Enquiry After Happiness

CHAPTER VII.

Of Zeal, as it consists in Good Works.

And now, let not anyone think that I have taken pains to advance the illumination of a sinner, to raise him as far as might be above the corruption of nature, and the defects and infirmities of life; to scatter those fogs and mists which hung upon his spirits, and to enrich him with heroic virtues. Let no man, I say, fancy that I have labored to do all this, that after all, my perfect man might sit down like an Epicurean God, and enjoy himself; might talk finely of solitary shades and gardens, fitted for the noblest designs, in a sluggish retirement. No, no, as virtue is the perfection of human life, so is action and perfection of virtue. And zeal is that principle of action, which I require in a saint of God. Accordingly, the scriptures describe this great, this happy man, as servant in spirit, zealous of good works. Such an one as Moses, mighty in word and deed, as well as learned in all the knowledge of the Egyptians: Such as one was St. Stephen, as full of a divine ardor, as of an irresistible wisdom. What need 1 multiply instances? This is that which distinguishes the perfect man from all of the others; the victories of faith, the laborers of charity, the constancy and patience of hope and the ardors of devotion.

Zeal is a perfection that shines with such a peculiar luster, with such an heavenly majesty and sweetness, that nothing else can imitate it, is always pursuing good, the honor of God and the happiness of man: It contends earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints; but it contends as earnestly too, to root out wickedness and implant righteousness in the world. It is not eager for the articles of a sea or party and unconcerned for Catholic ones. When it presses for restoration, it begins at home and lets a bright example of what it would recommend to others. It is meek and gentle under its own affronts, but warm and bold against those which are offered to God in a word. Though love fill its sails, divine wisdom and prudence give it ballast; and it has no heat, but what is tempered by charity and humility.

Need I fix the various degrees of zeal. Alas it is not requisite; zeal being nothing else but an ardent thirst of promoting the divine glory by the best works. It is plain, the more excellent the work, and the more it cost, the more perfect, the more exalted the zeal that performs it. When, like Mary, we quit the cumber and distraction of this world, and chose religion for our portion, then do we love it in good earnest. When, with the disciples, we can say, Lord, we have forsaken all and followed thee, or are ready to do so ; when we are continually blessing and praising God; when, if the necessities of Christ's Church require it, we are ready to call nothing our own; when we are prepared, if the will of God be so, to even unto blood; when nothing is dear, nothing delightful to us, but God and holiness; then have we reached the height of zeal. In a word, zeal is nothing else but the love of God made perfect in us. And if we would see it drawn to the life,we must contemplate it in the blessed Jesus the pattern of heroic love. How boundless was his love, when the whole world, and how transcendent when a world of enemies, was the object of it.

How indefatigable was his zeal! How wakeful! How meek! How humble! How firm and resolved. His labors and travels, his self-denial, prayers and tears, his silence and patience, his agony and blood and charitable prayers poured out with it for his persecutors, instruct us fully, what divine love, what divine zeal is. And now even at this time, love reigns in Him as He reigns in heaven: Love is still the predominant, the darling passion of his soul. Worthy art thou, Jesus, to receive honor, and glory, and dominion! Worthy art thou to sit down with thy father on his throne! Worthy art thou to judge the world, because thou hast loved, because thou hast been zealous unto death, because thou hast overcome. Some there are, indeed, who have followed thy bright example, though at a great distance. Firstly, Martyrs and confessors: Next, those beloved princes, who have governed their kingdoms in righteousness; to whom the honor of God, and the good of the world, has been far dearer, than pleasure, than empire, than absolute power. And next follow,____ Hold.! This is the work of angels, they must marshal the field of glory in the end of all things. O my God, may I at least be one to fill the train of the triumphant procession of that blessed day, when thou shalt crown the zeal and patience of thy saints!

Thus have I given a short account of zeal. I will now endeavor to kindle it in every breast by some few considerations, which will at once evince the necessity and declare the fruit of it.

1. Our own security and happiness demand a zeal fruitful in good works

2. It is indispensable to the good of our neighbor

3. It ministers most effectually to the glory of God

Our own salvation and happiness depend upon it. For without this, we frustrate the counsel of God against our own souls. It was for this Christ died that he might purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. This is the great end of our election. God hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephe i. 4. which is to be explained by Eph. ii. 10. where God is said to have before ordained that we should walk in good works. And the beginning of the verse minds us, that it is for this end God imparts the light of his word and the Vigor of his spirit and for this end he sanctifies and renews our nature. We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

What shall I say more? Our Lord in his narrative of the last judgment and elsewhere, and his apostles, in almost innumerable places, have with great power and great earnestness included this doctrine that we shall be judged according to our works. That immortality and glory are the portion, not of knowledge, but patience and charity not of an orthodox belief, but of righteousness and zeal for the incorruptible, the never fading crown is a crown of righteousness. Or if men will be judged by their faith which is not the language of the gospel, this does not alter the matter at all since faith itself will be judged by its works. Hereby we know, that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. Yea, a man may say, thou hath faith, and I have works: Show me thy faith without thy works, James ii.. Dost thou believe in God? Why art thou not holy as He is holy? Dost thou believe in Jesus? Why dost thou not deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Him? Why dost thou not walk as He walked? Dost thou believe a judgment to come? Why dost thou not work out thy salvation with fear and trembling? Why dost thou not prepare to meet thy God? Why art thou not rich in good works, that thou may lay up a good foundation against the time to come, and lay hold on eternal life?

