And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
Ver. 16. Come with me, and see my zeal.] It is good policy to join friendship with the religious: as his counsel was to agree to Gregories Austin, if he were humble. a But why should Jehu so desire that his zeal b should be noted and noticed? Hypocrisy is very ostentatious. Drones make more noise than bees, though they make neither honey nor wax. It is reported of Mr John Fox, that as he was going along London streets, a woman of his acquaintance met with him; and as they discoursed together, she pulled out a Bible, telling him that she was going to hear a sermon; whereupon he said to her, If you will be advised by me, go home again. But, said she, when shall I then go? To whom he answered, When you tell no one of it.
a Act. and Mon., p. 107. [Sic.(?) Gregory the First's letter to Austin, Act. and Mon., 131.]
b Sincere zeal desireth not to be seen of any save him who seeth in secret.