A26932:474
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 I know the thing expected is, that all the people should be forced under a penalty to submit to our Discipline. I confess, I think that the Magistrate should be the hedge of the Church and defend the Ministry, and improve his power to the utmost to procure an universal obedience to Christs Laws, and restrain men from the apparent breach of them, especially from being false Teachers and Seducers of others. How far I am against the two extremes of Universal Licence, and Persecuting tyranny, I have ⟨p. 225⟩frequently manifested on other occasions. But I shall now say but this. 1. Doth not this further discover the carnal frame of our hearts, when we will not do our duty unless the Magistrate will do his to the full, and all that we conceive may be his duty? What! will his neglect excuse yours? Hath Christ bid you use the Keys of the Kingdom, and avoid a scandalous sinner upon condition that the Magistrate will punish him with the sword? Is not this your meaning if you would speak it out, that you find a great deal of difficulty in your work, and you would have the Magistrate by terrifying offenders make it easy to you? for if it be not safe and cheap and easy, you are resolved you will not do it; And such servants Christ may have enough. Nay is not your meaning, that you would have the Magistrate to do your work for you? Just as your pious people have long cried and prayed for Discipline, and called upon Ministers to do it, but we cannot get them to reprove offenders and deal with them seriously and lovingly for their good and inform the Church-Officers of them that are obstinate. So do we toward the Magistrates: The work of God is so much beholden to us, that we would all have it done, but few w•ll do it. We can easilyer censure and talk against others for not doing it, then do it our selves. O the guile and hypocrisy of our hearts!
But I know the thing expected is, that all the people should be forced under a penalty to submit to our Discipline. I confess, I think that the Magistrate should be the hedge of the Church and defend the Ministery, and improve his power to the utmost to procure an universal obedience to Christs Laws, and restrain men from the apparent breach of them, especially from being false Teachers and Seducers of others. How far I am against the two extreams of Universal Licence, and Persecuting tyrannie, I have ⟨p. 225⟩