Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

And whereas one part of the Parish was impropriate, and payed Tithes to Lay-men, and the other part maintained the Church, (a Brook dividing them) it fell out that almost all that side of the Parish which paid Tithes to the Church, were godly, honest People, and did it willingly without Contention; and most of the bad People of the Parish lived on the other side. Some of the Poor men did competently understand the Body of Divinity, and were able to judge in difficult Controversies: Some of them were so able in Prayer, that very •ew Ministers did match them, in order and fullness, and apt Expressions, and holy Oratory, with fervency: Abundance of them were so able to pray very laudably with their Families, or with others. The temper of their Minds, and the innocency of their Lives was much more laudable than their Parts. The Professors of serious Godliness, were generally of very humble Minds and Carriage; of meek and quiet behaviour unto others; and of blamelessness and innocency in their Conversations.

And whereas one part of the Parish was impropriate, and payed Tythes to Lay-men, and the other part maintained the Church, (a Brook dividing them) it fell out that almost all that side of the Parish which paid Tythes to the Church, were godly, honest People, and did it willingly without Contention; and most of the bad People of the Parish lived on the other side. Some of the Poor men did competently understand the Body of Divinity, and were able to judge in difficult Controversies: Some of them were so able in Prayer, that very •ew Ministers did match them, in order and fulness, and apt Expressions, and holy Oratory, with fervency: Abundance of them were so able to pray very laudably with their Families, or with others. The temper of their Minds, and the innocency of their Lives was much more laudable than their Parts. The Professors of serious Godliness, were generally of very humble Minds and Carriage; of meek and quiet behaviour unto others; and of blamelesness and innocency in their Conversations.

And God was pleased also to give me abundant Encouragement in the Lectures which I preached abroad in other places; as at Worcester, Cleobury, &c. But especially at Dudley and Sheffual; at the former of which (being the first place that ever I preached in) the poor Nailers and other Labourers would not only crowd the Church as full as ever I saw any in London, but also hand upon the Windows, and the Leads without.