The Saints Loss and Lamentation, Text

The Saints Loss and Lamentation · Text

p. 1THE SAINTS LOSSE AND LAMENTATION.

2. King. cap. 13. ver. 14.

O my Father, my father, the charet of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof.

THis dolefull cry I heare but twice repeated in theſe ſacred hiſtories, and both times at funeralls. Firſt, this dying Eliſha himſelfe ſingeth this burden of lamentation at the funerall of his father Elijah (for it was his funerall, an heavy parting from his ſon, p. 2and from the earth, though with a more glorious tranſportation in a fiery charet by fiery horſes, and through a whi…e-wind into heaven) his ſonne can doe no leſſe at this ſudden and admired change, than lament him, O my father, my father the charet of Iſrael and the horſemen thereof. 2 Kin. 2.12.2 Kgs 2:12Secondly, this honour had the ſame Eliſha at his change, when he was now ſicke unto death, from the mouth of Ioaſh an idolater indeed, but yet a King, who acknowledgeth himſelfe a ſonne alſo to the dying Prophet; and now comming to viſit his father in his ſickneſſe, and perceiving that death was ſent for him, and he muſt looſe him, hee weepeth over his face, and cryeth bitterly, O my father, my father, the charet of Jſrael and the horſemen thereof. Heare it once more, and it is the burden of this dayes lamentation, neither untimely, I hope, nor unſeemely; not untimely, for it's at a funerall; nor unſeemly, it being the funeral of ſo honored an head, by whoſe death I dare ſpeake it, I would we might not feele it, there is a charet unwheeled, and an horſeman p. 3throwne this day in Iſrael. It is true here is neither King nor Prophet to be lamented, yet a father of many ſonnes in as great a right as Eliah of Eliſha, or Eliſha of Ioaſh, ſuch as a fatherly reſpect hath made children, and want of this father hath made lamenting orphans; yet a man of God, a righteous ſoule zealous for the Lord of Hoſts, in whom God had placed not a ſmall part of the Strength of Iſrael; blame us not then if we take up this lamentation, and cry, O my father, my father, &c.

The words are the naturall notes of a burdened ſoule, and the bitter expreſſions of a mind oppreſſed, laid out by griefes peculiaraaApoſiopeſis. Rhetoricke, outcries, and broken diſtracted ſpeeches; O my father, my father; and there he ſtops, O the charet of Iſrael, and the horſe men thereof, and then he ſtayes; the mind doubtleſſe had ſomething elſe to vent, but griefe ſmothers it, and the weeping paſſion will not let it out. My defence is from my text, if I…be broken and confuſed, griefe cannot ſpeake otherwiſe, and mournes like p. 4ſuch ſermons beſt, whoſe companion and preacher I am at this time. Yet if y… deſire a fuller ſenſe of theſe diſtracted outcryes, and a more perfect reſolution of theſe broken ſpeeches, thinke my ſoule now to be in their ſoules ſtead, and let me perſonate a while El…ſhah to E…ah, or I…aſh to Eliſha, not in his wickedneſſe, but his lamentation, and me thinkes, if geieſe would ſuffer me, I could tell you what they would have ſpoken. O my father woo is me, my ſoule is ſorely troubled for thee; Alas what ſhall I doe oh my heart, my heart aketh, and my ſoules even ready to be powred out, I can have no reſt; for my ſtaffe is broken, and my father is quite taken away from me. O my father, What doe I ſtay behind for a poore forſaken orphan? O how happy ſhould I be, if death would doe me that favour as to bring mee now after thee? O my father, my father; or I would I onelyonly had loſt a father and were a mourner alone, that I might yet finde others to comfort me; but on which ſide ſoever I looke, I ſee none but mourners, oh my p. 5heart is almoſt broken, All Iſrael laments and cryeth bitterly after thee, for their charets and horſemen are fallen, becauſe thou art departed from them: briniſh teares have beſmeared all faces, Iſrael Gods Church ſitteth as a deſolate widdow, and heavy burdens are ſounded in all her coaſts, woe is us, how is the glory of Iſrael this day decayed? how are her charets and her horſemen confounded? how is her ſtrength become feeble? for thou art taken from us. O my father, my father, aaMelioripſi Iſrael eratin cratione ſua curribus & equitibus. Calv paraph.who wert a greater ſafeguard unto us then all the charets of Iſrael or the horſemen thereof: Oh thou ſtrength of Iſrael, our bowells are turned within us, we are ſorely grieved for thee!

That wee may yet ſpeake more profitably from the text, it will be good to ranke theſe out-cries into ſome method, though indeed griefe be ſo unruly, that it is no eaſie matter to keepe it in order; nevertheleſſe we will tye it up a little, and if we can looke with dry eyes upon the text theſe two things are obvious to our conſideration.

p. 61 The perſō produced in this mournfull ſcene.

1 The mourner Ioaſ… King of Iſrael.

2 The bemoaned Eliſha the Prophet now a dying man.

2. The lamentation it ſelf made over him, wherof we read

2 The manner of it in the doubled, broken, and diſtracted repetition, O my father, my father!

1 The matter of it w^ch was a 2. fold loſſe.

2 Of a father, ô my father! Of the ſtay and ſtr…gth of Iſrael, … the Charet, &c.

Firſt the perſons here preſented in this mournefull act are Ioaſh the mourner, and Eliſha the ſicke dying and lamented father; as we looke upon them, and eye them more narrowly, wee will forget them in their more ſpeciall callings eyther Ioaſh to be a king, or Eliſha to bee a p. 7Prophet, this will be of no great uſe unto us; more profit we may expect in the diligent view of their generall conditions, according to the deſcription which the Spirit giveth of them. Of Ioaſh, who commeth downe to weepe over the face of this departing Prophet, we read,2 Kin. 1 3.11.2 Kgs 1:32 Kgs 1:11 He did that which was evill in the ſſght of the Lord, he departed not from all the ſinnes of Ieroboam the ſonne of Nebat, who made Iſrael ſinne but he walked therein. What could bee ſaid worſe of a man? He was as wicked as any, it was his trade to ſinne, nay more, he was as bad as the worſt, a conſpiratour with that Ieroboam the ſonne of Nebat the moſt abominable idolater that ever breathed on the earth. Of Eliſha againe, who lay now ſicke unto death and is here lamented, we read,1 Kin. 19 16.1 Kgs 19:16 he was the anointed of the Lord, on whom the Spirit of Eliiah was doubled after his departure,2 Kin. 2.9, 10.2 Kgs 2:92 Kgs 2:10 hee was a zealous champion for the Lord of Hoſts, a righteous ſoule, an heavenly Saint, and a deadly enemy to Ieroboams ſinne and his idolatrous brood; yet this Ioaſh commeth to this Eliſha in p. 8his laſt ſickneſſe, weepeth over his face a… now departing, and cryeth after him i… this pittifull lamentation; O my father, my father!Mat 11, 19…Matt 11:19 It is true that wiſedome is iuſtified of her children, and as true th… God maketh her to be iuſtified of her adverſaries alſo, even of them that hate her. Doctrine 1 The righteous ſoule departeth lamented, deſired, honoured by the very enemies of righte…ſneſſe: It is a ſtrange ſight to ſee the ſame man a murderer, and a mourner at the ſame funerall, or any one to lament that perſon upon the biere whom he hated to the death, and was ever reſtleſſe untill hee had layd him there, yet nothing more common between the righteous and the wicked. It is the crie of the ungodly againſt the inſt, while he liveth, kill him, ſtone him, away with him from the earth, he is not worthy to live; but when hee is dead indeed, the ſame mouth deſireth him, iuſtifieth him, ſurely this man was the Son God:2 Sam. 3.27. 31, 3….2 Sam 3:272 Sam 3:312 Sam 3:3 Looke upon Ioab but in his treachery, hee hated Abner in his ſoule, he ſendeth good greetings unto him, taketh him aſide at his returne, ſmites him p. 9and kills him, can yet expect him now before Abners hearſe, renting his cloathes, clad in ſack cloath, lamenting and whining as a mourner? yet thus wee finde him.

