THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 43
others," and he says, " it pleased God so far to bless this book to the profit of many, that it encouraged me to be guilty of all those writings which afterwards followed."
After his illness, Baxter returned to Kidderminster ; and then followed one of the most active and successful periods of minis terial service the world has ever seen. Baxter s preaching was intensely earnest, and as practical as it was spiritual ; and his own prayerful and self-denying life bore witness to what he preached. To his preaching he added private catechetical meetings for the instruction and moral benefit of his people, and he exercised a special care over the young. Now and again he pre pared for his people heart-stirring tracts and addresses ; and having himself experienced the great value of good books, he took care to circulate such amongst them. During his long pastorate at Kidderminster he himself wrote about sixty works. Of these the most extensively known was his Call to the Unconverted." This book was written in consequence of a conversation with Bishop Usher, in which he urged Baxter to the production of such works. Some of the great spiritual blessings that have attended the reading of this book are known, others, we may safely pre dict, will be revealed in eternity. The effect of such labours upon Baxter s congregation, and upon the inhabitants of Kidder minster generally, was surprising and delightful. Ceasing to be a people notorious for their impiety and profanity, they became known for their sobriety and godliness.
At the end of nearly twenty years of ministerial labour at Kidderminster, Baxter went in 1660 to London, where, on the Restoration, he was appointed one of the chaplains to Charles II. Afterwards, being offered a bishopric, he declined it ; only asking to be allowed to return to his flock at Kidderminster. But arrangements could not be made with the old vicar, who, though incompetent, retained his place.
Previously to the Act of Uniformity, passed in 1662, Baxter had preached in several parts of London, part of the time at St. Dunstan s and St. Bride s, Fleet Street. But after that Act
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