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

Would it affright you with Adversity from piety: The Gospel will show you that the Cross is the path to the Crown; and as long as the Traveller, to a glorious Kingdom, is in the right way (though it be dirty) he is contented. Christ went to Jerusalem (the Vision of peace) by Bethany (the house of grief) Omnis Christianus crucianus, saith Luther, Every Saint must be a sufferer.

Would it affright you with Adversity from piety: The Gospell will shew you that the Cross is the path to the Crown; and as long as the Traveller, to a glorious Kingdom, is in the right way (though it be dirty) he is contented. Christ went to Jerusalem (the Vision of peace) by Bethany (the house of grief) Omnis Christianus crucianus, saith Luther, Every Saint must be a sufferer.

I hope ye will be willing to go to Heaven in the same way which Christ and the noble Army of Saints have all marched in. Besides the Gospel will hold up your heads above these Billows, by discovering the gain you shall get by afflictions. Christians, like some other creatures, see best in ⟨p. 67⟩the night of sorrow and distress. The Diamond of their graces sparkle gloriously at the bottom of those Waters. When the Wind is down, the chaff remains with the Wheat, but when it riseth it bloweth the chaff away.

The Word of his Grace will assure you of Divine supplies suitable to your sufferings; That God, like an indulgent Mother, will be sure to tend his sick Children, though he leave others to the Servants. When Christ had caused Jacob to halt, then the place was turned into a Peniel. Believe me there is no such joy in the World as the people of God have under the Cross, saith Philpot. Israel never saw so much of God as in the Wilderness, then Manna from Heaven, then the Pillar goeth before them, and the Rock followed after them.