Neither doth God put them off, with names and empty favours, but upon these he bestowes his graces:  David dedicateth his Psalmes to him that excelled:  God in dispensing of favours, observeth the same rule, to him that overcommeth will I give, &c, To him that hath, shall bee given.  Husbandmen cast their seede uppon the fertilest ground, which returnes it with the greatest interest:  God gives most talents to those that improove them in the best banke. Joseph shall have a party coloured coat, of all kindes of graces and blessings:  And because he knowes this will purchase them hatred and envy, hee takes them into speciall tuition; if any will hurt his zealous witnesses, there goeth out a fire out of their mouthes, to devoure their enemies.  A man were better anger all the witches in the world then one of these.  If God bring any common judgements, he sets his seale and Thau on their fore-heads, & sprinkles their posts; snatcheth Lot out of the fire (who burneth in zeale, as Sodome in lust) as men doe their plate whiles they let the baser stuffe burne.  In fine, hee taketh Enoch and Eliah in triumphant Charriots up to heaven, and after their labours and toyles, setteth them in speciall Thrones, to rest in glory; The Apostles in their twelve, the rest in their order, according to their zeale.  And though hee may well reckon the best of these, unprofitable servants; yet such congruity (not of merits, but of favour) it pleaseth him to observe in crowning his graces, that the most zealous heere, are the most glorious there.

Who would not now wonder, how ever this royall vertue should have lost it grace with the world; how ever any should admit a low thought of it?  But what?  Shall all the indignity which hell can cast upon it, make it vile in our eyes? or rather, shall wee not reason from the opposition, as Tertullian did of Nero: That religion which Nero so persecutes, must needs be excellent.

[Sidenote:  1 Object.  Zeale is madd, and makes men mad.]

[Sidenote:  Acts 26. 24 1 Cor.]

If zeale were not some admirable good, the Divell and World would not so hate it; Yet lest silence should bee thought to baulke some unanswerable reasons, let us see how they labour to be madd with reason:  Let Festus bee the Speaker for the rest, for hee speakes what all the rest thinke; you know his madd objection, and Pauls sober answer in that place, and the like, 2 Cor. 5.13. whether hee bee madd or sober, it is for God and you.

This text bids us bee zealous and repent; the word signifies be wise againe, or returne to your wits.  The prodigall is sayd to come to himselfe, when he was first heat with this fire.  Wee may well answer the world as old men doe young:  You thinke us Christians to bee madd that follow heaven so eagerly; but we know you to bee madd, that run a-madding so after vanity.

[Sidenote:  Acts. 2.]