The following is part of one of those "Farewell Sermons" preached on that Ejection Sunday. The words were addressed by Richard Alleine to the congregation that he had served for over twenty years.




The sun is setting upon not a few of the prophets; the shadows or evening are stretched forth upon us; our work seems to be at an end; our pulpits and our 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 from the vineyard of the Lord … I know that some will add to the affliction of the afflicted by telling the world it is their own fault, and that they might prevent it if they would. You are not ignorant what things there are imposed upon us as the condition of continuing our ministration.

I must profess before God and angels, and men, that my non-submission is not from any disloyalty to authority, nor from pride, humour, nor fractious disposition; but because I dare not contradict my light, or do anything concerning which my heart tells me the Lord says "Do it not". After all my most impartial enquiries, after all my seeking counsel of the Lord, I find that I am plainly put to this choice - to part with my ministry or my conscience. I dare not lie before God and the world, nor tell you that I approve, I allow, I heartily consent to what I neither do nor can; but must choose rather that my ministry be sealed up by my sufferings than lengthened out by a lie. Since matters stand so that I must either lose my place or my peace, I cheerfully suffer myself to be thrust off the stage. And now, welcome the cross of Christ; welcome reproach; welcome poverty, scorn and contempt, or whatever else may befall me on this account.

This morning I had a flock, and you a pastor; now behold a pastor without a flock, a flock without a shepherd; this morning I had a house, but now I have none; this morning I had a living, but now I have none. "The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord".

And thus, brethren, I bid you farewell in the words of the Apostle: "Finally, brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you".

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This Page Title – Preaching from the Past - Richard Alleine's farewell sermon The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 43 – placed on line July 2003 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk Labelled with ICRA