1633 THOMAS TAYLOR. Christ's Victory and Satan's Downfall. Rare Puritan on Revelation 12. 800+pp!

Very scarce and desirable work on the triumph of Christ over Satan on behalf of the people of God; a rare sustained eschatological exposition of the period. 

Thomas Taylor [1576-1632] was educated at Cambridge, where he was chosen fellow. The son of pious parents of independent tendencies, his father having shown generosity to silenced ministers as the recorder in their hometown of Richmond [Yorkshire]. He was also publicly sympathetic to and generous toward exiles of the persecuted Scottish church. 

It was no surprise then that Thomas was of a puritan mind and disposition. While at Cambridge, he excelled and was, while yet a student, chosen fellow and Hebrew lecturer of the College.

For his non-conformity, he was for some time silenced, and threatened to be degraded, for a sermon which he preached in St. Mary’s church, Cambridge, from Canticles, v. 7. ”The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.” What appears to have given offence to the ruling ecclesiastics, was his statement, ”that in every age, some of those who ought to have been promoters of the church’s welfare, have been its persecutors.” His meaning was clear enough for them. 

How long he remained under the unjust censure is unclear. He must have been re-instated however, because in the year 1606, he was again silenced by Bishop Harsnet, for nonconformity. He was afterwards violently opposed and harassed by Bishop Wren, who actively opposed his being granted the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

But, being willing to endure any sufferings himself, rather than that the truth and cause of God should suffer, he continued his course. He was afterwards again convened before the high commission, as a notorious delinquent, for generously uniting with his brethren in promoting a private contribution for the poor afflicted ministers of the Palitanate [the Waldensians]. 

Dr. Taylor, upon leaving the University, settled first at Watford in Hertfordshire, then at Heading in Berkshire, and afterwards, in 1625, he became pastor of Aldermanbury, London. At each of these places his labors were made a blessing to many souls. During his abode at Reading, a generation of young preachers was raised up under his ministry, who afterwards became bright ornaments in the church of God.

He preached at Paul’s cross before Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards before King James. He spent thirty years in his beloved work, and continued faithful and laborious to the end. As the true servant of Christ, he was desirous to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the good of souls. With all sincerity and purity, and all zeal and meekness, he watched over the flock of Christ. His sermons were judicious, substantial, and admirably well-delivered. He was an avowed enemy to popery, Arminianism, and antinomianism; against the last of which he published a work, entitled, ”The Use of the Law.” 

This worthy divine, when in the prospect of death, was desirous to have done more service for Christ; yet he was willing to obey the summons. Having finished the work which the Lord gave him to do, he was ready to depart, and to be with Christ. During his last sickness, he experienced much joy and peace in believing, and enjoyed a triumphant confidence in Christ as his gracious conqueror of death, and hell, and sin. It was on his death-bed that he revised the present final draft before us on Revelation 12. And, having finished his work, exclaimed, ”Oh! We serve a good Lord, who covers all imperfections, and gives great wages for little work, and in mercy hath provided for me some of the greatest.”

His life was particularly exemplary, even his enemies being judges. His piety, his charity, and his moderation were manifest to all. Mr. Leigh calls him ”a solid and judicious divine.” Fuller, who has classed him among the fellows and learned writers of Christ’s college, Cambridge, says, ”he was exceedingly charitable, most strict in his conversation, a grave divine, a painful preacher, and a profitable writer.” Wood says, ”he was excellent in following and opening an allegory; and that he was highly esteemed by the London ministers, as well as by the people of his charge.” On account of his profound knowledge of the scriptures, he was commonly styled, ”the illuminated doctor.” He was, says Dr. Williams, "a sound and sensible divine, and a very useful preacher; one who had penetrating views of the human heart, and of the oracles of God.”

Taylor, Thomas. Christ's Victorie Over the Dragon: Or, Satan's Downfall: Shewing the Glorious Conquests of Our Saviour for His Poore Church, against the Great Persecutors. In a Plaine and Pithy Exposition of the Twelfth Chapter of S. John's Revelation. Delivered in Sundry Lectures by that Late Faithful Servant of God, Thomas Taylor, Doctor in Divinitie, and Pastor of Aldermanbury London. Perfected and Finished a Little before His Death. London. Printed by M. F. for R. Dawlman, at the Signe of the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Churchyard. 1633. 855pp + Catalogue. 

A very scarce survivor in good condition, with faults. Recently bound in a very handsome, period appropriate full calf binding. Title with some tears and chips, early inscription of Asahel Mathews. All remaining text is handled and tone with occasional tears in margin. Lacks four leaves, leaves 15/16; 49/50; 63/64; and 473/474. Faulty, but exceptionally rare on the market.