bad Effe&s, as can proceed from the worft Principle or Difpofitionof Mind. It is fometimes ufed in a good Senfe ; but it is, when it is applyed to the belt things, in which the Honour of God, and the Salvation of Men is concern'd, to the great and unqueftionable Duties of Religion. As Zeal for the Honour of God, and the Placeof his PublickWorfhip, in oppofition to Prof<anenefs, john 2. 17. The Zeal of thinehoufe bath eaten me rap. For an earneft defire of thole Gifts, whereby we are to Edifie the Church, r Cor. 12. 31. But covet earne(lly the bell gifts, fo we render the Words ; be zealous ofthe bell gifts, fo it is in the Greek. For a Forwardnefs and Readinefs to relieve the Necef sties of the Saints, 2 Cor. 9. 2, I know the forwardnefs of your minds, and your zeal bath provok'd very many. And to the fame purpofe is that Expreflion, Tit. 2. 14. Zealous ofgood works. And then for a Zeal for the Salvation of Mens Souls, 2 Cor. s r. 2. I am zealous ofyou with agodly zeal. But the word is muchmore frequently in Scripture ufed in a bad Senfe, for a malicious and furious Rage, againft the Profeffors of Chriftianity, Ads 5, 17, 58. Then
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=