A26932:482
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 one objection is common, which I forgot: They say, We are but single Pastors, and therefore cannot excommunicate men alone, unless we should make every Pastor a Pope in his Parish, or a Bishop at least.
Answ. For my part I have no mind to obtrude my own opinion on such (for the power of a single person to excommunicate) I have sufficiently already proved my self a Novelist and singular with some, by asserting ancient and most common Truths. But yet 1. I could with these men so much moderation, as to be sure that they are in this as much wiser then the contrary-minded, as their confidence doth import, before they proceed in calling them Popes: Least as the cunning of the times is by making many Antichrists, to make none; so these men should contrary to their intention, credit the Pope, by making so many Popes, and the Prelates too by making such kind of Prelates.
Answ. For my part I have no mind to obtrude my own opinion on such (for the power of a single person to excommunicate) I have sufficiently already proved my self a Novelist and singular with some, by asserting antient and most common Truths. But yet 1. I could with these men so much moderation, as to be sure that they are in this as much wiser then the contrary-minded, as their confidence doth import, before they proceed in calling them Popes: Least as the cunning of the times is by making many Antichrists, to make none; so these men should contrary to their intention, credit the Pope, by making so many Popes, and the Prelates too by making such kind of Prelates.
2. A Pope is the pretended head of the Catholic Church, and an universal Bishop to govern it; Are single ruling Pastors such? A Diocesan Bishop is the Ruler of all the Pastors and Churches in a Diocese: Is such a Pastor one of these?