A37035:1137
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.
12. For this cause, the nature of the Covenant, and Justification by Christ, are especially to be cleared, where a Church is formal, that is, free both of errors in Doctrine, and gross scandals in practice, and resting there: wherefore we see, that in the Epistle to the Church of Laodicea (which is charged with neither of these) our Lord doth most especially insist on this: for, the beating down of error, and banishing of gross profanity, are but, as it were, the taking-in the outworks of the devils kingdom; therefore when these are gained, the main batteries are to be directed against self righteousness, hypocrisy, presumption, self-confidence, &c. that the soul may be brought to receive Christ in earnest, and zealously and seriously to study holiness, without which a formal profession will be but as a stone of stumbling.
12. For this cause, the nature of the Covenant, and Justification by Christ, are especially to be cleared, where a Church is formall, that is, free both of errours in Doctrine, and grosse scandals in practice, and resting there: wherefore we see, that in the Epistle to the Church of Laodicea (which is charged with neither of these) our Lord doth most especially insist on this: for, the beating down of errour, and banishing of grosse profanity, are but, as it were, the taking-in the outworks of the devils kingdom; therefore when these are gained, the main batteries are to be directed against self righteousnesse, hypocrisie, presumption, self-confidence, &c. that the soul may be brought to receive Christ in earnest, and zealously and seriously to study holinesse, without which a formal profession will be but as a stone of stumbling.
13. We see that our Lord Jesus putteth together an entire mould of the whole Doctrine and practice of Godliness, giving, as at one view, a sight of our natural sinfulness and hazard, and of the way how these may be remedied; so that when He proposeth any quarrel, He leaveth not off till He propose also the remedy, press duty, and close with some encouraging conditional promise. This is also profitable for a mixed Auditory (especially at solemn times, and other occasions, wherein people are usually most serious and attentive) to give together a view of the Doctrine of the Gospel; so that when a conviction is pressed, and the Hearer is made somewhat hot, he may have some present discovery of the way which he ought to take; and that he may either be informed, or, at least, be put in mind of as much of the Gospel as may be a ground of his peace, if it be improved, though he should never afterward hear any more. This we see was the Apostles way in their occasional Sermons in the History of the Acts, wherein the sum of the Gospel is usually comprehended; and the Lord himself doth so with Nicodemus,