A26932:186
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.
I should scarce commend the prudence or humility of that Labourer (let his parts in all other respects be never so great) that ⟨p. 52⟩would not only undertake to gather in all the harvest in this County himself, and that upon pain of death yea of damnation, but would also earnestly contend for this prerogative.
Obj. But there are others to Teach, though one only have had the Rule.
Answ Blessed be God it was so: and no thanks to some of them. But is not Government of great concernment to the good of souls, as well as Preaching? If not, then what matter is it for Church-Governors? If it be, then they that nullify it by undertaking impossibilities, do go about to ru•ne the Church, and themselves. If only preaching be necessary, let us have none but mere Preachers: what needs there then such a stir about Government? But if Discipline (in its place) be necessary too, what is it but enmity to mens salvation to exclude it? and it is unavoidably excluded, when it is made to be his work that is naturally uncapable of performing it. He that w•ll command an Army alone, may as well say, It shall be destroyed for want of command: And the School-master that will Over-see or Govern all the Schools in the County alone, may as well say plainly, they shall be all ungoverned: And the Physician that will undertake the Guidance of all the sick people in a whole Nation, or County, when he is not able to visit or direct the hundred man of them, may as well say, Let them perish.
Answ Blessed be God it was so: and no thanks to some of them. But is not Government of great concernment to the good of souls, as well as Preaching? If not, then what matter is it for Church-Governors? If it be, then they that nullifie it by undertaking impossibilities, do go about to rune the Churche, and themselves. If only preaching be necessary, let us have none but meer Preachers: what needs there then such a stir about Government? But if Discipline (in its place) be necessary too, what is it but enmity to mens salvation to exclude it? and it is unavoidably excluded, when it is made to be his work that is naturally uncapable of performing it. He that wll command an Army alone, may as well say, It shall be destroyed for want of command: And the School-master that will Over-see or Govern all the Schools in the County alone, may as well say plainly, they shall be all ungoverned: And the Physitian that will undertake the Guidance of all the sick people in a whole Nation, or County, when he is not able to visit or direct the hundreth man of them, may as well say, Let them perish.