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

2. Why its a Ministers duty, and the greatest good a Pastor can do for them from whom he must part, is to commend them to God.

First, How a Minister can commend his brethren and friends to God. This is done two ways, namely; by Prayer and by Faith.

1. By a cordial supplication to God, or by prayer; the departing parent appointeth his Executor to be careful of and faithful to his children, and so commendeth them to him; but the departing Pastor, entreateth God to be gracious to, and mindful of his people. As by preaching the Minister commends God to his peoples acceptation, so by prayer he commends his people to Gods benediction. The principal part of the Priests Office under the Law, was to offer sacrifice, and to pray for the people; Aaron must bear the names of the children of Israel before the Lord. And the main work of us Ministers of the Gospel is to stand betwixt God and our people, by giving precepts from God to them, and by putting up prayers to God for them Aaron this wise shall ye bless the people, saying unto them, The Lord bless she, and keep thee, Numb. 6.23. We bless them when we beg of God to bless them. God blesseth imperatorie, by commanding a blessing on men; There the Lord commanded his blessing, even life for evermore, Psal. 133.3. Ministers bless impetratorie, by commending them to Gods blessing. Gods blessing is operative, his benedicere est benefacere; our blessing is optative only; we wish the blessing, and that's all, but God can work the blessing.

1. By a cordial supplication to God, or by prayer; the departing parent appointeth his Executor to be careful of and faithful to his children, and so commendeth them to him; but the departing Pastor, intreateth God to be gracious to, and mindful of his people. As by preaching the Minister commends God to his peoples acceptation, so by prayer he commends his people to Gods benediction. The principal part of the Priests Office under the Law, was to offer sacrifice, and to pray for the people; Aaron must bear the names of the children of Israel before the Lord. And the main work of us Ministers of the Gospel is to stand betwixt God and our people, by giving precepts from God to them, and by putting up prayers to God for them Aaron this wise shall ye bless the people, saying unto them, The Lord bless shee, and keep thee,