Richard Baxter (1615-91)

Richard Baxter was an Anglican clergyman, Puritan, prolific author and to some degree a protestant scholastic.

Summary

• 1615 - born at Rowton in Shropshire.
• Largely self-taught in theology though strongly influenced by Nonconformists.
• 1638 Ordained by the Bishop of Worcester and later became Assistant minister at Bridgnorth.
• 1641 Became Curate to the incumbent of Kidderminster (Worcester Diocese). Here he exercised a very fruitful ministry until 1660.
• 1642 Temporarily became a Chaplain to the Parliamentary Army but opposed the 'Solemn League and Covenant'.
• 1660 Involved in the recall of Charles II.
• Refused an invitation to become Bishop of Hereford and was consequentially debarred from returning to Kidderminster.
• 1661 Took a prominent part in the Savoy Conference.
• Until the Declaration of Indulgence in1687 he suffered considerable persecution.
• He took part in the overthrow of James II
• 1691 died on 8 December

Baxter wrote nearly 200 works of which the best known are:

• The Saints Everlasting Rest
• The Reformed Pastor
• Reformed Liturgy
• Christian Directory

Richard Baxter by Sydney Carter

Published by Church Book Room Press (Great Churchmen No. 12)

• Early Life
• Kidderminster Pastorate
• The Savoy Conference
• Baxter's Ecclesiastical Position
• Literary Achievements - to be added
• Church Unity and Intercommunion - to be added

See Also

• Baxter's prayer of 'epiclesis'