A26932:661
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.
1. In ourselves there is much dullness and laziness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in so hard a work. Like a sluggard in bed, that knows he should rise, and yet delayeth and would stay as long as he can; so do we by duties that our corrupt natures are against, and put us to the use of all our powers. More sloth will tie the hands of many.
1. In ourselves there is much dulness and laziness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in so hard a work. Like a sluggard in bed, that knows he should rise, and yet delayeth and would stay as long as he can; so do we by duties that our corrupt natures are against, and put us to the use of all our powers. More sloath will tye the hands of many.
2. We have also a base man-pleasing disposition, which will make us let men perish lest we lose their love, and let them go quietly to hell, least we should make them angry with us for seeking their salvation: and we are ready to venture on the displeasure of ⟨p. 352⟩God, and venture our people into everlasting misery, rather then get ill-will to ourselves. This distemper must be diligently resisted,
3. We have some of us also a foolish bashfulness, which makes us very backward to begin with them, and to speak plainly to them: we are so modest forsooth, that we blush to speak for Christ, or to contradict the Devil, or to save a soul: when shameful works we are less ashamed of.