A37035:1458
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. We answer, That by Earth is understood the visible Church here Militant: which is so called, 1. Because it seemeth this prophecy relateth to that of Christs, Matth. 10.34. and therefore is expressed almost in the same words. 2. By persecution of the Church, peace may be said to be taken from the earth, because by it all the earth is so put through other, it having so many troubles, divisions, treacheries, and tumults, &c. going alongst with it. 3. Because it pointeth here at the outward and earthly peace which by persecution could only be taken from them, and that it reacheth not to mar their spiritual, and eternal peace, according to Christs word, Joh. 16. last vers. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace. 4. The Church may be called the Earth here, because ⟨p. 346⟩it is usual to the Prophets, (whose expressions John often followeth) to set out the Church and her troubles under that name, because she is the most excellent part of all the World, Therefore do they account it sad to all the earth, which is sad to her, & contra. See Isa. 24.1, 4, 5, 6, &c. where yet the Church is understood, as appeareth from vers. 5. and therefore the former exposition doth agree well with this expression. We take it then for granted, that this exposition agreeth well with the scope, which is to show the Churches condition immediately after the Gospel came into the world, and her sufferings then, that it agreeth well also with the description of the horse in his colour, rider, commission and weapons. We are therefore, 3. to consider how it doth agree unto the event, which in every thing we will find answerable. None that know any thing, but know how soon persecution, (especially killing with the sword) followed after the Gospel. The Scripture mentioneth it of Stephen, Act. 7. of James, Act. 12. The History of the Acts, Paul's frequent reckoning of persecutions, (and particularly by the sword) Rom. 8.35