only we consider that there be some truth in the
thing, but that we especially take notice, if there be so much truth and
goodness as requires such a measure of vehemency and affection. Therefore
in lesser things we should have lesser commotion, and in greater things
greater, suitable to them. Otherwise the Pharisees who exercised their
zeal about trifles, and neglected the weightier matters of the law, (Matt.
xxiii. 23.) would not have been reproved by Christ. And indeed this is the
zeal to which we are redeemed by Christ. Tit. ii. 14. Be ye zealous of
good works, of works that are unquestionably good, such as piety, equity,
and sobriety. There is nothing more incongruous than to strain at a gnat
and swallow a camel, to spend the vital spirits upon things of small
concernment to our own or others' edification, and to have nothing to
spare for the weightier matters of true godliness. It is as if a man
should strike a feather or the air with all his might: He must needs wrest
his arms. Even so, to strike with the spiritual sword of our affections,
with such vehemency, at the lighter and emptier matters of religion,
cannot choose but to disjoint the spirit, and put it out of course, as
there is a falsehood in that zeal that is so vehement about a light
matter, though it have some good in it. For there is no suitable
proportion between the worth of the thing and the vehemency of the spirit.
Imagination acts in both. In the one it supposes a goodness, and it
follows it, and in the other, it imposes a necessity and a worth far
beyond that which really is, and so raises up the spirit to that height of
necessity and worth that hath no being but in a man's imagination. I think
there is no particular that the apostle doth so much caveat. For I find in
1 Tim. i. 4 he takes off such endless matters that minister questioning
rather than godly edifying, and gives us a better subject to employ our
zeal upon, ver 5, the great end and sum of all religion, love to God and
man, proceeding from a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned,
from which we must needs swerve, when we turn aside to such empty and vain
janglings, ver 6. For truly we have but narrow and limited spirits, and it
must needs follow, when we give them very much to one thing, that they
cannot attend another thing seriously, as Christ declares, (Matt. vi. 24.)
"no man can serve two masters," &c. And therefore there is much need of
Christian wisdom to single out an