Baxter, Richard (1615-1691)

Richard Baxter -- from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

Baxter, Richard (1615-1691) -- from Wikipedia Article

Call to the Unconverted to Turn and Live

Description: This 17th century Puritan devotional became wildly popular even after only a year following its publication. In some ways, the book’s popularity was somewhat of an anomaly. A myriad of new Puritan devotional books became available in bookshops every year, and Baxter’s book contained a standard exposition of the New Testament narrative. Baxter’s style, however, gripped people and urged them to share his book with others. In contrast to other contemporaneous Puritan devotionals, Baxter’s approach of communicating to his readers was a personal one. He addressed them as “you” rather than with such generic terms as “people” or “Christians;” he used a pastoral tone rather than a preachy one. A century later, George Whitefield, the great Methodist evangelist, would cite Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted as one of the most refreshing pieces of Christian discourse from the recent past.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Causes and Danger of Slighting Christ and His Gospel.

Practical Works of Richard Baxter

Reformed Pastor (Author)

Description: What does it mean to be a pastor? In his autobiography, The Reformed Pastor, 17th century nonconformist pastor Richard Baxter shares his own experiences to encourage other pastors in their vocation. The pastor's work is to glorify God and share the truth of His faithful ways. Pastors are called to obey God's commandments and seek His knowledge so that they may grow in His love. Baxter discusses the many facets of the pastorate: the nature of the work to be done, the difficulties faced by those who are called to do it, and the benefits reaped by those who do this work with God as their guide. In hope of inspiring others, Baxter graciously shares what he has learned about the pastoral responsibilities to God, to congregation, and to self.

Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer

Saints' Everlasting Rest (Author)

Description: While suffering from a critical illness, Richard Baxter set his thoughts on heaven: Who is it for? What is it like? How can we prepare for it? Baxter defines eternal heavenly rest as the happiest state a Christian can experience. Baxter believed that heaven was a state of perfect freedom from evil where Christians can enjoy pure, unmediated union with God. Baxter encourages us to dwell on the thought of heaven, striving to accomplish the work of God in all that we do. By living a heavenly life on earth, Christians can better prepare themselves for the kingdom to come. Baxter retains a humble attitude in his descriptions, admitting that he is incapable of fully understanding the wonders of heaven. He explains that as humans, our ability to comprehend heaven has been tainted by the fall. But despite his imperfect knowledge of the truth nature of heaven, his meditations can help guide Christians as they think about the afterlife. Saints' Everlasting Rest provides readers with a beautiful glimpse of what heaven might be like.

Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer