Deaths Deliverance and Elijahs Fiery Chariot, Sermon 2

Deaths Deliverance and Elijahs Fiery Chariot · Sermon 2

p. 3ELIAHS FIERY CHARET OR, The holy mans Tryumph after DEATH.

2 Kings 2.11.12.

Behold there appeared a Charet of fire, and horſes of fire, and parted them both aſunder, and Eliah went up by a whirle-wind into Heaven.

And Eliſha ſaw it, and he cryed, my Father, my Father, the Charet of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof.

And hee ſaw him no more: and hee tooke hold of his own cloathes, and rent them in two pieces.

THE ſorrowes of Gods people are often like the waves of the Sea, one rowling upon the backe of another; like ſtones in a building, when one is fallen, another tumbles after: Wee multiply p. 2our tranſgreſſions, and God doth multiply our miſeries; we are ſometimes like men caſt into a deepe and dead ſlumber, and God muſt ſtrike not once but twice before we will awaken: our hearts are often very ſenſeleſſe, ſtony, ſtupid; and therefore as Moſes ſtroke the rockaaNum. 20.11.Num 20:11 twice, that waters might come forth, ſo doth God often ſtrike us, ſometimes in the feete, in our Inferiours; ſometimes in the ſides, in them that are moſt deare unto us; ſometimes in the armes, in them that be our chiefe Aſſiſtants; ſometimes in the head, in them that are our Governours ſometimes in the face, in the eye the tendereſt part, in our Paſtor: and all this the Lord doth to draw from us the teares of true repentance.

I have beene to you of this place of late a Meſſenger, likebb2 Sam. 182 Sam 18 Cuſhi to David, bringing nothing but ſad and ſorrowfull tydings of the fall of your friends and acquaintance; like the Meſſengers comming to Iob one after another, withccIob. 1.Job 1 tydings of taking away the ſheepe, oxen aſſes, the death and ſlaughter of his ſervants, ſonnes, and daughters. It was but on Tueſday laſt I brought you p. 3heavy tydings of the death of a pious and eminent Magiſtrate, and now am come again with the like ſad and dolefull meſſage, of the death and departure of your holy, faithfull, and painfull, Paſtor: Of whom whiles they lived, I may ſay as David did of Saul and Ionathan, dd2 Sam. 1.22.2 Sam 1:22from the blood of the ſlain, and the fat of the mighty, the bow of Ionathan turned not backe, and the ſword of Saul returned not empty: ſo theſe, The ſword of the one in the Magiſtracie, and the Bow of the other in the Miniſtery proſpered and prevailed mightily: of that ſweet communion which was betweene them, of the unparallel'd integrity of their converſations, agility, induſtry, un-weariedns in their callings, I may ſpeak againe in the lāguage of David touching Saul & Ionathan, 2 Sam. 1.23.2 Sam 1:23They were lovely & pleaſant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were ſwifter thē Eagles, they were ſtronger thē Lyons. And as to you who lately enjoyed the benefit, the comfort of their preſence, labours, abilities, I may ſay once againe with David there, Ver. 24. Yee daughters of Iſrael weepe over Saul, who clothed you p. 4in ſcarlet with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparell; how are the mighty fallen in the midſt of battel? So in this caſe; O Town, O People, O Congregation, weepe over theſe men, who lately ſought your welfare, ſtudyed your good, were inſtruments of your peace, of your honour, of your enrichment: whoſe endevours, whoſe deſires, whoſe labours were to adorne you with the choiſeſt ornaments, and to fill you with the ſweeteſt delights. O how are theſe mighty men fallen in the middeſt of this Battell! And touching him whoſe corps lyeth now before us, we may all ſay as David of Ionathan, Verſe 26. Wee are diſtreſſed for thee, O holy, and godly Paſtor, O zealous and and painfull Miniſter, very pleaſant haſt thou beene to us, thy love to us was wonderfull, paſſing the love of Women; O how is this mighty man fallen! and the weapons of his war periſhed! And as Eliſha in the Text upon the ſight of Eliahs tranſlation, ſo may we beholding the diſſolution of this our Eliah, cry out, my Father, my Father, the Charet of Iſrael, and the Horſemen thereof.

p. 5The words declare and ſet before us Eliahs tranſlation, aſcenſion into Heaven, ſignifying (in all probability) the Aſcenſion of our Saviour: for as Eliſha waited to ſee the tranſlation of Eliah, ſo the Diſciples waited, and beheld theffActs 1.10, 11.Acts 1:10Acts 1:11 Aſcenſion of Chriſt. It ſhadowed alſo our Reſurrection. Enoch was tranſlated before the Law, Eliah under the Law, Chriſt under the Goſpell; to ſhew that the Believers of alages, before the Law, under the Law, under the Goſpell, ſhall in the appointed time aſcend into heaven: and it likewiſe is a divine, evident and aſſured teſtimony, that all Gods holy people after the paſſage of this earthly pilgrimage, ſhall enjoy life everlaſting in the Kingdome of Heaven.

In the words ſome things require a little explication; By the Charets of fire, and Horſes of fire, is meant the Angels of God likened to Charets and Horſes. 1. For their ſtrength. 2. For their valour. 3. For their fighting for the Church of God, and againſt the enemies thereof. 4. For their readineſſe, ſpeed, and quickneſſe in the execution of Gods counſels. 5. For their p. 6order, ſubmiſſion, and ſubjection unto God, they are not like horſes in an open field running whither they liſt; but like horſes in a Charet, going when whither, and which way the Lord will have them. They are ſaid to bee Horſes of fire, & Charets of fire, to ſhew that they are zealous, fervent, earneſt, and full of life and power, as the burning fire, in the execution of their office. Thus by the Prophet Zacharie they are likened toggZach. 6.1, 2.Zech 6:1Zech 6:2 horſes and Charets comming out between the mountaines, to ſhew that they come forth with reſolution, courage, preparednes in a ſpeedy manner to execute Gods Will and Counſell, which is firme like the Mountaines: and by the Apoſtle they are ſtiled ahhHeb. 1.7.Heb 1:7 flaming fire, and by the Prophet Iſajah they are callediiIſa. 6.6.Isa 6:6 Seraphin, ab urendo; to ſhew their fervor in the way and worke wherein the Lord doth ſet them: and for this alſo they are reſembled to the wind, becauſe as the wind is a ſtrong and ſpeedy meſſenger, ſo are the Angels of the Lord: and herein we may clearely ſee, that the more ſtrong, couragious, ſpeedy, obedient and fervent p. 7we are in our callings, the more doe we reſemble the holy Angels.

The words thus explained, fall aſunder into two generall parts.

1. Eliahs Tranſlation. Behold there appeared a Charet of fire, and horſes, of fire, and parted them aſunder, and Eliah went up by a whirle wind into Heaven.

2. Eliſha's Lamentation. And Eliſha ſaw it, and he cryed: my Father, my Father, the Charets of Iſrael, and the Horſemen thereof: And he ſaw him no more: and hee tooke hold of his own cloths, and rent them in two pieces.

In the firſt of theſe, Eliahs Tranſlation, we may conſider;

1. Motus: he went up.

2. Terminus a quo, from whence hee went up, from the Earth.

3. Terminus ad quem, to what place he went, into Heaven.

4. Inſtrumenta motus, a Charet of fire, Horſes of fire, and a whirle winde.

In the ſecond; Eliſha's Lamentation. There is,

p. 81. Motivum: an Inducement to this lamentation: and this is threefold: the 1. externall, hee ſaw it; the 2. internall, his affection: my Father, my Father: the 3. mixt, or experimentall, drawne from the defence miniſtred to Iſrael by Eliah, whereof Eliſha was very ſenſible, and therefore called him, the Horſemen and Charet of Iſrael.

