Just added a recording in two parts of John Witherspoon’s farewell sermon to his congregation in Paisley, Scotland before sailing over to the American colonies to take up the presidency of the College of New Jersey in 1768. It is a profoundly moving and historic sermon, and especially one that ministers of the Gospel would do well to read. I began recording it soon before my transition to a pastorate in New Jersey, which added to its personal significance for me. Here are the opening words of the sermon. And to access more titles from my growing audio library, go here.
“My brethren, these words [Acts 20:26-27] are a part of the apostle Paul’s discourse to the elders of Ephesus, when taking leave of them, under a firm persuasion, or rather a certain knowledge, that he would never again see them in the body. My present situation, of which none of you is ignorant, has determined me to the choice of this passage, as a very proper subject from which I may conclude the exercise of my ministry among you. I had once occasion, on leaving another charge, to have taken a formal farewell of a very affectionate people, but had not courage to attempt it. The circumstances attending the removal, which, if Providence prevent not, seems now to be at hand, are such as do not lessen, but greatly increase the difficulty of speaking from such a subject. And yet, in another view, they seemed to urge it so strongly, and to present such an opportunity of being useful, as I durst not wholly decline. Every Christian ought to be an observer of providence. Nothing will more effectually promote his holiness and comfort. And both a minister and his people ought to improve the aspect of providence, when it hath any thing peculiar in it, to their mutual benefit.
“Let me therefore intreat you to attend to the following discourse, with patience and composure. This request I the rather hope you will comply with, as there is nothing intended that is personal, further than must necessarily arise from the subject itself, or be unavoidably suggested by your own thoughts. I bless God that I have no complaint to make of want of duty or affection upon your side; neither is it any part of my purpose to justify my own conduct, during the time that I have had the honour and happiness of being entrusted with the ministry of the gospel in this place. I shall therefore only fay, that whether I have been able to deliver my own foul by fidelity in duty, and by purity of principle, I am certain, that very much has been laid to the charge of many of yours. Least of all do I intend to endeavour to satisfy you of the motives which have induced me to accept of a call to a distant part of the world, and, in some degree, a different employment in the Church of Christ. For this, I know that an account must be given, in due time, to a much greater Judge, with whose approbation either the applause or censure of men are not worthy to be laid in the balance. The single purpose, therefore, of the following discourse, shall be to give you such a comprehensive view of the truths of the everlasting gospel, of the importance and difficulty of a minister’s work; as may direct you in the choice of another pastor, increase your esteem of such as are faithful, and excite you to guard against every thing that may either discourage them in their work, or prevent their success.”
West Port Experiment 