A26932:542
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.
SECT. VII.
3. MY next particular Exhortation is this, Star up your selves to the great work of God, when you are upon it, and see that you do it with all your might. Though I move you not to a constant loudness (for that will make your fervency contemptible) yet see that you have a constant seriousness; and when the matter requireth it (as it should do it, the application at least of every Doctrine) then lift up your voice, and spare not your spirits, and speak to them as to men that must be awakened, either here or in Hell. Look upon your Congregations believingly and with compassion, and think in what a state of Joy or Torment they must all be for ever; and then me thinks it should make you earnest, and melt your heart in the sense of their condition. O speak not one cold or careless word about so great a business as heaven or hell! What ever you do, let the people see that you are in good sadness. Truly Brethren, they are great works that are to be done, and you must not think that trifling will dispatch them. You cannot break mens hearts by jesting with them, or telling them a smooth tale, or patching up a gaudy oration. Men will not cast away their deerest pleasures upon a drowsy request of one that seemeth not to mean as he speaks, or to care much whether his request be granted. If you say, That the work is Gods, and he may do it by the weakest means; I answer, Its true, he may do so; ⟨p. 277⟩But yet his ordinary way is to work by means; and to make not only the matter that is preached, but also the manner of preaching to be instrumental to the work: Or else it were a small matter whom he should employ that would but speak the truth. If grace made as little use of the Ministerial persuasions as some conceive, we need not so much mind a Reformation, nor cast out the Insufficient.