A26932:754
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.
There is nothing therefore from God, from the spirit, from right reason, to cause us to make any question of our work, or to be unwilling to it. But from the world, from the flesh and the Devil, we shall have much, and more perhaps then we yet expect. But against temptations, if we have recourse to God, and look on his great Obligations on one side, and the hopeful Effects and Reward on the other, we shall see that we have little cause to draw back or to faint.
Let us set before us this pattern in the text, and learn our duty thence, and imitate it. From Vers. 19. To serve the Lord (and not men or our selves) with all humility of mind (and not proudly) and with many tears, &c. Vers. 20. To keep back nothing that is profitable to the people, and to Teach them publicly and from house to house: Vers. 21. That the matter of our preaching be Repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Vers. 22, 23, 24. That though we go bound in the spirit, not knowing particularly what shall befall us, but knew that every where bonds and afflictions do abide us, yet none of these things should move us, neither should we count our Life dear to our selves, so that we might finish our course with joy, and the Ministry which we have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. From Vers. 28 To take heed to our selves and all the flock, particularly against domestic Seducers and Schisms. ⟨p. 410⟩From Verse 31. Without ceasing to warn every one day and night with tears. Vers. 3. 3. To covet no mans silver, or gold, or apparel, as counting it more honourable to give then to receive. O what a lesson is here before us! But how ill is it learned by those that still question whether these be their duty. I confess some of these words of Paul have so often been presented before mine eyes, and stuck upon my conscience, that I have been much convinced by them of my duty and neglect: And I think this one speech, better deserveth a twelve-months study, then most things that young students do lay out their time in. O Brethren write it on your study doors, or set it as your Copy in Capital letters still before your eyes: Could we but well learn two or three lines of it, What preachers should we be? 1. For our general business, [SERVING THE LORD WITH ALL HUMILITY OF MIND.] 2. Our special work, [TAKE HEED TO YOUR SELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK.] 3. Our Doctrine, [REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD, AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.] 4. The place and manner of Teaching, [I HAVE TAUGHT YOU PUBLICLY, AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.] 5. The Object, and internal manner, [I CEASED NOT TO WARN EVERY ONE NIGHT AND DAY WITH TEARS] This is it that must win souls and preserve them. 6. His innocency and self-denial for the advantage of the Gospel, [I HAVE COVETED NO MANS SILVER OR