Elisha his lamentation, for his owne, and all Israels losse, in Elijah The subiect of a sermon, preached at the funeralls of the Right Worshipfull Sir Anthony Rous, late of Halton in Cornwall, Knight. By Charles Fitz-Geffry.

ELISHA HIS LAMENTATION . 2. KING . 2.12 .

My Father , my Father ! the Chariot of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof !

ELISHA his complaint at the parture or rapture of Elijah from him into Heauen , consisting of ,

First , A Pathetical exclamation , My Father , my Father !

Secondly , A plausible Acclamation , The Chariot of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof .

The first sheweth Elisha his affection to Elijah , My Father , my Father ! The second , Elijah his protection of Israel , The Chariot of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof . The first , What Elijah was to Elisha in particular , A Father , yea , a double Father , My Father , my Father ! The second , What he was to all Israel in generall , The Chariot of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof . In both , Elisha lamenteth in one Elijah , 1. Damnum priuatum . a double losse : first , his owne priuate losse , he lost in him a Father , My Father , 2. Damnum publicum . my Father ! Secondly , the publike losse of all Israel , they lost in him an Armie Royall , The Chariot of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof .

I begin with the former , the Patheticall exclamation , wherein are three branches obserueable .

The 1. Appellation , Father . 2. Appropriation , My Father . 3. Iteration , or Ingemination , My Father , my Father .

For the first of these , the Appellation , I need not shew you how diuersly the word , Father , is vsed in Scripture , but how it is properly to bee vnderstood in this place . You know that there are Fathers by

First , Nature , as Abraham was to Isaac , and Isaac to Iacob . 1. Tim . 5.1 .

Secondly , Age , as those who haue the aduantage of vs in yeares , Rebuke not an Elder , but exhort him as a Father .

Thirdly , Office , as * * Isai . 49.23 . Magistrates , a a Pro . 4.1 . 1. Thes . 2.7 . 1. Cor . 4.15 . Ministers , b b 2. King . 3.15 . Masters , c c 1. Tim . 1.2 . Tit . 1.4 . Tutors , d d Gen. 4.20 , 21. Teachers , and generally all Superiours .

Fourthly , Affection and kindnesse , as our e e Gen. 45.8 . Iob 29.16 . Psal . 68.5 . Fauourers , Benefactors , and Protectors .

In the three later regards is Elijah here stiled by Elisha , Father ; in regard of Age , for he was his elder ; in regard of Office , for hee was his Master , and ( as it were ) his Tutor ; in regard of Affection , for ( vnder God ) he was his especiall Benefactor and Protector ; so that the very Appellation , Father , as it is here vsed , is Doctrinall , for it teacheth vs , that Superiours ought to beare themselues as Fathers towards their Inferiours .

Men of eminence and authoritie in Church and Common-wealth , ought to bee as Fathers to those who are vnder their charge . They ought to bee so , because they are so called . God and Man , Grace and Nature , haue agreed to conferre this honourable title , Father , vpon those that haue well deserued ; of such as are vnder them , or doe belong vnto them . Ioseph , hauing by his prudence and prouidence preserued Pharaoh and his Kingdome , is rewarded with this honourable appellation , Abrech , or tender Father , Gen. 41.43 . or ( according to some ) the father of the King . Yea , hee himselfe assumeth it , as first conferred on him by God himselfe , Gen. 45.8 . God hath made me a father vnto Pharaoh .

Nature herein followeth Grace , and graceth persons eminent in place , if also excellent in parts , with this excellent appellation . * * Roma Patrem patris Ciceronem libera dixit . Iuvenal . Rome freed by the vigilancy of Cicero , from the conspiracy of Cateline , bestowed on him this title , Father of the Countrey . * * Domini appellat●onem vt ma●edictum , & opprobrium semper exhor●uit , Sueton . in Octauio , cap . 51. Augustus Caesar , who abhorred the title of Lord , as a reproch rather then an honour , accepted this of Father of the Countrey , as the height of his ambition , a a Compos vntorum meorum sactus , &c. id . cap . 58. hauing afterward nothing to wish for ( as hee protested ) saue that he might maintayne that Title to the end of his life . Tiberius at first refused it , b b Tacitus Annal . lib . 1. either out of his accustomed craft , of refusing that in shew which he most affected , or because as he was conscious to himselfe , that he did not deserue it , c c Sueton . in Tiber . cap . 67. so he despaired that euer he should be able to support it .

Now Superiours as they are called , so they ought to be Fathers , especially in a foure-fold regard . First , in regard of Affection ; The loue of a Father to a Sonne , none saue a Father can well conceiue , no not a Sonne himselfe , vntill he bee a Father . God , to expresse his loue to vs , which cannot by vs be expressed or conceiued , setteth forth himselfe to vs as a Father . So should good Gouernours loue those who are of their charge , Matth . 6.9 . as a Father doth his Children . Such was the affection of Moses to the People , of Paul to his Countrimen , when in an extasie of loue they wished themselues abandoned , that theirs might bee blessed . These were Fathers indeed .

Secondly , of Protection : A Father will aduenture his life for the safetie of his Sonne . No maruell , for euen Beasts and Birds will expose themselues to danger for the safetie , to death , for the life of their young . So will a good Gouernour rather affect the safetie of his , then his owne safetie . Therefore Dauid desired to diuert the wrath of the Lord from the People , on himselfe and his owne house . What Father could doe more ?

Thirdly , of Correction : To correct is the Office of a Father , but with fatherly correction . A Father correcteth the Child whom he loueth , Heb . 12.6.9 . and loueth the Child whom hee correcteth , and in greatest choler remembreth that he is a Father who smiteth , and a Sonne who smarteth ; and therefore vseth correction , no otherwise then Marriners doe eiection of their fraight in a tempest , for the safetie of the Ship , Ille dolet quoties cogitur esse serox . and is payned himselfe when he his compelled to punish . He desires , if it may be , rather to correct with terrifying then to terrifie with correcting , and often shaketh the rod that hee may the more seldome strike with it .

Lastly , in regard of Example : Superiours should be Fathers , not onely in regard of presidence , Ut plurimum subiectus populus se solet conformare , corum moribus qui potentiâ praeualent , Basil . in Isai . 1. ad illa verba , Principes tui non obediunt , &c. but chiefely of precedence in godlinesse and all vertues to their Inferiours . All example is powerfull either to good or euill , but most of them who are of most power . Great mens liues are no litle lawes to those who liue vnder them : their Examples doe as much as their Edicts , their presidents are no lesse publike and more perswasiue then their Proclamations . The title , Father , giuen to men of eminence , putteth them in minde of these , besides many other duties .

But may I not now aske , as once the Prophet did : Zach. 1.5 . Your Fathers ! Where are they ? Such Fathers , where are they now to be found ? Such there were : but doe such liue for euer ? Or doe they who arise in their steads , endeuour to bee such Fathers ? May wee not borrow the Apostles speech ? 1. Cor . 4.15 . Pauci reuera sunt qui rectè patres vocentur ; pauci quippe sunt numero qu●s tangat vehementer sollicitudo salutis corum qui eis commissi sunt . Pet . Martyr . ad locum . Though you haue many Masters , yet haue you not many Fathers . There are many who professe the Names , possesse the Places of Fathers ; not many that affect their People as Fathers , protect the Weake as Fathers , correct the Delinquent as Fathers , and as Fathers direct and lead their Children by vertuous and religious Examples . What Fathers are they , who rather affect themselues and their owne priuate ends , whose whole studie is to prouide for themselues ; carelesse of the common Good , not regarding the Ship of Church or Common-wealth , but in a Storme abandoning it rather ( as the Mariners would the Ship wherein Paul sayled ) that they may saue themselues in the Cock-boat of their owne Fortunes ? Act. 27.30 . Such are not Patres , but Praedones . The Apostle saith , 2. Cor . 12.14 . Children vse not to lay vp for their Fathers , but Fathers for their Children . What Fathers are they then , who euen flea their Children , that they may lay vp for themselues ; as Saturne is fayned to haue deuoured his owne Sonnes ? God blesse all good Children from such Fathers !

Must men of eminence and authoritie bee Fathers ? What make they then in the Chaire of Fathers , who both for age and carriage are more fit to stand among Children ? Ministers are called Elders , Magistrates were called a a Tales oportet esse maturam aetate prouectos & qui temporis prolixitudine euaserint multarum rerum cognitione periti , &c. Basil . in Isai . c . 3. Senators ; to shew that yeares must maturate men to such Functions : yet both in Church and Common-wealth , are not Children stept into the Seats of Fathers ? b b Primis quadraginta annis Aegyptijs disciplinis institutus est . Basil . proaem . in Isai . Moses spent one fortie yeares ( as in a Free-Schoole ) among the Egyptians , and fortie yeares more in the Desart , vsing that solitude as an Academe , for Contemplation ; yet after all this , being called to the Function of a Father , hee excused his insufficiencie , saying : c c Exod . 3.11 . Who am I , that I should goe to Pharaoh ? What are they then , who haue not yet tythed halfe Moses his time , in Vniuersitie , or Innes of Court ; that they should so suddenly start vp to be Fathers , in Church or State ? I know , that Iudgement is not necessarily tied to Age . Some young Samuel may haue better reuelations then an old Eli ; Iob . 32.4 . Elihu the youngest , may be the stayedest and soundest among Iobs Friends ; Ioseph at thirtie yeares may be a Father to Pharaoh , and to all Egypt ; Iohn 20.4 . — Tempore certè Virtutem non prima negant , non vltima donant . Ioseph . Iscanus , de bell . Troian . l. 1. Wisedome many times out-runneth yeares , as Iohn did Peter , the younger the elder ; Vnderstanding may be ripe in the Brest , when there doe scarce appeare any blossomes of a Beard . Let such haue their place , their prayse . But what make they in the place of Fathers , who are Children in Vnderstanding as well as in Yeares ? Fathers should haue some-thing , euen in their Faces , to shew that they are Fathers .

