A26932:436
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.
But this is the thing effected. To intend well in doing ill, is no ⟨p. 199⟩rarity. Who can in reverence to any men on earth, sit still and hold his tongue, while he seeth people thus run to their own destruction, and the souls of men be undone by the contendings of Divines for their several parties and interests? The Lord that knows my heart, knows that (if I know it my self) as I am not of any one of these parties, so I speak not a word of this in a factious partiality, for one party, or against another, as such; much less in spleen against any person; but if I durst in conscience, I would have silenced all this, for fear of giving them offence whom I much honour: But what am I but a servant of Christ? and what is my life worth, but to do him service? and whose favour can recompense for the ruins of the Church? and who can be silent while souls are undone? Not I for my part, while God is my Master, and his word my Rule; his work my business: and the success of it, for the saving of men, my end. Who can be reconciled to that which so lamentably crosseth his Masters interest, and his main end? Nor yet would I have spoken any of this, if it had been only in respect to my own charge; yet I bless God, the sore is but small, in comparison of what it is in many other places. But the observation of some neighbour Congregations and others more remote, me thinks, should make the very contrary minded Divines relent, if they were present with them.
But this is the thing effected. To intend well in doing ill, is no ⟨p. 199⟩rarity. Who can in reverence to any men on earth, sit still and hold his tongue, while he seeth people thus run to their own destruction, and the souls of men be undone by the contendings of Divines for their several parties and interests? The Lord that knows my heart, knows that (if I know it my self) as I am not of any one of these parties, so I speak not a word of this in a sactious partiality, for one party, or against another, as such; much less in spleen against any person; but if I durst in conscience, I would have silenced all this, for fear of giving them offence whom I much honour: But what am I but a servant of Christ? and what is my life worth, but to do him service? and whose favour can recompence for the ruines of the Church? and who can be silent while souls are undone? Not I for my part, while God is my Master, and his word my Rule; his work my business: and the success of it, for the saving of men, my end. Who can be reconciled to that which so lamentably crosseth his Masters interest, and his main end? Nor yet would I have spoken any of this, if it had been only in respect to my own charge; yet I bless God, the sore is but small, in comparison of what it is in many other places. But the observation of some neighbour Congregations and others more remote, me thinks, should make the very contrary minded Divines relent, if they were present with them.