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…

First, We ought to love the Saints in what condition soever they are, although they be poor in the world, low in their condition, for commonly so it is. They that have the lowest hearts, have the lowest ⟨image 71⟩condition too. I read of the King of the Moors, that he was offended at the Christians because of their poverty: and truly when wicked men do fleece the Saints, it is no wonder if they be poor: methinks grace in a poor man, is like a Pearl that lies in the dust, or like a cloth of Gold that is hid under Rags; you must love the Gold, that is, the Grace, notwithstanding the Rags. The poorest Saint alive hath the Angels riches; the poorest Believer is a Member of Christ, and shall we not love him? we love the picture of a friend although it be hung in a mean frame: we must love a rich Christ in a poor man.

First, We ought to love the Saints in what condition soever they are, although they be poor in the world, low in their condition, for commonly so it is. They that have the lowest hearts, have the lowest ⟨image 71⟩condition too. I read of the King of the Moors, that he was offended at the Christians because of their poverty: and truly when wicked men do fleece the Saints, it is no wonder if they be poor: methinks grace in a poor man, is like a Pearl that lies in the dust, or like a cloath of Gold that is hid under Rags; you must love the Gold, that is, the Grace, notwithstanding the Rags. The poorest Saint alive hath the Angels riches; the poorest Believer is a Member of Christ, and shall we not love him? we love the picture of a friend although it be hung in a mean frame: we must love a rich Christ in a poor man.

Secondly, We are to love the people of God although they have many weak infirmities: show me the man that is perfect, and let him throw the first stone, even the best. Saints like the Stars they have their twinkling, they have their blemishes and their failings: in some there's too much pride, in others too much censoriousness, in others too much rash anger and passion, but we must love the Grace that is in them, notwithstanding the infirmities that are in them: you love Gold though in the oar, and mixed with much impurity; a Saint on earth, is like a Diamond that hath its flaw, like to the Rose that is sweet and perfumed, but yet hath its pricks. The best Saints have some mixture and infirmity, and we must love them for the good that is in them: this is our great fault, we are apt to over-look all the good, and so take notice of the stain and blemishes in them; as those that see a little stain in a piece of Scarlet, despise the cloth for the stains sake; so do we. But God doth not do so by us, he is pleased to over-look many sad failings, he seeth the Faith, and winks at the failings of his people; you that cannot love a Brother because you see an imperfection in him, would you have God do so by you, would you have him damn you for every blemish of sin?