RICHARD BAXTER (1615-1691)

Richard Baxter, author of ‘The Saints’ Everlasting Rest’ and of other works to the extent of sixty octavo volumes, was called by Doddridge “the English Demosthenes.”  He was born November 12th. 1615, in Shropshire, England, and was admitted to orders in the English Church in 1638.  He refused, however, to take the oath of “Submission to Archbishops.  Bishops,” etc., and established himself as the pastor of a dissenting church in Kidderminster.  He was twice imprisoned for refusing to conform to the requirements of the Established Church.  He died in 1691.  One of his critics says of him:—­

“The leading characteristics of Baxter are, eminent piety and vigor of intellect, keenness of logic, burning power and plainness of language, melting pathos, cloudless perspicuity, graceful description, and a certain vehemence of feeling which brings home his words with an irresistible force.”

The sermon here extracted from was preached first at Kidderminster and afterwards at London, and it is said it produced “a profound sensation.”  As published entire, under the title ’Making Light of Christ and Salvation,’ it makes a considerable volume.

UNWILLINGNESS TO IMPROVE

Beloved hearers, the office that God bath called us to, is by declaring the glory of his grace, to help under Christ to the saving of men’s souls, I hope you think not that I come hither to-day on any other errand.  The Lord knows I had not set a foot out of doors but in hope to succeed in this work for your souls.  I have considered, and often considered, what is the matter that so many thousands should perish when God hath done so much for their salvation; and I find this that is mentioned in my text is the cause.  It is one of the wonders of the world, that when God hath so loved the world as to send his Son, and Christ hath made a satisfaction by his death sufficient for them all and offereth the benefits of it so freely to them, even without money or price, that yet the most of the world should perish; yea, the most of those that are thus called by his word!  Why, here is the reason, when Christ hath done all this, men make light of it.  God hath showed that he is not unwilling; and Christ hath showed that he is not unwilling that men should be restored to God’s favor and be saved; but men are actually unwilling themselves.  God takes not pleasure in the death of sinners, but rather that they return and live.  But men take such pleasure in sin that they will die before they will return.  The Lord Jesus was content to be their Physician, and hath provided them a sufficient plaster of his own blood:  but if men make light of it, and will not apply it, what wonder if they perish after all?  The Scripture giveth us the reason of their perdition.  This, sad experience tells us, the most of the world