A37035:1533
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.
The third thing to be considered, is, the description of these Martyrs, which is especially drawn from the cause of their suffering, (it being an old maxime, Non est mors, sed causa mortis, qua facit Martyrom) which is laid down in two expressions, the first, is, for the word of God; that is the first character, to be adhering to the faith of the Gospel revealed in the Word, and to be a conscientious practiser of Righteousness according to that same rule, and not shunning to suffer any thing rather than to depart from these. In this they were led, not as to follow their own humours, or to propagate their own inventions, or any way to seek themselves, but out of respect unto God and His will revealed in His Word. The second, is, for the testimony which they held: this looketh to the outward profession and confession of that truth, which in their heart they believed. Christ calleth it (Mat. 10.) a confessing Him before men. And (Rom. 10.) the Apostle distinguisheth confession with the mouth from believing with the heart: which two, being put together, hold forth a well ordered conversation both in Faith and Practice. In Faith, that they believed right concerning Christ; in Practice, that they were answerable ⟨p. 362⟩to it, and held forth that word of life by a good example, as a witness to others; and when called unto it, they did not shun the testifying of both upon any peril. In sum, all cometh to this, by opening the fifth seal, was represented to me the happy condition of the souls of the Martyrs in Heaven, who were accounted by God to have lost their lives, not for the calumnies and slanders imputed to them by men, but for testifying unto His truth. This being clearly the meaning of the words (the contrary whereof, to wit, the miserable condition after death of these who seem happy in the world, and are not happy in God, is joined with this in the parable of the rich glutton and Lazarus, Luk. 16.) there is no ground here, either of approving of altars under the Gospel, or of sanctifying them by burying of the relics of Martyrs under them; which are amongst the superstitions of the Papists. It is a poor altar that is sanctified, and doth not sanctify its offerings.
The third thing to be considered, is, the description of these Martyrs, which is especially drawn from the cause of their suffering, (it being an old maxime, Non est mors, sed causa mortis, qua facit Martyrom) which is laid down in two expressions, the first, is, for the word of God; that is the first character, to be adhering to the faith of the Gospel revealed in the Word, and to be a conscientious practiser of Righteousnesse according to that same rule, and not shunning to suffer any thing rather than to depart from these. In this they were led, not as to follow their own humours, or to propagate their own inventions, or any way to seek themselves, but out of respect unto God and His will revealed in His Word. The second, is, for the testimony which they held: this looketh to the outward profession and confession of that truth, which in their heart they believed. Christ calleth it (