2. Here is Gradus, the degree of his griefe, nor a little, but much, hee cryed.

3. Incrementum doloris, the increaſe of his ſorrow, that hee ſhould ſee him no more.

4. Signum, the ſigne of his griefe and ſorrow, hee tooke hold of his owne Cloths, and rent them in two pieces.

Thus you ſee the words are like a Tree of many branches, each bearing his particular fruit, of ſome of which we will take a more ſlender, of others a fuller taſte: and firſt to begin with the firſt thing noted in Eliahs Tranſlation.

p. 9The terminus à quo, from whence he aſcended, from the earth: when Eliah, and Eliſha were walking together, the Charet of fire, and Horſes of fire parted them aſunder, and Eliah went up to heaven, he was carried up from the earth: thereby ſhewing,

That the earth is not the abiding place of Gods people; Doct. kkHeb. 13.14.Heb 13:14We have no continuing City here (ſaith the Apoſtle) but ſeeke one to come: 1. This is an enemies countrey, Satan is ſtiled the ll2 Cor. 4.4.2 Cor 4:4God of this world: here we aremmIohn 15.19.John 15:19 hated, and therefore as Jacob, when he beheld that Laban's countenance was not towards himnnGen. 31.2Gen 31:2 as before, that he had ten times changed his wages, tooke his wives, children, ca…, and returned to his owne Countrey; ſo we beholding how the world doth frowne upon us, how it doth exerciſe us with many changes, we ſhould willingly forſake it, and gladly go to our heavenly home. 2. Our Chriſt, our Jeſus isooLuk. 24.6Luke 24:6 riſen, aſcended, he is not here, and therefore as the Bee reſteth not till he returne to his Hive, as theppGen. 8.9.Gen 8:9 Dove found no reſting place till ſhe came againe unto the Arke, no p. 10more ſhould we till we returne to our God, and our Jeſus, and have the full fruition of their bleſſed preſence in the heavens. 3. Our portion is not in this life, the men of the world have theirqqPſ. 17.14.Ps 17:14 portion here, ourrr1 Pet. 1.4.1 Pet 1:4 Inheritance is reſerved for us in the heavens: O therefore let us not labour for the bread which doth ſſIoh. 6.27.John 6:27periſh; let us not lay up for our ſelves treaſure upon ttMat. 6.19 20.Matt 6:19earth, where the ruſt and the moath corrupt, and where theeves break thorough and ſteale, but let us lay up for our ſelves treaſure in heaven. For this is the terminus ad quem; the place whereunto we muſt move, as Eliah here did.

It is not long ſince Eliah ranneuu1 Kin. 18.45, 46.1 Kgs 18:451 Kgs 18:46 on foote, and Ahab rode in his Charet; but now Eliah he hath a Charet, a Charet of fire, and Horſes of fire, a bright, a glorious, and ſhining Charet, a company of bleſſed Angels to carry him into the holy and higheſt heavens. Let Ahab ride now, Eliah ſhall ride at the laſt. Gods people ſhall have their Charets one day as well as others. And here note:

Doct. That the future eſtate of Gods ſervants p. 11ſhall be very glorious, though for the preſent it be contemptible, and ignominious in externall appearance: the greateſt honour of Gods ſervants is reſerved till after their departure out of this earthly pilgrimage. Now indeed like Eliah, they walke on foote, but … laſt they ſhall be like Eliah in his fiery Charet; how they be like Ioſeph in priſon, then they ſhall be like Ioſeph ruling in the ſec… place in the Kingdome; for … they ſhall be next to God and Chriſt in the Kingdome of Heaven. … Salomon had ſeene of old,**Eccl. 10 7Eccl 10:7 ſervants upon horſes, and Princes walking as ſervants upon the earth: ſo now, men that are ſlaves to their owne luſts, bondmen to Satan; ſervants, yea drudges to the world, theſe are on horſe-backe, exalted, preferred, endowed with earthly riches, worldly honours, but they who are Kings and Prieſts to God, theſe walke like ſervants on foote, theſe are in a low and deſpiſed eſtate for the moſt part; but there is a day comming wherein the Lord will diſpell all the clouds of ignominy now covering them, and cauſe a glorious Sunne to p. 12ſhine upon them: they ſhall then have a very glorious dwelling,xx2 Cor. 5.12 Cor 5:1 a dwelling in the heavens, a dwelling made without hands, a City whoſeyyHeb. 11.10.Heb 11:10 builder and maker is God, a dwelling ſo rich, ſo beautifull, ſo ſumptuous, that in compariſon hereof, thezzDan. 4.30Dan 4:30 Palace whereof Nebuchadnezzar ſo boaſted, is but a baſe Cottage. Then they ſhall have aaaLuke 25.43. Paradiſe, in reſpect whereof the moſt delightfull places, the pleaſanteſt garden upon earth, are but a barren wilderneſſe: then they ſhall have treaſure, in reſp… whereof the choiſeſt jewels are … dung and droſſe, ſuch a tree to gather fruit from, as in regard thereof, the chiefe Vines are but brambles, and thornes, and briars, ſuch a well-ſpring to drinke of, as in compariſon thereof, the ſweeteſt Wine is but ſlimy water, as it is very fully expreſſed by ourbbRev. 22.1, 2.Rev 22:1Rev 22:2 Saviour, Rev. 22.1, 2. for then as Cyprian ſaith, Nihil deerit, nihil oberit, omne deſiderium eorum Chriſtus praeſens implebit, non ſeneſcent, non tabeſcent, non putreſcent ampliùs, perpetua ſan…, foelix aeteruitat beatitudinis illis ſufficientiam confirmabunt…e then nothing ſhall be wanting, p. 13there ſhall be nothing which ſhall hurt: the bleſſed face and preſence of Jeſus Chriſt ſhall fully ſatisfie all their deſires, &c. For

Then there ſhall be deliverance from all ſin, then there ſhal be gardens without Reaſons. 1 weeds, trees without either ſuperfluous branch, or withered leafe, then there ſhall be garmentsccEph. 5.26Eph 5:26 without either ſpot or wrinkle, asdd2 Sam. 14 25.2 Sam 14:25 Abſolon was ſaid to be without bodily blemiſh, from the crowne of the head to the ſole of his feete; ſo ſhall Gods people at laſt be without all blemiſh both in their ſoules, and alſo in their bodies; now they are as the Moone bright and glorious, yet as the Moone, ſo they have their ſpots, and are ſubject to ſpirituall waxings, and wanings, but at laſt they ſhall be as the Sun, wholly, unchangeably pure, glorious, in an eſtate more excellent then the eſtate of Adam in his innocency: in him there was a poſſe cadere, a poſſibility to fall, but Gods people ſhall be confirmed as the Angels of God, ſo that they ſhall be free from a poſſibility to be drawne to ſinne.

p. 14Then there ſhall be a diſcharge from all weakneſſes, maladies, diſtempers, diſorders of nature, evils and inconveniences whatſoever; then there ſhall be a ceſſation from alleeRev. 21.4.Rev 21:4 labour, a removall of all ſorrowes, theffRev. 21.4.Rev 21:4 firſt things ſhall paſſe away, the miſeries, troubles, and changes attending this life ſhall be gone, like a Land floud that paſſeth by, like a cloud driven away by the wind, they ſhall be waſted away in death, done away in the grave, as thegg2 King. 5.14.2 Kgs 5:14 Leproſie of Naaman in Iordan: they ſhall have an abſolute and bleſſed freedome from all evils both inward and outward, of the body and of the ſoule, for theyhhRev. 7.16 17.Rev 7:16 ſhall hunger no more, neither ſhall thirſt any more, neither ſhall the Sunne light on them nor any heat, for the Lambe which is in the midſt of the throne ſhall feed them, and ſhall leade them unto living fountaines of water, and God ſhall wipe away all teares from their eyes.

Reaſons. 3 Then they ſhall have victory over all enemies, then all adverſarie powers ſhall vaniſh like ſmoake before the Sunne, and flie like theii1 Sam. 171 Sam 17 Philiſtin before Iſrael: now as Iſrael had thekkIude 2.2. Canaanites, p. 15ſo have we them that be thornes in our ſides, and prickes in our eyes, now we arell2 Cor. 12 7.2 Cor 12:7 buffeted by Satan, now we are troubled with the pricke in the fleſh: but thenmmRom. 16 20.Rom 16:20 Satan ſhall be troden under our feete, then our enemies ſhall be made ournnMath. 22 44.Matt 22:44 foot-ſtoole, then we ſhall have a perpetuall tryumph, we ſhall not feare an enemy, nor looſe a friend.

Then they ſhall have the fruition of Reaſons. 4 all good, a glorious dwelling, a City of pure gold, the foundation of the walles garniſhed with precious ſtones; and the gates thereof of pearles, as our Saviour at large deſcribeth it,ooRevel. 21 17, 18, 19.Rev 21:17Rev 21:18Rev 21:19 Revel. 21. to ſhew that nothing is ſo precious, ſo bright, ſo glorious, ſo rich, ſo deare to us, as can ſufficiently ſet out the tranſcendent and unconceiveable excellency of that heavenly City: then alſo ſhall we have the ſweete communion of the Saints; were the dwelling never ſo glorious, ſhould a man be conſtrained to dwell alone, it would prove a great abatement of his contentment, delight, and comfort: therefore for the filling up of the joy of his p. 16ſervants, God hath provided for them not onelyonly glorious manſions, but alſo the comfortable communion of his Saints and Angels: they ſhall ppMat 8.11 Heb. 12.22 23.Matt 8:11Heb 12:22ſit downe with Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob, they ſhall come to an innumerable company of Angels, to the generall Aſſembly, and Church of the firſt borne, &c. And which is moſt of all, more then all the reſt, they ſhall have the bleſſed viſion of God: a glorious houſe, the company of the children, there is little; without the preſence of the Maſter of the houſe, the Father of the Family: ſo heaven, ſo the communion of the Saints, were little; ſhould we not alſo behold the face of God; for as the fruition of the husbands preſence, the ſence of the husbands love doth more ſolace, ſatisfie, rejoyce, and delight the wife, then the ſtatelineſſe of the dwelling, the preſence of all her companions: ſo the fruition of Gods face and favour, the Lord filling the ſoule with his celeſtiall brightneſſe and glory, we ſeeing him face to face, and he becomming all in all unto us, this is much more then all the reſt; and herein ſtandeth p. 17the perfection, the conſummatition of our happineſſe, therefore our Saviour ſaith,qqRev. 22, 3, 4.Rev 22:3Rev 22:4 there ſhall bee no more curſe, but the Throne of God, and of the Lambe ſhall bee in it, and his ſervants ſhall ſerve him, and they ſhall ſee his face.

