THE Life & Death OF That Pious, Reverend, Learned, and Laborious Minister of the Gospel Mr. RICHARD BAXTER.  
Who departed this Life Decemb. 8, 1691. and of his Age 77.  Heb. XI. 4. 
He being Dead, yet speaketh.  
licenced according to Order.  
LONDON: Printed for Randal tailor, near Stationers-Hall. 1692.   

THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. Richard Baxter.  
AS there is but a small part of the Earth Gold, so are there but a few Men good; and of these few which, to our Apprehension, seem Excellent, most may be but counterfeit Christians, Holy, but ad extra; their Work but Hay and Stubble, their Faith built upon a Sandy Foundation; and found but a vain Confidence in the day of Visitation. But this Pious, Reverend, Learned and Laborious Minister of the Gospel, Mr. Richard Baxter, has given such Evidences of his Labour, Zeal and Piety, that it is impossible a pretended Christian, or formal Hypocrite could either have done or endured what he hath, in his Pilgrimage towards Heaven, or the Promised Land. He ascended those Steps of Jacob's Ladder, which a giddy headed, or unstable minded Sophister could not Contemplate. As for his Life, it may be red in his copious and holy Writings; a durable Monument of everlasting Memory: Neither is any further description necessary to make his Name famous to future Ages. Yet, for the satisfaction of those who admired him when alive, and yet bear a Respect to his Memory now when Dead, I have here set down his Life, in short Characters, for their satisfaction: But ex ungue Leonem, one may know, by this short narrative, what the whole course of his Life hath been.  
That Laborious Minister of the Gospel Mr. Richard Baxter, was descended of a good Honest pedigree, born in a small Village in Worcestershire, the 12th of November, 1614. No sooner began he to be capable to know good from evil, than he was observed to sand out the fragrant Blossoms of an holy Life, in Praying, speaking Reverendly of his Creator, and reprehending others for rash Oaths, and obscene Speeches, which was no small matter of Joy to his Parents, who were careful to sand him to School when but a small Child, and keep a watchful Eye over him, lest he should have been Tainted with the small habits of Sin and Uncleanness when in his younger years.  
All his Father did intend him for, was some honest Trade, whereby to gain his Living, without being a burden to his Friends; but Providence had ordered it otherwise; for he had such a Natural Inclination to Learning, that( notwithstanding his Parents Reproofs for so frequent Reading and Studying) it was his constant Exercise, without intermission, so that in a very short time, he was more Learned in the Languages, and had greater knowledge in Theology than those who had spent twenty years in prosecuting that which he attained in half the time. So that though he had not the Advantage of Vain Philosophy( as the Apostle calls it), or University-Learning; yet was his sacred Knowledge in that Degree of Eminence, such as few of the University Candidates ever attain to. When he was but a Young Man, he was unanimously, by all the Holy Pastors of his Acquaintance, Invited, and Chosen to be a Labourer in Christ's Vineyard. But quickly after the Civil War began, and the Face of Affairs so long dropped Blood, that the whole Kingdom, Church and State was in Confusion, and the Government nothing but Anarchy; Which kept him from any settled Flock in Christ's Holy Mountain; therefore went, as a Preacher of the Gospel of Peace, in the time of War, with the Parliament's Army, praying, that God might compose the Differences betwixt his Anointed and his People, and make up the Breach with the Arm of his own Omnipotence. Thus his Neutrality made him sometimes to be looked upon, by some Evil-minded schismatics, as a Malignant. But he still behaved himself so much a prudent Christian, that no Accusation could penetrate his Reputation, God's Glory and the People's Good being the only Design of his Soul.  
After the War was over, he was fixed Minister of Kederminster, where his Ministry was highly prized, much commended, yet more efficacious among his Hearers; whom, on his first Entrance, he found both Ignorant, Obstinate, and voided of all Godliness: but afterwards, in a short space, by God's Blessing, wrought so on them, that they were renewed in the Inner Man, became New Creatures, and made that which once was their Glory, their shane.  
