A37035:1126
A commentary upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…
A commentary upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the series of the several prophecies contained in that book, deduced according to their order and dependence on each other; the periods and succession of times, at, or about which, these prophecies, that are already fulfilled, began to be, and were more fully accomplished, fixed and applied according to history; and those that are yet to be fulfilled, modestly, and so far as is warrantable, enquired into. Together with some practical observations, and several digressions, necessary for vindicating, clearing, and confirming many weighty and important truths. Delivered in several lectures, by that learned, laborious, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, James Durham, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. To which is affixed a brief summary of the whole book, with a twofold index, one of the several digressions, another of the chief and principal purposes and words contained in this treatise.A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the series of the several prophecies contained in that book, deduced according to their order and dependance on each other; the periods and succession of times, at, or about which, these prophecies, that are already fulfilled, began to be, and were more fully accomplished, fixed and applied according to history; and those that are yet to be fulfilled, modestly, and so far as is warrantable, enquired into. Together with some practical observations, and several digressions, necessary for vindicating, clearing, and confirming many weighty and important truths. Delivered in several lectures, by that learned, laborious, and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, James Durham, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. To which is affixed a brief summary of the whole book, with a twofold index, one of the several digressions, another of the chief and principall purposes and words contained in this treatise.
Edinburgh: printed by Christopher Higgins, 1658
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.
2. Ministers ought in their Doctrine to apply themselves to all sorts of persons, to wit, to Rulers, and People, to hypocrites, and openly profane, yea, to the good, and these that have most tenderness; reproving all, convincing all, as there shall be cause: So that neither hopelessness of profiting some that seem to be desperate, nor preposterous affection to these who are tender and affectionate, ought to mar this manner of dealing. And thus we see our Lord Jesus doth threaten profane and gross erroneous Jezebel upon the one hand, and backsliden, though Godly Ephesus, upon the other. Sometimes, it is more difficult freely and faithfully to reprove one that is Godly, or to withstand one Peter, than to threaten or contend with many that are profane: and yet both are necessary and profitable for edification.
2. Ministers ought in their Doctrine to apply themselves to all sorts of persons, to wit, to Rulers, and People, to hypocrites, and openly profane, yea, to the good, and these that have most tendernesse; reproving all, convincing all, as there shall be cause: So that neither hoplesnesse of profiting some that seem to be desperate, nor preposterous affection to these who are tender and affectionate, ought to marr this manner of dealing. And thus we see our Lord Jesus doth threaten profane and grosse erroneous Iezebel upon the one hand, and backsliden, though Godly Ephesus, upon the other. Sometimes, it is more difficult freely and faithfully to reprove one that is Godly, or to withstand one Peter, than to threaten or contend with many that are profane: and yet both are necessary and profitable for edification.
3. This universal application to all sorts, would yet notwithstanding be managed with spiritual wisdom and prudence, so that every one may get their own allowance. Hence the Lord doth so threaten the secure and stubborn, that yet he excepteth these who were not defiled; and so comforteth the faithful, as the profane may not have a ground to take the same consolation with them. This is a main qualification of a Minister of the Gospel, rightly to divide the word of Truth, and not to follow all applications promiscuously and in heap together in any Auditory, without such discriminating expressions as may guard against confusion therein: especially as to these four, 1. That a tender soul may be so strengthened and confirmed, as a secure person be not more hardened; and that a presumptuous hypocrite, be so stricken at, as an exercised soul be not wounded. 2. When both the good and profane are in one fault, the one is otherwise to be reproved and restored than the other; and we see Ephesus is more tenderly dealt with, than Laodicea, according to the rule,