A37035:1882
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 9
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 second thing described, is, the power given unto this fallen Star, And to him Was given the keys of the bottomless pit. Keys signify in Scripture, Authority and Power. By the bottomless pit, is meant Hell, as is unquestionable, Chap. 1.18. Christ is said to have the keys of Hell and Death, that doth signify His supreme Authority: Chap. 13.2, 4. the devil is said to have power, and to give it to the beast; because, in Gods secret Wisdom and Justice, the execution of His judgements in part is committed to the devil, and he is employed as supreme head of the wicked therein, and for that cause is said to have a throne, and is permitted to rule over the children of disobedience: here, this Star partaketh of this Authority, not as Christ hath it (for now, being fallen from Heaven, he hath lost relation to Him) nor in that same degree as the Devil doth; but as deputy and lieu-tenant to Him, who in Gods secret Justice furnisheth him with this power, as from Chap. 13. 2, 4. is clear. In a word, while he was in Heaven he exercised Christs Authority, and in that respect had the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, being fallen, he continueth to exercise Authority, and to retain a key, but of a quite contrary nature, to wit, of the bottomless pit, and to serve another master, to wit, the devil, as the exercise of his Authority tending now to the advancement of ignorance, darkness, superstition, and Idolatry in the Church, and being assisted with the power of Hell for that end: for, as Christs Ministers are said to have keys from Him, and when they warrantably exercise them, it is the opening of Heaven; So promovers of heresy, being Ministers of Satan, 2 Cor. 11. (though they think it not) of whom Antichrist is the chief, he hath the key of the pit, that is, an Authority not allowed by Christ, nor from above: and the opening of the pit with the key, is the putting of that assumed power in execution; such is spreading of corrupt Doctrine, called therefore doctrines of devils, 1 Tim. 4.1. and authorizing men to propagate these without Christs call, who are therefore called Ministers of Satan. This key is said to be given him: which doth not imply a warrantable call; But, 1. the great change which followed upon his fall, and the exercise of his power in respect of what it was, he getteth now another key in his hand. 2.
The second thing described, is, the power given unto this fallen Star, And to him Was given the keys of the bottomlesse pit. Keys signifie in Scripture, Authority and Power. By the bottomlesse pit, is meaned Hell, as is unquestionable, Chap. 1.18. Christ is said to have the keys of Hell and Death, that doth signifie His supream Authority: Chap. 13.2, 4. the devil is said to have power, and to give it to the beast; because, in Gods secret Wisdom and Justice, the execution of His judgements in part is committed to the devil, and he is imployed as supream head of the wicked therein, and for that cause is said to have a throne, and is permitted to rule over the children of disobedience: here, this Star partaketh of this Authority, not as Christ hath it (for now, being fallen from Heaven, he hath lost relation to Him) nor in that same degree as the Devil doth; but as deputy and leiv-tennant to Him, who in Gods secret Justice furnisheth him with this power, as from Chap. 13. 2, 4. is clear. In a word, while he was in Heaven he exerced Christs Authority, and in that respect had the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, being fallen, he continueth to exercise Authority, and to retain a key, but of a quite contrary nature, to wit, of the bottomlesse pit, and to serve another master, to wit, the devil, as the exercise of his Authority tending now to the advancement of ignorance, darknesse, superstition, and Idolatry in the Church, and being assisted with the power of Hell for that end: for, as Christs Ministers are said to have keys from Him, and when they warrantably exerce them, it is the opening of Heaven; So promovers of heresie, being Ministers of Satan,