Elisha Lamenting after the God of Elijah, Sermon

Elisha Lamenting after the God of Elijah · Sermon

p. 1Survivors inquiring after the GOD OF Their pious Predeceſſors.

II. Kings, 2.14.

—Where is the LORD God of Elijah?

AS there's no Hiſtory in the World of like Antiquity with the Bible, ſo none of ſuch extenſive and happy Influence; none of equal Uſe and Service to Mankind. For in the ſacred Story we have ſuch Accounts of the Works of God, Creation, Providence, and Redemption, as preſent his amiable (but ſtill tremendous) Perfections to our View in the beſt and ſtrongeſt Light, far tranſcending the higheſt Diſcoveries of mere natural Reaſon; and conſequently have a powerful Tendency both to awaken in every conſidering Soul very awful Apprehenſions of his Majeſty and Greatneſs, and to encourage our Hope and Confidence in his Wiſdom, Goodneſs, and Truth: And here too we have ſuch Narratives of innumerable Saints and Servants of God in former Ages of the World, their Character and Conduct, Experiences and Obſervations, Lives and Deaths, as are eminently uſeful for the Direction of our Faith and Practice, afford very convincing Arguments for the Reality, Excellency and p. 2Advantage of Divine Revelation, and tend to acquaint us more fully with the glorious Principles of our holy Religion, to eſtabliſh our Belief of its important Doctrines, and engage our Attention and Obedience to its incomparably wiſe and righteous Precepts. As an admirable Harmony runs thro' all the Revelations of God to the Sons of Men, ſo a beautiful Congruity every where appears in the Faith, Worſhip, and Morals of all Saints (tho' variouſly excelling in Proportion to the Divine Light and Grace diſpens'd to them) thro' all ſucceſſive Ages of the World. The inſpired Records of the Apoſtolick Age may have furniſh'd us with the plaineſt and faireſt, the moſt familiar and moſt indefective Copies for our Imitation: Yet Moſes and the Prophets are not to be thrown by as uſeleſs, nor the Examples of Old Teſtament-Saints to be neglected, as of no Importance to us under the Chriſtian Diſpenſation; but even theſe are applicable for the Regulation of our Belief, our Temper and Deportment, in the moſt eſſential Inſtances, with relation to the Things of God and Eternity, and for our Encouragement and Aſſiſtance upon many Occaſions in the Courſe of the Chriſtian Life.

On the preſent Occaſion, when we are call'd to mourn the Death of an eminently pious and uſeful Servant of God, I have ſingled out the Example of renowned Eliſha (who had his Maſter taken from his head) to teach us the moſt proper Conduct under ſuch a Diſpenſation.

My Text ſtands in Connection with the remarkable Story of Elijah's Tranſlation to the Church triumphant above, and Eliſha's Succeſſion into his Place in the Church militant below. We hear Eliſha pathetically mourning the Departure of the old illuſtrious Prophet: As he ſaw him aſcend in a Chariot of Fire, carry'd up by a Whirlwind into Heaven, he rent his Clothes, and with the Paſſion of a bereaved Son cried after him, My p. 3Father, my Father, the Chariot of Iſrael and the Horſemen thereof! — However, he did not long ſtand gazing up into Heaven: but preſently taking up the Mantle of Elijah, that had fallen from him at his ſudden Rapture, and welcoming this deſirable Memorial of his endeared Father, the viſible Badge of his Office, and a happy Pledge of his inheriting the Bleſſing that had been promis'd him, he goes forth in the Spirit of Elias to enter into his Labours, and goes on his way crying after the GOD of his Maſter, and walking in the Steps of his Faith. That is now his ſolicitous Inquiry, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? Not ſatisfied with having Elijah's Mantle, he muſt have Elijah's GOD too, in the ſenſible Effects of his powerful and gracious Preſence with him (the ſame as had been with his holy Predeceſſor) which wou'd abundantly make Amends for the Loſs he was mourning under, be the moſt effectual Relief to his ſorrowful Heart, the beſt Help to him in the important Work now devolv'd upon him, and an encouraging Preſage of his future Uſefulneſs.— He do's not employ himſelf in a fruitleſs Search for Elijah; like the Sons of the Prophets, who cou'd not believe his bodily Tranſlation to Heaven, but imagining that his dead Corpſe might be dropt upon ſome remote Mountain, or rather perhaps that he was tranſported alive to ſome diſtant obſcure Place, and (if ſo) ought ſtill to retain his Dignity and Station, as Head of the Prophets, would not be reſtrained from going in Queſt after him. Nor do's he lay out any Thought or Pains in curious Speculations upon the inviſible World and hidden Life, the Prophet was exalted to: nor in paſſionate Aggravations of his own and the publick Loſs, by the Departure of ſo eminent a Man of God. Neither do we hear any raſh Wiſhes for his Return; much leſs any idolatrous Application to him for his Favour and Help: No, tho' Elijah be in a State of Exaltation, a glorious and happy Saint, made like p. 4unto the Angels, yet Eliſha knows better than to pay him Divine Honours, or place him in God's ſtead. But well aware that his Help is in the Name of the Lord, and hoping to find him a very preſent Help, he looks off from the Creature, unto the Creator, who is bleſſed for ever, and who will cauſe the Bleſſing to reſt upon them, that wait for him. He aſks not for Elijah, but inquires after his GOD. Where is the LORD God of Elijah? Or, as it may be read, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah, even He! The Hebrew Words (APH HU) which our Verſion joyns to the following Clauſe, as ſpoken of Eliſha, ſtand in the Original connected with the Words foregoing, and are underſtood by learned Criticks as adding an Emphaſis to Eliſha's Queſtion, Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah, even He, Himſelf? 'Tis not the Language of Infidelity or Diffidence, the Expoſtulation of an unbelieving or doubting Soul, that queſtion'd the Being of Elijah's God, diſputed his Omnipreſence, or ſuſpected his Power or Faithfulneſs to accompliſh the great and precious Promiſe Eliſha had lately received: But rather 'tis the humble and earneſt Expectation and Prayer of Faith, That Elijah's God would be with his ſurviving Son and Succeſſor, and now give an early Proof of Elijah's Spirit being come upon him (according to his own former Wiſh, and the departed Prophet's Farewel-Benediction) in a double Portion of Gifts, Graces, and Bleſſings.

Our Text may receive ſome Illuſtration by comparing it with Iſa. 63.11,—17. (underſtanding Iſrael to be ſpeaking there) Then he remembred the Days of old, Moſes and his People (recollected and reaſon'd upon the Story) ſaying, WHERE IS HE that brought them up out of the Sea, with the Shepherd of his Flock? WHERE IS HE that put his holy Spirit within him? That led them by the right hand of Moſes, with his glorious Arm, dividing the Water before them, to make Himſelf p. 5an everlaſting Name?— Look down from Heaven: — WHERE is thy Zeal and thy Strength, the ſounding of thy Bowels and of thy tender Mercies towards me? Are they reſtrained? Doubtleſs Thou art our Father, tho' Abraham be ignorant of us, &c. Thou Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer, thy Name is from Everlaſting. O Lord, return for thy Servants ſake, the Tribes of thine Inheritance. 'Tis the Church's Complaint of God's viſible Withdraw from his People, and a paſſionate Supplication for the Return of his favourable Preſence; back'd with a Plea from their Forefathers Experience of the Divine Power and Mercy in commanding glorious Deliverances for them: the Remembrance of which they now improve to encourage their Faith and embolden their Hope in the preſent Day of Darkneſs and Diſtreſs. So Gideon, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, ſaying, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty Man of Valour; made that Reply, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and WHERE be all his Miracles, which our Fathers told us of? (Judg. 6.13.) As if he had ſaid, Where is the Lord God of our Fathers? Where are the Tokens of his powerful and gracious Preſence? We ſee awful Signs of his Departure from us: but where are the happy Pledges of his Return to us! So the Prophet, Iſa. 51.9, 10. Awake, awake, put on Strength, O Arm of the LORD: awake as in the ancient Days, in the Generations of old. Art thou not it that cut Rahab, and wounded the Dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the Sea; that hath made the Depths of the Sea a Way for the Ranſomed to paſs over? — Thus in like manner Eliſha, under a deep Concern upon the awful Frown of Heaven in taking away Elijah (who had been a Prophet mighty in Word and Deed before all the People, a Father to him and to all the other Miniſters of Religion and Sons of Learning, and an eminent Means of Iſrael's Defence and Safety) and now p. 6upon his Return to the Buſineſs of his Station, having the River Jordan in his Way, which he knew not how to get over, takes the Mantle of Elijah, and ſmites the Waters, crying out, Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah, even HE? — One notes upon it, "There are the Remains of great and good Men, which (like this Mantle) ought to be gather'd up and preſerv'd by Survivors; their Sayings, their Writings, their Examples: that as their Works follow them in the Reward of 'em, they may ſtay behind with us in the Benefit of 'em. But what will it profit, what will it avail us, to have the Mantles of thoſe that are gone, their Places, their Books, their Patterns, if we have not their Spirit, and their God?" — We ſhould ſet our ſelves with a careful Hand to gather up whatever (in any kind) has fallen from our pious Predeceſſors, that may be of Uſe to us: but above all we ſhou'd make the Lord their God our Choice, and his gracious Preſence our Heart's Deſire, our ſpeedy and conſtant Purſuit. Thus Eliſha contented not himſelf with crying after Elijah, My Father, my Father! and taking up his Mantle: But proceeds to call upon his God, and cry after Him, Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah, even HE?

Here we may obſerve diſtinctly;

I. He inquires for JEHOVAH. — Where is the LORD?

Being inſtructed by his Maſter concerning the Name of the LORD, and having often heard him call upon JEHOVAH, that great Name of his God; Eliſha follows his Faith, adores the bleſſed God by the ſame exalted Name, aſks the ſpecial Tokens of his Preſence, and covets a more improv'd Acquaintance and Communion with Him. He profeſſes his Belief in the One living and true God: implicitly renouncing Baal and every Idol; for he knew, that an Idol is Nothing in the World, and that there is none other God but One, p. 7whoſe Name alone is JEHOVAH**This ſingular Name JEHOVAH, which is in the Text, and throughout the Old Teſtament, tranſlated into our Language by the Word LORD (ever put in Capitals) belongs to GOD, and to GOD only. Pſal. 83.18. — Some obſerve, "The Heathen are thought to have us'd it for their ſupreme GOD with a little Variation from their Jo—ve, as they, in one Caſe, call their Jupiter, whom we call Jove in Engliſh, which is reckoned to be but a Contraction of our Jehovah. And ought we not to let them know, Our Bible gives an Account of the Jehove, or Jehovah of whom the moſt famous of their Anceſtors had ſome dark Notices; imploying our beſt Intereſt and Influence that we may draw 'em to regard it"?—TRIN. of the Bible, &c. and Leigh's Crit. Sac.Ps 83:18. This is that incommunicable Name, by which the moſt High has made Himſelf known, and ſtands diſtinguiſh'd from all other gods, who are very Vanity, and can neither give nor receive a Bleſſing. Whereas JEHOVAH (according to the Idea included in his Name) is an abſolute eternal unchangeable Eſſence, Self-exiſtent, and Self-ſufficient, and therefore All-ſufficient; having infinite Power, Perfection and Bleſſedneſs in Himſelf: and being the Fountain of all created Nature, Exiſtence, Excellence, Operation and Enjoyment. It's of the ſame Import with his Name JAH (Pſal. 68.4.) and EHJEH (Exod. 3.14.) I AM. — For He alone properly IS: and in Compare with Him all Things, as well in Heaven above, as in Earth below, may be called Things that are not. He is the Being of Beings, ſupreme, inviſible, uncreated, everlaſting, immenſe, immutable, incomprehenſible, independent, neceſſary; the firſt Cauſe and laſt End of all other Beings; the adequate and ſole Object of religious Worſhip and of Happineſs to the reaſonable Creature; and a God in Covenant with his People, true and ſtedfaſt for ever, willing and able and faithful to give Being to his Promiſes, and Birth to the Purpoſes of His Will. He that cometh unto God, muſt believe that He IS, and p. 8that He is a Rewarder of them which diligently ſeek Him††"As to the Import of the Name JEHOVAH, it conſiſts of Signs which attend the Paſt, the Preſent, and the Future Time in Hebrew, as has been remark'd by learned Men. JE in this Name is a Note of the Time to come; HO of the Time preſent; VAH of the Time paſt: And is as much as to ſay, He who is, and was, and is to come.—This Name is alſo taken Notice of, as made up of Letters all call'd Quieſcent or reſting ones in the Hebrew Tongue: and as thereby pointing us to obſerve, That there is no Reſt ſhort of JEHOVAH; but all Reſt, Peace, Quiet and Satisfaction to be had richly, from Him, in and with Him.— This Name refers us, as is agreed on all hands, to One who has his Being from no other, and gives Being unto all Things; and among the reſt, to his Words of Promiſe and of Threatning, by bringing Things to paſs according to them"—Ibid..

NOTE, The Majeſty of Heaven is to be adored by his Name JEHOVAH, and by this Name we are to inquire after the true God: encouraging our Faith and Hope, while we ſeek Him, from the Conſideration of his immenſe Beings abſolute Perfection, and infinite Sufficiency.

He challenges this Name as His appropriate Glory, and expects to be known and acknowledg'd by it. God ſpake to Moſes, and ſaid unto him, "I am the LORD: and I appeared unto Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, by the Name of God Almighty; and by my Name JEHOVAH was I (comparatively) not known to them. Wherefore ſay unto the Children of Iſrael, I am the LORD: and ye ſhall know that I am the LORD your God. THIS is my Name for ever, and this is my Memorial unto all Generations. See now that I, even I, am He; and there is no God with Me.— So he ſpeaks by the Prophet Iſaiah; "I am the LORD; that is my Name: and my Glory will I not give to another. Ye are my Witneſſes, ſaith the LORD, and my Servant whom I have choſen; that ye may know and believe Me, and underſtand that I AM HE: before p. 9Me there was no God formed, neither ſhall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD. I am the Firſt, and I am the Laſt, and beſides Me there is no God; I know not any.— So He hath ſaid by the Prophet Jeremiah: "The LORD is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlaſting King. The Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth, even they ſhall periſh. The Portion of Jacob is not like them: the LORD of hoſts is his Name. "Thus ſaith the LORD, let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he underſtandeth and knoweth ME, that I am the LORD, which exerciſe Lovingkindneſs, Judgment and Righteouſneſs in the Earth: for in theſe Things I delight, ſaith the LORD.

