A37035:1170
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
AN EXPOSITION Of the BOOK of the REVELATION. › Lecture 1 › Chapter 4
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.
1. Behold, a throne was set in Heaven. These are borrowed expressions: for, God needeth not a material Throne, neither hath He any such in Heaven; but as among Kings, Thrones are used as seats for Judgement, and for places where they appear in their Royalty; so the same similitude is borrowed here, to set out the Sovereignty of God in Heaven, and in Earth, and in His Church (especially His Gospel-church) which is called His Throne, Jer. 3.17. for in it He hath an absolute Dominion and Government, and is continually exercising and acting that Government as a King on His Throne. It holdeth out, 1. Not only Gods greatness and power: But, 2. His absolute Dominion and Sovereignty; And, 3. His actual exercising of that Power and Sovereignty: which is further holden out, in the second expression, one sate on the throne: the Throne is not empty, but hath one sitting on it, acting and exercising that Power. Such words are frequent in Scripture, Psal. 11.4. The Lords throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eye-lids try the children of men. It expresseth what is meant by His Throne, to wit, His absoluteness and Sovereignty in Government, and His Justice, and severity, being angry with the wicked every day. God in His Glory and Excellency is holden out, as sitting on His Throne, vers. 3. in other sort of robes than ever were seen on the greatest that ever were in the World; He that sat on the throne, was to look upon like a Jasper, and Sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an Emerald: these are expressions, not of His form, (for He is purely spiritual and unconceivable) but borrowed, to set forth His splendour and Glory; and because that which men usually think most excellent, is gold, and precious stones, these are made use of for this end. There are two stones mentioned for resembling of His Glory; the first is a Jasper, an exceeding precious stone; it was one of these precious stones that was put in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28.20. and it is among these stones wherewith the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem are said to be garnished, Revel. 22.19. And because one stone is not sufficient, even but to resemble the Glory and splendour of the Majesty of God, there is another added, to wit, the Sardine stone: which is also precious as the former was.