Richard Baxter makes a powerful appeal for the centrality of love in the work of ministry:
The whole of our ministry must be carried on in tender love to our people. We must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but what profiteth them; and that what doeth them good doth us good; and that nothing troubleth us more than their hurt. We must feel toward our people, as a father toward his children: yea, the tenderest love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither wealth, nor liberty, nor honour, nor life, in comparison of their salvation; but could even be content, with Moses, to have our names blotted out of the book of life...: rather than they should not be found in the Lamb's book of life. Thus should we, as John saith, be ready to
lay down our lives for the brethren,and, with Paul, not count our lives dear to us, so we may butfinish our course with joy, and the ministry which we have received of the Lord Jesus.When the people see that you unfeignedly love them, they will hear any thing and bear any thing from you.1
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,