JEHOVAH is the tremendous Name, which ſtands at the Head of the Ten Commandments. "God ſpake all theſe Words, ſaying, I am the LORD. — This proclaims Him the only proper Object of Divine Homage and religious Service, enforces our Obedience to Him, awakens a holy Fear in us, invites our Faith and Love, and animates our Hope of a gracious Acceptance and Reward. It is written, "Thou ſhalt fear the LORD▪ Him only ſhalt thou ſerve, and to Him ſhalt thou cleave, and ſwear by his Name,—"Hear, O Iſrael, The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou ſhalt love the LORD thy God with all thine Heart, and with all thy Soul, and with all thy Might. — "Know that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love Him and keep his Commandments. — "Thou ſhalt remember the LORD thy God.— Thou ſhalt not go after other gods: for the LORD thy God is a jealous God. — Sanctify the LORD God in your Heart.— "If you do return unto the LORD with all your Heart, then put away ſtrange gods, and prepare your Heart unto the LORD, and ſerve Him only.— "Seek the LORD, while He p. 10may be found.—— "And when thou ſhalt ſeek the LORD thy God, thou ſhalt find Him, if thou ſeek Him with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul.— "Take Heed to thy ſelf that thou be not ſnared by following the Way of the Heathen, and that thou inquire not after their gods.— "The Lord will be terrible unto them; for He will famiſh all the gods of the Earth: and Men ſhall worſhip HIM, every one from his place.— "I will ſtretch out mine Hand, ſaith the LORD, and will cut off the Remnant of Baal, and them that are turned back from the LORD, and thoſe that have not ſought the LORD, nor inquired for him.— "Thus ſaith the LORD to the Houſe of Iſrael, Seek ye ME, and ye ſhall live: But ſeek not Bethel.— Seek HIM that maketh the ſeven Stars and Orion: The LORD is His Name.— "Break up your fallow Ground: for it is Time to ſeek the LORD, till He come and rain Righteouſneſs upon You. Even the LORD God of Hoſts, the LORD is his Memorial: Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep Mercy and Judgment, and wait on thy God continually.— "Thus ſaith the LORD, Stand ye in the Ways and ſee, and aſk for the old Paths, where is the good Way, and walk therein, and ye ſhall find Reſt for your Souls. — "Thus ſaith the LORD, What Iniquity have your Fathers found in Me, that they are gone far from Me, and walked after Vanity? Neither ſaid they, WHERE is the LORD? The Prieſts ſaid not, WHERE is the LORD? and they that handle the Law, knew me not.— "But in the laſt Days it ſhall come to paſs, that many Nations ſhall come and ſay, Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the LORD: for all People will walk every one in the Name of his god, and we will walk in the Name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

The Name of the LORD is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghoſt, the Three that bear Record in Heaven, and theſe Three are One. We p. 11are baptiz'd into this Name, and in this Name of our God we are to walk: living a Life of Dependence upon Him, Devotedneſs to Him, and Communion with Him. We muſt be inquiring after and ſeeking the LORD in all his Ways, Ordinances and Providences. That muſt continually be the Queſtion with us, WHERE is the LORD? His gracious Preſence muſt be our principal Aim and Deſire, as that in which lies all our Safety, Proſperity, Glory and Happineſs. "Bleſſed is the Man, O LORD, whom Thou chuſeſt and cauſeſt to approach unto Thee. "The LORD is my Shepherd; I ſhall not want: Yea, tho' I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil; for Thou art with me. "The LORD is a Sun and Shield, He will give Grace and Glory, and no good Thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly.— To whom ſhould we go but to HIM? Nor need we enquire after any other god: for He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we aſk or think. If JEHOVAH be his Name, what may we not expect from his favourable Preſence! Thus He ſaith, "Fear not, I am with thee. "Behold, I am the LORD: Is there any Thing too hard for Me? Verily, the Lovingkindneſs of the LORD is better than Life: and his Wrath worſe than Death. Who knoweth the Extent of his Goodneſs, or the Power of his Anger!— Let all the Inhabitants of the Earth venerate this great and terrible Name JEHOVAH, and tremble at his Preſence; for our God is a conſuming Fire, and who can ſtand before Him whence once He is angry! Cleanſe your Hands and Hearts, ye Sinners: Humble your ſelves in the Sight of the LORD: Stand in Awe, and ſin not: Draw nigh to Him, and He will draw nigh to You: Lift up your Souls to Him, and not to lying Vanities; Seek the LORD, and his Strength: Seek his Face evermore. And let the Heart of them that ſeek the LORD, be joyful. Ye Saints, glory in p. 12his holy Name: Extol Him that rideth upon the Heavens by his Name JAH, and rejoyce before Him. But ſerve the LORD with Fear, and rejoyce with Trembling: for with Him is dreadful Majeſty, and He is terrible out of his holy Places.

A Pharaoh may inſult and ſay, Who is the LORD, that I ſhou'd obey Him? But let Iſrael humbly ſubmit and ſay, Whatſoever the LORD commandeth, that will we do, and will be obedient. If Laban conſults his Teraphim, and bows down to graven Images; yet let Jacob ſeek JEHOVAH, and put away all ſtrange gods, pay his Vows to the LORD, and ſerve him only. Let the Prophets, which eat at Jezebel's Table, follow Baal, and call on the Name of their Idol: But let Elijah follow the LORD, follow Him fully, and call on the Name of JEHOVAH. Let the Children of this World truſt in the Abundance of their Wealth, and make Gold their Confidence: But let the Children of Light truſt in the living God, make the LORD their Hope, and ſtay themſelves upon JEHOVAH, with whom is everlaſting Strength, and in whoſe Favour is Life. Acquaint now thy ſelf with Him, and be at Peace: thereby Good ſhall come unto thee. Under afflictive Loſſes, make it your Inquiry, Where is the LORD? Let none be heard ſaying, "They have taken away my gods, and what have I more! "Many there be that ſay, Who will ſhew us any Good? Their Inquiries are, "What ſhall we eat? and what ſhall we drink? and wherewith ſhall we be cloathed? Where is there a good Bargain to be got? Where is Mirth to be had? Which way ſhall we come to Honour? Thus they are full of the Cares and Cries of Nature and Paſſion. But none of them ſaith, WHERE is God my Maker? That's the Cry of Grace, "My Soul thirſteth for God, the living God: when ſhall I come and appear before God"?— "O that I knew where I might find Him!— "Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? p. 13and there is none upon Earth that I deſire beſides Thee. Lo, they that are far from Thee ſhall periſh: But it is good for me to draw near to God. — Such ſhould be the ardent Breathings of Faith, Love, and Deſire in our Souls toward JEHOVAH. We ſhould be daily ſeeking and aſking for Him; having our Eyes ever to the LORD, deprecating his Departure from us, and deſiring his Preſence with us. We ſhou'd make it our Concern that our Fellowſhip may be with the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt, whoſe Name is JEHOVAH. We ſhou'd delight in approaching to Him: and Him we ſhou'd acknowledge in all our Ways. In the Day of Proſperity we ſhou'd bleſs the Lord as the Author of all our Mercies: and in the Day of Adverſity we ſhou'd conſider his Hand, and inquire wherefore He contendeth with us. Under all the Troubles of Life and Apprehenſions of Death, we ſhou'd be inquiring early after the LORD our God. When Religion is dying, we ſhou'd cry, Where is the LORD? and pray, Help LORD, when the godly Man ceaſeth. Under our moſt ſorrowful Bereavements we ſhou'd remember, The LORD liveth; and whoever dies and leaves us, ſtill JEHOVAH is nigh to them that ſeek Him, and is the ſame Yeſterday, to Day, and for ever. Tho' even an Elijah forſakes us; yet in this we may be confident, if the LORD his God and our God be with us, we ſhall have our Loſs abundantly compenſated. On ſuch an Occaſion then let Survivors be inquiring after the LORD God of Elijah.— Which brings me to obſerve, in the next place,

II. Eliſha inquires for Jehovah, as the GOD of Elijah.— WHERE is the Lord GOD of Elijah, even He?

It mayn't be amiſs to premiſe here, that the Majeſty of Heaven is in our Text and many other Scriptures ſtiled JEHOVAH ELOHIM: upon which judicious Criticks have obſerv'd, that the ſingular Name Jehovah p. 14repreſents the Deity to us as One, while that of Elohim, being plural, repreſents Him as More; and Jehovah being join'd with Elohim, this perhaps is deſign'd to engage our Attention to what both ſuggeſt at one and the ſame time, The Unity of Eſſence and the Plurality of Perſons in the Godhead. We are not to take Jehovah Elohim in our Text as intending the Father only; however it may mean Him primarily, yet is not to be underſtood excluſively of the Son and the holy Ghoſt. Nor is Jehovah Elohim to be underſtood Jehovah ONE of the Elohim, but we fitly read it the LORD GOD, the ſacred THREE which are ONE. Eliſha cries out, Where is the LORD GOD of Elijah?

Let it be more particularly remark'd:

1. He aſſerts, that Jehovah is GOD, the GOD. Eliſha might now have in his Thoughts what had happen'd in a late notable Controverſy between Elijah and his Adverſaries, upon that grand Queſtion, WHO is God? Elijah reprov'd all the People, ſaying, "How long halt ye between two Opinions? If JEHOVAH be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.— And finally he put the Diſpute upon this Iſſue, "Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the Name of JEHOVAH; And He ſhall be the God that anſwereth by Fire; He [Hu, the ſame, Himſelf] the GOD!— And when all the People ſaw the Fire of the LORD fall upon Elijah's Sacrifice, they humbled themſelves before the Prophet, and own'd their full Conviction, crying out, in that vehement and repeated Exclamation, JEHOVAH Himſelf the ELOHIM! The LORD, He ‖‖In the Original the Word is HU; which, ſome think, is one of the Names of God: But moſt Expoſitors judge it only a common Pronoun, and read it. He, Himſelf, or the ſame.—Dominus ipſe Deus. 1 Kin. 18.39.1 Kgs 18:39is the God! It ſeems an Adoration ſomething p. 15like that of the Apoſtle Thomas, when in a Tranſport of Love and Joy, he broke out in that Addreſs to the riſen Jeſus, My LORD and my GOD!

As to the Import of Elohim or GOD, I take it not to be a mere relative Word, or a Term of Office only, ſignifying a kind Providence and Dominion, as ſome wou'd carry it, and properly applicable to created Rulers and Benefactors: But I look upon it to be rather of an abſolute Signification (like the Word Jehovah) and according to the Uſe of it in Scripture properly and ſtrictly it denotes the ſupreme Being, under the Character of the Almighty, including the Idea of infinite Perfection, neceſſary Exiſtence, and Independency. The original and genuine Meaning of the Word, I conclude, may be beſt learnt from the Uſe of it in ſuch Texts as thoſe, Ezek. 28.2. Say to the Prince of Tyrus, Thou art a MAN, and not GOD. So Num. 23.19. GOD is not a MAN, that He ſhould lie; neither the Son of Man, that He ſhould repent. And Hoſ. 11.9. I will not execute the Fierceneſs of mine Anger; for I am GOD, and not MAN. There's an obſervable and beautiful Antitheſis in theſe ſeveral Places, which muſt be loſt, and the Texts unintelligible, if the word GOD be properly a mere Term of Office or Relation, and not of Eſſence or Nature, as well as the word MAN. Evident it is, tint the Divine and Human NATURES are here put in Contradiſtinction, one to the other: and while the words [Man and Son of Man] ſignify a Being created, a Nature frail, imperfect, and very mutable, the other and oppoſite word [God] is uſed to denote a Being uncauſed and eternal, a Nature abſolutely and immutably perfect, infinitely good and glorious and bleſſed in it ſelf, and for ever independent; which, upon a little Reflection, will be found Ideas eſſentially connected with, and inſeparable from the Character of Almighty. ELOHIM then, in the true, original, and complex Notion of the Word, is p. 16a Name appropriate to JEHOVAH. Indeed there is a conſequential, ſubordinate and ſecondary Notion, in which the Term may be us'd ſometimes, viz. that of a Ruler and Benefactor; for theſe Characters are neceſſarily included in the Idea of God Almighty: And by way of Analogy even Creatures, Angels and Men, are in that View of the Word ſometimes called Elohim.

But however, it primarily imports the OMNIPOTENT, the Supreme and Firſt Cauſe: and is a Name not communicable to any Creature, but in a lax, inferential, and metaphorical Uſe of the Word. JEHOVAH, even He alone is GOD, in the proper Application and ſtrict Senſe of the Term. None other are Gods by Nature; but are falſely ſo called, or figuratively, alluſively, and in the conſequential Notion of the Word: for none are really and properly Gods, if not ſo by Nature. Unto us there is but One God; but one Being that is eſſentially and truly God: Yet this ONE is (ineffably) ſomehow THREE, variouſly denominated, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghoſt. (1 Joh. 5.7.) Natural Reaſon is capable of ſtrongly arguing the UNITY of the Godhead: but ſupernatural Revelation makes the further Diſcovery of a TRINITY in Unity. The holy Scripture makes thoſe Perſonal Attributions to the ſacred THREE, which manifeſtly infer their different Modes of Subſiſtence: and yet it aſcribes all Divine Perfections and Honours equally to them all, which as manifeſtly infers their being One in Eſſence. Not only the Father, but the Son and the Spirit likewiſe, are called GOD in the genuine, abſolute, ſublime Senſe of the Word, without any ſpecial Limitation, without any Signatures of a figurative Uſe, or a diminutive and imperfect Senſe deſign'd. All the eſſential Characters of GOD are attributed to the Son and holy Ghoſt, in the ſame Heights of Language as to the Father, without any apparent Marks of Diſtinction; even thoſe peculiar Glories, which the ſupreme Being has ever challeng'd p. 17as his ſole Prerogatives, whereby He will be known and diſtinguiſh'd from all that is called God beſides, whether in Heaven or Earth. Rev. 1.8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, ſaith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. When therefore the Law of the LORD ſaith, Thou ſhall have no other gods before me, it is to be interpreted as excluſive of Idols, and every mere Creature, but ſtill as incluſive of the Son and holy Spirit, who together with the Father are the one Object of Faith, Devotion and Obedience. "Know ye, that the LORD, He is GOD. "This is the true God and eternal Life. "There is none good but One, that is GOD: and if thou will enter into Life, keep his Commandments. "Behold, the Lord GOD ſaith, I come quickly, and my Reward is with Me. "I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Firſt and the Laſt. "I Jeſus have ſent mine Angel to teſtify unto You theſe Things in the Churches.—And ſince we hear theſe Things, let it not be ſaid of us, as it is of ſome, Rom. 1.21. That when they knew GOD, they glorified Him not as GOD, neither were thankful.

I come now to obſerve,

2. Eliſha aſſerts Elijah's Intereſt in JEHOVAH, and ſpecial Relation to Him, as the Lord his GOD.— Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

For Explication of this it muſt be noted: Since the very Names JEHOVAH Elohim carry in them an Idea of abſolute Perfection, of eternal Power, and of infinite Goodneſs and Happineſs, hence when the ſupreme Being is ſaid to be Jehovah Elohim to a Perſon or People, it means his being That unto them, which He is in Himſelf, his ſhewing them his Glory, cauſing his Goodneſs to paſs before them, and giving them to ſee and enjoy Him as GOD.—They that make the Term God a mere Term of Office and Relation, have contriv'd to fix their narrow and low Idea on the p. 18Word with a View to the weakning and eluding an eminent Scripture-Argument for the true and proper Divinity of our Saviour and the holy Spirit, from one Place and another where they are expreſly called God. But now if we attend to the conſtant univerſal Uſe of the Word in Scripture, as apply'd to the Firſt Cauſe, we ſhall find it an eſſential Name, and carrying nothing more of Relation or Office in it, than there is in the Name Jehovah. Words indeed of an abſolute Signification may put on a relative Form, by being connected with Pronouns poſſeſſive, as My, Thy, &c. But ſtill the primary Signification is retain'd, and is well conſiſtent with this Uſe of the Words. Thus, when God ſaith, "I will be thy God", it means (Ero tibi in Deum) I will expreſs the GOD to thee: which is but in other Words to ſay, I will be to thee the Almighty, the All-ſufficient (I will ſhew my ſelf JEHOVAH ELOHIM to thee) will act the Part of the Lord God Omnipotent towards thee, in performing my Promiſes to thee, and ſecuring to thee a perfect Happineſs in the way of the Goſpel-Covenant. Accordingly, when the Lord is call'd the God of any, it intimates his being their Covenant-God, in and through Jeſus Chriſt the Mediator, and his ſetting his Heart as the Heart of GOD upon them, his exhibiting the Divine Nature to them in agreable and bleſſed Effects, his diſplaying the Character of GOD (an infinitely and immutable perfect and mighty Being) in his tender Care of them, and wiſe and powerful Operations for their Benefit and his own Glory from them, according to the Tenour of that gracious Covenant, into which He has taken them: and on their part, it implies their being under Covenant-Obligations to Him, owning Him in the Character of GOD, revering his Perfections, paying due Acknowledgements to Him, and ſeeking their Happineſs in Him, as GOD, who is above all, bleſſed for evermore.— Thus, the LORD GOD of Elijah p. 19(in our Text) means the ſupreme Being conſider'd as Elijah's Covenant-God, his choſen Portion, his avouched Sovereign, and the Object of his Worſhip, Faith and Hope, in Oppoſition to Baal, and the Creature, which others ſerv'd: or as having acted the GOD towards Elijah, taken him into Communion with Himſelf, own'd and honour'd him as his Servant, reveal'd Himſelf to him, ſpoken by him, call'd and furniſh'd him to the Office of a Prophet, protected and ſucceeded him in it, and finally crown'd him with a glorious Reward. In theſe Regards the bleſſed God is call'd the GOD of Elijah. Not that He is ſo call'd in Excluſion of all others, as if this were Elijah's peculiar Privilege: for the Scripture puts the ſame Honour on many beſides. Thus we hear God call'd the Lord God of Shem, the God of Abraham, &c. importing the like near Relation and endeared Affection between God and them, as in the preſent Caſe. But it is to be underſtood as ſpoken in Excluſion of the Worſhippers of Baal, and of ungodly Sinners in general.

