A37035:1516
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.
In application of this prophecy to a particular time and event, there are two opinions, even amongst these who agree in this, to wit, that the first period of bloody persecution, which ends about Constantine's time, about the year three hundred and ten, is typified by this prophecy of the seals. Some make four steps of these persecutions; the second seal, (that is, the first seal that typifieth persecution, to wit, the second; for, the first is of an other kind) comprehending the first two persecutions of Nero and Domitian; the third seal to them comprehendeth the third persecution of Trajan, with the fourth of Anton. Philos. the fifth, of Severus; the sixth, of Maximinus. Under the fourth seal, they take in the seventh persecution raised by Decius; the eighth, •••ed by Gallus, or Valerianus, or Volusianus; and the ninth, rather intended than exec•••d, by Aurelianus, who being so terrified by thunder immediately after his subscribing of the Edict, that he instantly recalled it. These who so reckon, under the fourth persecuting seal (which is the fifth in order, wherein the cry of the Saints is expressed) do comprehend that great and last persecution of Diocletian. By this reckoning, this seal relateth to the events, betwixt Decius persecution inclusively, and Dioclesians exclusively; and the fifth seal following doth contain the story of the last persecution in its highest degree of cruelty on the earth. There is no material hazard in this; yet considering, that by the seal, persecution is set forth at its height, so that if we look to the rider, Death, or his convoy Hell, or the Grave, or his Commission to kill so many, or his weapons, having Sword, Famine, Death, and Beasts going together, we can hardly conceive persecution at a greater height: and therefore we incline rather to make but three steps in these persecutions, and so to include that last and most horrid massacre by Diocletian under this seal, and to take the seal following as expressing no new matter, but added for explication and consolation in reference to the foregoing sad events; and therefore differeth in the type, common to the first four seals, as will be more particularly clear in the opening of it.
In application of this prophesie to a particular time and event, there are two opinions, even amongst these who agree in this, to wit, that the first period of bloudy persecution, which ends about Constantins time, about the year three hundreth and ten, is typified by this prophesie of the seals. Some make four steps of these persecutions; the second seal, (that is, the first seal that typifieth persecution, to wit, the second; for, the first is of an other kind) comprehending the first two persecutions of Nero and Domitian; the third seal to them comprehendeth the third persecution of Trajan, with the fourth of Anton. Philos. the fifth, of Severus; the sixth, of Maximinus. Unde the fourth seal, they take in the seventh persecution raised by Decius; the eighth, ed by Gallus, or Valerianus, or Volusianus; and the ninth, rather intended than execd, by Aurelianus, who being so terrified by thunder immediately after his subscribing of the Edict, that he instantly recalled it. These who so reckon, under the fourth persecuting seal (which is the fifth in order, wherein the cry of the Saints is expressed) do comprehend that great and last persecution of Dioclesian. By this reckoning, this seal relateth to the events, betwixt Decius persecution inclusively, and Dioclesians exclusively; and the fifth seal following doth contain the story of the last persecution in its heighest degree of cruelty on the earth. There is no materiall hazard in this; yet considering, that by the seal, persecution is set forth at its height, so that if we look to the rider, Death, or his convoy Hell, or the Grave, or his Commission to kill so many, or his weapons, having Sword, Famine, Death, and Beasts going together, we can hardly conceive persecution at a greater height: and therefore we incline rather to make but three steps in these persecutions, and so to include that last and most horrid massacre by Dioclesian under this seal, and to take the seal following as expressing no new matter, but added for explication and consolation in reference to the foregoing sad events; and therefore differeth in the type, common to the first four seals, as will be more particularly clear in the opening of it.