A26932:496
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.
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 ⟨p. 238⟩that which you have not: But me thinks all that you have should be for God. I know the great objection is, We have wife and children to provide for: a little will not serve them at present, and we are not bound to leave them beggars. To which I answer, 1. There are few texts of Scripture more abused then that of the Apostle, He that provideth not for his own, and specially those of his family, hath denied the faith, and is worse then an Infidel.
3. But the most that I have to say is to the third ⟨p. 237⟩