Indeed in a very large Senſe Jehovah may be call'd the God of all Fleſh, the God of the whole Earth, as He is God unto all in ſome Regards; diſplaying the Powers and Perfections of the Deity in their Creation and Preſervation, and doing thoſe Things for every one, in common, which none but GOD moſt high can accompliſh: and as He is the only rightful Object of religious Worſhip, unto all, and their alone ſatisfying Portion and Happineſs. But there is a tranſcendent and very peculiar Senſe in which Jehovah is call'd the GOD of Elijah, with other the faithful Saints and Servants of the Lord.

Here we may diſtinguiſh, and ſay briefly,

(1.) Conſider Elijah merely as an Iſraelite, knowing and owning the true Religion, JEHOVAH might be call'd his GOD; tho' but in Common with the reſt of the profeſſing Hebrews. Tho' there was a very general p. 20Apoſtaſy in this Prophet's Day, inſomuch that Elijah thought himſelf almoſt left alone; yet there was a Remnant of ſome Thouſands, in ſecret Corners of the Land, who had not bow'd the Knee to Baal. Theſe were together with him under the external Adminiſtration of the Covenant of Grace, ſeparated for a peculiar People, under a ſpecial Care of Divine Providence; and ſtood viſibly intitled to the Lord as their God. He is frequently call'd the Lord God of the Hebrews, of all Iſrael in Common. And the Caſe is the ſame with every Chriſtian People under the preſent Diſpenſation. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not alſo the God of the Gentiles? which in times paſt have not believed God, yet have now obtained Mercy through their Unbelief. They that in former Ages were not a People, are now the People of God and Children of the Promiſe, to whom pertaineth the Adoption, and the Glory, equally as to Iſrael of old. And God is viſibly their GOD; He is in the midſt of every Chriſtian People, by the external Symbols of his gracious Preſence, and by his holy Spirit ſtriving with them: while other Nations that have not known the true Religion, and are without Chriſt, are repreſented as having no Hope, and being without GOD in the World.— O let us admire the Condeſcention of the bleſſed God in taking any of the fallen Children of Men into a Covenant of Grace, and affording them the Signs of his favourable Preſence and Means of Salvation. What is Man, O LORD, that thou art mindful of him! and what the Son of Man, that Thou viſiteſt him!— And let us adore His Sovereignty, in the viſible Diſtinctions of His Grace, while He diſcovers Himſelf in His Goſpel to one Perſon or People, and hides his Face from others.— Let us tremble at the Apprehenſions of our awful ſtanding in God's holy Covenant, mourn our Sins as peculiarly aggravated, and reſolve upon a future Care of keeping Covenant with God, at the ſame time embracing p. 21the Promiſes by Faith. Iſa. 48.17, 18. Thus ſaith the LORD thy Redeemer, the holy One of Iſrael, I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou ſhouldſt go. O that thou hadſt hearkned to my Commandments! then had thy Peace been as a River, and thy Righteouſneſs as the Waves of the Sea. But I proceed to obſerve,

(2.) Conſider Elijah as an Iſraelite indeed, a truly pious and good Man; ſo the LORD was his GOD in a more ſpecial and exalted Senſe.

Elijah was one who cleaved to the Lord with Purpoſe of Heart, when all Iſrael ſeem'd to be revolted from Him; but yet there was a Remnant according to the Election of Grace: and in common with theſe, Elijah had the LORD for his GOD. There is an appropriate Senſe, in which He is the Lord God of his Saints, or true Believers. Real Saints have the Lord for their reconcil'd God, manifeſting Himſelf to them ſo as He does not to the World, and doing thoſe Things for their Souls, which none other can do: His moſt terrible Attributes ſpeak Friendſhip to them, and ſtand engaged for their Safety and Happineſs: He is their actual, as well as choſen Patron here, and Portion hereafter: As they follow Him with their whole Souls, ſo He loves them and ſeeks their Good with his whole Heart, and they are kept by the Power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation: They are his Favorites in this World, and Heirs of Life in the next. Hence the Pſalmiſt's devout and joyful Soul broke forth in thoſe exulting Words (Pſal. 48.14.) This GOD is OUR God for ever and ever, He will be our Guide even unto Death. To the ſame Purpoſe that triumphant Language of the Apoſtle (Rom. 8.38.39.) I am perſwaded, that neither Death nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor Things preſent nor Things to come, nor Height nor Depth, nor any other Creature, ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the Love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus our p. 22Lord. Even Death itſelf, which diſſolves all natural Unions and civil Relations, yet affects not the Saints Intereſt in God, but brings their ſeparate Souls into nearer Communion with Him. When He takes them out of the World, He gathers their Spirits to Himſelf, and ſtill remains their GOD, to the moſt happy Purpoſes: and He will ſo in regard of their outward Man too; for the Reſurrection and Happineſs of the Body is imply'd in the Lord's being their GOD, according to our Saviour's Argument, Luk. 20.37, 38.— In a Word, To have the Lord for our GOD implies (in the ſtrict and full Meaning of the Phraſe) all the Joy, Glory and Bliſs, that human Nature is capable of. Nothing on this ſide the Perfection and Bleſſedneſs of Heaven will riſe up to the juſt Import of that great and precious Promiſe, That the Lord will be our GOD. All poſſible Excellencies concentre in Him, which are his own infinite Happineſs, and will be an all-ſufficient Happineſs to the Saints in Light. Heb. 11.16. But now they deſire a better Country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not aſhamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a City. And there he will eminently diſplay the GOD unto them in a beatific Senſe. Then ſhall the Apoſtle's Prayer for the Saints receive its compleat Anſwer, Eph. 3.19. That ye may be filled with all the Fulneſs of GOD. The communicable Fulneſs of GOD ſhall be theirs intirely. Then in a very exalted and now inconceivable Senſe, they will dwell in GOD, and GOD in them, thro'out a bleſſed Eternity.

Allow me here to apply this Head, in a few REFLECTIONS.

1. See now the infinite Obligations we are under to Jeſus Chriſt, the bleſſed Mediator between GOD and Man, who ſuffered for us (the Juſt for the Unjuſt) that he might bring us unto GOD, and in whom GOD is reconciling the World unto Himſelf. In and through Chriſt only it is that JEHOVAH becomes our GOD and p. 23Father, and takes us near to Himſelf. Behold, the Lamb of God, who was deliver'd for our Offences, and raiſed again for our Juſtification, and ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us! Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Sing forth the Honour of his Name, and make his Praiſe glorious. Sing to Him with thankful Souls in that adoring Language (Pſal. 68.18.) Thou haſt aſcended on high, thou haſt led Captivity Captive: thou haſt received Gifts for Men; yea, for the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

2. Learn too the vaſt Advantage and Excellence of the Goſpel, and how juſtly Believers place the higheſt Value upon reveal'd Religion, that opens to us the Covenant of Grace, and preſents the bleſſed GOD in ſuch an amiable attractive Light to his People, as their GOD in Chriſt: which is a peculiar and exalted Reflection, the moſt fruitful of beneficial and glorious Effects in them, happily influential to enlarge, refine, and ſublimate their Minds, and draw out their Souls toward GOD, in fervent Deſires, in ſupreme Affection and Delight, firm Affiance and humble Submiſſion, vigorous Hopes and rais'd Expectations, the moſt ſincere and ſolemn Self-Dedications, intire Love of Communion with GOD, and conſtant Care of Obedience to Him; and by all tending to miniſter abundant Peace and Conſolation to them, under the various Troubles of Life, and the awful Proſpects of Death and Eternity: far above every Dictate of Philoſophy, far above all moral Conſiderations, that the mere Light of Nature in its beſt Improvements was ever able to ſuggeſt. While the moſt enlighten'd Heathen can argue but darkly about an unknown GOD, and have no ſolid and rational Aſſurance that He is their GOD, We now through Comfort of the Scriptures have Hope, a Hope that ſhall never make us aſhamed. Well may the Saints (as all real ones do) account their Bible a Treaſure, prize the Oracles of God above Thouſands of Gold and p. 24Silver, make his Statutes their Songs in the Houſe of their Pilgrimage, and take his Teſtimonies as their Heritage for ever.

3. To have JEHOVAH for our GOD, what greater Privilege, Honour, or Bleſſedneſs than this! It ſpeaks the tranſcendent Happineſs and Dignity of the Saints: and it loudly calls upon 'em to admire and magnify the diſtinguiſhing and rich Grace of God toward them, in becoming their God, and taking them into Covenant and Communion with Himſelf, when Thouſands of their Fellow-Creatures round about them (originally not greater Sinners, nor by Nature any more the Children of Hell, than themſelves) are periſhing without Hope and without God in the World.

4. How ſhou'd we admire the Wiſdom of the Saints, which God giveth them? It is ſeen in the Choice, they have made for themſelves, of JEHOVAH for their GOD, who is above all gods, the ſole worthy Object of Divine Service, and the only ſatisfactory Portion of immortal Souls, an almighty Friend, able to bleſs them and make them a Bleſſing in this Life, and to complete their Happineſs in the next.

5. And if the LORD be their GOD, what a conſpicuous and ſignal Glory does it reflect on any Place, that abounds with Righteous Ones! Surely GOD is in the midſt of it, and He will appoint Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks round about it. What is the Name by which the City of Truth, the Land of Uprightneſs, ſhall be called? The God of Truth and Grace Himſelf hath pronounced it (Ezek. 48.35.) The Name of it ſhall be, JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, The LORD is there.— This Inſcription, moſt lovely and beautiful, was it not once ſeen, engraven in faireſt Characters, on BOSTON & NEW ENGLAND! When the People of this TOWN and Land, in the Days of our firſt Generations, were as a noble Vine and wholly a right Seed, then the GOD of Bethel was eminently the GOD of Boſton; the GOD of p. 25Iſrael, the GOD of New England: and how honorable a Place was it, a City of Renown, the Glory of all Lands! But alas, now that we have deeply corrupted our ſelves, and the Place is filled with degenerate Plants, how is our Glory departed in a very lamentable Meaſure, and turned into Shame! Are there not evidently but few (in Compariſon) that can truly call the GOD of our Fathers their GOD! Have not Multitudes, Multitudes, forgotten the Rock of Iſrael, and practically deſpiſed and caſt off the LORD, even the LORD, the Hope of our Fathers! And what little Reaſon then have we to expect, that He will be a GOD to us, in like manner as He was to them! If, with Ephraim of old, we ſin yet more and more, and do not return to our Fathers GOD, may we not fear the Execution of that terrible Threatning (Hoſ. 13.7, 8.) Therefore I will be unto them as a Lion; as a Leopard by the way will I obſerve them; I will meet them as a Bear bereav'd of her Whelps.— I ſhall add the encouraging Words, which follow: O Iſrael, thou haſt deſtroyed thy ſelf, but in Me is thine Help.— O Iſrael, return unto the LORD thy God: for thou haſt fallen by thine Iniquity. Take with you Words, and turn to the LORD; So I will be as the Dew unto Iſrael, he ſhall grow as the Lily, ſhall caſt forth his Roots and ſpread his Branches, his Beauty ſhall be as the Olive-Tree, and his Smell as Lebanon.— Let us remember, that GOD is in the Generation of the Righteous, and He will exalt them: But Woe to the Generation of his Wrath. O that we were wiſe, that we underſtood this! May the bleſſed God pour out his Spirit from on high, and revive his Work among us; that it may come to paſs, which is written, "As yet they ſhall uſe this Speech in the Land of Judah, and in the Cities thereof, The LORD bleſs thee, O Habitation of Juſtice, and Mountain of Holineſs!— Then will Salvation be nigh to us, and Glory dwell in our Land.

p. 266. What has been ſaid, ſhou'd teach us to love and honour the Saints; who have the Image of GOD upon them, and a Propriety in Him as their GOD: And this Reflection ſpeaks Encouragement to ſuch as are careful in all proper Ways to ſhew their Reſpect to the Godly Man, and put Honour upon the Faithful in the Land: But it may well ſtrike Terror on ſuch as envy, hate, injure, or ſlight them. The Righteous are a People near and dear to GOD, and He hears the Reproach of Moah and the Revilings of the Children of Ammon, while in their Pride they magnify themſelves againſt the People of the LORD of Hoſts, and the LORD will be terrible to them: howbeit, our GOD will turn the Curſe into a Bleſſing, and He will bleſs them that bleſs his People. The Time is coming, when He will gloriouſly plead the Cauſe of his People, and when He will make his Saints an eternal Excellency, when they ſhall be as the Stones of a Crown, lifted up as an Enſign upon his Land, and the Sinners in the Earth ſhall take hold of the Skirt of him that is a Jew, ſaying, We will go with You, for we have heard that GOD is with You.

7. Here's a powerful Argument, which ſhou'd perſuade us all to be concern'd, that we may get into the Number of the Saints, and be able to claim a Propriety in GOD, as our GOD. We ſhould examine what Evidences we have of a Covenant-Intereſt in GOD, and vital Relation to Him as our GOD in Chriſt. O let us all look to it, that we do not fail of the Grace of GOD; that we do not fail of ſecuring this great and moſt momentous Concern: for if the LORD be not our GOD, in the Senſe of the Goſpel-Covenant, He will be a Conſuming Fire to us. That's the Doom he has paſs'd on a hypocritical Nation, (Hoſ. 1.9.) Ye are not my People, and I will not he your GOD. However falſe Profeſſors may boaſt in the LORD, and ſay, He is our GOD; yet they ſhall find at laſt, that He p. 27will reject their Confidences, and will be a GOD to them in no other than a dreadful vindictive Senſe, a God that judgeth Sinners: Verily their GOD will come with Vengeance, to puniſh them with everlaſting Deſtruction, who have not known Him, nor obey'd his Goſpel.

Finally, in a Word, let ſuch as have ſincerely avouched the LORD for their GOD, ſee to it, that they walk worthy of the LORD unto all Pleaſing, that they adorn their high Profeſſion by a good Converſation in Chriſt, and continually be in Care to live and act up to their ſpiritual Dignity, Privileges and Hopes; making it appear to the World, that the LORD is indeed their GOD, by exhibiting the Image of GOD upon them, a viſible Reſemblance of his moral Perfections. Let your Light ſo ſhine before Men, that they ſeeing your good Works, may glorify GOD in You: and thus ſhall Chriſt be magnify'd in your Body, whether it be by Life or Death, and in nothing ſhall you be aſhamed, but you ſhall have Hope in Death, and Boldneſs in the Day of Judgment, that great Day of our GOD, when He ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.

I proceed now to the other and laſt Diſtinction I had in View.

[3.] Conſider Elijah as a faithful Prophet and eminent Miniſter of Religion, ſo the LORD was his GOD in a ſtill more emphatic Senſe. Being brought very nigh to GOD, ſeparated to ſpecial Service in the Kingdom of GOD by a peculiar Covenant (like that we read of, Mal. 2.8. the Covenant of Levi) being endowed with Miniſterial Gifts and Graces in a remarkable Eminency, as alſo admitted to a diſtinguiſhing Intimacy of Friendſhip and Communion with the GOD of Heaven, and at the ſame time there being ſo few other faithful Prophets in the Land, that Elijah, even he only had ſeem'd to remain a Prophet of the Lord, p. 28at leaſt in Compare with Baal's Prophets, which appear'd in mighty Crowds at the famous Conteſt he had with them before Ahab and all the People) upon theſe Conſiderations Elijah might well have this ſingular Honour put upon him, to have the LORD called his GOD, the Lord God of Elijah.

However, the Scriptures put the ſame Diſtinction on many others. Thus we hear Him call'd the Lord God of Shem, the God of Aaron, the God of Daniel, and other Prophets. And this Honour is extended to the faithful Prophets in general, Rev. 22.6. The LORD GOD of the holy Prophets.

