Wesley Corpus

Page 179 "He took up the mantle of Elijah." II. Kings ii. 13. We gather up with pious care What happy saints have left behind, Their writings in our memory bear, Their sayings on our faithful mind; Their works which trac'd them to the skies For patterns to ourselves we take, And dearly love, and highly prize The mantle for the wearer's sake. "He took up the mantle that fell from him." II. Kings ii. 13. Ascending to be cloath'd upon With purest robes of heavenly light, (Robes that outshine the noon-day sun) He drops his mantle in his flight! Divested of mortality He needs it not to wrap his face, Allow'd his God unveil'd to see, And strong to bear the glorious blaze! "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" II. Kings ii. 14. When saints forsake our mean abode, Our hearts should after them ascend, Enquire, Where is Elijah's God, The God of my translated friend? His God, and mine, for ever lives, Giver of immortality, And who but now my friend receives, Shall send the chariot soon for me! "They sought, but found him not." II. Kings ii. 17. To traverse hills and dales is vain, Or search the world around, It cannot bring us to the man On earth no longer found: