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CONTENTS TO PART I.
CHAPTER I.
1615-1638.
Birth of Baxter-Character of his Father-Low State of Religion-
Baxter's first religious Impressions-His early Education-Progress
of his Religious Feelings-Residence at Ludlow Castle-Escapes ac-
quiring a Taste for Gaming-Returns Home-Illness and its Effects—
Nature and Progress of his Education-Its Defects-Troubled with
Doubts-Distress of Mind-Diseased Habit of Body-Goes to Court-
Remarkable Preservation-Death of his Mother-His Attachment
to the Ministry-His Conformity-Becomes acquainted with the
Nonconformists-Ordained to the Ministry
Page
CHAPTER II.
1638-1642.
Baxter preaches his First Sermon-Examines the Nonconformist Con-
troversy-Adopts some of the principles of Nonconformity-Progress
of his Mind-Residence in Bridgnorth-The Et-cætera Oath-Exa-
mines the subject of Episcopacy-In danger from not Conforming-
The Long Parliament-Petition from Kidderminster-Application to
Baxter-His Compliance-Commences his Labours-General View
of the State of Religion in the Country at this time--Causes of the
Civil War-Character of the Parties engaged in it-Baxter blames
both-A decided Friend to the Parliament-Retires for a time from
Kidderminster
b
19
vi
CHAPTER III.
1642-1646.
Baxter goes to Gloucester-Returns to Kidderminster-Visits Alcester
-Battle of Edghill-Residence in Coventry-Battle of Naseby-
State of the Parliamentary Army-Consults the Ministers about
going into it-Becomes Chaplain to Colonel Whalley's regiment-
Opinions of the Soldiers-Disputes with them-Battle of Langport-
Wicked Report of an Occurrence at this place-The Army retires to
Bridgwater and Bristol-Becomes ill-Various Occurrences in the
Army-Chief Impediments to his Success in it-Cromwell-Harri-
son-Berry-Advised by the Ministers to continue in it-Goes to
London on account of his Health-Joins the Army in Worcestershire
Attacked with violent Bleeding-Leaves the Army-Entertained by
Lady Rous-Remarks on his Views of the Army, and conduct in it
39
CHAPTER IV.
1646-1656.
The Religious Parties of the Period-The Westminster Assembly-
Character of the Erastians-Episcopalians-Presbyterians-Inde-
pendents-Baptists-State of Religion in these Parties-Minor Sects
-Vanists-Seekers - Ranters-Quakers-Behmenists-Review of this period
CHAPTER V.
1646-1660.
Baxter resumes his Labours at Kidderminster-His Account of Public
Affairs till the Death of Charles I.-Conduct while in Kidderminster
towards Parliament-Towards the Royal Party-His Ministry at
Kidderminster-His Employments-His Success-His Advantages—
Remarks on the Style of his Preaching-His Public and Private
Exertions-Their lasting Effects
68
99
CHAPTER VI.
1648-1660.
The Commonwealth Cromwell's Treatment of his Parliament-The
Triers-Committee of Fundamentals-Principles on which Baxter
acted towards Cromwell-Preaches before him-Interviews with him
-Admission of the Benefits of Cromwell's Government-Character
of Cromwell Remarks on that Character-Richard's Succession and
Retirement-The Restoration-Baxter goes to London-Preaches
before Parliament-Preaches before the Lord Mayor-The King's
Arrival in London-Reception by the London Ministers-Notices of
various Labours of Baxter during his second residence in Kidder-
minster-Numerous Works written during this period-Extensive
Correspondence-Concluding Observations.
136
CHAPTER VII.
1660-1662.
The Restoration-Views of the Nonconformists-Conduct of the Court
towards them-Baxter's desire of Agreement-Interview with the
King-Baxter's Speech-The Ministers requested to draw up their
Proposals-Meet at Sion College for this purpose-Present their
Paper to the King-Many Ministers ejected already-The King's De-
claration-Baxter's Objections to it-Presented to the Chancellor in
the form of a Petition-Meeting with his Majesty to hear the De-
claration Declaration altered-Baxter, Calamy, and Reynolds, of-
fered Bishopricks-Baxter declines-Private Interview with the King
-The Savoy Conference-Debates about the Mode of Proceeding-
Baxter draws up the Reformed Liturgy-Petition to the Bishops-
No Disposition to Agreement on their part-Answer to their former
Papers-Personal Debate-Character of the leading Parties on both
sides-Issue of the Conference
171
CHAPTER VIII.
1661-1665.
Baxter endeavours to gain Possession of Kidderminster-The King and
Clarendon favourable to it-Defeated by Sir Ralph Clare and Bishop
Morley-Conduct of Sir Ralph Clare to the People of Kidderminster
viii
-Baxter's spirited Remonstrance-Insurrection of the Fifth Mo-
narchy Men-Baxter's Preaching in London-Obtains a License from
the Archbishop of Canterbury-Attempts to negociate with the Vicar
of Kidderminster-Treatment of the People by the Bishop and Clergy
-Baxter entirely separated from Kidderminster-Takes leave of the
Church-Act of Uniformity-Its Injustice, Impolicy, and Cruelty-
Its injurious Effects-Baxter's Marriage-Declaration of Indulgence
-Death and Character of Ash-Nelson-Hardships of the Noncon-
formists-Death of Archbishop Juxon-Succeeded by Sheldon-Act
against Private Meetings-Sufferings of the People-Baxter retires to
Acton-Works written or published by him during this period-Cor-
respondence-Occasional Communion-Consulted by Ashley-Con-
cluding Memorials of the year 1665
215
CHAPTER IX.
1665-1670.
-
The Plague of London-Preaching of some of the Nonconformists-
The Five-Mile Act-The Fire of London-Benevolence of Ashurst
and Gouge-The Fire advantageous to the Preaching of the Silenced
Ministers-Conformist Clergy-More Talk about Liberty of Con-
science-The Latitudinarians - Fall of Clarendon-The Duke of
Buckingham-Sir Orlando Bridgman-Preaching of the Noncon-
formists connived at-Fresh Discussions about a Comprehension—
Dr. Creighton-Ministers imprisoned-Address to the King-Non-
conformists attacked from the Press-Baxter's Character of Judge
Hale-Dr. Ryves-Baxter sent to Prison-Advised to apply for a
Habeas Corpus-Demands it from the Court of Common Pleas -Be-
haviour of the Judges-Discharged-Removes to Totteridge-His
Works during this period-Correspondence with Owen
254
CHAPTER X.
1670-1676.
Conventicle Act renewed-Lord Lauderdale-Fears of the Bishops about
the increase of Popery-Bishop Ward-Grove-Serjeant Fountain
-Judge Vaughan-The King connives at the Toleration of the Non-
conformists-Shuts up the Exchequer-The Dispensing Declaration
-License applied for on Baxter's behalf-Pinner's Hall Lecture-