A pastors love expressed to a loving people in a farewell sermon preached at…A pastors love expressed to a loving people in a farwel sermon preached at…

There are reasons (which I will but glance at) first, why it will be thus, and secondly, why it should be thus. First, It will be thus for two reasons.

First, From that principle within, which teacheth love, grace doth not fire the heart with passion, but with compassion; grace in the heart of a Minister files off that ruggedness that is upon his spirit, and makes him lovely and courteous: Paul he once breathed out persecution, but when grace came, this Bramble was turned into a spiritual Vine, twisting himself about the souls of his people with loving embraces.

First, From that principle within, which teacheth love, grace doth not fire the heart with passion, but with compassion; grace in the heart of a Minister files off that ruggedness that is upon his spirit, and makes him lovely and curtious: Paul he once breathed out persecution, but when grace came, this Bramble was turned into a spiritual Vine, twisting himself about the souls of his people with loving embraces.

Secondly, From that spiritual relation that is between him and his people, he is a spiritual Father, and shall we think him to be without bowels, 1 Cor. 10. 15. Though you have ten thousand instructors, yet have you not many Fathers, for I have begotten you through the Gospel; some he begat to Christ, others he built up in Christ; doth not a Father provide carefully for his child, can a Father see the bread taken from his child, and will not his heart be affected. Is it not a grief to a parent to see his child put to suck to a dry Nurse?

Secondly, From that spiritual relation that is between him and his people, he is a spiritual Father, and shall we think him to be without bowels,