Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

11. The whole course of our Ministry must be carried on in a tender Love to our people: we must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but what profiteth them; and that which doth them good doth us good; and nothing troubleth us more then their hurt. We must remember as Hierom saith ad Nepotian. That Bishops are not Lords but Fathers, and therefore must be affected to their people as their children: Yea the tenderest love of a mother should nor surpass theirs. We must even travel in birth of them till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, not money, not liberty, not credit, not life, in comparison of their salvation; but could even be content ⟨p. 131⟩with Moses to have our names wiped out of the Book of life, i. e. to be removed è numero viventium: rather then they should perish and not be found in the Lambs book of life, in numero salvandorum. Thus should we as John saith, be ready to lay down our lives for the brethren, and with Paul not to count our lives dear to us, so we may but finish our course with joy in doing the work of God for their salvation. When the people see that you unfeignedly love them, they will hear any thing, and bear any thing, and follow you the more easily. As Austin saith, Dilige, & dic quicquid voles. We will take all things well our selves from one that we know doth entirely love us. We will put up a blow that is given us in Love, sooner then a foul word that is given us in anger or in malice. Most men use to judge of the counsel, as they judge of the affection of him that gives it: at least so far as to give it a fair hearing. O therefore see that you feel a tender love to your people in your breasts, and then let them feel it in your speeches, and see it in your dealings; Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes; and that all you do is for them, and not for any ends of your own. To this end the works of charity are necessary, as far as your estate will reach For bare words will hardly convince men that you have any great love to them. Amicitia a dando & accipiendo nascitur, Chrysost. But when you are not able to give, show that you are willing to give if you had it, and do that sort of good that you can; Si potes dare, da• si non potes, affabilem tefac. Coronat Deus intus bonitatem, ubi non invenit facultatem. Nemo dicat, non habeo. Charitas non de sacculo erogatur. August.

11. The whole course of our Ministery must be carried on in a tender Love to our people: we must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but what profiteth them; and that which doth them good doth us good; and nothing troubleth us more then their hurt. We must remember as Hierom saith ad Nepotian. That Bishops are not Lords but Fathers, and therefore must be affected to their people as their children: Yea the tenderest love of a mother should nor surpass theirs. We must even travel in birth of them till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, not money, not liberty, not credit, not life, in comparison of their salvation; but could even be content