A26932:475
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.
2. But further, What is it that you would have the Magistrate to do? I pray you consider it how you will answer it before God, that you should wilfully neglect your own duty, and then make it your Religion to quarrel with others. Is it not a fearful deceit of heart for a man to think himself a godly ⟨p. 226⟩Minister for finding fault with them that are less faulty then himself? I say, less faulty. For tell me truly. Whether the Magistrate do more of his part in Government, or you in yours. I am no more a flatterer of the Magistrate then of you; nor was ever taken for such, that I could understand: but we must deal justly by all men. Would you have the Magistrate to punish men eo nomine, because excommunicated, without any particular cognisance of the fact and case? 1. That were unjust; Then he must do wrong when ever we mistake and do wrong; If an honest man were an hangman, he would be willing to know that he hanged not a man that was unjustly condemned: However the Magistrate is not the mere executioner of the Ministers, but a Judge: and therefore must be allowed the use of his Reason, to know the cause, and follow his own judgement, and not punish men against it. 2. And excommunication is so great a punishment of it self, that I hope you do not think it nothing, unless the Magistrate add more: If so, then the temporal punishment might serve turn, and what need of yours? But I suppose that this is not your sense, but you are so just, that you would have the Magistrate to punish a man as an offender, and not as excommunicate. And if so, I think it is not nothing that he doth. Are all the penalties against Swearers, Cursers, Drunkards, Peace-breakers, Sabbath-breakers, &c. nothing? Certainly the Laws of the Land do punish much sin against God. Well! What do you as Church-Governors against these same sins? The Magistrate fineth and imprisoneth them: that is his part: It is your part to bring them to open Repentance, or to ⟨p. 227⟩cast them out: Have you done this as oft as he hath done his part? Doth not the Magistracy of England punish ten, twenty, what if I say an hundred Swearers, Drunkards or Sabbath-breakers by the sword, for one that the Elders of the Church do punish by censures or bring to public Repentance for the satisfaction of the Church? Brethren, these things seem strange to me;
2. But further, What is it that you would have the Magistrate to do? I pray you consider it how you will answer it before God, that you should willfully neglect your own duty, and then make it your Religion to quarrel with others. Is it not a fearful deceit of heart for a man to think himself a godly