A26932:333
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. I.
Having spoken of the matter of our work, we are next to speak a little of the manner; not of each part distinctly, least we be too tedious, but of the whole in general: But specially referring to the principal part.
HAving spoken of the matter of our work, we are next to speak a little of the manner; not of each part distinctly, least we be too tedious, but of the whole in general: But specially refering to the principal part.
1. The Ministerial work must be managed Purely for God and the salvation of the people, and not for any private ends of our own. This is our sincerity in it. A wrong end makes all the work bad, as from us, how good soever in it self. Its not a serving God, but our selves, if we do it not for God, but for our selves. They that set upon this as a common work, to make a trade of it for their worldly livelihood, will find that they have chosen a bad trade, though a good employment. Self-denial is of Absolute necessity in every Christian, but of a double necessity in a Minister, as he hath a double Sanctification or Dedication to God. And without self-denial he cannot do God an hours faithful service. ⟨p. 118⟩Hard studies, much knowledge, and excellent preaching, is but a more glorious hypocritical sinning, if the ends be not right. The saying of Bernard, Serm. in Cant. 26. is commonly known. Sunt qui scire volunt co sine tantum ut sciant, & turpis curiositas est: & sunt qui scire volunt, ut scientiam suam vendant; & turpis quaest us est: sunt qui scire volunt ut sciantur ipsi: & turpis vanitas est: Sed sunt quoque qui scire volunt ut adificent; & Charitas est; & sunt qui scire volunt ut aedificentur; & prudentia est.