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Adapted from Baxter’s seminal
Reformed Pastor, this
collection of insights into the role and responsibility of
pastors has been divided into 31 daily readings. Baxter’s
concern as a pastor was to genuinely tend to the needs of his
people but never at the neglect of proclaiming the Gospel.
Indeed, for Baxter, the two were intertwined in such a way that
division was impossible—and so it should likewise be for all
those in pastoral ministry today.
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Many a tailor goes in rags, that makes costly clothes for
others: and many a cook scarce licks his fingers, when he has
dressed for others the most costly dishes. Believe it, brethren,
God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was
an able preacher: but because he was a justified, sanctified
man, and consequently faithful in his Master’s work. [61]
Thankfully consider how great a mercy this is, that you have so
many eyes to watch over you, and so many ready to tell you of
your faults, and so have greater helps than others, at least for
the restraining of your sin. Though they may do it with a
malicious mind, yet you have the advantage by it. [65]
If you would not teach men, what do you in the pulpit? If you
would, why do you not speak so as to be understood? At best,
it’s a sign that he has not well digested the matter himself,
that he is not able to deliver it plainly to another. [70]
All that a preacher does is a kind of preaching: and when you
live a covetous or a careless life, you preach these sins to
your people by your practice. When you drink, or game, or prate
away your time in vain discourse, they take it as if you told
them, ‘Neighbors, this is the life that you should all live; you
may venture on this way without any danger.’ [77]
Reverence is that affection of the soul which proceeds from deep
apprehensions of God…the most reverend preacher that speaks as
if he saw the face of God, affects my heart more, though with
common words, than an unreverent man with the most exquisite
preparations. [110]
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