Deaths deliverance, and Eliahes fiery charet, or The holy mans triumph after death Delivered in two sermons preached at Plymouth, the one the 16. the other the 19. of August: the former at the funerall of Thomas Sherwill, an eminent and pious magistrate of that place. 1631. By Alexander Grosse now pastor of Bridford.

DEATHS DELIVERANCE , AND ELIAHES FIERY CHARET , OR The Holy mans Triumph after Death .

Delivered in two Sermons preached at PLYMOVTH , the one the 16. the other the 19. of August : the former at the Funerall of Thomas Sherwill , an Eminent and pious Magistrate of that place . 1631.

By ALEXANDER GROSSE now Pastor of Bridford .

PSAL. 37.37 .

Marke the perfect man , and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace .

LONDON , Printed by Thomas Paine , for Francis Eaglesfield , and are to be sold at the Mary-gold in Saint Pauls Church-yard . 1640.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL IOHN WADDON Maior of Plimmouth , and the residue of that famous Corporation , the blessed increase of all Grace on earth , and the fulnesse of all Glory in Heaven . Right Worshipfull , and much respected ,

IT is an Axiome among the Logicians : Quicquid recipitur , recipitur ad modum recipientis : and sutably , wee are taught by dayly experience , that the welfare and issue of our actions is much dependant upon other mens interpretations : sometimes groundlesse surmises , causelesse jealousies of mens intentions , ends , and purposes , doe put an evill construction upon a very good and holy undertaking , and turne the sweetest flower into a loathsome , and unsavory weede : thus Davids 2 Sam. 10.3.4.5 . servants sent by him in kindnes , to visit and comfort Hanun after the death of his father , were upon a groundlesse jealousie entertained as spies , and not as friends , sent away not with thankes , but with disgrace ; having their garments cut off to the buttockes , and their beards shaved off to the halfe . Sometimes the low estate and condition of the Agent , doth much obscure and darken the glory of the worke ; thus Salomon tells us , Eccle. 9.15 . there was a little City , and few men in it ; and there came a great King against it , and besieged it , and built great bulwarkes against it ; now there was found in it a poore wise man , and he by his wisedome delivered the City , yet no man remembred that same poore man : the jewell is despised because the Casket is not rich and gilded ; & thence it was that they looked on our Saviour , as on a Esay 53.2 . dry tree , as on one that had no beauty for which they should desire him ; called into Mat. 13.54 , 55 , 56 , 57. question his learning , tooke offence at him , because as man , he had ( as they conceived ) a poore originall ; sometimes a prejudicate conceit , a forestalled opinion ; this maketh men with Iohn . 1.46 . Nathaniel to question whether any good can come out Nazareth . Sometimes want of Complement , and humane varnishings , to set forth the worke ; the cloath is not regarded , because the lace wanteth : Thus Pauls preaching seemed 1 Cor. 1. foolish to the Grecians , because it wanted the inticing words of mans wisedome . Holy intentions , good and profitable undertakings , have many clouds to darken them , many tongues of a vicious and different temper to glosse upon them : But for mine own part ( the integrity of mine intentions warranting to mine own heart this enterprize ) I am resolved with S. Paul , to take it a small thing to be judged of 1 Cor. 4.3 . mans judgement . If I may do any good , give any light , minister any comfort , though but to one poore soule , by my weake and despised endeavours , I feare not , I regard not a thousand censures . It is not the importunitie of others , the commemoration of past kindnesses , expectation of , or invention unto future favours , but the love I beare to the parties deceased , my desire to have their memoriall preserved , continued ; the refreshing of your memories with the blessing ye enjoyed by their life , and the losse ye sustaine by their death ; the quickning of you to an holy conversation , the preparing of you for your own dissolution , are the moving causes of the publication of these two Sermons .

It is not earthly honour , worldly fulnesse , fleshly pleasures , vanishing greatnesse , transitory abundance , that is the richest jewell , the brightest Sunne , the sweetest musicke , the most honorable Crowne ; all these are sand sinking , exhalations vanishing , thornes pricking , Eagles flying away , Prov. 23.5 things which are not . These are often given for a snare , as Sauls 1 Sam. 18 21. daughter to David ; These like Judg. 16.19 . Dalilah betray us , after they have sung sweetly to us , cut off our lockes , spoyle us of what should make us happie , and involve us in an irrecoverable miserie : like Iudg. 4.20 , 21. Iael , after they have fed us , cloathed us , and in our imagination secured us , drive the naile of destruction into our temples : like Absaloms feast for 2 Sam. 13.28 . Amnon , they doe but prepare us for destruction . To a soule savingly enlightned , unfainedly humbled , truely sanctified , throughly affected with the taste of Gods goodnesse , blessedly enriched with spirituall and heavenly graces , beautified and adorned with the precious pearle surpassing all earthly merchandise : what these things are let Gregory speake ; Greg. in 1 Reg. cap. 20. quid divitiae pereuntes , & transitoriae facultates , nisi stercora , aeterna diligentibus ? what are perishing riches , and transitorie abilities , but dung to them that love eternitie ? And thus Paul accounted all to be but Phil. 3.8 . dung and drosse in comparison of the knowledge of Christ Iesus . It is not greatnesse , but goodnesse ; not worldly riches , but heavenly graces ; not the highest top of earthly felicities , but true holinesse , is the way leading to the Crowne , and joy of never failing continuance . Though ( as one saith ) the pursuite of purity is deemed the height of folly ; yet you shall find this infallibly , constantly , unchangeably true ; That true godlinesse , the religious exercise of holy duties , heavenly walking with God , is a pillar of the greatest strength to support , a starre of the brightest light to direct , a jewell of the richest price to enrich , a flower of the most orient and shining beauty to adorne , and a shield of the most tryed metall to defend any Kingdome , towne , family , people or particular person .

Many bee the instruments and meanes which God of his goodnesse hath ordained , prepared , sanctified , for the begetting , breeding , nourishing , establishing , and perfecting of this godlinesse , this religion in the hearts of his people : among the many , these two , the Ministerie of the Gospel , meditation upon our uncertaine , yet speedy dissolutiō , are not the least effectual , preualent , and powerfull , to make us speedy , carefull , and circumspect runners in this race , and to forward us in this holy and blessed worke . Therefore as the Mat. 24.24 . Eagles gather themselves to the Carkasse , as the Mica . 4.1 , 2. waters flow to the Ocean , as the Ioh. 5.4.5 . lame men came to Bethesda , as the Queene of the South came from farre to heare the wisedom of Salomon ; so come ye , attend , wait upon , reverence , receive , embrace and love the holy and faithfull Ministrie of the Word . Here is the sweetest musick that ever eare heard , the delicat'st Feast that ever palate tasted , the most comfortable tidings that ever man brought , the most glorious light that ever eye did see : here is a garden which hath a flower for every sanctified nostrill ; an Artillerie-house , wherein are weapons for every souldier fighting Gods battell ; an Apothecaries shoppe that hath a healing medicine for every wounded soule ; here is a Counsellor for every circumcised eare , a guide for every traveller , a comforter for every sorrowfull and dejected spirit . This is the instrumentall staffe and stay of Gods children ; the Crowne and glory of the Lords people . But as our Saviour tooke occasion , from the quality of the persons receiving the Gospel , to say , Mat. 11.5 , 6. the poore receive the Gospel , and blessed is hee that is not offended in me ; So may I take occasion from the condition of the persons preaching , and from their manner of teaching to say , Esay 11.6 . Psal. 8.2 2 Cor. 10 . 1● . mortal men , weake men , men of low estate and condition , men whose bodily presence is weake , and speech contemptible , preach the Gospel , and that in a plaine manner without ostentation : and blessed is he that is not offended , because this Treasure is brought in a wooden Vessell , because men preach not themselves , but Christ ; that so the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God , and not of men . Jt is with us indeede , as we are carnall , as it was with Antiochus , Livi : lib. 37. Plut. in Comp. Scipio . & Annib. and his people , in another case . History makes mention , how Antiochus prepared against the Romans an Army very great and huge , of men of many Nations , but white livered Souldiers , not so strong with armour , as glistering with gold and silver : Antiochus himselfe was amazed at the sight of it , and thought it invincible ; and so did the simple fooles of his Countrey : but the Romans contemned it , and Annibal jested at it . So naturall men being to wage warre against their spirituall adversaries , will 2 Tim. 4.3 . heape up many teachers , and if their Sermons glister with the gold and silver , or rather with the gilded brasse , and copper of humane eloquence , supercilious speeches , curious and quaint conceipts and devices , though there be little or no spirituall power in it ; yet they stand amazed at it think that the battle is wonne , that the day and crowne is theirs : when it is too apparent that Satan , and sinne , like Annibal and his Romans , doe scorne , and are no more moved , no more affrighted with it , then with the admiration used by the Acts 19.15 . sonnes of Sheva , where Satan prevailed , & they ran away wounded ; for as Satan sayd to them : Paul I know , & Iesus I know , but what are ye ? So in this case the evill spirit wil , at least may say : them that preach Christ sincerely , faithfully , powerfully , I know ; but what are the feeble sayings of Heathenish Philosophers , or the rythmes and fictions of fond Poets , who sanctified these as a meanes to conquer sinne and Sathan ? Two things have I found , ( which J propose to the view and censure of all the Lords people ) the one by internall sense and feeling , the other by externall observation : the first is this ; The more or lesse the Minister of God hath of the Spirit in his preaching , so much the more or lesse powerfull is his Sermon , either for conviction , conversion , or consolation : The second is this , That holy , humble , and faithfull Pastors , though for humane Eloquence like Cicero , for their abilities in Philosophy like Aristotle , for their versifying faculty like Ovid ; yet in Gods Sanctuarie have they laid aside these weapons , and studied to preach God & Christ Jesus , not out of Homer , Virgil , Cicero , Aristotle , but of out the Sacred Scriptures , with all 1 Cor. 14.18 , 19. possible plainnesse , fit for mens capacities . And for mine owne part , I thinke Gods Ministers should use humane helpes , as Abraham did his Gen. 22.5 . Asse and his Servant ; they may goe with them to the foot of the Hill , & there stay , but not ascend into the Sanctuary , where they preach Christ Iesus , and offer their spiritual sacrifice , except in some Act. 17.28 . Tit. 1.12 . extraordinary cases . For thus S. Augustine : In doctrina sacrae Scripturae authoritatem debet Episcopus praeferre , non saecularium literarū peritiam ostentare ; non enim Episcopi est officium Grammaticam exponere , nec laudes Iovis personet os pontificis : that is , the Minister must preferre the authority of sacred Scripture in his teaching , and not shew forth his skill in secular or humane learning ; it is not the dutie of a Minister to expound Grammer , or sound forth the prayses of Jupiter : this have I made hold to tell you , that you may not sticke in cortice , in the naked world of a Sermon , like men that behold onely the outside of the house ; but open the doore , goe in , and see what good cheere the Spirit of God doth make there for your soules ; Origen in Levit. Hom. 39. for as Origen saith , Spiritus divinis verbis convalescit , nutrimenta spiritus sunt divina lectio , orationes assiduae , sermo doctrinae ; his alitur cibis , his convalescit , his actor efficitur : It is not an humane but a divine word which nourisheth , and maketh the soule holily operative : it is Gods word which doth enlighten the understanding , awaken the conscience , purifie the affection , reconcile to God , worke peace in the heart , and fill the inward man with all goodnesse : thinke of these things , and of many poore soules that amongst you come within the walles of the Lords house , and there stand and see , but heare not , that you may accordingly provide for your owne , and their everlasting good .