Now this, I think, is ſafely applicable (tho' in lower Reſpects) concerning ordinary, as well as extraordinary Prophets. The faithful Miniſters of Chriſt (tho' not furniſh'd with miraculous Gifts and Powers) may be call'd holy Prophets: and it's no Preſumption to claim Elijah's GOD for the LORD their GOD. It is obſervable, John Baptiſt, tho' he did not the Miracles which Elijah is famous for, yet Chriſt pronounces him more than a Prophet, greater even than Elias, who was but a Type & Figure of John: yet at the ſame time he adds, Notwithſtanding, he that is leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven, is greater than he; which Paſſage (tho' judiciouſly thought by ſome to have a confin'd Reſpect, as ſpoken by Chriſt of himſelf) is apply'd by many Expoſitors as ſpoken of the leaſt Saint or the leaſt Miniſter under the Chriſtian Diſpenſation; and ſo apply'd, it is true, of the faithful Miniſter eſpecially, in ſome Regards. However, Goſpel-Miniſters in common being Divinely intitled Prophets, we need make no Scruple of applying to the Caſe of faithful Paſtors and Teachers, that remarkable Scripture, The Lord God of the holy Prophets.

Here I may ſay diſtinctly, tho' very briefly,

1. The LORD may be call'd the GOD of Miniſters in general, as they are by their ſpecial Character and Calling Men of God; in an eminent Manner ſeparated p. 29from the World, and placed as Pillars in the Houſe of the living GOD; dedicated to a peculiar Miniſtry for the Intereſt and Honour of GOD in his Church; commiſſioned in the Word of GOD, and call'd in the Providence of GOD, and by the Spirit of GOD furniſh'd and ſpirited to their ſacred Employment; which is to manage (in GOD's Name) a Treaty of Peace with Rebel-Mankind, ſhewing Sinners the Way of Salvation, and praying them in CHRIST's Stead (as tho' GOD did beſeech 'em by us) that they would be reconcil'd to GOD; to inſtruct in the Truths of GOD, and inculcate the Precepts of GOD; to warn, reprove, exhort, and comfort the People of GOD, according to their reſpective Caſes, and according to the Tenour of the Goſpel of GOD; to adminiſter the holy Seals of GOD's Covenant; to lead in the publick Devotions to GOD; to go before his People in an Example of all holy Converſation, and a lively Walk with GOD. And thus being by their Character and Office, eminent Profeſſors of Religion, and peculiarly the Servants of GOD, He may very properly be call'd the LORD GOD of Evangelical Miniſters in general now, in ſome ſort as He was of Elijah and the ancient Prophets. Indeed worldly and carnally-minded vicious Miniſters, it's confeſs'd, are ſome of the worſt of Mortals; and as having corrupted the Covenant of Levi, deſerve to be abandon'd of GOD and Man: Yet while Miniſters are in Behaviour as becometh Godlineſs, however their Hearts mayn't be right with God, they are ſtill to be held in Reputation by us as being by their Station and Character Men of God, and viſibly related to GOD as in a high Senſe their GOD.

2. He is the LORD GOD of his holy and faithful Miniſters in a particular Manner and in a very ſuperior Senſe.

For (in the firſt place) Such do very eminently acknowledge and glorify GOD as the LORD their GOD. p. 30They are true and upright Witneſſes for GOD, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Generation, as Elijah, who was very jealous for the LORD God of Iſrael, and boldly ſtood up for Him againſt the Prophets of Baal, an apoſtate People, and an ungodly Court.— So they are much with GOD; giving themſelves to Prayer, as well as to the Miniſtry of the Word, and having their Converſation in Heaven.— They carry about with them much of the Image of GOD, and make it the Buſineſs of their Life to bring peculiar Revenues of Glory to His Name, by paying Him their own active Homages, and by perſuading all about them into due Acknowledgements of Him. — And in Proportion to the Vigour and Activity of Grace in them and the Supply of the Spirit of Chriſt, they are in Fact ſpecial Inſtruments of promoting the Kingdom and Honour of GOD.— In theſe Regards every faithful Miniſter may be ſaluted with the ſame exalted Title, as the Apoſtle gave to his own Son in the Faith (1 Tim. 6.11.) O MAN of GOD! And indeed the ſame Apoſtle ſeems to apply this as the genuine Character of good Miniſters in Common (2 Tim. 3.17.) That the MAN of GOD may be perfect. Surely this is ſufficient to juſtify the Application of that other Text as concerning them, The LORD GOD of the holy Prophets.

But further (in the ſecond place) Such are in very ſignal Ways own'd and honour'd of GOD, as thoſe that are his peculiar Servants, and eſpecially related to Him as the LORD their GOD. As He has call'd them to ſpecial Work, and claims a ſpecial Propriety in them: So He extends a peculiar Favour to them, and beſtows peculiar Honours upon them, expreſſing Himſelf their GOD in an emphatical Senſe many Ways. He appear'd the LORD GOD of Elijah and the inſpir'd Prophets by Inſtances of Favour and Honour done them, which were as extraordinary as their Commiſſion and p. 31their Gifts: But ſtill his ordinary faithful Prophets are own'd and bleſs'd of GOD in Ways more common, yet uſually remarkable, and ſometimes very Singular. They have the Special Preſence of GOD with them, in their ſeveral Meaſures. They are the ſpecial Care of his Fatherly Providence, and have holy Angels inviſibly miniſtring to them. They have the Spirit of GOD and of Glory reſting upon them, and ſupplying 'em with Divine Light, Grace, and Comfort, in various Degrees, as it pleaſeth Him, and ſometimes very admirably, in their own Senſe and in the Apprehenſion of others. How have they at ſome Seaſons experienc'd very apparently the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, in a high Degree! How has the Spirit of Supplication been pour'd out upon 'em, that (like Elias) they have pray'd earneſtly! And how has GOD honour'd them by ſignal Anſwers of Prayer! And in pleading his Cauſe, how has He ſometimes given them a Mouth and Wiſdom, a Courage and Zeal, that the Adverſary cou'd not reſiſt! How have their Hearts flamed out in fervent Love to Chriſt, their whole Souls been fir'd with a holy Indignation againſt Error and Wickedneſs, and their melted Bowels guſh'd out in the tendered Compaſſions to poor periſhing Sinners! They have ſometimes appear'd full of GOD, in their Divine Temper and Conduct: and have had GOD manifeſtly with them in their Work, ſtanding by 'em in their ſpiritual Encounters, ſtrengthning them to fulfil their ſacred Miniſtry, and diſtinguiſhing them by making 'em the joyful Inſtruments of ſupporting and promoting the Profeſſion, Love, and Practice of Religion, and thereby the Intereſt and Honour of GOD in the World! What conſpicuous Teſtimonies from Heaven have ſome of GOD's faithful Miniſters receiv'd, in the extraordinary Succeſs viſibly attending their Labours for the Converſion of Sinners, and the Edification of Saints! And when at laſt call'd off the Stage of Time, how gloriouſly p. 32have the Scenes of a holy and uſeful Life ſhut up in a ſerene and peaceful, if not joyful and triumphant Death!— Shall we not own now, that JEHOVAH is the LORD GOD of the holy Prophets, in a bleſſed tranſcendent Senſe, very viſibly in the preſent World?

Yet it muſt be remember'd, even all this do's not take in the complete Scope and Intention of thoſe comprehenſive Words, The LORD GOD of Elijah: But the Expreſſion has a further View, and reaches to another and better and eternal World. Eliſha (in our Text) looks beyond the preſent Life, and even after the Prophet's Departure out of this temporal State adores God as ſtill the LORD GOD of Elijah. In Truth, 'tis eſpecially with an Eye to a better Country, that is, an heavenly, into which the Saints are tranſlated finally, that GOD is ſaid to be not aſhamed to be called their GOD: There it is that He beſtows … 'em perfect Happineſs and Glory, according to the full Emphaſis of this big Expreſſion. And in that bleſſed upper World holy Prophets have diſtinguiſhing Rewards aſſign'd them. None indeed was ever (that we know of) tranſlated thither in a Chariot of Fire, and without ſeeing Death, ſave Elijah and Enoch, and perhaps few have a greater Reward in Heaven: Yet every Saint arrives as ſafe, under the Conduct of good Angels, in the World of happy Spirits, tho' by the common and inferior Road of Mortality, and every faithful Prophet meets a glorious ſignal Reward in the Manſions above. In the City of God there are different Degrees of Happineſs, a Diverſity of Privileges and Honours. And the bleſſed God will decree a very advanced Glory and Felicity to his holy Prophets, diſcriminating them in their future Recompences, in Proportion to the varying Meaſures of their preſent Improvements in real Holineſs, and of their intended Services, if not their actual Uſefulneſs in this World. Peter, an inſpired Prophet and Apoſtle, not only hopes himſelf to be a Partaker of the future Glory, p. 33but aſſures the faithful Elders and uninſpired Prophets, that when the CHIEF SHEPHERD ſhall appear, They alſo ſhall receive a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away: and it will, as to many, be a very rich and refulgent Crown, a far more exceeding (as well as eternal) Weight of Glory. As the aſpectable Heavens in their ſeveral Parts vary to our Eye in their Degrees of Light and Splendor: So likewiſe is it with the Saints in their ſeparate State, and in the Reſurrection-World. They (ſays the Prophet) that are wiſe (wiſe to Salvation of their own Souls) ſhall ſhine as the Brightneſs of the FIRMAMENT (which is a great, yet fainter Brightneſs) and they that have turned many to Righteouſneſs (ſo approving themſelves wiſe to win others Souls) ſhall ſhine forth as the STARS (with a ſuperiour and more remarkable Luſtre) for ever and ever. The SUN of Righteouſneſs will ſhine on ſuch with his ſuperlatively ſplendid and benign Rays: and the SAVIOUR will expreſs the GOD to them in a moſt tranſcendent Manner, by poſſeſſing them of the ſublimeſt Happineſs, and transforming them into the Image of his own Glory, with a peculiar Perfection and Eminence that ſhall put a viſible eternal Diſtinction upon them.

And now the happy Thought we have been dwelling upon, might be improv'd to a great Variety of excellent practical Purpoſes, in a large APPLICATION: But I ſhall ſuggeſt only the following important Concluſions.

1. Here's Matter of Encouragement and of Awakning to the Children of the Prophets; I mean their natural Off-ſpring. Such are eminently Children of the Covenant: and by their Fathers very high Profeſſion, and near Relation to GOD, are themſelves alſo viſibly brought nigh to Him. The Promiſe is to them, at leaſt in common with other the Children of religious Parents; for the Bleſſing of Abraham is come upon the believing Gentiles, I will be a GOD to Thee and to thy p. 34Seed: And while they wait on the LORD, they may encourage their Faith and Hope by an Application of this great and precious Promiſe. But then at the ſame time it ſhou'd awaken a holy Fear in their Souls, to conſider the awful Vows of God which are upon them.

Tho' the Children of Miniſters in Goſpel-Days are not holy to the LORD, in the ſame peculiar Senſe, as were the Sons of Levi under the Moſaic Diſpenſation: yet they are ſo in a Senſe, at leaſt in that common to all Children of Chriſtian Parents; ſeparated from a World lying in Wickedneſs, externally call'd with an holy Vocation, devoted to GOD as his viſible Children, and engag'd to honour Him by all Chriſtian Duty and Service. Yea, the Miniſter's Standing in the Church of God (as well as the Advantage of an Education in a Family well-order'd, as his ought to be) ſeems to raiſe and increaſe the ſolemn Obligations upon his Children to a very virtuous, holy and heavenly Life. It's requir'd of the Biſhop (1 Tim. 3.4.) That he rule well his own Houſe, having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity; and (Tit. 1.6.) Having faithful Children: which not only ſpeaks the Parent's Obligation, but hints alſo the Children's Duty. As it is expected of Miniſters, that they ſhew themſelves Patterns of good Works in general, and of relative Duties in particular: ſo it's expected, that their Families (above all the Families in Iſrael) be Patterns of Devotion, Order, Unity, Sobriety, Gravity. We would then command our Houſholds to keep the Way of the LORD. O our Children, in particular, we exhort you to be faithful Children, and to labour for all Gravity, in Thought and Temper, in Speech and Behaviour. We warn and beſeech you in the Name of Chriſt and by the Love of Chriſt, ſee to it, that you do in the firſt place ſincerely chuſe and avouch the GOD of your Fathers for your GOD, and then that you walk before Him and be perfect, walk worthy of Him, and as becometh your Baptiſmal Engagements, your religious Deſcent, and p. 35miniſterial Parentage. Verily the Glory of GOD, the Intereſt of CHRIST, the Honour of the Miniſtry, the Fame of New England, the Credit and Comfort of your anxious Parents, your own Reputation and Uſefulneſs, preſent Peace and future Happineſs, and the united Expectations both of Heaven and Earth from you, are all very weighty and forcible Arguments, conſpiring with one Voice, to demand and urge your thoughtful Solicitude, earneſt Prayer, and active Uſe of all proper Means, that you may be found early and faithful Keepers of GOD's holy Covenant. O let that be the upright, preſent and perſevering Profeſſion and Reſolution of your Souls (Exod. 15.2.) The LORD is my GOD, and I will prepare Him an Habitation; my Fathers GOD, and I will exalt Him. Read and apply the Royal Saint's dying Charge to his Son Solomon, 1 CHRON. 28.9. Together with that very quickning Word from the Mouth of your bleſſed Saviour, PROV. 8.17.— Turn down the Leaves where you find the Places in your Bible, and make theſe Texts particularly familiar to you, often and cloſely meditating upon 'em, and praying over them. O that the bleſſed SPIRIT of Grace may ſet in with the Words, and give them a powerful and laſting Impreſſion on your Souls! — And for the Direction of your general Conduct, I recommend to your frequent Peruſal (among other Parts of Scripture) that very copious, the' ſhort Chapter, the Second in the Epiſtle to Titus.

[And now on this Occaſion I wou'd apply what has been ſaid more particularly to my own Children, and take the Opportunity in this publick manner to leave my moſt ſolemn Charges upon them. Hear, my Children! You will eaſily believe me when I tell you, GOD is my Record, how greatly I long after you all in the Bowels of Jeſus Chriſt. And now I command and exhort You by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, I warn and charge You now before GOD and the World, that You obſerve p. 36theſe Things, and have 'em always in Remembrance: that You make it your firſt Care to win Chriſt and ſecure an Intereſt in GOD as your GOD in Chriſt, and then that You govern your whole Life and Practice in a juſt Conformity to the holy Religion You profeſs; deeply concern'd, and very vigilant, that the Name of GOD and his Doctrine may never be blaſphemed through YOU. Thus You may hope for the gracious Preſence of GOD with You, which is the only Source of all true Proſperity. That was the Sum of David's paſſionate Wiſh for his beloved Solomon (1 Chron. 22.11.) Now, my Son, the LORD be with thee, and proſper thou! And in the believing proſpect of this, he cou'd chearfully die, and leave him: for that was his Hope, when going the Way of all the Earth, 1 Chron. 28.20. David ſaid to Solomon his Son, Be ſtrong, and of good Courage, and do it; for the LORD God, even MY God, will be with thee, He will not fail thee, nor forſake thee.]