Are Superiors Fathers vnto vs ? Then ought wee to behaue our selues as dutifull Children vnto them ; a a Leuit. 19.3 . Malach . 1.6 . Ephes . 6.2 . honouring and louing them as our Fathers , b b Ephes . 6.1 . Col. 3.20 . Luke 2.51 . obeying them as our Fathers , c c 1. Tim . 5.4 . Matth . 15.6 . Gen. 47.12 . ayding and supporting them as our Fathers , and d d Ephes . 5.1 . following their good Examples , as deare Children . How can wee grudge them these small returnes , receiuing so much good , so many Blessings by them ? Such Fathers are to be loued while they liue , and to bee lamented at their death , as if they were our naturall Fathers ; as here Elisha doth Elijah , crying out , My Father !

Which is the second Branch , wherein he doth appropriate him to himselfe , as if he had beene his naturall Father . Whereas Elijah was not Father to Elisha by Nature , but by a greater and surer bond , namely , by Grace . Adoption is an imitation and supply of Issue . Imitatur adoptio prolem . Auson . in Neru . Elijah hauing no Sonne , adopted godly Elisha for his Sonne , made him his Heire , Haereditatem spiritualem , &c. P. Martyr ad locum . and bequeathed vnto him a spirituall Legacie , euen the Inheritance of his Spirit doubled vpon him . Doubtlesse , Elijah the Thisbite had some of his bloud and kindred liuing , who by Nature were neerer to him then Elisha ; yet for the Graces of God which were in him , he preferred him before them , and tooke him for his Sonne ; for which cause , Elisha taketh him also for his Father .

My Father !

Whereby wee are taught , that The spirituall Kindred is the best and surest .

Kindred by Generation , is nothing so neere and deare , as that by Regeneration . Grace is a farre firmer bond then Nature ; Faith doth more firmely vnite men , then the Flesh : Religion is the surest Ciment of Affection . Betweene man and man , as men , there cannot be a greater bond , then that of Bloud ; but betweene them , as Christians , there is a greater , namely , that of Grace . They who are thus allyed , are linked together with a seuen-fold Cord : first , one Body ; secondly , one Spirit ; Eph. 4.5 , 6. thirdly , one hope of Calling ; fourthly , one Lord ; fiftly , one Faith ; sixtly , one Baptisme ; seuenthly , one God , and Father of all : so many Ones , must needes make such to be one . If a three-fold twisted Cord be hardly , then surely this seuen-fold twisted Cord cannot possibly bee broken .

Naturall Parents haue often proued vnnaturall to their owne Children : some of them haue butchered their poore Infants , Deut . 12.31 . Wisd . 12.5 , 6. to their Idols . The King of Moab burnt the bones of his owne eldest Sonne ( * * D. Benefield on Amos 2. Lect . 2. not the King of Edoms Sonne , as some suppose ) into Lime . Some cruell Mothers haue embrued their hands in the bloud of their owne bowels . Generally , all bonds of Bloud haue beene broken . The knot of Christian Kindred , by Death it selfe cannot be dissolued . Therefore , among godly men , the Graces of God in men haue euer had the greatest sway in placing their Affections , and no Affinitie nor Consanguinitie hath so endeared them , 1. Sam . 18.1.20.17 . as Pietie ; as appeareth by the Example of Dauid and Ionathan .

Learne wee hereby to rectifie our Affection of Loue : It is indeed a signe of a deplorate and desperate nature , to be without naturall Affection . But too many , who would seeme to be regenerate , Rom. 6.31 . are more swayed by naturall then by Christian Affection . Gal. 6.10 . Doe good vnto all ( sayth the Apostle ) but especially vnto the Household of Faith . But among too many , the Family of the Flesh is so affected , that the Family of the Faithfull is neglected . The Byas of Bloud , carrieth away our Affection from the right Marke , the Graces of God in his Saints . Euen when men leaue the World , this worldly corruption leaueth not them : they will rather leaue all to a Reprobate , a Roarer , a Sonne of Belial , then on their Wills insert the least Legacie to a Saint , or bequeath so much as their Mantle to some Elisha ; who , if they were Saints themselues , is more neerely allyed vnto them by Grace .

I haue yet seene a greater euill vnder the Sun. This is not the worst that men doe preferre reprobate siluer , vngodly Sonnes or Cousins before Saints , that are not of their blood ; but if there be one of their neare kindred , that is more sanctified then others , hee is therefore the farther from them in affection , because he is nearer vnto Christ ; and they will rather hunt for an heire in the farthest fields of their Kindred , yea , out of their Kindred , then accept of one whom God bringeth to their hands nearer home . So that it seemes they doe not so much loue their owne Kindred as hate Christs ; for one of their owne Kindred shall bee the farther from them , the nearer that hee is vnto Christ ; and that which should make one Kin to them , though he were a stranger , renders him a stranger though he be a Kinsman or a Brother .

Hath a Father sundrie Sonnes , among whom one is consecrated vnto God , by being a Minister of his Word ? That Sonne commonly is least remembred , if not left out of his Fathers Testament , because he is the dispenser of Christs Testament ; and , * * Nullis omnino à suis minus relinquitur quàm quibus ob Dei reuerentiam plus debetur , nullos pietas minus respicit , quàm quos praecipuè religio commendat : ac per hoc vna tantùm re parentibus viles fiunt quia caeperint Deo esse pretiosi . Saluian . ad Ecclesiam Catholic . lib . 3. as Saluian once complayned , Lesse is done by the Father for none , then for him to whom most is due , his affection respecteth none lesse then him whom Religion most of all commendeth , as if those Children were most vile to their Parents , who are most precious vnto God . But God doth well meet with them for contemning his Children , euen when they are their owne . Their purpose is to set vp their Houses , but by such preposterous affection they demolish them ; they intend to make all sure and safe , but hereby they ouerthrow all . Vtinam tam facilè tu saluus esses , quàm tua omnia deperibunt , Saluian . vbi supra . I could wish ( with the same Saluian ) that they themselues were as sure to be saued , as their substance so bestowed , is sure to be wasted . They leaue all to one , who layeth all in the dust at last ; and iustly , because they preferred Dust before Gold , the World before God . Let no man mistake me , I condemne not naturall regards of Heires , Brethren , Kinsmen : for my part , the burthen of Tyrus be vpon them , who ( with Tyrus ) forget the brotherly couenant . Amos 1.9 . Onely this I say , let not Esau get away the blessing from Iacob , nor Ismael cause Isaac to be abandoned . Let not carnall Kindred steale away all respects from Spirituall : 1. Cor . 15.50 . Flesh and Blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of Heauen . Why then should it inherit all our kindnesse on Earth ? Let not Christians immure all their kindnesse within the narrow nookes of Kindred and Alliance , which ( by Dauids example ) is to be extended to the Saints that are on Earth . Psal . 16.3 . As vnto Christ , so vnto Christians these should be our Mother , Matth . 12.48 . our Sister , our Brother , ( I may adde our sonnes ) who heare the Word and doe the Will of our heauenly Father . Wee ought indeed to loue our naturall Kindred , but on these termes , * * Si boni sint & Deo s●ru●a●t , Bern . de modo ●●iuendi , ser . 5. if they be neerer Kin to vs then Nature can render them , that is , if they be gracious , if they be godly : otherwise Christ himselfe did not care much for his kindred , yea otherwise , hee did not accompt them his kindred ; otherwise ( b b Plus debemus diligere extraneos qui nobis coniuncti sunt vinculo charitatis quàm propinquos qui Deum non diligunt . — sayth Bernard ) we ought to loue strangers , tyed to vs by the bond of charitie , more then our neerest kindred , who loue not God , c c — Quia sanctior est copula co●dium quàm corporum . Ber. ibid . ser . 7. because the coniunction of soules is more sacred then the bond of bloud . Wee should wish well to our kinsfolke , and better wee cannot wish them , then that they should be sonnes of God , and brethren of Christ ; d d Et quem cognato iunctum mih● foedere laetor , Gratuler & sanctâ sub relligione recep●um . Paulinus ad Iouium . yea , we must desire and endeuour , that those who are neere to vs by nature , may yet bee neerer to vs by grace . To Saints indeed , a Saint , though a stranger is a Cousin , a brother ; when a brother that is not a Saint , is farther off then a stranger .

You who haue no children , with Elijah , chuse you some Elisha to be your sonne ; e e Quem legisse iuuet quem genuisse velit . Auson . in Nerua . such a one , as being adopted , may doe you more comfort , more credite , then one borne of your loines might haue done ; such a one , as you would wish to haue begotten rather then to haue adopted . Follow the counsell of a man of God , f f B●atus ille qui suos ipse d●uin● am●●●s Spiritu am●t cuius charitas Christi cultus est , qui in na urae vinculo Deum cogitat naturarum patrem , & amoris m●nera in Sacrificia conuertens , id quod pignoribus suis prestat Deo suo foe●erat , &c. Saluian . ad Eccl. C●th . l. 3. Let the loue of Christ be the load-starre of your loue , and in chusing a sonne , remember God your heauenly Father : so bestow your Legacies , as that they may be also Sacrifices , that what you giue to your heire , you may also lend vnto the Lord , and leauing to others a temporall inheritance , you may lay vp for your selues a good foundation , for an eternall blessing . And if you loue those , who are linked to you by the flaxen cords of flesh , how much more should you loue those , who are tyed to you by the adamantine chaines of grace ? If we be true members of Christ , all the Saints on Earth are our fellow-members , and so neerer to vs then our neerest kindred . It was grace , not nature , which made Elijah a father to Elisha : the same grace moued Elisha to loue while he liued , & at his departure to lament Elijah as a father , as his owne father ; yea , as more then a father , as a double father . Hence is the ingemination or iteration , ( the last branch of our first part ) My father , my father .