Who would thinke that Ioaſh ſhould be a mourner at Eliah's funerall, he a conſpirator with Ieroboam, this a righteous Prophet of the Lord of Hoſts? yet here he is, and weeps and cryes with a bitter mourning, oh my father, my father! But why weepeth he? and how is it that hee commeth to doe the Prophet this honour at his death? Is it becauſe he loved him, as Chriſt wept over Lazarus? I dare not ſay ſo, no not ſo much as thinke ſo, that a man of Belial could ſo ſincerely affect a Sonne of God, and ſhould not queſtion it, but for ſome who are yet contrary minded.An hic anime ſt…cere honoreus illum prophetae detulerit, aliqui in quaeſtiouem vocant, &c. Mihi vero fruſtra videtur queri, quandonen erat cauſa qus moveretur ad eſtentandum, Ioh. Wolph in tex, It is therefore commented by one thus; Some doubt whether Ioaſh did this honour to the Prophet in his lamentation with ſincere affection, &c. But it ſeemeth to me not worth the queſtioning, when now hee could bee moved by no cauſe to flattery.

p. 10Yet (with good leave) it ſeemeth otherwiſe to other pious and learned iudgments, and I thinke upon better reaſon. Had Ioaſh beene in Eliſha's ſtead, a dying man, I ſhould think, as the Author do…, there were then no cauſe of flattering, but Eliſha was now dying, and Ioaſh luſtie & lively; and I doubt not, but an ungracious ſonne for a bleſſing or a portion may flatter his father upon his bed of death, nay, ſooner then, when moſt unlikely to bee diſcovered. But not deſire his life as Ioaſh did; yea earneſtly deſire it, and bitterly bemoane the loſſe of it, if his ſafety and peace depend upon it, as the health of Ioaſh and his kingdome upon Eliſha did; there was then cauſe enough of flattery. The deſperate patient careth not for the mannay perhaps doth truely hate him, yet heartily deſireth his Phyſitian, loveth his phyſicke and his skill, and bemoaneth himſelfe when he wanteth them; he loveth not the man then, but he loves his owne life. Let Ioaſh looke upon Eliſha as a righteous Prophet crying down his ſin, and beating downe Ierob…ams altars, and p. 11he cannot endure him, he hateth him to the death, yet when hee ſeeth him as a father on whom all his dependance is, he earneſtly deſireth him; he loveth not Eliſha then, but he loveth his father, & ſcarcely can I beleeve he weepeth for him, becauſe he loveth him, or that this lamen cation is from ſincere affection. Why then doth he thus bemoane him, and doe him this honour as to weepe over his face but at the thought of his funerall, while hee was yet alive? Negatively wee have anſwered, it was not becauſe he ſo intirely loved him, and poſitively wee now reply, theſe conſiderations might move Ioaſh or ſuch a wretch as he, to bemoane Eliſha's loſſe, or ſuch a ſoule as this.

Firſt a partiall conviction of ſome good in the righteous ſoule commendable and deſireable by the very enemy, for howſover wicked men are not ſo farre, nor ſo fully convinced of righteouſnes, as truely to affect it, and earneſtly to labour after it, yet ſuch a conviction there is moſt commonly which ſtops their mouths againſt it, and maketh them to wiſh for it a…aine, p. 12when once they want it. It fareth as with the God of righteouſneſſe, ſo with the people of righteouſneſſe in this …. His very eternall power and Godhead, the inviſable things of him are ſo cleer…ly ſeems by meere Naturaliſts;Rom. 1.20.Rom 1:20 yea by the whole world, that it is not grievous unto them to confeſſe him to be God, howbeit all this while they glorifie him not as God, nay,ver. 21.30, they are the very haters of God, ſo vainely are they convinced of a deity; yet againe when God is departed from them, and executes his iuſt iudgements upon them, they cannot but iuſtifie him in his proceedings, and bewaile themſelves for the loſſe of him when hee is gone: Such ſparkles of divine knowledge are left in corrupted man, and are kindled ſomething more by education within the boſome of the Church: God may bee thus knowne by his enemies, but never honourd or deſired before hee turne away in wrath and hide away his face in diſpleaſure, then Saul will ſeeme to honour him,1 Sam. 15.25.1 Sam 15:25 though erewhile his rebellion branded him for an enemy. Such entertainment p. 13and eſteeme in the world have his ſervants likewiſe; as they partake of the goodneſſe of their God, to they doe of his uſage alſo amongſt men: Their piety, uprightneſſe, humility, and continuall ſtudy of doing good convince the very enemy, and force a confeſſion of their goodneſſe; yet hate they them to the very death, though afterward their heart ſmite them, and when they are taken away, they cry for them, alas my brother! The Sonne of God fareth no better, his righteous converſation doubtles convinced the world of his innocency. Pilate proclaimeth it before iudgement,Mat. 27.23.24.Matt 27:23Matt 27:24 What evill hath hee done! yet hee hath enmity in himſelfe againſt him, and to doe the Iewes a pleaſure he caſts him and condemns him; nevertheleſſe at his death he doth him this honour againe to proclaime his righteouſneſſe, I am innocent of the bloud of this iuſt perſon. Its ſtrange to ſee with what violence and ravenous deſire of bloud Saul hunted David, he is convinced of his innocency, yet he cannot love him, but purſueth him to the death, and after that hee p. 14had murdered him in his heart, his conviction driveth him to this confeſſion. … this thy voyce, my ſonne David? I have …, returne my ſonne David,1 Sam 26.27. 12, 25.1 Sam 26:271 Sam 26:121 Sam 26:25 I will … more doe thee harme, I have played the ſoule … red exceedingly. Thus precious in the ſight of the Lord is the death of his Saints, Pſal. 116.15.Ps 116:15and ſuch God maketh it to be in the ſight of men alſo. That wretched Balaam, that curſed ſorcerer confeſſeth this to the eternall honour of the Saints, of whom he giveth no other commendation than to wiſh his ſoule in their ſoules ſtead,Numb. 23.10Num 23:10 Let mee dye the death of the righteous, and let my laſt and but like his; and yet who a more deadly enemy to their lives than he? This lamentation therefore of Ioaſh upon Eliſha, might be forced by conviction, not invited by affection.

