A27006:72
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully published from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully publish'd from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1696
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, As to my self.
When I came up to London, Anno Dom. 1671. I was brought into Acquaintance with Mr. Baxter, by my dear and intimate Friend Mr. Joseph Trueman ([Greek or Hebrew]) who it seems, unknown to me, had told Mr. Baxter concerning me, more than I ever expected or deserved. And so great was Mr. Trueman's Reputation with Mr. Baxter, as to conciliate that regard to his Character of me, which greatly promoted my Intimacy, and my more free and frequent Conversation with him ever after. Hereupon Mr. Baxter wrote to a worthy Person to seek me out, and to bring me (a perfect Stranger in the City) into Acquaintance and Employment: which accordingly was done. And some short time after Mr. Baxter and my •elf met together upon Ministerial Employment somewhat frequently, to mutual Satisfaction and reciprocal Endearments; God speaking to his Heart for me. The Lord impute not to me my so small improvement of that so great Advantage. I never was denied admission to him, when desired by me: And many Secrets he committed to me relating to his Soul and Secular Affairs, which have been, are, and shall be such God willing, whilst I live: for I take it to be sinful to betray a Secret, unless Concealment be injurious to the Public, or to another Person. And in that case I will never (as I think I never have done to the best of my remembrance) promise Secrecy: for I think it base, and no way capable of Vindication, to serve one Friend so as unjustly and unworthily to disserve another. At last it pleased God to cast my Lot upon Copartnership with him in Ministerial Work in Charterhouse-yard, in my own Dwelling-house there; which he the rather complied with because of the vicinity of our Respective Habitations. He would not meddle with the Pastoral Work; but would stile himself (when somewhat pleasant) my Curate; but he would take no Money of me for his pains: but oft and freely profest his Satisfaction in his Conjunction with me, and in the serious and moderate temper of my Flock. And I know none beyond them for Peace and Love and Candour. He was greatly solicitous about my Subsistence and Encouragement after his Death. And not long before his Exit he drew up a Paper to have been read to the Congregation, to have procured me some generous Subscriptions from them for one year, besides what they usually allowed me Annually;