“We too much mind worldly things, and shrink from duties that will injure or hinder our temporal interests. How common is it for ministers to drown themselves in worldly business!
If worldly interest did not much prevail against the interest of Christ and the Church, surely most ministers would be more fruitful in good works, and would more lay out what they have for his glory.
Experience hath fully proved that works of charity do most powerfully remove prejudice and open the heart to works of piety. If men see that you are addicted to do good, they will the more easily believe that you are good, and that it is good which you persuade them to.
When they see that you love them, and seek their good, they will the more easily trust you. And when they see that you seek not the things of the world, they will the less suspect your intentions, and the more easily be drawn to seek that which you seek.
Oh, how much good might ministers do, if they did set themselves wholly to do good, and would dedicate all their faculties and substance to that end!”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Reformed Pastor, 62.