Secondly, ſelf-love might reach him this mournefull note, himſelf was like to be the greateſt looſer by Eliſha's death and no wonder then if he make the greateſt lamentation. If we obſerve the ſtory, Ioaſh was at this time ſorely diſtreſſed, becauſe of the Syrians; they had made the p. 15people of Iſrael in the dayes of Jehoahaz his father like the duſt by threſhing, and were yet domineering over them, Ioaſh had no great ſtrength leſt him of his father to defend himſelfe or offend his enemies, and now Eliſha is departing too, his father, his oracle for aduice, and counſell, his ſtrength and ſafeguard of himſelf and kingdome; the charet of Iſrael and the horſemen thereof were now falling, and now he and his people in all likelihood expoſed to the tyranny of the mercileſſe Syrians; can he love himſelfe ſo ill, think we, as not to mourne and weepe, and cry, O my father? A parallel no this we reade betwixt Saul and Samuel, a wicked King, and a righteous Prophet; Samuel may declare the word of the Lord unto him, but Saul reiects it, and in his heart diſdaineth both the Prophet and his meſſage: he harboureth an enmity againſt God and him in his fleſh, and careth not how little hee ſeeth him, he being now his greateſt eyeſore: yet when Samuel is gone indeed;1 Sam. 28.3.6. 14, 15.1 Sam 28:31 Sam 28:61 Sam 28:141 Sam 28:15 grievous diſtreſſe befalls him, and now hee wants him, Oh what ſhall hee doe for p. 16his Samuel? more worth were he at … time than his crowne unto him; … he beſhreweth himſelfe, he honour… him and deſires him: nay when he was ſore diſtreſſed, the Philiſtines made wants againſt him, God was departed from him and anſwered him no more neither by Prophets, nor by Vrim, nor by …, then would he ſcrape Samuel out of his grave: yea rather than faile, he goeth to the divell for him, and when he ſeeth him he ſtoupeth, & boweth himſelfe to do him honor, though in the event he was miſtaken, worſhipping the divell, & not Samulel) yet all this while he loveth not the Prophet but himſelfe. This honour have all Gods Saints,Prov. 11.30.Prov 11:30 that they be trees of life, not onelyonly living themſelves, but alſo giving life and diffuſing their good whereſoever they come; & though they are foreign by-words and ſignes of contradiction, the very markes, whereat the ſcornes and ſcoffes of worldlings are bolted for their abode in this theatre, yet whence they are tranſplanted, they are miſſed, and wiſhed for, not for themſelves, but for the good p. 17which followeth them. Selfe-love is enough to make a man act the friend, though otherwiſe in his heart he bee a deadly enemy, and ſo doe the wicked be-friend the godly, honour them and deſire them, becauſe they love themſelves.

I have now but two words to ſpeake to each party, Ioaſh and Eliſha, the mourning king, and the lamented Saint, then they goe out, and we proceed.Vſe 1. Firſt I have a meſſage to thee oh king, not a dagger for a private ſtabbe, but a word to ſmite thee with in the open ſunne,Iudg. 3.20.21.Judg 3:20Judg 3:21 even before the face of all Iſrael. Is this the voice of Ioaſh over Eliſha, O my father, my father? Whence learnedſt thou this note, thou painted Sepulchre? Doeſt thou conſpire with the wicked againſt the Lord? content and delight thy ſelfe in Ieroboams life? and commeſt thou to be a mourner at Eliſhas death? God will iudge thee, thou curſed hypocrite. Oh how doth the fire of the Lord burne within me, and the zeale of the Almighty kindle againſt theſe wicked wretches? Woe unto you, ye viperous generation of hypocrites: what p. 18make ye at the righteous mans ſepulchr… what aileth you to rent your cloath…, to walke in ſackecloath, to weepe and lament before his biere? Doe ye loath, diſlike, and hate his life? and yet … him at his death? Doe ye honour, hove, and deſire his end? yet his life and graces diſcommend? Doe ye build and paint, and guild his tombe? and yet your hands imbrued in his righteous bloud? ye are witneſſes againſt yourſelves;Mat. 23.17.33Matt 23:17Matt 23:33 Ye ſerpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye eſcape the damnation of hell? For ye well deſerve it, that hate the God of righteouſneſſe, and his righteous ſervants, notwithſtanding ye are convinced, that ye ſhould glorifie him, and honour them, ye are your owne iudges, that your condemnation is iuſt.

Secondly,verſe 2. I have an errand to Eliſhas alſo, the dying Saint, and the righteous ſoule,Iſa. 3.10. Pſal. 37.37. Phil. 1.21.Isa 3:10Ps 37:37Phil 1:21 and it is a meſſage of peace, Say unto the righteous it ſhal be well with him; his end is peace, and as his life was Chriſt, ſo now his death is his gaine. Comfore your ſelues then ye people of righteouſneſſe, ye holy nation: what p. 19though for a while Balaam conſpire againſt you, Shimei curſe you,Num. 31.16. 2 Sam. 16.5. 1 Sam. 22.9. Act. 26.24. Ioh. 15.19.Num 31:162 Sam 16:51 Sam 22:9Acts 26:24John 15:19 Doeg accuſe you, ſlander you, Feſtus think you mad mē, becauſe ye are Chriſtians, and the world iudge you to death as the worſt of men not worthy to live; yet wait but a little, Balaam ſhall wiſh your happineſſe, Shimei ſhall bleſſe you, Doeg ſhall iuſtifie you, Feſtus ſhall bee convinced of your wiſedome,Heb. 11.38.Heb 11:38 and the world ſhall deſire you againe, of whom it ſhall not be worthy. OnelyOnly expoſe not your ſelves to Balaams conſpiracie by ſinning and forſaking the God of righteouſneſſe; ſtand not ſtill, neither goe backe for Shimeis curſing; Feare not to walk with thy God for all Doegs ſlanders, Thinke not worſe of your ſelves for Feſtus his raſh iudgement; and fall not down before the wicked, though the world condemne you; Patience and Reſolution now become the Saints: Armed with theſe ye ſhall ſtand ſtedfaſt, glorifie your God, and honour your ſelves in the face of all Iſrael; The eye which ſeeeth you, ſhall bleſſe you, and the eare which heareth you ſhall give witneſſe p. 20unto you nay yet farther, that very mouth that curſeth you, ſhall bleſſe you, that heart which hated you ſurviving, dying ſhall lament you, and that ſoule which abhorred you, ſhal deſire you again … my brother, or as Ioaſh here cryeth after … liſha, O my father, my father! This is the honour of Gods Saints, whoſe loſſo … lamentation now follow.

O my father, my father! I have done with Ioaſh, this lamentation is none of his by right, his heart did never beget it, though his tongue had learned to ſpeake it; the is indeed Eliſha's owne, which he … heavily at the parting with his father E… iah, and is here taken up by Ioaſh … himſelfe, but ſounds more harſhly from ſuch a iarring inſtrument. He…e wee … then from the Authours mouth and … how he acts it, we ſhall ſee the lively embleme of a perplexed ſoule; though we heare the voyce onelyonly, it is enough to make us conceive the dolefull geſture of the Actour, though we ſee no body; ſuch diſtracted outcries, oh my father, my father and then to ſtop; O the charet and the p. 21horſemen; and to ſay no more, can preſent no other ſhape unto us than torne cloathes; wringing hands, ſwollen eyes, beſmeared face, and ſobbing heart, a man full of ſorrow, and overburdened with griefe unſpeakeable. It is a woefull ſpectacle to looke upon, and enough to moove a flint, that would but view it ſeriouſly, to weepe for company: and I confeſſe, it is not eaſie to forbeare while I relate it. That we miſſe nothing which may concerne us to make us fellow-mourners with this diſtreſſed ſoule, the lamentation implyeth 2. things remarkable.

