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Of Zeal, as it confifts in Good Works. That our own fecurity demands a Zeal in these good works; fo likewife do the good of our neighbour, and the glory of God, which are much promoted by good works.

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ND now let not any one think,

let no

that I have taken pains to advance the illumination of a finner, to knock off his chains and fetters, to raise him as far as might be above the corruption of nature, and the defects and infirmities of life; to fcatter those lazy fogs and mifts which hung upon his fpirits, and to enrich him with heroic virtues; let man, I fay, fancy that I have laboured to do all this, that after all, my perfect man might fit down like an Epicurean God, and enjoy himself; might talk finely of folitary fhades and gardens, and spend a precious life, fitted for the nobleft defigns, in a fluggish retirement. No, no; as virtue is the perfection of human life, fo is action the perfection of virtue: and zeal is that principle of action, which I require in a faint of God. Accordingly, the fcriptures defcribe this great, this happy man, as full of the Holy Ghoft, fervent in fpirit, zealous of good works. Such a

one

one was Mofes, mighty in word and deed, as well as learned in all the knowledge of the Egyptians fuch an one was St. Stephen, as full of a divine ardour and irresistible fervency of fpirit, as of an irresistible wisdom; and fuch an one was the excellent Cornelius, a devout man, one that had transfused and derived the fear of God from his own bofom, throughout his family, and relations, and friends too; one that gave much alms, and prayed to God always. What need I multiply inftances? This is that which diftinguishes the perfect man from all others; the victories of faith, the labours of charity, the conftancy and patience of hope, and the ardors of devotion.

Need I here diftinguish a zeal of God, from the fierceness of faction, the cruelty of fuperftition, from the wakeful and indefatigable activity of avarice and ambition, from the unruly heats of pride and paffion, and from the implacable fury of revenge? It needs not; no foolish, no false, fantastick, earthly, or devilish principle can counterfeit a divine zeal. Tis a perfection that fhines with fuch a peculiar luftre, with fuch a heavenly majefty and sweetness, that nothing elfe can imitate it; 'tis always pursuing good, the honour of God, and the happiness of man: it contends earnestly for the faith once de

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delivered to the faints, but it contends as earnestly too, to root out wickedness, and implant the righteousness of the gospel in the world. It is not eager for the articles of a fect or party, and unconcerned for catholick ones. When it preffes for reformation, it begins at home, and fets a bright example of what it would recommend to others. 'Tis meek and gentle under its own affronts, but warm and bold against thofe which are offered to God. In a word, though love fill its fails, divine wisdom and prudence give it ballaft; and it has no heat, but what is tempered and refracted by charity and humility.

Need I, in the next place, fix or state the various degrees of zeal? Alas! it is not requifite; zeal being nothing else but an ardent thirst of promoting the divine glory by the best works. 'Tis plain, the more excellent the work, and the more it coft, the more perfect, the more exalted the zeal that performs it. When, like Mary, we quit the cumber and distraction of this world, and chufe religion for our portion, then do we love it in good earneft. When with the difciples we can fay, Lord, we have forfaken all and followed thee, or are ready to do fo; when we are continually bleffing and praifing God; when, if the neceffities of Chrift's church require it, we are ready to call nothing our

own ;

own; when we are prepared, if the will of God be fo, to refift even unto blood; when nothing is dear, nothing delightful to us, but God and holinefs; then have we reached the height of zeal. In a word, zeal is nothing else but the love of God made perfect in us. And if we would fee it drawn to the life, we muft contemplate it in the bleffed Jefus, who is the perfect pattern of heroic love. How boundless was his love, when the whole world, and how tranfcendent when a world of enemies, was the object of it! how indefatigable was his zeal! how wakeful! how meek! how humble! how firm and refolved! his labours and travels, his felf-denial, prayers and tears, his filence and patience, his agony and blood, and charitable prayers poured out with it for his perfecutors, inftruct us fully, what divine love, what divine zeal is. And now, even at this time, love reigns in bim as he reigns in heaven: love is still the predominant, the darling paffion of his foul. Worthy art thou, O Jefus! to receive honour, and glory, and dominion! worthy art thou to fit down with thy Father on his throne! worthy art thou to judge the world, because thou haft loved, because thou haft been zealous unto death, because thou haft overcome! fome there are, indeed, who have followed thy bright Ee 3 example,

example, tho' at a great diftance. First, martyrs and confeffors: next, those beloved and admired princes, who have governed their kingdoms in righteousnets; to whom the honour of God, and the good of the world, has been far dearer, than pleasure, than empire, than abfolute power, or that ominous blaze that is now called glory. And next follow, -Hold! this is the work of angels, they must marshal the field of glory in the end of all things. O my God, may I at least be one, to fill the train of this triumphant proceffion of that blessed day, when thou fhalt crown the zeal and patience of thy faints! Thus have I given a fhort account of zeal. I will now endeavour to kindle it in every breaft by some few confiderations; which will at once evince the neceffity, and declare the fruit of it,

1. Our own fecurity and happiness demand of us zeal fruitful in good works. 2. It is indifpenfable to the welfare and good of our neighbour.

3. It minifters most effectually to the glory of God.

1. Our own falvation and happiness depend upon it. For without this, we reject, or at leaft fruftrate the counfels of God, against

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