'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — May 20

The heavenly fire of zeal has ever been a stranger upon earth. Few have felt the heat of it, and few have known the nature of it. It puts vigour and agility in the soul. Zeal is to the soul as wings to the bird and wind to the sails. It is courage to the soldier and mettle to the horse. It has many counterfeits and strange fires, which are an abomination to God, odious to men, and dangerous to the Nadabs and Abihus that meddle with them. The true zealot is fervent in the Spirit, not in show; in reality, not in form; for God and not for himself. Zeal is guided by the Word, and not one's own fancy. It receives praise from God and not men. Such a man's worth cannot be set forth with the tongues of men and angels. Zeal leaps over all obstacles as fire passes from house to house. Before it all of God's enemies fall. Peter was like a man made of fire walking in stubble. Difficulties are but sharpening stones to strengthen it. The sluggard says 'There is a lion in the way', but a David will go out and meet it. Tell Nehemiah of Sanballat, and he will answer, 'Shall such a man as I flee?’ Tell Caleb there are giants in the land, and he will say, 'Let us go up at once!' Let Agabus bind Paul and tell him that bonds await him, but Paul says, 'I am not only ready for bonds, but for death.' Tell Luther of his enemies at Worms, and yet he will go though all the tiles of the houses were devils. Zeal will pass through fire and say to carnal counsellors and friendly enemies, 'Get behind me, Satan!’ It is as strong as death, and hot as the coals of a juniper. What honourable rewards God confers upon it! The devil and the world hate it. Where true zeal is, there will be opposition. Christ calls and urges us to it. Let your milk boil over. True zeal will not fade; it is perpetual. He that has an ear to hear, be zealous! (Rev. 3:19).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Samuel Ward, Sermons, pp. 71-84
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