1 The manner of it, It is doubled diſtracted and broken, the naturall ſymptomes of a ſoule overcharged with griefe.

2 The matter of it, about which it was, a double loſſe.

1 The loſſe of a father, O my, &c.

2 The loſſe of ſtrength, charet, and horſemen.

The manner is the doubling,Repetitiveſt deloris oftenſie deſ…paratione. Carthuſ, in 2 Reg. 2.2 Kgs 2 diſtraction and abruptneſſe of theſe cryes, all undoubted notes of an unexpreſſible p. 22griefe; and in relation to the matter … ground expreſſed, it readeth us this … ſon. Doctrine 2 The loſſe of the righteous is very grievous, and their lamentations very bitter. The ioy of the City is not ſo great, when it goeth well with the righteous, and they proſper: but their griefe ſurpaſſeth when they are cut off and taken away.Prov. 11.10.Prov 11:10 It is true that when the wicked periſh, there is ſhouting: but when the righteous man falleth, there is bitter weeping, doubled cryes, and pitifull exclamations, Alas our father, or our brother, we are ſorely diſtreſſed for thee. It may be … caſt in, Eliiah and Eliſha were famous Prophets in Iſrael, and this bewailing ſeemeth rather to be for ſuch than for righteous men. To caſt this out againe as eaſily, It is confeſſed indeed, that the Prophets were accounted fathers in Iſrael, yet denyed that they were thus lamented becauſe Prophets; Righteouſneſſe onelyonly addeth this honour, that the loſſe of them ſhould be ſo bewailed, whileſt many other Prophets die both undeſired and … lamented. Dignities may command … p. 23forced ſervice and a formall honour from inferiours, yet all this while they are a burden under which they groane, and die they may, yet be never miſſed, and not a mourner for them unles in a gowne or cloake. It is neither king nor Prophet, but righteouſneſſe that maketh the loſſe ſo heavy, and the mourning ſo bitter; onelyonly theſe bring their additions to the lamentation; the loſſe of a righteous man, the City doth bewaile as a mother, the deceaſed child, who yet is comforted by her husband, that is better then ten children unto her, but at the loſſe of a righteous King, or a righteous Prophet, ſhe ſits as a widow or as an orphan, rents her cloathes, teareth her haire, and cryeth over them, as a wife over her husband, or a poore child after its deareſt father, that cannot be comforted. It is true,1 Kin. 14.19. 1 Kin. 1.22.37 Ierem. 22, 18.1 Kgs 14:191 Kgs 1:221 Kgs 1:37Jer 22:18 when Ieroboam, Ahab, or Iehoiakim wicked Kings were cut off, we ſee no great loſſe, and therefore we have no great lamentation, the City is quiet and no whit mooved, none cryeth ſo much as alas my brother!1 Kin. 14.13.1….1 Kgs 14:131 Kgs 14:1 But Ab…ah, Ieroboams ſon, though a child, p. 24is lamented of all Iſrael, becauſe … found ſome good thing towards the Lord, … when good Joſiah falleth, Ieruſalem … teth wringing her hands like a … widow, and Ieremiah and al … bitterly after him:2 Chr ….35.24 25. yea ſuch a … it is, that unto it the Prophet makes … al o… the Convents mourning, It … us the mourning of … in the … ley of Megiddo, Ze…h, 12.11.where that good King I… ah was ſlaine. When Hananiah, … Amaziah, falſe Prophets die, all is ſtil, … is no wailing for them, nor mention … them, unleſſe to curſe them, for the … is eaſed of a tedious burthen with them but when Samuel, Eltiah, or Eliſha … taken away,1 Sam. 25.1. 2 King. 1.12. 2 Kin. 13.14.1 Sam 25:12 Kgs 1:122 Kgs 13:14 heaven heareth the ſighes and ſobs, and groanes of mourners, all … bemoane the loſſe of theſe, oh our father our father! Once more, when a curſ… Shimei, or a wicked Shebua, or a churli… Nabal are cut off, there is no miſſe of them nor weeping for them: But when an innocent Abuer, or good Barzillas, or a faithfull Imathan depart, their funeralls hat… troupes of mourners, and many ſad cryes p. 25after them, Ah woe is me!2 Lam, 3.33.38. Dei… Abner … dyeth? Alas, there is a great man … this day in Iſrael: Or els,2 Sam. … …5, 26.2 Sam 5:26 O Ionathan … the high places, I am diſtreſ… …, my brother Jonathan. All this depends upon the ſucceeding matter, the … of the lamentation about which … all theſe cryes are not about nothing, but there is a father, or a charet, or horſemen fallen, for which theſe pitifull exclamations are doubled: In the text, the whole matter of the lamentation fell under a twofold conſideration, Good Eliſha, …ither as a father to Ioaſh, or els as the charet and horſemen of all Iſrael; the loſſe of theſe may deſerve a woefull lamentation, and becauſe they lie in this ſubordination to the precedent mourning,Flebat loas de lens ſe ac regula ſuum tanto patrono privend… tan… …iliari… & auxiliarie deſtituendum, tam ſanctiſsimo & fidiliſsimo mox cariturum tutore, prophetae, ac patre. Carthuſ in tex… I ſhall lay them downe in their order the ſufficient grounds thereof, and then cloſe up al with a uſefull application.

O my father: my father! Blame not the mourner, if you heare him paſſionate, it is his father whom he bewaileth, the neerer the relation, the more ſenſible the loſſe, and more heavy needs muſt the lamentation p. 26be.… Whileſt I … father,… or brother, or friend … it may touch my …, and perhaps my heart too so farre as to bid my …, I am ſorry for it, and … over; but when my friend, my brother, my father it taken off my head, I the… … the ſtroake, and … mourne … was Shiah to Eliſha, and Eliſha to … blow which cuts off the father, cannot but make the childs heart doe, no … then, Doctrine 3 if it cry, O my father, my father … are the righteous, even fathers … Cities and places of their abode: needs muſt the City then … that fatall ſtroak which cuts them a ſunder; and when they ſmart, it is likely we ſhall heare them cry, and weepe bitterly,Iſa. 57.1.Isa 57:1 unleſſe that heavy … have befallen them, that no man … to heart, when the righteous periſheth.

But upon what ground hath Ioaſh this relation to Eliſha? was it not from his calling, that he was a Prophet, rather then from his righteouſneſſe that hee was ſo good? whence then is this relation given to the righteous? or he might be a father p. 27to Ioaſh onelyonly; how then ariſeth it, that the righteous are ſuch to then Cities?

