ent (as my text joynes
them) or else no repentance pleaseth God; nor are there fruits worthy
repentance. Almes and good deeds are sacrifices pleasing to God; but
without zeale, the widowes mites are no better then the rest; It is the
cheerefull loose, that doubleth the gift. Generally, as some mans marke
and name, furthereth the sale of his commodity; so zeale inhanceth all
the graces of God. It pittieth me for _Laodicea_ that lost so much cost;
had as many vertues, did as many duties as other Churches: but for want
of this, Christ could not sup with them. Furnish a table with the
principallest fare, and daintiest dishes that may be had; let them be
rosted & boyled to the halves, or stand on the table till they bee
lukewarme; what will the guests say? All that we can doe is but the
deede done, unlesse zeale conferre grace.

[Sidenote: 4. Baptismus Flaminis & Fluminis.]

Fourthly, zeale is the richest evidence of faith, and the cleerest
demonstration of the Spirit: The Baptisme of water, is but a cold proofe
of a mans Christendome; being common to all commers: but if any bee
baptized with fire, the same is sealed up to the day of Redemption. If
any shall say, friend, what doest thou professe a religion without it;
how can hee choose but bee strucke dumb? Can wee suppose worme-wood
without bitternesse, a man without reason? then may wee imagine a
religion, and a Christian, without spirit and zeale.

The Jesuite saith, I am zealous; the Separatist, I am zealous; their
plea is more probable, then the lukewarme worldlings, that serve God
without life. If the colour bee pale and wan, and the motion insensible,
the party is dead or in a swoune; if good and swift, wee make no
question. The zealous Christian is never to seeke for a proofe of his
salvation: what makes one Christian differ from another in grace, as
starrs doe in glory; but zeale? All beleevers have a like precious
faith: All true Christians have all graces in their seedes; but the
degrees of them are no way better discerned then by zeale: Men of place
distinguish themselves, by glistering pearles: A Christian of degrees
shines above other in zeale. Comparisons I know are odious to the world,
that faine would have all alike: but the righteous is better then his
neighbour: All Christians are the excellent of the earth, the Zelot
surmounteth them all, as _Saul_ the people by the head and shoulders;
hee is ever striving to excell and exceeds others and himselfe.