The disciples upon this occasion called to remembrance the words of David, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up: Psalms 69:9 which was verified in Christ as well as in David.

Where observe, 1. The grace described, zeal, which is the ardour of the affections, carrying forth. man to the utmost for God's glory, and his church's good. Zeal is not so much one affection, as the intense degree of all the affections.

Observe, 2. The object about which our Saviour's zeal was conversant, God's house, that is, all things relating to the worship of God, temple, tabernacle, ark, &c. which were the pledges of God's presence.

Observe, 3. The effect of this, it hath eaten me up, like fire that eats up and devours that whereon it lights. What was said of St. Peter, That he was. man made up all of fire; and of St. Paul in respect of his sufferings, that he was. spark of fire burning in the midst of the sea, may much more truly be said of Christ, when he was engaged in the work of church-reformation.

Learn, That as Christ was, so Christians ought to be, very zealous for the glory of God, the honour of his house, and the purity of his worship. The zeal of thine house, that is, for the honour of thine house, hath eaten me up, &c.

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Old Testament