A62052:94
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.
Habitual grace it self lieth as water at the bottom of the pump, and cannot by all our labour be raised up, till God pour in his exciting grace. The flame doth not more depend upon the fire, then we upon God. Things that are weak, lean on that which is strong; the Wood-vine, not able to stand of it self clings about the hedge, or tree, and thereby gets to some height: the weakest will go to the walls if not protected.
Habitual grace it self lieth as water at the bottom of the pump, and cannot by all our labour be raised up, till God pour in his exciting grace. The flame doth not more depend upon the fire, then we upon God. Things that are weak, lean on that which is strong; the Wood-vine, not able to stand of it self clings about the hedge, or tree, and thereby gets to some heigth: the weakest will go to the walls if not protected.
This reason is implied in Christs petition to his Father: Father keep them; As if he had said, They are poor shiftless children, that can neither stand nor go without help, therefore they must not be left alone: Alas they are such pitiful helpless creatures that anyone may wrong them of the Legacies which I have purchased for them, and bequeathed to them, they will lose the grace I have given them, and fall into the sins which I have kept them from, whilst I was with them, if they be but one moment out of thine eye and arms, therefore Father keep them; If they who were to ⟨p. 31⟩be endowed with an extraordinary measure of the spirit were unable to keep themselves, much more unable are we; if Pillars cannot stand of themselves, much less can weak Reeds.
This reason is implied in Christs petition to his Father: Father keep them; As if he had said, They are poor shiftless children, that can neither stand nor go without help, therefore they must not be left alone: Alas they are such pitiful helpless creatures that anyone may wrong them of the Legacies which I haue purchast for them, and bequeathed to them, they will lose the grace I have given them, and fall into the sins which I have kept them from, whilst I was with them, if they be but one moment out of thine eye and armes, therefore Father keep them; If they who were to