To anſwer theſe quaeries, and to cleare the truth. Firſt, that Prophets had the appellation of fathers it is not doubted, falſe as well as true might be ſo called by their baſtard brats (as the Romiſh ghoſtly fathers are at this day by thoſe whom they have begotten to be limbes of Antichriſt, and children of perdition) and yet be ſuch fathers whom the children may bee bound to curſe for the inheritance which they have left them, but have little or no cauſe to weepe and bemoane the loſſe of them. Gray heads alſo are fathers, and a crown of glory, much to bee honoured, if it be found in the way of righteouſnes. Prev. 16.31.Righteouſnes onelyonly addeth this to the Prophet, that it maketh him a deſired father: Kings, Prophets, and Magiſtrates that ſpeak and rule in righteouſnes are more properly indeed the nurſing fathers of Kingdomes and Churches, yet can it not be denyed but a poore wiſe man alſo may proove the foſter father of the City; and ſo all the generation of the righteous, if not ſo properly p. 28called fathers, yet are they in very … relation, brothers and faithfull … friends, and brothers may be in … of fathers, and a friend … … ther, Prov. 18.24. whoſe loſſe cannot … heavily afflict the City, and make them mourne. Againe, though Eliſha … called father of Ioaſh, yet of Ioaſh as a king who ſhould be the father of his ſubject, nay of Iaoſh as a wicked king, and therefore Eliſha father of his kingdome alſo; and ſuch are the righteous to their habitations, yea to the very wicked alſo. But how doth Eliſha proove himſelfe to been father? Surely in theſe three particulars, though not in all to Ioaſh himſelfe, yet to ſome ſoules in Iſrael, 1. In Generation, 2. In Counſell. 3. In Providence; as the righteous alſo doe unto their neighbours.

Firſt, he was a father in generation, I meane, not naturall, but ſpirituall, by which he begat, though not Ioaſh, yet others doubtles to be the ſonnes of God; and theſe ſticke ſo cloſe, that when God ſtrikes their father off their head, they p. 29weepe bitterly indeed, and are hardly comforted. This honour God doth to his Saints on earth, that though the Spirit onelyonly beget again to God, yet the inſtrument is called the father. It is Saint Paul that claimeth this of his Corinthians; Though ye have 10000 inſtructers in Chriſt yet have ye not many fathers; 1 Cor, …, 15,for in Chriſt Ieſus have I begotten you through the Goſpel. Primarily God thus honoureth his Prophets, and miniſters of the Goſpel, yet not exempting any Chriſtian from this inſtrumentall begetting againe to God; [viz. by their private Chriſtian admonitions and inſtructions, & their godly life] which doubtleſſe maketh a moſt neere tye betweene the ſoule begetting, and the ſoule begotten, that will not bee looſed without bitter mourning.

Secondly, he was a father in counſell, and that to Ioaſh, though it tooke but little effect with ſuch an ungracious ſonne; yet he leaveth not to do it upon his dying bed; He adviſeth Ioaſh to ſhoote the arrow of the Lords deliverance, and hee ſhootes, to ſmite the Syrians and hee p. 30ſmites, but very fooliſhly, onelyonly …, and the man of God was … with him.Gen 45.8.Gen 45:8 Such a father did God … Ioſeph to Pharaoh; and ſuch maketh he… righteous to their neighbours: they … counſellers for the peace and good of them among whom they live; and this maketh a knot not eaſily broken without groanes.

Thirdly, he was a father in his carefull providence for his ſonnes ſafety and his kingdomes ſecurity. It was a worthy inheritance which he left behind him; had his ſonne had ſo much grace as to have made good uſe of it; and other precious bleſſings, no queſtion, he left to him other children, which kept the witneſſe of a loving father Ioſephe providence proves him a father indeed, which kept Pharaoh and his Court, and his kingdome, and his neighbours alive through ſo many yeeres of famine. Saint Paul notes it as the propriety of fathers,2 Cor. 12.14.2 Cor 12:14 by which alſo he deſireth to approove himſelfe to his Corinthians, I will not bee burdenſome unto you, though I am your father, for the children p. 31ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children; and ſo he did …ay up many a prayer, and many a bleſſing for them, which they were yet ignorant of. So do the righteous alſo proove themſelves fathers, by getting many good bleſſings together temporall and ſpirituall, and leaving them behind to many naughty children which they little thought on, leſſe fought for; It is remarkable therefore when Iſrael grieved the Lord, and Iudah oft times provoked him yet he ſhewed mercy unto them, and did them good, for his covenant with Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob their fathers, who had intreated him long before: and this muſt needs ſo unite them to their poſterity, that they cannot bee divided, but even their heart ſtrings cracke beeing overburdened with ſorrow, becauſe they are not To ſumme up theſe parcells in one, and uſe it, as it is an argument to inforce theſe lamentations at the iuſt mans funerall. If the breach that God made upon Vzzah, 2 Sam. 6.7.2 Sam 6:7a ſervant of the family troubled all Iſrael, and made Davids heart ake; alas what p. 32trembling and mourning ſhall there … when God ſhall cut off the friends, the children, the brethren, the fathers of it… … have a father cut off from the head of a child, none knowes the loſſe, but an … phan, and hee can bewaile it, from … ſenſe of the breach of that naturall … betweene them: and ſpirituall orpha… can doe no leſſe, their loſſe being no wh… inferiour, thus the very thought of the… fathers departure,Act, 20, 37, 38. maketh Saint … … pheſian children to make great …, they wept ſore, and ſorrowed much to thinke they ſhould ſee his face no more. To looſe a faithfull, wholeſome counſailour, a carefull provident father, on whom ones life depends,Iſa. 3.….Isa 3 is no ſleight iudgement, no ſmall loſſe, and therefore deſerves no little lamentation: Such are the righteous, ſuch their loſſe, and ſuch may wee expect ſhould their mourning be. This is the firſt part of the burden, the ſecond followeth.

