A37035:1903
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.
Now for the second thing propounded, if we will take a view of the papal Kingdom, What will we miss? That it is a Kingdom under one absolute Monarch with most illimited power, having dominion over the Church, being begun and carried on by Church-men, having corrupted the Doctrine of the Gospel, and brought Idolatry again into the Church, are all evident. I shall instance but these three particulars, 1. The nature of the Doctrine and errors brought-in by them, which, though exceeding agreeable to nature, yet exceeding opposite to the way of Grace, and therefore cannot but necessarily and natively be destructive to the solid consolation of souls, and beget fearful horror in the hearts and consciences of poor sinners, so that sometimes the greatest promoters of them, have been forced to abandon these principles under challenges: and their greatest disputants are constrained to acknowledge this, we have one instance in Bellar. de justif. lib. 3. cap. 7. who, after his long dispute of indulgences, merit of works, &c. seeketh to sum up in all in three assertions. The first whereof, attributeth merit unto works; the second alloweth men to confide in their own merits; yet as distrusting this foundation so largely contended for, he addeth a third proposition, propter incertitudinem propriae justitia & periculum inane gloriae, tutissimum est fiduciam totam in sola Dei misericordia & benig•itate reponere. So that in end for uncertainty of mans proper righteousness and hazard of vain glory he accounteth it most safe to place our whole confidence in the mercy and goodness of God all• nerly, and giveth this reason, if man hath no merit (saith he) he should not confide; if he hath (which yet is uncertain) it is no hurt or loss to flee only to Gods mercy. In which one assertion we may see, 1. The uncomfortableness of that Doctrine of merit that can never comfort solidly, because, at the best, it is uncertain. 2. We may see the hazard of it to foster pride and vain glory. 3. We may see the disquietness of it, by which sinners can never be secure, till they have fully renounced it. Suarez also doth homologate Bellarmin in this.
Now for the second thing propounded, if we will take a view of the papall Kingdom, What will we misse? That it is a Kingdom under one absolute Monarch with most illimited power, having dominion over the Church, being begun and carried on by Church-men, having corrupted the Doctrine of the Gospel, and brought Idolatry again into the Church, are all evident. I shall instance but these three particulars, 1. The nature of the Doctrine and errors brought-in by them, which, though exceeding agreeable to nature, yet exceeding opposit to the way of Grace, and therefore cannot but necessarily and natively be destructive to the solid consolation of souls, and beget fearfull horrour in the hearts and consciences of poor sinners, so that sometimes the greatest promotters of them, have been forced to abandon these principles under challenges: and their greatest disputants are constrained to acknowledge this, we have one instance in Bellar. de justif. lib. 3. cap. 7. who, after his long dispute of indulgences, merit of works, &c. seeketh to sum up in all in three assertions. The first whereof, attributeth merit unto works; the second alloweth men to confide in their own merits; yet as distrusting this foundation so largely contended for, he addeth a third proposition, propter incertitudinem propriae iustitia & periculum inan gloriae, tutissimum est fiduciam totam in sola Dei misericordia & benigitate reponere. So that in end for uncertainty of mans proper righteousnesse and hazard of vain glory he accounteth it most safe to place our whole confidence in the mercy and goodnesse of God all nerly, and giveth this reason, if man hath no merit (saith he) he should not confide; if he hath (which yet is uncertain) it is no hurt or losse to flee only to Gods mercy. In which one assertion we may see, 1. The uncomfortablnesse of that Doctrine of merit that can never comfort solidly, because, at the best, it is uncertain. 2. We may see the hazard of it to foster pride and vain glory. 3. We may see the disquietnesse of it, by which sinners can never be secure, till they have fully renounced it. Suarez also doth homologate Bellarmin in this.