[Sidenote:  Acts. 7.]

A Christian indeed is never right, till he seeme to the world to be beside himselfe; Christs owne kindred were afrayd of him.  The Apostles are sayd to be full of new wine; besides, with these the world is madd:  they runn with Stephan like madd men; Nichodemus and such as he, never offends them.

[Sidenote:  2 Object.]

[Sidenote:  A makebate.]

[Sidenote:  Tenterden steeple.]

You know also what Ahab laid to the charge of Eliah; with the Apologie hee made for himselfe.  This is a stale imputation in ages. Haman accused Mordechay and the Jewes of it.  The Apostles are sayd to bee troubles of the whole earth.  In the Primitive Church all mutinies and contentions were layd to the Martyrs.  True it is, where zeale is, there is opposition, and so consequently troubles:  Christ sets this fire on earth, not as an author, but by accident:  The theefe is the authour of the fray, though the true man strike never so many blowes:  but the Ahabs of the world, trouble Israel; then, complaine of Eliah: The Papists will blow upp the State, then father it upon the Puritans.  It is not for any wise man, to beleeve the tythe of the tales and slanders, which flie abroad of the zealous:  Lewd men would fain strike at all goodnes through their sides.

[Sidenote:  3 Object.  Proud.]

You may remember also Eliabs uncharitable censure of David, I know the pride of thine heart.  So doe all worldlings measure others by their owne length; if they see any forwardnesse in the peaceablest spirit, they ascribe it either to vaine-glory, or covetousnesse; the onely springs that set their wheeles on going:  but of this the knower of the hearts must judge betweene us.

[Sidenote:  4 Object.  They keep no meane.]

When slaundering will not serve, then fall they to glavering, cunningly glancing at zeale, whiles they commend the golden meane wherein vertue consists.  But Christians, take heede none spoyle you through such Philosophy; or rather Sopistry:  for true Philosophy will tell you that the meane wherein vertue is placed, is the middle betwixt two kindes, and not degrees:  And it is but meane vertue that loves the meane in their sense.

[Sidenote:  5 Object.  Undiscreet.]

Oh say they, but some discretion would doe well; It is true, but take withall Calvins caveat to Melancthon:  That he affect not so the name of a moderate man, and listen to such Syrens songs, till he lose his zeale.

I have observed, that which the world miscalls discretion, to eat upp zeale, as that which they call policy, doth wisdome.  As Joab stabbed Abner under a colour of friendship:  Antichrist undermineth Christ, by pretending to be his Vicar.  The feare of overdoing makes most come too short; of the two extreamities, wee should most feare lukewarmnesse:  rather let your milke boyle over then be raw.