Richard Baxter.

BORN A. D. 1615.-DIED A. D. 1691.

RICHARD BAxter, son of Richard Baxter, of Eaton-Constantine in Shropshire, was born Nov. 12, 1615. He received his earliest education, from six to ten years of age, under the successive curates of the parish, but describes himself as having learnt very little from any of them. Of Mr John Owen, however, the master of the free school at Wroxeter, he speaks very respectfully. From Mr Owen's care he was transferred to Ludlow, and placed under the tuition of the Rev. Mr Wickstead. But Baxter enjoyed little instruction from this gentleman, though he found means to pursue his studies by the assistance of books. It is remarkable that with such a glaring neglect of initiation Baxter should ever have risen to eminence. But possibly the license of these early years, in this respect, tended to cherish that independence of thought which distinguished him in after life. After leaving Ludlow he returned to his father's house, and, for a short time, took charge of his old master's school at Wroxeter. Having, however, determined to enter into the ministry, he placed himself as a theological pupil under Mr Francis Garbet, then the minister at Wroxeter. Here it seems he applied his mind chiefly to logic, metaphysics, and the schoolmen: for it is certain he never made any considerable attainments as a linguist. At the age of eighteen his tutor advised him to relinquish the church, and try his fortune at court. He was accordingly introduced to Sir Henry Newport, the master of the revels. Having passed about a month at Whitehall in witnessing the gaieties of a dissolute and irreligious court, he returned home at the solicitations of his mother, who was ill, but rejoicing to escape from scenes in which he could find no satisfaction He soon after lost his mother, and his mind became more than ever impressed with the duty of entering into the ministry. He had paid some attention already to the puritan controversy, but continued a decided churchman. About his twentieth year he became acquainted with several eminent nonconformists, by whose piety he acknowledges himself to have been greatly benefitted; but still he entertained no scruples which could have prevented his subscription. About the year 1638, Mr Thomas Foley, of Stourbridge, built and endowed a school at Dudley, the mastership of which he offered to Baxter. This was accordingly accepted, and Baxter repaired to Worcester, and was or dained by Bishop Thornborough, receiving at the same time the bishop's license to teach the school at Dudley. There, in the upper church, he commenced his ministry-and there, too, he first began to waver respecting conformity. He continued at Dudley about a year, and then removed to Bridgnorth as an assistant to the parish minister, Mr Madstard. While settled at Bridgnorth there appeared that extraordinary measure called the et cetera oath, which tended greatly to alarm and disturb Baxter's conscience. He determined not to submit to this oath. About this time the parliament interfered, and evinced their opposition to this measure, as well as to many others both in church and state, which King Charles had thought proper, under the influence of Laud