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Read Ebook: A Farewell Sermon delivered on Sunday October 23 A.D. 1842 at the Parish Church of St. Mary Abbotts Kensington by Pott Joseph Holden
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Ebook has 56 lines and 10744 words, and 2 pages
Our blessed Lord, who came to bind the bruised reed, and to fan the least spark of the smoking flax, never turned with scorn from such tokens of good disposition and right judgment, or failed to give his word of commendation when they came before him. "I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel," were words which embraced the qualities of mind which were always found to be most favourable to prepare the heart for any seed of truth which should be cast upon it. Such was the good ground of which our Lord made mention in his instructive parable of the Sower and the Seed. A rational acknowledgment, with a just esteem for what is good, is the soul of faith, of which the tenth leper left a memorable proof. Without such moral properties faith might be the hand for receiving any benefit, but where would be the mind to understand its value, and perceive the nature of its obligations? Let the nine lepers who were healed, but returned not to give thanks, supply the answer. But if the Gentile sages showed indeed sound judgment in reducing rules of ethics to fixed principles, our blessed Lord with the full warrant of divine authority formed the draft of faith and duty, sometimes compendiously, and sometimes with particular enumerations.
But again, with these main principles and never-changing objects of regard, there is another word which has its special season--it is that of pastoral entreaty; and it remains for me to press it at this time--it results, indeed, from the whole view which has been taken.
Never then, I beseech you, my beloved brethren, consent to yield the profession or the practice of the rule of faith and duty, for fear or favour; for any flattering bait or treacherous inducement, never lose sight of what is due to God, to your fellow-creatures, and yourselves;--only remember that if we neglect to take thought for others, that is not the care for ourselves which we are enjoined to extend to others. And here I cannot sufficiently commend the manifold attentions of the prudent and sincere, which have been paid to the needs of many in this vicinage. O! let that care continue for your poorer brethren--let it manifest itself in the religious instructions which your schools provide for their children, and in a thousand instances of kindness which the succours which the law requires cannot supply.
And yet again, amidst all these incumbent obligations, there is still room for the words of Solomon, "to every thing there is a season;" and the present moment constrains me yet once more to conjure you to bear these things in mind, to keep them as the treasure of your hearts. If such shall be the purpose and endeavour, it matters less at what period the foot is stayed, provided it be found in the right path when the day of travel or of any special charge shall close. But in such case, when we can no longer walk together as companions, there must be the word of exhortation for those who have to go forward--let it then be the word of the apostle--to "walk worthy of your vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is . . . one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
To us who have walked long together, there is another cheering word on separation, when most happily the new guide, with every hopeful commendation, is at hand and ready to succeed.
There is but one word more, one which cannot be amplified, for it contains the sum of every good wish, every grateful sense and recollection of past kindnesses--there remains but the little, yet significant and comprehensive word--farewell; "and this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere, and without offence until the day of Christ."
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