HOLY ENDEAVOR- FROM THE REFORMED PASTOR

BY RICHARD BAXTER (1615-1691)

We are changing the pattern just a little. Previously, the only blog on which we had changing photos was cyberphotos. We still do, but thought it a good idea to use photos on cybermeditations also. This gives you an extra visual element. Tell me how you like or dislike it----Thanks, Charles
Richard Baxter is regarded as one of the great Puritans. Perhaps his most famous, and many would say his must useful is The Reformed Pastor. Remember Baxter had the famous quote, which so many preachers have used "I preached as never sure to preach again, And as a dying man to dying men". Here is a good excerpt from The Reformed Pastor.

"'Seeing all these things lie upon our hands, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy endeavors and resolutions for our work!' This is not a burden for the shoulders of a child. What skill doth every part of our work require! - and of how much moment is every part! To preach a sermon, I think, is not the hardest part; and yet what skill is necessary to make the truth plain; to convince the hearers, to let irresistible light in to their consciences, and to keep it there, and drive all home; to screw the truth into their minds, and work Christ into their affections; to meet every objection, and clearly to resolve it; to drive sinners to a stand, and make them see that there is no hope, but that they must unavoidably either be converted or condemned - and to do all this, as regards language and manner, as beseems our work, and yet as is most suitable to the capacities of our hearers. This, and a great deal more that should be done in every sermon, must surely require a great deal of holy skill. So great a God, whose message we deliver, should be honoured by our delivery of it."