A Body of Practical Divinity

2. Did Christ take our flesh, was he made like to us, let us be made like to him in Zeal, John 2.16. The Zeal of thy House hath eaten me up. He was zealous when his Father was dishonoured. In this let us be like Christ, zealous for God's Truth and Glory, which are the two Orient Pearls of the Crown of Heaven. Zeal is as needful for a Christian, as Salt for the Sacrifice, or Fire on the Altar. Zeal without Prudence, is Rashness, Prudence without Zeal, is Cowardliness. Without Zeal our Duties are not acceptable to God. Zeal is like Rosin to the Bow-strings, without which the Lute makes no Music.

2. Did Christ take our flesh, was he made like to us, let us be made like to him in Zeal, Iohn 2.16. The Zeal of thy House hath eaten me up. He was zealous when his Father was dishonoured. In this let us be like Christ, zealous for God's Truth and Glory, which are the two Orient Pearls of the Crown of Heaven. Zeal is as needful for a Christian, as Salt for the Sacrifice, or Fire on the Altar. Zeal without Prudence, is Rashness, Prudence without Zeal, is Cowardliness. Without Zeal our Duties are not acceptable to God. Zeal is like Rosin to the Bow-strings, without which the Lute makes no Musick.

3. Be like Christ in the Contempt of the World. When Christ took our flesh, he came not in the pride of flesh; he did not descend immediately from Kings and Nobles, but was of mean Parentage. Christ was not ambitious of Titles of Honour. Christ did as much decline the worldly Dignity and Greatness, as others seek it. When they would have made him King, he refused it; he chose rather to ride upon the Fool of an Ass, then to be drawn in a Chariot; and to hang upon a wooden Cross, then to wear a golden Crown. Christ scorned the Pomp and Glory of the World: he waved Secular Affairs, Luke 12.13. Who made me a Judge? His Work was not to arbitrate Matters of Law; he came not into the World to be a Magistrate, but a Redeemer. Christ was like a Star in an higher Orb, he minded nothing but Heaven. Was Christ made like us, let us be made like him, in heavenliness and contempt of the World. Let not us be ambitious of the Honours and Preferments of the World; let us not purchase the World with the loss of a good Conscience. What wise Man would damn himself to grow Rich? or pull down his Soul to build up an Estate? Be like Christ in an holy contempt of the World.