But to proceed in our Improvement of the Point;

2. This affords Direction and Incentive to Candidates for the Miniſtry, in their preparing for and entring into it. Undoubtedly, as the Apoſtle obſerves, This is a true Saying, If any Man deſire the Office of a Biſhop (or Goſpel-Miniſter) he deſireth a GOOD Work; a Work good in it ſelf, and good in its Tendency, acceptable to GOD, and profitable to Men, delightful in its Nature, and happy in its future Reward. We may well think, 'tis very pleaſing in the Eyes of GOD to ſee any deſiring this Office (ſo nearly relating to His own Kingdom and Intereſt) if their Thoughts be uprightly bent upon it, as well as their Genius and Talents ſuited to it; if they have indeed given their Hearts to the LORD, taken hold of his Covenant, and choſen Him for their GOD in Chriſt: Such unqueſtionably have juſt Grounds to look on themſelves Divinely call'd to the Work, and may humbly hope in GOD▪ That He will beſtow a Bleſſing on their Studies, to increaſe p. 37their Furniture of Knowledge, Prudence, and other a requiſite Accompliſhments for it; That He will open a Door for their regular Entrance into it; And that He will be with them in it, to direct, aſſiſt, and happily ſucceed them. Students in Divinity ſtanding for the Evangelical Miniſtry, are not unfitly intitled Sons of the Prophets: and ſhou'd improve this their honorary Character, as loudly monitory to 'em of their incumbent Duty, to know and ſeek the LORD GOD of the holy Prophets. And they that (together with a becoming Care of Proficiency in uſeful human Learning) are ſolicitous, above all their Gettings, to get neceſſary Divine Knowledge, to get an Underſtanding enlighten'd and ſanctify'd, to diſcern ſpiritual Things, and to know the Myſteries of the Kingdom of GOD, to behold the Lamb of GOD, to behold Him that is inviſible, and to know Him that is True; they that begin here, and go on with this, do very hopefully bid fair to be good Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, and Workmen that ſhall not need to be aſham'd; ſuch really make the beſt Preparations for Goſpel-Service; they enter into it with the beſt Advantages; lay the beſt Foundation for Hope of Succeſs in it, and of Peace in Life and Death; provide the beſt for a future Day of Accounts, and build ſtrong for a happy Eternity. The Man in CHRIST will be emphatically the Man of GOD: and ſuch an one the Apoſtle pronounces a Veſſel unto Honour; a Veſſel of Mercy prepared unto Glory, and in which GOD will make known the Riches of his Glory.

But if any dare thruſt themſelves into the Miniſtry, without having firſt yielded themſelves to the LORD; without having firſt learned CHRIST, and acquainted themſelves with GOD; without having GOD enthron'd in their Hearts, and reigning over all the Powers of their Souls, over their whole internal Temper, Principles, Views and Thoughts, as well as external Life and Actions, having at beſt only the Form of Knowledge, without any p. 38Vitality in it, and the Form of Godlineſs, without the Power of it; and conſequently without the neceſſary Evidences of a real and ſaving Union to Chriſt, Strangers to the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, and to an experimental Senſe of what it is to have the LORD for their GOD; ſurely ſuch (how excellent ſoever a contemplative Genius, and whatever intellectual Acquirements, or moral Ornaments they may have, as ſo many plauſible Marks of a Divine Miſſion, to recommend 'em in the Sight of Men) can never hope to ſhew themſelves approved unto GOD, and muſt ſtand continually expos'd to the Reſentments of an accuſing Conſcience, which will very probably be often whiſpering in their Ears thoſe juſt and cutting Reproaches, Art thou a Maſter in Iſrael, and knoweſt not theſe things! Thou which teacheſt others, teacheſt thou not thy ſelf!— Alas for the carnal graceleſs Miniſter, whoſe god is his Belly or the World, or whoſe Idol at beſt is Self, a falſe imaginary Phariſaical Self! how much more abundant Reaſon hath ſuch an one very evidently (under his ſtrong Symptoms, if not actual Senſe, of an unregenerate Mind) than the holy inſpir'd Apoſtle, to entertain the jealous Thought with a trembling Soul, which that humble Saint had his Heart ſo deeply affected with (1 Cor. 9.27.) Leſt that by any Means, when I have preached to others, I my ſelf ſhould be a CAST-AWAY!— This awful Text ſtands at the Pulpit-Door as a flaming Sword which turneth every way, to guard it from the rude Incroachments of every unhallow'd Foot. How little Account ſoever any may juſtly make of the pretended Neceſſity of an uninterrupted Line of Succeſſion from the Apoſtles, and an authoritative human Commiſſion from Epiſcopal Hands in Virtue thereof, to the Being of holy Orders; yet certainly Perſons of any ſolid Reflection muſt allow, that the holy Nature and Ends of the Work of the Miniſtry, the holy Qualifications of the Scripture-Biſhop, and the holy Vows at his p. 39ſolemn Separation, the holy Eye of God upon the Preacher, and a holy future Reckoning, are Conſiderations which ſpeak the Pulpit a very ſacred Incloſure, not to be thrown open to all in Common, nor invaded by Perſons eſſentially deficient, in their intellectual, or moral and religious Character. We may pertinently apply here that of the wiſe Man, Eccl. 5.1. Keep thy Foot when thou goeſt to the Houſe of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the Sacrifice of Fools: for they conſider not that they do evil. And that of the Apoſtle to Timothy (1 Epiſt. 5.21, 22.) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the elect Angels,—Lay Hands SUDDENLY on no Man, neither be Partaker of other Men's Sins; keep thy ſelf pure: this (I ſay) is not only a ſolemn Caution to the Ordainer, but ſtrongly implies likewiſe a Divine Warning to the Probationer, not to ruſh upon the Miniſtry ſuddenly and unprepar'd, ignorant or in his Sins. 1 Tim. 3.6. Not a Novice, leſt being lifted up with Pride, he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil.— But now ſays the Apoſtle, (2 Epiſt. 2.21.) If a Man purge himſelf from theſe, he ſhall be a Veſſel unto Honour, ſanctified and meet for the Maſter's Uſe, prepared unto every good Work.

How fitly then may thoſe Apoſtolical Exhortations be brought home to himſelf by every Candidate for the Miniſtry! "Thou therefore, My Son, flee theſe Things, flee youthful Luſts; but follow Righteouſneſs, Godlineſs, Faith, Love, Patience, Meekneſs, Peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart: Be ſtrong in the Grace that is in JESUS CHRIST: Study to ſhew thy ſelf approved unto GOD: Lay hold on eternal Life".— And now he that obſerves and does theſe Things, will highly recommend himſelf to the tender Affection and Delight of his Fathers in the Miniſtry, as well as the People of God; and that will be their united earneſt Wiſh for ſuch an one, in the Language of the Apoſtle's comprehenſive Benediction p. 40on his dearly beloved Son (2 Tim. 4.22.) The Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with thy Spirit! Amen.

3. The Point before us might be apply'd to recommend the Schools of the Prophets; Colleges or Academies for the training up meet Perſons to be employ'd in the Miniſtry. Such we read of as being in Iſrael of Old, under the Inſpection of the Prophets, Samuel, Elijah, and Eliſha: they are left on Record for an Example to future Ages, and the Imitation thereof is doubtleſs very pleaſing to the LORD GOD of the holy Prophets.

A well-manag'd Education of Youth for the ſacred Purpoſe of Goſpel-Service muſt needs be highly acceptable unto GOD (and therefore ought to be approv'd of Men) for as His Inſtitution has founded the Order of the Miniſtry, and that for a perpetual Continuance, ſo His Intereſt and Honour are not a little concern'd in the Introduction of ſuch into it as hopefully exhibit the Character of Men of GOD; Men in Chriſt, and Men of Underſtanding, well ſtudy'd in the Theory of reveal'd Divinity, well ſtock'd with ſound Scripture-Principles, apt to teach, able rightly to divide the Word of Truth, able alſo to convince Gainſayers, and reſolv'd to fight the good Fight of Faith, rooted and grounded in the Love of Chriſt and in the Hope of the Goſpel, avouching the Lord for their GOD, and under the credible Marks of a ſincerely diſpos'd (together with a well-furniſh'd) Mind, devoting themſelves to the Buſineſs of winning Souls to Chriſt, that others alſo may have the LORD for their Covenant-GOD. The Student thus nouriſh'd up in the Words of Faith and of good Doctrine, and knowing how he ought to behave himſelf in the Houſe of God, may truly be ſaid to purchaſe to himſelf a good Degree, in the Church as well as the School: and how acceptable in the Sight of GOD, how happy the Nurſeries of Learning, that are wiſely govern'd with a ſteady and prevailing View to this their principal Deſign, the qualifying of Youth with ſacred p. 41Knowledge, and forming the Chriſtian, as well as the Scholar! The Excellency and Advantage of ſuch an Education, and the important Duty of Tutors and Students in the publick School (as well as of Parents and Children in the private Family) are pointed out in thoſe remarkable Paſſages of the Apoſtle to Timothy, 2 Epiſt. 3.14,—17. which I will leave you to conſult your Bible for: and paſs to obſerve,

4. The preſent Doctrine ſuggeſts one apparent Reaſon of Satan's Malice and Rage againſt the Goſpel-Miniſtry. Againſt this his Heart burns with Indignation: againſt this he levels the whole Artillery of the Kingdom of Darkneſs. He abhors the Buſineſs, and hates the Deſign of the Miniſtry; he dreads the Succeſs of it; he envies and maligns the Perſons employ'd … it, and in ſpecial the more faithful, active and zealous of the Order: he confronts them with all his helliſh Arts and Powers, has his Emiſſaries abroad continually, is ever laying unhappy Snares for them, and indefatigably carries on the moſt vigorous Oppoſition to them. Hence the Divine Apoſtle himſelf complains that Satan hinder'd him, and that ſuch as were the Devil's Tools did him much Evil, and greatly withſtood him. Now what muſt be the Principle lying at the bottom of this Spite at Miniſters, this accurſed Malignity againſt their Perſons, their Office and Labours? It ariſes doubtleſs chiefly from his inveterate Hatred of GOD and the LAMB, whoſe they are and whom they ſerve. He's full of Rage at the Captain of our Salvation, and therefore can't but vent his Malice upon the good Soldier of Jeſus Chriſt.

5. This Point affords abundant Conſolation and Counſel to the Miniſters of Chriſt.

This directs and calls them to ſee to it, that they make ſure of GOD for their GOD in Truth and Reality, and that they make it their Care to carry it in all Regards as becomes the Dignity and Sacredneſs p. 42of the Relation they ſtand into GOD. 1 Tim. 6.11. But thou, O MAN of GOD, flee theſe Things, and follow after Righteouſneſs, Godlineſs, &c. They ſhould ſtudy to exhibit the Character of Men of GOD in their whole Miniſtry and Life, in their public Work, and private Walk. How humble, lowly and ſelf-denying ſhou'd they be! how kindly affection'd and endear'd to one another! how compaſſionate to the Souls of Sinners! how delighted with the Image of GOD on his Saints! how ſpiritually minded, devout and prayerful! how thoughtful of GOD, zealous for his Honour, and fervent in Spirit, ſerving the LORD! how reſolv'd and how vigilant againſt the Powers of Darkneſs, the Enemies of GOD and Enemies of all Righteouſneſs! how bold in their GOD, to eſpouſe his Cauſe, and vindicate his Truths and Ways! how attach'd to their Divine Maſter's Inſtructions and Orders, careful to ſhew all good Fidelity in ſpeaking from the Mouth of the LORD, neither going beyond his Word, and ſo being wiſe above what is written, nor yet ſhunning to declare the whole Counſel of GOD! All this Duty their Profeſſion dictates, and their Relation to God invites to. Are they profeſſedly Men of GOD, and will He be a GOD to the faithful Prophets? What a powerful Motive is this to put them upon thus taking Heed to themſelves, that they fulfil their Miniſtry! and how abundantly improvable for their Direction in it!

What refreſhing Proſpects and Reflections may this afford the faithful Servant of GOD! Is the LORD indeed his GOD? then how joyful may he be in the Conſideration of his Intereſt in all the precious Promiſes of the Goſpel, and his Security againſt all the dreadful Menaces of the Law! How joyful in the Senſe of a gracious Pardon, of the Juſtification of Life, the Adoption of Sons, preſent perſevering Grace, and future everlaſting Glory! Is the LORD verily Elijah's GOD? How little Reaſon has he to be diſcourag'd by any p. 43Oppoſitions from Earth or Hell! W… tho' Ahab perſecute him as the Troubler of Iſrael, and what tho' Jezebel be his ſworn Enemy? If GOD be for him and with him, what can Men or Devils do unto him! His GOD will certainly be his Shield in Danger, his Support in Affliction, his Light in Darkneſs, his Defence againſt the Reproaches of the Enemy, his Guide and Help in the Courſe of his miniſterial Work and religious Walk, the Strength of his Life, and his Hope in Death. The holy Prophets, in a believing View of GOD as their GOD, who is nigh to them at all times and who will never leave them, may have ſtrong Conſolation and good Hope through Grace: and while they ſhew themſelves approved unto GOD, they need not be aſham'd of the Goſpel, nor afraid of their Adverſaries, nor even in Terror of Death, the laſt Enemy. For the God of their Life will preſerve them, that every one ſhall accompliſh as an Hireling his Day: and when they have finiſh'd their Work, their Reward above will be ſure and great; a Thought which muſt needs be ſufficient to reconcile them to Death, and make them eaſy under all Events of Life.

Theſe are ſome of the glorious and bleſſed Conſiderations, which that Miniſter, whoſe GOD is the Lord, has in the midſt of all his worldly Wants and ſpiritual Cares, Trials, and Exerciſes whatſoever, to refreſh his weary Soul. By them he may and ſhou'd encourage himſelf, when (as Elijah, who was a Man ſubject to like Paſſions with us) he is ready to faint in his holy Warfare. By them ſhou'd he animate his Faith, invigorate his Hopes, and fortify his Courage; and by them inflame his Zeal, quicken his Alacrity, and prompt his Diligence in the Service of GOD: Yea, under the moſt melancholy Thought of a Miniſtry unſucceſsful, he may thus quiet his anxious Spirit, as the holy Prophet amidſt his Tears on the like ſad Ocaſion (Iſa. 49.4, 5.) Surely my Judgment is with the LORD, and p. 44my Work with My GOD. Tho' Iſrael be not gathered, yet ſhall I be glorious in the Eyes of the LORD, and my GOD ſhall be my Strength.— So the Apoſtle Paul tells us his happy Experience and triumphant Aſſurance (2 Tim. 4.7,—18.) I have fought a good Fight,— henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown.— All Men forſook me; notwithſtanding, the LORD ſtood with me, and ſtrengthned me,— and the LORD will preſerve me to his heavenly Kingdom: Unto whom be Glory for ever and ever! Amen.

6. Hence we may collect much of the Duty incumbent upon Chriſtians in reſpect of the Goſpel-Miniſtry, and a powerful Argument to recommend this Order of Men to the Love and Eſteem of the World in general.

(1.) Is JEHOVAH the GOD of Elijah? Is He the LORD GOD of the holy Prophets? How then ſhou'd all Men every where, that have any Senſe of the Being of GOD, entertain his Miniſters with thankful chearful Hearts; whom He now ſends, not to the Jews only, but together with them unto the Gentiles! How inconſiſtent, how ſenſeleſs, abſurd and mad the common Prejudices of a blind and wicked World againſt this Order of Perſons! Behold, theſe Men are the Servants of the moſt high GOD, which ſhew unto us the Way of Salvation! A ſignificant and attractive Character, that juſtly invites Affection and Complacence, and ſhould make them welcome to all the periſhing Sons of Adam. As it is written (Iſa. 52.7.) How beautiful are the Feet of Them that preach the Goſpel of Peace, that publiſh Salvation, that ſay unto Zion, Thy GOD reigneth!

(2.) This points out the Obligation upon Chriſtian Profeſſors, in chuſing the Place of their Habitation, to fix (if poſſible) where they may have the Advantage of a Goſpel-Miniſtry; at the ſame time it loudly rebukes them who for worldly Accommodations forſake p. 45the Levite, and the Houſe of God: And this infers too the Wiſdom of thoſe that prefer the Miniſtry of ſuch as have moſt of the Image of GOD ſhining upon 'em, and moſt of the Spirit of GOD viſibly breathing in them; But it detects the Folly of Thoſe who (meerly out of a fond Humour for ſome little differing Formalities in Worſhip and Diſcipline, out of an angry Pique, or for ſome trifling Convenience, or other frivolous Pretence) will eaſily forſake and caſt off a Miniſtry own'd of GOD, by the ſenſible Tokens of his ſpecial Preſence and Bleſſing, and perhaps come to give up all Regard for it, yea loſe even all Charity to it, as a regular and faithful Chriſtian Miniſtry; while yet they can glory in others, it may be, who have at leaſt as little of GOD appearing in their Character and Miniſtry, have as little of the Truth of the Goſpel with them, as little of the true Genius of Chriſtianity in their Preaching, and as little of the Power of Religion in their Devotion and Practice. Hear how the Apoſtle rebukes this unhappy Spirit of Schiſm and Envy (1 Cor. 3.4,—7.) For while one ſaith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who is Paul, and who Apollos, but Miniſters, by whom ye believed, even as the LORD gave to every Man? So then neither is the one nor the other any Thing; but GOD, who giveth the Increaſe. And in ſome following Words he thus exhorts them, Covet earneſtly the beſt Gifts: and yet ſhew I unto you a more excellent Way;— Follow after Charity, Let all your Things be done with Charity. And the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with you: My Love be with you all in Chriſt Jeſus. Amen.

