CHRISTIAN READER, WHEN I had resglved, at the desire of the Honorable Judgeof Assize, to publish the foregoing sermon, I remembered that, about six years before, I had preached another on the like occasion, on a subject so like, and to so like a purpose, that I conceived it not unfit to he annexed to the former. I have endeavored to show you, in both these sermons, that Christ may be preached without Antinomianism; that terror may be preached without unwarrant- able preaching the law; that the gospel is not a mere promise, and that the law is not so terrible as it is to the rebellious ; as also what that superstructure is, which is built on the foundation of general redemption rightly understood ; and how ill we can preach Christ's dominion in his universal propriety and sovereignty, or yet per- suade men to sanctification and subjection, without this foundation. I have labored to fit all, or almost all, for matter and manner, to the capacity of the vulgar. And though, for the matter, it .is as necessary to the greatest, yet it is for' the vulgar, principally, that Ipublish it ; and had rather it might be numberedwith those books which are carried up and down the country from door to door in pedlers' packs, than with those that lie on booksellers' stalls, or are set up in the libraries oflearned divines. And to the same use would I design the ynost of my published labors, should God af- ford me time and ability, and contentious brethren give me leave. RICHARD BAXTER. August 7, 1654.
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