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

Secondly, By a fiducial expectation of good, or by faith, we commend our business to a friend when we cast on him the care of it, and trust him with it; Ministers commend their friends and affairs to God, by beseeching his favour towards them, and believing that he will be tender of them. We have many cares and fears about our dear friends whom we do love, and whom we must leave, but faith easeth our hearts by committing them into safer hands; The burden of all the Churches lay on Paul, and surely twas heavy enough to have broken his back, had he not learned the art of faith, by which he removed it to stronger shoulders. Cast thy burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee, Psa. 55.22. Here is our charge, and our discharge. Our Charge is, to cast our burden on the Lord; and our Discharge, He will sustain thee. The Apostle prayeth God for the grace given to the Philippians, and prayeth to God for its increase. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine, making request with joy, 1 Phil. 3.4, 5. But mark how he enliveneth his prayer by the soul of faith, knowing that without it, twould be but a dead Corps. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, vers. 6.

Our prayers for our people will be to little purpose, if faith be not joined with them. There are indeed many blessings in the womb of prayer, but without the Midwifery of faith it will never be delivered. Whatsoever ye ask in my name, believing, ye shall receive. Prayer is the Key that openeth Gods Treasury, but Faith is the hand which takes out and receives of his infinite bounty; Prayer must have a promise, or else tis a Vessel without a bottom, and that promise must have faith, or else, the Vessel lieth still, and cannot stir at all. When a full gale of faith fills the sails, then the Vessel of prayer launcheth fourth most hopefully, and returnest with its riches fraught.

Our prayers for our people will be to little purpose, if faith be not joyned with them. There are indeed many blessings in the womb of prayer, but without the Midwifery of faith it will never be delivered. Whatsoever ye ask in my name, beleiving, ye shall receive. Prayer is the Key that openeth Gods Treasury, but Faith is the hand which takes out and receives of his infinite bounty; Prayer must have a promise, or else tis a Vessel without a bottom, and that promise must have faith, or else, the Vessel lyeth still, and cannot stir at all. When a full gale of faith fills the sails, then the Vessel of prayer launcheth fourth most hopefully, and returnest with its riches fraught.