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

That Sanctity is no enemy to civility; the Apostle Obser. 1 being to leave them, doth not abruptly turn his back upon them, but solemnly takes his leave of them. And now Brethren, some think they cannot be Christians unless they be clowns, that good works, and good manners are inconsistent; but though Christianity pare of the luxuriant branches of courtesy, yet it doth not root it up; like those spices which we apply to windy fruits, it takes away the flatulency and offensiveness which may be in it, but doth not ⟨p. 12⟩cast it away. Civil language and a courteous carriage are (though no part of, yet) an ornament to Christianity. The Saints of God are ever civil, and whereas sinners are complemental, they are cordial in all their salutes. The holy Apostle spendeth the greatest part of a Chapter in courteous salutations, which he would not have done had it be en either unlawful or unnecessary.

That Sanctity is no enemy to civility; the Apostle Obser. 1 being to leave them, doth not abruptly turn his back upon them, but solemnly takes his leave of them. And now Brethren, some think they cannot be Christians unless they be clowns, that good works, and good manners are inconsistent; but though Christianity pare of the luxuriant branches of courtesie, yet it doth not root it up; like those spices which we apply to windy fruits, it takes away the flatulency and offensiveness which may be in it, but doth not ⟨p. 12⟩cast it away. Civil language and a courteous carriage are (though no part of, yet) an ornament to Christianity. The Saints of God are ever civil, and whereas sinners are complemental, they are cordial in all their salutes. The holy Apostle spendeth the greatest part of a Chapter in courteous salutations, which he would not have done had it be en either unlawful or unnecessary.

Observ: 2 That Grace will turn civil courtesy into serious Christianity. The Apostle doth not take a bare civil farewell of them, according to the custom of most men, but solemnly take his leave of them by commending them to the blessed God, And now brethren I commend you to God. A gracious man prefers his low and civil actions into the high form of religion; wicked men debase actions that are sacred, and godly men advance actions that are civil. As the Iron Mine gives a tincture and relish of its own nature to all the waters which run through it, making them thereby more salubrious to our bodies; so grace gives a savour and taste of its own nature and property to all the actions,