Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the late learned Mr. Richard Barter [sic] ; whereunto is added a short account of Special redemption, by the same author.

To the READER.

IT is necessary that I give some Account how these Disputations (with many others) came to my hands, and of their Publication. Being sent to Cambridge by Mr. Baxter, be was pleased at my return from thence, to receive me into his Family, and to make use of me as his Assistant at my first entrance into the Ministry, Anno, 1657. in Kid∣derminster the place of my Birth: Some of the first work he put me upon was to transcribe these Pa∣pers of Redemption, which he designed for the Press. The Ministers of Worcestershire and Neighbour∣hood thereabouts who usually attended on his Thurs∣day Lecture, and heard these Disputations at their Monthly Meeting, were generally desirous to have them Printed. Mr. B. had long since raised their expectation thereof, by declaring his intention of it in Print. At last (though long first) viz. July 17. 1691. he gave them to me, signifying his willingness to have them Printed.

If any Person question whether he wrote and fitted these Sheets for the Press, I shall readily satisfie him by producing the Original of his own hand writing, as well as the Copy thereof wrote by me at least 38 years since. If these Disputations of Redemption find ac∣ceptance (which I see no cause to doubt of) I shall be thereby incouraged to Print the rest, or such of them as may be thought most useful.

It was a great word of Bishop Wilkins, that Mr. Baxter had cultivated every Subject he handled, (read this Subject of Redemption, and judge whether there be not cause to say so of it) if he had lived in the Primitive times, he had been one of the Fathers of the Church. And again. It was enough, saith he, for one Age to produce such a Person as Mr. Baxter: But his works praise him much more than the Tongues or Pens of the greatest Doctors or best of Men can do. There is therefore no need of Letters of Recommendation to set forth the excellence of this Work▪ or the Praises of the Author thereof. Let it suffice to assure the Reader that this Disputation of Universal Redemp∣tion was composed by him in the strength of his day, about the 40th year of his Age, when the op∣position of the Learned of differing Opinions had sharpen'd his Pen, and made him critically exact in considering what he intended for the Press. That which I earnestly desire is, that young Ministers, and especially all Candidates for the Ministry would put on humbleness of mind, and set themselves at the feet of this Great Man as Learners, and then through the Divine Blessing, I doubt not but their profiting will appear unto all men: And let those of different Judgment from him, but remember, that Mr. Baxter now dead is as much above their clamorous censures, as while living he was their Superiour in his Gifts and Graces: Had the one or the other but known Mr. Baxter, as well as others of his familiar Friends, his Works would be highly va∣lued by them; or at least his unspotted Holiness, and great Charity would so far have conciliated their minds, and engaged their affections as to love and honour his memory, and imitate his Life, which

we impatiently wait for an account of from another band, being now ready for the Press. May every Minister but have that Book when Printed, and lay aside prejudice so far, at least as calmly to read it, and then I may with confidence expect, not only, that humble Learners, but the greatest Scholars will be as desirous of acquaintance with his Works as ever Usher, Gataker, Vines, and many others of the best of men were admirers of his Personal worth, and desirous of his Converse and Company.

If any shall be so far dissatisfied with the Title and Subject of the Book as to throw it aside, I only desire they would seriously think of those words, p. 286. [When God saith so expresly that Christ dyed for all, and tasted death for every man, and is the Ransom for all, and the pro∣pitiation for the sins of the whole World, it beseems every Christian rather to explain in what sense Christ dyed for all men, than flatly to deny it.] And let me add those words of Bishop Usher;

Distinguish between the satisfaction of Christ absolutely considered, and the application of the same unto every one in particular: The former was once done for all, the other is still in doing; the one brings with it sufficiency abun∣dant to discharge the whole debt, the other adds unto it efficacy. The Universality of the satisfaction derogates nothing from the special grace; neither the speciality of the one, abateth the generality of the other.

The Lord give us a right understanding of his mind and will, and bless this work of the Author, both to Ministers and their People, that the common Salvation may not be narrowed or lessen'd, that Coming Souls may not be discouraged, and that the Gospel of Salvation which we Preach may be Tydings of Joy to all People, and then I shall not repent my part in the Pub∣lication thereof.

June 18. 1694.

JOSEPH READ.