But if the future eſtate of Gods ſervants be ſo honourable, Queſt. ſo full of all ſatisfaction, ſo glorious; why are they ſo willing to continue upon the face of the Earth? Will any man deſire to continue in a wilderneſſe, when hee may live in a glorious Paradiſe? to abide in an enemies Country, when he may enjoy all fulneſſe in his fathers houſe? to live in a priſon, when he may partake of the ſweeteſt freedome?

The people of God deſire long life; Reſp. 1. Sometimes for the making of theirrrPſal. 39.13.Ps 39:13 peace with God more fully before they finiſh this earthly pilgrimage. 2. Sometimes they may alſo glorifie God with their bodies, which by death areſſPſal. 6.4, 5.Ps 6:4Ps 6:5 diſabled to doe God any ſervice. 3. Sometimes that they may among menttPſal. 30.10. Pſal. 84.10 11, 12.Ps 30:10Ps 84:10 celebrate and praiſe God for his bleſſings and favours beſtowed upon p. 18them, that they may be an encouragement to Gods people, anornament to Gods truth, a terror to the adverſaries of it here upon earth. 4. Sometimes that they may perfect ſome good Worke which they have begun, do good to others in their places and callings: thusuuPhil. 1.23.Phil 1:23 Paul, though he knew it was better for him to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, yet he was willing to live longer, becauſe it was good for them that hee ſhould continue with them: ſo that though the people of God ſometimes for ſuch cauſes doe deſire continuance here, yet it no way denieth this truth, that their future eſtate in the Heavens is very glorious. And if ſo be, their future eſtate be ſo glorious, ſo pleaſant, ſo comfortable, as we have clearely ſeene it is, Then firſt,

Ʋſe 1 This muſt teach the people of God patience under their preſent burthens, troubles, tryals, miſeries; the joy is behind the glory, the Crowne is 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.2 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8layd up for hereafter; here like Iſrael we have but a little taſte, a fewxxNum. 13.13.Num 13:13 Grapes in the way, the full Vintage is reſerved till at laſt; here we are like Sampſon, the p. 19Honey we have is in theyyJudg. 14.14.Judg 14:14 belly of a Lyon, but hereafter we ſhall have ſweet without ſowre, light without darkeneſſe, rivers of joy without a tempeſt: therefore as the ſervant patiently endureth the heate of the day, in expectation of his wages in the evening; the Souldier the dangerous and deadly wounds of the battell, in expectation of a Crowne; the husband-man the heate of the Summer, the cold of the Winter, comforting himſelfe with the comming of a full and liberall harveſt: let us doe the like in this caſe, here is a wages, a crowne, a harveſt, which will abundantly anſwer all loſſes, labours, hardneſſe, reproaches, and whatſoever doth for the preſent annoy us. As our Saviour ſaid in another caſe, a zzJohn 16.21.John 16:21Woman when ſhee is in travell hath ſorrow, becauſe her houre is come, but as ſoone as ſhe is delivered of the child, ſhee remembreth no more the anguiſh, for joy that a man is borne into the World: ſo in this caſe the people of God are now often in great anguiſh, like a woman in travell but when this life is ended, when our regeneration and new birth ſhall p. 20be fully accompliſhed, we ſhall meete with that which will ſwallow up all our former griefe and trouble, and make it as if it had never beene: and as Salomons mother ſaid in that caſe,aaPro. 31.6 7.Prov 31:6 Prov. 31. give ſtrong drinke to him that is ready to periſh, and wine to thoſe that bee of a heavy heart; let him drinke and forget his poverty, & remember his miſery no more: ſo here is a cup of conſolations, here is ſweet wine, here is a more pure river, whereof when wee once come to drinke our full draught, we ſhall forget our poverty, we ſhall remember our miſery no more: therefore let us according to the charge of the Pſalmiſt, bbPſ. 37.5, 6.Ps 37:5Ps 37:6commit our way to God, truſt in him, and the Lord ſhall bring it to paſſe, hee ſhall bring forth our righteouſneſſe as the light, and our judgement as the noone day: and in all our troubles, tryals, and againſt all adverſary powers, let us ſay as the Prophet Micah ccMica. 7.8 9.doth, rejoyce not againſt mee, O mine enemy, when I fall, I ſhall riſe; when I ſit in darkeneſſe, the Lord ſhall bee a light unto mee: I will beare the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him, p. 21untill he plead my cauſe, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I ſhall behold his righteouſneſſe. And reckon alſo with theddRom. 8.18.Rom 8:18 Apoſtle, that the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which ſhall be revealed in us: & evermore to remember that of S. Paul to the Corinthians, that ee2 Cor. 4.17, 18.2 Cor 4:172 Cor 4:18our light afflictions which are but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding & eternall waight of glory: while we look not at the things which are, but at the things w^ch are not ſeene, for the things which are ſeen are temporall, but the things w^ch are not ſeene are eternall: thinke I beſeech you of theſe things and let patience have herffJam. 1.4.Jas 1:4 perfect work in all tryals, troubles, changes, where with the Lord ſhall be pleaſed to exerciſe you.

This muſt teach the children of Ʋſe 2 God conſtancy in the way and worke of God: there is a bleſſed Price at the end of this race, there is joy, peace, glory, fulnes, unutterable,ggIſa 64.4.Isa 64:4 inconceiveable: O therefore bee not like Gideons many thouſands whichhhJudg. 7.5, 6, 7.Judg 7:5Judg 7:6Judg 7:7 fainted, which bowed downe upon their knees, and drunke of the waters, and ſo were diſcarded p. 22as unfit for the battell: be not afraid of any loſſe, of any trouble, of any inconvenience, having given your names to God; O bow not downe againe to the World, be no more as ſervants to your luſts, or drudges to the earth: I beſeech you ſay not with the ſluggard,iiProv. 26.13.Prov 26:13 there is a Lyon in the way, a Lyon in the ſtreete, feare not the Lyon of oppoſition, of reproach, of earthly loſſe, or tranſitory trouble, but goe on in the way of God, be faithfull in the Covenant of the Lord, be couragious in the ſervice of our God: and then as the ſpirit of the Lord camekkJudg. 14.5, 6, 8.Judg 14:5Judg 14:6Judg 14:8 mightily upon Sampſon, ſo mightily, that he rent the Lyon in pieces which roared againſt him, and found at length a Honey combe in the belly of him: ſo ſhall the Lord inable you to vanquiſh all oppoſitions, and draw very ſweete comforts from your preſent diſquietments. Let not the proverbe take hold of you,ll2 Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22 the Dog is returned againe to his vomit, and the Sow to her wallowing in the mire; be not likemm1 Tim. 1.19.20.1 Tim 1:191 Tim 1:20 Hymeneus and Philetus; like unskilfull and cowardly marriners, that flie back or make ſhipwracke with every p. 23tempeſt: doe not withnn2 Tim. 4.10.2 Tim 4:10 Demas forſake Paul, leave the Miniſtery, become a ſtranger to the word, and forſake God, and goe back againe to this preſent World: be not like the diſciples, which followed Chriſt for theooJohn 6.66.John 6:66 loaves, but afterwards went backe, and came no more to him: but like Gideons 300. Souldiers, goe yee on without fainting, without bowing down to the World: reſolve in this, as Heſter did in that caſe,ppHeſter 4.16.Esth 4:16 Heſter 4. If I periſh, I periſh, whatſoever you looſe, whatſoever you endure, here is an ample recompence: be you faithfull, be you upright, be yee conſtant as Eliah was, and you ſhall at laſt have a fiery Charet as Eliah had. Walke with God without wavering, asqqGen. 6.9.Gen 6:9 Noah did, as he ceaſed not frō building the Arke, whatſoever diſcouragement was miniſtred, no more doe you ceaſe to ad grace to grace, as the builders doe ſtone to ſtone, till you attaine perfection: and then as Noah had his Arke, was preſerved in it when others periſhed, ſo ſhall you have ſafety, peace, joy, comfort, and everlaſting tryumph, when others ſhall periſh in the deluge p. 24of Gods judgements. Be conſtant asrr1 Sam. 17 33.34.1 Sam 17:331 Sam 17:34 David was, and then as he overcame the Beare, the Lyon, the great Goliah, and enjoyed the Crowne at length, ſo ſhall we the Crowne of glory at the laſt, if weſſRev. 2.10Rev 2:10 be faithfull unto the death: therefore with Moſes ſeeing him that isttHeb. 11.26, 27.Heb 11:26Heb 11:27 inviſible, and having an eye to the recompence, let us chuſe rather to endure affliction with the children of God, then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon: and knowing that we have anuuHeb. 10.34.Heb 10:34 abiding ſubſtance in Heaven, let us with the primitive Chriſtians take the ſpoyling of our goods joyfully. This is the property of true grace, this is peculiar to the man that is truely pious,wwProv. 4.18.Prov 4:18 to ſhine more and more like the light unto the perfect day: the Trees of Gods planting be known from all other trees, by bearing xxPſ. 92.13.Ps 92:13much fruit in their old age: this is that which hath the promiſe, who ſhall reape but hee that yyGal. 6.9.Gal 6:9fainteth not? And who ſhall bee ſaved, but he thatzz1 Mat. 13.13.Matt 13:13 continueth to the end? That corne alone which holdeth out unto the harveſt, is gathered into the garner.

