1. And, first, if zeal, true Christian zeal, be nothing but the flame
of love, then hatred, in every kind and degree, then every sort of
bitterness toward them that oppose us, is so far from deserving the name
of zeal, that it is directly opposite to it. If zeal be only fervent
love, then it stands at the utmost distance from prejudice, jealousy,
evil surmising; seeing "love thinketh no evil." Then bigotry of every
sort, and, above all, the spirit of persecutor, are totally inconsistent
with it. Let not, therefore, any of these unholy tempers screen
themselves under that sacred name. As all these are the works of the
devil, let them appear in their own shape, and no longer under that
specious disguise deceive the unwary children of God.
2. Secondly. If lowliness be a property of zeal, then pride is
inconsistent with it. It is true, some degree of pride may remain after
the love of God is shed abroad in the heart; as this is one of the last
evils that is rooted out, when God creates all things new; but it cannot
reign, nor retain any considerable power, where fervent love is found.
Yea, were we to give way to it but a little, it would damp that holy
fervour, and, if we did not immediately fly back to Christ. would utterly
quench the Spirit.
3. Thirdly. If meekness be an inseparable property of zeal, what shall
we say of those who call their auger by that name? Why, that they mistake
the truth totally; that they, in the fullest sense, put darkness for
light, and light for darkness. We cannot be too watchful against this
delusion, because it spreads over the whole Christian world. Almost in
all places, zeal and anger pass for equivalent terms; and exceeding few
persons are convinced, that there is any difference between them. How
commonly do we hear it said, "See how zealous the man is!" Nay, he cannot
be zealous; that is impossible, for he is in a passion- and passion is as
inconsistent with zeal, as light with darkness, or heaven with hell!
It were well that this point were thoroughly understood. Let us
consider it a little farther. We frequently observe one that bears the
character of a religious man vehemently angry at his neighbour. Perhaps
he calls his brother Raca, or Thou fool: he brings a railing accusation
against him. You mildly admonish him of his warmth. He answers, "It is my
zeal!' No: it is your sin, and, unless you repent of it, will sink you
lower than the grave. There is much such zeal as this in the bottomless
pit. Thence all zeal of this kind comes; and thither it will go, and you
with it, unless you are saved from it before you go hence!
4. Fourthly. If patience, contentedness, and resignation are the
properties of zeal, then murmuring, fretfulness, discontent, impatience
are wholly inconsistent with it. And yet how ignorant are mankind of
this! How often do we see men fretting at the ungodly, or telling you
they are out of patience with such or such things, and terming all this
their zeal! O spare no pains to undeceive them! If it be possible, show
them what zeal is; and convince them that all murmuring, or fretting at
sin, is a species of sin, and has no resemblance of, or connexion with,
the true zeal of the Gospel.
5. Fifthly. If the object of zeal be that which is good, then fervour