(3.) The preſent Doctrine ſerves for Direction to the Churches of Chriſt in their Election of Perſons into the Relation of Biſhops or Paſtors among them; which is undoubtedly their Right, by the Laws of Reaſon, and the Tenour of Scripture, and juſtify'd by ancient p. 46Uſage: but if they wou'd employ this their Privilege and Power with Wiſdom and with Succeſs, they muſt in the firſt Place look and ſeek to the LORD GOD of the holy Prophets for his Guidance in the important Affair. As when a People have receiv'd the Bleſſing of a Man ſet over the Congregation, to go in and out before them, that is an able and faithful Miniſter for the Houſe of their GOD, they ſhou'd give GOD the Praiſe; (Ezra 8.18.) By the good Hand of our GOD upon us, they brought us a Man of Underſtanding: So likewiſe in the Want of ſuch a Bleſſing, GOD expects by Prayer to be ſought to for it. We have that primitive Example left on Record for our Imitation in this Regard; Act. 1.24. They prayed, and ſaid, Thou LORD, which knoweſt the Hearts of all Men, ſhew whether of theſe two THOU haſt choſen.— And then in forming their Judgment and Choice, they muſt be careful to conduct themſelves by Scripture-Rule, which ſtates the juſt Character of a chriſtian Biſhop or Elder very particularly: upon an Examination of which it will be obvious, that a Regard is to be had to his Qualifications moral, as well as intellectual, to his ſpiritual and divine Endowments, as well as rational Talents and human Virtues. Such an one ſtands firſt recommended, who hath choſen the LORD GOD of the Prophets for his GOD, and who hath moſt of the Spirit of the holy Prophets viſibly reſting upon him, the Spirit of Prayer, the Spirit of Love and of Power and of a ſound Mind; who hath obtained like precious Faith, and who adds to Faith Knowledge, eſpecially Knowledge Theological, both practical and experimental, as well as ſpeculative. And to ſuch an one ſurely the thinking ſerious Chriſtian will be ready to ſay, as the Woman to Elijah (1 Kin. 17.24.) Now know I by this, that thou art a MAN of GOD. Of ſuch an one it may moſt probably be hop'd, that the Word of the LORD in his Mouth is Truth: and ſuch an one is the moſt likely to have GOD with him in his whole Miniſtry.

p. 47(4.) The Conſideration of GOD, before whom they ſtand, ſhould govern a People in their Conduct towards ſuch as are over them in the LORD; and it teaches them to eſteem 'em very highly in Love for their Work's ſake. Their very Work and Office, and the external Relation they bear to GOD and to his People, may well endear 'em to every conſiderate ſerious Soul: but eſpecially the faithful and good Miniſter, who is internally related to GOD as his GOD, as well as united with the People of God as his People by the common Bond of the Spirit, he who in his Labours and Life ſhews himſelf approv'd unto GOD, and commends himſelf to every Man's Conſcience in the Sight of GOD, ſuch an one is truly and eminently worthy of double Honour. He himſelf ſeeks the Honour that comes from GOD; yet deſerves Eſteem from Men: nor indeed can he but deſire an Intereſt in their Affections, with a View to their greater Satisfaction in his Miniſtry and better Edification by it. And this we know, that if we have but your Hearts engag'd to us upon right Principles, inward Love will (in proportion to its real Prevalence) dictate outward Reſpect, and forbid all unworthy Slights, unkind Neglects and Diſcouragements. Obadiah ſhewed how greatly he feared GOD, when he expreſs'd the tender Care and Bowels of a Father to the Sons of the Prophets, and when to the Father of the Prophets he paid the Veneration and Duty of a Son: as you may read, 1 Kin. 18.7,—13.

There's a Variety of Ways, in which People may exhibit their juſt and friendly Regards to the Miniſtry. They ſhou'd maintain worthy Thoughts of the Office, for its Relation to GOD, and Importance to Men; ſhou'd diligently attend on the public Adminſtration of it, and that in all the ſeveral Branches thereof, waiting upon GOD in all his Ordinances in Seaſon and out of Seaſon; ſhou'd joyn in Divine Worſhip with Seriouſneſs and exemplary Devotion, and receive the p. 48Word with Meekneſs, a grave Attention, and faithful Self-Application; ſhou'd ſubject themſelves to the regular Acts of Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, and carefully ſupport all Goſpel-Order; cultivate Peace and a holy Unity among themſelves, that the Goſpel mayn't be hindred; and do all in their Power to encourage the Hearts, and ſtrengthen the Hands of their Miniſters, while watching for their Souls, as they that muſt give an Account: help 'em by a comfortable and decent Maintenance, by an amicable and open Correſpondence with them, by affectionate and obliging Carriage towards them on all Occaſions, and by fervent daily Prayers in the Family and Cloſet for them: But above all, they are deſirous to ſee their People edify'd by their Miniſtry, profiting by their public Labours and private Viſits; ſo will they thank GOD, and take Courage, whatever Infirmities, Difficulties, Temptations, they may have to conflict with in this preſent evil World.

Finally, when the Man of God dies and leaves the World, he ſhould be follow'd to his Grave with all ſuitable Marks of publick Reſpect, and his Memory receive all proper Honours. The Conſideration of his ſpecial Relation to GOD, and of the ſpecial Preſence of the LORD his GOD with him, ſhou'd awaken very ſerious Thoughts in Survivors, and awe our Minds into a ſolemn Penſiveneſs, and holy Mourning: for not to reſent the Death of ſuch an one, wou'd be at once an Indignity to his Memory, and Ingratitude to GOD, the LORD his GOD, who diſplay'd his own Being and Perfections to us in the Gifts and Graces of his Servant, and us'd and honour'd him to be an Inſtrument of bringing many Bleſſings to us, as well as keeping off Judgments from us.

When a faithful Miniſter dies among his People, as their Loſs is great, their Sorrow ſhould be in Proportion. When an Elijah departs, well may they (with Eliſha) expreſs their Grief in all the Geſtures and Accents p. 49of a bitter Lamentation: Yet in the midſt of their diſquieting Thoughts they have this for their Conſolation, that as their faithful MINISTER is tranſlated to a better World (for whither elſe can the holy Prophet be taken?) ſo the LORD his GOD ſtill lives and remains among them, with whom is the Reſidue of the Spirit. While then they are weeping for themſelves and for their Children, and while they pay their mournful Reſpects to the Memory of the Dead, they may make the living God their Confidence, and truſt in Him to repair the Breach made upon them.

And a People are call'd to take a ſolemn Notice of the Diſpenſation of Providence, when any Man of God is taken out of the World, who had formerly ſtood in a Paſtoral Relation to them. All Survivors ſhou'd lay to Heart the Death of any publickly uſeful and pious Perſon: and when ſuch an one has once been related to us ſo nearly in the Station of a Paſtor over us, it can't but be own'd the higheſt Condecency, that we diſtinguiſh ourſelves among the Mourners at his Funeral, and pay very ſingular Reſpects to his Memory in all proper Ways.

AND here filial Duty commands me to make a reſpectful Mention of that Man of GOD, the Reverend Mr. BENJAMIN WADSWORTH, who for ſo many Years was a burning and ſhining Light in this Candleſtick of the LORD; tho' for ſome Years paſt at the Head of the School of the Prophets among us: but has lately received a Diſmiſſion from his Poſt below, to receive his Reward above.

Surely Death has in this Inſtance clos'd the Scenes of an active, uſeful, valuable Life, devoted to the Honour of GOD and Benefit of his People, and worn out with long Application to Divine Studies, fervent Prayers, and important Services. For that was his proper Motto, SERVING THE LORD: and this muſt be the honorable p. 50Inſcription on his Tomb, HE HATH DONE GOOD IN ISRAEL, BOTH TOWARDS GOD, AND TOWARDS HIS HOUSE.

I might go now into a very particular Account of the many good Things which were found in him towards the Lord his God, and might venture upon a large Encomium (even to the acknowledging of every good Thing, which was in him in Chriſt Jeſus) with as little Hazard of giving Offence to the moſt enviouſly captious, as perhaps in any Caſe that has fallen within my Notice: But as it has been my known Cuſtom of late Years (for ſome peculiar Reaſons) induſtriouſly to decline bringing Funeral-Characters into the Pulpit, I wou'd even now avoid a too pompous Appearance, and Affectation of Embelliſhment, tho' I cou'd not perſuade myſelf to be wholly ſilent on this uncommon Occaſion; when without Controverſy ſo much is due to the Memory of the Dead, and ſo much preſents it ſelf to be ſpoken for the Inſtruction of the Living, and to the Honour of that Divine Grace, by which he was what he was.

If we ſhou'd here trace him back to his firſt Days, and look at him as a Student in the publick School, thoſe who were his Contemporaries, bear Witneſs to his early Piety, ſingular Gravity, Probity, Modeſty, and univerſal good Behaviour; to his exemplary Docility, his laudable Induſtry in Academical Studies, and Proficiency in uſeful Literature: tho', his Favorite-Study was Divinity, the nobleſt Entertainment to every ſerious Mind, and a juſt Improvement in the theoretical and experimental Knowledge of it, certainly the beſt Preparative for that ſacred Work, on which his Eye was fix'd, yea his Heart engag'd; nor indeed without that can it be expected, any ſhou'd be wiſe to win Souls, without which happy Skill the moſt accompliſh'd Maſter of Arts is like to prove but a blind Guide, an uncouth Miniſter, and muſt make a very aukward Figure both in his publick Performances, and his private Applications to Families and Perſons under his Charge.

p. 51Or if we paſs over to his laſt Years, and view him as preſiding in the School, we ſhall behold a vigilant and compaſſionate Father to the Sons of Learning: continually ſtanding before his GOD, to ſpeak Good for them, and turn away Wrath from them: heartily mourning the Follies of ignorant and diſſolute Youths, and weeping over them day and night in his Prayers for their Converſion and Reformation, but rejoycing in the hopeful Proſpects from others of a ſober and religious Character: highly ſolicitous to carry on the beſt Education, and aſſiſt in forming Men and Chriſtians for future Service in the Church and Commonwealth; to propagate ſound Principles, and encourage the moſt profitable Studies; to promote the Flouriſhing of univerſal Virtue, Godlineſs and Honeſty; to eſtabliſh the wholſomeſt Laws and Orders, inculcate a due Obſervation of 'em, and enforce them by an impartial Execution; to ſecure the College its ſeveral Rights and Properties, and further the Proſperity of all its ſubſtantial Intereſts. — With what Diligence and Attention, with what Patience and Self-denial, with what Humility and Moderation, what Gravity and Conſtancy, what Caution and Circumſpection, and a Care of ſhewing all good Fidelity, he accquitted himſelf in the Conduct of that Society, thoſe (I doubt not) will readily teſtify, who were the more immediate Eye-witneſſes, and to whoſe Province it more properly belongs.

For my peculiar Situation rather ſeems to call me to the Conſideration of him in this Miniſterial Capacity, while ſo long and nearly related to this Church and unto Me. And here I might ſum up his amiable Character, in that deſcriptive Language of the Apoſtle; A beloved Brother in CHRIST, and a faithful Miniſter, and Fellow-Servant in the LORD, my Fellow-Worker unto the Kingdom of GOD, which hath been a Comfort unto Me, and a Helper of your Joy.

I muſt confeſs, it was very much the ſuperiour Affection and Reverence I bore to him, for his known general p. 52Worth, and his Reputation for Candour and Kindneſs in particular, that determin'd me to accept the Call of this Church, and (contrary to my firſt Views and Purpoſes) to ſettle ſo early in the Miniſtry, where I might enjoy the Aſſiſtance of ſo pious, ſo prudent, ſo tender a Colleague, as the Guide of my Youth.—I've ever look'd on it indeed as a remarkable Inſtance of his Meekneſs and Condeſcention, that he ſo willingly conceded to the (perhaps too haſty) Deſires and Attempts of his People for the fixing one ſo young, unfurniſh'd, and unexperienc'd, a Partner with him, in the Charge of this ancient and then flouriſhing Congregation.— Sure I am, I've great Reaſon to be thankful for the Benefit of his fatherly Advices, as well as effectionate Prayers for me, and the excellent Example, in which he went before and led me, for ſo many of my Years in the leſs diſcreet Age of human Life: Nor was it (I truſt) without ſome Degree of a mutual Satisfaction, that I aim'd to walk in the ſame Spirit, and to ſerve with him, as a Son with a Father, in the Work of the Goſpel.—But do I begin to commend my ſelf? I am check'd by that Divine Caution, Let another Man praiſe thee, and not thine own Mouth. However, this Caveat againſt Self-Applauſe evidently implies in it a Permiſſion to give others their deſerved Praiſe, Honour to whom Honour is due. It's difficult indeed ſometimes to commend the Living without being ſuſpected of Flattery: but one wou'd think, that in praiſing the Dead we ſhou'd be very ſincere, when we have the awful Views of the Grave and Eternity before us. The Apoſtle celebrated his living Partners, as the Glory of Chriſt, whoſe Praiſe is in the Goſpel throughout all the Churches: and he has drawn up a numerous Catalogue of deceaſed Prophets and Worthies, whoſe Memory be conſecrates to all Poſterity. By a Faith which wrought Righteouſneſs, the Elders obtained a good Report: and they are had in everlaſting Remembrance.

p. 53So concerning our deceaſed Elder and Father, may I not apply the Commendation given of Demetrius, and ſay, He hath good Report of all Men, and of the Truth it ſelf; yea, and we alſo bear Record, and ye know that our Record is true! I may appeal to You, as many of You as were of Years to obſerve and be acquainted with him while among us, concerning his Miniſtry and Practice, Ye know after what Manner he was with us: and your ſelves (ſome of You of more advanc'd Age) can remember and know what Manner of ENTRING in he had unto You, that it was not in Vain††Mr. Wadſworth ſome time in the Year 1693 (when he commenc'd Maſter of Arts) was call'd by a Vote of this Church to be aſſiſtant to their Teacher (the Rev. Mr. Allen) as a Candidate: and continued preaching ſtatedly once or twice a Month (alternately with the Rev. Mr. Bailey) by repeated Deſires of the Church, until they proceeded to call him to the Paſtoral Office; unto which he was ordain'd on Sept. 8. 1696.— And he remain'd with us till the Cloſe of July 1725, when he went to reſide at Cambridge, having been ſome Weeks before inſtall'd the Preſident of Harvard-College.— So that this Church enjoy'd his Labours for about 30 Years.. Ye are Witneſſes, and GOD alſo, how holily and juſtly and unblamably he behaved among us: as ye know, how he exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of us, as a Father doth his Children.