Father is a sweet word : it will not soone out of the mouth , because it is seldome out of the mind of a true hearted sonne . When the tongue once strikes vpon that sweet string , it delighteth to quauer and to descant , so pleasing is the musicke . Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh : Where the fountaine is vberant , needs must the streames bee fluent . This double compellation argue the double affection , and that produceth doubled lamentation ; My father , my father !

Wherein you may obserue , how the Prophet premiseth his moane for his owne peculiar losse , as a preface to his mourning for the publicke calamitie , which ensueth ; first , lamenting his priuate distresse ; and afterward , Israels desolation . Whence it will follow that In publicke losses wee may lawfully lament our priuate interesses .

Domesticall Fathers , speciall benefactors , when they are taken from vs , their departure cannot chuse but grieuously affect vs , as well for our owne as for the generall dammage . This indulgence our Sauiour gaue to the mournfull women at his passion . When he said , Luk . 23.28 . Weepe not for me , but weepe for your selues , and for your children . Thus did Ieremie in the generall desolation of Israel , for the death of Iosias , cry out for himselfe . Lam . 3.1 . I am the man that hath seene affliction ; and againe , O Lord behold mine affliction ! Good reason ; for wee are part of the publicke , and the griefe for the whole , cannot wholly swallow vp the sorrow for our selues . In Christians wee are Men , and in the bodie wee are members . Safely therefore , and with a good conscience in lamenting the publicke losse of Church and Common-wealth , at the death of a father , wee may interweaue our owne griefe and interest our speciall sorrow .

Farre be it then from vs to condemne those , who doe mourue for the decease of their especiall benefactors and friends , so long as they keepe themselues within the precincts of the Apostles precept , 1. Thes . 4.13 . and sorrow not as those that are without hope . Let vs take heed how wee rashly doe taxe such mourning , or such mourners ; yea , though it extend to some ingemination of griefe , as here , My father , my father ! lest we condemne the generation of the iust . As is the man , Iudg . 8.21 . so is his strength : as is the cause , so is the complaint . The better that any mans life hath beene to vs , the more bitter needs must his death bee to vs. If liuing hee doubled his loue towards vs , how can we chuse but double our lamentation for him at his depriuing ? As here Elisha doth , My father , my father ! And elsewhere Dauid , in more excesse , vpon a farre lesse iustifiable cause , My sonne , my sonne , &c. It is not alway true , Curae leues loquuntur , &c. that the greatest griefe speaketh least ; sometimes ( like some Eccho's ) it doubleth , yea trebleth the word , according to the woe that doth procure it . But then indeed is sorrow worth the doubling , when with the priuate dammage , it importeth a publike detriment , and not only a Father is departed , but such a Father as was while he suruiued , The Chariot of Israel , and the Horsemen thereof .

Part 2. Which is the second part of my Text , seconding the former sad Exclamation , with a due Acclamation . Psal . 42.7 . As one gulfe , so one griefe calleth on another : and now the patheticall Prophet , from deploring his priuate losse passeth on to lament the publike ; as he lost in Elijah a Father , so all Israel in him a Father and a Defender .

The Chariot of Israel , and the Horsemen thereof : that is , the defence and munition , the strength and protection of Israel : Currus & equi●ètes constat praecipua esse belli robora . — Perinde est ac si dixisset eum fuisse dum vixit reipub . nec non Ecclesiae columen . P. Mart . ad locum . for in these two Chariots and Horsemen , consisted the cheifest force of an army in those times . So that it is as much as if he had said , that Elijah was while he liued , the chiefe pillar and supporter of Israels , both Church and Common-wealth . Whence wee may well inferre , that Godly men are the best Munition .

The most zealous for God , are the most advantagious for the State . The blesse Saints on Earth , are the best benefactors to the Earth . Godlinesse is profitable to all things ( saith the Apostle , 1. Tim . 4.8 . ) therefore to the safetie and securitie of a State , which of all earthly things is most profitable . Elisha doth here proclaime , that there was more power in godly Elijah , for the safetie of the Kingdome of Israel , then in the King himselfe , his Cohorts , and his Army-royall . Heathen men can say , that a Campe is nothing abroad , if there bee not Counsell at home ; but Christians doe know , that an Army-royall is nothing , if there be not Piety as well as Policy at home . * * Mihi ciuitas non habens pios ciues omni villâ villior est . Chrysost . ad pop . Antioch . hom . 17. It is the Piety of the Citizens , that is the surest safetie of the Citie . a a Eccles . 9.16 . Wisedome is better then strength , saith Salomon : Therefore God b b Ier . 22. & 9. &c. Read 2. Chron . 20.15.17 . See Prou. 11.10 , 11. himselfe reprooueth those , who trust to worldly policie and power without pietie . c But where true piety is , there is safetie , though there be no souldiers , or though the souldiers drawe not a sword . It must needs be so , seeing that

First , the Godly haue the greatest courage and confidence : The righteous are bold as a Lyon : They seeke safetie where it is certainely to be found . They know that saluation is of the Lord : d d Humanis opibus sperare salutem : Nulla salus nec enim mortem mortalia pellunt . Paulinus B. Faelic . Natal 8. They know that Mortall men and mortall meanes , cannot driue away mortalitie and Death . Others trust in Chariots and Horses , but these in the Lord . They are resolued , e e Maxima salus est per Deum saluari , aliunde namque salutem quaerere , non saluari est , sed perdi . Basil . in Psal . 9. Tom . 3. Leuit. 26.7 , 8. that the greatest safetie is to bee saued by the Greatest , & that to seeke saluation any where else then in the Lord , is the readiest way to find destruction .

Secondly , they haue the surest promises : for they are promised protection from the Highest ; You shall chase your enemies , and they shall fall before you by the sword : Fiue of you shall chase an hundred , and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight .

Thirdly , they are sure of the surest succours and supplies . The godly are sure to haue God on their side : and God beeing with them , who shall be against them ? Or if all the world be against them , what is all the world to the Creator of the world ? The Lord of Hosts is with them , Psal . 125.2 . and where the Lord of Hosts is , there are also all the hosts of the Lord . The mountains are round about Ierusalem ( saith the Psalmist ) yet that is not the safetie of Ierusalem , Bern . in Psal . Qui habitat , serm . 15. Psal . 127.1 . ( as holy Bernard inferreth ) but that which followeth in the same verse , The Lord is round about his people : for except the Lord keep the City , as the watchman waketh , so the Statesman counselleth , and the souldier fighteth , but in vaine . Nothing more * * Maximum munimen & inexpugnabilis murus est diuinus fauor . — Diuina ope munito nihil est fortius , & nihil imbecillius ●â distituto , licet innumeris exercitibus circumu alletur . Chrys . ad pop . hom . 45. Hostibus obsistens & inexpugnabile turris , Praesidium . Prudent . in Hamart . Ipse intra muros turris tibi qui sine muris murus erit , &c. — Paulin . B. Faelic . Natal . 8. Psal . 11.1 , 2. Cum fit Deus adiu●or & qui me impugnant sunt peccatores . Basil . ad Ps. 11. T. 3. 2. Cor . 10.4 . N●s crucis invicta signum & confessio munit , Armatique Deo mentem non quaerin us arma Corporis , & quanquam membris videamur inermis , Arma tamen gerimus . Paul . vbi supra . firme then he who is fenced with diuine fauour , though he be naked of all humane succour : and againe , none more naked then he who is destitute of God , though hee bee clad in compleate armour . Therefore , Dauid hauing God on his side , was safer with his handfull in the Caue , then Saul without God , was with his guard and army in the Campe . Yea further , ( which is strange ) their very enemies ( against their wills ) are ayders vnto the Godly : for who are their enemies but the vngodly , who are also enemies vnto God , and God vnto them ? God will therefore ioyne the sooner with the godly , because the wicked his enemies doe combine against them . This was Dauids comfort and confidence : hee assured himselfe that God would succour him , because they were sinners who assaulted him : In the Lord put I my trust , — For loe , the wicked bend their bowe , &c. As who should say ; How can I doubt of deliuerance , seeing God is my friend , and sinners are mine enemies ?

Lastly , the godly haue the best weapons , both defensiue and offensiue . The weapons of their warfare are not carnall , but spirituall , mighty to cast downe holds . They fight with their faith , more then others with all their forces : Euen their silent prayers are more piercing , more preuailing then the most roaring Ordnance . Their zeale like fire from heauen , is able to deuoure Captains and their fifties . Their righteousnesse is able to rebate the edge of the sharpest sword or speare of their enemies . See Prou. 21.22 Scorneful men bring a Citie into a snare , &c. Prou. 29.8 . Whom can they not offend with these weapons ? from whom are they not defended by these weapons ? The Land of Iudah found the truth hereof in the dayes of their godly Kings and Prophets , Iehosaphat , Ezekiah , Iosias , Isay , Ieremie , who by their pietie and prayers obtained wonderfull deliuerances for the people . And doubtlesse the case of a Kingdome is desperate , when God will not spare it , neither for the prayers , nor for the presence of the iust that are in it : When God shall be so prouoked , as to protest , Ier . 15.1 . Though Moses and Samuel stood before mee , yet my minde could bee towards this people : And againe , Ezech . 14.14 . Though these three men , Noah , Daniel , and Iob , were in the Land , they should deliuer neither sonnes nor daughters , they onely should be deliuered themselues ; Eo indicans iustorum precibus remedium & salutem peti , si quae salus impetrari & obtinere possit . Cartwright in Eccles . 9.26 . then surely there is no hope of succour or safety for such a Land : howbeit the very protestation insinuateth thus much , that the presence and prayers of the righteous , if there be any place for mercie , will procure deliuerance and safety .

