A26932:871
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.
4. But if you perceive them so set upon the exercise of their own parts for ostentation, that they are like to divide, if they have not opportunity to do it; be not too stiff against them; but mildly let them know, that it is for their good that you dislike it, both because it is an ill sign of a proud heart, that had rather teach, then learn, especially where a Teacher by office is in place, and where there is no necessity; and also because you fear it will not tend to the best edification of the Flock, but to vain janglings, or to excite others that are unable to an imitation. Desire also to know of them, whether they have any truth of God to reveal to them, that you do not reveal? If they have not, why should they desire needlessly to tell them what they are daily told by you? If they have, it is necessary that you know it and consider of it, before you consent that it should be taught to your Flock. But if this mild resistance satisfy not, let ⟨p. 469⟩them take their course a while, rather then separate from you (unless they be already perverse and subtle Heretics:) and when they have done their exercises, tell them that as you give liberty to all, to propound their doubts about what you have delivered, so you must take the like liberty that you give: And so propound, first, whether the understandings of people are like to be more edified, by such obtrusions of variety, or by fastening well upon their memories the things that they have lately heard? and so whether such exercises or repetitions be more necessary? And then open the weaknesses of the discourse; the mis-expounding of Scriptures, the errors in matter, in Method, and in words and that not in a contemptuous or disgraceful way, but as the points wherein you remain unsatisfied. And by such means as these you will quickly shame them out of their way of ostentation, and make them give it over.
4. But if you perceive them so set upon the exercise of their own parts for ostentation, that they are like to divide, if they have not opportunity to do it; be not too stiff against them; but mildly let them know, that it is for their good that you dislike it, both because it is an ill sign of a proud heart, that had rather teach, then learn, especially where a Teacher by office is in place, and where there is no necessity; and also because you fear it will not tend to the best edification of the Flock, but to vain janglings, or to excite others that are unable to an imitation. Desire also to know of them, whether they have any truth of God to reveal to them, that you do not reveal? If they have not, why should they desire needlesly to tell them what they are daily told by you? If they have, it is necessary that you know it and consider of it, before you consent that it should be taught to your Flock. But if this mild resistance satisfie not, let