Nor are good works less necessary to prove our love than Faith. Certainly, if we love God, we cannot but seek his glory; we cannot but be desirous to maintain communion with Him. And if so, do we know any sacrifice that is more acceptable to God than good works? Do we know any that He delights in more than zeal? Do we love the blessed Jesus? Are not good works the very tell of this love which Himself has appointed? If a man love me, he will keep my commandments, John xiv. 15. Ye are my friends, ye do whatsoever I command you, John xv. 14. The love of Christ, (faith the Apostle) constrains us, what to do? to live not to ourselves, but to him that died for us, and rose again, 2 Cor. v. 15. What other returns can we make to Jesus? What other way can we express our gratitude to Him? He sits on the right hand of God: All power is given Him in heaven and in earth: He does not Himself need our ministry, nor want our service and charity. But hear what he says, in as much as you did to one of these, you have done it to me, Matt. xxv. 40.

Our zeal is indispensably necessary to the welfare and happiness of others. Do we regard our neighbors eternal interest? It is zeal that represses and propagates righteousness. It is zeal that defends the faith and suppresses heresy and error. It is zeal that converts the unbeliever and builds up the believer. It is zeal that awakens the drowsy quickens the lukewarm, strengthens the weak and inflames the good. It is zeal that baffles all objections, refutes all calumnies, vanquishes all opposition against religion and oppresses its enemies with shame and confusion. It is in a word zeal and zeal alone that can make religion appear lovely and delightful and reconcile the world to it. For this alone can adorn the gospel it renders virtue more conspicuous more taking in example, than it can be in description.

Nor is Zeal less serviceable to the temporal, than eternal interest of mankind. When God laid the foundations of the world, He laid the foundation of the virtue too; and when He formed man, He wove the necessity of good works into his very nature. How indispensable is justice to poor creatures who lie so open to wrongs and injuries? How indispensable is generosity to these who are exposed to so many accidents, to many wants, to such a vicissitude of fortune? And being all subject to so many follies and infirmities, to so many mistakes and fancies. How strong must be our obligation to mutual patience and gentleness? In a word, sin and misery abound in the world and if there were not virtues and good works to balance the one and to relieve and support us under the other, life would be intolerable, so that revealed and natural religion necessary center in a zeal for good works and their ultimate end and utmost perfection in this life and the rule of our savior. whatsoever ye would that man should do to you do ye even so unto them, as an abstract not only of the law and the prophets, but of the code of nature too and this single principle if sincerely pursued will work us up to the noblest heights of zeal.

I might here, if it were necessary, easily shew that zeal has as happy an influence on the public as the private; but this must animate that justice and mercy that supports the throne that is, the soul of that honor, integrity, generosity and religion which support the states and kingdoms of the world; and without which all politick systems must needs tend to a dissolution.. But I have said enough; and from what I have said, the truth of my third consideration naturally appears.

Namely, that zeal ministers most effectually to the glory of God. For if zeal be in itself thus lovely, thus necessary; if the fruits of it be thus serviceable to the temporal and eternal interest of man. What a lovely, what an agreeable notion of God shall we form from this one consideration of Him. That He is the great author of it? That He is the origin and fountain of that light and heat of that strength and power of which it is of it compounded? He commands and exacts it. He excites and encourages to it, by the promise of an eternal crown. He has planted the seeds of it in our nature and he cherishes them by the blessed influences of his spirit. How gracious is the divine nature? How gracious is the divine government? When the Sublance of his laws is, that we should love as brethren, that we should clothe the naked, feed the hungry, deliver the captive, instruct the foolish, comfort the afflicted, forgive one another, if need be seven times a day and more? If to do all this be an argument of being regenerate, if this be a proof of his spirit ruling in us; his nature communicated to us, and his image stamped upon us, how amiable must God be, when we discern so much benefit, and so much beauty and so much loveliness in those qualities, which are but faint and imperfect resemblances of Him! In a word, the holiness of his children and servants is a demonstration of the Holiness of God Himself and in this consists the very Luster of divine glory. Holiness is the flower of all his attributes; the most perfect, because the most comprehensive of all his perfections. For holiness includes wisdom, power and goodness. As to goodness, the case is so plain that holiness and goodness are commonly used as terms equivalent. As to wisdom, it is evident, that no action is commendable and lovely, unless the principle, the motive of it be wise and rational; therefore wisdom cannot be separated from the notion of holiness. Lastly, as to power, this must needs be comprised in it too, for beneficence, which is one great branch of holiness must unavoidably imply power in the benefactor and impotence and want in the beneficiary.

This is the notion wherein holiness, when ascribed to God in scripture, is generally taken. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of thy glory; does express the greatness and majesty, as well as the rectitude and purity of the divine nature and to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts is, in the language of the scripture, not only to love Him for his goodness, but revere Him for his majesty and greatness.

Need I here add that the excellencies of the creature, their subservience to the great ends of their creation, is the glory of the creator just as the beauty, strength and convenience of the work is the honor of the architect? If the sun, moon and stars the irrational and inanimate parts of the creation shew forth the glory of God, how much more do spiritual and rational beings? And virtue is the perfection of reason and zeal of virtue for this is that which does directly and immediately advance those great ends that are dearest to God.