The Reformed Pastor, Closing letter 2
To all the reſt of the Miniſters of the Goſpel in this County, our Reverend and beloved Brethren, Grace and Peace in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Reverend Brethren,
THE Communication of the heavenly Evangelical Light, for the Glory of our Redeemer in the Converſion, Edification and Salvation of mens ſouls, is that which we are bound to by many Obligations, as Chriſtians, and as Miniſters of Chriſt for his Church, and therefore muſt needs be ſolicitous thereof: and it is that which the ſpirit of Grace where it abideth, doth proportionably diſpoſe the heart to deſire: By convictions of the excellency and neceſſity of this work, and of our own duty in order thereto, and by the excitation of undeſerved Grace, our hearts are carried out, to long after a more general and effectual illumination and ſaving Converſion of the inhabitants of this County in which we live: Which while we were but entring upon a conſultation to promote, it pleaſed God (without our knowledge of it) to put the ſame thoughts into the hearts of others. The Natives of this Country of Worceſter who dwell in London, meeting at a feaſt, (as is their yearly uſe) collected a ſum of money for the ſetting of 8. poor boies to trades and towards the maintaining of a weekly Lecture, and have committed the execution of this laſt to our care: And upon conſultation with their Stewards, and among our ſelves, both they and we are ſatisfied, that a moveable Lecture on the Lords Day, is the likelyeſt way for the improvement of their Charity to the attainment of their ends. For 1. Many people through poverty cannot, and many through negligence will not come to a week day's Lecture: Experience telleth us, that ſuch are uſually attended but little by thoſe that have the greateſt need. 2. And thus the benefit may extend to more, than if it were fixed in one Place.
We have therefore deſired our Reverend and Dear Brethren, Mr. Andrew Triſtram Miniſter at Clent, Mr. Henry Oaſland Miniſter at Bewdley, and Mr. Thomas Baldwin Miniſter at Wolverley, and Mr. Joſeph Treble Miniſter at Church-Lench, to undertake this work, and that each of them will be pleaſed every fourth Lords day to Preach twice in thoſe places, where they ſhall judge their labours to be moſt neceſſary: and as we doubt not but their own Congregations will ſo far conſent for the good of others: So do we hereby requeſt of you our Brethren, that when any of them ſhall offer their labours for your Congregations, in preaching the ſaid Lecture, you will receive them, and to your power further them in the work. For as we have no thoughts of obtruding their help upon you, without your conſent; ſo we cannot but undoubtedly expect that men fearing God, and deſiring their peoples everlaſting good, will cheerfully and gratefully entertain ſuch aſſiſtance. And we hope that none will think it needleſs, or take it as an accuſing the Miniſtry of inſufficiency: For the Lord doth variouſly beſtow his gifts: all that are upright are not equally fitted for the work: and many that are learned, judicious, and more able to teach the riper ſort, are yet leſs able to condeſcend to the ignorant, and ſo convincingly and fervently to rowze up the ſecure, as ſome that are below them in other qualifications: and many that are able in both reſpects, have a barren people; and the ableſt have found by experience that God hath ſometime bleſt the labours of a ſtranger to do that which their own hath not done. We beſeech you therefore interpret not this as an accuſation of any, which proceedeth from the Charity of our worthy Countrey-men in London, and from the earneſt deſires of them and us to further the ſalvation of as many as we can. And that you may have no jealouſies of the perſons deputed to this work; we aſſure you that they are approved men, Orthodox, ſober, peaceable, and of upright lives, happily qualified for their Miniſterial work, and zealous and induſtrious therein; and ſo far from being likely to ſow any errors or cauſe diviſions, or to draw the hearts of people from their own faithful Paſtors, that they will be forward to aſſiſt you againſt any ſuch diſtempers in your Flocks. Not doubting therefore, but as you ſerve the ſame Maſter, and are under the ſame oblations as we, ſo as many as are heartily addicted to his ſervice will readily promote ſo hopeful a work, we commend you and your labours to the bleſſing of the Lord.
Your Brethren and fellow-Labourers in the work of the Goſpel, Kederminſter. In the name and at the deſire of the Miniſters of this Aſſociation.
Richard Baxter.
John Boraſton.
Jarvis Bryan.
Eveſham. In the name of the Miniſters of this Aſſociation.
Giles Collier.
George Hopkins.
Iohn Dolphin.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (1656)