A26932:439
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 indeed by all this they plainly show what a condition they would reduce this Nation into again, if it were in their power. Sure they that would have the people disown and withdraw from them as being no Ministers, and turn their backs on the word and Sacraments, would silence them if they could: I think there is no doubt of that. And surely they that are so offended that the insufficient and scandalous ones are cast out, would have them in again if they could. And if this be the change that they desire, let them not blame men that believe the Scripture, and value mens salvation, if they have no mind of their change. If it were a matter of mere opinion, we should be more indifferent with them: Or if the question were only whether men should be conducted in ways of holiness by a Prelate, or by mere Presbyters only, we should think it of less moment, then the matter that is before us: But when it comes to this pass, that the Prince of darkness must be so ⟨p. 202⟩gratified. and so much of the Church of Christ delivered overmuch into his power, and the people led by multitudes to perdition, and all for the upholding of our own parties, or interests, or conceits; we cannot make light of such matters as these: These are not mere speculations, but matters that are so obvious to sense and Christian experience, that they must not think much that serious experienced Christians are against them.
And indeed by all this they plainly shew what a condition they would reduce this Nation into again, if it were in their power. Sure they that would have the people disown and withdraw from them as being no Ministers, and turn their backs on the word and Sacraments, would silence them if they could: I think there is no doubt of that. And surely they that are so offended that the insufficient and scandalous ones are cast out, would have them in again if they could. And if this be the change that they desire, let them not blame men that believe the Scripture, and value mens salvation, if they have no mind of their change. If it were a matter of meer opinion, we should be more indifferent with them: Or if the question were only whether men should be conducted in waies of holiness by a Prelate, or by meer Presbyters only, we should think it of less moment, then the matter that is before us: But when it comes to this pass, that the Prince of darkness must be so ⟨p. 202⟩gratified. and so much of the Church of Christ delivered overmuch into his power, and the people led by multitudes to perdition, and all for the upholding of our own parties, or interests, or conceits; we cannot make light of such matters as these: These are not meer speculations, but matters that are so obvious to sense and Christian experience, that they must not think much that serious experienced Christians are against them.