A37035:1626
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
AN EXPOSITION Of the BOOK of the REVELATION. › Lecture 1 › Chapter 7
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.
3. We are to consider their posture: which is set down, First, In their standing on the four corners of the earth: which importeth two things, 1. The imminency of the judgement, it was ready to break in on all corners. 2. It showeth the vigilancy and activeness of these instruments in executing what was committed to them, with a readiness to advert to Christs orders and to obey them. Secondly, As they are standing, so they are holding the four winds of the earth, which confirmeth what is formerly said; and beside, implieth a degree of force in the winds, and of activity in the instruments, forcibly (as it were) holding them. Thirdly, The end why they hold the winds, is, that the winds should not blow on the earth; which is not simply to restrain them from hurting the earth, but for a time, until the Elect should be prepared and provided for it, as the Verses following will clear.
3. We are to consider their postour: which is set down, First, In their standing on the four corners of the earth: which importeth two things, 1. The imminency of the judgement, it was ready to break in on all corners. 2. It sheweth the vigilancy and activenesse of these instruments in executing what was committed to them, with a readinesse to advert to Christs orders and to obey them. Secondly, As they are standing, so they are holding the four winds of the earth, which confirmeth what is formerly said; and beside, implyeth a degree of force in the winds, and of activity in the instruments, forcibly (as it were) holding them. Thirdly, The end why they hold the winds, is, that the winds should not blow on the earth; which is not simply to restrain them from hurting the earth, but for a time, untill the Elect should be prepared and provided for it, as the Verses following will clear.
The fourth thing in the Verse, is, the object on which these winds do blow; it is implied in this Verse to be the earth, the sea, and trees; for, the restraining of these winds from blowing on them for a time, supposeth them to be the object of that storm, as is clearly expressed, vers. 2, 3. It was given to them to hurt the earth, &c. These three are most ordinarily obnoxious to the hurt of winds, and therefore are mentioned here. The earth lieth open to winds, being plagued by earthquakes, overthrowing of houses, spoiling of corns, fruits, &c. the sea being so liquid and unstable, is subject to tossings, and risings, whereby shipwreck and other inconveniences follow. 3. Trees are more subject than other things, because of their height, which maketh them the more obnoxious unto, and the less able to bear with the impetuous force of the stormy winds, whereby some are rent, others are overblown, &c. The scope, is, to show, that as the wind seizeth on these things as the proper object of its hurt, so Error hath its own object, upon which the hurt thereof will be no less effectual.