He was very careful in catechizing the Families under his Protection, especially Young People, by sowing the Seeds of Grace, before the Wicked One had gained Ground upon their Corrupt Natures: Yea,( as it is said by the Apostle) he went from House to House, teaching and instructing in the Knowledge of God, persuading steadfastly to persevere in the good Work of Regeneration. And notwithstanding, that he was a Dissenter from Ecclesiastical Government, yet did he so behave himself, that no Man had ought wherewithal to slain his Reputation; but gained so much their Affection, that by his Example and Advice, he quenched the smoking Animosities of all Contenders, and united, in the Bond of Peace, both Episcopal, Presbyterian and Congregational Parties, oft regretting, that Christ's Seamless Coat( which his Crucifiers would not tear) should be rent in Schisms.  
He continued at Kederminster till the Year 1660. in which time( several Storms molesting the Church, after the Restauration of K. Charles II.) he went to London. And many Endeavours, that time, being used, in order to an Agreement betwixt the Episcopal and Presbyterian Ministers, Mr. Baxter behaved himself as a good Christian, and a blessed Peace-Maker: And, though his Labour was in vain, the Reward of his Willing Mind was sure, and his Name made more Famous among his Enemies.  
In the Year 1660. September 10. he married, at Bennet Fink, in London, Margaret, Daughter to Francis Charleton, Esq; having been Contracted before, in the presence of some Christian Friends. But before the Marriage, these Conditions were concluded upon: First, That Mr. Baxter should have nothing which before Marriage was hers; that so he( who wanted no Outward Supplies) might not so much as seem to mary her for Covetousness. Secondly, That she should so order her Affairs, that he might not be entangled in any Law-Suits about the same. Thirdly, That she should expect none of his Time, which his Ministerial Employment should call him for.  
After the Marriage was over, several of his Wife's Relations did look upon Mr. Baxter as Inferior to the Lady whom he had married; therefore the Lord Chancellor Clarendon( who had before proffered him a bishopric, so he would comform) with all Flourishes of Oratory, did again persuade him to acquiesce to his Requests, and accept of a Rich bnfice, as the Church Government was then established.  
Thus it is evident, by his refusing a bishopric, and renouncing his Wife's Portion, which was 2000 l. that he did not mary upon any Worldly Account, as by the Method of their Wooing, doth plainly appear. For she, being a Pious and Devout Young Lady, fell in Love with him, upon the Account of his Holy Life and Fervency of Preaching; and therefore sent a Friend to acquaint him with her Respects, in his Chamber. His Answer was, That since he had past his Youth in Celebacy, it would be reputed Madness in him, to mary a Young Woman, whilst he could not discharge the Part of a Husband in all Respects. She at the Door, over-hearing, entered the Chamber, and  told him, Dear Mr. Baxter, I protest, with a sincere and real Heart, I do not make a Tender of myself to you, upon any Worldly or Carnal Account; but to have a more frequent Converse with so Holy and Prudent a yoke-fellow, to assist me in my Way to Heaven, and to keep me steadfast in my perseverance; which I design for God's Glory, and my own Soul's Good. At this Mr. Baxter was at a stand, and convinced, that, with a good Conscience, he could not despise so Zealous a proffer, springing from so pure a Fountain of Love. Now, though some ill-minded people, make a bad Construction of this Marriage( like Wasps, who suck poison from the sweetest Herbs) it is clear, That this Gentlewoman had no Worldly or Carnal Design in this her matching with Mr. Baxter, an Old, Poor, Ejected Minister, descended of no great Family, after the heat of his Youth was over. Let people talk as they will, it is evident on both sides, that the Matriage was rather a Demonstration of Self-Denial than Self-Interest.  
The first House they took was in Moorfields; from thence they removed to another at action, and shortly after to another. So that his House being frequented, or haunted with evil persecuting Spirits, he was forced to remove Nine times in Three years space.  
In the year 1661. a Parliament was called, wherein was past the Act of Uniformity. About this time Mr. Baxter was sent to the Common Goal, where he lay a considerable time; but neither he nor his Wife were seen to be troubled for suffering for Christ's Sake, but cheerfully submitted to Providence, and bore the across patiently.  