In the Chriſtian Life he was an Example and a Reproof to us all. An excellent Spirit was in him, which ſhed a viſible Influence on his external Life, Words and Actions. He was happy in being able uſually to preſerve a remarkable Tranquillity of Temper, by the Advantage of which he poſſeſs'd his own Soul, as by his mild Behaviour he ſpread a Glory over his whole Character, endear'd his Perſon, and recommended his holy Profeſſion and Miniſtry. He was not the Man of Contention, the wrangling Diſputant, or the furious Bigot; but hated the deteſtable Name and Thing under every head, and was for letting his p. 54Moderation be known to all Men: yet he cou'd occaſionally be warm, when he thought the Cauſe wou'd bear, and Duty requir'd it. And as he was govern'd by ſolid Principles, he was much for walking by the ſame Rule, for minding the ſame Thing, and not meddling with them that are given to Change; tho' habitually as well cautions in Action, as deliberate in Judgment, yet when once reſolv'd and clear in his Thoughts (eſpecially if the Caſe was of Moment, and Conſcience ſenſibly intereſted) he wou'd be firm and ſteady to his Point: however, ſtill not ſelf-willed, not perverſely and criminally obſtinate, but ever profeſſing an Openneſs to Conviction, and able many times to give Way to the Inclinations of Others for Peace-ſake.— He ever expreſs'd a high Reverence for Authority and Order, and was for ſupporting them in the Societies where he was concern'd: exhibiting himſelf a Pattern of Submiſſion to Rulers, Reſpectfulneſs to Superiors, and Condeſcention to Men of lower Degree. Yet neither at any time uſed he flattering Words, or a Cloke of Covetouſneſs, nor of Men ſought he Glory.‐ He convers'd with much of an unaffected Compoſure, Simplicity and Truth: knowing how to ſhew Civility, without Complements; and to be affable and pleaſant, without Lightneſs or the uſual Airs of an unguarded Mind, as well as to be ſerious and reſerv'd, without the Humours of Preciſeneſs, or Auſterity: Eaſy of Acceſs, familiar in his Viſits, and his Speech ſeſon'd with Salt, peaceful, gracious, and ſuch as might miniſter Grace and Peace to the Hearers.— He knew how to bear the ſevere Trial of froward Cenſures, and injurious Treatment, with a diſpaſſionate Silence; not rendring Evil for Evil, or Railing for Railing, but patient, not a Brawler, no Striker. Nevertheleſs, he was a faithful Reprover, and cou'd ſometimes even rebuke ſharply (where he apprehended, the Fault deſerv'd, and the Caſe demanded it) as became a Hater of Sin and Lover of Holineſs, careful to keep himſelf pure, and not be a Partaker of other Men's Sins: But ſtill he would temper his Admonitions p. 55with a juſt mixture of compaſſionate Tenderneſs; eſpecially if any Man that is called a Brother, were overtaken with a Fault, wou'd he reſtore ſuch an one in the Spirit of Meekneſs, as conſidering himſelf a Man ſubject to like Paſſions with others.— Tho' ever prudent in his Oeconomy and Expences, ſober and temperate in all Things, not given to Wine, to Luxury and Extravagance: yet neither was he greedy of filthy Lucre, not covetous, but a Lover of Hoſpitality, a Lover of good Men, juſt, holy, blameleſs as the Steward of God; according to the Scripture-Character of the worthy Biſhop or Elder. Having his Converſation thus without Covetouſneſs, as he was himſelf content with ſuch Things as he had, ſo he forgat not to do Good unto others; knowing that with ſuch Sacrifices GOD is well pleaſed. But conſtantly with a religious Punctuality and Exactneſs laying by the Tenth of his Incomes, ſacred for ever to the Uſes of Charity and Benefaction, he had ſomething of a Fund to repair to, as Caſes preſented: and was ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate; ſending up very frequent Memorials before God, in giving much Alms to the People. He conſidered others to provoke them unto Love, and to good Works, both by Pattern and Propoſal. He went about (in Imitation of his Divine Maſter) doing Good: his Hands and his Lips together feeding many, refreſhing the Bowels of the poor Saints and cauſing the Widows Heart to ſing. When the Ear heard him, then it bleſſed him: and when the Eye ſaw him, it gave Witneſs to him. He was a Father to the Needy: and how often did the Bleſſing of them which were ready to periſh, come upon him!

He always bore the Reputation of a ſteady faithful Friend, and a kind obliging Neighbour: and many at all times found in him a Counſellor and a Comforter, ready to afford 'em his beſt Aſſiſtances under every Difficulty.

He ſtudy'd Uſefulneſs in his own Family, both by his daily Inſtructions and Prayers, ſhewing a Deep Concern for the Souls of all under his Charge. And that he might be p. 56found walking within his Houſe with a perfect Heart, he was greatly ſolicitous to have the Sabbath ſanctify'd in his Dwelling: and took Heed to himſelf, as well at home as abroad, that by an unblemiſh'd Example he might induce others to a ſtrict Obſervation of the Lord's Day.

In the Houſe of Prayer, he ſhew'd an exemplary Gravity in his whole Mein and Carriage, as one that reverenc'd God's Sanctuary: and when ſitting under the Adminiſtrations of others, he was a very candid, as well as attentive Hearer. GOD's Tabernacles were truly amiable to him, and hither he wou'd repair with a holy Pleaſure, not to be detain'd at any time by the little Impediments which many plead in Excuſe of their frequent Abſence. Nor was his Cloſet leſs his Delight in its Seaſon: But GOD alone was Witneſs to the Spirit and Manner of his ſecret Devotions.— He was one (we've Reaſon to think) that having choſen the LORD for his GOD, had his Fellowſhip with the Father and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and prayed alway in the holy Ghoſt. He feared GOD above many, and uſed his Name, which is Holy and Reverend, with a viſible Awe upon his Mind. He ſhewed a great Reverence to the ſacred Scriptures; honoured the Works of GOD, and ador'd his wiſe and holy Providence. He exerciſed himſelf unto Godlineſs in all the various Branches of it: and was particularly remarkable for his Truſt in God, his Patience under Divine Corrections, and a humble Reſignation to the Will of Heaven, concerning him and his, as to all Events. He truly waited upon GOD: and waited for his SON from Heaven.

In Sum, we beheld in him the rare Spectacle of an uniform Chriſtian, the perfect Man and the upright, conſiſtent in his Principles and Tempers, Profeſſion and Practice. Yet none ſurely will underſtand me now to aſſert his abſolute Perfection. Even Aaron, the Saint of the Lord, was an Inſtance of the Law's making Men Prieſts, which had Infirmity: and Peter, that mighty Apoſtle, was an Inſtance of the Goſpel's making Man Miniſters, which p. 57are ſometimes juſtly to be blamed. And perhaps ſeldom has any one liv'd more under the humbling Senſe of his native Pravity and remaining Infirmity, than the deceaſed Servant of Chriſt. However, You all knew him to be one who very conſpicuouſly exerciſed himſelf always to have a Conſcience void of Offence, both towards God and towards Man: and You can't but teſtify with what Evenneſs, Conſtancy, Diligence and Patience he ran his chriſtian Race among us. The Spirit of his Mind and Tenor of his Converſation were evidently ſuch as ſpake him an Ornament to his Profeſſion: and not many good Men, not many Miniſters, paſs through the World with a more unſully'd Reputation. Ye knew the Man and his Communication: and I'm ſure, his Memory as the devout and the juſt Man, the real and the improv'd Saint, is precious among You.

And as the good MINISTER of Jeſus Chriſt, I doubt not, Many are ready to riſe up and praiſe him. We have conſider'd him as an Example to the Believer: the ſolemn Care of which is made one ſpecial Duty of a Teacher, and the actual Being of which is of great Conſequence, to invite juſt Regards to his Perſon, to facilitate ſome of the more difficult Parts of his private Work, as well as give his publick Preaching a peculiar Force and Weight, and to procure his whole Miniſtry the Advantage of a ſpecial Endearment among his People. And will You not now bear your deceaſed Paſtor this additional Teſtimony, That while among You he was a faithful Steward of the Myſteries of God, feeding your Souls with the Bread of Life, and careful to give unto every one his Portion in due Seaſon! Ever mindful of the Honour and Intereſt of his LORD, and ever ſeeking the Welfare of his Charge. I thank CHRIST JESUS our LORD (who enabled him) for that He counted him faithful, putting him into the Miniſtry; and for that, having obtained Help of GOD, he was continued ſo long your Servant for JESUS ſake. In him you enjoy'd the nurſing Father, the vigilant Biſhop, p. 58and the prudent Guide, a Seer in the Matters of GOD, who took You by the Hand and led You in the Paths of Righteouſneſs and Truth, with much of the Wiſdom that is from above, which is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, and eaſy to be intreated, full of Mercy and of good Fruits, without Partiality and without Hypocriſy. The Watchman of Ephraim was with my GOD: and how did he watch for your Souls, as one that expected to give an Account!

He well knew how he ought to behave himſelf in the Houſe of GOD, which is the Church of the living GOD. In Prayer and Sacramental Adminiſtrations, the Man of God wept, while he poured out his Heart before the Lord. He approach'd the Throne of Grace with a filial Freedom, and yet with a godly Fear, as knowing he had to do with a holy, as well as a gracious, heavenly Father. His Pulpit-Prayers were uſually fill'd with Adorations of the Attributes and Providence of a faithful Creator, as well as the Compaſſions of a merciful Redeemer: were large in the Confeſſions of Sin, particular in Supplications for the moſt needful Mercies, and often abounded with Thankſgiving. Nor was he unmindful to make Interceſſion; to pray for all Men, for Kings, and for all in Authority, for the Churches of the Saints at home, and for the whole Iſrael of God abroad. He bore the Publick much on his Heart: and never forgot the Poor and diſtreſſed.

His Sermons (however appearing to others plain and eaſy) coſt him uſually not a little Pains, as well in the compoſing them, as in the committing them to Memory. He did not offer to his God of that which coſt him nothing, nor put You off with extemporal Effuſions, or with haſty Productions. I have heard him, at the ſame time that he ſpake very humbly of his Performances in the Pulpit, yet ſay how his Brains have ſweat in the Study, and how the intenſe Thought of his Mind, together with the diligent uſe of his Pen, has been a Wearineſs to his Fleſh.

He labour'd for the moſt perſpicuous Method: and p. 59ſearch'd the Scriptures, to collect the moſt pertinent and affecting Texts under every Head, which were commonly numerous, and judiciouſly choſen. Having clear'd his Doctrine, he wou'd follow it with Inferences, uſually practical; and enforce all with a closer Application to Conſcience, in ſome moving Words of Exhortation. He made it his Cuſtom to pen down his Diſcourſes at large, even to the writing out the Words of every Scripture-Quotation: finiſh'd his Preparations in Seaſon; and then with Care got 'em by Heart. I know not, that ever he was ſeen to uſe his Notes in the Pulpit: and being diſtinguiſh'd with the uncommon Talent of a very ſure and tenacious Memory, he deliver'd his Sermons memoriter with much Readineſs, and with a punctual Exactneſs (as I have ſometimes had Occaſion to obſerve, upon the niceſt Examination) according to the very Letter (not the Spirit and Scope only) of his Premeditations, as written in his Papers; which ſtill he was wont to bring with him to the publick Exerciſes, to prompt his Memory, if there ſhou'd be Occaſion. However, tho' he ſat ſo fair a Copy, he never took any Pains to draw me to follow it in this Inſtance: nor cou'd I ever obſerve him to recommend very much this Memoriter-Delivery, when I've confer'd with him upon it: but he rather judg'd the Miniſter's Care to impreſs his Sermons upon his own Heart and Conſcience, by a previous Review for practical Ends and perſonal Uſes, the wiſeſt Care, as apprehending this to be the beſt Way of getting Sermons by Heart. And this he wou'd inculcate: but as for the other, he was not for laying an unreaſonable Burden on any: as it is written, All Men cannot receive this Saying, ſave they to whom it is given; He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.—Now as to his Manner of Expreſſion, tho' in his young Days (as I have known him obſerve) he was pleaſingly captivated with the Rhetorical Diction of many celebreted Writers (and in particular our famous and Rev. LEE, whoſe learned Labours he highly p. 60valu'd) yet he ſoon grew leſs in Love with a florid Style, and addicted himſelf to the uſing great Plainneſs of Speech, as conceiving it beſt adjuſted to the Ends of Goſpel-Preaching, eſpecially in a common Audience, and "beſt becoming the Divinity and Riches of the Matter, which ſome while they think to adorn, do but adulterate it", and often raiſe a Cloud, inſtead of reflecting Light. Plainneſs of Phraſe he certainly affected: and if at any time he might be thought to carry this Point to a Degree beyond what an itching Ear wou'd rather be pleas'd with, we were not wont to impute it to a faulty Negligence, but aſſign'd a better Principle, that is, an humble Zeal to accommodate his Miniſtry to the loweſt Capacities, and feed the very Lambs of the Flock, the ignorant and young, whoſe Souls were equally precious to him as others, while he thought himſelf a Debtor both to the Wiſe and the Unwiſe alike.

As for the Subjects of his publick Diſcourſes, they were generally the weightier Matters of the Law, or the more important Myſteries of the Goſpel. He often went over the Perfections of GOD, the Offices of CHRIST, the Graces of the SPIRIT, the Duties of the Chriſtian Life, (in particular, Cloſet-Devotions, Family-Religion, Sabbath-Sanctification, Covenant-keeping, Plain-dealing, Sober-mindedneſs, &c.) and the contrary Evils, the prevailing Sins of the Times, the Folly of Wickedneſs, and Wiſdom of practical Godlineſs, the Vanity of this preſent World, the Happineſs of Heaven and Miſery of Hell, the Terrors of Death and Judgment to carnal Sinners, but the Joys of both to real Saints: ſuch were the Points he dwelt much upon, and frequently touch'd on the moſt of 'em, with ſolemn Memento's, almoſt in every Sermon. He fed us with the moſt wholeſome Food, prepared with Care and Skill, tho' without much of artful Ornament; as aiming, not ſo much to gratify a delicate Fancy, as to nouriſh the hungry Soul. — As became a Watchman on the Wall, he ſeldom fail'd of accommodating the Tenor of his Diſcourſes to the various Emergencies of Providence; p. 61that he might ſpeak Words in Seaſon, and take the Advantage of Men's preſent Thoughts and Tempers, to awaken Sinners and quicken Saints to a greater Mindfulneſs of that GOD, who governs all Events.

He performed all his Adminiſtrations with a holy Affection: diſcovering the Power of Things divine and ſpiritual upon his own Heart, and a Thirſt to inſpire the like ſacred Warmth into the Hearts of others. Nor did he do the Work of the LORD negligently, but may be truly ſaid to have been abundant in Labours: ſerving GOD day and night with unceaſing Prayer, with diligent Study, with religious Conference, and many Labours, both ſeen and unſeen; willing to ſpend and be ſpent in the Service of his MASTER in Heaven, & willing to have imparted unto Us, not the Goſpel of God only, but alſo his own Soul, becauſe we were dear to him.

Though he lov'd his Cloſet and Books; yet loving his Neighbour as himſelf, and remembring thoſe Words of our LORD, It is more bleſſed to give than to receive, he was much abroad, uſually every Day more or leſs, going a religious Circuit among his People: for which Purpoſe he wiſely redeem'd the Time at home by a diligent Uſe of his Morning-Hours. He judg'd Viſiting the Flock (ſick & well) every One at his own Dwelling, too important an Inſtance of the Paſtoral Care to be unneceſſarily omitted, as affording peculiar Opportunities for watering the Seed ſown in his public Preaching, by private dealing with Souls, and more direct Applications to Families and Perſons. He neglected not therefore the Gift that was in him: but was inſtant, in Seaſon and out of Seaſon; no Man more abounding in Paſtoral Viſits: they were ſeldom long indeed, yet ſeldom too without Attemps to do Good, as he had Opportunity, at leaſt by dropping ſome weighty and ſavoury Sentence, ſome ſeaſonable Counſel or Reproof. And he has been much remark'd for his Impartiality, viſiting all his Charge, without prefer…g one before another; communicating the Goſpel privately p. 62to them which were of Reputation, as well as unto others, and not overlooking any the meaneſt Cottages, while he paſs'd along to the richer Houſes. Yet He went not up and down as a Tale-bearer, or as a Buſy-body in other Men's Matters, nor was he carry'd about by an Athenian Temper, ſpending his Time in nothing elſe but either hearing or telling ſome new Thing: But he was like the good Shepherd that is diligent to know the State of his Flocks, and looketh well to his Herds. And very obſervant at the ſame time was he of that Apoſtolic Canon; Rebuke not an Elder, but intreat him as a Father, and the younger Men as Brethren; the elder Women as Mothers, the younger as Siſters, with all Purity.— He walked circumſpectly, having no Fellowſhip with the unfruitful Works of Darkneſs, but rather reproving 'em by Word and Example. He watched in all Things, to give none Offence, that the Miniſtry might not be blamed: and to pleaſe all Men in all Things for their Good to Edification, as not ſeeking his own Profit, but the Profit of many, that they might be ſaved. And perhaps his private were no leſs uſeful than his public Labours: beſure his Viſits were of high Account among his People, and anſwer'd this valuable End, to enlarge your Hearts in Affection to his Perſon, which by a natural Efficacy conduced to make him unto You as a very lovely Song, and not Hatred in the Houſe of his GOD. How often have your Souls bleſſed him in your ſecret Thoughts, and your Ears hung upon his Lips, while You heard the gracious Words which proceeded out of his Mouth!