And as the holy , and soule-refreshing Ministerie of the Gospell , so also the serious meditation of our owne slippery standing , fleeting condition , is a spur very forcible to quicken us in the way of righteousnesse : were that of the Prophet to Ezekiah , 2 King . 20. thou mayest not live but die , ever sounding in our eares , and fresh in our memories , it would cause us to set both house and soule in order , it would cause us with the Merchant to buy while the Mart lasteth , with the Traveller to walke while the light shineth , with the Mariner to row while the tide serveth . And that the word of God may now be pleasant and profitable , your death at the last comfortable and gainfull ; let the presence , power , and increase of these foure insuing graces , like foure precious jewels adorne you . 1. Humilitie , which is in Gods eye a 1 Pet. 3.3 . Pearle of great price , a fruit , an evidence of the Prov. 11.2 . wisedome which is from above , the first Mat. 11.29 . lesson learned in the Schoole of Christ Jesus , and that which maketh us capeable Iam. 4.6 . of all graces . 2. Sinceritie , let your inward disposition , your outward conversation , be like our Saviours Coate without seame ; it is your Psal 32.1 , 2. blessednesse , your prayse before God and all good men now , and will be your joy and your 2 Cor. 1.12 . glory at the last , to bee true Israelites , right Nathaniels , in whom is no guile . 3. Vnitie , a holy concord , a sweete agreement in every good way betwixt your selves : this is a fruit of the highest Ioh. 1. Iam. 3.17 . wisedome , like a Psal. 13 3.1.2 . precious oyntment in Gods nostrils , a singular sweetning of your mutuall conversation , commerce , and communication , a great strengthning , and a powerfull prevention of much evill . 4. Constancy in all the waies of God , having begunne in the spirit , end not in the flesh , be not weary of well doing ; having put your hand to Gods plow , looke not back , but come forth as the Psal. 19.5 . Sunne , like a Bridegroome out of his Chamber , adorned with all spirituall splendor and brightnesse ; and rejoyce yee like a mighty man to runne the race of Gods Commandements : Isa. 40.31 . mount up like the Eagle , walke on , and faint not ; so shall you at the last embrace death as a friend , rest in your grave , as on a Bed of Downe , have your soules carried in a fiery Chariot into Heaven , be entertained with most sweete embracements by the LORD IESVS , and have with IEHOVAH blessed for ever , the full fruition of endlesse joyes in his most glorious Kingdome : This He unfainedly desireth , who ever resteth .

Yours in all holy services , Alexander Grosse .

DEATHS DELIVERANCE . Isai . 57.1 , 2.

The righteous perisheth , and no man layeth it to heart ; and mercifull men are taken away , none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evill to come .

He shall enter into peace : they shall rest in their beds , each one walking in his uprightnesse .

THe heaviest afflictions are sweet mercies to Gods Servants ; their greatest losse doth prove their chiefest gaine ; as the red Sea to Israel , proved a a a Exod. 14.28 , 29. grave to their enemies , a passage to them from their Egyptian bondage : as Sampson had b b Judg. 14.14 . honey in the Lion , sweet out of the sowre , meate out of the eater ; so the Lords people have light out of darknesse , joy out of heavinesse , peace out of trouble , life out of death ; the wounding arrow , the piercing sword , that sticks in their sides , doth prove a launcing knife ; the deadliest poyson a sweet purgation ; the most mortall enemy doth the labour of a kinde and loving friend ; as Pharaohs burdens , fury , violence , and high hand , drove Israel from working in an iron fornace , from living under a miserable and slavish bondage : so enemies , afflictions , sorrowes , troubles , sicknesse , violent diseases , and death it selfe , turne to the singular good of all that love the Lord ; for if they perish , if they dye , if they lay downe their life ; oh ! it is for their advantage , though others , it may be , doe not consider it ; for thus the Prophet here hath it :

The righteous perisheth , and no man layeth it to heart , and mercifull men are taken away , none considering that the righteous is taken from the evill to come .

This Text is to a good man , like the Travellers Inne , bed , and place of repose , after his long and wearisome journey ; like the Mariners haven after many violent and stormy Tempests ; like the c c Ex. 9.20 houses wherein the Egyptian Cattle were preserved from the grievous haile , one day threatned , and the next day inflicted ; for so the Prophet saith .

The righteous is taken from the evill to come : he shall enter into peace , they shall rest in their beds , each one walking in his uprightnesse .

In the words we may consider ;

1. Quis. Of whom the Prophet here speaketh , of the righteous and mercifull man .

2. Quid. What he saith of him , he perisheth , is taken away , the latter word doth well explaine the former .

3. Quare . Wherefore , hee is taken away from the evill to come .

4. Quomodo . How , in what manner , he is taken away in peace , he layeth downe his life in the feare of God , resteth in his grave , as on a bed , till the morning of the Resurrection .

5. Qualiter . How the surviving men are affected with it , they lay it not to heart , they consider it not .

These be the streames flowing from this fountaine , because time will not give us leave with Gideons many thousands to bow downe upon our knees , and drink a full draught of these waters , we shall be constrained with his 300. souldiers to d d Judg. 7.6 . lap a little , and so away .

To begin therefore with the two first of these jointly ; Quis and Quid , who perisheth , who is taken away , The righteous : Gods people are righteous e e Jo. 13.10 . inchoativè , as the morning , the dawning of the day is light , but hath darknesse mingled with it : as Lazarus came forth of his grave , he was risen , but his f f Jo. 11.44 grave-cloth bound him . So Gods people are risen to a new conversation out of the grave of sinne , but their corruptions are yet in some degree remaining in them , a great hindrance to their holy walking . 2. They are righteous g g Mat. 5.6 . Psa. 119.5 . affectivè , they desire it , hunger and thirst after it . 3. They are righteous h h Is . 32.15 . effective , righteousnesse is their worke , their fruit , their walke . 4. They are righteous i i 1 Cor. 5.21 . Rom. 4.6 . imputativè , and so they be perfectly righteous , not a part , but the whole righteousnesse of Christ is imputed to them . They are as k k Gen. 27.15 . Iacob in Esaus their elder brothers garment , and so they win the blessing from God , as Iacob obtained the blessing at the hands of his Father Isaak .

The righteous man here is most properly the man which doth holy and righteous workes ; that walketh constantly , and conscionably in the way of righteousnesse ; whose exercise is with l l Act. 24.16 . Paul , to keep a conscience void of offence towards God , and towards man ; this man perisheth , is smitten with the arrow of temporall death , falleth in this warre , &c.

Mercifull men , or men of kindnesse , or godlinesse , as the word also signifieth , men easily m m Luk. 6.36 . moved to grieve at the miseries of others , and to succour them : men mercifull , even as God is mercifull ; for in mercy there is the affection of pitie , and the effect of helpe and succour : the men thus righteous , thus mercifull , thus qualified , are taken away by death , whence observe ,

Doct. That such as be most holy and gracious , are subject to a bodily dissolution , as well as others . The sithe cutteth the beautifull , and sweet smelling flower , as soon as the fearne ; the Axe heweth downe the good tree , as well as the barren , being once laid to the root of it : so is death impartiall ; as the Deluge n n Gen. 7.19 . over-flowed the meadowes , orchards , gardens , as well as the wildernesse , the most fruitfull , as well as the more barren parts of the earth : so death spares none . God hath o o Heb. 9.27 . appointed it , the sentence is irrecoverable , and how p p Eccles. 2.16 . dyeth the wiseman ? saith Salomon , as the foole . What is become of all the Saints that lived before us ? Have they not all drunk of this cup ? Have they not all runne this race ? Heare what the wise man saith , q q Eccle. 8.8 . There is no man ( whether rich or poore , high or low , young or old , holy or unholy ) that hath power over the spirit , to retaine the spirit , neither hath he power in the day of death ; and there is no discharge in that warre , neither shall wickednesse deliver those that are given to it . The proofe of this is as needlesse , as to prove the going downe of the Sunne from our Horizon , which every eye may daily behold and see : neither is it strange , for

There is some sinne , some corruption in the best , there is that seed Reasons . 1 which bringeth forth death , as the moth eates the garment , the worme in the tree makes him moulder , the leak in the ship letteth in the water , untill at length it sinke : so sinne where it once entreth , once taketh up his abode , death doth ensue and follow after , as the threed followeth the needle , as r r Ruth . 1.16 . Ruth followed Naomi , as Ionathans Armour-bearer said to him , s s 1 Sam. 14.7 . turn thee , behold I am with thee , according to thy heart : so may death say to sinne , for which way soever that turnes , or goeth before it , death doth without faile ensue and follow t t Rom. 5.12 . after it . This is the u u Rom. 6.23 . wages belonging to it , the payment never faileth : as Salomon saith of other buildings , w w Eccl. 10.18 . by much slothfulnesse the building decayeth , and through idlenesse of the hands the house droppeth through : So may I say of these our earthly Tabernacles , through our corruptions these weake buildings of our bodies doe decay , and through the sinne which is within us , this house droppeth through , till at length it falleth to the ground , commeth to the grave ; sinne is the mother , and death the daughter , x x Lam. 3.42 , 43. Lam. 3.42 , 43.

Reasons . 2 This sutes with the present condition of Gods people , they are y y 1 Pet. 2.11 . Pilgrims , this is not their z z Heb. 11.9 , 14. Country , now they are a a 1 Cor. 9.24 . Travellers , and tend every day to their journies end and as Israel could not come to Canaan , but through the b b 1 Cor. 10.1 . Red Sea , no more can Gods people attaine their journies end , but by death ; when the prison walls are beaten downe , then they who are kept in fetters there , may goe forth , c c 2 Cor. 5.1 , 2. We know ( saith the Apostle ) that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved , wee have a building of God , a house not made with hands , eternall in the Heavens .

This maketh them also in some sort Reasons . 3 conformable to Christ their head ; Our Lord and Master hath drunke of this cup , trodden this path before us , and the d d Mat. 10.24 . Disciple must not looke to bee above his Master : but , as in other things , so in this we must be made like him , to this we are e e Ro. 8.29 . ordained , wee must first be like him in his sufferings , and then we shall be like him in his raigning . f f 2 Tim. 2.11 . It is a faithfull saying , if we be dead with him , we shall also live with him , if we suffer we shall also raigne with him : Therefore as Gideon said unto his Souldiers , g g Judg. 7.17 . Looke on me , as yee see mee doe , so doe yee : so must we looke on our Gideon , our Christ , our Captaine , and doe as wee have seene him doe before us .

This workes the utter destruction Reasons . 4 of sinne in them , as Sampson by his h h Judg. 16.30 . death destroyed the Philistines his enemies , so the righteous by their death destroy their corruptions ; sinne is like a subtile Fox , that cannot bee taken till his holds be destroyed ; like ivie in the wall , which cannot be totally taken away , till the stones be pulled asunder : Israel could not be freed from the i i Exo. 14. Morte peccati praecisionem homo lucratur , ne malum immortale esset , ita poena ipsi in misericordiam cessit . Nazian. Orat. 38. Egyptians , till they came to the red sea ; no more can Gods people of their sinnes , till they come to the grave : by death doe the righteous gaine the cutting off of sinne ; and death which was a punishment , is turned to a mercy to all that walke uprightly .

But Christ hath dyed for them , and their sinne is forgiven , Gods Justice is fully satisfied , how then can God bee just in bringing death on them ? Quest. Shall the principall be arrested and cast into prison , when the surety hath formerly paid the debt for him .

