Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter was vicar of Kidderminster from 1647 to 1661. In an introduction to this reprint, Dr. J.I. Packer describes him as 'the most outstanding pastor, evangelist and writer on practical and devotional themes that Puritanism produced'. His ministry transformed the people of Kidderminster from 'an ignorant, rude and revelling people' to a godly, worshipping community. These pages, first prepared for a Worcestershire association of ministers in 1656, deal with the means by which such changes are ever to be accomplished. In his fervent plea for the discharge of the spiritual obligations of the ministry, Baxter, in the words of his contemporary, Thomas Manton, 'came nearer the apostolic writings than any man in the age'. A century later Philip Doddridge wrote, 'The Reformed Pastor is a most extraordinary bookƒƒ‚ƒƒ‚‚‚ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚]ƒƒ‚ƒƒ‚‚‚ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚€ƒƒ‚ƒƒ‚‚‚ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚]many good men are but shadows of what (by the blessing of God) they might be, if the maxims and measures laid down in that incomparable Treatise were strenuously pursued'.

A second admonition to Mr. Edward Bagshaw: - Written to call him to repentance for many false doctrines, crimes, and specially fourscore palpable untruths .. is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1671. Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.

As a leader of religious thought in England, Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was deeply concerned about the state of the church, and, in particular, about the condition of the ministry. During his years at Kidderminster, he attempted to draw contending parties together by an experiment in Christian unity--afterwards famous as the Worcestershire Association--from which similar movements arose in other English counties. This volume preserves the documents in connection with this movement. It is therefore a historical study. Yet it has a wider purpose. Baxter's Reformed Pastor is a classical writing on the Christian ministry. IT belongs not only to the seventeenth century, but to every generation. In our present time, when in the ministry of all the churches there is a deep searching of heart amidst these difficult days, this book presents both a challenge and an appeal from the pen of this Puritan divine, who styled himself ""catholic Christian."" ""Mr. Wilkinson's introductory essay of nearly 50 pages is worth the price of the volume. He has collected tributes to Baxter's book from religious leaders of the last century, some of whom possessed it only in Brown's abridgment of 1829. They shared the opinion of Wesley and his circle as to its inestimable value as a practical guide to the preacher."" --The British Weekly ""In Mr. John T. Wilkinson's new edition of The Reformed Pastor many examples are given of the deep influence exerted by that work not only upon Baxter's contemporaries, but throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries."" --The Manchester Guardian ""The Bishop of Durham, at the unveiling in 1925 of a tablet to Baxter's memory, said: The Reformed Pastor is the best manual of the clergyman's duty in the language, because it leaves on the reader's mind an ineffaceable impression of the sublimity and awfulness of spiritual ministry."" --The Expository Times

In this work the famed seventeenth-century pastor Richard Baxter provides worthy instruction in the proper valuation of earthly and heavenly goods, including practical and perennial lessons on how to pursue the common good in society. Baxter's practical wisdom and doctrinal acumen, including his great theological achievements, were always rooted in his pastoral ministry among the English people, first in the town of Kidderminster and then in London. His pastoral heart is reflected in How to Do Good to Many, which was addressed to the people of London. Although he was a controversialist and nonconformist, Baxter always engaged in dispute and polemic in pursuit of unity, love, and truth. This treatise, newly updated for modern readers by Jordan Ballor, captures many of the significant themes that characterize Baxter's brilliant theological career: charity, fidelity, bravery, and wisdom.

An unabridged edition with all three Chapters and Parts, to include: Introductory Note - The Oversight of Ourselves - The Oversight of The Flock - The Nature of This Oversight - The Motives to This Oversight - The Manner of This Oversight - Motives to The Oversight of The Flock - Application - The Use of Humiliation - The Duty of Personal Catechizing and Instructing the Flock Particularly Recommended - Motives to This Duty - Motives from the Benefits of the Work - Motives from The Difficulties of the Work - Motives from The Necessity of the Work - Application of these Motives - Objections and Answers to This Duty - Directions for This Duty, and the final two Articles with footnotes.