in bondage by them, are as zealous for those superstitions, as for the most important doctrines of their religion. Happy- would it be if Protestant Churches also were not chargeable with the same evils: but truth compels us to acknowledge, that the fire which burns upon our Christian altars would soon languish, if it were not supplied with fuel by temporal honours and emoluments. It must be remembered, however, that the zeal which is founded in self-interest, is worthless, and even hateful in the sight of God.]
3. Infuriate —
[The people were " full of wrath," and acted more like maniacs than rational beings. " The whole city was filled with confusion ;" " some cried one thing, and some another ;" and " the greater part of the assembly knew not wherefore they were come together." In what a ferment must their minds be that they could continue for two hours that senseless cry, " Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" We read of the wor- shippers of Baal crying from the morning to the evening sacrifice, " O Baal, hear us!" and because he gave them no answer, " they cut themselves with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out." In such instances as these we see, in most striking colours, the nature and effects of superstition : it debases men almost to a level with the beasts, in the ferocity of their dispositions and the absurdity of their actions : so justly does the Apostle designate its votaries " as unreasonable and wicked men."~\
In perfect contrast with this is, II. The zeal which Christianity requires —
True religion must be accompanied with zeal; with a zeal proportioned, in some measure, to its supreme excellence. But Christian zeal must be,
1. Founded in knowledge —
[We should know wherein the superiority of our religion consists : we should be acquainted with its mysterious truths, and, above all, with that which constitutes its peculiar excel- lence— the mystery of redemption. We should see the wisdom and goodness, the love and mercy, yea, and every perfection, of
the Deity, as displayed in that stupendous mystery
We should see its suitableness to our wants, and its sufficiency
for our necessities It is from such views of it alone that
true zeal will spring ; or that we shall ever be led to " count all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of it."]
2. Regulated by love —
[True zeal should have respect only to the good of men, and the glory of God. It should be divested of all selfish