History of the Work of Redemption Vol I of the Works - Edwards - XIV - Period III continued

Required readingHistory of the Work of Redemption in Vol I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Part III & IV of Period III.

My summary.

Firstly, today, Edwards describes the success of redemption from the time of Constantine to the rise of the Antichrist.  We learn of the:

(i) opposition through heresies and paganism;

(ii) success through restoration of orthodoxy and propagation of the gospel.

Secondly, we see the success of redemption from the rise of the Antichrist to the reformation.  We hear about:

(i) the great machinations of Satan (the kingdom of the Antichrist/Roman Catholicism; the Mahometan kingdom);

(ii) the upholding of Christ (through purity within the Roman church; particular persons who bore testimony against corruption of Rome; Waldenses; John Wyckliff).

What grabbed me

I always enjoy hearing about the Waldenses: 'Some of the popish writers themselves own, that this people never submitted to the church of Rome. One of the popish writers, speaking of the Waldenses, says, The heresy of the Waldenses is the oldest heresy in the world. It is supposed that they first betook themselves to this place among the mountains, to hide themselves from the severity of the heathen persecutions which existed before Constantine the Great. And thus the woman fled into the wilderness from the face of the serpent, Rev. xii. 6, 14. "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place: where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." The people being settled there, their posterity continued from age to age: and being, as it were, by natural walls, as well as by God's grace, separated from the rest of the world, they never partook of the overflowing corruption.'

The light of the world shone in these dear brothers and sisters.

Next week's reading

Read Part V of Period III.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.