Enthusiasm: A Chapter in the History of Religion Book

Preliminary review:

A book above books, the last chapters on 'The Philosophy of Enthusiasm' are a great work of dogmatic theology, and an excellent treatment of authority and autonomy in religion. Solo scriptura begets heresy, as the 'inner light', Bible, and personal reason merge to become one authority for the energumen, with great ripeness for self-deception to horrific consequences. Knox stops before the modern-day recrudescence of Montanism with tongues in the Pentecostal religion, which is why I originally read this - to trace the genesis of that heresy. But there is nothing new under the sun: in heresy, what is and was will be again. Irrefutable demonstration of the insufficiency of private interpretation is /in the story/ - no additional argument is needed. Demonstrated as well is the necessity and sufficiency of enthusiastic revival religion for the pitiful state of the church where feelings are everything and religion is supposed to 'do something I like'. pp 386-391.

'Ask not what the church can do for you, but what you can do for the church.'

Quibble: far too much untranslated French (over 80 passages), often used as the denouement, punchline, or as important color in his arguments - often you're left to deduce the punchline yourself, and often unable. Also some untranslated Latin, but I've had Wheelock. I don't know a word of French.