Richard Baxter

The Reformed Pastor Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter was one of the most influential of English Puritans, with the added blessing of being easy to read.

Baxter's driving motivation in the Church was to bring people of different persuasions together as Christians -- one faith, one cause, one God; he believed that brothers who claimed to trust in Christ ought to be able to fellowship together around the Throne of Grace. The peace and well-being of the Church was a foundation running through all of Baxter's writings. Though unsuccessful in the long run, he was appreciated by his peers for his catholic spirit among brothers from different denominations.

The Reformed Pastor is Baxter's masterpiece concerning the solemn opportunity of ministering to Christ's flock. You can sense Baxter's concern for the Church's spiritual welfare here -- and the Pastor is in the position to make it happen. One writer stated that it "drives home the sense of clerical responsibility with extraordinary power." It should be required reading for those entering the Christian ministry -- for clear and pointed directions on maintaining the health of their own souls as well as ministering to the needs of the flock.