A26932:611
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. The common concord of Ministers will do much to bow their hearts to a consent. Were it but a meeting to resolve some controverted questions it would not have so direct a tendency to conversion Were it but occasional, we could not handsomely fall on them so closely: but when we make it the appointed business, it will be expected, and not so strangely taken. And if most Ministers had singly set upon this work, perhaps but few of the people would have submitted, and then you might have lost your chiefest opportunities, and those that had most needed your help, would have had least of it. Whereas now we may hope that when it is a general thing, few will refuse it; and when they see that other neighbours do it, they will be ashamed to be so singular or openly ungodly as to deny.
3. The common concord of Ministers will do much to bow their hearts to a consent. Were it but a meeting to resolv som controverted questions it would not have so direct a tendency to conversion Were it but occasional, we could not handsomly fall on them so closely: but when we make it the appointed business, it will be expected, and not so strangely taken. And if most Ministers had singly set upon this work, perhaps but few of the people would have submitted, and then you might have lost your chiefest opportunities, and those that had most needed your help, would have had least of it. Whereas now we may hope that when it is a general thing, few will refuse it; and when they see that other neighbours do it, they will be ashamed to be so singular or openly ungodly as to deny.
The work of conversion consisteth of two parts.
1. The well informing of the judgement in the necessary points. 2. The change of the will, by the efficacy of this truth. Now in this work; we have the most excellent advantage for both. For the informing of their understandings, it must needs be an excellent help to have the sum of all Christianity still in memory. And though bare words not understood, will make no change, yet when the words are plain English, he that hath the words is far liker to know the meaning and matter, then another; For what have we to make known things by, that themselves are invisible, but words and other subservient signs? Those therefore that will deride all Catechisms and Professions, as unprofitable forms, may better deride themselves for talking and using the form of their own words to make known their minds to others: And they may deride all Gods word on the same account, which is a standing Form for the guiding of preachers, and teaching all others the doctrine of eternal life. Why may not written words that are still before their eyes and in their memories; instruct them, as well as the transient words of a Preacher? These Forms therefore of wholesome words are so far from being unprofitable (as some fantastical persons do imagine) that they are of admirable use to all.