Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

Fain would we reach their consciences to awaken them from their security; for it pitieth us to see them so near unto perdition. But we can do no good upon them; for our Ministry is in contempt because of the contrary judgement of these men. Not that the poor people care any more for a Prelate, as such, then for an ordinary Minister: For if Prelates would have troubled them as much with their preaching, and reproofs, and discipline, they would have hated them as much as they do the Ministers: But because they found by experience, that under their Government they might sin quietly, and make a scorn of godliness without any danger or trouble, and that to this day, the men of that way are so much against those precise Ministers, that will not let them ⟨p. 198⟩go quietly to hell, therefore are they all for Prelacy, and make this the great shelter for their disobedience and unreformed lives. So that I confess I think that the hurt that Separatists and Anabaptists do in England at this day, is little to the hurt that is done by these men. For I count that the greatest hurt, which hardeneth the greatest number in the state and way of greatest danger. An Anabaptist may yet be a penitent and godly person, and be saved; But the sensual and impenitent worldlings can never be saved in that condition. I see by experience, that if separation infect two or three, or half a score in a Parish; or if Anabaptistry infect as many (and perhaps neither of them mortally) this obstinate contempt of Ministerial exhortation, encouraged by the countenance of the contrary minded, doth infect them by the scores or hundreds. If we come to them in a case where they have no countenance from the Ministry, how mute, or tractable comparatively do we find them! But if it be a case where they can but say, that the Prelatical Divines are of another judgement, how unmoveable are they, though they have nothing else to say? Try when we come to set afoot this work that we are now upon, of Catechizing and private instruction, whether this will not be one of our greatest impediments; though in a work of unquestioned lawfulness and necessity: Even because they are taught that we are none of their Pastors, and have no authority over them. I know that some of these men are Learned and Reverend, and intend not such mischievous ends as these. The hardening of men in ignorance is not their design.

Fain would we reach their consciences to awaken them from their security; for it pittyeth us to see them so neer unto perdition. But we can do no good upon them; for our Ministery is in contempt because of the contrary judgement of these men. Not that the poor people care any more for a Prelate, as such, then for an ordinary Minister: For if Prelates would have troubled them as much with their preaching, and reproofs, and discipline, they would have hated them as much as they do the Ministers: But because they found by experience, that under their Government they might sin quietly, and make a scorn of godliness without any danger or trouble, and that to this day, the men of that way are so much against those precise Ministers, that will not let them