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THe direction to be observed about the right and best use concerning Guides, is, so to set them before us, as we may endeavour to be like unto them: and that whether they be living or dead; whether of later or ancienter times. There is mention made of a Star which certain wise men of the East so fixed their eyes upon, as they followed it, till at length they came to Ierusalem, and from
thence to Bethlehem, where they found Jesus, Matth. 2. 1, &c. Thus must we set our eyes upon such Guides as God doth set before us, and follow them till we may come to that place where Jesus now is: Thus shall we honour them. This is in∣deed the greatest honour that we can do to them. Hereby we make a supply of them in Gods Church, they being taken away; so as the Church doth the less miss them. Elijah was the less missed, because Elisha was indued with his spirit. This therefore brings a great benefit to the Church of God.
The greatest benefit of imitating our Guides redoundeth to our selves. We being like to them shall receive from God such approbation and acceptation as they received: we shall finde such consolation in our own souls while here we live, and when we are dead partake of their glory. Their virtue will live in us. Abels offering his sacrifice in faith, will make us so to offer up our spirituall sa∣crifices. Enochs walking with God, will make us in all things to eye God. Noahs uprightness will make us upright. So the graces of others will be wrought in us.
Finally God hereby will be much honoured, in that fear, service, praise, and other duties are perpetually performed by mortall men, which have but a time to be here in this world. For as they who are departed have served him in their generation, others who imitate them will serve him in succeeding generations. So as the eternall God will be served from generation to generation.