tributed so essentially to the restoration of the king, during their whole lives were crushed under the yoke of high-church authority. No doubt they acted from principle; but their integrity was greater than their wisdom. They might have foreseen, that, whoever might be active in restoring the king, when once firmly established, he would be disposed to favour those who had always adhered to his cause, and who had suffered much on his account.

Baxter, through the whole revolution, acted conscientiously; but his course was by no means characterized by enlightened wisdom. He sided with the Parliament, but maintained the rights of the king: enjoyed the liberty and immunities afforded by the protectorate; and yet spoke and preached against the Protector. He hailed the return of Charles; but yet doubted, whether he was free from allegiance to Richard. He first took the solemn league and covenant, and then preached against it, and prevented all he could from taking it. Though the evidence of Charles's dissimulation towards the Presbyterians, was soon manifested, and the evidence of it as strong as the light of day; yet it was long before Baxter could be persuaded to believe 11. It was in him a fault that abstract principles, and refined distinctions often influenced him more than plain matters of fact.

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CHAPTER V.

His labours as an author-his interest in Missions to

North America.

IMMEDIATELY before the restoration he was called to London, and preached before the parliament. After that event, he did not return to reside at Kidderminster, the beloved field of his pastoral labours, for more than fourteen years. During this long residence, his labours were not confined to pastoral duties. He endeavoured also to serve his generation, and future generations, by means of the press; and published a number of volumes, intended to defend the Christian religion; all of which show the indefatigable diligence of this extraordinary man; for the books

quoted and referred to in these publications, seem enough to have occupied a lifetime, in perusing. It must be admitted that he wrote and published too many books. Less than one half the number, and of half the bulk would have been far more useful to his own generation, and to those that came after. But we ought not to complain. The "Saint's Rest," and the "Call to the Unconverted," give him a claim to be considered a rich benefactor to all who can read the English language. And although very few pastors have ever been so successful as Baxter, by his personal labours, I think it may at this time be safely asserted that all the effects of his preaching in the pulpit, and instructing in a more private way, were but as a drop in the bucket, when compared with the extensive and growing influence of his practical writings; for at this day there are ten readers of these popular works, where there was one in the age in which they were published; and we see not but that this increase will go on in a ratio which cannot be calculated. How blessed is that man who is honoured to write a book, which shall serve for the instruction of millions of souls, and of generations innumerable?

About the time of the king's return, Laxter had his heart full of the benevolent scheme of propagating the gospel among the American Indians. During the period of the commonwealih, a collection had been made by order of goverument, in every parish in Englaud, to assist Mr. Eliot, celebrated as the Apostle of the Indians, and others, in carrying on this truly Christian work.

The money thus contributed was laid out, partly in the purchase of stocks, and partly in land, to the amount of seven or eight hundred pounds per annum ; and this fund was vested in a corporate body, to be employed in extending Christianity among the Indians. The land had been purchased from Colonel Beddingfield, who upon the king's return seized it again, upon the unjust pretext, that all transactions and engagements which had taken place in Cromwell's time, were null and void in law, and that the corporation had no longer any existence. The corporation, of which Mr. Ashurst was treasurer, knowing that Mr. Baxter was deeply interested in this enterprise, requested him to attend their meeting and give them his counsel ; and upon consultation it was agreed that he should endeavour to obtain a new charter from the king. This, through the influence of the Lord Chancellor, he happily obtained. His lordship also decided a suit in chancery against the claims of Beddingfield. Mr. Ashurst and Mr. Baxter had the nomination of the new members of the corporation, and they agreed to recommend the Honourable Robert Boyle, as President. Mr. Ashurst was reappointed treasurer ; and the whole matter was put into a state of excellent and efficient operation. This affair brought Mr. Baxter into intimate correspondence with Eliot, Norton, governor Endicot, and other excellent men, who were engaged in this good work. The correspondence between Eliot and Baxter continued through a principal part of the remainder of their lives. It is pleasing to see, with what ardour he entered into this missionary enterprise, when the spirit of missions was rare in England. One of his letters to Eliot contains so much evidence of a right spirit on this interesting subject, that our readers will be gratified with an extract from it; though it was written some time after the period of which we are now speaking. “ Though our sins have separated us from