Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), an English clergyman, won fame as an effective writer and preacher. Baxter was born near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, probably on Nov. 12, 1615. He was ordained as a minister in 1638. He developed Nonconformist views and supported the Parliamentarian forces against the forces of King Charles I during the English Civil War of the 1640’s. Nonconformists were Protestants who did not agree with the principles of the Church of England, the state church. Baxter later taught at Kidderminster, in Worcestershire. After 1660, Baxter became a chaplain to King Charles II and helped draft certain religious reforms. But he opposed the Act of Uniformity of 1662, which set out the form of public prayers and ceremonies to be used in all churches. Later, Baxter opposed the Roman Catholic tendencies of King James II.
Baxter wrote nearly 200 religious books and pamphlets between 1649 and his death. They include Aphorisms of Justification (1649) and The Saint’s Everlasting Rest (1650). He also wrote several hymns, including “Ye Holy Angels Bright.” Baxter died on Dec. 8, 1691.
