A26932:275
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.
Because I intend no such thing as a Directory for the whole Ministerial work, I will not stand to tell you particularly what must be done for men in that last extremity; but only choose out these three or four things to remember you of, passing by all the rest.
1. Stay not till strength and understanding be gone, and the time so short that you scarce know what to do; but go to them as soon as you hear that they are sick (whether they send for you or not.)
2. When the time is so short, that there is no opportunity to endeavour the change of their hearts in that distinct way, as is usual with others, nor to press truths upon them in such order, and stay the working of it by degrees; we must therefore be sure to ply the main, and dwell upon those truths which must do the great work: Showing them the certainty and glory of the life to come, and the way by which it was purchased for us, and the great sin and folly of their neglecting it in time of health; but ⟨p. 93⟩yet the possibility that remaineth of obtaining it, if they but yet close with it heartily as their happiness, and with the Lord Jesus as the way thereto, and abhorring themselves for their former evil, can now unfeignedly resign up themselves to him to be justified, sanctified, ruled and saved by him. Three things must be chiefly insisted on.
2. When the time is so short, that there is no opportunity to endeavour the change of their hearts in that distinct way, as is usual with others, nor to press truths upon them in such order, and stay the working of it by degrees; we must therefore be sure to ply the main, and dwell upon those truths which must do the great work: Shewing them the certainty and glory of the life to come, and the way by which it was purchased for us, and the great sin and folly of their neglecting it in time of health; but