A26932:305
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.
And in case he either will not be present, that such admonition may be given him, or will not be brought to a discovery of Repentance (and to desire the prayers of the Congregation for him) it will be meet that with such a preface as this afore expressed, we desire the prayers of the Congregation for him our selves; That the people would consider what a fearful condition the impenitent are in, and have pity on a poor soul that is so blinded and hardened by sin and Satan that he cannot pity himself; and think what it is for a man to appear before the living God in such a case, and therefore that they would join in earnest prayer to God, that he would open his eyes, and soften and humble his stubborn heart, before he be in hell beyond remedy: And accordingly let us be very earnest in prayer for them, that the Congregation may be provoked affectionately to join with us; and who knows but God ⟨p. 106⟩may hear such prayers, and the sinners heart may more relent, then our own exhortation could procure it to do. However, the people will perceive that we make not light of sin, and preach not to them in mere custom or formality. If Ministers would be conscionable in thus carrying on the work of God entirely and self-denyingly, they might make something of it, and expect a fuller blessing: But when we will shrink from all that is dangerous or ungrateful, and shift off all that is costly or troublesome, they cannot expect that any great matter should be done by such a carnal partial use of means: and though some may be here and there called home to God, yet we cannot look that the Gospel should prevail, and run, and be glorified, where it is so lamely and defectively carried on.
And in case he either will not be present, that such admonition may be given him, or will not be brought to a discovery of Repentance (and to desire the prayers of the Congregation for him) it will be meet that with such a preface as this afore expressed, we desire the prayers of the Congregation for him our selves; That the people would consider what a fearful condition the impenitent are in, and have pitty on a poor soul that is so blinded and hardened by sin and Satan that he cannot pitty himself; and think what it is for a man to appear before the living God in such a case, and therefore that they would joyn in earnest prayer to God, that he would open his eyes, and soften and humble his stubborn heart, before he be in hell beyond remedy: And accordingly let us be very earnest in prayer for them, that the Congregation may be provoked affectionately to joyn with us; and who knows but God