But me thinkes I find a kind of Solecisme in the Prophets speech , My father — The Horsemen of Israel ! Why ? how can one man bee horse-men . Vnus vir , nullus vir . Wee vse to say , that One man is no man ; how then can one man bee many men ? But as God seeth not as man seeth , 1. Sam . 16.7 . so he sayeth not as man sayeth . God speaketh of one godly man as of many men , yea , as of a million . Whence wee may safely inferre and adde this position to the former ; that One godly man is a strong garrison .

One truely zealous and religious Saint , is an army-royall . One Elijah , one Elisha is Horsemen and Chariot to all Israel . This one Elisha , afterward did more seruice then three armies could doe , 2. King . 3. for hee saued three Kings , when all their chariots and horsemen could not helpe them . The King of Sodome , and fowre Kings his Confederates , could not saue themselues from Cadorloamer , and his three confederate Kings . But one faithfull Abraham with his priuate family , could rescue fiue captiue Kings from fowre Kings that were conquerors . One Lot in a Citie , one Paul in a ship , one Iosias , one Ieremy in a whole Land or Countrey , are more worth for the safetie thereof , then ten thousand others . Eccles . 9.14 , 15. One poore wise man ( faith Salomon ) deliuereth a Citie by his wisedome : No maruell , 2. Sam . 20.16 . seeing one wise woman saued a whole Citie , in bickrings of Sheba the sonne of Bichri . All Labans family fared the better for one Iacob : all Pharaohs Court and Kingdome for one Ioseph . The reason is pregnant , God is importuned by the prayers of one Moses , accepteth the sacrifices of one Samuell , heareth the request of one Abraham , and for his sake healeth Abimelech and all his houshold . And it will followe by the rule of contraries , God often punisheth many , for the sinne of one euill man : Per paucos mala aerumnaeque ad vniuersum populum saepè perueniunt , & vnius ●bnoxam tota quand●que gens euertitur . Basil . ser . 3. in diuit . auar . One Achan committeth Sacriledge , and the whole Army is put to flight . Now Gods Mercy is at least equiualent vnto his Iustice ; he is as prone to spare as to smite : and if he smite many for one sinner , he will also spare many sinners for one Saint . He tels vs so much by his * * Isai . 65.8 . Igitur propter vnum acinum totus racemus imò magis tota vinea diuinam est prouidentiam consequuta . Basil . in Psal . 82. Prophet , That for one good Grape , the whole Cluster , yea the whole Vineyard shall be fenced and preserued . Who can now deny or doubt , but that the godly are the Horsemen and Chariots , the chiefest safetie of a Countrey ; seeing that one Saint many times is the safegard and bulwarke of the whole Kingdome ?

Why then should not the godly be most esteemed by vs , who procure such blessings vnto vs ? Why should we not hold them most sweet , by whom we are most eased ? Why should they not be most honored in a Land , by whom a Land is most happy ? Why should we not beare them the best Affection , who affoord vs the best Protection ? Euen our Beasts which are helpefull to vs , we are carefull to keepe , and loth to loose ; how beastly shall we be , if we become brutish towards men , holy , heauenly men , who are our best Benefactors ? Trees , whose Fruit is pleasant and profitable to vs , are carefully kept and preserued by vs : How ought we then to esteeme those Trees planted by the Waters side , vnder whose Branches we sit as in Bowers ; who not only prosper themselues , but are prosperous and propitious vnto vs ? But oh , the miserie of this Age , and the madnesse of the men of this Age . None worse entertayned on Earth , then the Saints , who are the best maintayners of the Earth ; none more hated among vs then those who are most helpefull vnto vs. How doe we entertayne our Horsemen and Chariots , for the most part , but as the Boores in the Low-Countries doe the Souldiers ? They cannot abide them , and yet they cannot be safe without them . Or as Nabal vsed Dauid , who had beene a wall to him and his , and yet could not get so much as a good word of him . Against whom doe men shoot the venemous arrowes of malice more fiercely , then against those , who turne the fiercenesse of Gods wrath from them ? Against whom doe they more maliciously enkindle the coales of slander , then against those , who with their teares doe quench the coales of Gods anger ? Of whom doe they speake more spitefull words , then of those , who plead continually for them in their prayers ? How are our dayes degenerated from those of old ? Once none but godly men were honored , now almost none but they are despised : Once they were honored by Kings , now they are vilipended by Pesants . Once they were stiled the Fathers , the Chariots of a Kingdome , now they are accounted pestilent fellowes , troublers of Israel , Peruerters and Subuerters of the State .

What doe men meane ? are they wearie of their safetie ? doe they ake to bee shaued of their strength , as Samson was , or shipped of their Iewels as the Israelites were , and to lye open to the shame and Swords of their Enemies ? Know they not that these are the brazen walls of the World , whom the World so much disdayneth ? By their Prayers , they open and shut the windowes of Heauen : By their Faith , they remoue the Mountaynes of Gods Iudgements , and cast them into the bottomlesse Sea of his Mercie . By their innocencie , they cause fruitful Seasons , and for their sakes , the Clouds drop downe fatnesse vpon vs. These are they that driue away plague , death , and desolation out of our Coasts : These are they that keepe the Eye of the Almightie on vs , his Eare open to vs , his Face propitious towards vs. For as our Prophet once protested , that he would not so much as haue looked on Iehoram the wicked sonne of a worse father , 2. King . 3.14 . had it not been for good Iehosaphat that was with him ; so the Lord would disdayne to let fal one gracious looke on this vngracious world , were it not for the Saints that do sojourne in it : for assoone as their number is compleate , presently the Angell shall sound the last and great Trumpet , and the fatall Fire shall enter to make an end of this wicked World . O then , let vs not be so vnkind as to requite euill for good , nor so foolish as to hinder our good by such ill requitall , nor so frantike as to ouer-turne our former good , and to turne it into euill . Take heed , lest by exasperating them ( for too many iniuries will anger a Saint ) we turne the edge of their prayers against our selues , and so make our owne Horse-men to runne against vs ; our owne Chariot wheeles to runne ouer vs. It is a fearefull thing , when Samuel , who vsed to pray for Saul , shall be enforced to pray against Saul ; and when Ieremie , who vsed to plead for the People , shall now be vrged to accuse the people , Ier . 18.20 . They haue digged a Pit for my soule : Remember that I stood before thee to speake good for them . When noble Nehemia's shall bee compelled to exhibite such a complaint vnto God . Heare , O our God , Nehem . 4.4 . for wee are despised , and turne their reproch vpon their owne head ! Sure , the same eare of jelousie , who so often receiued their prayers for vs , will also bee open to their complaints against vs. Sure if we once turne them against vs , they will soone turne God against vs , and , If God be against vs , who shall be with vs ? or , if all the World be on our side , what will that helpe vs when the Maker of the World is against vs ? If then we regard not the pleasure which they doe vs , let vs yet feare the displeasure that they may doe vs ; for ( as one of them hath said ) A man were better anger all the Witches in the world then one of them . S. W●rd . Ser . of Zeale .

Obserue moreouer the passion of the Prophet , how pathetically he crieth out at the parture of his Master , his Father , as if all Israel , Church , and Common-wealth , in the losse of one Elijah had beene vtterly ouerthrowne and vndone . This his passion affordeth vnto vs this Position , that The losse of godly men is most lamentable .

They must needs be bad men , who are not sadly affected at the death of good men . Hee is no true Patriot that can heare of the losse of the Nauie Royall by Sea , or of the Armie by Land , and is not wounded at the report . They will neuer themselues proue the Horse-men of Israel , as Elisha did , who are not sorrowfull for the losse of the Horse-men and Chariots thereof , as Elisha was . They who are so profitable to vs while we enioy them , how can it choose but be grieuous to vs when we are depriued of them ? Godly men as while they liue , they are to bee honoured , so at their death they are to bee deplored . How can it bee that their death should not bee lamentable to vs , whose life is so profitable to vs ? Doctor Halls Contemplat . A good man ( saith a good man ) is a common treasure , wherein euery soule hath a share . That man hath a drie heart that can heare of such a publike detriment without teares . IEREMIE lamenteth the desolation of Iudah , by the losse of good Iosiah . 2. King . 3.14 . Ioash a King , lamenteth the losse of all Israel in Elisha , a Subiect , but a Prophet . Isai . 57.1 . God himselfe , by his Prophet Isay , takes notice of this , as a mayne sinne of the Land , when such men are taken away , and yet the Land ( for whose sinnes they are taken away ) is insensible of the stroke : And great reason , why such mens death should bee very lamentable . For first , a great benefit ceaseth , and next a great euill commonly ensueth . There is first in their losse a great good or blessing remoued : as Eli his daughter in law , Phineas his wife , hearing that the Arke of God was taken , and her Father in law , and Hushand were dead , cryed out , The glorie is departed from Israel . 1. Sam . 4.19.21 . Secondly , some great euill or iudgement is likely to ensue : Isai . 57.1 . Therefore the Prophet saith that the mercifull men are taken away — from the euill to come . Therefore looke for some fearefull euill to come , shortly after the remouall of such men . Their departure is but the fore-runner of some dismall disaster .