Ʋſe 3 Is the future eſtate of Gods ſervants p. 25ſo pleaſant, ſo eminent, ſo tranſcendently glorious? Then this muſt cauſe the children of God to entertaine death with all cheerefulneſſe; how terrible ſo ever in it ſelfe, though it be as the Philoſopher ſaith, foreign, of all fearefuls the moſt fearefull; or as Iob ſtiles it, theſſJob. 18.14Job 18:14 King of terror: though looked upon in it ſelfe, it be to the people of God, as once the face of Eſau, a terror to Iacob, yet looking upon the glory, dignity, and fulneſſe of all bliſſe which doth attend it, it ſhould be to the people of God, as the face of Eſau was at laſt to Iacob, even as thettGen. 33.10, 11.Gen 33:10Gen 33:11 face of God: in the thought of this we ſhould rejoyce, as the hireling in his thoughts of the Evening; as the traveller in the thoughts of his bed: as the warriour in the thought of the day of his triumph. For I may ſay to you of death, as Hugh Laverock ſaid to his fellow Martyr Iohn a Price of the Lord of Londō: Be of good comfort my brother, for my Lord of London is our good Phyſitian, he will cure thee of all thy blindneſſe, and me of my lamen…ſſe this day: ſo beloved, all yee that truly feare God, p. 26all that put away all filthineſſe of the fleſh, and perfect holineſſe before him in feare, be of good comfort. Death will be your very good Phyſitian, it will cure all your diſeaſes, end all your miſeries, ſet you free from all troubles. And therefore as the people came readily touuJohn 5.4 5.John 5:4 Betheſda to be healed of their infirmities; as we come cheerefully to the Phyſitian; ſo ſhould wee to the grave; for what is death to the people of God? what is it to them to die? but as the Inhabitants leaving of an old and ruinous houſe, the Muſitians laying downe of a Lute whoſe ſtrings are broken, the Carpenters putting aſide of a worne Inſtrument, unfit for any longer ſervice, or imployment; what is Death to Gods children, but as a gueſt making haſt out of his Inne to his long, his lovely, and deſired home; as the putting off of a worne, rotten, and ragged ſuite of apparell, to put on rich, and comly rayment; for while we live, we are likewwZach. 3.3, 4, 5.Zech 3:3Zech 3:4Zech 3:5 Joſua the high Prieſt, clothed with filthy garments, but when we die, then we are like Ioſua with a fair Mitre upon his head, and comely rayment p. 27about his back. And therefore we ſhould earneſtly deſire to bexx2 Cor. 5.8.2 Cor 5:8 abſent from the body, that wee might bee preſent with the Lord. For the day of Death to the body is (as one ſaith) the birthday of eternity to the ſoule: Seneca who ſaw the immortality of the ſoule, the future felicity of it, but as through a Cloud, by ifs, and ands, yet profeſſeth, that when hee thought but a little of it, and had ſome pleaſant dreames thereof, hee loathed himſelfe, and all his trifling greatneſſe: Socrates alſo ſweetned his cup of poyſon, with his diſcourſe of the ſoules Immortality, to the amazement of the beholders: how much more ſhould chriſtian, and ſanctified ſoules be raviſhed, affected, & enflamed with the meditation of it! O how ſhould this cauſe us to thirſt after death, asyy2 Sam. 23, 15, 16.2 Sam 23:152 Sam 23:16 David after the waters in the wells of Bethlem, and to breake thorough all difficulties, to attaine that immortall, and ever-bleſſed eſtate which to the people of God attendeth this life, as Davids Worthies brake thorough the hoaſt of the Philiſtins, to fetch them, waters; and as Laurence Saunders kiſſed the ſtake, and ſaid p. 28wilcome be the croſſe of Chriſt, well-come be everlaſting life: my Saviour began to me in a bitter cup, and ſhall I not pledge him? ſo ſhould wee entertaine death, as a very well-come gueſt, as a very deare friend, our ſoules ſhould ſay within us, welcome bee death, welcome bee everlaſting life, my Saviour is gone before me, and ſhall I not goe after him? As the Lyon deſires to goe out of the grate, the Eagle out of the cage, and the priſoner out of the priſon-houſe, ſo ſhould we with Paul deſire to bezzPhil. 3.23.Phil 3:23 diſſolved, and to bee with Chriſt.

Ʋſe 4 This ſhould moderate our griefe and ſorrow conceived at the departure of our godly friends: For,

1 Freedome1. This is the day of their Freedome, who is not comforted to ſee his friend come forth of priſon, to ſee him ſet free from all perſecution and trouble? After Eliah went up in his fiery Charet, Iezabel could no more make him flie, ſhe had no more power to moleſt and perſecute him.

2 Honour.2. This is the day of their Honour, now with Eliah they ride in their fiery Charet into heaven; now as Salomon p. 29ſaid of theaaEccleſ. 4.12.Eccl 4:12 poore wiſe child, may I ſay of all that arebb2 Ti… ….12. wiſe unto ſalvation though poore, though afflicted, during their abode on earth, yet now they ſhall come out of priſon, out of a troubleſome, and low eſtate, tocc2 Tim. 2.11, 12.2 Tim 2:112 Tim 2:12 reigne with Chriſt in his kingdom. And I may wel ſay to all that ſorrow for their religious deceaſed friends, as William Hunter ſaid to his Mother, when hee was to ſuffer Martyrdome: For a momentany paine, I ſhall have a crowne of life, and may you not be glad of that? So they for a ſlender, troubleſome, contemptible condition, have a full, a peaceable, a glorious eſtate in heaven, and have in that reſpect great cauſe of rejoycing.

3. This is the day of their Ioy, 3 Ioy.now they areddHoſ. 2.19 2 Cor. 11.1, 2, 3.Hos 2:192 Cor 11:12 Cor 11:22 Cor 11:3 betrothed, but then the Marriage betweeneeRev. 19.7.Rev 19:7 Chriſt and their ſoules ſhall be conſummate; as the Marſhals wife of France ſaid to her husband at the ſtake, Be of good cheere, your wedding was but a ſhadow, an earneſt of the bleſſed marriage, which the Lambe will now conſummate. This then is the Marriage day of the godly, and who will not rejoyce, at leaſt a little with his friend on his Marriage day?

p. 304. Recompence.4. This is the day of their Recompence, now theirffRev. 14.13.Rev 14:13 workes follow them; now is their harveſt; though heretofore they haveggPſ. 126.5, 6.Ps 126:5Ps 126:6 ſowne in teares, yet now they reape in joy.

5. God gave our godly friends to us but for a ſeaſon, we are tenents at will, the Lord may put us out at his pleaſure of all our poſſeſſions, and therefore we ſhould learne with Iob to ſubmit our wills to Gods will, and ſay,hhJob. 1.21.Job 1:21 the Lord gave, and the Lord taketh, bleſſed be the name of the Lord.

6. We ſhall ſhortly ii2 Sam. 12 23.2 Sam 12:23goe to them, they cannot returne to us, it is but a little while, and we ſhall for ever havekk1 Theſ. 4:13.14.17.1 Thess 4:131 Thess 4:141 Thess 4:17 their fellowſhip in the Heavens.

