The Dying Thoughts of Richard Baxter

by Richard Baxter, Mark Riedel (Editor), Benjamin Fawcett (Preface)

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English minister of the Puritan period who wrote extensively on pastoral and theological themes. His Reformed Pastor and Saints’ Everlasting Rest remain standard works even today.

The Dying Thoughts of Richard Baxter are personal reflections on Philippians 1:23 – For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nearing the end of his life and ministry, Baxter gives expression to his own spiritual apprehensions and applies the counsel of Scripture to reason with himself, showing the vast superiority of heavenly blessings over what this world can offer.

Based on an abridgement made by Benjamin Fawcett in 1799, this edition has been completely re-typeset for issue as an eBook.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2015

About the author

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn-writer, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long and prolific career as theological writer. After the Restoration he refused preferment, while retaining a non-separatist presbyterian approach, and became one of the most influential leaders of the nonconformists, spending time in prison.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because it fulfilled the category in my book challenge for this year. It is slow to be sure in the beginning. However, after the wading through parts there is certainly treasure to be found. So.. not my favorite book.. maybe not even a reread.. but I will reread and consider some things I took notes on. Category fulfilled and I read a book I most likely would not have considered reading.

[Adriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like someone else said "It is slow to be sure in the beginning. However, after the wading through parts there is certainly treasure to be found."

Treasure is to be found in there. And a callback to the reality of this world and our lives.

Though the reader should be cautious about Baxter's understanding of soteriology, justification and grace which is not reformed. But it does not appear that much in this book which is more devotional in nature.

[Paul Drawdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baxter is a Puritan and his writing and Theology are spot on. If you wonder what it should be like for a Christian to die, this helps. We all say we want to go to heaven, but few are ready to die. Baxter points out why he is more than ready and based on his doctrine of God.

[Charles Sager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense and needs to be updated for modern readers.