A62052:172
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
The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...The pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
The Word of his Grace will assure you of Divine supplies sutable 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. Beleive 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.
Fourthly, To be your Cordial in all afflictions. The Rams-skin covered the Ark from the injury of wind and weather; which typified the defence the Church hath by the Gospel from those miseries to which she is liable on earth. This is my comfort, saith David, in my afflictions thy word hath quickened me. When the weight of his afflictions was ready to sink him, the Gospel, like blown Bladders preserve him from sinking.