Moreover, we must venture our Friends for the people of God. The Lord General of Israel had a dear and a kind Brother, to whom nevertheless he said, as in 2 Sam. 10, 11, 12. Be of good Courage, let us play the men for our People: and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good. Tho it be a Brother, yea, and somewhat nearer than a Brother that we must ⟨p. 14⟩part withal, for the Service of God and His People, yet we must be willing to take o•r leave of such Relations. It was a very commendable Bravery in that Father, who having had six lovely and loving Sons kil•'• in the Service of the Public, brought out a seventh, even the Staff of his o•d Age, unto the Press-Masters, and s•id Here I have one Son more▪ take him too; this cause is w•rth them all. Suppose we have a Benjamin with us, which we dote so much upon, that ou• Grey hairs do with sad hearts tremble at his departure from us: yet Benjamin too mu•t go, if the service of our Joseph, our Jesus have occasion for him. There are many persons, who have brought very bitter, woeful, doleful Miseries upon their Children, by detaining them from the Service of Gods People, when some hazard has appeared in it. Let us count the very best of our Friends, never better bestowed, than in such a Service as may be reputed a Friendship to the Interest of God.
Moreover, we must venture our Friends for the people of God. The Lord General of Israel had a dear and a kind Brother, to whom nevertheless he said, as in 2 Sam. 10, 11, 12. Be of good Courage, let us play the men for our People: and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good. Tho it be a Brother, yea, and somewhat nearer than a Brother that we must ⟨p. 14⟩part withal, for the Service of God and His People, yet we must be willing to take o•r leave of such Rela•ions. It was a very commendable Bravery in that Father, who having had six lovely and loving Sons kil•'• in the Service of the Public, brought out a seventh, even the Staff of his o•d Age, unto the Press-Masters, and s•id Here I have one Son more▪ take him too; this cause is w•rth them all. Suppose we have a Benjamin with us, which we dote so much upon, that ou• Gray hairs do with sad hearts tremble at his departure from us: yet Benjamin too mu•t go, if the service of our Ioseph, our Jesus have occasion for him. There are many persons, who have brought very bitter, w•ful, dolef•l Miseries upon their Children, by detaining them from the Service of Gods People, when some hazard has appeared in it. Let us count the very best of our Friends, never better bestowed, than in such a Service as may be reputed a Friendship to the Interest of God.
