2. To be zealous is to be self-denying and resolute notwithstanding discouragements. Zeal is a mixed affection ; it consists partly of love and partly of indignation ; and so when I am zealous of a thing, I love that thing, and shake off and hate all that lets and hinders it. Zeal sets us a-work, and holds us to it notwithstanding discouragements. Zeal will not stick at a little labour and charge ; the more resistance, the more glory. God's children are glad that they may not serve God with that which cost them nothing ; as David professeth, 2 Sam. xxiv. 24, ' I will not offer a burnt-offering unto the Lord my God of that which did cost me nothing.' Certainly men are not zealous, and their hearts are not set upon the ways of God, when every slight excuse will serve the turn, and every little profit draws them away, and every petty business doth hinder them, and break off" communion with God, and every slender temptation doth interrupt and break off* all their purposes and resolutions to duty and obedience, be it prayer, charity, or acts of righteousness. We must be resolute, for Gal. iv. 18, ' It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.'
3. To be zealous of good works imports diligence and earnestness to advance piety to the highest pitch when we are not contented with any low degrees of obedience, but would fain carry out a godly conversation to the uttermost, to do it with all our heart. Is he zealous that is con- tented with a little charity, with a little worship only ? Sloth and idle- ness will not stand with zeal : Eom. xii. 11, ' Not slothful in business, fervent ia spirit, serving the Lord.' Thus it will be when we are
280 . SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14, [SeR. XXI J. .
seething hot in spirit, as the word tw Tvevfiari ^€ovre<; signifies. A large affection cannot be contented with mean thiugs and low degrees of holiness ; nor lay a dead child in the room of a living one. This the apostle calls ' being rich in good works,' 1 Tim. vi. 18. One or tTvvo acts will not serve the turn. Thus Dorcas is said to be ' full of good works,' Acts ix, 36. How full ? It is not an allusion to the fulness of a vessel that is full of water, or a chest full of clothes, but to the fulness of a tree laden with fruit : James iii. 17, ' Full of mercy and good works.'" Those that are planted into this noble vine, Jesus Christ, are full of good works.
4. To be zealous of good works is to be constant to the end. The fire on the altar never went out, but it was always maintained and kept in ; so we must never let the fire of zeal go out. Zeal is not like fire in straw. Alas ! sudden fervours are soon spent ; they are but free- will pangs, the birth of an unrenewed will ; but it is like fire in wood, that casts a lasting heat : Gal. iv. 18, ' It is good to be zealously affected always.' Not at first only for a fit or pang ; that doth not come from sanctification ; therefore you should keep up your fervour. Watch against all decays, especially in age. " The motions of youth are very vehement, for youth is full of eager spirits, and seems to be all on fire ; but many times these motions are not so sincere ; but the actions of age are more solid, thougli many times they want vigour and heat. There- fore strive to keep up your zeal : Gal. v. 7, ' Ye did run well, who did hinder 3'ou?' Carnal men, when their first heats are spent, give over ; they grow cold, careless, and indifferent in matters of religion. But shall all these heats and desires of reformation be in vain, and shall we give over at lengtli ? In worldly things we will not give over when we have been at great cost ; but shall all that is past in religion be in vain ? Gal. iii. 4, ' Have you suffered so many things in vain, if it be yet in vain ? ' His meaning is, It is not like to be in vam, it will but tend to your greater condemnation. An adulteress is punished more than an harlot. It is more dishonour and ingratitude to God to tire at length.
III. The respect and place of zeal in good works ; it is a note of God's people, and a fruit of Christ's death.
1. It is a note of God's people. Wnumquodqiie operatur secundum suam formam. There is in the new creature a propensity and inclina- tion to good works. As all creatures are created with an inclination to their proper operations, such a willing tendency is there in the new creature to those actions which are heavenly. As sparks fly upward and a stone moves downward, so the new creature is carried to obedience and holiness from a free principle within. The nature of everything is the principle of its motion. Faith will discover itself; therefore we read of ' God's fulfilHng the work of faith with power,' 2 Thes. i. 11. Hope is called lively, from the effect : 1 Peter i. 3, ' He hath begotten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from, the dead.' Love constraineth : 2 Cor. v. 14, ' The love of Christ constraineth us.' Good works are a note of the new creature : ' We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,' Eph. ii. 10. As an artificer sets a mark upon his workmanship that he might know it, so God sets a visible mark upon his servants ; he doth not make a new