Resp. Christ who hath paid the debt for us , was freely k k Joh. 3.16 . given of God to us ; given , not instantly to conferre upon us an actuall freedome from all evills , but in due time , after we have beene exercised with variety of tryalls . God doth not onely give Christ , but also apply him unto us , and when there is a full application of Christ to beleevers , then there shall be a compleat l l Ephes. 1.14 . redemption from all evils : and thus though Christ have paid the ransome , yet God doth us no wrong , in suffering us to be exercised with many troubles , because there is not yet a full application of this ransome ; and because God gave him in such a way and manner to bring his chosen to salvation , as seemed best to his own wisdome . God promised Canaan to Israel , but yet he led them through the red sea before he brought them thither , and in so doing , did them no wrong .

Death to the people of God is not evill , the curse is taken away : Death is like Moses m m Exod. 4.3 , 4. serpent , it may at first sight make the people of God afraid , as that did him ; but as Moses afterwards tooke the Serpent in his hand , and it did him no harme , so is death to the righteous . like a Serpent without a sting , like a Souldier overcome , and his weapons taken from him , n n 1 Cor. 15.55 , 56 , 57. O death ( saith Saint Paul ) where is thy sting ? O grave where is thy victory ? the sting of death is sinne , the strength of sinne is the Law , but thankes be unto God , which giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord .

Death is ordained of God to be the destruction of sinne in his children ; as David cut off o o 1 Sam. 17 50 , 51. Goliahs head with his owne sword , so will God destroy sin by death , which is held as a sword in sinnes hand .

Death is to Gods people as the red sea to Israel , the destruction of the enemies of their salvation , an end of all miseries , a passage to everlasting life : so that Gods people have freedome from the evill , but not from the necessity of dying ; and herein is the wonderfull power , wisdome , and goodnesse of God very clearely seene , even in changing the nature of death , and making it to his people so usefull , which in it selfe is so hurtfull .

Vse . Doe the godly the dye , are not the righteous exempted ? must they taste of this cup ? It is then in vaine for the wicked , unrighteous , unmercifull , to dreame of escapall : As the Apostle said in another case , p p 1 Pet. 4.17 . if judgment begin at the house of God , what shall bee the end of them which obey not the Gospel of God , and as our Saviour also said in another case , q q Luk. 23.31 . if they doe thus to the greene tree , what will they doe to the dry ? So in this case , if death seize upon , and spare not Gods family , the house-hold of faith , the holy and righteous , r r Isa. 61.3 . trees of righteousnesse , Trees of Gods owne planting , as the Prophet calleth them , where then be the hopes of the prophane mans deliverance : If holinesse , if being in Christ , in covenant with God , preserve not the righteous , the mercifull man from death ; Oh thinke not then , O profane man , that riches , honour , worldly abilities will preserve thy life , these be shields of no strength to defend us from the darts of death , foundations of sand , unable to beare us up ▪ like that whereon the foolish man built his house , s s Mat. 7.27 . Mat. 7. Whereon when the Windes blew , and the waves beat , it fell , and great was the fall thereof : such will be the end of all that build upon the sand of earthly powers , whose very strength is weaknesse . It was neither the strength , nor height of the tree , nor fairenesse of the leaves , nor abundance of the fruit , nor extent of the shadow , could preserve it from the sentence of the t t Dan. 4.12 , 13 , 14. woe , the which Nebuchadnezar beheld comming downe from Heaven in his vision : so death ( when it once commeth , when the God of Heaven sends it ) will shake off the leaves , break downe the branches , take away the beauty of the fairest , the might of the strongest , not regard the wealth of the richest , but new downe the Tree , and cast the body into the grave . v v Ps. 82.6 . I have said ( saith the Lord of them that be most rich , most potent , most mighty on earth ) yee are Gods , and all of you are children of the most High , but yee shall dye like men , and perish like one of the Princes . As the fire burnes both the shrub and Cedar ; so death spares neither poore nor rich . The Lords wrath will seaze upon all the wicked alike , as the w w Is . 5.24 . the fire devoureth the stubble , & the flame consumeth the chaffe , so their root shall be rottennesse , and their blossome shall goe up as dust , because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hoasts : and woefull , miserable and wretched will their death be . For

It shall end all their joyes , then their x x Job 18.5 , 6. Candle will be put out , as the y y Dan. 5.5 . hand writing in the wall marred Belshazzars feast , so will death marre the wicked mans mirth .

It will rob him of all his pompe , as z z Dan. 4.30 . Nebuchadnezar was turned from his glorious Palace , to eate grasse like an Oxe ; so will death turne the profane man out of all his dignities , bring his a a Isa. 14.11 . pompe to the grave , and make him a b b Mat. 25.41 . companion with the Devill and his angels .

It will leave him as an abomination upon the earth , his memory shall c c Prov. 10.7 . rot , as a dead beast casteth an ill savour when he dyeth , so the man that is in d d Psal. 49.23 . honour , and knoweth not , is ignorant of God , destitute of his feare , void of his grace , shall be like the beast which perisheth .

It shall be the beginning of those miseries which never shall have end , it shall intangle them in that snare whence there is no escaping , and bring them to those burnings , where is no e e Luk. 16.24 . quenching ; to that f f Jude v. 7. fire which is everlasting , it shall cast them into that g g Rev. 21.8 . lake , from whence there is no out-going . To this slaughter-house must thou come , O riotous , O covetous , O uncleane and carnall man , and though thou doest escape a little while ; yet it will not be long : thou mayest cheere h h Eccles. 11.9 . thee in the dayes of thy youth , and walke in the wayes of thy heart , and in the sight of thine eyes , but for all these things , God at length will bring thee to judgement . Gellius saith of Sejanus horse , no man ever sped well that was owner of him : Such a horse is sinne , no man ever speeds well at last , but takes a fall that rides this horse , and is carried head-long to destruction ; over-whelmed with everlasting torments , before he is aware of it , over-taken as a woman by her i i 1 Thess. 5.3 . travaile , it will come as a theefe in the night season . As Absaloms , servants fell on Amnon and murdered him , when his heart was k k 2 Sam. 13.28 . merry with wine : so when the hearts of men are merry with the pleasures of sinne , when they be satiated and glutted with worldly and fleshly delights , then sorrow , shame , death , everlasting woes , the servants of sinne shall fall upon them , as Absaloms servants upon Amnon . The pleasures of sinne are but for a l l Heb. 11.25 . season , they be but a m m Ps. 39.5 . spanne long , as the afflictions of the righteous be but for a n n Rom. 8.18 . moment , so the o o Job 20.5 . pleasures and triumph of the wicked : and one houres torment in Hell , will swallow up the pleasures of a thousand yeeres on earth .

Are the righteous subject to a bodily dissolution ? Are they taken away as well as others ? Then let the Saints and holy servants of God learne , not to set their hearts on things here below , but to be as p p 1 Pet. 2.11 . strangers upon the earth ; to live as Tenants at will , in a continuall preparednesse to depart . The Lord pressed the Prophet to this , by presenting before him the changes which hee would worke ; Behold ( saith the Lord ) q q Jer. 45.4 , 5. that which I have built , I will breake downe , and that which J have planted , I will pluck up , even this whole land : and seekest thou great things for thy selfe ? seeke them not : to this the Apostle perswadeth the people of God , by the consideration of their new conditions : r r Col. 3.1 , 2. If ye be risen with Christ , seek the things which are above : To this hee urgeth the Hebrewes , by setting the inconstancie of their outward estate before them , Wee have no s s Heb 13.12 , 13. continuing Citie here , but seeke one to come ; therefore let us goe forth without the Campe , bearing our reproach , let us forsake the Earth , deny our selves , be willing to be dissolved , that wee may enjoy our desired home . And this was of old the exhortation of the Prophet , t t Mica . 2.10 . Arise you and depart , for this is not your rest : And therefore as our Saviour said unto the Disciples concerning Judas , v v Mat. 26.46 . rise , let us be going , behold he is at hand that doth betray mee : So let me say to you of death , arise , let us goe hence , let us take our hearts from things here below , for death which will take our life from us is at hand : And as Matthew w w Mat. 9.9 . arose from the receipt of custome , and followed Christ : So let us arise every man from his sinne , from his prophane way , from his evill custome , and become sincere , humble , diligent , and constant followers of the Lord Jesus ; and as the Virgins at the cry of the Bridegroomes comming , arose x x Prov. 6.10 , 11. and trimmed their lampes : So we ( Beloved ) hearing now the cry of the comming of death , O let us break off our sleep , cast away our security , prepare our lamps , get the oyle of saving grace into our soules : Let us not like the sluggard cry , yet y y Prov. 6.10 , 11. a little more sleep , a little more slumber , a little more folding of the hands upon the bed of sinne , lest , as poverty came on him as an armed man , so death come on us as an armed man , and take us unprepared , and then we be undone for ever . O therefore seeke not peace , seeke not fulnesse , seeke not felicity here ; as the Angel said of our Saviour , z z Luk 24.5 , 6. he is risen , he is not here , why seeke ye the living among the dead : so may I say of these things , why seeke yee them here below , they are not here , they are above , our God , our Christ , our Heaven , our home it is above , and there , O there let our hearts for ever be .

Are the righteous subject to a bodily dissolution ? Are the mercifull men taken away ? Then comfort your selves all ye that feare the Lord ; there is a Physitian comming will heale all your diseases ; a Deliverer at hand which will open all prisons ; a Conquerour which will overcome all enemies : Therefore let mee charge you in this case , as Moses charged Israel at the waters of the Red Sea , a a Exod. 14.13 . Exodus 14.13 . Feare , not , stand still , waite a while , the day of death will come , and when that day commeth , the enemies which you see , the miseries and troubles which you undergoe , you shall see them , feele them , undergoe them no more for ever . It was Plutarchs comfort given to his Souldiers , entring into a dangerous and bloudy battell , that they should suppe 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in a place invisible ; the word signifieth , in heaven , in a place of peace and rest no doubt hemeant . So let us encourage our selves , whatsoever be our miseries , troubles , disasters , in the dayes of our life , yet in the Sunne-set , in the evening of our age , when death commeth , we shall sup with the Lambe of God Christ Iesus , and there will be great joy indeed : for that is the b b Rev. 19.7 , 8 , 9. marriage feast of the Lambe and our soules , Be therefore patient ; c c Heb. 10.37 . Hee that shall come ; will come , and will not tarrie . The Lord will remove us when it shall be most for his glorie and our good : the righteous shall die , the mercifull men shall be taken away from the evil to come . And thus are we come to the third thing .

Quare : why the righteous die ; why mercifull men are taken away ; there is evill to come .

The Lord seeth there be many miseries , many plagues , and great troubles , as warres , famines , pestilences , strange and fearfull alterations comming ; and to the end holy , righteous , and good men may not see these evils , feele these miseries , God doth take them away . Whence two things present themselves to our consideration , 1. That death is a sweete mercie , a great kindnesse to Gods holy servants . 2. That the death , and taking away of holy persons , is a fearefull prediction of ensuing evils . First , a word or two of the former of these .

