[ 1069] The hasty unexpected death of friends, not to be matter of excessive sorrow.
A Bijah the Prophet meets with Jeroboams wife,* 1.1 and tells her that he was sent with heavy news,* 1.2 and with that especially, Thy childe shall die: And which might add the more unto her sorrow, Thy childe shall die assoon as thou enterest thy foot into the City, so that she could not so much as speak to him, or see him alive; And it was so, which was the occasion of a Nationall mourning, there being in him bound up the hopes of all Israel: And thus it is, that many judge it very heavy tydings, to hear of the early, untimely deaths of friends and acquaintance, that like grapes, they should be gathered before they be ripe, and as Lambs slain before they be grown. But why should they judge so? Why take on so with grief and sorrow? It is true,* 1.3 that Tears are sutable to an house of mourning, so that Moderation lends a Napkin to dry up the excess of weeping: Consider then that nothing hath befallen them, but that which hath done, may do, and often doth betide the best of Gods dear Children. No Man grieves to see his friend come sooner then ordinary, more speedily then usually others do, to be Rich and Honourable, or to see his friend or childe outstrip others in learning and wisdom, to have that in a short time which o∣thers long labour for: Why then should any Man be troubled,* 1.4 but rather count it matter of joy, when their Children or friends by death obtaine so speedily such a measure of spirituall Riches, and such a height of heavenly glory in so short a time; besides, they have this benefit before those that live longer, they are freed from the violence of the Wine-press that others fall into, and escape many storms that others are fain to ••ide through.