Yet for all this , there is in the World a generation of Vipers , who thinke they cannot liue without the death of their Parents . Such are they who reioyce at the death of godly men , more then some Fathers doe at the birth of a Sonne . These men suppose ( belike ) that a Land may haue too much of Gods blessing , that the Kingdome may bee too strong , and haue too many Chariots and Horse-men . But I leaue these cankars at this time , and hasten to my last obseruation , which is this , that Elisha commendeth aswell as complayneth , and giueth Elijah his due praise at parting ; for what could bee more said in his commendation then this , that while hee liued , he was the Chariot and Horse-men of a whole Nation ? Whence wee may safely inferre , that They who haue well liued , may and ought to be praysed , when they are departed .

It is not onely lawfull , but needfull , to giue the Dead that due prayse which they deserued while they liued . Commendation at and after Death , is a Tribute belonging to a vertuous and godly life . The practice of the Holy Ghost herein , Deut . ●0 . 10 . 2. King . 18.2 . is a sufficient warrant . Moses hath his due prayse after his Death ; so hath Hezekias . Dauid not onely lamenteth , 2. Sam . 1.22 , 23. but prayseth Saul and Ionathan . What can bee more said of a man , 2. King . 23.25 . then the Spirit doth of Iosias ? Like vnto him there was no King . Generally obserue it , seldome doth the Scripture bury any person of excellence in silence , nor layeth the godly in his Graue , without an Epitaph of honour and approbation . God is hereby glorified . God , who is praysed by his Saints , is also praysed in his Saints ; and he who prayseth the Saints of God , prayseth God in his Saints : Whatsoeuer we admire in them , we ascribe it vnto him , — Quia quicquid in his miramur ab illo est . Paulinus . who instilled it into them . All their vertue and goodnesse is but a drop of his Ocean , a sparke of his Flame , a Beame of that Sunne . He who prayseth the Beames , doth much more prayse the Sunne : He who prayseth the Streames , doth much more prayse the Fountaine : He who prayseth the Saints , doth much more prayse their Sanctifier , their Sauiour . Thirdly , the liuing are hereby edified and profited . True it is , that the Saints departed doe not need the prayses of the liuing ; but it is as true , that the liuing doe need their prayses : In praysing them , Quò eis terreni honores quos iuxta veracem filij promissionem honorificauit pater coelestis ? Quò eis praeconia nostra ? pleni , sunt . — Planè quòd eorum memoriam veneramur nostrâ interest non ipsorum . Ber. in Fest . omn . Sanct . ser . 5. Quemadmodum ex igne naturaliter splendor , ex vnguenio item praestanti diffunditur ●dor , s●c è sanctorum c●mmemoratione gestorum ad ●mnes prouenit vtilitas . Basil . Ser . in Gord . Martyr . Tom . 2. we doe not profit them ( For what doe they need glory on Earth , whom , according to the promise of the Sonne , the Father hath glorified in Heauen ? ) but yet their prayse is profitable vnto vs , for we are thereby bettered and benefited . As Light and Splendour shineth to many from one Fire , and many are perfumed by the sweet Odour of one Ointment ; so from the Commendation of one Saint , and true commemoration of his graces , many , yea all who heare it , doe ( or may ) attract sweet profit and comfort .

A three-fold desire , or emulation , is either begotten or nourished in vs , when we heare their prayses .

1. To liue like them . 2. To die like them . 3. To be with them , that we may see them .

For the first : He who heareth others praysed for their vertues , studieth to bee vertuous likewise , that hee may bee likewise praysed . Euen silent Pictures are no small incentiues to the beholders ; how much more are speaking prayses great motiues to the hearers ? The Trophies of Miltiades did breake the sleepe of Themistocles ; Alexander the Great was incited by the prayses of Achilles ; S●eton . in Iu●●o , c . 7. Iulius Caesar , by the example of Alexander . The holy Virgin her selfe reioyced to thinke on it , that all Generations should call her Blessed .

Besides , the praysing of Saints at their Death , ingenerateth a desire to bee like them in Death . Euen Balaam , who cared not to liue the Life of the Righteous , yet desired to die the Death of the Righteous . And what is hee ( vnlesse hee bee desperately debaucht ) who hearing of the laudible Life , and comfortable departure of a Saint , is not readie to sigh out that Wish ; Sic mihi contingat viuere , sicque mori . O that it might betide to me , Euen so to liue , and so to die ?

And as to liue like them , and to die like them , so to be with them , and to see them after Death .

Were there none other Ioyes in Heauen then this ; The sight and societie of so many Saints , of whom wee haue heard so many excellent things : This were sufficient to make vs loathe the Earth , and long to be in Heauen ; that so wee may sing , * * Psal . 48. ● . As wee haue heard , so haue wee seene : a a Et cogitare de sanctis quodammodo eos videre est . Ber. vbi supra . Singulorum qu●ppe recordationes quasi scintillae singulae , imò quafi ardentissime faces deuot●s accendunt an mos , &c. id est ibid . Euen to thinke of the Saints ( sayth a Saint ) is in a manner to be with them . Then doe wee most desire to see them , when wee heare the best of them .

b b Honor in bonos à conseruis collatu● beneuolentiae significationem apud communem Dominum habet , &c. Basil . in 40. Martyr . Lastly , our dutie is hereby discharged , and our selues acquitted from suspicion of Enuie , when we giue praise , where it is due . Yea , it is a signe that men are praise-worthie themselues , when they are readie to yeeld the worthie their due praises . And God doth grace such officiousnesse commonly with the like recompence . The commendation which here Elisha giueth to Elijah , is afterward returned to him with aduantage . c c 2. King . 13.14 . Ab altero expectes alteri quod feceris . Hee thus praised Elias when hee was departed , but he had , and heard the same praise while he liued : Elias receiued this praise from him , a priuate person ; but he receiued the same from Ioash a King . Thus shall they bee honoured themselues that honour the honourable : God shall cause their praises to be payd them againe with interest . So lawfull , so profitable , so commendable is it to giue the godly their due commendation .

And this is best done after their decease : d d — Sed scillicet vltima semper expectanda dies hom ni est — &c. Ouid . Metam . The best praising is at parting , as here Elisha doth by Elias : f f Quamdiu quis subiacet mutationi non potest cum securitate laudari — quia tunc stabilis & firma laus est , quando meritum non poterit iam per●r● laudati . Salu●an . ad Eccl. l. 4. & vid . Ambr. de bono mortis . c . 8. for then is praise freest from suspicion of flattery , none supposed to bee so base as to fawne vpon the Dead : e e Ne laudaueris hominem in vitâ Ecclus . 11.28 . Nos in vitâ suâ laud●re hominem perhibemur . Quomodo n●mque secura laudatio , vbi nec ipsa vita secura ? Bern . in fest . om . fanct . ser . 5. Also then wee are sure that wee praise a man safely , when wee are sure that he is in safetie : for how can praise be safe here , where life it selfe is not safe ? While a man is subiect to mutabilitie hee , cannot be praised with securitie , sayth Saluian ; But then is praised firme and stedfast , when the desert of the praised cannot perish , nor be lost . Then may we say , that a Ship hath made a good voyage , when we see her safely arriued at the harbour ; g g Non coronabi ur nisi legitimè certaue●it , ( ait Tuba illa coelestis , 2. Tim . 2. ) & legem certaminis ab ore Legislatorus ausculta ; Qui perseuerauèrit vsque ad finem , saluus erit . Nescis quis sit perseueraturus , &c. Illorum lauda ●i●tutem quorum iam certa victoria est , &c. Bern . vbi supra . It is the Euening that crownes the Day , and the Victorie that carrieth away the Crowne . h h Basil . in epistolis , Tom . 2. Saint Basil obserueth , how that Christ himselfe would not be published , vntill such time as hee had suffered and was risen againe . Before his Passion , when hee had done a Miracle , hee gaue this charge , See you tell it no man ; After his Resurrection , hee gaue the Commission , Goe yee forth into all the world , &c. To shew vs , that as he who continueth to the end shall be saued , so hee who is so saued , may safely bee praised .

I am loath to dispraise the Liuing , while I speake of praising the Dead ; yet so I must doe by some , else I cannot make right vse of this Doctrine , which warranteth vs to praise the Dead . For , by this warrant , three sorts of people are iustly touched , and taxed .

Those who condemne all Funerall-Sermons , or in them whatsoeuer is spoken in commendation of the deceased : vpon what ground , saue their owne fancie , I could neuer yet find . Sure I am , that in the one , they doe crosse at least , if not condemne , the practice of the Christian Church ancient and moderne ; in the other , they would seeme to bee wiser then the holy Ghost himselfe . They would thinke it harsh to be compared to the Ape in the Fable , who would perswade all Beasts to make themselues bare , because he was so : and they would thinke it rash to say , that because they doe nothing praise-worthie themselues , therefore they would haue others depriued of their due praise .