Quickly after the Parliament made a New and sharper Act against Dissenters, whereupon Mr. Baxter was forced to remove to another County, his Wife securing some small part of his Goods from being seized, by conveying them privately to Totteridge, where she endured such hardships as few poor People Endure. They could have no House, but part of a poor Farmers, where the chimneys did smoke so extremely as was very prejudicial to her Health; For the smoke was so gross, that it almost choked them; and Mrs. Baxter had ever a great straightness in her Lungs, which occasioned the smoke to be the more Offensive to her: Yet such was her Charity to her poor Land-lady, that she placed out her Son an Apprentice, who afterwards Lived well.  
When the King's gracious Declaration came forth, which gave to Nonconformists Licenses to Preach and to Build places to Preach in. Mr. Baxter took a House in Southhampton-Square ( where he continued till his Wife Died) and the Market-house in St. James's Market for a Meeting house. From this place the Lord was pleased, e're long, to remove him by a strange Providence, for the Roof of the House being of a vast height, and ill contrived, the weight lying much upon one Beam, in the midst of the Floor, and the place being greatly crowded, the Beam gave so great a Crack that it put all the People into a Fright; but a second Crack set them all a running; Mr. Baxter reproved their inordinate Fears, and would have gone on in Preaching, had he not been dissuaded. The like formerly befell him in St. Dunston's in the West, where the Church-Steple fell, and was like to overthrow the Church and smuther all his Hearers, had not Divine Providence ordered it otherwise.  
Mr. Baxter removed thence, and took a House in Oxendon street, for which he gave 30 pounds per Annum, Ground-rent; and before he could fit it for his Function, he laid out 300 pound; but before he was settled in the place, he was forced to Remove, and Mr. Siddon, a Stranger, who first Preached in the House, in Mr. Baxter's Absence, was Apprehended by three Justices of the Peace, and sent to Prison.  
Mr. Baxter found that he could not keep up Preaching in that place and was glad that Dr. Lloyd and his Parishioners would accept of it, for the place of their public Worship, asking them no more Rent than he was to pay for the Ground, and the Room over it for a Vestry, demanding nothing for all the money laid out for the Building; yet the purchase of the Fee simplo, for the Ground on which the chapel was Built, cost Mr. Baxter 200 pounds, and 200 more for the Ground adjoining, to his great loss.  
Then he hired a House in Swallow-street, that the poor People thereabouts, with whom he began, with considerable Success, might still be Instructed; but there he was kept out by some Officers, who stood at the Door, with a Justice's Warrant. Therefore being hurried from one place to another, and driven to his Wits end, he took no certain Dwelling-place, but Preached in several Meeting-Houses, as he was invited, but was most desirous to be at Dr. Mantou's Meeting-house in Covent-Garden, that his former poor Flock, about St. James's might come there and hear him, which they did, to his great Satisfaction.  
It was observed of him that for the first nine or ten years, after his Ejection, he never took any Gift to supply his necessity, except 10 pound per Annum, from sergeant Fountain, which importunity forced him too.  
When Warrants were out to Distrain his Goods for Fines for his Preaching, he did undergo the loss without repining, only his Library he was willing to save, which his Wife afterwards freely gave to the college of New England, and other Friends at home.  
And though the paying 20 pounds, besides Imprisonment, for every Sermon Preached, was the penalty imposed on every Dissenter; yet neither Goods, money, Imprisonment, could terrify the Zealous Baxter from following his Spiritual Employment.  
His Wife fell Sick on Friday, June 3d, 1681. and Died June 14th. her Death occasioned much Grief to Mr. Baxter; he mourned, but not like an Infidel; hoping again to see her, and go to her, but not her to come to him.  
She was butted June 17th, in Christ's Church, in the Ruins of her Mothers Grave; on which she had caused a fair, rich, and large Marble-stone to be laid, Anno. 1661.  
