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

I commend you to God.] To commend one to another in our English phrase,¹ is either to praise him for some worth in him, or to present some respects from him; but in Scripture sense, besides the former acceptations, it sometimes signifieth to refer one to the care of another, Rom. 16.1. I commend to you Phoebe our sister. To commend in this place signifieth to commit them as dear pledges, or as precious jewels to the tender custody and keeping of the blessed God. As if he had said, Be not discouraged nor disconsolate at my departure, as if thereby ye should be left desolate, for I commit and commend you to one who will abundantly make up my absence by his Almighty Power and favourable presence; ⟨p. 7⟩though I am taken from you, and constrained to forsake you, yet I commend you to that God who will be careful of you, and never fail you; who hath infinite strength for your protection, and infinite Wisdom for your direction, and infinite Favour for your consolation. And now brethren I commend you to God

I commend you to God.] To commend one to another in our English phrase,¹ is either to praise him for some worth in him, or to present some respects from him; but in Scripture sence, besides the former acceptations, it sometimes signifieth to refer one to the care of another, Rom. 16.1. I commend to you Phebe our sister. To commend in this place signifieth to commit them as dear pledges, or as precious jewels to the tender custody and keeping of the blessed God. As if he had said, Be not discouraged nor disconsolate at my departure, as if thereby ye should be left disolate, for I commit and commend you to one who will abundantly make up my absence by his Almighty Power and favourable presence; ⟨p. 7⟩though I am taken from you, and constrained to forsake you, yet I commend you to that God who will be careful of you, and never fail you; who hath infinite strength for your protection, and infinite Wisdom for your direction, and infinite Favour for your consolation. And now brethren I commend you to God