how to spend the day with god

picture from wikipedia

richard baxter was born 12 November 1615 in rowton shropshire and studied at the free school in wroxeter from about 1629 to 1632. he then read with richard wickestead at ludlow castle.  he went to court but soon came home.  after his mother's death he read theology with francis garbet.

in 1638 be became master of a free grammar school at dudley where his ministry started having been ordained and licenced by the bishop of worcester.  having moved to bridgenorth in shropshire he was elected as the minister in april 1641 at 26.  

with the outbreak of the 1st english civil war he moved out of royalist areas and was chaplain to the garrison at coventry.  after the restoration in 1660 he settled in london.  he had been made a king's chaplain, and was offered the post of the bishop of hereford but turned it down.  after that refusal he was prohibited from  preaching in the diocese of worcester.  he married margaret on 24/9/1662.  he was frequently in trouble with the courts for his writings (some 168 separate works). his wife died in 1681.  he was put in prison for 18 month for libelling the Church around 1685.  he died in london 8/12/1691.

the headlines from this summary of his thoughts on how to spend the day with god are:

- don't waste precious morning hours sluggishly in your bed or other time during the day;

- let God have your first awaking thoughts, pray with your family and before you start work, meditate on God's goodness to you;

- remember every relationship you have is an opportunity to do good;

- do your activity to please, glorify and enjoy God; 

- watch against temptations all day long and take care against being drawn into earthly mindedness and excessive cares; 

- if you are to trade or deal with others, be vigilant against selfishness and all that smacks of injustice or uncharitableness;

- watch against empty and idle talking, those who tempt you to anger, flatterers and the pride they swell in you. those that despise you and the impatience and revengeful pride they can cause you to have;

- eat and drink with moderation and thankfulness for health;

- if you fall to a temptation immediately lament it and confess it to God; repent quickly whatever the cost;

- before sleep review the actions and mercies of the day past, so that you may be thankful for all the special mercies and humbled for all your sins.