[T]here is no greater strengthener of sin, and destroyer of the soul, than Scripture misapplied (317).

— Richard Baxter

The strongest Christian is unsafe among occasions to sin (519).

— Richard Baxter

The sum is this, —As thou makes conscience of praying daily, so do thou of the acting of thy graces in meditation; and more especially in meditating on the joys of heaven, To this end, set apart one hour or half hour every day, wherein thou mayst lay aside all worldly thoughts, and with all possible seriousness and reverence, as if thou were going to speak with God himself, or to have a sight of Christ, or of that blessed place so do thou withdraw thyself into some secret place, and set thyself wholly to the following work: if thou canst, take Isaac's time and place, who went forth into the field in the evening to meditate; but if thou be a servant, or poor man, that cannot have that leisure, take the fittest time and place that thou canst, though it is when thou are private about thy labors. Were there left one spark of wit or reason, they would never sell their rest for toil, or sell their glory for worldly vanities, nor venture heaven for the pleasure of a sin (627).

— Richard Baxter

The sweetest poison doth often bring the surest death (645).

— Richard Baxter

The way of painful duty is the way of fullest comfort. Christ carried all our comforts in his hand : if we are out of that way where Christ is to be met, we are out of the way where comfort is to be had (312).

— Richard Baxter

Thou art standing all this while at the door of eternity, and death is waiting to open the door, and put thee in (247).

— Richard Baxter

Though every man naturally abhorred sorrow, and loves the most merry and joyful life; yet few do love the way to joy, or will endure the pains by which it is obtained; they will take the next that comes to hand, and content themselves with earthly pleasures, rather than they will ascend to heaven to seek it ;l and yet when all is done, they must have it there, or be without it (491).

— Richard Baxter

Thou has heard the words of Christ. . . . Dost thou weep, when I have thee, Poor soul, what Lilith thee? Dost thou weep, when I have wept so much? Be of good cheer ; thy wounds are saving, and not deadly. It is I that have made them, who mean thee no hurt : though I let out thy blood, I will not let out thy life (628).

— Richard Baxter

Thou I cannot so freely say, My heart is with thee, my soul length after thee ; yet can I say, I long for such a longing heart (648).

— Richard Baxter

Till thou hast learned to suffer from a saint a well as from the wicked, and to be abused by the godly as well as the ungodly, never look to live a contented or comfortable life, nor ever think thou has truly learned the art of suffering (383).

— Richard Baxter