O the charet of Iſrael and the horſe… thereof. This is the very ſting of the lamentation, and it pricks to the heart indeed p. 33Iſrael was now like to loſe her charet, and her horſemen, and then lying open to the mercileſſe tyranny of the Syrians, could expect nothing but bloudy maſſacres, and woefull deſolation;… oh what a bitter lamentation doe we thinke would be in the coaſts of Iſrael, when crueltie breathed forth nothing but death, and there could be no reſiſtance? The vulgar reading ſhall not ſtay mee (the charet of, Iſrael and the driver thereof) though it be a faire occaſion for the Cardinals corrupt gloſſe (a charet to carry Confeſſours, and a Dr…ver to pricke on the ſluggiſh cattle.) Currus Confeſſorum ſuppertetione, Auriga diſcreta pigr… rum ſtimulatione; quaſi ſibilo blandae excitationis. Hug. Card, in tex. In hebras hab…tur C…rrus Iſrael, & militia eius, i.e. potentior ad defenſionem Iſrael quam militia cum curribus bellicis. Ex Rab. Sal. citat Lyra in 2 Reg. …. 12.It liketh me better to keepe cloſe to the originall, and that Lyra confeſſeth it to bee more conſonant to the Hebrew text (the charet of Iſrael and the horſemen or ſouldiers, or the Artillery thereof becauſe he was more for the defence of Iſrael, than their military troupes with warlike charets. Having this helpe from an adverſary, we ſhall not ſtick long in ſearching for truth here: It is cleare in hiſtories both ſacred & profane, what ſtrength of people ancient time placed in charets, and how p. 34weake they accounted themſelves … out them;Ioſh. 17.16.18Josh 17:16Josh 17:18 The children of Ioſeph … therefore fearefull to encounter with the Canaanites in the valley,Iudg. 1.19.Judg 1:19 becauſe they … charets of iron; and Iudah could … drive one the inhabitants of the …, becauſe they had charets of iron; The whole ſtrength of Syria for the moſt … conſiſted in theſe warlike inſtruments … Iabi… king of Canaan with theſe terrified the children of Iſrael,Iod. 4.3. foreign. Xenoph. for he had … charets of iron. In ſucceeding time Iſrael learned this ſtrength of theſe nations, and they make charets alſo to ioyne battel with their enemies:1 Kin. 10.26.1 Kgs 10:26 Salomon had a thouſand and foure hundred charets, and twelve thouſand horſemen,1 Kin. 22.34.1 Kgs 22:34 and Ahab dyed in his charet at Ramoth Gilead: Happy had it beene for them if they had not put too much confidence in this ſtrength. The ſame were in great account with the inhabitants of Aſia and Africa; and as theſe, ſo horſemen were in little leſſe eſteeme, of whom we reade two ſorts were formerly in uſe.Equites cataphraſti, Some were ſo covered and overclad with armour, that, as David in p. 35Saul… harneſſe, they could ſcarcely move with it, unfit for any exploits of activity, and yet of good uſe to breake rankes and diſorder the battell, and put the enemy into a confuſion: Others were of lighter burden, more nimble & active for fight,Equites levi… ris armatura. and theſe were the ſpeciall and …ine combatants, by whoſe agility or heavineſſe the honour of the field moſt commonly was either got or loſt: ſo that in a pitcht field or a place capable of their march, a great army of foot have beene accounted weake without them. In ſhort, charets and horſemen have been thought the very ſinewes, and ſtrength of States, and Kingdomes; ſuch was this holy man of God to Iſrael, the very pillar & ſtrength of Church and nation; blame them not then if they ſo heavily cry after him. Such honour likewiſe have all Gods Saints; Doctrine 4 The righteous are the chiefeſt ſtrength of Church and Kingdome, whoſe they are, and amongſt whom they live. It is a doctrine which the heavenly Preacher readeth from his owne experience.Eccl. 9.13.14, 15, 16.Eccl 9:13Eccl 9:14Eccl 9:15Eccl 9:16 This wiſedome J have ſeene under the ſunne, and it p. 36ſeemed great unto me: There was a … … ty, and few men within it, and there … great King againſt it, and … built great had works againſt it … found in it a poore wiſe man, and he by the wiſedome delivered this City, yet no … that ſame poore man; Then I ſaid, wiſedome is better then ſtrength. A concluſion very firmly gathered from the premiſſes; ponder we them a little, and we ſhall ſee it. Salomon giveth us this not as a common obſervation, but as a thing notable and very remarkeable above moſt things in his experience, the benefit and yet the neglect in the world of this godly wiſedome, which is our righteouſneſſe, or the feare of the Lord, It is great unto we. And it deſerves no leſſe than a ſerious note, marke we but the oppoſition (I here was a little City) and (a great King came againſt it, &c.) this no ſmall diſproportion, againe (there were but a few men within it) and yet (he built great bulwarks againſt it) this was greater, and little hope could the City have to ſubſiſt long upon ſuch unequall tearmes; yet now in this great improbability of ſafety (there was found in the City p. 37… poore righteous godly wiſe man) and hee defeateth this great king and his great bulwarkes, he delivered the City, not by weapons of warre, but by his wiſedome. or righteouſnes; therefore however the world eſteem of it, the wiſe Preacher concludes, wiſedome is better then ſtrength, or it is the ſtrongeſt defence of all; this hath its undeniable truth, whether we reade it as a parable, or an acted hiſtory. In the map which the Prophet draweth of Iudah, Gods holy place, hee thus deciphers the ſtrength of it,Iſa. 26, 112, 3, 4Isa 26:112Isa 26:3Isa 26:4 We have a ſtrong City, ſalvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarkes; and what ſurer defence than Safety it ſelfe? its Canon-proofe and a wall impregnable? but who the inhabitants? Surely the righteous nation which keepeth truths entreth in and dwelleth there, and their Iehovah is their rocks of ages, or everlaſting ſtrength. This is very ſtrange, and who almoſt beleeveth it? may a man aske, where lyeth this ſtrength of Sampſon in the righteous? their faces promiſe as little or leſſe than other men. Reason It will not betray them to diſcover it: it ſtandeth mainly in their union p. 38with God through Chriſt, which … it were poſſible for the world to …, they would become weake, & … other men; but whileſt this laſteth, … theirs, heaven is theirs, they have … of angells for their aſſiſtance, and to … more punctually, their ſtrength is … in theſe particulars.

Firſt in the power and wiſedome of their Captaine, their reconciled God; his counſell ſhall ſtand though all the … phels in the ea…h conſpire againſt him, and his power is irreſiſtible, though all the kings of the earth bandy themſelves to fight with him; and how ſafe muſt the holy ones be,Prov. 18.10.Prov 18:10 when hee is their Sanctuary? The name of the Lord is a ſtrong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is ſafe, or ſet aloft; free from gun ſhot, where they may ſit and laugh, and the enemy cannot hurt them. This tower goeth with them whitherſoever they move, where they abide, the very name of that place is,Iehovah Shā mab, Ezek, 48.33. The Lord is there; and in whomſoever the ſtrength of Iſrael is, they muſt needs be a ſtrong defence and guard to their City, their p. 39Church and ſtate.

Secondly, in the ſpirituality of all their forces and munition, whereby they offend and grieve the enemy, yet are not diſcerned, that they ſhould bee avoided, or repelled: Their Captaine is a Spirit, and therefore mocketh his enemies in his intermination of the perfidious Iewes; Wee unto them that goe downe to Egypt for help, Iſa. 31.1.2, 3.Isa 31:1Isa 31:2Isa 31:3and ſtay on horſes, and truſt in charets, becauſe they are many, and in horſemen, becauſe they are very ſtrong, but they looke not to the holy one of Iſrael, neither ſeeke the Lord: yet hee alſo is wiſe and will bring evill, and will not call backe his word; but will ariſe againſt the houſe of evill doers, and againſt the help of them that worke iniquity; Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horſes fleſh and not ſpirit, when the Lord ſhall ſtretch forth his hand, he that helpeth ſhall fall, and he that is holpen ſhall fall downe, and they all ſhall faile together. For there can be no reſiſtance, a ſpirit fighteth againſt them, and alas they cannot ſee either to offend him or defend themſelves. Againe, their ſouldiers and miniſters are ſpirits,Heb. 1.7.14.Heb 1:7Heb 1:14 the Angels which p. 40ſerve them,2 Kin. 19▪ …5.2 Kgs 19:5 and are for guard about … one of them went out in a night and … in the camp of the Aſſyrians an hundr… foure ſcore and five thouſand men, … was never perceived; It is a pittifull … to be ſmitten, and never know whence the blow commeth, help or defence cannot bee had againſt ſuch an adverſary. Once more their weapons are ſpirituall, and therefore cannot bee warded off faith and prayer powerfull inſtruments, wherby the weakeſt women have beene the greateſt conquerours:Heb. 11.34.Heb 11:34 Through faith the Apoſtle witneſſeth the righteous hauehave put to flight the armies of the aliens, or forrei… enemies; this is a ſure weapon which they were never able to ſtrike out of the beleevers hand, and this was his victory, or conquering peece.Ezod. 17.11, 12… 13, 14, 15. By prayer alſo Moſes kept off the blowes of Amalek from Iſrael, and gave them a fatall overthrow; ſo that God commands him to write it for a memoriall in a booke, not onelyonly the conqueſt but the meanes and weapon which Moſes doth, and erecteth alſo an altar, whoſe name he called Iehovah … p. 41…he Lord my banner, as a pillar for the eternall memory of faithfull prayer. In this the Paraphraſt put the ſtrength of Eliſha, Thou art better by thy prayer to Iſrael than charet or horſemen. Melior erat Iſratioratione ſua, &c. Cald. ParaphSpirituall forces are thus irreſiſtible, therefore they are very ſtrong; and ſuch is the ſtrength of the righteous.

