Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter was born at Rowton, Shropshire, on November 12, 1615, the only son of Richard Baxter, a yeoman. Educated at Wroxeter School, he served as Master of Dudley Grammar School before taking Holy Orders and becoming Curate of Kidderminster in 1640. He later served as chaplain in Cromwell's army, during which time ill health led him to write his famed devotional treatise, The Saints' Everlasting Rest. Following the Restoration, he served briefly as chaplain to Charles II and declined the bishopric of Hereford, ultimately retiring from the Church of England after the Act of Uniformity in 1662. He died on December 8, 1691.

In addition to his voluminous theological prose, Baxter published several notable poetic works, including Poetical Fragments: Heart Imployment with God and Itself (1681), Additions to the Poetical Fragments (1683), and A Paraphrase on the Psalms, With Other Hymns (published posthumously in 1692). His most famous hymn, "Lord, it belongs not to my care" (originally "Now it belongs not to my care"), was excerpted from Poetical Fragments and remains widely used.