The zealovs Christian taking heaven by holy violence in severall sermons, tending to direct men how to hear with zeal, [how] to pray with importunity / preached by ... Mr. Christopher Love ...

MATTHEW 11. 12.

And from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now, the Kingdom of heaven suffer∣eth violence, and the vio∣lent take it by force.

* 1.1THe doctrinall part being finish∣ed, I now come to application. And this doctrine may be usefull in five respects. 1 For reproof. 2 For comfort. 3 For instruction. 4 For caution. 5 To stirre up our lamentation.

[Use. 1] 1 This will reprove severall sorts of per∣sons. Out of this Quiver I may draw ten arrowes of reproof, that may pierce into the hearts of ten severall sorts of men.

[Reproof 1] 1 It reproves those who are violent in the wayes of sin, that put forth themselves

to the utmost, and draw out their strength in wayes of wickednesse: that like those in Jerem. 8. 6. that turn to their course, as the herse rusheth into the battel; as an horse that * 1.2 is so fierce in the war that he rusheth into it without fear of danger: So the Spirit of God setteth forth the wickednesse of mens hearts; by nature they rush into sin, not considering what they do, as the horse. See what Job saith concerning the horse, Job 39. 19. Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou cloathed his neck with thunder? 20. Caust thou make him afraid as a grasse-hopper, the glo∣ry of his nostrils is terrible. 21. He paweth in the valley, and rojoyceth in his strength, he go∣eth on to meet the armed men. 22. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the sword. Verse 25. He saith a∣mong the trumpets, Aha, Aha, and he smelleth the battel afar off, the thunder of the captains and shooting. Even in this manner do wicked men rush into wickednesse; no fear, nor wit can restrain them; no dangers, nor threat∣nings either from God or man can keep them in. Jerem. 2. 23. They are as a swift * 1.3 Dromedarie, traversing her wayes. Their course is evill, and their force is not right. Jeremy 23. 10. Their hearts are fully set in them to do evill, Eccles. 8. 11. They weary themselves to commit iniquity, Jeremy 9. 5. The people la∣bour * 1.4 in the fire, and weary themselves for very vanity, Habak. 2. 13. They sleep not except * 1.5

they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away, except they cause some to fall, Prov. 4. 16. * 1.6

2 This reproves those that instead of an holy violence are guilty of tumultuous violence, that by force and power disturbe humane societies, destroying laws and go∣vernment, that do as Antiochus did, Dan. 7. * 1.7 25. He spoke great words against the most high, and were out the Saints of the most high, and thought to change times and laws.

3 This reproves those that instead of an holy violence, are guilty of oppressing violence, which is the sin chiefly of rich men Mic. 6. 12. For the rich men thereof are full vio∣lence. * 1.8 It is they that grinde the faces of the poor. Mic. 2. 2. They covet fields, and take them by vi∣olence, * 1.9 & houses, & take them away, and so they oppresse a man and his house. Amos 3. 10. They * 1.10 know not to do right, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. Prov. 4. 17. They eat the * 1.11 bread of wickednes, & drink the wine of violence.

4 This reproves those who are eager & vio∣lent in their pursuits after the things of this life, but not so after spiritual things; we are all upon the spur, all upon the wing after the world, here is violence upon violence, labour upon labour for these things which we may have, and yet be never the better, and want them, and yet be never the worse. Covetous men are said to pant after the dust of the earth, Amos 2. 7. So eager are they in * 1.12 their pursuit after the world, as if they were

almost out of breath. Psal. 59. 6, 14. They return at evening, they make a noise like a dog, * 1.13 and go about the city. No creature is so sen∣sible of hunger as a dog. Covetous men are like dogs towards the world, as if they were made up all of desires, but towards the things of eternity we are as if we were all Stoicks, and had no passions in us. As hot * 1.14 as fire for earth, and as cold as any ice for heaven. Oh how many pant after the earth who have no breathing after heaven!

5 This reproves those who are violent opposers of the Gospel. As the former may be called a worldly violence, so this may be called a persecuting violence. Such was the violence of Paul before his conversion, Act. 26. 11. I punished them oft in every Sy∣nagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme, and * 1.15 being exceedingly mad against them, I persecu∣ted them even unto strange Cities. The Scribes and Pharisees are said to be filled with mad∣nesse, against Christ after the miracle was wrought in curing the man with the wither∣ed hand, Luke 6. 11. There are some that understand my Text of this persecuting vi∣olence. * 1.16 This is called a rage reaching up to heaven, 2 Chron. 28. 9.

