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

Its the saying of Euripides, That a faithful friend in adversity, is better then a calm Sea to a weather beaten Mariner. Indeed the world is full of false lovers, who use their friends as we do candles, burn them to the snuff, and when all their substance is wasted, trample them under their feet, and light others; but God to his chosen, is as the Ivy clasping about a wall, which will as soon dye as desert it, Extremity doth but fasten a trusty friend whilst he, as a well wrought Vault is the stronger, by how much more weight he beareth Though many men ⟨image 3⟩are as ponds, dry in the heat of Summer, when there is most need of them: yet the blessed God dealeth not so with his Saints, but his help is nearest, when their hardships are greatest, When they walk in the valley of the shadow of death, he is with them.

Its the saying of Euripides, That a faithful friend in adversity, is better then a calm Sea to a weather beaten Mariner. Indeed the world is full of false lovers, who use their friends as we do candles, burn them to the snuff, and when all their substance is wasted, trample them under their feet, and light others; but God to his chosen, is as the Ivy clasping about a wall, which will as soon dye as desert it, Extreamity doth but fasten a trusty friend whilst he, as a well wrought Vault is the stronger, by how much more weight he beareth Though many men ⟨image 3⟩are as ponds, dry in the heat of Summer, when there is most need of them: yet the blessed God dealeth not so with his Saints, but his help is nearest, when their hardships are greatest, When they walk in the valley of the shadow of death, he is with them.

How great a happiness it is to be under the favour and influence of this God, can never be fully known on this side Heaven. The Prince of Orange had a mirror (say some) which perfectly represented the beauty of the natural Sun: But this Sun of Righteousness is ever in a great degree Eclipsed, to us who dwell in this lower World. Here we know but in part. Pompey, who presumed to enter the holiest of all, when he came out was asked what he saw, he answered, that the house was fall of a cloud: Indeed, He maketh darkness his secret place, and yet is pleased to let so much of his glory and goodness be seen in the glass of his word, as may cause us to admire and affect him; and also assure us that he is the chiefest good.