A34679:441
An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…
An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent servant of the Lord, Mr. John Cotton ... ; taken from his mouth in short-writing, and some part of it corrected by himself soon after the preaching thereof ; and all of it since viewed over by a friend to him ... wherein some mistakes were amended, but nothing of the sense altered.
London: printed for Tim. Smart, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
AN EXPOSITION Upon the thirteenth Chapter of the REVELATION. › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Obj. You will say, it is a needless exhortation to make our election sure, if that be not done long ago; for it is not begun in this world, but long before; it is concluded long before, or else we are not written in the Lambs book of life; one of these two is concluded in Heaven: Christ knows those that are given to him by his Father, before he knows them by name, John 10. 14. It is worthy of memory that Christ knows them all by name, that argues the particularity and singularity of them, as he knows all the Stars in Heaven, so doth he much more know all his elect; if he know them all by name, he then particularly observes them, and prevents us with blessings of goodness, and preserves us from prevailing evils, but if it be recorded of God, is it not in vain to exhort to make it sure.
Obj. You will say, it is a needlesse exhortation to make our election sure, if that be not done long ago; for it is not begun in this world, but long before; it is concluded long before, or else we are not written in the Lambes book of life; one of these two is concluded in Heaven: Christ knows those that are given to him by his Father, before he knows them by name, John 10. 14. It is worthy of memory that Christ knows them all by name, that argues the particularity and singularity of them, as he knows all the Stars in Heaven, so doth he much more know all his elect; if he know them all by name, hee then particularly observes them, and prevents us with blessings of goodnesse, and preserves us from prevailing evills, but if it be recorded of God, is it not in vain to exhort to make it sure.
Answ. If it were in vain, methinks the Apostle should not have used it, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Then that is it that lies upon all Christians; some think it is not possible, but then it were a vain exhortation, Make your calling and election sure; if you do, a wide and open door of entrance shall be minished unto ⟨p. 150⟩