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

There are two things which I have always judged chiefly requisite in a Pastor, as he standeth related to his people. viz. Labour and Love. The former is a work of the Head, the latter of the Heart: faithful labour will speak his love, and sincere love will sweeten his labour. Labour without love is unacceptable to God, as a sweet perfume without fire, it cannot send forth its pleasant, ⟨image 3⟩fragrant savour: Love without labour is unprofitable to men, like Rachel, its beautiful but barren: both together (as soul and body are the essential parts of a man) are the whole of a Minister. Whether to my power I discharged my trust or no, in these particulars, whilst the Divine providence continued me in your Parish, I must leave to his judgement, whose eyes behold, and whose eye-lid, try the Children of men, nay whether I did not many times so labour as to prejudice my own body, that I might serve and profit others souls: but sure I am, when I left you, I could not better manifest my love to you, then by commending you to him, who will never leave nor forsake his people.

THere are two things which I have always judged chiefly requisite in a Pastor, as he standeth related to his people. viz. Labour and Love. The former is a work of the Head, the latter of the Heart: faithful labour will speak his love, and sincere love will sweeten his labour. Labour without love is unacceptable to God, as a sweet perfume without fire, it cannot send forth its pleasant, ⟨image 3⟩fragrant savour: Love without labour is unprofitable to men, like Rachel, its beautiful but barren: both together (as soul and body are the essential parts of a man) are the whole of a Minister. Whether to my power I discharged my trust or no, in these partitulars, whilest the Divine providence continued me in your Parish, I must leave to his judgement, whose eyes behold, and whose eye-lid, try the Children of men, nay whether I did not many times so labour as to prejudice my own body, that I might serve and profit others souls: but sure I am, when I left you, I could not better manifest my love to you, then by commending you to him, who will never leave nor forsake his people.