7. God will be inſtead of all, God will be to the widow, to the woman that hath no husband, inſtead of a husband, to the fatherles child inſtead of a father, &c. As Elkāa ſaid to Hannah grieving at the barrennes of her wombe, becauſe ſhe had no children;ll1 Sam. 1.8.1 Sam 1:8 Why weepeſt thou? and why eateſt thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I to thee better then ten ſonnes? So may I ſay in this behalfe, to every woman, every p. 31child, every parent, every friend, why weepe ye? why eate ye not? why are your hearts grieved? Is not God to you in ſtead of ten husbands, ten children, ten friends? ſurely in God is all fulneſſe; and as the Sun is inſtead of all Candles, ſo ſhould the Lord be to us inſtead of all others, and infinitly more then all helpers, guides, ſtaies, friends, and comforters: Let then the thought of their advantage, who are gone the way of all fleſh before us, and the meditation of Gods conſtant, and never failing goodneſſe, mitigate the ſorrow, and ſadneſſe which doth uſually attend our loſſe in this behalfe; let their gaine aſſwage the griefe of our loſſe, and alſo quicken us to a carefull preparation, that whenſoever the day of our diſſolution ſhall come, we may alſo have a fiery Charet with Eliah to carry us into the heavens.

Thus are we come to the laſt thing noted in Eliahs tranſlation, and aſcenſion: the inſtrumenta motus, the Angels of the Lord: whence obſerve; Doct.

That the holy Angels carry the ſoules of the righteous at the day of their death into p. 32the heavens: they nowmmPſa. 34.7Ps 34:7 encampe about them, they nownnHeb. 1.13Heb 1:13 miniſter for their good, and at laſt will carry their ſoules to heaven, as they carriedooLuke 16 22.Luke 16:22 Lazarus into Abrahams boſome.

The ground of this their attendance upon the righteous, floweth from the Communion, and conjunction of Gods faithfull people with the Lord Jeſus; a woman joyned in wedlocke with the Prince, is honoured, reverenced, attended, not onelyonly by the common ſubjects, but alſo by the greateſt Nobles in that Princes Court; ſo the Spouſe of Chriſt, true believers, being married to Chriſt, are ſerved, attended, waited on, not onelyonly by the common creatures, but alſo by the glorious Angels: O the dignity whereunto man through Chriſt Jeſus is advanced! O that the Name of God might be magnified by us, according to the honour he hath beſtowed upon us!

Thus from Eliahs Aſcenſion: let us deſcend unto, and looke upon Eliſhas Lamentation: wherein you may remember was preſented to us a threefold motive. The firſt externall: he ſaw p. 33Eliah aſcending, and thereupon cryed. Wherein you may ſee; That the ſight of dying or departing is very forcible to move the affections of the ſurviving; Note.ppLam. 3.51Lam 3:51mine eye affecteth my heart, was the ſaying of the Church in her Lamentations: but this I muſt now paſſe by.

The ſecond motive was his internall affection: My Father, my Father: Note.Where alſo learne; That Gods holy Miniſters are ſpirituall Fathers: and therefore they muſt be to Gods people, as fathers to the children; and muſt be loved, reverenced, honoured by the people; as children love, reverence, honour them that be fathers over them.

The third motive was next;Note. drawne from the experience, Eliſha had of the ſafety, and defence miniſtred to Iſrael, by the preſence of Eliah among them, therefore calling him the Horſemen of Iſrael, and the Charets thereof; becauſe as the horſemen and charets are the ſtrength of the people, and the inſtruments of their defence: ſo may we hereby learn; That Gods faithfull Miniſters are a ſingular ſtay and defence to the people where God hath ſet them: but becauſe time will not p. 34give leave to ſpeak of theſe particulars, I will from the degree, increaſe, and ſigne of Eliſhas ſorrow, and from his affection, crying, renting his cloths, mourning as for a father, propoſe unto you this obſervation.

Doct. That the death and departure of Gods faithfull Miniſters ought to be deeply & affectionately bewailed by Gods holy ſervants; asqq2 Sam. 3.22.2 Sam 3:22 David lamented, and all the people wept over Abner when he was ſlaine, being a great man in Iſrael, a man that went forth to gather all Iſrael unto David, ſo have we great cauſe to mourne for, and bewaile the death of the ſpirituall Captaines and Leaders, which are ſent forth to gather the people unto God, and torr2 Cor. 5.18.19.2 Cor 5:182 Cor 5:19 reconcile them, and bring them into Covenant with the Lord: thus Eliſha here bewailed the tranſlation of Eliah; and King Ioaſh afterwards in the ſame words lamentethſſ2 Kings 13, 14.2 Kgs 13:14 Eliſha. Now Eliſha was fallen ſicke of his ſickneſſe whereof he died, and Ioaſh King of Iſrael came down unto him, and wept over his face, and ſaid; O my father, my father, the Charets of Iſrael, and Horſmen thereof. And this is a part of the Churches lamentation,ttLam. 1.19 20.Lam 1:19 My Prieſts p. 35and mine Elders gave up the ghoſt in the Cty, behold O Lord, for I am in diſtreſſe: and this was a principall part of the peoples complaint, a great aggravation of their affliction,uuPſa. 74.9Ps 74:9 We (ſay they) ſee not our ſignes, there is no more any Prophet, neither is there any among us that knoweth how long: and when Paul departed from the people of God at Epheſus, this was their great griefe, that they ſhould ſee him no more, for at his departure from them it is recorded,**Acts 20.37, 38.Acts 20:37Acts 20:38 that he kneeled downe, and prayed with them all, and they all wept ſore, and fell on Pauls necke, and kiſſed him, ſorrowing moſt of all for the words which he ſpake, that they ſhould ſee his face no more: and that the people of God ſhould thus deepely, thus affectionately bewaile the death and departure of Gods Miniſters, there is great cauſe: for

Then they are without a Guide, as Reaſons 1 children without a father to inſtruct, & governe them; as a Ship without a Pilot to conduct them; as an Army without a Captaine to order them; as Sheepe without a Shepheard to lead them: ſo that as in the day of the King of Iſraels p. 36fall, the Prophet in viſion, ſaw the people ſcattered like ſheep without axx1 King. 22 17.1 Kgs 22:17 ſhepheard, and as men having no maſter: So when the faithfull Miniſter of God, the ſpirituall Paſtor is taken away, then are the people ſcattered abroad, asyyMat. 9 36Matt 9:36 ſheep having no ſhepheard; then they are as travellers without a guid: then they are as the Syrians, zz2 Kings 6 18, 19.2 Kgs 6:182 Kgs 6:19that had their eyes put out, & went they knew not whither, into their enemies City, when they thought they had beene travelling to their owne Countrey; ſo people, when the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpell are taken from them, they be as men without eyes, they thinke they are in a good, when they are in a very evill eſtate; in the way to life, when they be in the very gates of death; for the Miniſters are the eyes of the people, therefore calledaaIſa. 30.10Isa 30:10 Seers; and as Moſes ſaid to Hobab, Numbers.Leave us not I pray thee, for as much as we are to encamp in the wilderneſſe, and thou mayeſt be inſtead of eyes to us; ſo may the people ſay to the Miniſter of God, Leave us not we beſeech thee, for as much as we are to travell thorow the Wilderneſſe of this World, and thou maiſt be to us inſtead of eyes: in ſtead of p. 37eyes to teach us to diſcerne the things which differ, to foreſee evils to come, to ſhew us the myſteries of ſalvation, to guide us into the wayes of peace; & therefore as it would grieve a man to have his eyes put out, ſo it ſhould much grieve us to have the Miniſters of God, our ſpirituall eyes, taken from us.

Then they are without ſpirituall food, as children that have loſt their Father, their Mother, their nurſe, are often without bodily food; for the Miniſters of God are their ſpirituallbb1 Cor. 4.16.1 Cor 4:16 Fathers, thecc1 Theſ. 2.7.1 Thess 2:7 Nurſes which muſt draw forth the breaſts of ſpirituall conſolations to nouriſh them, the ſhepheards which muſtddJer. 3.15. Joh. 21.16.17.Jer 3:15John 21:16John 21:17 feede them with knowledge and underſtanding, theeeMat. 13.52.Matt 13:52 ſtewards which muſt bring forth old and new out of their treaſury, which muſt open and apply both the Law and the Goſpell to their conſcience:ff1 Cor. 4.1.1 Cor 4:1 faithfull ſtewards, gg2 Tim. 2.15.2 Tim 2:15dividing the word aright, giving every one his portion, and that in due ſeaſon. Without theſe there is a ſpirituall famine, a famine not of bread and water, but which is farre worſe, ahhAmos 8.11.Amos 8:11 famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Without p. 38theſe the people at the beſt are but like the ſheepe brought by Labans daughters to the well, but could not drinke, till Iacob rolled away the iiGen. 29 8 10.Gen 29:8ſtone; for what elſe doth an un-teaching Miniſter, but gather the people to the well, call them to the word, to heare the Scriptures; but are unable to roll away the ſtone, to give thekkNeh. 8.8Neh 8:8 ſence as Ezra did, to divide the word, and give them waters out of the wells of life: and therefore as it would much trouble us to bee in a bodily, ſo ſhould it much more diſquiet us to bee under a ſpirituall famine.

