1. Of my discharge of my ministry. What my doctrine and manner of life hath been, is known to you ; and what my aim and intent hath been, is known to God. The searcher of hearts, knows that it is the salvation of souls that hath been the mark at which I have levelled. My way hath been to use all plainness, that I might be made manifest in your consciences. Weak- nesses, and infirmities, both natural and sinful — the Lord pardon it — I have had many. I am sensible that much more might have been done, both in public and in pri- vate, had it not been for a weakly bod}'', and a slothful heart. I rej)cnt that I have had no more zeal for God, no more com- passion to souls ; I repent that I haA-e been no more constant and imjiortunate with you, about the matters of eternity. O eter- nity, eternity ! that thou wert no more jn the heart and lips of the j)reacher, in the hearts and ears of the hearers !
But while I thus judge myself for my failings, blessed be God, I have a witness in my conscience, and I hope in yours also, that I have not shunned to declare to you tlie whole counsel of God. Brethren, I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, good and evil, and have not ceased from day to dav, to warn you to choose life, and tha* good way that leads to it ; and to escape for youi" lives from the way of sin and <leatli ! O remember the many instructions I have given you, — the many arguments whereby I have striven with you, — the
FAREWELL DISCOURSE ON HIS EJECTION.
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many pravcrs tluitliave been offered uj) for are imposed on us, as the condition of our
the f;nidin<^ and gaining your souls into the patli of life, and the turning your feet out of the way of destruction. O might I be able to give this testimony concerning you all at my departure ; " they have trodden in tlie right path ; they have chosen the good part that shall not be taken from them !"
Brethren, beloved, with whom I have travailed in birth, that Christ might be formed in you, I must shortly give up my account in a more solemn assembly, will you help me to give it up with joy, by shewing your souls before the Lord, as the seals of my ministry ? Every sincere con- vert among you will be a crown of rejoic- ing to me in that day. So let me rejoice, and let my joy be the joy of you all.
What shall I say more ? If there be any consolation iti Christ, if any comfort of love, any bowels and mercy, — if the glory of the Eternal God, the honour of the everlasting gospel, the safety of your immortal souls, the incorruptible crown, the exceeding eternal weight of glory weigh any thing with you, — then, once more, let me beseech you by all tliis, to hearken to that word of the gospel, which God hath spoken to you by me.
2. Of my deprival. The most glorious morning hath its evening; the hour is come wherein the sun is setting upon not a few of the prophets ; the shadows of the evening are stretched forth upon us ; our dav draws, our work seems to be at an end. Our pulpits and places must know us no more. This is the Lord's doing, let all the earth keep silence before him.
It is not a light thing for me, brethren, to be laid aside from the work, and cast out of the vineyard of the Lord ; and it must be something of weight that must Kup])ort under so severe a doom. I know there are not a few that will add to the affliction of the afflicted, by telling the world it is their own fault, they might pre- vent it if they wotild. Whether this be so or no, God knoweth, and lot the Lord be
continuing our ministration ; which how lawful and expedient soever they seem in the judgment of many, yet have the most specious arguments that plead for them, left me utterly dissatisfied in my conscience about them. I must profess before God, angels, and men, that my non-submission is not from any disloyalty to authority, nor from pride, humour, or any factious dispo- sition, or design ; but because I dare not contradict my light, nor do any thing con- cerning which my heart tells me, the Lord says, do it not.