A37035:1583
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. Consider, that it is ordinary in the Scriptures of the New Testament, and agreeable to this prophecy to speak of the Roman Empire as of all the world, and of things befalling it, as of changes and events befalling all the world; So, Luke 2.1. It is said that Augustus decreed, that all the world should be taxed, that is, all the Empire, Rev. 3.10. And therefore it will not be unreasonable to a strict these expressions to changes within this Empire.
2. Consider, that it is ordinary in the Scriptures of the New Testament, and agreeable to this prophesie to speak of the Romane Empire as of all the world, and of things befalling it, as of changes and events befalling all the world; So, Luke 2.1. It is said that Augustus decreed, that all the world should be taxed, that is, all the Empire, Rev. 3.10. And therefore it will not be unreasonable to a strict these expressions to changes within this Empire.
3. Consider, that the change of Religion in the Empire in its Nature, Ordinances, Customs, Ceremonies, &c. and the bringing in of a different Religion in its room, is ordinarily expressed in such terms as hold forth an universal change upon all the world; upon Heaven, Earth, Sun, Moon, Seas, &c. as if all were overturned, and yet the change is not upon the world in it self, but upon Religion (if we may speak so) in the world: because that change hath such alterations with it, as if the world became another thing; and because Religion being the most precious thing in the world, the great and remarkable changes are reckoned accordingly as it goeth with it. Hence we will find three eminent changes, and periods in respect of Religion, spoken of in this Book, and all of them in such expressions as bear forth, at the first view, a total and universal change upon all the world. The first, is, the change of the world from Heathenish Idolatry to Christianity; this change is set out as a new world in this seal, because (as it were) that Heathenish world, wherein Heathens bare rule, and Idolatry was publicly countenanced and authorized, is overturned, and another world come in its room. This change of the world is from Heathenish to Christian. The second great change of Religion, is from the simplicity of Christianity, unto the darkness and doctrines of Antichrist. This change under the trumpets, is set forth by smiting of the Earth and Seas, by darkening of the Sun and Moon, &c. when the mutation is upon the state of Religion in the world; This change is of a Christian world into an Antichristian. The third great change, is under the vials, when Antichrists kingdom again is brought down, Chap. 16. It is expressed by a mutation upon the Earth, Sea, Sun, &c. when yet the judgement falleth but on the beast his worshippers, and the pendicles, and superstitions of his kingdom, which may be called the Antichristian world: and this mutation, is the overturning of the Antichristian, and the inbringing of a Christian world again in the place of it. And this way being kept in expressing all the other changes of Religion in the world, we may the more warrantably apply this here, as is said. Only, there is this difference, the other changes of Religion under the trumpets and vials, are brought about by steps under several trumpets and vials;