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

Secondly, It discovereth the great privilege of a gracious people; When they are deserted by man, they are commended to God. Those that part them and their Pastor, cannot part them and their God. And now brethren I commend you to God; though Christians may be left by weak, earthly friends, yet they shall never be forsaken by their Almighty heavenly Father. Christ prayeth for them in heaven, Christians pray for them on earth, how rich must they needs be who have a stock in such faithful hands employed for their use in both worlds. It was the ⟨p. 33⟩misery of Julian that the Church shut him out of her prayers, and that was a forerunner of his sad future doom. Its the felicity of true Christians, that they are in all the Saints prayers.

Secondly, It discovereth the great priviledge of a gracious people; When they are deserted by man, they are commended to God. Those that part them and their Pastor, cannot part them and their God. And now brethren I commend you to God; though Christians may be left by weak, earthly friends, yet they shall never be forsaken by their Almighty heavenly Father. Christ prayeth for them in heaven, Christians pray for them on earth, how rich must they needs be who have a stock in such faithful hands employed for their use in both worlds. It was the ⟨p. 33⟩misery of Julian that the Church shut him out of her prayers, and that was a forerunner of his sad future doom. Its the felicity of true Christians, that they are in all the Saints prayers.

All the felicity of man is bound up in the favour of God, and therefore to be commended to his care must needs be a great comfort. I must tell you no people can enjoy a greater privilege. Israel was famous for this above all the Nations on the face of the earth; For what nation is there so great? saith Moses Deut. 4.7. They that consider Israels outward condition may somewhat wonder how Israel should be glorious beyond all comparison. Israel was now wandering in a desolate, howling Wilderness, having no food for their bellies but what a miracle must send them in; and no raiment for their bodies, but that on their backs; Heaven must rain down bread, or they must perish with hunger; a rock must be broached to give them water, or they die for thirst; their clothes must grow with their bodies, and not wear out neither, or they must go naked; they had not an house to hide their heads in, but some slender tents; turn which way they will they fall into the paws of ravenous beasts, or into the hands of men no less cruel; yet in this barren Desert, and in the midst of these distractions, no nation in the World, were their tables never so richly spread, and their Wardrobes never so largely filled, can compare with Israel for honour and happiness. But what is the reason? truly none but this, God was their Patron and Guardian. For what nation is their so great which hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things we call upon him for? Other Nations