A37035:1518
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.
1. In the general, the Church, after Decius his persecution, almost (except in that of G•llus and Aurelianus) had peace in a great measure from outward persecution, for the space of forty four years together; but, during that time, had fallen from the simple purity and power of the Gospel into jars, divisions, and strivings amongst themselves (as Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 1. and many others observe) by which, God was provoked, and the Church made contemptible: upon which, followed this horrid persecution, begun in the nineteenth year of Diocletian, about the three hundred year. This Diocletian, being engaged in many wars, chose for a Colleague to himself in the Empire one Hercul•us Maximianus; and while their wars increased, every one of them choose a helper to themselves, who were called Caesars, yet had not the stile of Augustus, as the Emperors had. Diocletian choose one Maximinus to help him in the East, who is also called I•vius. Maximianus chose Constanti•s, Governor of Britain; he was Constantine's father, and a good man. These Emperors set themselves together to root out Christianity out of all the Provinces of the Empire, joining together craft and violence for that end. 1. Putting to the choice of the Soldiers and Officers to Sacrifice with them to Idols, or to quit their service. 2. Making that same offer to Magistrates, with promises to both if they should obey. 3. By throwing down all Churches. 4. Inhibiting all meetings of Christians, and such like. And when these wrought not their end, they fell to open violence, giving out public Edicts against Christians, stirring up all against them, and following their cruelty so hotly with a profane emulation, who should go beyond others in persecuting (save Constanti•s who was still friendly to Christians) that almost no Province of the Empire was free: and the number of Martyrs, is by all, during that time, counted innumerable.
1. In the generall, the Church, after Decius his persecution, almost (except in that of G•llus and Aurelianus) had peace in a great measure from outward persecution, for the space of fourty four years together; but, during that time, had fallen from the simple purity and power of the Gospel into jarres, divisions, and strivings amongst themselves (as Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 1. and many others observe) by which, God was provoked, and the Church made contemptible: upon which, followed this horrid persecution, begun in the ninteenth year of Dioclesian, about the three hundred year. This Dioclesian, being engaged in many wars, choosed for a Collegue to himself in the Empire one Herculus Maximianus; and while their wars encreased, every one of them choose a helper to themselves, who were called Cesars, yet had not the stile of Augustus, as the Emperours had. Dioclesian choose one Maximinus to help him in the East, who is also called Ivius. Maximianus choosed Constantis, Governour of Britan; he was Constantins father, and a good man. These Emperours set themselves together to root out Christianity out of all the Provinces of the Empire, joyning together craft and violence for that end. 1. Putting to the choice of the Souldiers and Officers to Sacrifice with them to Idols, or to quit their service. 2. Making that same offer to Magistrates, with promises to both if they should obey. 3. By throwing down all Churches. 4. Inhibiting all meetings of Christians, and such like. And when these wrought not their end, they fell to open violence, giving out publick Edicts against Christians, stirring up all against them, and following their cruelty so hotly with a profane emulation, who should go beyond others in persecuting (save Constantis who was still friendly to Christians) that almost no Province of the Empire was free: and the number of Martyres, is by all, during that time, counted innumerable.