Laſtly,3. in their unexhauſted proviſion, which continually maintaineth their ſtrength, that they need not feare a decay thereof. The righteous alwayes pitch by that little river, whoſe ſtreames make glad the City of God; of which,Pſal 46.4.Ps 46:4 though they bee faint and weary, if they doe but drinke, their ſtrength returnes as Sampſons, Iudg. 15.19.Judg 15:19and they grow mighty and ſtrong againe. This river is no other, but the water of life, the word and Goſpel of Ieſus Chriſt, it is meate and drinke to the beleeving ſoule; and if he chance to faint, hee getteth ſtrength from thence to his faith, and if his hands grow feeble, he drinketh, and ſtretcheth them forth againe mightily in prayer; and ſo long as he is able to winde his weapons, his ſtrength will bee unreſiſtable. p. 42Happy that City, that nation, that Church, that hath ſuch mighty men … champions, their ſtrength is admirable, and they ſhal not be aſhamed to … the enemy in the gate. Such ſouldiers, ſuch champions, ſuch walls, ſuch bulwarks are the righteous to their places, our concluſion then is neceſſary, their loſſe muſt be very grievous, and their lamentation deſervedly very bitter. I have now but three words to ſpeak to Ioaſh, to Iſrael, and to Eliſha, to the wicked to the Church, and to the righteous, and I cloſe with the text.

O Ioaſh thou art a mourner at Eliſh… death,Vſe 1. but who, thinkſt thou, will lament at thine? The righteous indeed fall, and the City is mooved, all cry after him, and the ſtreets ring with their lamentations; but the wicked are cut off, and all is ſtill, they are neither miſſed, nor deſired, nor lamented. We will not croſſe he proverb, yet may we limit it,Eccl. 2.15.Eccl 2:15 So dyeth the wiſe man, even as the foole; ſo dieth he indeed for the nature of his death, his ſoule is ſeparated from his body, but not ſo for the manner, p. 43iſſue, and conſequents of his death; hee dyeth a wiſe man, but this a foole, he like a Saint expecting to riſe againe gloriouſly, but this as a beaſt which periſheth for ever, he dieth and is loſt as a pearl, this and is never miſſed, like carrion, he is taken away and bitterly lamented, but this is cut off, and not ſo much as deſired. Will ye ſee how they uſe him when he is gone? It was Iehoiakims caſe ſonne to Ioſiah king of Iudah, a wicked wretch whom God thus curſed, when he was dead.Ier. 22.18, 19 Non plangent eum vae ob fratrem meum, vae ob ſororem, non plangent eum, vae ob regem, vae ob regnum eius; Sicut proiiciunt cadaver aſini, ſic proiicient cadaver eius, lacerabitur & proiicietur, ultra portas Ieruſalem. Calv. paraph.Jer 22:18Jer 22:19 They ſhall not lament for him, ſaying, Ah my brother, or ah ſiſter, they ſhall not lament for him, ſaying, Ah Lord, or ah his glory, He ſhall he buried with the buriall of an aſſe, drawne and caſt forth beyond the gates of Ieruſalem. Reade here and ſee your doome, ye generation of evil doers, though ye be the ſonnes of kings and children of Princes, yet your iniquities make you ſtinke, ye die and are dragged, and tumbled out like carrion; this is your ſentence from heauen. It is the curſe of folly to be buried like an aſſe.

Secondly,Vſe 2. O Iſrael how art thou beholding to Eliſha? Thy child indeed; yet thy p. 44father, thy guide, thy counſellour, thy charet and thy horſemen, thy ſinewes, thy very ſtrength and ſafety: and … this why doeſt thou not love him? oh how would I weepe over thee with Ieruſalems lamentation? O Iſrael, Iſrael, thou that keepeſt the oracles of God, and calleſt thy ſelfe by the name of his Church, why art thou weary of thy righteous Princes, thy righteous Prophets, thy righteous ſoldiers, and righteous people? thou ſeemeſt not to regard though they be perſecuted, killed, and ſtoned; oh that thou wouldſt conſider in this thy day the things which concerne thy peace, before they bee taken from thine eyes; thy peace, thy ſafety, thy ſtrength is in thy righteous members, & doeſt thou ſo ſlight them, while thou now inioyeſt them? Woe is thee, thou wilt be feeble when they are gone, then ſhalt thou weepe bitterly, and they will not be. How is it that thou art become unnaturall? thou forſakeſt thine owne, and thou harboureſt ſtrange children: can ſalvation be thy walls, when unrighteouſnes and oppreſſion are among thy rulers, profanenes p. 45among thy Prophets, ſtrange altars in thy temples, and idolatry in thy habitatations? Alas thy leanneſſe, thy leanneſſe! thou art become weake and feeble, and thy deſtructions are now upon thee. Were I worthy to counſell thee (yet I may call to thy remembrance Gods counſell unto thee) O that righteouſnes might abide & rule in thy habitations, that thou wouldeſt ingrave it on thy Nobles, on thy Iudges, on thy Prophets, on thy Captaines, and on thy Souldiers, that in thee might dwell only a people of righteouſnes, then ſhouldſt thou be as the ſtrong City which the Lord hath founded, ſalvation ſhould be thy wals, the name of Iehovah thy tower, thy rereward, and thine everlaſting ſtrength; thou ſhouldeſt be built as on a rocke that can never be ſhaken, and be eſtabliſhed as mount Sion, Gods holy place, which ſhall never be remooved.

