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

For your further comfort know, that this God to whom ye are commended is an able friend, a loving friend, and faithful friend, and therefore it is the greatest good I can do for you.

First, God is the most able Friend. To have a friend at Court, is a great courtesy, because such a one can command much; but what is it then to have God for your friend, who can command all things, God is able to do more for you then you can ask or think. He is thirty times called Almighty in Job; He can do above all expressions, beyond all apprehensions. What cannot he do for you, who made the whole World of nothing, and hangs the massy earth upon nothing.

First, God is the most able Friend. To have a friend at Court, is a great courtesie, because such a one can command much; but what is it then to have God for your friend, who can command all things, God is able to do more for you then you can ask or think. He is thirty times called Almighty in Job; He can do above all expressions, beyond all apprehensions. What cannot he do for you, who made the whole World of nothing, and hangs the massy earth upon nothing.

He is able to defend you from whatsoever is hurtful. There is a Dialogue between an Heathen and a Jew after the Jews return from Captivity (all Nations round about them being enemies to them) The Heathen asked the Jew how he and his country men could hope for any safety, because (saith he) every one of you is a silly sheep compassed about with fifty Wolves; I but saith the Jew, we are kept by such a Shepherd as can kill all those Wolves when he pleaseth. God can with a breath, a puff, blast all the plots of his enemies, and cause their persons to perish; how happy are they then who have him for their strong hold? The Egyptians had an Idol called Baalzephon Lord of the watch Tower, whose Office was to fright such fugitive Jews as fled from their Masters; but it seems he was a sleep, when the Israelites marched out of Egypt in a full body. God is pleased to call himself the watchmen of his people, but he is such a watchman as neither slumbereth (or taketh those short sleeps by day) nor sleepeth (or hath any long sleep by night) his eyes never close, all his thoughts are waking thoughts for the good of his people.