A26932:645
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.
19. AND further, It is like to be a work that shall reach over the whole Land, and not stop with us that have now engaged in it. For though it be at the present neglected, I suppose the cause is the same with our Brethren as it hath all this while been with us; who by vain expectations of the Magistrates interposition, or by that inconsiderateness, and laziness which we are bewailing here this day, have so much omitted it till now as we have done; but specially a despair of a common submission of the people hath been the hindrance. But when they shall be remembered of so clear and great a duty, and excited to the consideration of it, and see with us the feasibleness of it, in a good measure, when it is done by common consent, no doubt they will universally take it up, and gladly concur with us in so blessed a work. For they are the servants of the same God, as regardful of their Flocks, and as conscientious as we, and as sensible of the Interest of Christ, and as compassionate to mens souls, and as self-denying, and ready to do or suffer for such excellent ends: seeing therefore they have the same Spirit, Rule and Lord, I will not be so uncharitable as to doubt, whether all that are godly, (or the generality of them) will gladly join with us through all the Land And O what a happy thing it will be to see such a general combination for Christ? and to see all England so seriously called upon, and importuned ⟨p. 341⟩for Christ, and set in so fair a way to heaven! Me thinks, the consideration of it should make our hearts rejoice within us, to see so many faithful servants of Christ all over the Land, to fall in with every particular sinner with such industrious solicitations for the saving of their souls, as men that will hardly take a denial. Me thinks, I even see all the godly Ministers of England, even setting upon the work already, and resolving to take the opportunity, the unanimity may facilitate it. Which if they do, no doubt but God will succeed them. Is it not then a most happy undertaking that you are all setting your hands to, and desiring the assistance of Christ in, this day?