Pierre Jurieu on good and bad zeal in religion

[Reformed Covenanter]

... It’s true, that true Zeal is always accompanied with Moderation, and false Zeal with Violence. So that in the Eyes of Flesh, the true faithful Ones do appear Luke-warm; and the Enemies of Truth do pass for true Zealots. When Human Passions do mingle themselves in those Sentiments of Hearts called Religion, there is no Excess that they are not capable of. In respect of other Objects, in the midst of their greatest Transports they do reproach themselves secretly, which stops their fury, and steal away some part of their Impetuousness; and chiefly when they are allayed, and consider in cold blood their Conduct past, they do often accuse their own selves. But contrarily here, Passions do solicit and animate themselves, they make Merit of their Violence, and believe that God and his Church are concerned in their Justification; because they imagine, that they have laboured for the Truth. This is one of the Reasons why often Men believe, that they see but little Zeal in the true Church, while there is so much Fire in the Conduct of Them, that endeavour her Ruin. ...

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Pierre Jurieu on good and bad zeal in religion

We should not imagine, that all that which is called Zeal for Religion, and a design to convert Heretics, should necessarily flow from a good Principle. On the contrary, God, for the Trial of the F…

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