And in (what I muſt not neglect to mention) that important Work of Catechizing the Youth, which he took a tender Father's Pleaſure in, cannot many of You remember how upon ſuch Occaſions, while you were yet as feeble Lambs, he carry'd you often in the Arms of his Faith to the Throne of Grace for a Divine Bleſſing, always praying over you with a paternal Pity and Affection, that your Souls might be bound up in the Bundle of Life p. 63with the LORD his GOD! At the ſame Time how did he feed your young Minds, according as they cou'd bear, with the ſincere Milk of the Word; gentle among you, even as a Nurſe cheriſheth her Children!

I may now appeal to you, Fathers, and ſay, in ſome ſelect Paſſages of bleſſed Paul's Farewel-Speech to the Epheſians, juſtly applying them to the preſent Caſe: Ye know, from the firſt Day that he came among You, after what Manner he has been with You at all Seaſons, ſerving the LORD with all Humility of Mind, and with many Tears, and Temptations which befel him: and how he kept back nothing that was profitable unto You, but ſhewed You, and taught You Publickly, and from Houſe to Houſe, teſtifying unto you all Repentance towards GOD, and Faith towards our Lord JESUS CHRIST (which were the general Theme and conſtant Drift both of his publick Sermons and private Viſitations) nor ceaſed he to warn every one night and day with Tears. And I well remember, the happy Conſciouſneſs of his own Integrity and Faithfulneſs enabled him, often in the Courſe of his Miniſtry, to make that ſolemn Addreſs to You, in the Language of the ſame Apoſtle, I take You to Record this Day, that I am pure from the Blood of all Men: for I have not ſhunned to declare unto You all the Counſel of God. And ſuch was his Firmneſs of Mind and Reſolution in his Maſter's Work, that he cou'd ſay, ſtill in the Apoſtle's Words (which too he wou'd frequently bring into his Sermons) Bonds and Afflictions await me; but none of theſe Things move Me, neither count I my Life dear to my ſelf, ſo that I might finiſh my Courſe with Joy, and the Miniſtry which I have receiv'd of the Lord JESUS, to teſtify the Goſpel of the Grace of GOD.

Nor was he without a deſirable Succeſs, and Acceptance in his Miniſtry. GOD hunoured him before us by viſibly owning his Labours, and crowning them in many Inſtances with an effectual Bleſſing. Both in his Preaching p. 64and Viſits how did his Doctrine drop as the Rain, without Noiſe, but with good Effects; his Speech diſtil as the Dew, proſperouſly, tho' ſilently, as the ſmall Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the gentle Showers upon the Grafs, while he publiſhed the Name of the LORD and preached the acceptable Year of our GOD! He was truly a Barnabas among us, A good Man, and full of the holy Ghoſt and of Faith, and much People was added to the LORD, and we glorified GOD in him.— In the Eſteem, as well as the Succeſs he met with, GOD clothed him as with white Robes; and I doubt not, in that Day when GOD ſhall open his Book of Remembrance and bind up his Jewels, this his faithful Servant … be dignify'd with a glorious Teſtimony from the Mouth of his bleſſed JUDGE. (Like that in Mal. 2.5, 6.)

Verily, not he that commendeth himſelf, is approved, but whom the LORD commendeth: and it's the good Man that obtaineth Favour of the LORD. Nor does He ſeldom give to ſuch that loving Favour from Men too, which is preferable to great Riches.

The deceaſed Servant of GOD was in our Eyes a real Grace to his Order and Bleſſing to his Generation: accordingly held in much Reputation among us, juſtly valu'd by his Fellow-Servants in the Goſpel, and highly belov'd of his People. And others that ſaw him, as he went the Rounds among his Flock, to viſit the Fatherleſs and Widows in their Affliction, yea (like another Paul or Barnabas) to viſit all the Brethren in every Houſe, and ſee how they did, were ready to riſe up and call him Bleſſed, and to ſay to one another in the Words of the Shunamite to her Huſband concerning the Prophet, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy Man of GOD, which paſſeth by us continually.

It will be aſk'd by ſome perhaps, How then came He willing to relinquiſh his Charge, or this Church to give up their Title to his Miniſtry? — I remember well my own Anxiety, and your Tears, as well as his, at our Parting (now p. 65nigh 12 Years ſince) when, tho' (I'm perſuaded) we were in his Heart to die and to live with us, yet a View to more extenſive Service, and therein to the Glory of GOD, a Care for the School of the Prophets, and therein for all the Churches, over-rul'd to carry him from us. No other Principles, I'm ſatisfied, cou'd have prevail'd to overcome his Reluctance to leave his dear Flock, nor any other Conſiderations have brought this Church into the Vote of Reſignation, concerning their beloved Paſtor, which not without many Thoughts of Heart they paſſed on that Occaſion: ſuch was the reciprocal Endearment between us. And I believe, that all wou'd have had the Springs of Grief more ſenſibly awaken'd in them, I'm ſure the aking Hearts of ſome had been almoſt diſconſolate, if we had imagin'd it a final Farewel (as in that remarkable Caſe not altogether unlike ours,—Act. 20.36,—38.) For tho' we had expected to have frequent Opportunities for ſeeing his Face and hearing his Voice in occaſional Labours among us, yet GOD was pleas'd very ſoon to extinguiſh our Hopes, by arreſting him with grievous Pains and great Infirmity, which he quickly fell into, and which much confin'd him, not ſuffering him for theſe many Years to be often or long from home. However, thro' the Favour of GOD to his Servant, ſtill he was wonderfully ſuſtain'd under his Burden, and carry'd on in the Duty of his Station, ſpirited to attend his daily Labours and Cares at the College (not regarding his Life, when cautious Friends wou'd ſometimes check his Zeal, ſaying, Maſter, ſpare thy ſelf) and to proſecute his Studies at Home, both with an aſſiduous unfainting Perſeverance, till call'd off by the Preſages of his End coming on; the LORD (in his Providence) ſaying in him, as to Moſes, Behold, thy Days approach that Thou muſt die! And while confin'd (for a few Weeks) to his Sick-Chamber, he ſtill found that Grace ſufficient for him, which had ever been his whole Dependance in all Conditions. The LORD ſtood with him in his laſt Encounters, and ſtrengthned him on the Bed of p. 66Languiſhing, with Strength in his Soul. As his outward Man periſhed, the inward Man was renewed day by day; for which Cauſe he fainted not: But lay calm and patient, ſtrong in Faith and full of humble Submiſſion; deſiring to depart and be with CHRIST, and wiſhing the bleſſed Time might be haſtned, yet ſtill reſign'd to the Will of his heavenly Father. Favour'd with living Comforts in his expiring Moments, he cou'd and did with a lively Hope commit his Soul into the Hands of his dear REDEEMER, in whom he had believ'd, and whom he had preach'd and ſerv'd; leaving his dying Teſtimony for CHRIST, his Truths and Ways; trembling for the Ark of GOD, and praying for the Peace of Jeruſalem; commending all about him to GOD, and to the Word of his Grace, and expreſſing the beſt Wiſhes in ſolemn manner for one and another that made their reſpectful Viſits to him.— May I never forget the Bleſſing wherewith the Man of GOD bleſſed Me before his Death! And may the LORD GOD of Elijah, who only can command the Bleſſing, cauſe it to reſt upon me, in my Service here on Earth, while the happy Spirit of my departed Father is enjoying his Reward in Heaven, as his Fleſh, now laid in the Duſt, reſts in Hope.

SUCH WAS THE MAN, WHOM GOD HATH TAKEN!

I pretend not indeed to have drawn his Character at full Length, and in all its lovely Proportions, tho' I've held you long upon it, beyond my firſt Intention. There may have happen'd ſome material Defects; but I am not conſcious of any faulty Exceſſes, nor yet of any artful Gloſſes, to ſet it in a falſe Light. The Reflection now is obvious, that we find, an uncommon Aſſemblage of very valuable uſeful Qualities form his amiable Character; ſuch as ſpeak him Great in the Sight of the LORD, and ſuch as may well make his Name precious with all that have a juſt Idea of real Greatneſs.

It mayn't be amiſs to repeat here an Obſervation I've met with: "Tho' many had made a brighter and greater Figure in the Eye of the World, than John, yet CHRIST prefers him to them all; There hath not riſen a GREATER than John the Baptiſt. p. 67Thoſe are the greateſt Men, that are the greateſt Saints, and the greateſt Bleſſings, under the vital Influence of the Spirit of God and of Glory.— I may therefore with a ſingular Propriety apply that well known Lamentation, in the preſent Caſe, Know ye not that a GREAT MAN is fallen this Day in Iſrael!

And now ſhall we not all mingle our Tears over the Grave of the Man of GOD, mark the perfect Man, and mourn our own and the public Loſs in the Death of a Father in Iſrael!

We heartily ſympathiſe with the bereaved Family and Relatives: and pray GOD to comfort the many Mourners on this Occaſion. May the GOD of all Grace and Comfort, in particular, ſupport his Handmaid, the deſolate Widow, under her heavieſt Sorrow! May her MAKER ſtill be her Husband, and remember her, the Kindneſs of her Youth, and Love of her Eſpouſals, and yet more ſenſibly eſpouſe her to Himſelf in Loving kindneſs, give her now the Oil of Joy for Mourning, and the Garment of Praiſe for the Spirit of Heavineſs!

May the bereav'd College have this Stroke of the Divine Hand upon it ſanctify'd, both to the Maſter and the Scholar, even to all belonging or related to it! And may the GOD of the Spirits of all Fleſh chuſe out an Eliſha, to ſucceed in the preſent Vacancy, on whom He will cauſe to reſt a double Portion of the good Spirit, ſo viſible on the Elijah taken from their Head!— May this Death be ſanctify'd alſo to Miniſters, and all of publick Character! May We, the Miniſters of this Church in particular, hear GOD's Voice, ſpeaking to us in louder Accents, and be excited to our Work, as by the Thought of Mortality and a future Account, ſo by wiſe Reflections on the Example left us by the deceaſed Servant of GOD!— Brethren, pray for us.

O that this Church and Congregation may have the Spirit of GOD ſpeaking powerfully to them on this Occaſion, awakning a due Remembrance of the Man of God, and reviving the good Impreſſions of his Miniſtry! GOD expects, we remember and hear the Words, which He hath cried to us by his former Prophets (Zech. 7.7, 12.) and by his Apoſtles (Jude, ver. 17.) And that Exhortation ſeems to refer to the ordinary ſtanding Miniſtry (Heb. 13.7.) Remember them which have ſpoken to you the Word of God, &c.— It's obſervable, Our Lord (as in Matth. 11) ſpake honorably of John, when he had finiſh'd his Teſtimony and was fallen into ſome Oblivion; intending by what he ſaid, to retrieve his declining Memory, and to reſtore his dying Work by reviving the People's Regard to his Preaching, which they had formerly … zealous to hear, and which therefore they ought now to think it worth ſome p. 68Care to recollect.— In Conformity to this great Example, I have been ſtirring you up, by Putting you in Remembrance: I've done it with a View to your Profit, as well as to the Praiſe of the Deceaſed, and in both to the Glory of GOD. Let us give GOD the Honour of all the Gifts, Graces and Uſefulneſs of his Servant; be thankful that we enjoy'd ſuch a Bleſſing in his Miniſtry; examine our Improvements under it, and purſue the Ends of it by a lively practical Remembrance.

Reading his printed Works will ſerve to keep up his Memory, and (as it were) perpetuate his Miniſtry among us. I commend to you in particular his valuable familiar Explanation of the Aſſembly's Catechiſm, his labour'd Treatiſe on Conſcience, and his judicious Guide to the Doubting. That was the Text which animated him in his many Publications, 2 Pet. 1.12, 15.

We ſhall do well to ſtir up one another by way of Remembrance.— We ſhall do well to review him as in the Pulpit and in his Viſits, and recollect in particular (as we are able) any remarkable Inſtructions, Advices, or Reproofs, we receiv'd from him: and let us be careful to maintain a good Remembrance of him always, even as it is meet, being mindful of his Tears, and following his Faith. I truſt, there are ſome among You, that were his Hope on Earth, and will be his Joy and Crown in Heaven: let ſuch ſtill live the Credit of his Miniſtry by a holy Perſeverance. But may we not fear, there are others, whom the Word preached by him did not profit? Yea, are not ſome of You conſcious, You were a Grief to his righteous Soul? Let ſuch tremble it the awful Proſpect of his ſtanding a Witneſs againſt you in the Day of Judgment. And (as it is written, Ezek. 33.33.) when it cometh to paſs (lo, it will come) then ſhall ye know that a PROPHET hath been among you. O fear, left you be put to mourn at the laſt, when there's no Remedy.

Let us all hear GOD ſpeaking to us in thoſe Calls of his Providence and Word (2 Chron. 20.20.) Believe in the LORD your GOD, believe his Prophets. And (Jam. 5.10.) Take the Prophets, which have ſpoken in the Name of the Lord, for an Example.— Let us ſuppoſe the Man of God himſelf addreſſing us (as in Phil. 4.9.) Thoſe Things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and ſeen in ME, do; and the GOD of Peace ſhall be with You.

To conclude, Let us all now (as they, 1 Sam. 7.2.) lament after the LORD; and with Eliſah, inquire for the GOD of Elijah: making it our great Concern to ſecure the gracious Preſence of the ever-living GOD with us, which was the Sum of our departed Friend and Father's dying Wiſhes for us. Let our Inquiry be frequent and perſevering, fervent, penitent and believing, ſincere and practical. A juſt Reſpect to the Memory p. 69of the Deceaſed, the Honour of God, and the Intereſt of Religion, our own Safety and Happineſs, are Conſiderations that unite to perſuade us into ſuch an Inquiry. This is one genuine Fruit of the Divine Nature in us, and a hopeful Sign of the Divine Preſence with us; and it bodes well to us for the coming World. If we have Elijah's Grace, we ſhall attain his Glory too. Faith, Love, Hope and Deſire intenſe are as the fiery Chariot and Horſes to mount us up into heavenly Places now: and Angels will conduct us thither when we die, gathering our Souls to the Aſſembly of glorify'd Spirits in Paradiſe: and in the Reſurrection-Day we ſhall ſee one another's Faces with Joy. GOD will raiſe the dead Bodies of the Saints, and ſhew them alive to us, as He did Elijah with Moſes to the Diſciples in the Mount of Transfiguration: but with this happy Circumſtance of Difference, that ours will be a final Meeting, and in greater Glory; for we ſhall dwell together in the bliſsful Preſence of GOD through the Ages of eternal Futurity. Read 1 Theſ. 4.13,—17. and comfort one another with theſe Words. Now the God of Peace be with us all! AMEN.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Pag. 8. lin. 13. read, But by my— P. 14. l. 12. read, meaning the— P. 42 l. 35. read, the Hope of future— P. 61. l. 35. read or Reproof—.

N. B. Then are a few lighter Eſcapes of the Printer: but that of the Author in his Prefatory Epiſtle eſpecially asks Candour; the Hint (I mean) of ſome few Additions to the Sermon. For, notwithſtanding I really intended no other, when I ſent the Preface to the Printer, this having been diſpatch'd before I enter'd upon the Tranſcript of my Sermon, yet (thro' the Divine Favour my Hands being ſtrengthen'd beyond my Fears, as I was newly under a Return of great Indiſpoſitions) I found an Inclination to make ſome Additions not at firſt deſign'd. Becauſe when I came to the ſeveral Heads of USE (moſt of which were barely hinted in the Pulpit) I cou'd not perſuade my ſelf to let them paſs the Preſs without ſomething of Inculcation; ſo I freely indulg'd the Impreſſions upon me. And they are the Enlargements here, that have ſwell'd the Sheets to this enormous Size. However, I hope the Reader will find his Edification the better conſulted upon the whole: and if ſo, as I ſurely ſhall not repent my Paint, ſo others will the more eaſily forgive me this Wrong.

End of the text · Thomas Foxcroft, Elisha Lamenting after the God of Elijah (1737)