A26932:348
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.
8. There must be a prudent mixture of severity and mildness both in our preaching and discipline; each must be predominant according to the quality of the person, or matter that we have in hand. If there be no severity, there will be contempt of our reproofs. If all severity, we shall be taken as usurpers of Dominion, rather then persuaders of the minds of men to the Truth. As Gregor. M. saith, Moral. l. 20. Miscenda est lenitas cum severitate, & faciendum ex utraque quoddam temperamentum, ut nec multa asperitate exulcerentur subditi, nec nimia benignitate solvantur.
8. There must be a prudent mixture of severity and mildness both in our preaching and discipline; each must be predominant according to the quality of the person, or matter that we have in hand. If there be no severity, there will be contempt of our reproofs. If all severity, we shall be taken as usurpers of Dominion, rather then perswaders of the minds of men to the Truth. As Gregor. M. saith, Moral. l. 20. Miscenda est lenitas cum severitate, & faciendum ex utraque quoddam temperamentum, ut nec multa asperitate exulcerentur subditi, nec nimia benignitate solvantur.
9. We must be sincerely Affectionate, serious and zealous in all our public and private Exhortations. The weight of our matter condemneth coldness, and sleepy dullness. We should see that we be well awakened our selves, and our spirits in such a plight as may make us fit to awaken others. As Gregor. saith, Mor. l. 30. c. 5. We should be like the Cock that Cum edere cantus parrot, prius alas solerter excutit, & se ipsum feriens vigilantiorem reddit: Ita praedicatores cum verbum praedicationis movent, prius see in sanctis actionibus exercent, ne in se ipsis torpentes opere, alios excitent voce, sed ante se per sublimia facta excutiunt, & tunc ad bene agendum alios sollicitos reddunt. Prius sua punire fletibus curant, & tunc quae aliorum sunt punienda, denuntiant. If our words be not sharpened, and pierce not as nails, they will hardly be felt by stony hearts. To speak coldly and slightly of heavenly things, is near as bad as to say nothing of them.