A26932:837
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.
1. Let them know that this meeting is appointed for another use; that is, for the Instructing of the people in the Principles of Religion; and you think it very unmeet to pervert it from that use; it being a sin to do Gods work disorderly, or to be doing a lesser work, when you should be doing a greater: And therefore as you durst not turn Gods public worship on the Lords day into vain or contentious disputings, which discompose mens minds, and spoil a greater work; so neither do you think it lawful to abuse ⟨p. 455⟩these times to lower uses, which are appointed for higher.
1. Let them know that this meeting is appointed for another use; that is, for the Instructing of the people in the Principles of Religion; and you think it very unmeet to pe•vert it from that use; it being a sin to do Gods work disorderly, or to be doing a lesser work, when you should be doing a greater: And therefore as you durst not turn Gods publike worship on the Lords day into vain or contentious disputings, which discompose mens minds, and spoil a greater work; so neither do you think it lawful to abuse ⟨p. 455⟩these times to lower uses, which are appointed for higher.
2. Yet let him know, that you do not this to avoid any trial of the truth: and that he may know so much, you will at any other fit season, when he will come on purpose to that end, endeavour to give him full satisfaction; or you will as willingly receive instruction from him, if he be able and have the truth, as you desire he should receive instruction from you: and if it must be so, you will yield to his desire before you part, if there be but time when you have dispatched the greater work: but upon condition only, that he will submit to the greater first.
2. Yet let him know, that you do not this to avoid any tryal of the truth: and that he may know so much, you will at any other fit season, when he will come on purpose to that end, endeavour to give him full satisfaction; or you will as willingly receive instruction from him, if he be able and have the truth, as you desire he should receive instruction from you: and if it must be so, you will yield to his desire before you part, if there be but time when you have dispatcht the greater work: but upon condition only, that he will submit to the greater first.