A26932:52
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
Preface: To my Reverend and Dearly beloved Brethren, the faithful Ministers of Christ, in Britta…
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.
2. MY second request to the Reverend Ministers in these Nations is, that at last they would without any more delay, unanimously set themselves to the practice of those parts of Christian Discipline, which are unquestionably necessary, and part of their work. It is a sad case that good men under so much liberty, should settle themselves so long in the constant neglect of so great a duty. The common cry is, [Our people be not ready for it: they will not bear it.] But is not the meaning, that you will not bear the trouble and hatred which it will occasion? If indeed you proclaim our Churches uncapable of the Order and Government of Christ, What do you but give up the cause to them that withdraw from them? and encourage men to look out for better societies where that Discipline may be had? For though preaching and Sacraments may be omitted in some cases, till a fitter season, and accordingly so may Discipline be; yet it is a hard case to settle in a constant neglect, for so many years together as we have done, unless there were a flat impossibility of the work: And if it were so, because of our uncapable materials, it would plainly call us to alter our constitution, that the matter may be capable. I have spoke plainly afterward to you of this, which I hope you will bear, and conscionably consider of. I now only beseech you that would make a comfortable account to the chief Shepherd, and would ⟨image 19⟩not be found unfaithful in the house of God, that you do not wilfully or negligently delay it, as if it were a needless thing; nor shrink not from duty because of trouble to the flesh that doth attend it: For as that's too sad a sign of hypocrisy; so the costlyest duties are usually the most comfortable; and be sure that Christ will bear the cost. I could here produce a heap of testimonies, of Fathers and Reformed Divines, that charge this duty with great importunity. I shall only now give you the words of two of the most godly, laborious, judicious Divines that most ever the Church of Christ had since the days of the Apostles.
2. MY second request to the Reverend Ministers in these Nations is, that at last they would without any more delay, unanimously set themselves to the practice of those parts of Christian Discipline, which are unquestionably necessary, and part of their work. It is a sad case that good men under so much liberty, should settle themselves so long in the constant neglect of so great a duty. The common cry is, [Our people be not ready for it: they will not bear it.] But is not the meaning, that you will not bear the trouble and hatred which it will occasion? If indeed you proclaim our Churches uncapable of the Order and Government of Christ, What do you but give up the cause to them that withdraw from them? and encourage men to look out for better societties where that Discipline may be had? For though preaching and Sacraments may be omitted in some cases, till a fitter season, and accordingly so may Discipline be; yet it is a hard case to settle in a constant neglect, for so many years together as we have done, unless there were a flat impossibility of the work: And if it were so, because of our uncapable materials, it would plainly call us to alter our constitution, that the matter may be capable. I have spoke plainly afterward to you of this, which I hope you will bear, and conscionably consider of. I now only beseech you that would make a comfortable account to the chief Shepherd, and would