Doct. That death is a sweete mercie , a great kindnesse to Gods holy servants . It is Salomons Aphorisme , d d Eccle. 7 1 the day of a mans death , is better then the day of a mans birth : It is our Saviours proposition , e e Reve. 14.13 . blessed are they that die in the Lord : It is Saint Paules conclusion , f f Phil 1.23 to depart and to be with Christ is farre better . For

Reas. 1 By death they are delivered from many incumbent evils , inward and outward , arising from the flesh , from Satan , from the world : as the Husbandman at the harvest removeth the tares from the wheate ; as Abraham turned scoffing and persecuting g g Gen. 21.14 . Ismael out of the house from Isaac , so God at the day of a good mans death , takes away , turnes out whatsoever might annoy him .

By death they are delivered from all ensusing miseries : thus before the Lord Reas. 2 brought evill upon the house of Ieroboam , he tooke away his yong sonne , because in h h 1 King . 14 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. him was found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel , therefore the Lord would take him away , he should not see the evill ensuing .

By death they are brought to the fruition Reas. 3 of all good , i i Reve. 1.4 , 5. all teares are wiped away , and in Gods k k Psal 16.11 . presence there is fulnesse of joy , and at his right hand pleasures for evermore .

This , Vse . if time would giue leaue to insist upon it , would therefore teach us , and worke in us , 1. Carefull preparation for death . 2. Vehement longings after it . 3. Chearefulnesse in entertaining it . 4. Moderation in our sorrow for them that be departed , mourning for our owne losse , but rejoycing in their gaine : but to passe by this , let us come to the second point .

Doct. The death and taking away of holy persons , is a fearefull prediction of ensuing evils . When Noah was entred into the Arke , then the l l Gen. 7.12 13. Deluge came . When Lot was gon out of Sodome , then m m Gen. 19.24 . fire and brimstone fell upon it and burned it . When the Lord had determined the destruction of Ieroboams house , ( as you heard before ) first he tooke away his child , in whom there was some good thing found . Thus when the Lord intended to bring evill upon n n 2 Kings . 22.16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. Ierusalem , and upon the people , he would first gather good Iosiah the King , ( whose heart was tender , and humbled himselfe at the hearing of the Law ) to his Fathers , and into his grave with peace , and then the evill should come . When o o 2 Chro. 24.18 , 24 Iehoiada was dead , Ioash left the House of the Lord God of his Fathers ; then the Syrians came with a small Companie , and God delivered a very great Host into their hands , & they executed judgement against Ioash . The truth of this is moreover manifest , by five benefits arising to the place where good men are .

Their presence doth draw the love Reason . 1 and favour of God to the place where they are ; they are deare to God as the p p Zach. 2.5 , 8 apple of his eye , and he will bee a wall of fire about the place where they bee : and many times doth God spare the wicked , as the Husbandman spareth the q q Mar. 13.30 . tares , for the wheate growing with them . Thus the Family was spared for Noahs sake ; and God would have spared Sodome and Gomorrah , if there had beene r r Gen. 18.32 ten righteous there : the Lord gave s s Acts. 27.24 Paul all them that failed with him , they were delivered from the storme for his sake . And surely , as Paul said to the t t Vers. 31. Centurion and the Souldiers , of the Shipmen ; except these abide in the shippe yee cannot be saved : so may I say to you of the holy , righteous , and faithfull servants of God , unlesse these abide amongst us we cannot be in safetie , we shall certainly bee exposed to many miseries : for as the Prophet said to Iehoram , were it not for good u u 2 Kin. 3.13 Iehosaphat I would not looke towards thee ; so certainely were it not for the presence of the holy , the mercifull , the righteous , the Lord would not looke towards us , at least with any fauourable and shining countenance .

Reason . 2 Gods blessing doth attend the place where they are for their sakes , as the house of w w 2 Sam. 11.6 Obed-Edom was blessed for the presence of the Arke ; so doth God prosper the Kingdome , Towne , Family , where the righteous are for their sakes : thus Laban x x Gen. 30.30 prospered through the presence and service of Iacob ; and God blessed y y Gen. 29.3 , 23 Potipheas house for Iosephs sake .

Reason . 3 Their performance of religious and holy duties doth cause God to be graciously present in the place where they are ; if the Father have a child in a Towne , or Family , he will often visit that place , he will not be strange , but loving and kind to the people dwelling there . So God , where his Children are , there will he be graciously present , those places will he visit and there will shew much kindnesse , and bestow many favours ; for where two or three be gathered together in his z z Mat. 18.20 Name , in his feare , according to his word , to invocate and worship him , there will he be : for it is among the a a Rev. 1.13 . Candlesticks in the Church , among the beleevers , where the light of the truth shineth , where duties of godlinesse are exercised , that Christ walked , and shewed himselfe graciously present .

They are a safegard to the place and Reason . 4 people where they are , better then all walles , and Castles ; then all Armour and Munition ; able to doe more by their prayers , then the Souldiers with all their weapons ; as Origen saith , one holy man praying , can doe more then innumerable sinners can doe with fighting . Thus Moses b b Exod. 17 11. prevailed more by his prayers , then Ioshua with all his Souldiers against the Amalekites : and when the Emperour Marcus Aurelius was like to lose his Army through want of water , the Christians in his Army prevaled with God , and obtained raine . As they procure many favours , so they also prevent many evils , which would otherwise fall upon the place wher they live : c c Psal. 106 23. He would ( saith the Psalmist ) destroy them , had not Moses his servant stood before him in the breach to turne away his wrath , lest he should destroy them . So that as Nabals servants said of David and his men , d d 1 Sam: 25.15 , 16 The men were very good unto us , and we were not hurt , neither missed wee any thing as long as wee were conversant with them : when wee were in the field , they were a wall unto us both by night and by day : so may every Kingdome , Towne , and Family say of the holy and righteous servants of God , They have beene very good unto us , and wee have had no hurt while wee have been conversant with them ; they have beene a wall unto us , both by night and by day .

Reason . 5 Their example , their counsell , their instruction , their wisedome , their blamelesse walking , is of great force to restraine others from much evill , to allure and draw them ( at least ) to the outward performance of many good duties : as Husbands are wonne by the conversation of the wives , while they behold their chaste conversatiō coupled with feare ; e e 1 Pet. 3.1 , 2. wonne to approue of , and attend upon that word of God , which teacheth their wives to live so chastly , to walke so circumspectly , and to order themselves every way so holily , so meekely , so blamelesly , so that men that are strangers to the power of a godly life , are strongly wrought upon , and very much affected with , and wonne by the religious and gracious conversation of the Lords faithfull people . Even Saul will f f 1 Sam. 10.10 prophesie , when he is among the Prophets : the coldest stone will grow hot and full of burning being among the stickes in the fire : and Iustin Martyr confessed he was first turned to Christ by Christian Religion , through the admiration he had to behold the innocent and godly life of a Christian , hearing them pray for their good and preservation , who to the utmost endevoured and wrought their ruine : thus forcible , thus effectuall , thus prevalent is the example of a godly conversation . Now by the death of Gods people there is a removall of these priviledges , and so the place of their former abode is exposed to many miseries : for when the godly are removed , when the righteous are taken away ,

Then Religion and piety faileth , and they become like a people without g g Ephes. 2.12 . the Covenant , without God and Christ in the world .

Then good Government and even Civility falleth to the ground , like a House without a foundation , then all runneth to ruine like a Shippe without a Pilot : Therefore when the Lord would bring confusion upon Jerusalem for her sinne , what doth hee ? He taketh from Jerusalem and h h Isa. 3.1 , 2 , 3 Judah the stay and staffe , the whole stay of bread , and the whole stay of water , the mighty man , and the man of warre , the Iudge , and the Prophet , and the Prudent man , and the Ancient , the Captaine of fifty , and the Honorable man , and the Counsellor , and the cunning Artificer , and the eloquent Orator , and I will give Children to bee their Princes , and Babes shall rule over them .

Then there is none to stand up in the gappe , to turne away the wrath of the Lord from them , but as Souldiers rush in at the breaches made in the walles , when none are standing there to keepe them out ; so will all manner of plagues and miseries rush in upon the people , when the righteous , who should stand in the gap , are taken away from them : therefore when the Prophets saw vanitie , and a lying divination , when they forsooke the word of the Lord , and flattered the people in their sinne , then the Lord said , O Israel thy Prophets are like i i Ezek. 13.4 , 5. foxes in the De sarts , yee have not gone up into the gaps , neither made up the hedge , for the house of Israel to stand in the battell , in the day of the Lord . And againe in another place the Lord by the same Prophet saith , k k Ezek. 22 30 , 31 I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge , and stand in the gap before me for the Land , that I should not destroy it , but I found none : therefore have I powred out mine indignation upon them , I have consumed them all with the fire of my wrath , their owne way have I recompenced upon their heads .

Vse . This then discovereth the folly and impiety of such as love not , desire not , delight not in the presence of Gods holy and righteous people ; whose delight is not in then that l l Psal. 16.3 excell in vertue , as Christs is ; whose eyes are not upon the m m Psa. 101.6 . faithfull in the Land , as Davids was , but rather wish and labour their removall . Many there bee , to whom the presence of the righteous is like the n n 1 Sam. 6 1 , 5. Arke to the Philistines ; as that was a burden to their Land , and their God , & therefore they sent it away ; so are the people of God a burden , a trouble to many profane persons , a crosse , a contradiction to their doings , and therefore desire , and labour their absence : and what doe they hereby , but in the strength of their impiety , and multitude of their folly , involve themselves in remediles and irrecoverable miseries . The Sodomites tooke offence at Lots presence , but what became of them when Lot was gone ? Did not the o o Gen. 19.24 . fire and brimstone instantly consume them ? The presence of Moses was irkesome to Pharaoh , he was charged no more to looke him in the p p Exod. 10.2 , 8. face , but what ensued ? what was the issue of it ? were not all the q q Exod. 11 5. first borne in Aegypt thereupon destroyed . Pharaohs servants conceived Israel to be a r r Ezod 10 7. snare , to be instruments of much evill , endevoured their removall ; but when Israel was gone , what became of them ? Did not the s s Exod. 14 Red Sea swallow them the very day of Israels out-going . Thus you see how usually it fares with profane persons upon the removall of the righteous : and is it not strange that notwithstanding all this they should still distaste their presence , still wish and worke their absence ? Doe they not hereby plainely declare , and publikely proclaime , 1. That there is no t t 1 Ioh. 5.1 love of God in their soules , for how can a man love the father , and hate the presence of the child ? 2. That they have no union with Christ ; doe the living members in a body naturall , hate and wish each others removall ? was it ever heard ( saith the Apostle ) that a man did u u Ephes. 5 29 hate his owne flesh ; 3. That there is no saving grace , no presence , no powers of the spirit in such ; doth not every thing agree with , and rejoyce in its like ? Doe not waters agree and flow together in one Chanell ? And had these men the spirit of holinesse in them , could they grieve at the presence of Gods people ? Surely it is impossible ; for the Spirit of God is a Spirit of w w Phil. 2.1 , 2 fellowship , love , peace , joy , making men of one accord , and of one minde ; and when the righteous are gone , when the mercifull men are taken away , who shall stand in the gap then ? Shall the profane , shall the worker of iniquity ? What can he doe ; In what account are his prayers ? The blind man could see and say this ; God heareth not x x Ioh. 9 31. sinners ; their prayers are an y y Prov. 28.9 abomination in his presence , as Salomon doth assure us .