6 This reproves such, who account an * 1.17 holy zeal and violence in the wayes of re∣ligion to be onely a furious frensie. Such were they, Act. 2. 13. that said, These men * 1.18 are filled with new wine, vvhen the Apostles

were zealous in the preaching of the Gos∣gel. Such were the friends of Christ, when he was zealous and servent in the doing of his Fathers will, and so intent upon it that he had no leasure to eat his meat, They went to lay hold of him, for they said, He is beside himself, Mark 3. 21. The like censure did Fest us passe on Paul, when he was zealous * 1.19 to win men to the Gospel; he said, Thou art beside thy selfe, much learning doth make thee mad, Act. 26. 24. Basil, when he was passionately eager against the Arrian here∣sie, * 1.20 it was interpreted a symptome of his dotage. If men will not be bafled out of their religion, reformation, &c. they are esteemed but furious zealots, men of violent spirits. Thus it fared with zealous Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 13. Whether we are beside our selves, it is to God, or whether we be sober, it is for your * 1.21 cause.

7 This reproves those who were once violent and zealous in religion, but now their zeal is abated. We have a proverb: Nothing that is violent is durable; if the violent motion proceeds from some exter∣nall * 1.22 artificiall cause, and not from a rooted stirring principle within Many that go in the wayes of God meerly from an exter∣nall principle, it may be credit or profit, though they may be seemingly violent for a time, yet their violence will not last, they will not be stedfast in the wayes of religion

and in a Christian course. Some who have flourished in the Spring have had a wither∣ing time, their fruit decayed as the leaves fall off in Autumn. It may be said of ma∣ny in regard of their souls, as it was said of David in regard of his body: When he was old and stricken in years, they covered him with cloaths, and he gat no heat, 1 King. 1. 1. Many, * 1.23 though they are plied with ordinances, can get no heat in them. Augustine observes it of many in his dayes, that would at their first conversion pray frequently & live ho∣lily, but after a while they would grow more remisse, and pray more coldly and slightly then they did before. There are few of whom after a long profession of re∣ligion it can be said, as was said of Moses, Deut. 34. 7. His eye was not dim, nor his natu∣rall force abated. Many are like Asa, their * 1.24 end is worse then their beginning.

8 This reproves those that content them∣selves with moderation in the matters of religion, that account a dram of zeal e∣nough for a talent of discretion, as Mr. Greenham said. Many men are of this opi∣nion, that religion is dangerous, and that an holy violence in religion is attended with troubles and dangers, and therefore it is best to be moderate in religion. There are many of these men in our dayes, other∣wise religion had never come to so low an ebbe as now it is. It was the saying of one,

that men may be religious, but then they must not be too zealous: they must not be too violent for the wayes of God, for then they are called men of hot & furious spirits; Men (it seemes) must not love religion too much. Amama quotes Tarnovius, who mentions a sort of men that brought in an opinion, which he cals a new Gospel, that if a man perform the externall duties of re∣ligion, if he go to the Church, hear the word, pray, &c. it was sufficient for salva∣tion. Of this temper Gallio was, Act. 18. 17. Gallio cared for none of those things. A * 1.25 little religion will serve the turn. Most of the Statists and Politicians of this world are of this temper, which God will one day account a Laodicean lukewarmnesse or timerous cowardize. Geographers, who write of the situation of England, say, that it is between the Torrid and the Frigid Zone, neither hot nor cold; I wish our hearts were not like our land.

9 This reproves those that expresse more violence outwardly then they have inward∣ly.

There are many men that wil hear Sermons on Lords dayes, & Lectures on week-dayes, speak well of religion, and of the wayes and people of God, but if you look to them in their families, and in their closets, you shall finde them of another temper. These men are like pepper, hot in the mouth, but

cold in the stomack. I may resemble such to a pot boiling over the fire, hot at the top, cold at the bottome. So some men are boiling hot in the mouth, but their hearts are cold and frozen. As it is with men sick of a feaver, the face and hands and other externall parts of the body burn, when the heart shakes and quivers with cold.

10 This reproves those who all their life remain dull and sluggish in religion, that like Carriers horses keep their ordinary pace, they will not go beyond their bating place, they are like Dromedaries, swift in the wayes of sin, but like the dull Asse, slow in the vvayes of God. The firstling of other beasts was to be offered to God, but not the firstling of an asse, Exod. 13. 13. And every firstling of an asse thou shalt redeem * 1.26 with a lamb, and if thou wilt not redeem it thou shalt break its neck; to note that of sluggish and dull hearts, the very best ser∣vices are not acceptable to God. The snail is reckoned among the unclean creatures, Levit. 11. 30. Those hearts that are of this * 1.27 dull constitution are impure and odious in the sight of God. And thus much shall serve by way of reproof.

2 This doctrine is usefull for comfort, * 1.28 and that 1. To Ministers. 2. To hearers.

1 To Ministers; and that for 3 reasons.

1 Though here is matter of trouble, * 1.29

yet no fear of guilt, if thou discharge thy duty faithfully, though not succes∣fully. Ezek. 3. 19. If thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickednesse, * 1.30 nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his ini∣quity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Act. * 1.31 20. 26. when Paul had used his utmost en∣deavours at Ephesus, he vindicates himselfe thus; I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. Act. 18. 6. when * 1.32 Paul preached to the Jews, and they would not obey the Gospel, He shook his raiment, & said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads, I am clean: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. Though a Minister doth all his dayes plow the rocks, and sowe the sands, and spend his strength in vain, yet this will bring no guilt upon a Ministers conscience: for though it be the Ministers duty to preach the Word, yet it is Gods work to convert the soul.

