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

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 ⟨p. 39⟩enjoyed more of God in his Ordinances amongst you then ever I have enjoyed all my life, I cannot but acknowledge that many of you have had much hearty kindness and respect for me, not only above my deserts, but much above what any parish that I have known or heard of in the County, have had for their Minister; I may say as Paul did, my joy was the joy of you all (that feared God) but now the providence of God is parting us, I know not better how to speak my love and faithfulness to you then by imitating this holy pattern in the Text, and commending you to God and the word of his grace; Indeed, all is in this one God; if he charge himself with you, none can hurt you, if he be yours, every thing will help you. When Alexander asked Porus (his Prisoner) how he would be used. Porus answered [Greek or Hebrew], Like a King; Alexander asked the same question again, he gave the same answer still; do you desire no more said Alexander? No, saith he, All is in that one word (Plut.) If it were demanded of you, to whom ye would be commended, I hope ye would answer, to God; for ye cannot but know that all good is in one God. The Covenant of grace is a rich mercy, to which all the Crowns and Empires in the World are but Nits and nothings; but this is the Sun which makes that Heaven so glorious, this is the sum and substance of it; I will be your God, and ye shall be my people. The design of the Son of God in his birth and death was certainly high and honourable; It was a noble end that was in the eye of such an agent, but it was no more then to beg and buy of God, ⟨p. 40⟩to take care of man whom for his rebellion he had cast off. He suffered the just, for the unjust, to bring us to God. 1 Pet. 3.18. Living David, when his soul was amongst Lyons, and ready to be torn in pieces every hour, commits it into Gods hands; Into thy hands Lord, I commit my spirit, Psa. 31.4. The dying Redeemer, who knew the worth of that inestimable jewel, his own soul by the price which he paid for the souls of others, desired no other Cabinet to have it laid up in, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. To commend you to God is all that I can do for you, and it is indeed all that ye can desire of me.