A26932:651
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.
and little did they think of a Reformation that must be wrought by their own diligence and unwearied labours, by earnest preaching, and catechizing, and personal instructions, and taking heed to all the Flock, whatever pains or reproaches it should cost them They thought not that a through Reformation must multiply their own work, but we had all of us too carnal thoughts, that when we had ungodly men at our mercy all would be done, and conquering them was converting them, or such a means as would have frightened them to, heaven. But the business is far otherwise, and had we then known how a Reformation must be attained, perhaps some would have been colder in the persecution of it. And yet I know that even foreseen labours seem small matters at a distance, while we do, but hear and talk of them: but when we come nearer them, and must lay our hands to the work and put on our armour, and charge through the thickest of opposing difficulties then is the sincerity and the strength of mens hearts brought to trial, and it will appear how they purposed and promised before. Reformation is to many of us, as the Messiah was to the Jews. Before he came, they looked and longed for him, and boasted of him and rejoiced in ⟨p. 342⟩[…] ⟨p. 343⟩[…] ⟨p. 344⟩hope of him, but when he came they could not abide him, but hated him, and would not believe that he was indeed the person, and therefore persecuted and put him to death to the curse and confusion of the main body of their Nation, Mal. 3. 1, 2, 3. The Lord whom we seek shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye del gbt in: But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiners fire, and like Fullers soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. And the reason was, because it was another manner of h•st that the Jews expected, then Jesus was that did appear to them; it was one to bring them riches. and liberty, and to this day they profess that they will never believe in any but such. So it is with too many about Reformation. They hoped for a Reformation, that should bring them more wealth and honour with the people, and power to force men to do what they would have them: