A37035:1893
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 to be observed, is, that nothing doth more natively breed anxiety and spiritual torment than the principles contained in the Popish Doctrine, and propagated by these who are signified by these locusts. And therefore seeing the spreaders of such Doctrines as breed anxiety and vexation of spirit, and can never satisfy nor quiet a conscience, ⟨p. 440⟩must be understood here, we can more warrantably apply it to none, than to underlings of the Popish Clergy, and other propagators of that Kingdom: Where these things are clear, 1. That their Doctrine is apt of it self to breed this vexation of spirit, such as the innumerableness of their ceremonies, holy days, Doctrine of merit of works, and uncertainty of Grace and Salvation, perfection of holiness, and fulfilling of the Law of God, with the great yoke of will-worship and superstition, which cannot but bring the zealots of these traditions under much bondage. 2. This is clear, that by their principles there is no quieting of a conscience once wakened: What can their penances, pilgrimages, satisfactions, indulgences, invocation of Saints and Images, and such like, do to the sprinkling of an heart from an evil Conscience? There needeth no more proof of this, than to read the Writings of some of their Casuists, and to consider the many dotations given for soul-masses, after death, because the Conscience could never be quieted here. 3. We will find also both these made good in experience; Histories are full of instances of the heartless and comfortless life, and anxious death of many members of that Body, which God hath blessed to some, for constraining them to flee over these things to the alone Grace of God in Christ Jesus. Yea, 4. doth not their Doctrine pursue men till death, and after death to torment? their peremptory exacting of auricular confession of all sins, and that under the pain of damnation; their founding of the mans confidence upon the Popes pardon, the Priests absolution, his own penance and holiness, or the virtue of some Sacrament (yea sometimes of some idolatrous invention, as the Mass, &c.) according to their principles, conferring grace by the working of the work (as they call it) and such like, cannot furnish the soul with solid confidence. Beside, the fear of Purgatory doth weaken that hope, or expectation of ease, which otherwise men might have from death:
The second thing to be observed, is, that nothing doth more natively breed anxiety and spirituall torment than the principles contained in the Popish Doctrine, and propagated by these who are signified by these locusts. And therefore seing the spreaders of such Doctrines as breed anxiety and vexation of spirit, and can never satisfie nor quiet a conscience,