The righteous mans death lamented. A sermon preached at St. Austins, London, Aug.23. 1662…

First, Let us labour to make the best use we can of our godly friends and Ministers before they are gathered, let us do as Elisha did, he was told that his Master Elijah was to be taken up to Heaven, and therefore he would never leave him till he had got the spirit of Elijah doubled upon him: If Elisha had not thought that Elijah would have been taken up that day, he would never have followed him so punctually and inseparably as he did. O beloved, did you believe that text, Zach. 1.5. of which we have often had experience, your fathers, where are they; and the Prophets, do they live for ever? Indeed if they did live for ever, we might get good from them when we please, because we are sure never to lose them; but they live not for ⟨p. 14⟩ever, but must perish, and be taken up to heaven: And therefore whilst we have them, let us make what use we can of them, before they be taken away from us. It is a great fault among the people of God, that they make no more use of their godly Friends and Ministers. I have known many that have godly Relations that have died, that it hath been the greatest burden on their Consciences, that they got no more good by those godly Relations while they lived. Many of us deal with our Ministers as we do with a strange sight that is to be seen near our doors; we are not much solicitous when we see it. But a stranger that comes from a far Country, is curious, and very careful presently to see it. So do we in this City especially, I have had experience of it by being here many years; strangers that come out of the Country, many times get that good by a Minister, that his own people do not, because they think their Minister is continually with them: But a stranger knows he is there but for a day, and he hears so, that he carries Christ home with him, and a great deal of consolation also. Beloved, this is a great fault; I beseech you remember, the righteous must be gathered; let us therefore do with them as we do with Books that are borrowed; if a man borrows a Book, he knows he must keep it but for a day or two, and therefore he will be sure to read it over; whereas if the Book be a mans own, he lays it aside, because he knows he can read it at any time. Remember, your Ministers are but lent you, they are not your own, and you know not but God may take your Elijahs from you this night:

First, Let us labour to make the best use we can of our godly friends and Ministers before they are gathered, let us do as Elisha did, he was told that his Master Elijah was to be taken up to Heaven, and therefore he would never leave him till he had got the spirit of Elijah doubled upon him: If Elisha had not thought that Elijah would have been taken up that day, he would never have followed him so punctually and inseparably as he did. O beloved, did you believe that text,