AN
ELEGY
On the much lamented Death of,
THOMAS JEKYLL, D.D.
Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty: And Preacher
at the New Chapel in Westminster, who departed this Life on Sunday
the 2d. of this Instant October.
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HIS Prayr's at last are hear'd, and Heav'n has gain'd
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The Prize we wish.d might late have been obtain.d
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And tho' so many Vows were daily paid,
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That what we Fear'd might be at least Delay'd,
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Till some kind moment should another give
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Whence we might draw instructions how to live,
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Yet Since we pray'd for what He least desir'd,
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Fate did the work He'd have, and He expir'd.
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And now ye weeping Crouds which us'd to wait
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Assur'd of help, since at this Preacher's Gate
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Lament your joys and comforts which are Red
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And mourn His Death in whom ye all are Dead.
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Tell me, Ah! tell me, whom He's left behind
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So just, so good, so hospitably kind,
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So rich in merit and so poor in Mind?
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Who shall His Counsels with His bounty give,
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And Life preserving Teach ye how to Live?
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But see, not only these have cause to wear
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Sad Sable, and in mournful weeds appear,
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The Rich should also Tears in Sorrow shed.
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Since they best knew the worth of Him that's Dead
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Wherefore ye Men of Wealth, and Men of Power,
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Who now with us bewail the Fickle Hour,
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And weep for Him whose only Death should have
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Fountains of Tears to stream a round His Grave,
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Aloud your Sorrows and your Sighs bestow,
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And for Him who taught union Tears united show.
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When now Departed Saint behold and see
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What we have lost in Singly loseing Thee,
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How Sighing Crouds attend Thee to Thy Tomb,
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And in thy Death all fear a Gen'ral Doom.
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Which Heav'n prevent, tho' its destructive laws
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Have for such sad surmises given cause
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And as such Sins as ours, good Teachers need,
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Give us a good one that may Him succeed,
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And tho' the best of those who live, can ne'r
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Entreat of God so well as Him, to spare,
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Yet still the Best may lessen those high Crimes,
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Which he, if living, had extinguish'd to succeding times.
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Within this marble Stone doth rest,
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Of Men, and humane Race, the Best,
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An Excellent and Painful Preacher,
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A Pious and an Humble Teacher,
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Whose Doctrine tho' it could not save
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Himself, from the remorsless Grave,
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Has Taught us all the Way to be
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Alive as to Eternity.
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