A37035:1730
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 8
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 first thing which occurreth, There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. This is not so much the effect (for, that followeth) as that which accompanieth it, and a definite time is put for an indefinite, It is a very short while. To clear it more fully, understand heav•• here of the visible Militant Church; it is that Church whose stare is here described, and there can be interruptions of noise and silence in no other heaven; so it implieth, that at this time, after persecutors were down, and the winds that were ready to blow, kept in, there was a great quietness and peace in the Church for a little short time; which indeed was true for some years in Constantin's days, betwixt persecutors ceasing, ⟨p. 405⟩and the Schisms and Heresies of the Donatists and Arians arising, which was but a very short time; and this is not inconsistent with the scope, as if he had said, I saw peace a while till all was made ready for the ensuing blast and storm, which is in the words following, and till fundamental truths were confirmed publicly, for keeping the Lords people from the snares of these gross Heresies, which then immediately followed. Whence Observe, That the Churches outward peace is not long; she hath but a short time of it, half an hours silence only. The Church-story▪ Scripture, and experience prove this. Therefore, 1. Folks would not promise to themselves nor expect long peace. 2. They would improve the little time they have frugally, and not misspend it; an hour, or half an hours time in peace in the Family, or Congregation, is a rich mercy, and we know not how long we have it; few Churches have had so long peace as we have had in this Island, Therefore see it be improved well. 2. This half hour being a definite time, put for •n indefinite, showeth that that rule holdeth not in the Revelation, that whole complete times, as hours, years, &c. may be definite for indefinite, but not so broken times, as half days, half years and half hours, &c. for, no particular definite time can be rationally imagined to be understood by this.
The first thing which occurreth, There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. This is not so much the effect (for, that followeth) as that which accompanieth it, and a definit time is put for an indefinite, It is a very short while. To clear it more fully, understand heav here of the visible Militant Church; it is that Church whose stare is here described, and there can be interruptions of noise and silence in no other heaven; so it implieth, that at this time, after persecuters were down, and the winds that were ready to blow, keeped in, there was a great quietnesse and peace in the Church for a little short time; which indeed was true for some years in Constantin's dayes, betwixt persecuters ceasing,