A26932:426
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 a great advantage the Devil hath got this way, by employing his own Agents, the unhappy Socinians in writing so many Treatises for Catholic and Arch-catholic Unity and Peace, which they did for their own ends, and would have done it on insufficient terms: By which means the enemy of Peace hath brought it to pass that whoever maketh motion for Peace, is presently under suspicion of being one that hath need of it for an indulgence to his ⟨p. 187⟩own Errors. A fearful case! that heresy should be so credited, as if none were such friends to Unity and Peace as they! And that so great and necessary a duty, upon which the Churches welfare doth so depend, should be brought into such suspicion or disgrace.
And a great advantage the Devil hath got this way, by imploying his own Agents, the unhappy Socinians in writing so many Treatises for Catholike and Arch-catholike Unity and Peace, which they did for their own ends, and would have done it on insufficient terms: By which means the enemy of Peace hath brought it to pass that whoever maketh motion for Peace, is presently under suspition of being one that hath need of it for an indulgence to his ⟨p. 187⟩own Errors. A fearful case! that heresie should be so credited, as if none were such friends to Unity and Peace as they! And that so great and necessary a duty, upon which the Churches wellfare doth so depend, should be brought into such suspition or disgrace.
Brethren, I speak not all this without apparent reason. We have as sad divisions among us in England, considering the piety of the persons, and the smallness of the matter of our discord, as most Nations under heaven have known. The most that keeps us at odds is but about the right form and order of Church-Government. Is the distance so great that Presbyterian, Episcopal and Independent might not be well agreed? Were they but heartily willing and forward for peace, they might, I know they might. I have spoken with some moderate men of all the parties, and I perceive by their concessions it were an easy work. Were mens hearts but sensible of the Churches case, and unfeignedly touched with Love to one another, and did they but heartily set themselves to seek it, the settling of a safe and happy Peace were an easy work. If we could not in every point agree, we might easily find out, and narrow out differences, and hold Communion upon our agreement in the main; determining of the safest way for the managing of our few and small disagreements, without the danger or trouble of the Church. But is this much done? It is not done. To the shame of all our faces be it spoken, it is not done. Let each party flatter themselves now as they please, it will be recorded to the shame of the Ministry of England, while the Gospel shall abide in the Christian world.