3 God rewards Ministers according to their labour, not successe, 2 Cor. 2. 15. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in * 1.33 them that are saved, and in them that perish.

The father payes the nurse, though the childe die. The Apothecaries bill must be paid, though the patient die: So God will reward Ministers, though successe be not answerable to their endeavours, Isa. 49. 4. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, and * 1.34 spent my strength for nought and in vain, yet

surely my judgement is with the Lord, and my work with my God; or the reward of my work.

3 The word may live in the hearers hearts when the Minister is dead, John 4. 36, 37. He that reapeth, receiveth wages, and * 1.35 gathereth fruit unto life eternall, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoyce to∣gether. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. As a wicked man doth hurt after his death, so a good man doth good, 2 King. 23. 15. Jeroboams * 1.36 wickednesse proved a snare to Israel in the dayes of Josiah, which was 360 years after his death. And Davids example did good on Josiah 400 years after, 2 King. 22. 2. Jo∣siah did that which was right in the sight of the * 1.37 Lord, and walked in all the wayes of David his father.

2 As here is comfort for Ministers, so * 1.38 also here is comfort to hearers, and that for 3 reasons:

1 God never expected all should attein the same measure of grace. Although, Luk. * 1.39 8. 8. the seed that fell in good ground is said to bear an hundred fold, yet, Matth 13. 23. the grounds differed, and some brought * 1.40 forth but sixty, some but thirty. Christ hath lambs in his fold as well as sheep, Babes in his house as well as strong men.

2 It may be what is wanting in a sudden and short violence, is made up in solidity.

Oakes grow not so fast as the Willow-trees, but they grow more solidly.

3 God will cherish the smallest begin∣nings of good in the hearts of his people, Cant. 7. 12. Let us go up early to the vineyards, let us see if the vine flourish, whether the ten∣der * 1.41 grape appear, the pomegranates bud forth, there will I give thee my loves. The Lord Jesus took notice not onely of the strong and grown grapes, but also of the tender grapes, not onely of the fruit, but of the buddings. The very buddings of grace are accepted. And how should this comfort weak Christians, and incourage them to increase with the increase of God, and to get more of this holy violence in heavenly things, Matth. 12. 20. A bruised reed he will not break and a smoaking flax he will not quench, till he send forth judgement into vi∣ctory. He speaks there of new converts holy desires, and gracious resolutions in a poor soul, though they do but smoak, and not burn, yet Jesus Christ will not quench them till he have brought forth judgement to victory, by which he meanes, till they come to be perfect men and women in Christ Jesus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sermons Preacht at Lawrence Jury, April 22, 1649. SERMON 11.
• * 1.2

  Jer. 8. 6.
• * 1.3

  Jer. 2. 23
• * 1.4

  Eccles. 8. 11.
• * 1.5

  Hab. 2. 13.
• * 1.6

  Prov. 4. 16.
• * 1.7

  Dan 7. 25.
• * 1.8

  Micah 6 12.
• * 1.9

  Micah 2 2.
• * 1.10

  Amos 3. 10.
• * 1.11

  Prov. 4. 17.
• * 1.12

  Amos 2. 7.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 59. 6, 14.
• * 1.14

  Ferventis∣simi in ter∣renis. s••••gi∣dissimi in coelestibus.
• * 1.15

  Acts 26. 11.
• * 1.16

  Luke 6. 11.
• * 1.17

  2 Chron. 28. 9.
• * 1.18

  Acts 2. 13.
• * 1.19

  Mark 3. 21.
• * 1.20

  Acts 26. 24.
• * 1.21

  2 Cor. 5. 13.
• * 1.22

  Nullum vi••lentum est perpe∣tuum.
• * 1.23

  1 Kings 1. 1.
• * 1.24

  Deut. 34. 7.
• * 1.25

  Acts 18. 17.
• * 1.26

  Exod. 13. 13.
• * 1.27

  Levit. 11 30.
• * 1.28

  Use 2. For Com∣for.
• * 1.29

  1 To Mi∣nisters for three Rea∣sons.
• * 1.30

  Ezek. 3. 19.
• * 1.31

  Acts 20. 26.
• * 1.32

  Acts 18. 6.
• * 1.33

  2 Cor. 2. 15.
• * 1.34

  Isa. 49. 2.
• * 1.35

  John 4. 36, 37.
• * 1.36

  2 Kings 23. 15.
• * 1.37

  2 Kings 22. 2.
• * 1.38

  Comfort to hearers for three reasons.
• * 1.39

  Luk. 8. 8
• * 1.40

  Mat. 13. 23.
• * 1.41

  Cant. 7. 12.