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…

Whereas we should not seek so much the Fleece as the Flock, we should not take oversight of a ⟨image 88⟩Congregation for love of their pay, but of their souls; not, 'tis an excellent good living, as one said I have heard of, let me have their Tithes, and let their souls go to the Devil; but as the Apostle, I seek not yours, but you, 2 Cor. 12.14. And I hope there be many hundreds can say, it hath been the peoples souls they have more loved and affected, than any thing that the people had. 4. Once more: We must love them, and love them tenderly; why, and yet leave them? Yes my Beloved, we are so to love our People, as to venture any thing for them, but our own damnation. I come not here to throw fire-brands, I bless God I have a most tender affection for all my Brethren in the Ministry; and though I am not satisfied my self, yet I condemn no man; I believe there be many of them do as conscientiously subscribe, as deny to subscribe. I protest in the fear of God, I cannot subscribe, perhaps it is because I have not that light as others have; for he that doubts, saith the Apostle, is Damned. My Beloved, I hope you would not have us sin against God and our own consciences: it is not my Living that I desire, but my Office to serve my Lord and Master; but if we should, to keep communion with you, lose our communion with God, this is the ready way to have all our labour and pains lost; but as David said, (and Oh that I could speak it with as good hopes as David!) Zadock, carry back the Ark of God, If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his Habitation, &c. 2 Sam. 15.25. Brethren, I could do very much for the love I bear to you, but I dare not sin; I know they will tell you, this is Pride and Peevishness in us, and are tender of our Reputation, and we would fain all be Bishops, and forty things more: but the Lord be witness between them and us in this. Beloved, I prefer my Wife and Children before a blast of air of peoples talk; I am very sensible what it is to be reduced to a morsel of bread: let the God of Heaven and Earth do what he will with me, if I could have subscribed with a good conscience, I would; I would do any thing to keep my self in the work of God, but to sin against my God, I dare not do it.

Whereas we should not seek so much the Fleece as the Flock, we should not take oversight of a