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

He loves them above all the world besides: All others are dross, they are his gold. This whole World was set up as a tent for them to lodge in, for the time of their pilgrimage, and when they shall be removed to their fathers house, this tent will presently be taken down. If all the wheat were but gathered into the heavenly Garner, the chaff would not be an hour out of the unquenchable fire. He loves them as his own Son, Joh. 17.26, 27. Who can tell the love God bears to his Son? the same love he bears to his Saints. His name is love, his nature is love, his Son is the token of his love, his Spirit is the earnest of his love, the Gospel his love letter.

Hence it is that they are so happy who are committed to Gods keeping, because he is so loving a Guardian.

All the while that his people suffer he doth sympathize; and he will support them. As a tender father he proportions the burden to the strength of his children's back. He doth like a Lutanist (to use Chrysostoms similitude) who will not let the strings ⟨p. 55⟩of his Instrument be too slack, lest they mar the music, nor suffer them to be too hard screwed up, lest they break. He who taught the Husbandman to use several instruments for the threshing of several sorts of grain, and not to turn the cart wheel about upon the Cummin (Isa. 28.25.) will certainly himself not suffer his people to be afflicted above what they are able, 2 Cor. 10.13.

All the while that his people suffer he doth sympathize; and he will support them. As a tender father he proportions the burden to the strength of his childrens back. He doth like a Lutanist (to use Chrysostoms similitude) who will not let the strings