The Rehearsal of Mr. Baxter's Afflictions were but a Repetition of the same Sorrow; for he was another Athanasius in respect of his Sufferings; wherein he rejoiced. He was still the Butt of the Enemy of Mankind, who stirred up his Instruments to stop him in his Ministry, and constant Labours in God's Vineyard; till in the Reign of K. James II.( Liberty of Conscience being proclaimed to all Subjects, for no good end) God, who catcheth the Wise in their own Craftiness, opened a Door of utterance to all his faithful Ministers, among whom Mr. Richard Baxter, though Old and Weak( yet strong in Faith, and constant in perseverance) renewed his Strength and Endeavours, preaching in divers places, as occasion offered, till he settled at last in Charter-House-Yard in London, where he preached with great Fervency of Spirit every Sabbath day at his Meeting-house; which was more crowded than any Cathedral in England.  
Here he continued several years, to the unspeakable Joy of all good Christians. But about the latter end of September 1691. he could hardly, without help, ascend the Pulpit. At last, finding his Natural Strength quiter decayed, and that his Pilgrimage was near an End, he took Bed, with these Words in his Mouth, Lord, now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace, according to thy Word; for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation. Thus he continued sick and weak in Body, but strong in the Inward Man, till he departed this Life, December 8, 1691. at his Dwelling House in Charter-House-Yard, London, whence he was carried to Merchant-Taylors-Hall, and on Decem. 17. to Christ-Church( several thousands mourning after the Corps) where he was decently butted near his Wife's Grave; all lamenting his Death, but none staining his Memory.  
Of his comfortable Expressions, Ejaculations, and sound Advice to his Brethren, during the time of his Sickness, many Worthy Ministers can give an Account. Some are set down in his Funeral Sermon, preached by that Worthy Servant of Jesus Christ, William Bates, D.D. who was wrapped up in Love with him, even to his Grave. His Words were Pious, his Writings Wonderful, and his Preaching so powerful, that he made his Hearers quake and tremble. He was both a Barnabas and a Boanarges, a Son of Thunder as well as of Consolation. Wicked Men could not endure him, more than Felix could Paul, when he preached of Righteousness, Temperance and judgement to come. But had he been of the World, that lieth in Wickedness, the wicked World had certainly loved him: But because his Affections were settled on a more sublime Object, all Worldlings hated him( as they hated his Redeemer) without a Cause. He was more in love with Poverty than Riches; and the last Sermon he preached, was in contempt of Worldly Enjoyments; his Text being, Luke 16.25. Thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; therefore now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  
His Days, in respect of any outward Felicity, were but a Scene of Sorrow, a Holy Strife, and a Flood of Troubles. He was persecuted from place to place, carried from one Prison to another, brought before Judges, Counsellors, and mighty Powers: He was reviled, mocked and scoffed; yet God gave him a Mouth, and Wisdom, which all his Adversaries could not gain-say, and the Enemies of the across of Christ could not withstand. Had he lived a Roman Priest, under Pope Poul III. he had been canonised a Saint, in Circulo per se, and filled all his Ware-houses with Works of supererogation, and brought into his Temporal Treasury, more money than his 50000 Prostitutes, with their Julio's per month. In one word; His Birth was Credible, his Life was Venerable, and his Death was Comfortable. The Wicked live not half their Days, but he departed this Life in a good Old Age, and full of Days.  
When the Church was over-clouded with apostasy, a poor Man asked him, what was his Opinion of the Times: His Answer was, There's no fear but all will be well, for Christ is at the right hand of the Father.  
A young Oxford scholar, in Derision, proposed to him a foolish Sophism, thus, 
Ubique est Adverbium,  
said Deus est Ubique,  
Ergo, Deus est Adverbium.   
His Answer was, Young man, if God be every where, have a care of taking his Name in vain, in his own presence.  
He was a Man of great Parts and Prudence, and in his Life time, both spoken and wrote great Sense; but, after his Death, though many Wits striven to extol his Worth in Verse and Elegies, none Wrote any thing of Sense in his Commendation; his Worth being too sublime an Object for Maro quill; or at least the doll Wits of this Ignorant Age. I myself began to writ a Latin Elegy in his praise, but could not accomplish my desire; his Encomium being ten Degrees above Parnassus. I wrote several Lines, whereof this was one, 

Aedes erat Aedis, erat integr● Concio vita,  
as aurum, &c.   But could get no further.  
FINIS.