A26932:677
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.
2. There is a Necessity also of this Duty ad finem; and first, To the Creator Glory of God, by the fuller success of the Gospel: Not simply to his Glory, as if he could not have his Glory without it: for so our salvation is not Necessary to his Glory: but to his Greater Glory: because he is most honoured and pleased when most are saved: For he hath sworn that he hath no pleasure in the Death of a Sinner, but rather that he return and live. And doubtless as every Christian liveth to the Glory of God, as his End so will he gladly take that course that may most effectually promote it: For what man would not attain his Ends? O Brethren if we could generally set this work a foot in all the Parishes of England, and get our people to submit to it, and then prosecute it skilfully and zealously our selves, what a Glory would it put upon the face of the Nation, and what Glory would redound to God thereby? If our common Ignorance were thus banished, and our vanity and idleness turned into the study of the way of life, and every Shop, and every house were busied in learning of Catechisms, and speaking of the word and works of God, what Pleasure would God take in our Cities and Countries? He would even dwell in our habitations and make them his delight. It is the Glory of Christ that shineth in his Saints; and all their Glory is his ⟨p. 360⟩Glory; that therefore which honoureth them, in Number, or excellency, that honoureth him; Will not the Glory of Christ be most wonderful and conspicuous in the new Jerusalem, when the Church shall have that shining lustre that is described in Rev. 21.? It is he that is the sun and the shield of his Church, and his light is it in which they shall have light; and the business of every Saint is to glorify him: If therefore we can increase the Number or strength of the Saints, we thereby increase the honour of the King of Saints; For he will have service and praise where before he had disobedience and dishonour. Christ also will be honoured in the fruits of his bloodshed, and the spirit of Grace in the fruit of his operations; And do not all these Ends require that we use the means with diligence?