A26932:104
Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor
Gildas Salvianus, the reformed pastor showing the nature of the pastoral work, especially in private instruction and catechizing : with an open confession of our too open sins : prepared for a day of humiliation kept at Worcester, Decemb. 4, 1655 by the ministers of that county, who subscribed the agreement for catechizing and personal instruction at their entrance upon that work / by their unworthy fellow-servant, Richard Baxter ...Gildas Salvianus, the reformed pastor shewing the nature of the pastoral work, especially in private instruction and catechizing : with an open confession of our too open sins : prepared for a day of humiliation kept at Worcester, Decemb. 4, 1655 by the ministers of that county, who subscribed the agreement for catechizing and personal instruction at their entrance upon that work / by their unworthy fellow-servant, Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1656
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reverend and Dearly Beloved Brethren,
Though some think that Pauls Exhortation to these Elders, doth prove him their Ruler, we hope, who are this day to speak to you from the Lord, that we may freely do the like, without any jealousies of such a Conclusion. Though we teach our people as Officers set over them in the ⟨p. 2⟩Lord, yet may we teach one another, as Brethren in Office as well as in Faith. If the people of our charge must teach and admonish, and exhort each other daily, Col. 3. •6. Heb. 3. 13. no doubt Teachers may do it to one another without any supereminency of power or degree. We have the same sins to kill, and the same graces to be quickened and corroborated, as our people have: we have greater works then they to do, and greater difficulties to overcome, and no less necessity is laid upon us; and therefore we have need to be warned and wakened, if not to be instructed, as well as they: So that I confess I think such meetings should be more frequent, if we had nothing else to do together but this: And as plainly and closely should we deal with one another, as the most serious among us do with their Flocks; lest if only they have the sharp admonitions and reproofs, they only should be sound and lively in the Faith. That this was Pauls judgement, I need no other proof, then this rousing heart-melting exhortation to the Ephesian Elders: A short Sermon; but not soon learnt. Had the Bishops and Teachers of the Church but throughly learned this short exhortation, though with the neglect of many a Volume which hath taken up their time, and helped them to greater applause in the world, how happy had it been for the Church and them!
THough some think that Pauls Exhortation to these Elders, doth prove him their Ruler, we hope, who are this day to speak to you from the Lord, that we may freely do the like, without any jealousies of such a Conclusion. Though we teach our people as Officers set over them in the