Others againe doe hit vpon the contrarie extreme , and are too exuberant , lading men with hyperbolicall praises . They studie more to extoll the Dead , then to edifie the Liuing , commending men , not for that which was in them , but for that which should haue beene in them . d d Est istud quibusdam studium in speciem quidem sanctum , sed tamen in eptum , Sanctorum laudes in immensum attollere , dum illis tribuant , n●n quantum adfuit , sed quantum i● is , optent adfuisse . Hi Christum si queant , m●iorem quam est cupiunt reddere . Erasm . in vita D. Hieronym . Such obsequiousnesse , howsoeuer pious it may seeme in shew , it is indeed but peeuish ; for such men ( said a learned Man in his generation ) if they could , would make Christ himselfe a better man then he is .

The last and worst sort are they , who not onely giue not the Dead their due praise , but detract from them their due , and insteed of affixing on them more then their owne , they neither will themselues , nor suffer others to ascribe vnto them their owne . I haue heard of some , who haue snarled at the Preacher for giuing the Defunct his due praise , when yet for modesties sake , he hath giuen him lesse then his due . Thus enuie and basenesse cannot abide to heare that ascribed vnto others , which is wanting in themselues . Thus doe Hares insult ouer dead Lyons : But God will make their memories to rotte , who wrong their memories whom he will haue to remaine in euerlasting remembrance .

I am wearie of striking this harsh string of reproofe , though no reproofe bee harsh enough for such : I doe more willingly descend to exhortation . Let men learne to deserue well while they liue , if they desire to be praised when they are dead . I will honour them that honour me , saith the Lord : The best praise is of God , not of man ; all true praise is from Piety : let him therefore study to be gracious , who will be graced ; let him be pious , who will be praised : such shall haue praise not of man , but of God ; yea , first of God , Bern . ad Arton . Episcop . Epist. 23. Gal. 2. Volo te talium praeconijs delectari , qui tam timeant palpare vitia quam detractare virtutibus . Veri sunt illi laudatores , qui ita bona laudare so●eant , vt lactare in malis non nouerint . Bern . ad Sugger . Abbat . Epist. 8. and then of man . Safely may such bee praysed at their death , who in their life time could say with Paul , I liue , yet not I but Christ liueth in me . I would haue you pleased with the prayses of such men ( saith Bernard to a friend of his ) who feare as much to flatter vice , as to detract from vertue . They are true praisers , who vse so to praise men for their good , as that they knowe not how to sooth men in euill . Begged praise from flatteries , is no better then bought or borrowed teares from hired mourners . Such are verball praysers , but reall reproachers .

Gentlemen , I am sure , that you doe know , and I hope that you doe consider , that you shall once die . I presume also , that you desire to haue your Funerall graced with a Sermon , by some graue Preacher . I am sure , that your Executor will expect , that the Preacher speake something in your praise in his Sermon . Else , it may bee , hee shall bee rewarded as Simonides was by the Champion , Quintil . Institut . l. 11. c . 2. when hired to make Verses in praise of him , he praised Castor and Pollux , and when he should haue receiued his pay of him who hired him , he was turned ouer to be payed by Castor and Pollux , whom he had praised . So shall the Preacher , though he praise God and profit the people neuer so much , by the Funerall Sermon , be turned off without pay , or payed with reproch , if hee praise not the Dead . But that is all one to vs , who make not merchandize of the Word of God ; 2. Cor . 13.8 . We can doe nothing against the Truth , but for the Truth , saith the Apostle . Will you haue vs praise you at your death ? 1. Cor . 4.5 . Magnus laudator , & vehementer : ambienda laudabo . Bern . in Fest . omn . Sanctor . Ser . 5. Isai . 5.20 . Psal . 5.24 . Quando qui omnium Dominus praedicat aliquem , ac benedicit , sublimior est omnibus qui talis est , etiamsi ab omnibus vituperetur : quemadmodum & è contrarie si ipse non laudauerit ; nihil profuerit etiamsi omnes depraedicent . Basil . in Psal . 5.24 . tom . 3. Doe that which is praise-worthy while you liue . Get you first the praise of God ; A great prayser ( saith Bernard ) and a prayse greatly to be desired , to bee praysed by the greatest . Let God prayse you , and we will not be sparing in your prayses . Doe that while you liue , that wee may boldly and safely report of you at your Funeral . Otherwise know that your Houses full of gold and siluer shall not hire vs ( except you can find out among vs , one as bad or worse then Balaam ) either to curse where God blesseth , or to blesse where God curseth ; and so to lay our selues open to that fearefull imprecation , Woe be vnto them that call good euill or euill good . But thou , O Lord , wilt blesse the righteous , thou wilt compasse him with fauour as with a shield : Vpon which words of the Prophet , blessed Basil aptly inferreth thus ; When he who is Lord of all men , blesseth and honoureth any man , such a man is aduanced aboue all men , yea , though hee bee blamed and reproched by all men : Whereas on the contrarie , if the Lord prayse not a man , it will nothing profit him though all mens mouthes be filled with his commendations . Thus to be loued while you liue , and to be lamented and praysed at your death , is a great blissing , and greatly to be desired : if you desire it , you must endeuour to deserue it , deserue it you may ( right Worshipfull ) if liuing , you bee carefull to bee such as Elias and Elisha were .

The Chariots of Israel , and the Horse-men thereof .

Not such Chariots as were vsed in the Olympick games ; for race onely and for sport , which raise a dust and keepe a ratling , but are neither for defence of the Countrey , nor offence of the Enemie . Nor yet hooked Chariots ( such a Antiochus and Mithridates vsed ) running on the wheeles of your priuate ends , labouring to hooke all commodities into your owne hands ; or being ( as Vegetius saith , Vegetius de re militar . l. 3. c . 24. those hooked Chariots were ) at your first entring a terrour by executing iustice , but afterward a derision , by too much remissenesse . Least of all such Chariots as we reade of , Isai . 21.7 . Isay . A Chariot of Asses , and a Chariot of Camels . And as you must be good Chariots , so you must be good Horse-men too : not such feeble Horse-men as young Phaeton , who could not guide his Horses , Fertur equis auriga — Virgil . but was haled by them ; not suffering your Horses , your seruants to guide , or rather ride you at their pleasures . Nor yet such light Horse-men as are fit for nothing , but for Spies or Scouts , Equites leuieris armaturae a● agendas praedas , ad exploranda castra , &c. and to driue away the prey ; such as can gallop , yea , flie on winged Pegasus for preferment ; slow-paced as Snailes to doe Church or Common-wealth any seruice ( as Bernard complayned of some in his time ) flie Boates for their owne profit , Ad sua strenui ad communia pigri , Bern . very Sluggs for the Republique . But you must be Equites Cataphrasti , horse-men armed at al points , for the seruice of God and your Countrie . Happie those Countries who haue such Chariots and Horse-men , as Elijah and Elisha were to Israel . These driue away more dangers then our Fleet did in eightie eight ; and import more commodities , then euer the Carricks or the East Indian Aduenturers , brought into the Land . Worthies , you must be carefull to be such Chariots as Elijah was ; if euer you meane to mount vp into Heauen , in the fierie Chariot of Faith and a good Conscience , as Elijah did .

Time , and your expectation , summoneth me to the sad occasion of this dayes sorrowfull solemnitie . But at which part of my Text shall I begin ? Whether at the Exclamation or at the Acclamation ? Whether with complayning or commending ? Shall I first lament my priuate losse , or deplore the publike calamitie , in the parture ( I may say rapture ) of Elias from vs. Me thinks I could here stand with Elisha , not a whole houre , but a whole day , astonished , amazed , crying , complayning , My Father , my Father : Euer since hee made choice of mee freely vnto this place , to bee vnto him by function a Father , he hath beene vnto me in loue and affection , not so much a Patron as a Father . Pardon me therefore , if I seeme somewhat exuberant in complayning or commending : it is not my custome ; but I neuer spake at the Funerall of a Father ( such a Father ) before ; if any man shall tax mine officiousnesse , I intreat him to suspend his censure , vntill such time as he himselfe haue forgone a Father , and such a Father , as I ( I may say as we ) haue done .

If I should attempt to open the treasurie of his vertues , and acquaint you with the particulars , the taske would be too tedious , and some might hold it superfluous . A godly life that hath beene weauing a piece of sundrie seuerall Vertues , some threescore yeeres and aboue , cannot haue a due and equall commemoration in a few minutes : Besides , hee was a Candle set on a Candle-sticke , a Citie built on a Hill , he stood in place of view and eminence , and therefore his actions cannot bee hidden ; and ( as one saith ) It is a superuacuous seruice to commend the conspicuous . Superuacanei laboris est commendare conspicuos . Symmach . l. 3. Ep. 48.

Yet for their sakes who knew him not , or not so well as my selfe , or knew him , but forget to follow him ; I will single out some of his Vertues , and present them to your memorie and practice . Herein I will vse such choice , that you may see I ayme at breuitie ; and yet so affect breuitie , that I defraud not the dead of his due , nor God of his glory ; leauing much vnspoken , and speaking that which may bee of most especiall vse and example .

The principall Graces which I offer to your Consideration , I doe referre to these three Heads :

His Pietie . Equitie . Charitie .

The first , will declare him as a Christian ; the second , as a Magistrate ; the third , as a Man : The former will shew his deportment towards God ; the second , his carriage in the place of Iustice ; the third , how hee behaued himselfe towards all men .