This must therefore teach us deepely to bewaile , and much to lament the losse of godly men , when they are taken from us ; and to feare the evils like to ensue upon their departure ; O Beloved , let us not , I beseech you , be like them of whom the Propht here speaketh , that did not consider , that did not lay to heart the taking away of the righteous from ensuing evils . Let us not be like Ephraim , whose strength was devoured by z z Hos. 7.9 strangers , and he knew it not , that had gray haires here and there , and much weakenesse comming upon him , and yet he knew it not : O let us not be unsensible of the declining and decay of our strength and stay , and of the miseries which are comming on us ; let us not be like a man in a Lethargy , that hath no feeling of the cutting off , and taking away of a member from him : but rather as David upon the fall of Abner refused to eate till the Sunne was gone downe , saying to his servants , a a 2 Sam. 3.35 , 38 , 39. know ye not that there is a Prince , and a great man fallen this day in Israel , and I am this day weake , and these men the sonnes of Zerviah be too hard for me : may not wee say the like in this behalfe ; is not the Church of God weake , are not the enemies thereof too strong ? Was not the man now fallen amongst us a Ruler , an eminent man in this place ? And is there not in this regard great cause of mourning ? Doubtlesse there is . For whensoever a good man doth fall ; 1. The Church of God on earth doth lose one member . 2. The place where they lived doth lose one Pillar , and so , like a house whose pillars faile , is much weakned . 3. Hereby we loose his presence , which was a whetstone to set b b Pro. 27.17 . edge upon us , whose face was , as Iacob said of Esaus , as the c c Gen. 33.10 . face of God unto us . 4. Hereby we lose his prayers , which were as buckets to bring much water out of the wells of Salvation to us . 5. Wee lose his instructions and counsels , which were as a shining Lampe , as a comfortable Guide to us in the way . 6 Wee lose his comforts , which were wont to be as the Apothecaries oyntments , as the sweete flowers of the Garden to our nostrils , as the Dove with her Olive d d Gen. 8.11 branch to Noah ; as the Wagons which Ioseph sent to old Iacob , the reviving of ours , as they were the e e Gen. 45.27 , 28. reviving of his heart . 7. We lose his helpe and assistance , which was wont like a strong arme to make our heavy burthen light , as a fountaine of living water to refresh us , as a firme & sure anker to stay us : & therfore as Israel f f Deu. 34.8 . wept 30. dayes for Moses , so have you great cause of sorrow and lamentation now for the taking away of this Moses , this servant of the Lord here before us : and also at other times whensoever the righteous doe thus perish , are thus taken away from the evils ensuing .

And now to say no more , here you see a shining starre in your Horizon set , a maine Pillar of your house fallen , a choice flower of your Garden taken away , a man eminent for his endowments , well known , & sufficiently tryed for his abilities : a man of whom ; 1. For his Religion , for his uprightnesse towards God I thinke I may say of him , as the Lord himself of Iob , g g Iob 1.1 . He was a perfect and upright man , one that feared God , and eschewed evill , a man that held fast his h h Iob. 2.3 . integrity , though there wanted not occasions and meanes to move and shake him ; as Satan moved God against Iob without cause to destroy him ; a man he was like the tree growing within the Courts of the Lords house , i i Psal. 92.12 . bearing much fruit in his old age . 2. For his publike Government , hee was like them prescribed by Iethro k k Exo. 12.21 to Moses , an able man , a man fearing God , a man of truth , & hating covetousnesse : a man in whom there was a sweet and powerfull concurrence of all requisite vertues for his calling and office and accordingly he proved a carefull Watch-man over this Towne and people : he did not like the evill servant hide his l l Mat. 25.30 talent in a napkin ; but his care , study , labour , travell was ( I am perswaded ) for the publike , common , and true good of this place and people . 3. He was in his domesticke Government like m m Gen. 18.19 Abraham , a man commanding , and teaching his children and household after him to walke in the wayes of the Lord ; a man like David walking in the middest of his n n Psal. 101.3 . house with a perfect heart . 4. Hee was towards Gods people kinde , loving , & amiable , shewing that his o o Psal. 16.3 . delight was in them that excell in vertue . 5. Hee was in his conference & communication , wise , grave , holy , full of heavenly discourse , p p Pro. 1● . 7 his lippes did disperse knowledge . I speake these things not to disparage any living , but to encourage such as knew him , to a carefull imitation of what was found praise-worthy in him . The richer his endowments , the greater your losse ; the more should bee your griefe , the greater your care to labour the reparation , and to stop the breach which God hath made by his fall : and whatsoever you have lost in him , labour to repaire and increase in your selves . 1. By growing in all grace , by being filled with all goodnesse , drawing nearer to God , in all things make his counsell your q q Psal. 73.24 . guide now , that he may receive you to his glory at the last . 2. By being diligent , faithfull , careful , conscionable in the imployment you have received , that so when you shall be as he is now , you may heare that sweete and comfortable saying of our Saviour , r r Mat. 25.23 . Well done thou good and faithfull servant , thou hast beene Ruler over few things , I will make thee Ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy LORD .

FINIS .

ELIAHS FIERY CHARIOT OR THE HOLY MANS TRIVMPH after Death .

A SERMON PREACHED at Plimouth the nineteenth of August 1631. At the Funerall of the late faithfull and worthy Minister of Jesus Christ , MATTHIAS NICOLS Bachelour in Divinity , and late Preacher to the Towne of Plimouth .

By A. G.

1 Sam. 25.1 .

And SAMVEL dyed , and all the Israelites were gathered together , and lamented him , and buried him in his house at Ramah .

Printed at LONDON , 1640.

ELIAHS FIERY CHARET OR , The holy mans Tryumph after DEATH . 2 Kings 2.11.12 .

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

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

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

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

I have beene to you of this place of late a Messenger , like b b 2 Sam. 18 Cushi to David , bringing nothing but sad and sorrowfull tydings of the fall of your friends and acquaintance ; like the Messengers comming to Iob one after another , with c c Iob. 1. tydings of taking away the sheepe , oxen asses , the death and slaughter of his servants , sonnes , and daughters . It was but on Tuesday last I brought you heavy tydings of the death of a pious and eminent Magistrate , and now am come again with the like sad and dolefull message , of the death and departure of your holy , faithfull , and painfull , Pastor : Of whom whiles they lived , I may say as David did of Saul and Ionathan , d d 2 Sam. 1.22 . from the blood of the slain , and the fat of the mighty , the bow of Ionathan turned not backe , and the sword of Saul returned not empty : so these , The sword of the one in the Magistracie , and the Bow of the other in the Ministery prospered and prevailed mightily : of that sweet communion which was betweene them , of the unparallel'd integrity of their conversations , agility , industry , un-weariedns in their callings , I may speak againe in the lāguage of David touching Saul & Ionathan , 2 Sam. 1.23 . They were lovely & pleasant in their lives , and in their death they were not divided ; they were swifter then Eagles , they were stronger then Lyons . And as to you who lately enjoyed the benefit , the comfort of their presence , labours , abilities , I may say once againe with David there , Ver. 24. Yee daughters of Israel weepe over Saul , who clothed you in scarlet with other delights , who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparell ; how are the mighty fallen in the midst of battel ? So in this case ; O Town , O People , O Congregation , weepe over these men , who lately sought your welfare , studyed your good , were instruments of your peace , of your honour , of your enrichment : whose endevours , whose desires , whose labours were to adorne you with the choisest ornaments , and to fill you with the sweetest delights . O how are these mighty men fallen in the middest of this Battell ! And touching him whose corps lyeth now before us , we may all say as David of Ionathan , Verse 26. Wee are distressed for thee , O holy , and godly Pastor , O zealous and and painfull Minister , very pleasant hast thou beene to us , thy love to us was wonderfull , passing the love of Women ; O how is this mighty man fallen ! and the weapons of his war perished ! And as Elisha in the Text upon the sight of Eliahs translation , so may we beholding the dissolution of this our Eliah , cry out , my Father , my Father , the Charet of Israel , and the Horsemen thereof .

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

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

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

1. Eliahs Translation . Behold there appeared a Charet of fire , and horses , of fire , and parted them asunder , and Eliah went up by a whirle wind into Heaven . 2. Elisha's Lamentation . And Elisha saw it , and he cryed : my Father , my Father , the Charets of Israel , and the Horsemen thereof : And he saw him no more : and hee tooke hold of his own cloths , and rent them in two pieces .

In the first of these , Eliahs Translation , we may consider ; 1. Motus : he went up . 2. Terminus a quo , from whence hee went up , from the Earth . 3. Terminus ad quem , to what place he went , into Heaven . 4. Instrumenta motus , a Charet of fire , Horses of fire , and a whirle winde .

In the second ; Elisha's Lamentation . There is , 1. Motivum : an Inducement to this lamentation : and this is threefold : the 1. externall , hee saw it ; the 2. internall , his affection : my Father , my Father : the 3. mixt , or experimentall , drawne from the defence ministred to Israel by Eliah , whereof Elisha was very sensible , and therefore called him , the Horsemen and Charet of Israel . 2. Here is Gradus , the degree of his griefe , nor a little , but much , hee cryed . 3. Incrementum doloris , the increase of his sorrow , that hee should see him no more . 4. Signum , the signe of his griefe and sorrow , hee tooke hold of his owne Cloths , and rent them in two pieces .

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

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

That the earth is not the abiding place of Gods people ; Doct. k k Heb. 13.14 . We have no continuing City here ( saith the Apostle ) but seeke one to come : 1. This is an enemies countrey , Satan is stiled the l l 2 Cor. 4.4 . God of this world : here we are m m Iohn 15.19 . hated , and therefore as Jacob , when he beheld that Laban's countenance was not towards him n n Gen. 31.2 as before , that he had ten times changed his wages , tooke his wives , children , ca … , and returned to his owne Countrey ; so we beholding how the world doth frowne upon us , how it doth exercise us with many changes , we should willingly forsake it , and gladly go to our heavenly home . 2. Our Christ , our Jesus is o o Luk. 24.6 risen , ascended , he is not here , and therefore as the Bee resteth not till he returne to his Hive , as the p p Gen. 8.9 . Dove found no resting place till she came againe unto the Arke , no more should we till we returne to our God , and our Jesus , and have the full fruition of their blessed presence in the heavens . 3. Our portion is not in this life , the men of the world have their q q Ps. 17.14 . portion here , our r r 1 Pet. 1.4 . Inheritance is reserved for us in the heavens : O therefore let us not labour for the bread which doth s s Ioh. 6.27 . perish ; let us not lay up for our selves treasure upon t t Mat. 6.19 20. earth , where the rust and the moath corrupt , and where theeves break thorough and steale , but let us lay up for our selves treasure in heaven . For this is the terminus ad quem ; the place whereunto we must move , as Eliah here did .

