A37035:1561
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.
Obs. 2. That Gods people may continue long under, and be brought unto great straits by persecution, as this cry importeth, and the opening of the former three seals maketh it appear. For until the days of Constantine, from the entry of the Gospel into the world, the Church for the space of 300. years and some odds was under persecution, and had little breathing time for these many years, Which is evident from story: wherein these two things are clear, 1. That during that time the Church was wasted by ten stated persecutions. The first by Nero, which began Anno 67. The second by Domitian, Anno 90. The third by Trajan, continuing (as is written) for 19. years, it began Anno 100. The fourth was under Hadrian and Ant. Pius, as is reckoned by some, and began Anno 126. The fifth by Antoninus Philosophus, and his Colleague L. A. Verus, beginning Anno 168. The sixth, was under Severus, which began in the year 208. The seventh, was under Maximinus, 236. The eighth, was under Decius, 251. The ninth, under Gallus and Volusianus, 258. The tenth, under Diocletian, Anno 300. or thereabout. These persecutions are so reckoned by some, who account not that persecution of Aurelianus to be one: because his Edict was immediately recalled, he being terrified by God by a terrible thunder in the very instant of his subscribing the same: upon which, he afterward befriended Christians, so as he interposed his Authority for making effectual the sentence of the Synod of Antioch against Samosatenus. Others again who reckon this of Aurelianus one, omit that fourth under Hadrian and Ant. Pius, either because they account them one with that of Trajans, there being no considerable interruption betwixt them, or, because they were sooner stayed than others were. This maketh the difference amongst the Writers, who, to adhere to the number of Ten, are made to vary in the application of them; yet all agree in this general, that there were at least ten distinct persecutions purposely raised against Christians, during that time: which being put together, will take up a considerable part of these 300. years.
Obs. 2. That Gods people may continue long under, and be brought unto great straits by persecution, as this cry importeth, and the opening of the former three seals maketh it appear. For untill the dayes of Constantine, from the entry of the Gospel into the world, the Church for the space of 300. years and some odds was under persecution, and had little breathing time for these many years, Which is evident from story: wherein these two things are clear, 1. That during that time the Church was wasted by ten stated persecutions. The first by Nero, which began Anno 67. The second by Domitian, Anno 90. The third by Trajan, continuing (as is written) for 19. years, it began Anno 100. The fourth was under Hadrian and Ant. Pius, as is reckoned by some, and began Anno 126. The fifth by Antoninus Philosophus, and his Collegue L. A. Verus, beginning Anno 168. The sixth, was under Sverus, which began in the year 208. The seventh, was under Maximinus, 236. The eighth, was under Decius, 251. The ninth, under Gallus and Volusianus, 258. The tenth, under Dioclesian, Anno 300. or thereabout. These persecutions are so reckoned by some, who account not that persecution of Aurelianus to be one: because his Edict was immediately recalled, he being terrified by God by a terrible thunder in the very instant of his subscribing the same: upon which, he afterward befriended Christians, so as he interposed his Authority for making effectuall the sentence of the Synod of Antioch against Samosatenus. Others again who reckon this of Aurelianus one, omit that fourth under Hadrian and Ant. Pius, either because they account them one with that of Trajans, there being no considerable interruption betwixt them, or, because they were sooner stayed than others were. This maketh the difference amongst the Writers, who, to adhere to the number of Ten, are made to varie in the application of them; yet all agree in this generall, that there were at least ten distinct persecutions purposely raised against Christians, during that time: which being put together, will take up a considerable part of these 300. years.