BAKER, DAVID AUGUSTINE. - English Benedictine and ascetical writer, b. at Abergavenny on 9 Dec. 1575, d. in London on 9 Aug. 1641. Raised in Protestantism, he later converted during his studies at Oxford (1603), entered the Benedictines at Padua (1605), whence, for reasons of health, he was compelled to return to his native country. Ordained priest at Reims (ca. 1612), he was first a chaplain in Devonshire, then, from 1633 to 1638, spiritual director of the Benedictine nuns of Douai; having returned to London, he died there of the plague.
He was one of the most effective ascetical writers of his time; but of his numerous works written at Douai and London, most have remained unpublished. Only after his death did d. S. Cressy publish a kind of clear and precise “summa” in 2 vols. (Douai 1657; English trans.: Holy Wisdom, London 1876, 1908, 1932), under the title Sancta Sophia.
Although following the traditional path with regard to the contemplative life, B. nevertheless has certain points which did not escape partial controversies: he shows little esteem for methodical meditation, which does not seem to him suited to nuns, who should rather abandon themselves to affective prayer; detailed external spiritual direction is not as valuable as surrendering oneself to the inward inspirations of the Holy Spirit, obtained through prayer; a surrender, however, surrounded by scrupulous restrictions and justified and defended in his work.