LIFE AND TIMES

OF THE

REV. RICHARD BAXTER:

WITH

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF HIS WRITINGS.

BY REV. WILLIAM ORME,

AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF JOHN OWEN, D.D.;" "BIBLIOTHECA BIBLICA," ETC.

IN TWO VOLUMES.....VOL. I.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY CROCKER & BREWSTER,
47, Washington Street:

NEW YORK:-JONATHAN LEAVITT,

182, Broadway.

1831.

CONTENTS TO VOL. I.

CHAPTER I. 1615-1638.

Birth of Baxter-Character of his Father-Low State of Re-

ligion-Baxter's first religious Impressions-His early Edu-

cation-Progress of his Religious Feelings-Residence at

Ludlow Castle-Escapes acquiring a Taste for Gaming-

Returns Home-Illness and its Effects-Nature and Prog-

ress of his Education-Its Defects-Troubled with Doubts

-Distress of Mind-Diseased Habit of Body--Goes to

Court-Remarkable Preservation-Death of his Mother-

His Attachment to the Ministry-His Conformity-Becomes

acquainted with the Nonconformists-Ordained to the Min-

istry,

Page

9

CHAPTER II. 1638--1642.

Baxter preaches his First Sermon-Examines the Nonconform-

ist Controversy-Adopts some of the principles of Noncon-

formity-Progress of his Mind-Residence in Bridgnorth-

The Et-cætera Oath-Examines the subject of Episcopacy

-In danger from not Conforming-The Long Parliament-

Petition from Kidderminster-Application to Baxter-His

Compliance-Commences his Labors-General View of the

State of Religion in the Country at this time-Causes of

the Civil War-Character of the Parties engaged in it—

Baxter blames both-A decided Friend to the parliament-

Retires for a time from Kidderminster,

CHAPTER III. 1642-1646.

Baxter goes to Gloucester-Returns to Kidderminster-Visits

Alcester--Battle of Edghill-Residence in Coventry-Bat-

25

260071

tle of Naseby-State of the Parliamentary Army-Consults

the Ministers about going into it-Becomes Chaplain to Col-

onel Whalley's regiment-Opinions of the Soldiers-Dis-

putes with them-Battle of Langport-Wicked Report of

an Occurrence at this place-The Army retires to Bridgewa-

ter and Bristol-Becomes ill-Various Occurrences in the

Army-Chief Impediments to his Success in it-Cromwell

-Harrison-Berry--Advised by the Ministers to continue

in it-Goes to London on account of his Health-Joins the

Army in Worcesteshire-Attacked with violent Bleeding-

Leaves the Army-Entertained by Lady Rous-Remarks

on his Views of the Army, and conduct in it,

The Religious Parties of the Period-The Westminster As-

sembly-Character of the Erastians--Episcopalians-Pres-

byterians-Independents-Baptists-State of Religion in

these Parties-Minor Sects--Vanists--Seekers-Ranters

--Quakers--Behmenists-Review of this Period,

Page

42

67

CHAPTER V. 1646--1660.

Baxter resumes his Labors at Kidderminster-His Account of

Public Affairs till the Death of Charles I.-Conduct while

in Kidderminster towards Parliament--Towards the Royal

Party-His Ministry at Kidderminster-His Employments

-His Success-His Advantages--Remarks on the Style of

his Preaching--His Public and Private Exertions-Their

lasting Effects,

. 94

CHAPTER VI. 1648-1660.

The Commonwealth-Cromwell's Treatment of his Parlia-

ment-The Triers-Committee of Fundamentals-Princi-

ples on which Baxter acted towards Cromwell-Preaches

before him-Interviews with him-Admission of the Bene-

fits of Cromwell's Government-Character of Cromwell-

Remarks on that Character-Richard's Succession and

Retirement-The Restoration-Baxter goes to London-

Preaches before Parliament-Preaches before the Lord

Mayor The King's Arrival in London-Reception by the

London Ministers-Notices of various Labors of Baxter

during his second residence in Kidderminster-Numerous

Works written during this period-Extensive Correspond-

ence-Concluding Observations,

126

Page

CHAPTER VII. 1660-1662.

The Restoration-Views of the Nonconformists-Conduct of

the Court towards them-Baxter's desire of Agreement-

Interview with the King-Baxter's Speech-The Ministers

requested to draw up their Proposals-Meet at Sion College

for this purpose-Present their Paper to the King-Many

Ministers ejected already-The King's Declaration-Bax-

ter's Objections to it-Presented to the Chancellor in the

form of a Petition-Meeting with his Majesty to hear the

Declaration-Declaration altered-Baxter, Calamy, and

Reynolds, offered Bishoprics-Baxter declines-Private In-

terview with the King-The Savoy Conference-Debates

about the Mode of Proceeding-Baxter draws up the Re-

formed Liturgy-Petition to the Bishops-No Disposition to

Agreement on their part-Answer to their former Papers-

Personal Debate-Character of the leading Parties on both

sides-Issue of the Conference,

CHAPTER VIII. 1661-1665.

Baxter endeavors to gain Possession of Kidderminster-The

King and Clarendon favorable to it-Defeated by Sir Ralph

Clare and Bishop Morley-Conduct of Sir Ralph Clare to

the People of Kidderminster-Baxter's spirited Remonstrance

-Insurrection of the Fifth Monarchy Men--Baxter's Preach-

ing in London-Obtains a License from the Archbishop of

Canterbury-Attempts to negociate with the Vicar of Kid-

derminster-Treatment of the People by the Bishop and

Clergy-Baxter entirely separated from Kidderminster-

Takes leave of the Church--Act of Uniformity--Its Injus-

tice, Impolicy, and Cruelty--Its injurious Effects-Baxter's

Marriage-Declaration of Indulgence-Death and Charac-

ter of Ash-Nelson-Hardships of the Nonconformists--

Death of Archbishop Juxon-Succeeded by Sheldon--Act

against Pvivate Meetings-Sufferings of the People-Bax-

ter retires to Acton-Works written or published by him

during this period-Correspondence-Occasional Communion

-Consulted by Ashley-Concluding Memorials of the year

1665,

156

194

CHAPTER IX. 1665--1670.

The Plague of London--Preaching of some of the Noncon-

formists--The Five-Mile Act-The Fire of London-

Benevolence of Ashurst and Gouge-The Fire advantage-

ous to the Preaching of the Silenced Ministers-Conformist

Clergy--More Talk about Liberty of Conscience-The