Quotes from Richard Baxter

An aching tooth is better out than in. To lose a rotting member is a gain.

In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.

Dangers bring fears, and fears more dangers bring.

Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow.

I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.

O what a blessed day that will be when I shall . . . stand on the shore and look back on the raging seas I have safely passed; when I shall review my pains and sorrows, my fears and tears, and possess the glory which was the end of all!

To live among such excellent helps as our libraries afford, to have so many silent wise companions whenever we please.

Lay siege to your sins, and starve them out by keeping away the food and fuel which is their maintenance and life.

Let no man think to kill sin with few, easy, or gentle strokes. He who hath once smitten a serpent, if he follow not on his blow until it be slain, may repent that ever he began the quarrel. And so he who undertakes to deal with sin, and pursues it not constantly to the death.

If God be not enough for you, you will never have enough. Turn to him more, and know him better, if you would have a satisfied mind. -Directions Against Sinful Desires and Discontent.

Surely love is both work and wages.

Preaching a man a sermon with a broken head and telling him to be right with God is equal to telling a man with a broken leg to get up and run a race.

The vigor and power and comfort of our spiritual life depends on our mortification of deeds of the flesh.

The most dangerous mistake that our souls are capable of, is, to take the creature for God, and earth for heaven (374).

God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master's work. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves first, that you be that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe, and heartily entertain that Savior whom you offer to them.

The falseness of your own hearts, if you look not to them, may undo you(15).

Of all preaching in the world, (that speaks not stark lies,) I hate that preaching which tendeth to make the hearers laugh, or to move their mind with tickling levity, and affect them as stage-players use to do, instead of affecting them with a holy reverence of the name of God.

Alas! can we think that the reformation is wrought, when we cast out a few ceremonies, and changed some vestures, and gestures, and forms! Oh no, sirs'! it is the converting and saving of souls that is our business. That is the chiefest part of reformation, that doth most good, and tendeth most to the salvation of the people.

Till you can rest in God's will you will never have rest.

The more they love each other, the more they participate in each other's griefs, and one or the other will be frequently under some sort of suffering.

Lord, will you send me with such an unbelieving heart to persuade others to believe? Must I daily plead with sinners about everlasting life and everlasting death, and have no more belief or feeling of these weighty things myself? Oh send me not naked and unprovided to the work; but, as you command me to do it, furnish me with a spirit suitable thereto." Prayer

Remember with whom thou hast to do: what canst thou expect from dust but levity; or from corruption, but defilement(33)?

So then, let "Deserved" be written on the door of hell, but on the door of Heaven and life, "The free gift" (68).

When I compare my slow and unprofitable life with the frequent and wonderful mercies received, it shames me, it silences me, and leaves me inexcusable.