A26932:644
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.
18. AND then for the extent of the foresaid Benefits, (which in the two next places shall now be considered) The design of this work is, the Reforming and saving of all the people in our several Parishes; For we shall not leave out any man that will submit to be instructed. And though we can scarce hope that every particular person will be reformed and saved by it, yet have we reason to hope, that as the attempt is universal, so the success will be more general or extensive then hitherto we have seen of our other labours. Sure I am it is most like to the spirit, and precept and offers of the Gospel, which requireth us to preach the Gospel to every creature, and promiseth life to every man if he will accept it by believing! If God would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (that is, as Rector and Benefactor) of the world, he hath manifested himself willing to save All men if they will themselves, though his Elect he will also make willing) then sure it beseems us to offer salvation unto all men, and to endeavour to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. And if Christ tasted death for every man, its meet we should preach his death for every man. This work hath a more excellent design, then our accidental conferences with now and then a particular person. And I observe that in such occasional discourses men satisfy themselves to have spoken some good words, but seldom set plainly and closely to the matter, to convince men of sin, and misery, and ⟨p. 340⟩mercy; as in this purposely appointed work we are now more like to do.
18. AND then for the extent of the foresaid Benefits, (which in the two next places shall now be considered) The design of this work is, the Reforming and saving of all the people in our several Parishes; For we shall not leave out any man that will submit to be instructed. And though we can scarce hope that every particular person will be reformed and saved by it, yet have we reason to hope, that as the attempt is universal, so the success will be more general or extensive then hitherto we have seen of our other labours. Sure I am it is most like to the spirit, and precept and offers of the Gospel, which requireth us to preach the Gospel to every creature, and promiseth life to every man if he will accept it by believing! If God would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (that is, as Rector and Benefactor) of the world, he hath manifested himself willing to save All men if they will themselves, though his Elect he will also make willing) then sure it beseems us to offer salvation unto all men, and to endeavour to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. And if Christ tasted death for every man, its meet we should preach his death for every man. This work hath a more excellent design, then our accidental conferences with now and then a particular person. And I observe that in such occasional discourses men satisfie themselves to have spoken some good words, but seldom set plainly and closely to the matter, to convince men of sin, and misery, and