I very much enjoy the writings of the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter (1615-1691) whether The Reformed Pastor and The Saints’ Everlasting Rest or a work I came across recently How to Do Good to Many  I have always been intrigued by and desirous to perform – though regrettably, less effective in carrying out mercy ministries and widespread care toward people.  May God present opportunities and provide impetus for wholistic ministry for His glory!

On the aspect of doing good for peoples’ souls, Baxter has some edifying quotations about the calling of the faithful minister and the importance of it in truly doing good.

But on the other side, a skillful, faithful minister will preach sound doctrine, and worship God with serious devotion, and live for Christ and the church’s good.  He will speak the word of truth and life, with truth and liveliness, as one who believes what he says and feels the power of it  on his heart.  Though he must have food and raiment as other men, it is the saving and edifying of souls that is his work, to which he bends all his studies, for which he prays and longs, and in which he rejoices, and to which all his worldly interest not only gives place but is made to serve.  He will think no price, no pains of suffering too dear so that the souls of men be saved.  This is the riches and preferment which he sires.  He has nothing too good or too dear for Christ or for the meanest of his servants when Christ requires it.  He is willing to spend and be spent for their sakes.  It is them and not theirs that he desires.  He fears the unbelief and hard-heartedness of his hearers and lest they should reject their own salvation more than all the slanders or persecutions of the enemies.  In a word: his heart, his study, his life, and business is to do all the good he can.  And they who under such a ministry remain impenitent and hardened in sin are the most hopeless, miserable people in the world. (Italics in the original)

Or one more quotation from later in the short book.

The ministers of Christ also have the next opportunity [the second point after ‘Magistrates and Leaders’] to do good to many.  And it is a debt that by many and great obligations they owe to Christ and men.  But it will not be done without labor and condescension and unwearied patience.  It is undertaken by all who are ordained to this office, but O that it were performed faithfully by all! What a doleful life would the perfidious soul-betrayers live if they knew what a guilt they have to answer for!  Even the contempt of the people’s souls and of the blood of Christ that purchased them! O hear the vehement adjuration: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).  Speak with holy studied skill. Speak with love and melting pity. Speak with importunity.  Take no denial. Speak as Saint Paul, “publicly and form house to house” (Acts 20:20). Speak before you are silenced in the dust.  Speak before death has taken away your hearers.  It is for souls; it is for Christ; it is for yourselves too.  While you have opportunity, do good to all.