§. 147. Of all the Devils combined in one.
THat which is here said of the Devil in the singular number, is to be extended to all the infernal spirits. They are indeed many, for so they say of themselves, We
A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...
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- A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...
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- Gouge, William, 1578-1653.
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- London :: Printed by A.M., T.W. and S.G. for Joshua Kirton,
- 1655.
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- Bible. -- N.T. -- Hebrews -- Commentaries.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A41670.0001.001
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"A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A41670.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2024.
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Page 225
are many, Mark. 5 9. And we read that the devils made an host to fight against Mi∣chael and his Angels, Rev. 12. 7. all that host consisted of devils. It at once there were an whole legion in one man (which is computed to contain about 6666) how many are there in all the world besides? for we may suppose that no man is free at any time, but hath devils about him to solicit him to sinne. The innumerable num∣ber of good Angels hath been noted before, Chap. 1. §. 73. It is indeed probable that there are not so many Angels that sell as stood; yet they that fell might be also an innumerable company; but they are here and in sundry other places set down as one Devil. The reasons hereof may be these.
- 1. Devil is a collective word, and compriseth under it all the evil spirits; as Jew, Gentile, Turk, &c.
- 2. They are all under one head; for we read of a Prince of Devils, Mark 3. 22. and the name Devil is given to this one head, as is clear by this phrase, The Devil and his Angels, Matth. 25. 41. Under the head all the members are comprised; as under Israel all that descended from Israel.
- 3. All the evil spirits concur in one minde, and aime at the same end; and there∣upon are all counted as one Devil.
- 4. Their forces are so united and combined, as if they were all but one. Thus it is said, That all the children of Israel went out, and the Congregation was gathered together as one man, Judg. 20. 1.
This word Devil, being here thus comprehensively taken, doth much amplifie the power of Christ in subduing all the power of hell: And it giveth evidence of our freedom from all our spirituall enemies: And it is a strong ground of confidence to rest on Christ and not to fear any fiend of hell.