Reaſons 3 Then they be without their ſpirituall comforter, as children when their parents are gone, then their Comforter is gone: the faithfull Miniſters are the Comforters of Sion, theſe have the charge given to miniſter conſolation to the people;llIſa. 40.1, 2.Isa 40:1Isa 40:2 comfort yee, comfort yee my people, (ſaith our God) ſpeake yee comfortably to Ieruſalem, &c. Theſe are the ſonnes of mmAct. 4.36Acts 4:36Conſolation, theſe are the Doves which bring the Olive branch of peace to the ſoule in the deluge of trouble: their voyce through Gods p. 39bleſſing doth appeaſe the troubled conſcience, as thennMat. 8.25 26.Matt 8:25 voyce of our Saviour appeaſed the ſtormy tempeſt: theſe under God are the Phyſitians which heale our wounded ſoules, when all the World cannot cure us, nor miniſter any peace or comfort to us, as our Saviour cured theooMark. 5.39.Mark 5:39 woman of her bloudy iſſue, after that ſhee had ſpent all that ſhe had upon the Phyſitians, and yet was not healed: for theſe are the men to whom God hath given theppIſa. 5.40.Isa 5:40 tongue of the learned, to miniſter a word in due ſeaſon; when theſe therefore are gone, the Inſtruments of our comfort are gone, our ſtarre is ſet, we are left in darkeneſſe, and are as the Church when ſhe had no Comforter. Lament. 1.9.qqLam. 1.19.Lam 1:19

Then they are without the meanes Reaſons 4 of their ſpirituall freedom, eaſily taken and kept in the bondage of Satan; when the Parents are gone, ſtrangers uſe to make a pray of the children; ſo when the Miniſters of God are taken away, when the ſpirituall Parents are removed, then ſin, Satan, and the world eaſily make a pray of the people; for the faithfull Miniſtry of the Goſpell is p. 40the thunder by which the divell muſt be caſt down to the ground likerrLuke 10.18.Luke 10:18 lightning: this is the warlike weapon which is mighty thorough God to caſt downe the ſtrong ſſ2 Cor. 10 4.5.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:5holds of ſinne; as the walles ofttJoſ. 6.20.Josh 6:20 Ierico were throwne downe by the ſounding of the Rammes hornes, ſo the walles of ſinne, the ſtrong holds of Satan are overturned by ſounding forth the trumpet of the Goſpell. Before Philip came to Samaria, Satan had the poſſeſſion there, but when he came and preached the Goſpell, then theuuActs 8.8 9.Acts 8:8 uncleane ſpirits went out of many that were poſſeſſed with them; thus is the Miniſtry of the word an inſtrument of victory to Gods people over the enemies of their ſalvation: but when the Miniſtry faileth, then Satans Kingdome is erected, then his throne flouriſheth; when the gardener is taken away, then the garden becommeth a wilderneſſe; when the ſhepheard is gone, the flocke is ſcatered, the wild beaſt maketh a pray of it; as the Pſalmiſt ſaith in another caſe,wwPſal. 104 20, 21.Ps 104:20Ps 104:21 the Lord maketh darkeneſſe, & it is night, wherein all the beaſts of the forreſt doe creepe forth, and the Lyons roare p. 41after their prey; ſo here when the Lord taketh away the light of the Goſpell, bringeth darkneſſe, a ſpirituall night upon us, then ſinne, and ſatan thexx1 Pet. 5.81 Pet 5:8 roaring Lyon creepe forth, then they make a prey of the ſoules of men, then they fill them full of all uncleanneſſe, then the faithfull City becommeth an harlot, a denne of darkneſſe, a lodge of all uncleanneſſe: behold this in the Churches, once eminent, & famous for their knowledge, faith, and holineſſe, but now very ſinkes of ſinne, and all abominations.

Then they are without their defence, Reaſons 5 as a child when the father is dead, when the parents are gone, is in a ſort without a Protectour; as a flocke without a ſhepheard, lyeth open to the mouth of every Dog, Fox, Beare, Lyon, Theefe: therefore are the Miniſters ſtiled, the Horſemen and Charets of Iſrael, becauſe they are the ſtrength and ſafegard of the place where they are: where the word of God is purely and ſincerely taught, there God is after a peculiar manner preſent, ſhewing his power in the defence of the place and people: to p. 42the Miniſter of God hath made a very gracious promiſe,yyIer. 1.18, 19.Jer 1:18Jer 1:19 Behold (ſaith the Lord to Jeremy) I have made thee this day a defenced City, and an iron Pillar, and braſen wall againſt the whole Land, againſt the Kings of Judah, againſt the Princes thereof, againſt the Prieſts thereof, and againſt the people of the Land: And they ſhall fight againſt thee, but they ſhal not prevaile againſt thee, for I am with thee to deliver thee. And the Lord is not onelyonly a defence to the Miniſters themſelves, but alſo to the place and people where they are; thus when the Syrians compaſſed the City Dothan where Eliſha was, then were the mountaines full of Charets and Horſes, the Angels of the Lord like an Army ſtanding in the defence of Eliſha, xx2 Kings 6 16, 17.2 Kgs 6:162 Kgs 6:17ſo that the Syrians could hurt neither Eliſha nor the place where he was: thus alſo when theaa2 Chro. 11.13, 14, 16, 17.2 Chr 11:132 Chr 11:142 Chr 11:162 Chr 11:17 Prieſts, the Levites, and ſuch of the Tribes of Iſrael, as ſet their hearts to ſeeke the Lord God of Iſrael, came to Jeruſalem, then they ſtrengthned the Kingdome of Iudah, and made Rehoboam ſtrong, even ſo many yeares as he walked in the waies of David and Salomon. It is not ſo much the number of the p. 43people, the great abundance of riches, and other munition and furniture, as holy and faithfull Miniſters, pious and religious people, that are the ſtrength, ſtay, & inſtruments of ſafety to a Kingdome, place or people: therefore when Iehoſaphat ſent forth them that taught in Iudah, and had the booke of the Law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the Cities of Judah, and taught the people; then it is ſaid,bb2 Chro. 17.9.2 Chr 17:9 the feare of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms of the Lands that were round about Iudah, ſo that they made no war againſt Iehoſaphat: yea they did not onelyonly forbeare to annoy and hurt him, but then alſo the Philiſtines brought Iehoſaphat preſents, and tribute ſilver, and the Arabians brought him flockes, ſeven thouſand and ſeven hundred Rammes, and ſeven thouſand and ſeven hundred He-goats: behold here the bleſſed ſafety, the great defence miniſtred to the place & people, where the Lord giveth faithfull and teaching Miniſters to inſtruct them: ſee and conſider in this, the ſingular good attendant upon, and derived unto the places which the Lord endowes p. 44with ſanctified and able Paſtors; they by their labours convert many to true holineſſe, fill the ſoules of many with much goodneſſe, make them very fruitfull in the good workes of all righteouſneſſe, bring them to be Gods deare favourites; they by their prayers alſo previle with God for the removall of much evill hanging over, and for the procuring of much good to the place and people where the Lord doth ſet them: and thus they are inſtrumentally a ſingular defence unto them, but theſe being removed, the people become like a City having neither wall nor watchman.

Reaſons 6 Then they are without their honour, for as the Parents be in ſome ſort the honour of the children, as well as the children be the crowne of the parents; ſo are the Miniſters and ordinances of God the crowne and glory of the people, which enjoy them: therefore Moſes tels Iſrael, that there was no Nation ſo ccDeut. 4.6Deut 4:6great as they, becauſe there was no Nation had God ſo nigh unto them, that had ſuch ſtatutes as they, and this was their wiſdome and underſtanding to keepe them: and p. 45therefore alſo when the Ark, which was to Iſrael a teſtimony of Gods preſence, as the Ordinances of God are now to us, when this Arke I ſay was taken from them, the wife of Phineas refuſed to be comforted, ſaying, thedd1 Sam. 4.21, 22.1 Sam 4:211 Sam 4:22 glory was departed from Iſrael: for as the ſtars be the glory and ornament of the heavens, ſo are the Miniſters of God theeeRev. 1.19Rev 1:19 ſtarres in the right hand of Chriſt, the ornaments and glory of the Church: a great priviledge, a rare favour are Gods ordinances where he doth vouchſafe them:ffPſal. 147 19, 20.Ps 147:19Ps 147:20 He ſheweth his word (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) unto Iacob, his ſtatutes and his judgements unto Iſrael: he hath not dealt ſo with any Nation, and as for his judgements, they have not known them.

