A37035:1226
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 5
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.
The first part, to wit, the vision of the Book hath, four things remarkable in it. As for the Throne, what it is, and who it is that sitteth thereon, we heard thereof in the former Chapter; and therefore may now proceed to these four things here set down. First, It is called a book: this is not literally to be understood, as if God had use of Books, more than He hath material Thrones, or Hands; but (as was shown on Chap. 3. vers. 5.) it is after the manner of men, to show how particularly and orderly all things are determined by God, as if they were particularly inserted and recorded in a Book. By this Book here, is not understood Gods providence in general, nor yet His special purpose in reference to His Elect; but His Decrees concerning the special events that were to befall His Gospel church. In a word, it is this same Revelation: for, what is afterward revealed to John, is by opening one of these seals, and the last seal will be found to comprehend both the trumpets and vials, as we will find in the progress. The second circumstance, is, that this book is written within and on the back side, that is, in a word, it is all filled up, there is no blank in the same: for, ⟨p. 284⟩known to God are all his works from the beginning, Act. 15.18. and no new occurrence, which is so as to men, doth put the Lord to take any new counsel, or to make any new decree (for, to say so, there is no blank in His Register to contain the same) but all things were concluded of old in His counsel, and accordingly in time are brought to pass. Thirdly, This Book is said to be in his right hand: Which showeth, 1. That there are none accessory to His counsel, but Himself; for, He took counsel of none. 2. That He Himself is Master of His own purposes, and there is none that can alter His decrees, or change any of His purposes; for, the Book is in His own hand. 3. It showeth, that what He hath once in His Wisdom concluded, He doth by His Power proceed to execute, and that so as He cannot be frustrated of His end; therefore is He said to have it in his right hand: which showeth both His admirable dexterity and Omnipotency, that are exercised in executing the same. The fourth circumstance is, this Book is sealed with seven seals: sealed, that is, undiscernible and unconceivable to any, as the words following do clear, and as may be gathered from Isa. 29.11.