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

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, Act. 17.14. They live in him, and move by him, as they have their beings from him; If the fountain fail, the streams soon are dried up; If God denieth his influence, man droppeth into earth: Inesse est de essentia creaturae; Inherence is essential to the creature.

If beleivers dangers be temporal, their defence must be the Almighty and eternal God, or they are foild. 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, Act. 17.14. They live in him, and move by him, as they have their beings from him; If the fountain fail, the streams soon are dryed up; If God denieth his influence, man droppeth into earth: Inesse est de essentia creaturae; Inherence is essential to the creature.

When spiritual perils overtake them, they cannot hold out without Gods protection. When Hezekiah was left but a little in his own hands, how much doth he discover the pride of his own heart. Though Peter seemed so resolute and valiant a Captain (as to go before all the Apostles in courage) yet when Christ did but for an hour or two withdraw, how shamefully doth he fly back like a Coward? the weak breath of a Maid bloweth down the strong Castle of his confidence. If God do but depart from Sampson, his strength departs also, and the Philistines may make what pastime with him they please. The holiest man is no match for a Devil. If our God leave us, our defence is departed from us, and the uncircumcised one will make sport with us indeed.

When spiritual perils overtake them, they cannot hold out without Gods protection. When Hezekiah was left but a little in his own hands, how much doth he discover the pride of his own heart. Though Peter seemed so resolute and valiant a Captain (as to go before all the Apostles in courage) yet when Christ did but for an hour or two withdraw, how shamefully doth he flye back like a Coward? the weak breath of a Maid bloweth down the strong Castle of his confidence. If God do but depart from Sampson, his strength departs also, and the Philistines may make what pastime with him they please. The holiest man is no match for a Devil. If our God leave us, our defence is departed from us, and the uncircumcised one will make sport with us indeed.