Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

And let me speak one word of this to you that are my dear fellow-labourers in this County, who have engaged your selves to be faithful in this work. It is your honour to lead in sacred Resolutions and Agreements: but if you should any of you be unfaithful in the performance, it will be your double dishonour. Review your subscribed Agreement, and see that you perform it with diligence and constancy. You have begun a happy work: such as will do more to the welfare of the Church then many that the world doth make a greater stir about. God forbid now, that imprudence or negligence should frustrate all. For the generality of you, I do not much fear it, having so much experience of your fidelity in the other parts of your office. And if there should be any found among you, that will shuffle over the work, and deal unfaithfully in this and other parts of your office, I take it for no just cause of reproach to us that we accept of your subscription, when you offer to join with us. For Catechizing is a work not proper only to a Minister; and we cannot forbid any to engage themselves to their unquestionable duty: But in our Association for Discipline we must be somewhat more scrupulous, with whom we join. I earnestly beseech you all in the name of God, and for the sake of your peoples souls, that you will not slightly slubber over this work; but do it vigorously and with all your might, and make it your great and serious business: Much judgement is required for the managing of it. Study therefore how to do it beforehand, as you study for your Sermons. I remember how earnest I was with some of the last Parliament, to have had them ⟨image 18⟩settle Catechists in our Assemblies; But truly I am not sorry that it took not effect (unless for a few of the larger Congregations.) For I perceive that all the life of the work under God, doth lie in the prudent effectual management; in searching mens hearts, and setting home the saving truths: and the ablest Minister is weak enough for this, and few of inferior place or parts would be found competent: for I fear nothing more, then that many Ministers that preach well, will be found too unmeet for this work; especially to manage it with old, ignorant, dead-hearted sinners: And indeed if the Ministers be not reverenced by the people, they will rather slight them and contest with them, then humbly learn and submit:

And let me speak one word of this to you that are my dear fellow-labourers in this County, who have engaged your selves to be faithful in this work. It is your henour to lead in sacred Resolutions and Agreements: but if you should any of you be unfaithful in the performance, it will be your double dishonour. Review your subscribed Agreement, and see that you perform it with diligence and constancy. You have begun a happy work: such as will do more to the welfare of the Church then many that the world doth make a greater stir about. God forbid now, that imprudence or negligence should frustrate all. For the generality of you, I do not much fear it, having so much experience of your fidelity in the other parts of your office. And if there should be any found among you, that will shuffle over the work, and deal unfaithfully in this and other parts of your office, I take it for no just cause of reproach to us that we accept of your subscription, when you offer to joyn with us. For Catechizing is a work not proper only to a Minister; and we cannot forbid any to engage themselves to their unquestionable duty: But in our Association for Discipline we must be somewhat more scrupulous, with whom we joyn. I earnestly beseech you all in the name of God, and for the sake of your peoples souls, that you will not slightly slubber over this work; but do it vigorously and with all your might, and make it your great and serious business: Much judgement is required for the managing of it. Study therefore how to do it beforehand, as you study for your Sermons. I remember how earnest I was with some of the last Parliament, to have had them