Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

2. And for the second, How common is it with Ministers to drown themselves in worldly business? Too many are such as the Sectaries would have them be, who tell us that we should go to plough and cart, and labour for our living, and preach without so much study: And this is a lesson easily learnt. Men take no care to cast off and prevent care, that their souls and the Church may have their care.

And especially how commonly are those duties neglected, that are like if performed to diminish our estates? For example: Is there not many that dare not, that will not set up the exercise of any Discipline in their Churches (not only on the forementioned accounts but especially) because it may hinder the people from paying them their dues? They will not offend sinners with Discipline, least they offend them in their estates, (yea though the Law secure their maintenance.) I find money is too strong an Argument for some men to answer, that can proclaim the love of it to be the root of all evil, and can make large orations of the danger of covetousness. I will say no more now to these but this; If it was so deadly a sin in Simon Magus to offer to buy the Gift of God with money; what is it to sell his gifts, his cause, and the souls of men for money? and what reason have such to fear least their money perish with them?

3. But the most that I have to say is to the third ⟨p. 237⟩discovery. If worldly and fleshly interest did not much prevail against the interest of Christ and the Church, surely most Ministers would be more fruitful in good works, and would more lay out that they have to their masters use. Experience hath fully proved it, that works of Charity do most potently remove prejudice, and open the ears to words of piety. If men see that you are addicted to do good, they will the easilyer believe that you are good, and the easilyer then believe that it is good which you persuade them too. When they see that you Love them, and seek their good, they will the easilyer trust you: And when they see that you seek not the things of the world, they will the less suspect your intentions, and the easilyer be drawn by you to seek that which you seek. O how much good might Ministers do, if they did set themselves wholly to do good, and would dedicate all their faculties and substance to that end Say not that it is a small matter to do good to mens bodies, and that this will but win them to us, and not to God, nor convert the soul; For it is prejudice that is a great hindrance of mens conversion, and this will remove it: We might do men more good, if they were but willing to learn of us; and this will make them willing, and then our further diligence may profit them. Brethren, I pray you do not think that it is ordinary charity that is expected from you, any more then ordinary piety. You must in proportion to your talents go much beyond others: It is not to give now and them two pence to a poor man; others do that as well as you. But what singular thing do you with your estates for your Masters use? I know you cannot give away