Then they are in great danger of Apoſtacy, when Moſes was but a few daies Reaſons 7 abſent from the people, they erected aggExod. 32 1, 2.Exod 32:1Exod 32:2 golden calfe to goe before them: when Iehoaida dyed,hh2 Chr. 24.2, 17, 18.2 Chr 24:22 Chr 24:172 Chr 24:18 Iehoaſh ſoon turned aſide from the way of God to Idols, the ſouldiers will ſoone go backe, if their Leader be once gone; the ſhip will quickly miſcarry, make ſhipwracke, if there be no Pilot in it.

p. 46Reaſons 8 Laſtly then, they are, in a manner without religion, without piety, yea without God and Chriſt in the world: when the people were without the Law, and a teaching Prieſt, they were ſaid to beii2 Chro, 15.2, 3. without God. The taking away then of the faithfull Miniſters being no leſſe then a depriving of the people of their guides, food, comforters, meanes of ſpirituall freedome, inſtruments of defence, this robbing them of their glory, expoſing them to the danger of Apoſtacy, and making them like men without God in the World, we cannot but confeſſe that the death and departure of Gods faithfull. Miniſters ought to be deepely and affectionately bewailed by Gods holy ſervants.

Ʋſe. This therefore ſerveth for the juſt and ſharpe reproofe of all ſuch as doe not heartily, feelingly, and affectionately bewaile the departure, death, and want of Gods faithful miniſters, the removing of theſe cādleſticks, the going out of theſe bright and ſhining lights: many of us now are like Iſrael of old, weary of our heavenly Manna, as they ofkkNum. 11.56.Num 11:56 theirs, and as they fell a luſting p. 47after the onions, and fleſh pots of Egypt' ſo doe many of us after the old Egyptian doctrine, though the Goſpel was never taught amongſt us, opened to us with ſuch cleareneſſe, power, evidence, and demonſtration of the ſpirit as now, yet becauſe it hath been long continued, many begin to loath it, to grow very weary of it, to take, at leaſt, no pleaſure in it. It was Seneca his obſervation of old, Sol ſpectatorem non habet, niſi cum deficit, nemo obſervat Lunam, niſi laborantem, adeò naturale eſt magis nova quàm magna mirari; the Sunne hath no beholder except eclipſed, no man obſerveth the Moone, unleſſe when ſhe is in travell; ſo naturall it is unto us to admire new things, rather then great things: The doctrine which is ſtiled Popiſh we reject, becauſe it hath an old name, but let the ſame doctrine come under a new name, a doctrine as like the Popiſh, as one egge is like another, as the Sunne that ſhines now, is like that which ſhined many yeeres agoe; or rather if yee will, as the bramble which groweth now, is like p. 48the bramble which grew a hundred yeeres ſince; though a man might ſay to the teachers and embracers of it; as the Prophet to Jeroboams wife diſguiſing her ſelfe,ll1 King. 14.1 Kgs 14 come in, come in, thou wife of Jeroboam, why faineſt thou thy ſelfe to be another then thou art? So we in this caſe, for as ſhe was the ſame woman, onelyonly her apparell and geſture was changed, ſo let this be the ſame doctrine with that which we call Popiſh, yet becauſe under a new name, a little diſguiſed, ſomewhat arrayed in another apparell, it will be by ſome highly eſteemed, ſtrongly imbraced, the fall of truth and faithfull Miniſters of God not at all bewailed: and what doe men by this declare, but that 1. They were never ofmmIoh. 18.37 Ioh. 2.19.John 18:37John 2:19 the truth. 2. That they never unfainedlynn1 Theſ. 2.101 Thess 2:10 loved the truth. 3. That they neveroo1 Pet. 2.2, 31 Pet 2:21 Pet 2:3 felt the ſaving power nor heavenly comforts of it, if they had taſted the ſweetneſſe of it, been acquainted with the joy and peace which this miniſtreth, had they ſeene the beauties, the glory and excellency of God in it, then p. 49as Peter beholding the glorious transfiguration of our Saviour, ſaid,ppMat. 17.4.Matt 17:4 It is good being here, let us build three Tabernacles, &c. ſo would they ſay, it is good being under the Goſpel, it is pleaſant, it is comfortable being here, let us build our Tabernacle here, O let us dwell under this forever.

This muſt therefore move us to bewaile 2the loſſe of Gods faithfull Miniſters, the removing of theſe comfortable and ſhining Candleſticks; as the childe bewaileth the loſſe of his parent, the Traveller the loſſe of his Guide, the Patient the death of his Phyſitian, the Army the fall of their Generall; and as all Iſrael was gathered together, andpp1 Sam. 25.11 Sam 25:1 lamented the death of their Samuel: ſo have you great cauſe to lament the death of your Samuel, the departure of your faithfull Paſtor: As Ionah was much grieved at theqqIonah 4.6, 7, 8.Jonah 4:6Jonah 4:7Jonah 4:8 withering of the Gourd, which was a ſhadow over his head, a comfortable protection and refreſhment to him, ſo have you great occaſion to be grieved much at his withering, at his p. 50diſſolution, who was a ſhadow, an inſtrument of much, of ſweet refreſhment (whiles he lived) to your ſoules. And as Hagar ſate downe andrrGen. 21.16.Gen 21:16 wept becauſe her bottle was empty, ſo have you great cauſe now to ſit downe and weepe, becauſe the well which was wont to ſend forth waters of conſolation, is now dryed up: for now you may behold how your Eliah, like him of old, though not in body, yet in ſoule is gone in his Fiery Charet into Heaven; he who ſhined like the Sun to you of this place for ſome yeeres, is now gone downe from your Horizon, whom your eyes ſhall ſee no more till the morning of the Reſurrection: theſſMat. 13.22.Matt 13:22 Tree whoſe fruit lately fed you, whoſe branches lately ſhadowed and refreſhed you, is now withered, dead and dry, no more fruit to bee gathered from him: he that was in ſome reſpect the Father, the Charets and Horſemen of this place, is now like Eliah parted aſunder from you; he that ſtood likettGe. 29.8, 10. Jacob, to roll away the ſtone from the Well, to open and give you the ſence p. 51of the Scriptures, can now no more doe that office for you: He that lately ſtood like auuIſa. 60.6.Isa 60:6 Watchman upon your walles, to awaken you, to warne you, is now by death put to ſilence, and can no more call upon you: hee who of late like a good Steward brought out of his ſtore-houſe old and new, brake the bread of life amongſt you, hath now given account of his ſtewardſhip, and ſhall no more bee ſteward over you. God gave you a great bleſſing in him, the Lord grant there be no curſe attend his removall. Sure I am as the people ſaid of David, ww2 Sam. 18.3.2 Sam 18:3thou art worth ten thouſand of us; ſo may we ſay of him, he was worth a great number of them that doe ſurvive him: the greater was his worth, the more ſhould be your griefe, yet as our Saviour ſaid to the daughters of Jeruſalem, xxLuk. 23.28.Luke 23:28Daughters of Jeruſalem weep not for me, but weep for your ſelves and for your children; ſo may I ſay to you, weep not for him that is now departed frō you, but weep for your ſelves & for your children, for the great loſſe you have taken; as for the gaine which hee hath gotten, the p. 52crowne which he hath won, there is cauſe of rejoycing: for hee you well know, was a man in whom there was a rare confluence of all vertues, as of lines meeting in one Center, ſtreames running into one Ocean; there was indeed a ſingular compleatneſſe in him, his ſoule was a rich ſtore-houſe, a glorious garden, having jewels and flowers of all ſorts, a Tree laden with all kind of fruits: I may ſay of him as Horace in another caſe, —Micat inter omnes Iulium ſydus, velut inter ignes Luna minores: and as the people ſaid ofyy1 Sam. 10.22.1 Sam 10:22 Saul in regard of his endowments, He was the head and ſhoulders above many others: For

