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…

10. Weak persons are many times the troublers, and very dangers of the Church; many calamities have been occasioned by them; the sins of professors have occasioned the displeasure of God on the Church; their errors hindered truth, and made divisions. When Christians have not so much strength as to know Truth from Error, that hearkens to every one that speaks with likeness: What have these Christians done in the Church? what mercies have been driven away, so far, that I think the Church of God, from the Apostles days till now, have suffered more by the sins of Professors, then the malice of their Enemies! and how canst thou expect God will save thy soul, when thou hast set the Church on fire, and been so great hindrance to others, that many should perish occasionally by thy example? &c. The greatest sufferings ⟨image 44⟩of the Church have come from the miscarriages of the Church.

10. Weak persons are many times the troublers, and very dangers of the Church; many calamities have been occasioned by them; the sins of professors have occasioned the displeasure of God on the Church; their errors hindred truth, and made divisions. When Christians have not so much strength as to know Truth from Error, that hearkens to every one that speaks with likeness: What have these Christians done in the Church? what mercies have been driven away, so far, that I think the Church of God, from the Apostles days till now, have suffer'd more by the sins of Professors, then the malice of their Enemies! and how canst thou expect God will save thy soul, when thou hast set the Church on fire, and been so great hindrance to others, that many should perish occasionally by thy example? &c. The greatest sufferings ⟨image 44⟩of the Church have come from the miscarriages of the Church.

11. Such have been the great dishonours of Christ: but the Graces of ancient Christians, the glory of their professions, their Charity Self-denial, Heavenly-mindedness, Patience, &c. have preached the Gospel to the World more effectually then ever their words could do. God expects your lives should be a considerable means for the conversion of wicked men: the same God that hath commanded Ministers to teach others by their Doctrine, hath commanded you should live for the conversion of the World, that you zeal, humility, patience, charity, self-denial should win souls to God: and if it be a sin to give over preaching when we may, surely so to give over living, &c. If woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel, then woe unto you if you by your lives preach not the Gospel. How many sinners have you about you? and how do you wrong and rob the ungodly of that Ordinance God hath appointed for their conversion and salvation? You are the persons that take the bread out of their mouths, the means that should save them out of their hands, while you deny them one of the commanded means of salvation, that is, the eminent example of your lives: And if it be so great a sin to stop Preachers mouths, how great a sin to neglect this Ordinance? Nay, are you not a dishonour and disgrace to the Church? Is it not because of Professors ill lives, that the profane deride Religion, while they see not the glory in it that should over-power an unbelieving and denying soul, and should indeed effectually manifest its excellency? Are these the Professors, that are proud, stubborn, passionate, censorious, self-conceited, contemptuous, & envious as any others? I know the World is apt enough to slander, and the Servants of God to bear a world of unjust reproaches: but oh! that there were not this occasion, &c.