Laſtly, is Eliſha among the ſicke,Vſe 3. and maimed, and cripples, and feeble? what doeſt thou heere Eliſha? How commeſt thou thus tyred and weak and faint, thou righteous ſoule, thou ſtrength of Iſrael? p. 46haſt thou bin dallying, & playing the wā ton in the harlots lap? are thy locks ſho…, oh Sampſon? and haſt thou betrayed thy ſtrength into the hands of thine enemies? Haſt thou loſt thy Captain, thy Aſſiſtance, thy weapons? where is faith now? where is that Almighty praier that openeth and ſhuts heaven, that calleth for legions of Angels? Alas thou haſt ſinned, & thy God is hidden from thee, and thy confederates dare not come neere thee, thou canſt not hand before the enemy, nor wind a weapon for thy defence; thy ſtrength is become weaknes, and thou haſt made thy ſelfe a ſcorne to the adverſaries, whom thou haſt ſometimes wounded? Shouldſt thou thus tempt God and fall? this is thy rebuke; yet let me adviſe thee too. Come ſhelter thy ſelfe a little under the wing of thy redeemer, ſtay there while thy locks are growne, thy Captaine will come that way, then lay hold on him, thy forces goe along with him, gather them together, draw out thy weapons again, and begin to uſe them, let faith pitch it ſelfe upon thy God through thy Chriſt, tell p. 47him, thou wilt throw thy ſelfe upon his power, and faithfulnes to preſerve thee, let thy prayer ſet upon him mightily, and give him no reſt, untill hee come againe, and renew tſty ſtrength like the Eagles. Then comfort thy ſelfe (oh thou charet of Iſrael and the horſemen thereof) the eyes of all Iſrael are upon thee for their ſtrength, thou mighty man of God, they weepe with bitter lamentation when thou art taken from them, and ſhouldeſt thou quaile for any adverſe power? Conſider thy ſtrength, thou haſt power to combat with hell and overthrow it, to grapple with death, and to defeat it, to make the grave tremble, and open unto thee, that thou maiſt ariſe againe & come forth a conquerour. Death may humme about, but it is a drone, it hath no ſting, ſinne may make a bluſter, but it hath no ſtrength, hell may belch foorth great words, but it is already vanquiſhed to thy hand, and the grave may threaten much, but it can doe nothing againſt ſuch a mighty man as thou art; thou haſt now nothing to doe, but reſting in Jehovah p. 48thine everlaſting ſtrength ſit downe and ſing; Death is ſwallowed up in victory, … death where is thy ſting? oh grave or … where is thy victory? The ſting of death is …, and the ſtrength of ſinne is the law; But th…nk… be to God, who hath given me victory through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.

I have now done with my Text.

I miſtooke, I have not yet done, I muſt have one curſory more over it for this heavy and ſad occaſion, then I cloſe up indeed: yet the corrupt cuſtome of our dayes maketh mee almoſt afraid, when men of corrupt minds, enemies to godlines, and children of their father the divell muſt bee made Saints at their funeralls, and though all their life time they have beene tracing downe to hell, yet at their death they are poſted from the pulpit in a charet into heaven, but it is a windy one that breaketh in pieces, and lets them fall downe againe, before they come halfe way thither. Nevertheleſſe, I ſee the holy Fathers have uſed to give record of the graces of the Saints deceaſed, p. 49and to ſpread their names as a ſweet ointment among their brethren, and it is very commendable, if faithfully performed, and not abuſed to paint divells; with this care I ſhall proceed by Gods helpe to performe this laſt duty for this honoured brother, and it muſt bee with care: for there are two eyes upon me very extreamely oppoſite, Envies and Affections, that, would have nothing ſaid, this perhaps too much; I ſhall not feare to diſpleaſe either, ſo I may pleaſe my God, by whoſe bleſſing I now begin, You will pardon mee if I keepe not the common method, to begin from his deſcent and parentage though that of worthy and honeſt ranke, not to be neglected (if I ſhould keepe that order;) but me thinkes, it is …proper praiſe from anothers worth,Sedgenus & proav…, & quae non f…ci…sus ipſi vix ea noſtra voc…. I deſire to let him have his owne, and to … him, where he commeth within my … as a righteous ſoule, and nothing …ere certaine than that he was borne a …. His transplantation therefore into this City is my beginning,M^r. Richard Stocks. and his fruitfull growth under the labours of a Reverend Miniſter now with God, … gave full teſtimony, that he was a … of righteouſnes indeed; thence … up to ſhew forth the power of righteouſneſſe in the places private and publicke whereunto God called him.

He was a righteous husband, I … no more of this, leſt I provoke bitter lamentation. He was a righteous maſter… his ſervants feele it, from whoſe heads, God hath taken off their maſter this day. He was a righteous father, not to his … alone, they are too little to have experience of it, but to orphans and fatherleſſe was he father, a guide, and counſellor; my owne loſſe is with theirs, beare with… if in the ſenſe of it I bewray my infirmities; as David for his ſonne, O my father, my father, would to God I had … thee, O my father, my father! Hee was a righteous friend to many, I give but … inſtance of it, his reconciling difference almoſt every day, his hands were … ever out of an arbitration, which … without partiall reſpects to any that … him a iudge over them, I know I … many witneſſes to this, who now want him.

In his more publike offices, hee was firſt a righteous ſouldier ſquared by Saint Iohns rule, hee would doe violence to no man, nor put any man in feare;Luk. 3.14.Luke 3:14 in this condition he tooke a good degree, he was a Captaine and a righteous Commander; the vertues of a Commanders maieſty, wiſedome, meeknes and love ſurely made him one; diſorder, as there muſt bee among ſouldier ſometimes, could never make him paſſionate; hee was a man of ſuch admired moderation, He croſſed the rule of that raſh commander, (Jt is folly to intreat, where a man hath power to compell) foreign Heſiod p. 41.He found it better governing by love: this made the flower of the Cities, yea, of the kingdomes Artillery, ſo unanimouſly ſubiect to his command. Let me minde you (ye worthy ſouldiers) know ye not that God hath taken away your Captaine from off your heads this day? and can yee doe leſſe than cry after him (O our charet and our horſemen?) I know ſorrow hath filled your hearts; yet, by the way let mee p. 52adviſe you, be not overcharged, that you forget your calling; but when yee … weepe over this your honoured head, and lamented before his hearſe; Ah our father, ah his glory; wipe your faces, … and to worke againe for God, pray for… double portion of his ſpirit upon ſome of your brethren, and chooſe him, who may goe before you in wiſedome, and courage, and the feare of the Lord.

I am now at a ſtand, An arma, A… …g… cedat? whether he were better ſouldier, or better Citizen? His wiſedome, his courage, and his impartiall carriage in the City affairs, which might concerne him, beare record, that he was not onelyonly a good man, but a good Citizen; his worth provoked the City,Quid in illa virtutum, quid, ingenii, quid ſanctitatis, quid puritatis invenerim vere… dicers, ne fidem credulitatis ex ceda… & tihi mai… rem delorem intutiam recordanti quanto bon… caru eris. Hier. Mar. ep. tem, 1. not only to call him to her common counſell, but to deſigne him to a more honorable place in the High Court of Parliament, where he manifeſted himſelfe to be a righteous ſervant to his King to his Country, and to his City, I muſt ſtay, leaſt (as S. Hierome writes to Princip… of Marcella a widow) if I ſhould tell all, I ſhould either ſeeme to hyperbolize, or p. 56oppreſſe your hearts the more; when ye ſee what a great good ye have loſt. In this honour for his laſt time he lived, and died. Ye may expect now in my hand a catalogue of good deeds: but I have none, the reaſons theſe. 1. It was his his care to give to God in his poore and in his miniſters, the portion of his eſtate while he lived; yet dying he hath given as well as living. 2. It was his mind not to have a trumpet ſounded at his death, and I fulfill it. I muſt leave him, he will be gone; it was my portion to commend his ſoule in the laſt breath into the hands of his faithfull redeemer; and his body I muſt commend to the earth, in the aſſuted hope of his ioyfull reſurrection; OnelyOnly two things I would commend to you, and then your ſelves to God. 1. The honour of his name, let it be as a ſweete ointment among you in everlaſting remembrance; he was your ſtrength, your charet and horſemen. 2. The imitation, his righteouſnes, his wiſedome, his godly courage; ye ſee his reward, he is now with God at reſt, his worke is done: our houre page missing

End of the text · George Hughes, The Saints Loss and Lamentation (1632)