A26932:462
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.
for we have not cast them out nor have we called them to any profession, whether they own ⟨p. 215⟩or disown their membership, but only whether they will be examined in order to a Sacrament nor do we use to let them know that we take their refusal of Examination for a refusal of Church membership, and exclusion of themselves. It follows therefore that we have gathered Churches out of Churches before they were unchurched, or before we took Gods way to cast any of them (much less all of them) out. But if they are taken for members, how can we satisfy our consciences to forbear all execution of Discipline upon them? It is not Gods Ordinance that they should be personally rebuked and admonished, and then publicly called to Repentance and be cast out if they remain impenitent? If these be no duties, why have we made such a noise and stir about them in the world as we have done? If they be duties, why do we not practise them▪ If none of all these persons be scandalous, why do we not admit them to the Lords Supper? If they keep away themselves, is not that a sin which a brother should not be permitted to remain in? Is it not a scandal for them to avoid the Ordinances of God and the Communion of the Church for so many years together as they do? Yea and many a one of them avoideth also the very hearing of the word: The ancient Discipline was stricter, when the sixth general Council at Trull, in Constantinop. ordained Can. 80. that whosoever was three days together from Church, without urgent necessity, was to be excommunicated.
for we have not cast them out nor have we called them to any profession, whether they own ⟨p. 215⟩or disown their membership, but only whether they will be examined in order to a Sacrament nor do we use to let them know that we take their refusal of Examination for a refusal of Church membership, and exclusion of themselves. It follows therefore that we have gathered Churches out of Churches before they were unchurched, or before we took Gods way to cast any of them (much less all of them) out. But if they are taken for members, how can we satisfie our consciences to forbear all execution of Discipline upon them? It is not Gods Ordinance that they should be personally rebuked and admonished, and then publikely called to Repentance and be cast out if they remain impenitent? If these be no duties, why have we made such a noise and stir about them in the world as we have done? If they be duties, why do we not practise them If none of all these persons be scandalous, why do we not admit them to the Lords Supper? If they keep away themselves, is not that a sin which a brother should not be permitted to remain in? Is it not a scandal for them to avoid the Ordinances of God and the Communion of the Church for so many years together as they do? Yea and many a one of them avoideth also the very hearing of the word: The antient Discipline was stricter, when the sixth general Council at Trull, in Constantinop. ordained Can. 80. that whosoever was three daies together from Church, without urgent necessity, was to be excommunicated.