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

2. He is the most Loving Friend: Some have power to do their neighbours a courtesy, but tell us they owe them not so much good will. God as he hath power enough to enable him, so he hath love enough to move him to do his people good. Jonathan ventured far for Davids safety, and the reason was, for he loved him as his own soul. They who have Gods heart, are sure of his helping hand. He chooseth his love and then loves his choice; he had precious thoughts of them, before they had any thoughts of themselves.

2. He is the most Loving Friend: Some have power to do their neighbours a courtesie, but tell us they owe them not so much good will. God as he hath power enough to enable him, so he hath love enough to move him to do his people good. Jonathan ventured far for Davids safety, and the reason was, for he loved him as his own soul. They who have Gods heart, are sure of his helping hand. He chuseth his love and then loves his choyce; he had precious thoughts of them, before they had any thoughts of themselves.

God loves his people as they are his Eternal choice; the Mother loves the child whom she carried nine months in her womb; O how then doth God love his people whom he carried in the womb of his purpose from all eternity! He loves them as they are his own picture, as they are like him in grace and holiness. Men have loved others the more for resembling them in sin; so did Heliogabalus his children: God loves his children the more for resembling him in sanctity. Grace is lovely; God cannot but love his Saints, because he loves himself; he loves them as they are his Sons purchase. They which were so dearly bought, are not easily loathed. Jacob was exceeding tender of Benjamin, though he could, as occasion required, expose the ten Patriarchs to all ⟨p. 54⟩weathers, yet by his good will the wind must not blow upon Benjamin; if Benjamin miscarry, he dieth with him: And what is the reason of this extraordinary affection? possibly this, Benjamin was the child of his beloved Rachel; Benjamin was dearly bought, he cost the life of his dear wife: So God loves his Saints with a singular love, because they are the children of his dear Son, the travel of his soul. His beloved Son had many a sharp throw, and many a bitter pang before he could bring them forth, nay they cost him his very life.