A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…

8. And lastly, If you would be able to hold fast the truths of God, then commend your selves and the truths you would hold, to God in Prayer, and beg of God to hold you, that you may keep his truth: Put up those requests to God, that David doth Psal. 15. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not; and in the 119. Psalm, Be surety for thy Servant for good, hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. And thus my Brethren, I have done with this Doctrine, and this Sermon, and as far as I know, with my Preaching in this place. The day is at hand, wherein I, and many others of my Brethren shall be (through not naturally dead, yet) civilly dead, dead in Law, dead as to the work of the Ministry. And, as I told them of this particular Congregation the last Lords day, so I tell you; know what I would be willing to speak to you, if I lay on my death-bed, and had the exercise of Reason and Memory that I have now: look, I say, what I would say to you, if I now lay on my death-bed, the same I shall speak to you now, through Gods assistance; and first, I would, and in some measure do give thanks to God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, that hath called me, a poor unworthy Creature, not only to the knowledge, but to the Preaching of the Gospel […] his Son Jesus Christ, and that in this place, and in this part of the […] and hath pleased in mercy to continue life and liberty to […] work here, almost Twenty six years. Secondly, I would be, […] I am in some measure, thankful to God, and to his people, both of this Town, and of the Neighbour-hood, for a great deal of love […] respect, ⟨image 129⟩and encouragement, that they have given to my Person and Ministry here; and particularly I do acknowledge my self to be greatly obliged to my Reverend Brethren, the Neighbour-Ministers, for the much love I have received from them, their readiness to help me, in supplying my place in the time of my sickness or absence, and sweet society I have had with them: I believe you think it is no easy thing for me to speak, or think of parting with such an Auditory and society, the like to which I never look to have on earth again. But seeing for my sins, and your sins, God will have it so, we must submit, and lie at his feet: that which he hath made crooked, who can make straight?

8. And lastly, If you would be able to hold fast the truths of God, then commend your selves and the truths you would hold, to God in Prayer, and beg of God to hold you, that you may keep his truth: Put up those requests to God, that David doth