Concerning his Pietie , you may be pleased to take a view thereof , according to his publike and priuate Exercises therein . For the publike ; he was a constant hearer of Gods Word , a due attendant in the Courts of Gods House , and ( according to the Hebrewes adage ) hee accounted those Garments most gay , that were soyled with the dust of the Temple . His timely repayre thither , shewed his zeale for that which was to be performed there ; being more early at the Church , then many of his inferiors in age and place ( and these neerer vnto the Church ) were out of their Chambers . This course hee held euen in his old age : Distance of place , distemper of Weather could not with-hold him ; but hee aduentured the health of his Body for the food of his Soule . And this appeared in his last approch to the Saturday * * At Saltash . Lecture , so farre distant from his Dwelling , in a cold frostie Morning , and that by Boat : The fire of his Zeale making him to contemne the coldnesse of the Water and of the Weather ; where it is very probable , that his last Sicknesse first saluted him . What should I speake of his comely and Christian gesture in the Temple ? where hee remayned as in the Chamber of Presence , and in the eye of the Heauenly King , and his holy Angels . This , this , is a sure signe of a Saint , to hunger and thirst after the Word of Life ; and hauing once tasted that Manna , to say , Lord euermore giue vs this Bread .

And as he loued the Foode , so he loued the Feeders ; as he embraced the Message , so he entertained the Messengers : louing the Ministers , for their Ministerie ; hauing the Labourers in especiall honour , 1. Thess. 5.13 . for their Workes sake . If they were painefull and conscionable in their Calling , he highly regarded them , how plaine or meane soeuer their persons were to the Worlds appearance . How acceptable to him were the feet of those , who brought the glad Tidings of Peace ? From Scotland , Ireland , and the Netherlands , haue they come , that haue dranke plentifully of his fauour and bountie . Therefore not I alone , but many of my Brethren may say with me , Alas my Father ! especially in this cold Age , wherein Ieremies Lamentation may well bee taken vp by vs ; They respect not the Priest , Lament . 4.16 . they fauour not the Elders .

In his priuate Pietie , wee will note especially the continuall Diet which hee kept for his Soule : for generally hee gaue Meales of Prayer , Reading , and Meditation vnto it , as hee did vnto his Body . Morning and Euening at least , with Dauid , hee prayed vnto the Lord . In his Chamber quietly hee examined himselfe , and communed with his owne heart , that he might stand in awe , and not sinne . That part of the Sabbath day , which hee spent in his owne House , hee employed in Reading , and in meditating on that which was taught in the Temple ; writing downe in a Booke such Notes , as most neerely concerned his owne Soule and Conscience . This Booke was found in his Studie after his Death ; in which also , was contained a Diarie of his Life , for sundry yeares before his Death ; obseruing and registring therein , for his owne remembrance and vse , what Temptations hee had sustained , how hee had resisted them ; what Combates and Comforts hee had found , what Fauours and Blessings , Temporall and Spirituall , hee had receiued of God . Hee hardly left any godly Booke out of his hands , in which hee found Spirituall comfort . Hee read ouer at least seuen times that godly Worke of that worthy man of God , M. Rogers , wherewith hee was greatly affected , and out of it hee extracted sundry Obseruations , for his priuate vse . Certaine Houres of euery day hee diuided from the World , and apart by himselfe conferred with God . A most excellent and Diuine practice , to sequester some Houres for Meditation ; that looking into the Glasse of Gods Law , and thereby washing away the spots of our Life from the face of our Soule , wee may with more comfort and courage approach vnto Gods Presence , and exhibite vnto him our humble Petitions .

Hitherto I referre another exemplarie Vertue , and may well insert it among his priuate Exercises of Pietie : A carefull and religious Care for the education of his Children ; hee desired , that his Children might also bee the Children of God . For this cause , hee sought out such Teachers for them , as were commended for Religion , no lesse then for Learning ; and to such hee sent them , farre from home , when as some of them were yet very young ; sparing no cost for their breeding in the most eminent places of the Land , in the Vniuersities and Innes of Court , that they might like himselfe proue profitable to Church and Commonwealth . And to ballace their knowledge by Iudgement , and to advance iudgement by experience , and to purchase experience by trauell , he sent the most of them into forraine Countries , alway making choice of such places for their trauell , whence they might returne home free from the tainture of irreligion and superstition . Neither did he , as some Parents doe , demolish himselfe , what he builded by others , and by euill example at home , obliterate the good which they acquired abroad . But as he procured them other Tutors for instruction , so he himselfe was a Tutor to them by example , beeing carefull that none of his should behold any thing in him , which might be euill for them to imitate . He also drew vp a booke of such notes and passages in the Bible , as he had found and prooued to be comfortable and profitable vnto himselfe , and dedicated it vnto them . Thus he prouided well for them all in this world , but his greatest care was to acquire for them , An inheritance , incorruptible , vndefiled , that fadeth not away , 1. Pet . 1.3 . reserued for vs in heauen .

In his Iustice and Integritie , I take notice of two things especially ; first , his Incorruption . I doubt not but if hee now asked of vs all with Samuel , 1. Sam . 12.3 . Whose Oxe haue I taken ? you would be all ready to returne the peoples answer , Thou hast not defrauded nor oppressed vs , neither hast thou taken ought at any mans hand . Who hath euer seene or heard , that either he , or any for him , did let in Iniustice in a basket at his doore , as Paul was sometimes let out at a window ? I haue good reason to beleeue , that in this point especially hee could say with the Prophet , I haue washed mine hands in innocencie . Secondly , in his Iustice , I obserue his care , readinesse , and boldnesse to maintaine right , and to resist wrong . Herein he was resolute with Iob , and couragious with Iethro , Iob 1.29 . for Hee brake the iawes of the wicked , and plucked the spoyle out of his teeth . And like that royall and resolute Shepheard Dauid , When a Lyon or a Beare tooke a Lambe out of the flocke , he smote them , and deliuered the Lambe out of their iawes : so that there is no ioy left for his Death , but to Lyons and Beares , the deuourers and grinders of the Innocent . I know that in his Office of Vice-wardenshippe , he often desired to haue some Diuine a spectator and arbitrator of his proceedings , taking my selfe sometime in stead of others , to bee present at the scanning and censuring of cases , desiring to decide all matters by the best rule of religion and conscience . And herein also hee symbolized with Iob , Iob 29.26 . The cause that he knew not , he searched out .

I come now to Charity , the last that I proposed , but not the least part of Christianitie . Hereof it is well knowne , that he worthily performed both parts ; that of Giuing , and the other of Forgiuing . For the former , that which is said of the righteous man , may truely bee engrauen on his Tombe , Psal . 112. 2. Cor . 9.9 . Hee dispersed , he gaue to the poore , his righteousnesse remaineth for euer . He was none of those rich men , Communia possidentes propria faciunt occupando . Basil . in diuit . auar . ser . 1. Tom . 1. of whom the Father speaketh , Who possessing things common , doe inclose them as their owne : rather , what was proper to himselfe by owning , hee made common to others by imparting . Againe , with Iob , Hee with-held not the poore from their desire , he caused not the eyes of the widdow to faile . Hee did not eate his morsells alone , but the fatherlesse did eate with him . He saw not any to perish for want of cloathing , hee suffered not the poore to bee without couering . How many loines haue blessed him , who were yearely cloathed with the fleeces of his sheep ? He remembred Pauls charge to the rich in this world , 1. Tim . 6. and therefore endeauoured to be rich in good workes : and whereas he might by parsimony , or by this ages Alchymistry ( which he euer abhorred ) Vsury , haue heaped vp as much wealth as any in the West , hauing as great meanes , and a longer time to encrease then the most , he rather resolued to lay vp for himselfe a good foundation against the time to come , and by an heauenly Alchymy , Caecorum baculus , esurientium cibus , spes miserorum , solamen lugentium . Hieron . ad Heliador . Epitaph . Nepotian . Fores eius pauperum ac debilium obfidebant examina . Hieron ad Salv . Matth . 19.24 . to turne temporall riches into eternall . This he did by beeing ( as S. Hierome saith Nepotian was ) The Staffe of the blind , the food of the hungrie , the hope of the miserable , and the comfort of mourners : His house was an Hiue , about which daily swarmed the poore and the feeble , as the same Father saith of Nebridius . He had read in the Gospel , that it was as hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of heauen , as for a Camel to creep through the eye of a needle : Yet he had learned also how to make the Camell passe through the needles eye , Didicimus quomodo cam●lus introire posset per so amenacus , quomodo animal tortuosum deposito pondere sarcinarum assumat sibi pennas columbae , &c. Hieron . ibid . Isa . 60.6 . namely , by casting off the bunch on the back , the superfluous load of riches , and by doing as the Camels and Dromedaries did in the Prophet , bring their gold and incense vnto the Lord . Hee knewe that riches would take themselues vnto their wings , and flie into the ayre ; to preuent that , he made or gaue them better wings , the wings of a Doue , that they might flie higher , namely into heauen . He renued , at least retained that fugitiue Vertue , Hospitality , which is almost fled out of the Countrey : A constant and famous House-keeper , for at least forty yeares continuance . He was none of those Lay-Non-residents , who build faire houses , and immediately flie from them into some cabbine in a towne or citie , as if they feared their houses would fall downe vpon their heads , if they should abide and feast in them as Iobs children did . He was none of those , who make their stable their Table , their backes their buttery , their mouth the kitchin , and their nostrills the chimney . But his house for many yeares was the center of charity and hospitality , wherein met the lines of poore and strangers , drawne from a large circumference round about him . How many an Angell hath this righteous Lot entertained in his house ? How often hath this blessed Abraham feasted in his Tent the blessed Trinity ? And least at any time he should exclude the worthie , how many times ( vnawares ) hath hee admitted the vnworthie ? O blessed Nehemias , of our Age and Coasts ! I doubt not but that the Lord hath remembred thee also in this .

