An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…

Thus our Reverend Author by denying himself for the Lord, had that cast in upon him (viz. the gaining of such an eminent person to Christ) which was a thousand times better then the airy applause of the world, in being accounted a learned man: Yet neither did he loose that way, but had the repute of that too (and not without cause) to his dying day; notwithstanding his continual care to avoid all appearance of affectation in the course of his Ministry, either in regard of showing Learning, or in the manner of expressing what he did deliver: whereby the power and effect of his Preaching did appear to be wholly of God, being desirous to speak to the understanding and capacity even of the meanest, and by manifestation of the Truth, to commend himself to every mans conscience in the sight of God, A taste whereof we have in these Sermons of his here published.

Thus our Reverend Author by denying himselfe for the Lord, had that cast in upon him (viz. the gaining of such an eminent person to Christ) which was a thousand times better then the airy applause of the world, in being accounted a learned man: Yet neither did he loose that way, but had the repute of that too (and not without cause) to his dying day; notwithstanding his continuall care to avoyd all appearance of affectation in the course of his Ministry, either in regard of shewing Learning, or in the manner of expressing what he did deliver: whereby the power and effect of his Preaching did appear to be wholly of God, being desirous to speak to the understanding and capacity even of the meanest, and by manifestation of the Truth, to commend himselfe to every mans conscience in the sight of God, A taste whereof we have in these Sermons of his here published.

It were too great arrogance for me to think to add any authority to these or any other of his precious labours by my commendation of them, I might as well go about to add to ⟨image 4⟩the light of the Sun by my Candle: The very name of Cotton is enough to set an high price upon what ever hath that stamp: O•ely (being earnestly desired by the Christian brother, the publisher of this Exposition, who having the pen of a ready Writer, did take those Notes from the mouth of the Preacher, to give my testimony to the world that these were indeed the very Sermons of that holy Servant of the Lord, whose name they bear) I shall willingly affirm and testify (having lived in that American wilderness about 13. or 14. years in the Town next adjoining to Boston, and so had thereby the happy privilege of enjoying the benefit of the precious labours of Mr. Cottons, in his Lecture upon every fifth day in the week) I say I do here declare and testify unto the world that these Sermons upon the 13th. Chapter of the Revelation, for the substance of them (giving allowance for such defects of the Amanuensis, which cannot but be expected ordinarily, and yet I confess are but very few in this Treatise) were published by that faithful servant of the Lord, Mr. John Cotton, about the 11. and 12. months (if I mistake not) of the year, 1639. and the first and second of the year 1640. upon his weekly Lecture at Boston in New-England, where he went over the other Chapters of the Revelation, as he did this thirteenth Chapter: and indeed they that were acquainted with his Preaching, may easily discern his very spirit in them all along.