A26932:632
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.
11. Another benefit that is like to follow our work, is this; It may exceedingly facilitate the Ministerial service to the next generation that shall succeed us; and prevent the Rebellion of people against their Teachers. As I said, custom is the thing that sways much with the multitude; and they that first break a destructive custom, must bear the brunt of their indignation; some body must do this. If we do it not, it will lie upon our successors; And how can we look that they should be more hardy and resolute, and faithful then we? Its we that have seen the heavy Judgements of the Lord, and heard him pleading by fire and sword with the Land. Its we that have been our selves in the furnace, and should be the most refined (Mal. 3. 23.) Its we that are most deeply obliged by oaths and covenants, by wonderful deliverances, experiences and mercies of all sorts. And if we yet flinch and turn our backs, and prove false-hearted, why should we expect better ⟨p. 333⟩from them, that have not been driven by such scourges as we, nor drawn by such cords. But if they do prove better then we, and will do it, the same odium and opposition must befall them, which we avoid, and that with some increase, because of our neglect; For the people will tell them, that we their predecessors did no such things. But if we would now break through that are set in the front, and break the ice for them that follow us, their souls will bless us, and our names shall be dear to them, and they will feel the happy fruits of our labour every week and day of their Ministry. When the people shall willingly submit to their private instructions and examinations, yea and to discipline too because we have acquainted them with it, and removed the prejudice, and broke the evil custom that our fore-goers had been the cause of. And so we may do much to the saving of many thousand souls in all ages to come, as well as in the present age that we are working in.
11. ANother benefit that is like to follow our work, is this; It may exceedingly facilitate the Ministerial service to the next generation that shall succeed us; and prevent the Rebellion of people against their Teachers. As I said, custom is the thing that swaies much with the multitude; and they that first break a destructive custom, must bear the brunt of their indignation; some body must do this. If we do it not, it will lie upon our successors; And how can we look that they should be more hardy and resolute, and faithful then we? Its we that have seen the heavy Judgements of the Lord, and heard him pleading by fire and sword with the Land. Its we that have been our selves in the furnace, and should be the most refined (Mal. 3. 23.) Its we that are most deeply obliged by oaths and covenants, by wonderful deliverances, experiences and mercies of all sorts. And if we yet flinch and turn our backs, and prove false-hearted, why should we expect better