A26932:507
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.
1. THE first quickening Consideration which the text here affordeth us, is taken from our Relation to all the Flock. We are Overseers of it. In this I shall further show you these subordinate particulars, which will manifest the force of this consideration.
1. THE first quickning Consideration which the text here affordeth us, is taken from our Relation to all the Flock. We are Overseers of it. In this I shall further shew you these subordinate particulars, which will manifest the force of this consideration.
1. The nature of the office requireth us to Take heed. What else are we Overseers for? Episcopus est nomen quod plus oneris quam honoris significat, saith Polid. Virgil. p. 240. and a Father before him To be a Bishop or Pastor is not to be set up as Idols for the people to bow to, or as idle slow-bellies to live to our fleshly delight and ease; but it is to be the guide of sinners to salvation The particulars of our duty we have somewhat touched before, and more shall do anon. It is a sad case, that men should be of a calling that they know not the nature of, and undertake they know not what. Do these men know ⟨p. 249⟩and consider what they have undertaken, that live at ease and pleasure, and have time to take their superfluous recreations, and to spend an hour and more at once in loitering and vain discourses, when so much work doth lie upon their hands! Why Brethren, do you consider where you stand, and what you have taken upon you? Why you have undertaken the Conduct under Christ of a band of his soldiers against Principalities and Powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. You must lead them on the sharpest conflicts. You must acquaint them with the enemies stratagems and assault. You must watch your selves and keep them watching. If you miscarry they and you many perish. You have a subtle enemy, and therefore must be wise; You have a vigilant enemy, and therefore must be vigilant. A malicious, and violent, and unwearied enemy; and therefore you must be resolute, courageous & unwearied. You are in a crowd of enemies, compassed with them on every side; and if you heed one and not all, you will quickly fall. And O what a world of work have you to do? Had you but one ignorant old man or woman to teach, though willing to learn, what a tedious task is it? But if they be as unwilling as ignorant, how much more difficult is it? But to have such a multitude of these, as most of us have, what work will it find us? Who hath ever tried it, that knoweth it not by experience? What a pitiful life is it, to reason with men that have almost lost the use of reason, and to talk with obstinate wilful people, that know what they will and resolve, but not why they do it? and to argue the case with them that neither understand themselves nor you;