The Reformed Pastor

NAY thirdly, there will be little matter of doubt or controversie, but that private, frequent, spiritual conference betwixt fellow-Christians, but especially (and in matters of high concernment and difficulty) between the Presbyter and those of his charge, even in the time of health; and peculiarly, that part of it, which is spent in the discussion of every mans special sins and infirmities and inclinations may prove very useful and advantagious (in order to spiritual directions, reproof and comfort) to the making the man of God perfect. And to tell truth, if the Pride and self conceit of some, the wretchlesness of others, the bashfulness of a third sort, the nauseating, and instant satiety of any good in a fourth, the follies of men, and artifices of Satan had not put this practice quite out of fashion among us, there is no doubt but more good might be done by Ministers this way, then is now done by any other means separated from the use of this particularly, then by that of Publike Preaching (which yet need not be neglected the more when this is used) which hath now the fate to be cryed up, and almost solely depended on, it being the likelyer way, as Quintilian saith, (comparing Publike and private teaching of youth) to fill narrow mouth'd bottles (and such are the most of us) by taking them single in the hand, and pouring in water into each, then by setting them altogether, and throwing never so many bottles of water on them.

Mr. William Gurnal in his excellent Book called, The Christian in compleat Armour, pag. 2, 5.

THE ignorant soul feels no such smart: If the Minister stay till he sends for him to instruct him, he may sooner hear the bell go for him than any Messenger come for him: You must seek them out, and not expect that they will come to you. These are a sort of people that are afraid more of their Remedy, than their disease, and study more to hide their ignorance, then how to have it cured; which should make us pitty them the more, because they can pitty themselves so little. I confess it is no small unhappiness to some of us, who have to do with a multitude, that we have neither time nor strength to make our addresses to every particular person in our Congregations, and attend on them as their needs require; and yet cannot well satisfie our consciences otherwise. But let us look to it, that though we cannot do to the height of what we would, we be not found wanting in what we may. Let not the difficulty of our Province make us like some, who when they see they have more work upon their hands, than they can well dispatch, grow sick of it, and sit down out of a lazy despondency, and do just nothing.—O if once our hearts were but filled with Zeal for God and compassion to our peoples souls, we would up and be doing, though we could but lay a brick a day; and God would be with us. May be, you who find a people rude and sottishly ignorant, like stones in the quarry and trees unfell'd, shall not bring the work to such perfection in your daies as you desire! Yet as David did for Solomon, thou mayst by thy pains in teaching and instructing them, prepare materials for another, who shall rear the Temple.— Read the rest.

p. 1Gildas Salvianus; THE REFORMED PASTOR.

Take heed therefore to your selves, and to all the Flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Reverend and Dearly Beloved Brethren,

THough some think that Pauls Exhortation to these Elders, doth prove him their Ruler, we hope, who are this day to speak to you from the Lord, that we may freely do the like, without any jealousies of such a Conclusion. Though we teach our people as Officers set over them in the p. 2Lord, yet may we teach one another, as Brethren in Office as well as in Faith. If the people of our charge must teach and admonish, and exhort each other daily, Col. 3. ◊6. Heb. 3. 13. no doubt Teachers may do it to one another without any supereminency of power or degree. We have the same sins to kill, and the same graces to be quickned and corroborated, as our people have: we have greater works then they to do, and greater difficulties to overcome, and no less necessity is laid upon us; and therefore we have need to be warned and wakened, if not to be instructed, as well as they: So that I confess I think such meetings should be more frequent, if we had nothing else to do together but this: And as plainly and closely should we deal with one another, as the most serious among us do with their Flocks; lest if only they have the sharp admonitions and reproofs, they only should be sound and lively in the Faith. That this was Pauls judgement, I need no other proof, then this rowsing heart-melting exhortation to the Ephesian Elders: A short Sermon; but not soon learnt. Had the Bishops and Teachers of the Church but throughly learned this short exhortation, though with the neglect of many a Volumn which hath taken up their time, and helpt them to greater applause in the world, how happy had it been for the Church and them!

Our present straits of time will allow me to touch upon no part of it but my Text; which, supposing Paul the speaker, and the Ephesine Elders his hearers, containeth, 1. A two-sold duty. 2. A four-fold motive to enforce it.

The first duty is to Take heed to themselves. The p. 3second is, to take heed to all the Flock. And the main work for the Flock which is thus heedfully to be done, is expressed, even to feed them, or play the Shepherds for them.