left behind them the good seed of sound doctrine, and the good savour of an holy cxarnple. For my own part, what my doc- trine and manner of life hath been among you, you are witnesses, and God also. And, however, I have great reason to judge and condemn myself before the Lord, and to bewail it, that my cimversation hath been less examj)lary and useful, than, O that it had been ! yet I go off from you, with this testimony upon my heai't, that I have not been of those who bind heavy burdens, and lay them on other men's shoulders, but will not touch them with one of their fingers, but my endeavour hath been, to press on my own soul, and hold out in my own prac- tice, that word of life which I have preached to you ; and therefore am bold, in this sense, to exhort you, in the words of the apostle, " Be ye followers of me," as far forth as you have seen me a follower of Christ.
DocT. 4. Godly ministers, when they are parting from their people, would fain leave God behind them. Though it be not un- usual, when the Lord sends them away, he goes with them ; God and his messen- gers, do not seldom take their farewell of people together ; yet their earnest desire is> that though they must away, yet the Lord would stay.
DocT. 5. Faithful ministers woixld be messengers of peace, going, as well as com- ing.
As the apostles' first words were to be, " Peace be unto you," so some of this a- postle's last words were, " the God of peace shall be with you."
DocT. 6. Whenever ministers part witn their people, if they can but leave godliness in them, they shall certainly leave God with them. Or, those that obey the gospel, whatsoever, or whomsoever they want, shall ever be in a peaceful and blessed condition.
" These things do," that is, live in the practice and power of that doctrine of god- liness " which you have received and heard," and then fear not, " the God of peace shall be witl» you."
This doctrine, I shall fully prove to you, after I have premised, First, that the doctrine which I have preached to you is the doc- trine of ffodliness ; the sum whereof take in these four particulars : .
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SELECT SERMONS.
1. Tliat Jesus Christ, wTio came into the world to save sinners, came also to sanctify and pure:e tlicm from their sins.
2. That those that helieve in Jesus, must he careful to maintain good works, or to live a godly life.
3. That this godliness is not such a slight, and easy, and empty thing, as the mistaken world imagine; hut stands in an exact con- formity of the whole man, heart and life, to the whole Avill of God.
4. That as whosoever helieves not in Je- sus, so whosoever is short of this true sincere godliness, cannot be saved.
This is the sum of that doctrine, which I have preached unto you ; which being the eternal truth of God, I herein embark my whole soul and life, desiring to be found in that same Jesus, and to be found walking in that same way of righteousness which I have declared unto you.
Secondly, that my design and aim, in preaching this doctrine to you, hath been, to begot in you, and through the influence and assistance of the eternal Spirit, to bring vou to this true godliness. I have travail- ed in birth with you that Christ might be formed in you, — that I might leave you possessors and partakers of that grace, which accompanies salvation, — that your faith might stand not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God, — that your repentance might be repentance unto life, not to be repented of, — that you might o- bey from the heart, that form of doctrine that hath been delivered unto you, — that you might stand complete in all the will of God; — that you might be holy, and harm- less, the children of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked generation, a- mongst whom you must shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, — that being rooted and grounded in love, you might comprehend with all saints, what is the height, and depth, and length, and breadth, and might know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fulness of God ; to this end have I taught every one, and warned every one, that I might present you perfect in Christ Jesus.
Thirdly, that as far forth as the success hath answered my design and aim upon
any of your souls, so far fortli stand yon en- titled to this glorious promise in the text, " the God of peace shall be with you." Look how many souls there are amongst you, that live in the power and obedience of those truths you have received: to so many can I, with confidence, give this farewell of the apostle, without ifs, or ands, — " the God of peace shall be with you." To whomsoever the Lord hath been a God of grace, to them will he be a God of peace. Whoever amongst you, hath this God of grace dwelling and ruling in you, shall certainly find this God of peace, dwelling and abiding with you.