It is not long since Eliah ranne u u 1 Kin. 18.45 , 46. on foote , and Ahab rode in his Charet ; but now Eliah he hath a Charet , a Charet of fire , and Horses of fire , a bright , a glorious , and shining Charet , a company of blessed Angels to carry him into the holy and highest heavens . Let Ahab ride now , Eliah shall ride at the last . Gods people shall have their Charets one day as well as others . And here note :

Doct. That the future estate of Gods servants shall be very glorious , though for the present it be contemptible , and ignominious in externall appearance : the greatest honour of Gods servants is reserved till after their departure out of this earthly pilgrimage . Now indeed like Eliah , they walke on foote , but 〈◊〉 last they shall be like Eliah in his fiery Charet ; how they be like Ioseph in prison , then they shall be like Ioseph ruling in the sec … place in the Kingdome ; for 〈◊〉 they shall be next to God and Christ in the Kingdome of Heaven . 〈◊〉 Salomon had seene of old , * * Eccl. 10 7 servants upon horses , and Princes walking as servants upon the earth : so now , men that are slaves to their owne lusts , bondmen to Satan ; servants , yea drudges to the world , these are on horse-backe , exalted , preferred , endowed with earthly riches , worldly honours , but they who are Kings and Priests to God , these walke like servants on foote , these are in a low and despised estate for the most part ; but there is a day comming wherein the Lord will dispell all the clouds of ignominy now covering them , and cause a glorious Sunne to shine upon them : they shall then have a very glorious dwelling , x x 2 Cor. 5.1 a dwelling in the heavens , a dwelling made without hands , a City whose y y Heb. 11.10 . builder and maker is God , a dwelling so rich , so beautifull , so sumptuous , that in comparison hereof , the z z Dan. 4.30 Palace whereof Nebuchadnezzar so boasted , is but a base Cottage . Then they shall have a a a Luke 25.43 . Paradise , in respect whereof the most delightfull places , the pleasantest garden upon earth , are but a barren wildernesse : then they shall have treasure , in resp … whereof the choisest jewels are 〈◊〉 dung and drosse , such a tree to gather fruit from , as in regard thereof , the chiefe Vines are but brambles , and thornes , and briars , such a well-spring to drinke of , as in comparison thereof , the sweetest Wine is but slimy water , as it is very fully expressed by our b b Rev. 22.1 , 2. Saviour , Rev. 22.1 , 2. for then as Cyprian saith , Nihil deerit , nihil oberit , omne desiderium eorum Christus praesens implebit , non senescent , non tabescent , non putrescent ampliùs , perpetua san … , foelix aeteruitat beatitudinis illis sufficientiam confirmabunt●e then nothing shall be wanting , there shall be nothing which shall hurt : the blessed face and presence of Jesus Christ shall fully satisfie all their desires , &c. For

Then there shall be deliverance from all sin , then there shal be gardens without Reasons . 1 weeds , trees without either superfluous branch , or withered leafe , then there shall be garments c c Eph. 5.26 without either spot or wrinkle , as d d 2 Sam. 14 25. Absolon was said to be without bodily blemish , from the crowne of the head to the sole of his feete ; so shall Gods people at last be without all blemish both in their soules , and also in their bodies ; now they are as the Moone bright and glorious , yet as the Moone , so they have their spots , and are subject to spirituall waxings , and wanings , but at last they shall be as the Sun , wholly , unchangeably pure , glorious , in an estate more excellent then the estate of Adam in his innocency : in him there was a posse cadere , a possibility to fall , but Gods people shall be confirmed as the Angels of God , so that they shall be free from a possibility to be drawne to sinne .

Then there shall be a discharge from all weaknesses , maladies , distempers , disorders of nature , evils and inconveniences whatsoever ; then there shall be a cessation from all e e Rev. 21.4 . labour , a removall of all sorrowes , the f f Rev. 21.4 . first things shall passe away , the miseries , troubles , and changes attending this life shall be gone , like a Land floud that passeth by , like a cloud driven away by the wind , they shall be wasted away in death , done away in the grave , as the g g 2 King . 5.14 . Leprosie of Naaman in Iordan : they shall have an absolute and blessed freedome from all evils both inward and outward , of the body and of the soule , for they h h Rev. 7.16 17. shall hunger no more , neither shall thirst any more , neither shall the Sunne light on them nor any heat , for the Lambe which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them , and shall leade them unto living fountaines of water , and God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes .

Reasons . 3 Then they shall have victory over all enemies , then all adversarie powers shall vanish like smoake before the Sunne , and flie like the i i 1 Sam. 17 Philistin before Israel : now as Israel had the k k Iude 2.2 . Canaanites , so have we them that be thornes in our sides , and prickes in our eyes , now we are l l 2 Cor. 12 7. buffeted by Satan , now we are troubled with the pricke in the flesh : but then m m Rom. 16 20. Satan shall be troden under our feete , then our enemies shall be made our n n Math. 22 44. foot-stoole , then we shall have a perpetuall tryumph , we shall not feare an enemy , nor loose a friend .

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

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

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

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

This must teach the children of Vse 2 God constancy in the way and worke of God : there is a blessed Price at the end of this race , there is joy , peace , glory , fulnes , unutterable , g g Isa 64.4 . inconceiveable : O therefore bee not like Gideons many thousands which h h Judg. 7.5 , 6 , 7. fainted , which bowed downe upon their knees , and drunke of the waters , and so were discarded as unfit for the battell : be not afraid of any losse , of any trouble , of any inconvenience , having given your names to God ; O bow not downe againe to the World , be no more as servants to your lusts , or drudges to the earth : I beseech you say not with the sluggard , i i Prov. 26.13 . there is a Lyon in the way , a Lyon in the streete , feare not the Lyon of opposition , of reproach , of earthly losse , or transitory trouble , but goe on in the way of God , be faithfull in the Covenant of the Lord , be couragious in the service of our God : and then as the spirit of the Lord came k k Judg. 14.5 , 6 , 8. mightily upon Sampson , so mightily , that he rent the Lyon in pieces which roared against him , and found at length a Honey combe in the belly of him : so shall the Lord inable you to vanquish all oppositions , and draw very sweete comforts from your present disquietments . Let not the proverbe take hold of you , l l 2 Pet. 2.22 . the Dog is returned againe to his vomit , and the Sow to her wallowing in the mire ; be not like m m 1 Tim. 1.19.20 . Hymeneus and Philetus ; like unskilfull and cowardly marriners , that flie back or make shipwracke with every tempest : doe not with n n 2 Tim. 4.10 . Demas forsake Paul , leave the Ministery , become a stranger to the word , and forsake God , and goe back againe to this present World : be not like the disciples , which followed Christ for the o o John 6.66 . loaves , but afterwards went backe , and came no more to him : but like Gideons 300. Souldiers , goe yee on without fainting , without bowing down to the World : resolve in this , as Hester did in that case , p p Hester 4.16 . Hester 4. If I perish , I perish , whatsoever you loose , whatsoever you endure , here is an ample recompence : be you faithfull , be you upright , be yee constant as Eliah was , and you shall at last have a fiery Charet as Eliah had . Walke with God without wavering , as q q Gen. 6.9 . Noah did , as he ceased not from building the Arke , whatsoever discouragement was ministred , no more doe you cease to ad grace to grace , as the builders doe stone to stone , till you attaine perfection : and then as Noah had his Arke , was preserved in it when others perished , so shall you have safety , peace , joy , comfort , and everlasting tryumph , when others shall perish in the deluge of Gods judgements . Be constant as r r 1 Sam. 17 33.34 . David was , and then as he overcame the Beare , the Lyon , the great Goliah , and enjoyed the Crowne at length , so shall we the Crowne of glory at the last , if we s s Rev. 2.10 be faithfull unto the death : therefore with Moses seeing him that is t t Heb. 11.26 , 27. invisible , and having an eye to the recompence , let us chuse rather to endure affliction with the children of God , then to enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season : and knowing that we have an u u Heb. 10.34 . abiding substance in Heaven , let us with the primitive Christians take the spoyling of our goods joyfully . This is the property of true grace , this is peculiar to the man that is truely pious , w w Prov. 4.18 . to shine more and more like the light unto the perfect day : the Trees of Gods planting be known from all other trees , by bearing x x Ps. 92.13 . much fruit in their old age : this is that which hath the promise , who shall reape but hee that y y Gal. 6.9 . fainteth not ? And who shall bee saved , but he that z z 1 Mat. 13.13 . continueth to the end ? That corne alone which holdeth out unto the harvest , is gathered into the garner .

Vse 3 Is the future estate of Gods servants so pleasant , so eminent , so transcendently glorious ? Then this must cause the children of God to entertaine death with all cheerefulnesse ; how terrible so ever in it selfe , though it be as the Philosopher saith , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of all fearefuls the most fearefull ; or as Iob stiles it , the s s Job . 18.14 King of terror : though looked upon in it selfe , it be to the people of God , as once the face of Esau , a terror to Iacob , yet looking upon the glory , dignity , and fulnesse of all blisse which doth attend it , it should be to the people of God , as the face of Esau was at last to Iacob , even as the t t Gen. 33.10 , 11. face of God : in the thought of this we should rejoyce , as the hireling in his thoughts of the Evening ; as the traveller in the thoughts of his bed : as the warriour in the thought of the day of his triumph . For I may say to you of death , as Hugh Laverock said to his fellow Martyr Iohn a Price of the Lord of London : Be of good comfort my brother , for my Lord of London is our good Physitian , he will cure thee of all thy blindnesse , and me of my lamen●sse this day : so beloved , all yee that truly feare God , all that put away all filthinesse of the flesh , and perfect holinesse before him in feare , be of good comfort . Death will be your very good Physitian , it will cure all your diseases , end all your miseries , set you free from all troubles . And therefore as the people came readily to u u John 5.4 5. Bethesda to be healed of their infirmities ; as we come cheerefully to the Physitian ; so should wee to the grave ; for what is death to the people of God ? what is it to them to die ? but as the Inhabitants leaving of an old and ruinous house , the Musitians laying downe of a Lute whose strings are broken , the Carpenters putting aside of a worne Instrument , unfit for any longer service , or imployment ; what is Death to Gods children , but as a guest making hast out of his Inne to his long , his lovely , and desired home ; as the putting off of a worne , rotten , and ragged suite of apparell , to put on rich , and comly rayment ; for while we live , we are like w w Zach. 3.3 , 4 , 5. Josua the high Priest , clothed with filthy garments , but when we die , then we are like Iosua with a fair Mitre upon his head , and comely rayment about his back . And therefore we should earnestly desire to be x x 2 Cor. 5.8 . absent from the body , that wee might bee present with the Lord . For the day of Death to the body is ( as one saith ) the birthday of eternity to the soule : Seneca who saw the immortality of the soule , the future felicity of it , but as through a Cloud , by ifs , and ands , yet professeth , that when hee thought but a little of it , and had some pleasant dreames thereof , hee loathed himselfe , and all his trifling greatnesse : Socrates also sweetned his cup of poyson , with his discourse of the soules Immortality , to the amazement of the beholders : how much more should christian , and sanctified soules be ravished , affected , & enflamed with the meditation of it ! O how should this cause us to thirst after death , as y y 2 Sam. 23 , 15 , 16. David after the waters in the wells of Bethlem , and to breake thorough all difficulties , to attaine that immortall , and ever-blessed estate which to the people of God attendeth this life , as Davids Worthies brake thorough the hoast of the Philistins , to fetch them , waters ; and as Laurence Saunders kissed the stake , and said wilcome be the crosse of Christ , well-come be everlasting life : my Saviour began to me in a bitter cup , and shall I not pledge him ? so should wee entertaine death , as a very well-come guest , as a very deare friend , our soules should say within us , welcome bee death , welcome bee everlasting life , my Saviour is gone before me , and shall I not goe after him ? As the Lyon desires to goe out of the grate , the Eagle out of the cage , and the prisoner out of the prison-house , so should we with Paul desire to be z z Phil. 3.23 . dissolved , and to bee with Christ .

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

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

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

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

4. Recompence . 4. This is the day of their Recompence , now their f f Rev. 14.13 . workes follow them ; now is their harvest ; though heretofore they have g g Ps. 126.5 , 6. sowne in teares , yet now they reape in joy .

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

6. We shall shortly i i 2 Sam. 12 23. goe to them , they cannot returne to us , it is but a little while , and we shall for ever have k k 1 Thes. 4 : 13.14.17 . their fellowship in the Heavens .

