Richard Baxter (1615–1691) was a prominent English pastor, theologian and author. He was the foremost spokesman of the Nonconformist (Puritan) cause within the Church of England. His book, “The Saints’ Everlasting Rest,” was one of the most popular books of the 17th century. Today it is considered a Christian classic.
This year marks the 400th anniversary of his birth.
He was born Nov. 12, 1615, to Beatrice and Richard Baxter Sr. in Rowton, England. He lived with his maternal grandparents until he was 10 because of his father’s gambling habit and his mother’s poor health.
After his father’s conversion, Baxter returned home. He later said God used his father’s serious talks about God to start him on a life of faith.
Reading various books brought about his conversion — especially the classic, “The Bruised Reed,” by Anglican theologian Richard Sibbes.
Baxter had an informal education, studying under several teachers. Under a nobleman’s patronage he went to London in 1633 to the court of Charles I. Not liking the frivolity of court life, he returned home after only four weeks to care for his ailing mother who died in May 1635. During the next four years he privately studied theology, particularly the works of Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham.
In 1638 he was ordained into the Anglican Church. He became curate at Kidderminster outside London in 1641. He served 17 successful years there, interrupted by service as chaplain in the English Civil War from 1642 to 1647. When he returned to Kidderminster he concentrated on writing, preaching and making home visits to his congregants. The visits bore fruit. Five galleries had to be added to his church. When Baxter arrived in Kidderminster few of the 800 families had family worship. When his ministry ended in 1661, he had around 600 people who were sincere worshippers.
In 1660 the leadership of the Anglican Church transferred Baxter to London. He worked for a Restoration Church of England composed not only of Anglicans but Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Baptists as well. The Anglican hierarchy strongly opposed the plan. Baxter and others who agreed with him became Noncomformists.
There Baxter was persecuted for many years and was even imprisoned for 18 months in 1685–86. Baxter also was a prolific author of more than 140 books, many of which remain influential today.
He was happily married for 19 years to Margaret Charlton, who was half his age. After her death in 1681 he wrote “A Breviate of the Life of Margaret,” a book about grief and marriage.
Baxter suffered from tuberculosis most of his life. He died in 1691 in London. His funeral was attended by church leaders and dissenters.
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