Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…

Now whereas many have great courage to rebuke such as either cannot gainsay them,¹ or gainsaying them, cannot prevail against them, here cometh another property of zeal to be spoken of, and that is, that it feareth not the face of the mighty, neither is it dismayed at the looks of the proud and lofty, Such was the courage of Job, who besides that he made the young men ashamed of their liberty, & afraid of his gravity, made even the Princes also to stay their talk,² and to lay their hands on their mouths. And yet here we must beware of their hasty zeal, who will not stick to charge the children of God to be without zeal, if presently and abruptly they rush not into an open reprehension of men that are mighty in authority, as though no regard of time, place, or persons were to be had: which opinion many by weakness of judgement defending, find neither fruit in others, nor comfort in their own consciences, when they do admonish in that presumptuous manner: for that hunting after ferventness without the spirit of meekness, and casting off all consideration of a godly opportunity, they rather exasperate then humble the parties admonished: and they themselves rather depart with confusion and shame, for such posting on without warrant of wisdom, then with comfort of heart for any duty done, Neither am I here ignorant how great danger of trouble of mind cometh to many, in that they, being so curious observers and waiters of opportunity, do for some ease of the flesh, under the cloak of this wisdom, altogether leave off that godly duty. Wherefore, as we affirm that wisdom ⟨p. 95⟩and love mixed together do deeply enter into the most prefract & prodigious spirits; so we mislike their fearful delay of duty, who having a mean occasion offered them from the Lord, do not zealously and earnestly rebuke sin, though in some higher personages.

Now whereas many haue great courage to rebuke such as either cannot gainsay them,¹ or gainsaying them, cannot preuaile against them, heere commeth another property of zeale to be spoken of, and that is, that it feareth not the face of the mightie, neither is it dismaied at the lookes of the proud and loftie, Such was the courage of Iob, who besides that he made the young men ashamed of their liberty, & afraide of his grauity, made euen the Princes also to stay their talke,