The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermonThe pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon

Beloved friends, I esteem it my duty and privilege that I may write after the Apostles pious copy, ye are the people to which I was first called to be a Pastor, though opportunity hath sometimes been offered for greater preferment, yet I still waved all thoughts of leaving my first love and removal to any other Parish. I have been amongst you these eleven years, and cannot wholly complain that I have spent my strength in vain, and laboured in vain, some have acknowledged that they are the seals of my Ministry; Others, that God hath made me instrumental for their increase in grace. Gods power hath appeared in my weakness, and his mercy been manifest in my unworthiness, yet alas how many of you have had the dark side of this glorious pillar of the Gospel all this while towards you, which is matter of sad lamentation. O how speechless will they be at the day of Christ, who after so many years public and private preaching of the word to them shall be found in a Christless, graceless estate; surely none sink so deep into Hell, as they who are pressed down thither under the weight of the Gospel.

Beloved friends, I esteem it my duty and priviledge that I may write after the Apostles pious copy, ye are the people to which I was first called to be a Pastor, though opportunity hath sometimes been offered for greater preferment, yet I still waved all thoughts of leaving my first love and removal to any other Parish. I have been amongst you these eleven years, and cannot wholly complain that I have spent my strength in vain, and laboured in vain, some have acknowledged that they are the seals of my Ministry; Others, that God hath made me instrumental for their increase in grace. Gods power hath appeared in my weakness, and his mercy been manifest in my unworthiness, yet alas how many of you have had the dark side of this glorious pillar of the Gospel all this while towards you, which is matter of sad lamentation. O how speechless will they be at the day of Christ, who after so many years publique and private preaching of the word to them shall be found in a Christless, graceless estate; surely none sink so deep into Hell, as they who are pressed down thither under the weight of the Gospel.

I must notwithstanding this ground of unspeakable grief, admire that free grace which hath made me helpful to any one souls good. Besides, that I