The Reformed Pastor is the result of a lecture Baxter was to deliver to a group of pastors. As it turn out, his health prevented him from attending, but he sent his manuscript to be read to the men. The biblical basis for his call of reform is Acts 20:28. “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”