7. God will be instead of all , God will be to the widow , to the woman that hath no husband , instead of a husband , to the fatherles child instead of a father , &c. As Elkāa said to Hannah grieving at the barrennes of her wombe , because she had no children ; l l 1 Sam. 1.8 . Why weepest thou ? and why eatest thou not ? and why is thy heart grieved ? am not I to thee better then ten sonnes ? So may I say in this behalfe , to every woman , every child , every parent , every friend , why weepe ye ? why eate ye not ? why are your hearts grieved ? Is not God to you in stead of ten husbands , ten children , ten friends ? surely in God is all fulnesse ; and as the Sun is instead of all Candles , so should the Lord be to us instead of all others , and infinitly more then all helpers , guides , staies , friends , and comforters : Let then the thought of their advantage , who are gone the way of all flesh before us , and the meditation of Gods constant , and never failing goodnesse , mitigate the sorrow , and sadnesse which doth usually attend our losse in this behalfe ; let their gaine asswage the griefe of our losse , and also quicken us to a carefull preparation , that whensoever the day of our dissolution shall come , we may also have a fiery Charet with Eliah to carry us into the heavens .

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

That the holy Angels carry the soules of the righteous at the day of their death into the heavens : they now m m Psa. 34.7 encampe about them , they now n n Heb. 1.13 minister for their good , and at last will carry their soules to heaven , as they carried o o Luke 16 22. Lazarus into Abrahams bosome .

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

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

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

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

Doct. That the death and departure of Gods faithfull Ministers ought to be deeply & affectionately bewailed by Gods holy servants ; as q q 2 Sam. 3.22 . David lamented , and all the people wept over Abner when he was slaine , being a great man in Israel , a man that went forth to gather all Israel unto David , so have we great cause to mourne for , and bewaile the death of the spirituall Captaines and Leaders , which are sent forth to gather the people unto God , and to r r 2 Cor. 5.18.19 . reconcile them , and bring them into Covenant with the Lord : thus Elisha here bewailed the translation of Eliah ; and King Ioash afterwards in the same words lamenteth s s 2 Kings 13 , 14. Elisha . Now Elisha was fallen sicke of his sicknesse whereof he died , and Ioash King of Israel came down unto him , and wept over his face , and said ; O my father , my father , the Charets of Israel , and Horsmen thereof . And this is a part of the Churches lamentation , t t Lam. 1.19 20. My Priests and mine Elders gave up the ghost in the Cty , behold O Lord , for I am in distresse : and this was a principall part of the peoples complaint , a great aggravation of their affliction , u u Psa. 74.9 We ( say they ) see not our signes , there is no more any Prophet , neither is there any among us that knoweth how long : and when Paul departed from the people of God at Ephesus , this was their great griefe , that they should see him no more , for at his departure from them it is recorded , * * Acts 20.37 , 38. that he kneeled downe , and prayed with them all , and they all wept sore , and fell on Pauls necke , and kissed him , sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake , that they should see his face no more : and that the people of God should thus deepely , thus affectionately bewaile the death and departure of Gods Ministers , there is great cause : for

Then they are without a Guide , as Reasons 1 children without a father to instruct , & governe them ; as a Ship without a Pilot to conduct them ; as an Army without a Captaine to order them ; as Sheepe without a Shepheard to lead them : so that as in the day of the King of Israels fall , the Prophet in vision , saw the people scattered like sheep without a x x 1 King . 22 17. shepheard , and as men having no master : So when the faithfull Minister of God , the spirituall Pastor is taken away , then are the people scattered abroad , as y y Mat. 9 36 sheep having no shepheard ; then they are as travellers without a guid : then they are as the Syrians , z z 2 Kings 6 18 , 19. that had their eyes put out , & went they knew not whither , into their enemies City , when they thought they had beene travelling to their owne Countrey ; so people , when the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell are taken from them , they be as men without eyes , they thinke they are in a good , when they are in a very evill estate ; in the way to life , when they be in the very gates of death ; for the Ministers are the eyes of the people , therefore called a a Isa. 30.10 Seers ; and as Moses said to Hobab , Numbers . Leave us not I pray thee , for as much as we are to encamp in the wildernesse , and thou mayest be instead of eyes to us ; so may the people say to the Minister of God , Leave us not we beseech thee , for as much as we are to travell thorow the Wildernesse of this World , and thou maist be to us instead of eyes : in stead of eyes to teach us to discerne the things which differ , to foresee evils to come , to shew us the mysteries of salvation , to guide us into the wayes of peace ; & therefore as it would grieve a man to have his eyes put out , so it should much grieve us to have the Ministers of God , our spirituall eyes , taken from us .

Then they are without spirituall food , as children that have lost their Father , their Mother , their nurse , are often without bodily food ; for the Ministers of God are their spirituall b b 1 Cor. 4.16 . Fathers , the c c 1 Thes. 2.7 . Nurses which must draw forth the breasts of spirituall consolations to nourish them , the shepheards which must d d Jer. 3.15 . Joh. 21.16.17 . feede them with knowledge and understanding , the e e Mat. 13.52 . stewards which must bring forth old and new out of their treasury , which must open and apply both the Law and the Gospell to their conscience : f f 1 Cor. 4.1 . faithfull stewards , g g 2 Tim. 2.15 . dividing the word aright , giving every one his portion , and that in due season . Without these there is a spirituall famine , a famine not of bread and water , but which is farre worse , a h h Amos 8.11 . famine of hearing the word of the Lord . Without these the people at the best are but like the sheepe brought by Labans daughters to the well , but could not drinke , till Iacob rolled away the i i Gen. 29 8 10. stone ; for what else doth an un-teaching Minister , but gather the people to the well , call them to the word , to heare the Scriptures ; but are unable to roll away the stone , to give the k k Neh. 8.8 sence as Ezra did , to divide the word , and give them waters out of the wells of life : and therefore as it would much trouble us to bee in a bodily , so should it much more disquiet us to bee under a spirituall famine .

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

Then they are without the meanes Reasons 4 of their spirituall freedom , easily taken and kept in the bondage of Satan ; when the Parents are gone , strangers use to make a pray of the children ; so when the Ministers of God are taken away , when the spirituall Parents are removed , then sin , Satan , and the world easily make a pray of the people ; for the faithfull Ministry of the Gospell is the thunder by which the divell must be cast down to the ground like r r Luke 10.18 . lightning : this is the warlike weapon which is mighty thorough God to cast downe the strong s s 2 Cor. 10 4.5 . holds of sinne ; as the walles of t t Jos. 6.20 . Ierico were throwne downe by the sounding of the Rammes hornes , so the walles of sinne , the strong holds of Satan are overturned by sounding forth the trumpet of the Gospell . Before Philip came to Samaria , Satan had the possession there , but when he came and preached the Gospell , then the u u Acts 8.8 9. uncleane spirits went out of many that were possessed with them ; thus is the Ministry of the word an instrument of victory to Gods people over the enemies of their salvation : but when the Ministry faileth , then Satans Kingdome is erected , then his throne flourisheth ; when the gardener is taken away , then the garden becommeth a wildernesse ; when the shepheard is gone , the flocke is scatered , the wild beast maketh a pray of it ; as the Psalmist saith in another case , w w Psal. 104 20 , 21. the Lord maketh darkenesse , & it is night , wherein all the beasts of the forrest doe creepe forth , and the Lyons roare after their prey ; so here when the Lord taketh away the light of the Gospell , bringeth darknesse , a spirituall night upon us , then sinne , and satan the x x 1 Pet. 5.8 roaring Lyon creepe forth , then they make a prey of the soules of men , then they fill them full of all uncleannesse , then the faithfull City becommeth an harlot , a denne of darknesse , a lodge of all uncleannesse : behold this in the Churches , once eminent , & famous for their knowledge , faith , and holinesse , but now very sinkes of sinne , and all abominations .

Then they are without their defence , Reasons 5 as a child when the father is dead , when the parents are gone , is in a sort without a Protectour ; as a flocke without a shepheard , lyeth open to the mouth of every Dog , Fox , Beare , Lyon , Theefe : therefore are the Ministers stiled , the Horsemen and Charets of Israel , because they are the strength and safegard of the place where they are : where the word of God is purely and sincerely taught , there God is after a peculiar manner present , shewing his power in the defence of the place and people : to the Minister of God hath made a very gracious promise , y y Ier. 1.18 , 19. Behold ( saith the Lord to Jeremy ) I have made thee this day a defenced City , and an iron Pillar , and brasen wall against the whole Land , against the Kings of Judah , against the Princes thereof , against the Priests thereof , and against the people of the Land : And they shall fight against thee , but they shal not prevaile against thee , for I am with thee to deliver thee . And the Lord is not onely a defence to the Ministers themselves , but also to the place and people where they are ; thus when the Syrians compassed the City Dothan where Elisha was , then were the mountaines full of Charets and Horses , the Angels of the Lord like an Army standing in the defence of Elisha , x x 2 Kings 6 16 , 17. so that the Syrians could hurt neither Elisha nor the place where he was : thus also when the a a 2 Chro. 11.13 , 14 , 16 , 17. Priests , the Levites , and such of the Tribes of Israel , as set their hearts to seeke the Lord God of Israel , came to Jerusalem , then they strengthned the Kingdome of Iudah , and made Rehoboam strong , even so many yeares as he walked in the waies of David and Salomon . It is not so much the number of the people , the great abundance of riches , and other munition and furniture , as holy and faithfull Ministers , pious and religious people , that are the strength , stay , & instruments of safety to a Kingdome , place or people : therefore when Iehosaphat sent forth them that taught in Iudah , and had the booke of the Law of the Lord with them , and went about throughout all the Cities of Judah , and taught the people ; then it is said , b b 2 Chro. 17.9 . the feare of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms of the Lands that were round about Iudah , so that they made no war against Iehosaphat : yea they did not onely forbeare to annoy and hurt him , but then also the Philistines brought Iehosaphat presents , and tribute silver , and the Arabians brought him flockes , seven thousand and seven hundred Rammes , and seven thousand and seven hundred He-goats : behold here the blessed safety , the great defence ministred to the place & people , where the Lord giveth faithfull and teaching Ministers to instruct them : see and consider in this , the singular good attendant upon , and derived unto the places which the Lord endowes with sanctified and able Pastors ; they by their labours convert many to true holinesse , fill the soules of many with much goodnesse , make them very fruitfull in the good workes of all righteousnesse , bring them to be Gods deare favourites ; they by their prayers also previle with God for the removall of much evill hanging over , and for the procuring of much good to the place and people where the Lord doth set them : and thus they are instrumentally a singular defence unto them , but these being removed , the people become like a City having neither wall nor watchman .

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

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

Reasons 8 Lastly then , they are , in a manner without religion , without piety , yea without God and Christ in the world : when the people were without the Law , and a teaching Priest , they were said to be i i 2 Chro , 15.2 , 3. without God . The taking away then of the faithfull Ministers being no lesse then a depriving of the people of their guides , food , comforters , meanes of spirituall freedome , instruments of defence , this robbing them of their glory , exposing them to the danger of Apostacy , and making them like men without God in the World , we cannot but confesse that the death and departure of Gods faithfull . Ministers ought to be deepely and affectionately bewailed by Gods holy servants .

