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

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 ⟨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.

Having spoken somewhat in the Explication, I shall proceed to the Application of the Point.

First, It informeth us of the Piety of a true Pastor, he commends his people to God, this is his character: When others curse their people, and commit them to the Devil; he blesseth his Parishioners, and commendeth them to God: the mouth of some indeed, like Rabshekahs are full of railings, and their tongues are even black with blasphemies against God and his people, (though their curses are but like false fire which may flash a little, but will do no Execution) but the faithful Ministers of the Gospel have learned other language as they are blessed men, so they are blessing men: Some Ministers are Ministers of Satan, all their business is to accuse the Brethren, they are the Saints enemies because they follow the thing that good is; Publicans bless them, that bless them; but though the people of God pity them, and pray for them, and beg the blessing of God on them, yet they (far worse then Publicans) return cursing for blessing, but true shepherds seek and study the welfare of their sheep. The false Mother did not care though the Child were divided and slain but the true Mother cried out, Divide not the Child, in no wise slay it, for her bowels yearned towards her Child,