Lord's day, there was no disorder to be seen in the streets; and as one passed along, he might hear a hundred families singing psalıns, or engaged in repeating serious. When Baxter first came to Kidderminster, there might, perhaps be found one fanıily in a street, who worshipped God: when he left the place, there were some whole streets in which there could not be found a single family in which the worship of God was not maintained. Even in those houses which were the worst, such as taverns and alehouses, there were commonly found one or more, who feared God, and called upon his

Such as conducted themselves scandalously were excommunicated ; and of six hundred communicants, there were not twelve of whose piety he did not entertain a good hope.

Some of the poor men of the cougregation competently understood the body of divinity, and were able to judge in difficult controversies: and some of them were so able in prayer, that very few ministers were equal to them, in order and fulness. Abundance of them were able to pray in a very proper manner, with their families, or others; pos

name.

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sessing a remarkable gift, and lively utterance which rendered it edifying to hear them; and

1 the inuocency of their lives, and temper of their minds were such, as to call forth the praises of a!! who regarded the truth. The professors of religion were generally of humble minds and carriage, of meek and quiet behaviour to others, and of blameless conversation. His labours, also, in the surrounding towns, were eminently blessed, especially at Dudley and Shiffnal. When he preached there, the nailers and other labourers would crowd the house, and hang upon the boards and windows without.

His labours also with his brethren in the ministry, were not ineffectual. Their clerical weekly meetings for conference and disputation, were not unprofitable; and though contentious, were comfortable. They took great delight in each other's company; and the remembrance of those meetings was pleasant to all who took part in them. And when he laboured to bring his brethren to the work of catechizing, and instructing every family by itself, he found a ready consent in most, and performance in many.

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CHAPTER III.

Baxter's own account of the means and reasons of his

ministerial success.

The account which Mr. Baxter gives of the means and reasons of his success, deserves the attention of every pastor.

The people to whom he came, had not previously grown hard under the faithful preaching of the gospel. They had never before enjoyed an awakening ministry ; but only a few formal, cold sermons. Baxter himself was then young, and full of animation. His voice too was naturally penetrating and moving, which with common hearers is a great matter. He preached also as a dying man; for on account of his bodily infirmities, he had the prospect of death continually before him. Another great advantage which he had, was, that the most of those who on his first coming, had bitterly opposed him, and risen in tumults against him, on account of their hatred to the Puritans, went out to the wars, in the king's army, and were quickly killed, or never returned again; so that on his second coming, there were few disposed to make any open opposition to the power of godliness.

The usurpation of Cromwell served to remove much of that odium, which, under the bishops, had followed all serious piety. He gave liberty, indeed, to all sects, and attempted to establish none; and by this very liberty, of which many complained, as believing that toleration was a connivance at error, there was a door opened for the gospel, in many places, where before it was closed.

Baxter found also, that his having a good report among the people, as an honest and sincere man who really sought their good, was of unspeakable advantage in promoting the success of his ministry. If the people of the place had suspected the purity and benevolence of his motives; if they had believed him to be erroneous, scandalous, worldly or covetous, his noivistry would have been hindered. A bishop must have a good report with those who are without. He was greatly assisted also, by the zeal of the godly in the place. They thirsted after the salvation their neighbours, and being dispersed all over

the town, they were every where ready to discountenance error and vice, to justify piety, and to convince, reprove, and exhort men, as occasion offered, and as there was need. They also inculcated the duty of prayer, and the sanctification of the Lord's day ; and it was a custom for those who were intelligent and serious, when they had a meeting at their houses, to repeat sermons; and they invited their ignorant neighbours to attend, so that often the houses of the better sort of people, on such occasions, would be crowded with poor people. Their holy, humble, and exemplary lives were of the greatest advantage to the success of his ministry. Nothing so convinces men of the truth and reality of vital religion, as the living example and meek and humble spirit of its professors; while, on the other hand, there is no greater obstruction to the gospel, than the inconsistent lives and unsavoury spirit of many, who are in the communion of the Church. The uvity and concord which was preserved

' among the pious was also a great benefit. The place was also in a good degree exempt from those sects and heresies, which abounded at this time in most places in the land.