Works by Richard Baxter
- 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
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
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
