A26932:142
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.
SECT. IX.
III. Having showed you in four particulars, How it is that we must Take heed to our selves, and what is comprised in this command; I am next to give you the Reasons of it, which I entreat you to take as so many Motives to awaken you to your duty, and thus Apply them as we go.
III. HAving shewed you in four particulars, How it is that we must Take heed to our selves, and what is comprized in this command; I am next to give you the Reasons of it, which I intreate you to take as so many Motives to awaken you to your duty, and thus Apply them as we go.
Reas. 1. You have a Heaven to win or lose your selves, and souls that must be happy or miserable for ever: and therefore it concerneth you to begin at home, and to take heed to your selves as well as unto others. Preaching well may succeed to the salvation of others, without the holiness of your own hearts or lives; It is possible at least, though less ⟨p. 26⟩usual: but it is impossible it should serve to save your selves: [Many shall say at that day, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? Mat. 7. 22. Who shall be answered with an I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity. v. 23. O Sirs, how many men have preached Christ, and perished for want of a saving interest in him! How many that are now in hell, have told their people of the torments of hell, and warned them to avoid it! How many have preached of the wrath of God against sinners, that are now feeling it! O what sadder case can there be in the world, then for a man that made it his very trade and calling to proclaim salvation, and to help others to attain it, yet after all to be himself shut out! Alas that ever we should have so many books in our libraries that tell us the way to heaven, that we should spend so many years in reading those books, and studying the Doctrine of eternal life, and after all this to miss of it! That ever we should study and preach so many Sermons of salvation, and yet fall short of it! so many Sermons of damnation, and yet fall into it! And all because we preached so many Sermons of Christ while we neglected him: of the Spirit while we resisted it; of faith, while we did not heartily believe; of Repentance and conversion, while we continued in the state of flesh and sin; and of a Heavenly life, while we remained carnal and earthly our selves. If we will be Divines only in Tongue and Title, and have not the Divine Image upon our souls, nor give up our selves to the Divine honour and will, no wonder if we be separated from the Divine presence, and denied the fruition of God for ever. Believe it Sirs, God is