A26932:752
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.
Answ. 1. The advantages I have showed you before, and therefore will not stand to repeat them; only, lest any think that this will wrong them by hindering them from preaching, I add to the 20. Benefits before mentioned, that it will be an excellent means to help you in preaching: For as the Physicians work is half done when he fully knows the disease, so when you are acquainted well with your peoples case, you will know what to preach on; and it will furnish you with matter to talk an hour with an ignorant or obstinate sinner, as much as an hours study will do: for you will know what you have need to insist on, and what objections of theirs to refel.
Answ. 1. The advantages I have shewed you before, and therefore will not stand to repeate them; only, lest any think that this will wrong them by hindring them from preaching, I add to the 20. Benefits before mentioned, that it will be an excellent means to help you in preaching: For as the Physitians work is half done when he fully knows the disease, so when you are acquainted well with your peoples case, you will know what to preach on; and it will furnish you with matter to talk an hour with an ignorant or obstinate sinner, as much as an hours study will do: for you will know what you have need to insist on, and what objections of theirs to refell.
2. I hope there is none so silly as to think this conference is not preaching. What doth the number we speak to make it preaching? Or doth interlocution make it none? Sure a man may as truly preach to one as to 1000. And (as is aforesaid) if you search, you'll find, that most of the Gospel preaching in those days, was by conference, or serious speeches to people occasionally, and frequently interlocutory: and that with one or two, fewer or more, as opportunity ⟨p. 409⟩served. Thus Christ himself did most commonly preach. Besides, we must take account of our peoples learning, if we mind the success of our work.
2. I hope there is none so silly as to think this conference is not preaching. What doth the number we speak to make it preaching? Or doth interlocution make it none? Sure a man may as truly preach to one as to 1000. And (as is aforesaid) if you search, you'l find, that most of the Gospel preaching in those daies, was by conference, or serious speeches to people occasionally, and frequently interlocutory: and that with one or two, fewer or more, as opportunity