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

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, 1 Kings 3.26: Ministers are called Fathers, and their people their Children: ⟨p. 32⟩Wicked Ministers are false Fathers, and cares not what becomes of their children; the great murderer of souls may slay them at his pleasure, and they will not open their mouths against him; nay too too often they help him drive the poor silly sheep out of their pastors to the slaughter-house. But godly Ministers, like true Fathers, endeavour by all means the welfare of their children; they cry out with Hagar, How can I see the death of my child! How can I see the eternal death of my poor, ignorant, carnal neighbours! they open their mouths and their hearts too (for their bowels yearn towards their children) for their people to God, as the Ruler to Christ; Sir, Come down quickly ere my child dye. Lord, such unregenerate, scandalous children whom thou didst commit to my charge are at the very point of death. I have acquainted them from thee of the evil and end of their wicked ways, but cannot obtain so much as a sober hearing; but Lord if thou wouldst speak to them they would hear thee; thou canst open their eyes, break their stony hearts and make them stoop;

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 raylings, 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 shepheards 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,