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

Were you my nearest Relations, and the object of never so dear affections, though ye were as near and dear to me as my own soul; If I had the strongest engagement to you imaginable, and the greatest obligations possible, I could do no more, I need do no more then to commend you to God. Therefore give me leave now I am taking my leave of you to commend you to God. And now Brethren I commend you to God.

Were you my nearest Relations, and the object of never so dear affections, though ye were as near and dear to me as my own soul; If I had the strongest ingagement to you imaginable, and the greatest obligations possible, I could do no more, I need do no more then to commend you to God. Therefore give me leave now I am taking my leave of you to commend you to God. And now Brethren I commend you to God.

First, I commend you to his special favour and affection. The good will of God is such a lump of Sugar, as will sweeten the bitterest cup, it hath a virtue in it which will turn the smallest liquor into cordial water; The little Bird in her small down Nest sings pleasantly, when the great Birds in their large thorny Nests, have but harsh voices. The Saint in the soft bed of Gods special love sleepeth comfortably, when the wicked in their high places, great preferments, for want of this are in little ease, His general love is like the ordinary beams ⟨p. 41⟩of the Sun, which convey light and heat, for the refreshment of all the World. So the Lord is good to all, his mercy is over all his works; but his special love is like the beams of the Sun united in a glass, which passing by others, fires the object only. Gods love to his new creatures in Christ is burning love; he hath choice good, and good will too, for his chosen ones. Let me see the good of his chosen. Look upon me, and be merciful to me, as thou art to them that fear thy name. Its said of Socrates, He prized the Kings countenance above his coin.

First, I commend you to his special favour and affection. The good will of God is such a lump of Sugar, as will sweeten the bitterest cup, it hath a vertue in it which will turn the smallest liquor into cordial water; The little Bird in her small down Nest sings pleasantly, when the great Birds in their large thorny Nests, have but harsh voices. The Saint in the soft bed of Gods special love sleepeth comfortably, when the wicked in their high places, great preferments, for want of this are in little ease, His general love is like the ordinary beams