A26932:742
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.
Object. 4. But if you make such severe Laws for Ministers, the Church will be left without. For what man will put himself upon such a toilsome life; or what Parents will choose such a burden for their children? Men will avoid it both for the bodily toil, and the danger to their Consciences, if they should not well discharge it.
Object. 4. BUt if you make such severe Laws for Ministers, the Church will be left without. For what man will put himself upon such a toilsom life; or what Parents will choose such a burden for their children? Men will avoid it both for the bodily toil, and the danger to their Consciences, if they should not well discharge it.
Ans. 1. It is not we, but Christ that hath made and imposed these Laws which you call severe. And if I should silence them or mis-interpret them, or tell you that there is no such things, that would not relax them nor disoblige or excuse you. He that made them, knew why he did it, and will expect the performance of them. Is infinite Goodness it self to be questioned or suspected by us, as making bad or unmerciful Laws? Nay it is mere mercy in him that imposeth this great duty upon us? If Physicians be required to be as diligent in Hospitals or Pesthouses or with other patients, to save their lives, were there not more mercy, then rigour in this Law? what, must God let the souls of your Neighbours perish, to save you a little Labour and suffering: and this in mercy to you? O what a miserable world should we have, if blind self-conceited man had the ruling of it?
Ans. 1. It is not we, but Christ that hath made and imposed these Laws which you call severe. And if I should silence them or mis-interpret them, or tell you that there is no such things, that would not relax them nor disoblige or excuse you. He that made them, knew why he did it, and will expect the performance of them. Is infinite Goodness it self to be questioned or suspected by us, as making bad or unmerciful Laws? Nay it is meer mercy in him that imposeth this great duty upon us? If Physitians be required to be as diligent in Hospitals or Pesthouses or with other patients, to save their lives, were there not more mercy, then rigor in this Law? what, must God let the souls of your Neighbours perish, to save you a little Labour and suffering: and this in mercy to you? O what a miserable world should we have, if blind self-conceited man had the ruling of it?