Baxter learnt from the apostle Paul

Could we but learn two or three lines of it, what preachers should we be!

[a] Our general business – SERVING THE LORD WITH ALL HUMILITY OF MIND, AND WITH MANY TEARS.

[b] Our special work – TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK.

[c] Our doctrine – REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD, AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

[d] The place and manner of teaching – I HAVE TAUGHT YOU PUBLICLY, AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.

[e] His diligence, earnestness, and affection – I CEASED NOT TO WARN EVERY ONE NIGHT AND DAY WITH TEARS. This is that which must win souls, and preserve them.

[f] His faithfulness – I KEPT BACK NOTHING THAT WAS UNPROFITABLE TO YOU, AND HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE UNTO YOU ALL THE COUNCEL OF GOD.

[g] His disinterestedness and self-denial for the sake of the gospel – I HAVE COVETED NO MAN’S SILVER OR GOLD OR APPAREL: YEA, THESE HANDS HAVE MINISTERED UNTO MY NECESSITIES, AND TO THEM THAT WERE WITH ME, REMEMBERING THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS, HOW HE SAID, IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.

[h] His patience and perseverance - NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO ME, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS.

[i] His prayerfulness – I COMMEND YOU TO GOD AND TO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE, WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP, AND TO GIVE YOU AN INHERITANCE AMONG ALL THEM WHICH ARE SANCTIFIED.

[j] His purity of conscience – WHEREFORE I TAKE YOU TO RECORD THIS DAY, THAT I AM PURE FROM THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN.

The Reformed Pastor