But to go forward, pure zeal is not blinded with natural affection, but it discerneth1 and condemneth sin, though it be never so nearly resident in our kindred. Many offend against this rule, who never will rebuke sin in their friends, even until God revenge2 it from heaven, where they are far from true friendship: for whereas they might by admonishing them of their faults in time, prevent the judgements of God, they do through a false love and manifest hatred pull the judgements of God upon them, whom they love most dearly. He loveth most naturally, that hath learned to love spiritually; and he loveth most sincerely that cannot abide sin in the party loved, without some wholesome admonition. But do not many now adays zealously mislike sin in strangers, who will not mislike the self-same sin if it come to kindred, if it be in our wife, in our children, o• in our parents, as though the diversity of subjects could make the self-same thing sin in some, and not in other some. This blind zeal God hath punished, and doth punish in his children. Isaac did carnally love his son Esau, for meat and for a piece of venison. David was too much affected to Absalom for his beauty, and to Adoniah for his comely stature, so as his zeal was hindered in discerning sin aright in them. Now Jacob was not so deer to Isaac, and Solomon was more hardly set to school and to take pains. But behold God loving Jacob, and refusing Esau, howsoever Isaac loved Esau better than Jacob▪ made Esau most troublesome, and Jacob more comfortable unto him. Absalom and Adoniah brought up like cockneys, became corrosives to Davids heart, Solomon more restrained ⟨p. 258⟩of God, less set by of David, was his joy, his crown, his successor in his kingdom. This disease is so hereditary to many parents, loving their children in the flesh rather than3 the spirit, that the holy Ghost is fame to call upon them more vehemently, to teach, to instruct, and to correct, as knowing how easily nature would cool zeal in this kind of duty. Indeed many will set by their wives, children and kinsfolk, if they be thrifty, like to become good husbands, witty and politic: or if they be such as for their gifts can bring▪ some revenue to their stock, or afford some profit unto them, how deep sinners soever they be against God, that maketh no matter, it little grieveth them:
But to goe forward, pure zeale is not blinded with naturall affection, but it discerneth1 and condemneth sinne, though it be neuer so neerely resident in our kindred. Many offend against this rule, who neuer will rebuke sin in their friends, euen vntill God reuenge2 it from heauen, where they are farre from true friendship: for whereas they might by admonishing them of their faults in time, preuent the iudgements of God, they do through a false loue and manifest hatred pull the iudgements of God vpon them, whom they loue most deerely. He loueth most naturally, that hath learned to loue spiritually; and he loueth most sincerely that cannot abide sinne in the partie loued, without some holesome admonition. But doe not many now adaies zealously mislike sinne in strangers, who will not mislike the selfe-same sin if it come to kindred, if it be in our wife, in our children, o• in our parents, as though the diuersitie of subiects could make the selfe-same thing sinne in some, and not in other some. This blinde zeale God hath punished, and doth punish in his children. Isaac did carnally loue his sonne Esau, for meate and for a peece of venison. Dauid was too much affected to Absolom for his beautie, and to Adoniah for his comely stature, so as his zeale was hindred in discerning sinne aright in them. Now Iacob was not so deere to Isaac, and Salomon was more hardly set to schoole and to take paines. But behold God louing Iacob, and refusing Esau, howsoeuer Isaac loued Esau better than Iacob▪ made Easu most troublesome, and Iacob more comfortable vnto him. Absolom and Adoniah brought vp like cooknies, became corosiues to Dauids heart, Salomon more restrained ⟨p. 258⟩of God, le•le set by of Dauid, was his ioy, his crowne, his successour in his kingdome. This ••sease is so hereditarie to many parēts, louing their children in the flesh rather than3 the spirit, that the holy Ghost is fame to call vpon them more vehem••tly, to teach, to instruct, and to correct, as knowing how easily nature would coole zeale in this kinde of dutie. Indeed many will set by their wiues, children and kinsfolke, if they be thriftie, like to become good husbands, wittie and politike: or if they be such as for their gifts can bring▪ some reuenue to their stocke, or affoord some profit vnto thē, how deepe sinners soeuer they be against God, that maketh no matter, it little grieueth them:
- 14. Property.4. Propertie.
- 2True zeal not blind in reproving sin in •indred.True zeale not blinde in reprouing sinne in •indred.
- 3P•r•es •olly.
