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 Redemption was composed by him in the strength of his day, about the 40th year of his Age, when the opposition of the Learned of differing Opinions had sharpened 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 Superior 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 valued 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 ⟨image 5⟩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.
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 Redemption was composed by him in the strength of his day, about the 40th year of his Age, when the opposition 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 valued 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 ⟨image 5⟩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.