1. The Lord enriched him with much knowledge, according to the propheſie hee was filled with this, as the Sea withzzIſa. 11.6Isa 11:6 waters, his Lampe was full of this oyle; hee was as our Saviour ſaid of the Baptiſt, a bright and ſhining aaIohn. 5.35.John 5:35light, the Lord gave him the tongue of the learned to miniſter a word in bbIſa. 50.4.Isa 50:4due ſeaſon. 2. The Lord repleniſhed him with ſuch a rare dexterity, p. 53ſingular wiſdome, to diſcerne, adviſe, and give counſell fit for every eſtate and undertaking: of whom I may ſay in this behalfe, as Pharaoh ofccGen. 40.38, 39Gen 40:38Gen 40:39 Ioſeph, Can we finde ſuch a man as this was, a man in whom the ſpirit of God was; ſurely there are few ſo diſcreet and wiſe as he was. 3. He was diligent and laborious in his calling, a good Steward, ever breaking the bread of life amongſt you, a loving Nurſe alwayes drawing forth his breaſt unto you; he was not a cloud without raine, a Well without water, he did not hide his talent in a napkin; hee did not put his light under a buſhell; but as the Sun doth often viſit the earth, ſo did hee this place: as Paul ſaid of the Macedonians in regard of their contribution to the Saints, to dd2 Cor. 8.3.2 Cor 8:3their power, and beyond their power they were willing: ſo this man in his calling was willing to his power, and as ſome conjecture, beyond his power in regard of his bodily infirmities. 4. He was not onelyonly diligent in his calling, but alſo profitable in his teaching, it was noteeIer. 23.28Jer 23:28 chaffe, p. 54but good wheat which hee ſowed amongſt you, not the ſand of humane devices, but the firme and ſure Rocke of Gods Word, did he lay as a foundation for you thereon to build; hee ſought not with humane eloquence, vaine flaſhes, idle quirks, phantaſticall conceits, andff1 Cor. 8.3.1 Cor 8:3 inticing words of mans wiſedome to pleaſe men, but his labour was to ſpeake and preach in the demonſtration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith might not ſtand in the wiſdome of men, but in the power of God: and this indeed is not the leaſt part both of the wiſdome and fidelity required of Gods meſſengers to ſtoop to the capacitie of the people, to preſent the counſell of God plainely to their underſtanding. Bonorum ingeniorum eſt inſignis indoles (ſaith Auguſtine) in verbis verum amare, non verba: quid enim prodeſt clavis aurea ſi aperire quod volumus non poteſt, aut quid obeſt-lignea, ſi hoc poteſt, quando nihil aliud quaerimus niſi ut pateat quod clauſum eſt? This is a ſingular property of wiſedome, in words to love the truth, and p. 55not the words: what doth a golden key profit if it cannot open what we would have unſhut; what doth a wooden key hurt or hinder, if it can open, when as wee deſire no more but that which is ſhut may be opened, that which is hidden may be unfolded? he is ſurely in Gods ſchoole the beſt ſcholler in Gods Church the moſt eminent and worthy teacher, that doth with moſt cleareneſſe, plaineneſſe, power, fulneſſe and evidence of the ſpirit open and apply Gods counſels to the conſciences of the hearers. 5. He was alſo in his diſcourſe very holy, and profitable, a ſeeds-man alwaies ſowing, a light alwaies ſhining, very conſtant in doing good by his communication. 6. Hee was in the order of his converſation very ſincere and upright, ſo farre as ever I obſerved, and I am perſwaded it was the joy andgg2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor 1:12 rejoycing of his heart, that he had his converſation in ſincerity and uprightneſſe, and not in fleſhly wiſedome. 7. Hee was very friendly to Gods people, with them hee delighted to converſe, Gods image, true goodneſſe p. 56in them, was a load-ſtone very powerfull to move and draw his affection. 8. He was open-handed to ſuch as needed, ready out of his fulneſſe to powre plentifully into ſuch veſſels as hee found empty. 9. By his converſation he gave a good example, hee did not build with one hand and pull downe with the other, but his doctrine and his converſation were at a ſweet agreement, like Ruth and Naomi they went hand in hand together. 10. He was not one in publike, another in private, but every where the ſame; as they ſaid of Valerins Court, ſo may wee ſay of his houſe, it was a Church of God in regarded of the holy orders orderly there obſerved, and religious duties there performed. Now therefore walke ye in that light which hee hath cauſed to ſhine unto you, bring forth the fruit of that ſeede which he hath ſown among you, and build up that ſacred and ſaving truth which hee hath propoſed and ſet before you. And now laſtly;

3If the death, departure, & loſſe of Gods faithfull Miniſters bee ſo deeply to be p. 57bewailed, if our eſtate without them be ſo wretched, ſo uncomfortable; then you muſt ſhew your ſelves very carefull in repairing the loſſe which you have now ſuſtained, doe not ye ſay as Galienus the Emperor when hee had loſt Aegypt, cannot wee bee without the hempe and flaxe of Aegypt; and when he had alſo loſt France, two great and mighty Countries, cannot the Lord (ſaid he) ſtand ſine ſagis trabeatis, without theſe ſouldiers caſſockes which France doth ſend us. Beloved, I beſeech you do not ſo ſay of the departure of Gods Miniſters, doe not ſlight the loſſe of them, as if it were but the loſſe of a little flaxe, hempe, or a few ſouldiers coates; but looke upon it I intreate you, and conſider it, and be affected with it, as with one of the greateſt loſſes could ever be ſuſtained, and accordingly declare and ſhew your wiſedome, circumſpection, care diligence, faithfulneſſe, and conſcionableneſſe for an able ſupply. And for your better direction in this behalfe, let it be your care.

p. 581. To goe to God, and by prayer & faſting ſeeke his counſell and aſſiſtance, as the people in the dayes of Ezra byhhEzra 8.21.Ezra 8:21 prayer and faſting ſought of God a way for them and their little ones; ſo doe you now by prayer and faſting ſeeke of God an able and faithfull Miniſter, to guide both you and your little ones in the way that leadeth to peace and everlaſting happineſſe. As the people after the death ofiiJud. 1.1.Judg 1:1 Ioſhua, went to God and aſked him, who ſhould goe up for them to fight againſt the Canaanites, ſo muſt you now after the death of your ſpirituall Leader, goe to God, and aske of him, who ſhall goe up for you to fight for you in this warre againſt ſinne and Satan: this is not more holineſſe then is requiſite, for thus the Diſciples ſought to God bykkAct 1.24Acts 1:24 prayer and faſting, to direct them in the choice of a ſucceſſour in the roome of him that fell.

2. Seeke not too much to pleaſe your ſelves, be not too indulgent to your owne affections, but let your ſpeciall ayme be at the glory of God, and the generall and ſaving good of the people p. 59of this place: let that man which in all probability, and upon good evidence will be moſt zealous for Gods glory, and doe beſt ſervice to the people of this place, be without any by or ſiniſter reſpect the man of your choice. This doe, or elſe for any thing I know God may require the bloud of this people at your hands.

3. Bee carefull that the man whom you chooſe be a man after Gods owne ^h heart, a holy man, a man able to feed you with knowlege and underſtanding, a man experienced in the worke of Gods word upon his owne ſoule: for as Christ was made like unto us in allm things ſin excepted, that he might have compaſsion on us in all our eſtates and conditions; ſo it is requiſite the Miniſter of God ſhould be made like the people in all things, I meane in being ſenſible of the burthen of ſinne, of the trouble of an afflicted conſcience, of the buffetings of Satan, of the worke of Gods word and ſpirit upon his owne heart: and then ſhall he be fit to compaſſionate, comfort, teach the people, and know how to miniſter a word in due ſeaſon.

p. 6144. Remember that of the Lord to Samuell, nn1 Sa. 16.7.1 Sam 16:7judge not after the outward appearance; and take this for a ſure rule, that God doth not alwayes doe the greateſt works by men of greateſt earth-abilities: the Lord over-turned the Midianitiſh hoaſt by aooJud. 7.23Judg 7:23 barley cake, byppJudg. 6.15.Judg 6:15 Gedion whoſe family was poore in Manaſſeh and that was the liaſt in his fathers houſe: the Lord cauſed theqqExod. 17 6Exod 17:6 waters to come forth out of the rocke, by no other, no worthier inſtrument, then the ſtroke of a rod. It was not in Sauls armour, but with arr1 Sa. 17.54.1 Sam 17:54 ſling and a ſtone that God enabled David to overthrow Goliah, and delever Iſrael. They were Trumpets neither of gold nor ſilver, butſſIoſ. 6.20Josh 6:20 rams hornes, contemptible things in the eyes of men, which God cauſed the Prieſt to ſound, and at whoſe ſounding the walles of Iericho fell. And the Pſalmiſt telleth us, that God hath ordained ſtrength out of the …. 8.2.mouthes of babes, and ſucklings: and the Apoſtle layeth it downe as a generall and conſtant rule, the uu1 Cor. 1.26, 27, 28, 29.1 Cor 1:261 Cor 1:271 Cor 1:281 Cor 1:29fooliſhneſſe of God is vviſer then men, and the weakeneſſe of God p. 62is ſtronger then men: for yee ſee your calling brethren, how that not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble men are called, but God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wife: and God hath choſen the weake things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and baſe things of the world, and things which are deſpiſed hath God choſen; yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things which are: and he rendreth the reaſon of the Lords ſo doing, that no fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence: Thinke on theſe things, and be not wiſe in your owne eyes; this have I ſpoken not as vnderunder-valuing abilities humane, but as adviſing that you faſten not your eyes too much upon them, leaſt they prove a ſandy foundation. And as for him that ſhall ſucceed your now deceaſed Paſtor, my prayer is, that as the ſpirit of Eliah was doubled upon Eliſha, ſo the ſpirit of this man may be doubled on him that ſhall in this place ſucceed him, that hee may prove to you as a bright and a ſhining p. 62ſtarre to leade you, as the ſtarre led the wiſe men to Chriſt Ieſus; and as the fiery pillar conducted Iſrael form Egypt to Canaan, ſo may he lead you from the Egypt of ſinne, and bondage of Satan, to the heavenly Canaan, that place of glory, reſt, peace, and all fulneſſe, which God hath provided for his children in the holy and higeſt heavens.

Laus Deo ſoli.

FINIS.

End of the text · Alexander Grosse, Deaths Deliverance and Elijahs Fiery Chariot (1640)