A62052:90
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
The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...The pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, Their own Impotency. They are not able to take care of themselves, and therefore must be commended to another. In the Civil Law there is provision made for out-casts, there are some Hospitals to entertain them. By the common law, if parents die there are Officers appointed to take care of poor fatherless Children. With God the fatherless find mercy, Hos. 14.3. Those that are Orphans, want a Guardian. Children which cannot go alone, need their Mothers helping hand. The strongest Christian is but a child, and except God hold him by his right hand will every day get many falls and knocks. The greatest Saint is but a glass without a bottom, which cannot stand any longer then it is held; Hence they are compared to anew born infant which is both polluted and ready to perish, if none take care of it, Ezek. 16.5.
Thirdly, Their own Impotentcy. They are not able to take care of themselves, and therefore must be commended to another. In the Civil Law there is provision made for out-casts, there are some Hospitals to entertain them. By the common law, if parents die there are Officers appointed to take care of poor fatherless Children. With God the fatherless find mercy, Hos. 14.3. Those that are Orphans, want a Guardian. Children which cannot go alone, need their Mothers helping hand. The strongest Christian is but a child, and except God hold him by his right hand will every day get many falls and knocks. The greatest Saint is but a glass without a bottom, which cannot stand any longer then it is held; Hence they are compared to anew born infant which is both polluted and ready to perish, if nonetake care of it, Ezek. 16.5.
If believers dangers be temporal, their defence must be the Almighty and eternal God, or they are foiled. We have no strength, but our eyes are unto thee, saith 2 Cron. 20.12. They cannot do the ordinary actions of nature, without his assistance, who is the God of all grace, in him we live, and move, and have our beings,