A funeral-sermon for the reverend, holy and excellent divine, Mr. Richard Baxter who deceased…

Self-denial and Contempt of the World were shining Graces in him. I never knew any person less indulgent to himself, and more indifferent to his Temporal interest. The offer of a Bishopric was no temptation to him: for his exalted Soul despised the Pleasures and Profits which others so earnestly desire; he valued not an empty Title upon his Tomb.

Self-denial and Contempt of the World were shining Graces in him. I never knew any person less indulgent to himself, and more indifferent to his Temporal interest. The offer of a Bishoprick was no temptation to him: for his exalted Soul despised the Pleasures and Profits which others so earnestly desire; he valued not an empty Title upon his Tomb.

His Patience was truly Christian. God does often try his Children by Afflictions, to exercise their Graces, to occasion their Victory, and to entitle them to a triumphant Felicity.

This Saint was tried by many Afflictions. We are very tender of our Reputation: his Name was obscured under a Cloud of detraction. Many slanderous Darts were ⟨p. 118⟩thrown at him. He was charged with Schism and Sedition. He was accused for his Paraphrase upon the New Testament, as guilty of disloyal Aspersions upon the Government, and Condemned, unheard, to a Prison, where he remained for some years. But he was so far from being moved at the unrighteous prosecution, that he joyfully said to a constant friend, What could I desire more of God, than after having served him to my power, I should now be called to suffer for him. One who had been a fierce Dissenter, was afterward rankled with an opposite heat, and very contumeliously in his Writings reflected upon Mr. Baxter, who calmly endured his Contempt: and when the same person published a learned Discourse in Defence of Christianity, Mr. Baxter said, I forgive him all for his Writing that Book. Indeed he was so much the