Seven godly and fruitful sermons. The six first preached by Master John DodSeuen godlie and fruitfull sermons. The six first preached by Master Iohn Dod

Now because our hearts may easily deceive us in this matter of zeal, either by persuading us that we have it, when we are far from it; or that we altogether want it, when in some good measure we have attained unto it: therefore will it not be amiss to set down some rules, whereby we may try whether our zeal be ourrant or counterfeit.

Now because our hearts may easily deceiue vs in this matter of zeale, either by perswading vs that we haue it, when we are farre from it; or that we altogether want it, when in some good measure we haue attained vnto it: therefore will it not be amisse to set downe some rules, whereby we may trie whether our zeale be ourrant or counterfeit.

First, ¹therefore touching the matter about which this holy zeal is to be exercised, it must be good: §1according to the saying of the Apostle: It is good always to ⟨p. 86⟩be zealous in [a good matter:] ²and it was before showed, that Gods people must be zealous of [good works:] otherwise, if the matter be evil, the more earnest any is, the more sinful: neither is such earnestness worthy the name of zeal, being nothing else but a devilish and fleshly heat, or rather a kind of frenzy and madness. Such was the zeal of I dolaters that would mangle and cut themselves, and that would offer their children in the fire in honour unto their gods. Such was the zeal of the Scribes and Pharisees, ³who would compass sea and land to make one a Proselyte: that is, one of their own sect.

First, ¹