Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

Sure he that dare damn himself, dare let others alone in the way to damnation; and he that will sell his master with Judas for silver, will not stick to make merchandise of the flock; and he that will let go his hopes of heaven rather then he will leave his worldly and fleshly delights, I think will hardly leave these for the saving of others. In reason we may conceive, that he will have no pity on others, that is wilfully cruel to himself; and that he is not to be trusted with other mens souls, that is unfaithful to his own, and will sell it to the Devil for the short pleasures of sin. I confess that man shall never have my consent to have the care and charge of others, and to over-see them in order to their salvation, that takes not heed to himself, but is careless of his own (except it were in case of absolute Necessity, that no better could be had.)

Sure he that dare damn himself, dare let others alone in the way to damnation; and he that will sell his master with Iudas for silver, will not stick to make merchandize of the flock; and he that will let go his hopes of heaven rather then he will leave his worldly and fleshly delights, I think will hardly leave these for the saving of others. In reason we may conceive, that he will have no pitty on others, that is wilfully cruel to himself; and that he is not to be trusted with other mens souls, that is unfaithful to his own, and will sell it to the Devil for the short pleasures of sin. I confess that man shall never have my consent to have the care and charge of others, and to over-see them in order to their salvation, that takes not heed to himself, but is careless of his own (except it were in case of absolute Necessity, that no better could be had.)

3. Do you think that it is a likely thing, that he will fight against Satan with all his might, that is a servant to Satan himself? And will he do any great harm to the Kingdom of the Devil, that is himself a member and subject of that Kingdom? And will he be true to Christ that is in Covenant ⟨p. 42⟩with his enemy, and Christ hath not his heart? why this is the case of every unsanctified man, of what cloth soever his coat be made. They are the servants of Satan, and the subjects of his Kingdom; It is he that ruleth in their hearts: And are they like to be true to Christ that are ruled by the Devil? What Prince will chose the friends and voluntary servants of his enemy to lead his Armies in war against him? This is it that hath made so many Preachers of the Gospel to be enemies to the work of the Gospel which they Preach: No wonder if such be secretly girding at the Holy obedience of the faithful; and while they take on them to preach for a holy life, if they cast reproaches on them that use it! O how many such Traitors have been in the Church of Christ in all ages, that have done more against him under his colours, then they could have done in the open field! That have spoken well of Christ and Scripture, and godliness in the general, and yet slyly and closely do what they can to bring it into disgrace, and make men believe that those that set themselves to seek God with all their hearts, are but a company of hypocrites, or self-conceited fantastical fellows: And what they cannot for shame speak that way in the Pulpit, they will do it in secret amongst their companions. How many such Wolves have been set over the sheep, because they had sheeps clothing; pretending to be Christians and as good as others. If there were a Traitor among the twelve in Christs family, no marvel if there be many now. It cannot be expected that a slave of Satan, whose God is his belly, and who mindeth earthly things, should be any better then an enemy to the