Vse . This therefore serveth for the just and sharpe reproofe of all such as doe not heartily , feelingly , and affectionately bewaile the departure , death , and want of Gods faithful ministers , the removing of these cādlesticks , the going out of these bright and shining lights : many of us now are like Israel of old , weary of our heavenly Manna , as they of k k Num. 11.56 . theirs , and as they fell a lusting after the onions , and flesh pots of Egypt ' so doe many of us after the old Egyptian doctrine , though the Gospel was never taught amongst us , opened to us with such clearenesse , power , evidence , and demonstration of the spirit as now , yet because it hath been long continued , many begin to loath it , to grow very weary of it , to take , at least , no pleasure in it . It was Seneca his observation of old , Sol spectatorem non habet , nisi cum deficit , nemo observat Lunam , nisi laborantem , adeò naturale est magis nova quàm magna mirari ; the Sunne hath no beholder except eclipsed , no man observeth the Moone , unlesse when she is in travell ; so naturall it is unto us to admire new things , rather then great things : The doctrine which is stiled Popish we reject , because it hath an old name , but let the same doctrine come under a new name , a doctrine as like the Popish , as one egge is like another , as the Sunne that shines now , is like that which shined many yeeres agoe ; or rather if yee will , as the bramble which groweth now , is like the bramble which grew a hundred yeeres since ; though a man might say to the teachers and embracers of it ; as the Prophet to Jeroboams wife disguising her selfe , l l 1 King . 14. come in , come in , thou wife of Jeroboam , why fainest thou thy selfe to be another then thou art ? So we in this case , for as she was the same woman , onely her apparell and gesture was changed , so let this be the same doctrine with that which we call Popish , yet because under a new name , a little disguised , somewhat arrayed in another apparell , it will be by some highly esteemed , strongly imbraced , the fall of truth and faithfull Ministers of God not at all bewailed : and what doe men by this declare , but that 1. They were never of m m Ioh. 18.37 Ioh. 2.19 . the truth . 2. That they never unfainedly n n 1 Thes. 2.10 loved the truth . 3. That they never o o 1 Pet. 2.2 , 3 felt the saving power nor heavenly comforts of it , if they had tasted the sweetnesse of it , been acquainted with the joy and peace which this ministreth , had they seene the beauties , the glory and excellency of God in it , then as Peter beholding the glorious transfiguration of our Saviour , said , p p Mat. 17.4 . It is good being here , let us build three Tabernacles , &c. so would they say , it is good being under the Gospel , it is pleasant , it is comfortable being here , let us build our Tabernacle here , O let us dwell under this forever .

This must therefore move us to bewaile the losse of Gods faithfull Ministers , the removing of these comfortable and shining Candlesticks ; as the childe bewaileth the losse of his parent , the Traveller the losse of his Guide , the Patient the death of his Physitian , the Army the fall of their Generall ; and as all Israel was gathered together , and p p 1 Sam. 25.1 lamented the death of their Samuel : so have you great cause to lament the death of your Samuel , the departure of your faithfull Pastor : As Ionah was much grieved at the q q Ionah 4.6 , 7 , 8. withering of the Gourd , which was a shadow over his head , a comfortable protection and refreshment to him , so have you great occasion to be grieved much at his withering , at his dissolution , who was a shadow , an instrument of much , of sweet refreshment ( whiles he lived ) to your soules . And as Hagar sate downe and r r Gen. 21.16 . wept because her bottle was empty , so have you great cause now to sit downe and weepe , because the well which was wont to send forth waters of consolation , is now dryed up : for now you may behold how your Eliah , like him of old , though not in body , yet in soule is gone in his Fiery Charet into Heaven ; he who shined like the Sun to you of this place for some yeeres , is now gone downe from your Horizon , whom your eyes shall see no more till the morning of the Resurrection : the s s Mat. 13.22 . Tree whose fruit lately fed you , whose branches lately shadowed and refreshed you , is now withered , dead and dry , no more fruit to bee gathered from him : he that was in some respect the Father , the Charets and Horsemen of this place , is now like Eliah parted asunder from you ; he that stood like t t Ge. 29.8 , 10. Jacob , to roll away the stone from the Well , to open and give you the sence of the Scriptures , can now no more doe that office for you : He that lately stood like a u u Isa. 60.6 . Watchman upon your walles , to awaken you , to warne you , is now by death put to silence , and can no more call upon you : hee who of late like a good Steward brought out of his store-house old and new , brake the bread of life amongst you , hath now given account of his stewardship , and shall no more bee steward over you . God gave you a great blessing in him , the Lord grant there be no curse attend his removall . Sure I am as the people said of David , w w 2 Sam. 18.3 . thou art worth ten thousand of us ; so may we say of him , he was worth a great number of them that doe survive him : the greater was his worth , the more should be your griefe , yet as our Saviour said to the daughters of Jerusalem , x x Luk. 23.28 . Daughters of Jerusalem weep not for me , but weep for your selves and for your children ; so may I say to you , weep not for him that is now departed from you , but weep for your selves & for your children , for the great losse you have taken ; as for the gaine which hee hath gotten , the crowne which he hath won , there is cause of rejoycing : for hee you well know , was a man in whom there was a rare confluence of all vertues , as of lines meeting in one Center , streames running into one Ocean ; there was indeed a singular compleatnesse in him , his soule was a rich store-house , a glorious garden , having jewels and flowers of all sorts , a Tree laden with all kind of fruits : I may say of him as Horace in another case , — Micat inter omnes Iulium sydus , velut inter ignes Luna minores : and as the people said of y y 1 Sam. 10.22 . Saul in regard of his endowments , He was the head and shoulders above many others : For

1. The Lord enriched him with much knowledge , according to the prophesie hee was filled with this , as the Sea with z z Isa. 11.6 waters , his Lampe was full of this oyle ; hee was as our Saviour said of the Baptist , a bright and shining a a Iohn . 5.35 . light , the Lord gave him the tongue of the learned to minister a word in b b Isa. 50.4 . due season . 2. The Lord replenished him with such a rare dexterity , singular wisdome , to discerne , advise , and give counsell fit for every estate and undertaking : of whom I may say in this behalfe , as Pharaoh of c c Gen. 40.38 , 39 Ioseph , Can we finde such a man as this was , a man in whom the spirit of God was ; surely there are few so discreet and wise as he was . 3. He was diligent and laborious in his calling , a good Steward , ever breaking the bread of life amongst you , a loving Nurse alwayes drawing forth his breast unto you ; he was not a cloud without raine , a Well without water , he did not hide his talent in a napkin ; hee did not put his light under a bushell ; but as the Sun doth often visit the earth , so did hee this place : as Paul said of the Macedonians in regard of their contribution to the Saints , to d d 2 Cor. 8.3 . their power , and beyond their power they were willing : so this man in his calling was willing to his power , and as some conjecture , beyond his power in regard of his bodily infirmities . 4. He was not onely diligent in his calling , but also profitable in his teaching , it was not e e Ier. 23.28 chaffe , but good wheat which hee sowed amongst you , not the sand of humane devices , but the firme and sure Rocke of Gods Word , did he lay as a foundation for you thereon to build ; hee sought not with humane eloquence , vaine flashes , idle quirks , phantasticall conceits , and f f 1 Cor. 8.3 . inticing words of mans wisedome to please men , but his labour was to speake and preach in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power ; that your faith might not stand in the wisdome of men , but in the power of God : and this indeed is not the least part both of the wisdome and fidelity required of Gods messengers to stoop to the capacitie of the people , to present the counsell of God plainely to their understanding . Bonorum ingeniorum est insignis indoles ( saith Augustine ) in verbis verum amare , non verba : quid enim prodest clavis aurea si aperire quod volumus non potest , aut quid obest-lignea , si hoc potest , quando nihil aliud quaerimus nisi ut pateat quod clausum est ? This is a singular property of wisedome , in words to love the truth , and not the words : what doth a golden key profit if it cannot open what we would have unshut ; what doth a wooden key hurt or hinder , if it can open , when as wee desire no more but that which is shut may be opened , that which is hidden may be unfolded ? he is surely in Gods schoole the best scholler in Gods Church the most eminent and worthy teacher , that doth with most clearenesse , plainenesse , power , fulnesse and evidence of the spirit open and apply Gods counsels to the consciences of the hearers . 5. He was also in his discourse very holy , and profitable , a seeds-man alwaies sowing , a light alwaies shining , very constant in doing good by his communication . 6. Hee was in the order of his conversation very sincere and upright , so farre as ever I observed , and I am perswaded it was the joy and g g 2 Cor. 1.12 . rejoycing of his heart , that he had his conversation in sincerity and uprightnesse , and not in fleshly wisedome . 7. Hee was very friendly to Gods people , with them hee delighted to converse , Gods image , true goodnesse in them , was a load-stone very powerfull to move and draw his affection . 8. He was open-handed to such as needed , ready out of his fulnesse to powre plentifully into such vessels as hee found empty . 9. By his conversation he gave a good example , hee did not build with one hand and pull downe with the other , but his doctrine and his conversation were at a sweet agreement , like Ruth and Naomi they went hand in hand together . 10. He was not one in publike , another in private , but every where the same ; as they said of Valerins Court , so may wee say of his house , it was a Church of God in regarded of the holy orders orderly there observed , and religious duties there performed . Now therefore walke ye in that light which hee hath caused to shine unto you , bring forth the fruit of that seede which he hath sown among you , and build up that sacred and saving truth which hee hath proposed and set before you . And now lastly ;

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

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

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

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

4. Remember that of the Lord to Samuell , n n 1 Sa. 16.7 . judge not after the outward appearance ; and take this for a sure rule , that God doth not alwayes doe the greatest works by men of greatest earth-abilities : the Lord over-turned the Midianitish hoast by a o o Jud. 7.23 barley cake , by p p Judg. 6.15 . Gedion whose family was poore in Manasseh and that was the liast in his fathers house : the Lord caused the q q Exod. 17 6 waters to come forth out of the rocke , by no other , no worthier instrument , then the stroke of a rod. It was not in Sauls armour , but with a r r 1 Sa. 17.54 . sling and a stone that God enabled David to overthrow Goliah , and delever Israel . They were Trumpets neither of gold nor silver , but s s Ios. 6.20 rams hornes , contemptible things in the eyes of men , which God caused the Priest to sound , and at whose sounding the walles of Iericho fell . And the Psalmist telleth us , that God hath ordained strength out of the 〈◊〉 . 8.2 . mouthes of babes , and sucklings : and the Apostle layeth it downe as a generall and constant rule , the u u 1 Cor. 1.26 , 27 , 28 , 29. foolishnesse of God is wiser then men , and the weakenesse of God is stronger then men : for yee see your calling brethren , how that not many wise men after the flesh , not many mighty , not many noble men are called , but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wife : and God hath chosen the weake things of the world , to confound the things which are mighty ; and base things of the world , and things which are despised hath God chosen ; yea and things which are not , to bring to nought things which are : and he rendreth the reason of the Lords so doing , that no flesh should glory in his presence : Thinke on these things , and be not wise in your owne eyes ; this have I spoken not as vnder-valuing abilities humane , but as advising that you fasten not your eyes too much upon them , least they prove a sandy foundation . And as for him that shall succeed your now deceased Pastor , my prayer is , that as the spirit of Eliah was doubled upon Elisha , so the spirit of this man may be doubled on him that shall in this place succeed him , that hee may prove to you as a bright and a shining starre to leade you , as the starre led the wise men to Christ Iesus ; and as the fiery pillar conducted Israel form Egypt to Canaan , so may he lead you from the Egypt of sinne , and bondage of Satan , to the heavenly Canaan , that place of glory , rest , peace , and all fulnesse , which God hath provided for his children in the holy and higest heavens .

Laus Deo soli . FINIS .