A26932:680
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.
3. And I must further tell you, that this Ministerial fidelity is Necessary to your own welfare, as well as to your peoples. For this is your work, according to which (among others) you shall be judged. You can no more be saved without Ministerial diligence and fidelity, then they or you can be saved without Christian diligence and fidelity, If you care not for others, at least care for your selves. O what is it to answer for the neglect of such a charge? and what sins more heinous then the betraying of souls? Doth not that threatening make us tremble? [If thou warn not the wicked—their blood will I require at thy hands.] I am afraid, nay I am past doubt, that the day is near when unfaithful Ministers will wish that they had never known that charge. But that they had rather been Colliers or Tinkers, or sweepers of Channels, then Pastors of Christs flock! when besides all the rest of their sins, they shall have the blood of so many souls to answer for. O Brethren, our death as well as our peoples is at hand! and it is as terrible to an unfaithful Pastor as to any. When we see that dye we must, and there is no remedy, no wit or learning, no credit or popular applause can put by the stroke, or delay the time; but willing or unwilling, our souls must be gone, and that into a world that we never saw, where our persons and ⟨p. 364⟩worldly interest will not be respected, O then for a clear Conscience, that can say [I lived not to my self but to Christ, I spared not my pains, I hid not my talent; I concealed not mens misery, nor the way of their recovery.] O Sirs, let us therefore take time while we may have it, and work while it is day, for the night cometh when none can work. This is our day too: and by doing good to others, we must do good to our selves. If you would prepare for a comfortable death, and a sure and great Reward, the harvest is before you: g•rd up the loins of your minds, and quit your selves like men; that you may end your days with that confident triumph [I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course; henceforth is laid up for me a crown of Righteousness, which God the righteous Judge shall give me] And if you would be blessed with those that dye in the Lord; Labour now, that you may rest from your labours then, and do such works as you would wish should follow you, and not such as will prove your terror in the review.