Of Christian Zeal

"It is a spiritual heat wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Ghost, improving the good affections of love, joy, hope, &c., for the best service and furtherance of God's glory, with all the appurtenances thereof, his word, his house, his saints, and salvation of souls; using the contrary of hatred, anger, grief, &c., as so many mastiffs to fly upon the throat of God's enemies, the devil, his angels, sin, the world, with the lusts thereof. By the virtue whereof a zealot may run all through all his affections, and with David breathe zeal out of every pipe, after this manner for a taste.

Love. -- 'How do I love thy law, O Lord, more than the honey or the honeycomb, more than the thousands of gold?'

Hatred. -- 'Thine enemies I hate with a perfect hatred.'

Joy. -- 'Thy testimonies are my delight. I rejoice more in them than they that find great spoils, more than in my appointed food.'

Grief. -- 'Mine eyes gush out rivers of tears. O, that my head were a fountain of tears, because they destroy thy law!'

Hope. -- 'Mine eyes are dim with waiting: How do I long for thy salvation!'

Fear. -- 'Thy judgments are terrible, I tremble and quake,' &c.

"Look what pitch of affection natural man betows upon his dearest darling, what insatiable thirst the covetous worldling upon his Mammon, the ambitious upon his honour, the voluptuous upon his pleasure, the same the Christian striveth in equal, yea (if possible), far exceeding terms to convert and confer upon God and his worship."

~~ Samuel Ward, from the sermon entiltled A Coal from the Altar to Kindle the Holy Fire of Zeal, on Rev. III.19.