A37035:1229
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 Proclamation, vers. 2. is in these words, I saw a strong Angel, proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? This Proclamation is not made as if there were an expectation to find any creature by whom this might be done; but by putting all creatures to it, (and thereby declaring their insufficiency) the greater way is made for the glory of Christ, the Mediator, the performer thereof. The party proclaiming, is, an Angel: for even these admire Gods way with His Church, and desire the unfolding of the same. It is a strong Angel, to show the concernment of the thing proclaimed, and that even the most excellent Angels count it their happiness to be serviceable to God in the affairs of His Church; also it maketh the thing proclaimed more observable. By comparing this with the 5. and 6. verses, we may see, that by beasts, are neither understood any of the host of Angels in general, nor some special Angels (as some allege) of a more eminent degree: for they are opposed to this strong Angel, who yet must be understood to be of eminency amongst them. Again, the matter proclaimed is observable, which is not, Who is able to open the Book, &c. but, Who is worthy, or meet to do the same? and this, upon the one side, is to put a dash upon all creatures, as being unworthy and unmeet to pry into Gods secrets immediately; and, on the other side, it doth exceedingly commend the Mediator, who alone is found to be such. This is done with a loud voice, that thereby the mouths of all creatures may be stopped, and that this singular worthiness of the Mediator, and this His peculiar privilege might be afterward found to be the more unquestionable.
The Proclamation, vers. 2. is in these words, I saw a strong Angel, proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? This Proclamation is not made as if there were an expectation to find any creature by whom this might be done; but by putting all creatures to it, (and thereby declaring their insufficiency) the greater way is made for the glory of Christ, the Mediator, the performer thereof. The party proclaiming, is, an Angel: for even these admire Gods way with His Church, and desire the unfolding of the same. It is a strong Angel, to shew the concernment of the thing proclaimed, and that even the most excellent Angels count it their happinesse to be serviceable to God in the affairs of His Church; also it maketh the thing proclaimed more observable. By comparing this with the 5. and 6. verses, we may see, that by beasts, are neither understood any of the host of Angels in general, nor some speciall Angels (as some alleage) of a more eminent degree: for they are opposed to this strong Angel, who yet must be understood to be of eminency amongst them. Again, the matter proclaimed is observable, which is not, Who is able to open the Book, &c. but, Who is worthy, or meet to do the same? and this, upon the one side, is to put a dash upon all creatures, as being unworthy and unmeet to pry into Gods secrets immediately; and, on the other side, it doth exceedingly commend the Mediator, who alone is found to be such. This is done with a loud voice, that thereby the mouths of all creatures may be stopped, and that this singular worthinesse of the Mediator, and this His peculiar priviledge might be afterward found to be the more unquestionable.