The second part of Charitie consisting in Forgiuing , was not omitted by him : Col. 3.12 . an especiall fruit of Election , as witnesseth the Apostle . Wrongs hee receiued , for who is hee in this world that shall not ? and that from Equals , Inferiours , at home , abroad : at first , he would be somewhat tender , but Conscience and Consideration soone qualified his Choler . Hee neuer sought reuenge against the Higher , nor wrought reuenge against the Lower , but pardoning where he had Power , hee shewed that he had no Will , where he had no power . Lastly , He met at Table a Gentleman of the better ranke of this Shire , betweene whom and him there depended some Law-contentions . Hee dranke to him , and told him , that they were both old , and wished that Charitie might bee continued ; as for the Law , he might doe as he pleased . Who can doubt of the truth of Christs Promises ? Hee is surely forgiuen who was so readie to forgiue .

Vnto the two former I cannot but annexe a a third act of Charitie , wherein hee excelled ; The studie and industrie of making peace and reconciling differences : wherein , as God gaue him the grace to affect it , so he endued him with a rare gift to effect it . Vid . Horat . ep . 2. l. 1. & Satyr . 5. lib . 1. He was a Nestor , a Mecenas in this behalfe . I haue knowne him to buy other mens peace with his own purse , when they through obstinacie would not purchase that iewell to themselues . Blessed Man ! thou wert a Peace-maker among Men , no doubt thou now enioyest that Peace of God , which passeth all vnderstanding . How can it bee false which the great Peace-maker hath said ? Blessed are the Peace-makers , for they shall bee called the Sonnes of God .

Vnto these his Vertues , I adde as a Corollarie , the Crowne of Vertues , that is , his Continuance and Perseuerance in these and all the rest of his Vertues . Hee was truely a Tree of God , Psal . 1. planted by the Riuers side , euen the Riuers of the Water of Life , Reuel . 21. Psal . 92.14 . his Leafe did not fade , but he brought forth more Fruit in his old age : then most good , when he drew neerest to his chiefest Good : and beginning to bee good betimes , he continued ; yea , he encreased , and was best at last . He well deserued with Mnason the Title of An old Disciple : Act. 21.16 . Few I thinke , of his degree , can prescribe beyond him in Christianitie . 1. Sam . 2.19 . With Samuel , he came to serue the Lord , almost in his long coats , and with Simeon , Luke . 2.25 . continued iust and deuout vntill his very last dissolution . And this is an euident signe of sauing Grace , when one beginnes betimes , and continues still in a religious course . The heauenly King cannot but honour his old Pensioners . In whose Seruice this Christian Knight continued to the end , wee may therefore safely pronounce him saued .

This his Godlinesse , wanted not recompence euen in this Life : for Pietie ( you know ) hath the promises of both Liues . First , God blessed him in his Person with many dayes , the Crowne of yeeres , hee is carried to his Graue like a Ricke of Corne , not mowed downe before his time . He enioyed the blessing promised to the man that feareth God , and walketh in his wayes , for he saw his Childrens Children , Psal . 138.1.6 . and Peace vpon Israel . He was a Grand-father by all his Children , who liued to marriage , and a great Grand-father by his eldest . Hee was blessed in his Wedlocke , hauing three such Wiues successiuely , as any one of them might suffice to make an Husband happie ; which blessing , I heard him lately acknowledge with great thankfulnesse . He was blessed in his Children , for hauing many , he had none whom he might be ashamed to owne ; yea , he might haue beene an happie Father in any one of them , though he had no more .

He was blessed in his Honours and dignities , hauing held with reputation the greatest in his Shire , being twice Sheriffe in two yeeres , Inter honorum cu●mina sic vixit vt se ad Christum crederet prosecturum . Hieron . ad Saluin . so remarkable for strange euents , that they haue not beene paralelled in our Age : yet in all his Dignities most happie in this , that hee so held them , as holding it his best Dignitie to bee a Christian , and his highest preferment to goe to Christ .

Lastly , he was happie in that which makes a man for euer most happie , or most miserable , namely , in his death , a short sicknesse making way to a quiet and peaceable dissolution . When I first came to visit him , his haste was that hauing setled his estate for the World , hee might the more freely dispose his Soule for God . Exhorting him once to haue a strong Faith and a good Heart , I cannot forget his answere , That it had beene alwaies a part of his daily prayer , that God would giue him a faithfull Heart , an humble Heart , a charitable Heart , and a thankfull Heart . Briefely , in his departure hee somewhat symbolized with Elias , for the Mantle of his mortalitie , not violently pulled , but quietly falling as a Cloake from him , his Soule did suddenly flie vp on Angels wings into Heauen ; where , with Elias , and all other blessed Saints of God , it abideth in ioy eternall .

Thus hast thou left vs , noble Sir Anthonie , too soone for vs , in the best time for thy selfe , and which is worst , Master Ambrose Rous , his eldest Sonne . thou sentest him before thee in whom we hoped to haue enioyed thee : and our Elisha was taken from vs before our Elias , who should haue comforted vs for the losse of our Elias , by continuing his Vertues . But hee was taken away before thee , and therefore hath left vs the more sorrow for thee . Yet should we not so much grieue that thou art gone , as reioyce that we enioyed thee so long . Thou hast fulfilled thy dayes , and numbred thine Olympiads ; many Worthies haue come short of thee by as many Yeares as Vertues : True ; but wee haue lost a Father , a Father of the Countrie , of Religion , of Pietie , a Father of Iustice and Equitie , and who can denie men leaue to lament the losse of such a Father , at last , though they enioyed him neuer so long ? Haddest thou liued as many Centuries as thou diddest Scores of yeares , Posteritie would neuer haue surfetted on thee , but at the latest date would haue beene loth to haue left thee , and would complaine at last that they were too soone bereft of thee . Quis tamen in Patrem quem summa senecta resoluit imperendi lachrymas iure ne●●●e potest ? Vixerit innumeros aequ●nt Nestoris annos impertent vitae tempora longa suae immaturus obit : Pietatis iura parentum , Non vitae lachrymus non posuere modum . Scalig . in Epiced . Theodor . Bezae . A Fathers death euer comes too soone , liue he neuer so long . Who can prescribe limits to the life of Parents , or stint teares for their death , when it commeth , though it were neuer so long before it came ?

But seeing thou hast left vs , wee must now leaue thee , till we doe follow thee . I therefore now turne my speech from the Dead to the Liuing , who are here taught that they also must turne from the Liuing to the Dead . My desire is that all here present , and some aboue all , and my selfe first of all may draw some profitable vse out of all that which hath beene deliuered .

First , my selfe must hence learne , and so may all you with me , to repose our trust in God , for vaine is the helpe of Man . Trust not in Princes , their breath is in their Nostrils , they returne to their Earth , and then all their thoughts doe perish . But if we make the Almightie our defence , when Father and Mother faileth vs , he will sustaine and support vs. Hee taketh our Friends , our Fathers , Patrons , Benefactors into Heauen , that wee may learne to send our hopes and affections thither , and to lift vp our eyes to these Mountaines from whence commeth our helpe ; for our helpe is in the Name of the Lord , who hath made both Heauen and Earth .

To the Heire of our Elias , to the Elisha that must succeed him , I wish that ( if it bee possible ) he may also exceed him ; that the Spirit both of his Grand-father and Father , may bee doubled on him , that hee may inherit their Vertues as well as their Possessions , and so farre surpasse them as they did others : That the Mantle of Elias may remaine with him , and that the Sonnes of the Prophets , when they see him , may say of him , The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha ; That he may doe worthily in Ephrata , and bee famous in Bethlem . Ruth . 4.11 .

To the rest of the Branches of this noble Stocke , I wish , that as they haue fairely begun , so they will proceed , to shew themselues worthy Sonnes of such a worthy Father , that wee may still blesse God for him , and his memorie for them . No better Patrimonie could he leaue them , then the president of his pietie .

Gentlemen , and You , who come hither to performe the last Office , and exhibite the last act of loue to the Deceased , learne of him to bee Fathers of your Countrie , Patrons of the Church , louers of the Word , embracers of the Ministers of the Word , preseruers of Peace , the Eyes of the Blinde , the Staffe of the Lame , Zealous for Gods glorie , worthie Patriots ; that when you shall leaue this Vale of Miserie , you may be dismissed with this honourable acclamation , The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof .

Generally all here present , humble your Soules before the Almightie ; know wee , that for our sinnes and vnworthinesse , the Horsemen of Israel and the Chariots thereof are taken from vs ; and their taking away , importeth great euill to ensue , if wee preuent it not by speedie repentance . Behold , in one Weeke , two such Wounds inflicted on vs , M. Richard Carew of Anthony , and Sir Anthony Rous , died both in one Weeke . in the Death of two Worthies , that our Countie neuer felt the like Blowe so suddenly , in the eldest mans memorie among vs : and I suppose , that the eyes of the youngest will scarce see it closed vp , by the recouerie of the like Two againe . In foure or fiue dayes , two Wheeles of our Chariot were broken , two Horsemen of Israel were taken from vs into Heauen . If wee see not in our selues the cause of this Calamitie , wee are too blinde : If seeing it , wee seeke not to the Remedie , wee are too brutish : The Remedie is , mature Repentance . This will stay Gods hand , that hee proceed not further , in taking more Fathers from vs : Yea , this may turne Gods Anger into Mercie , and cause him to rayse vp more Fathers , more Chariots and Horsemen for vs.

Which God the Father graunt vnto vs , for his Sonne Iesus sake : To whom , with the Holy Ghost , three Persons blessed for euer , bee ascribed ( as is due ) all Prayse , Power , Might , Maiestie , Dominion , and Glory , now and for euer . Amen .

FINIS .