This week in Christian history: US Christian Commission formed; Richard Baxter born

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, November 12, 2023

Richard Baxter born – Nov. 12, 1615

An 18th century portrait of Richard Baxter (1615-1691), a notable English Puritan leader. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Richard Baxter, a prominent Puritan leader and author who was often imprisoned for his beliefs during the English Civil War, was born in Eaton-Constantine.

Baxter decided to study theology as a teenager after a born-again experience. He went on to become a pastor at the county of Kidderminster, where he helped lead a local religious revival.

He reportedly wrote more than 100 books with notable and enduring titles, including The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Call to the Unconverted, and The Reformed Pastor.

“During the seventeenth century, King and Parliament went to war with each other. Kidderminster was in a Royalist county, so Baxter, who sympathized with the Puritans, was driven out,” stated the Christian History Institute.

“He became chaplain to parliamentary (Puritan) soldiers. However, he did not get on well with Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the Puritans. Baxter was persecuted by both sides in the religious and political quarrels of the day and went to prison several times. Nonetheless, his one hundred and twenty eight books had a strong influence on the nation.”