A37035:1932
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
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.
Fourthly, We come to the executioners themselves, and the execution which followed. They are described more particularly, 1. From their number and nature, vers. 16. The army, is, of horsemen; and the number, is, two hundred thousand thousand. That which is added, and I heard the number of them, is to show, that John invented not this number, but that he had it plainly revealed to him. They are called horsemen, partly, to show the swiftness and celerity of their success; partly, to show they were such a people as abounded with such warriors. The number we conceive (more than the time) is not definitely to be stuck to; but signifieth an exceeding great number. Both these agree well to the Turks, who have led the greatest Armies in Europe especially of horsemen, and made the swiftest progress after their invasion, which hath been of a long time heard of, much more numerous than ever the Christians were able to oppose unto them.
Fourthly, We come to the executioners themselves, and the execution which followed. They are described more particularly, 1. From their number and nature, vers. 16. The army, is, of horsemen; and the number, is, two hundred thousand thousand. That which is added, and I heard the number of them, is to shew, that Iohn invented not this number, but that he had it plainly revealed to him. They are called horsemen, partly, to shew the swiftnesse and celerity of their successe; partly, to shew they were such a people as abounded with such warriours. The number we conceive (more than the time) is not definitely to be stuck to; but signifieth an exceeding great number. Both these agree well to the Turks, who have led the greatest Armies in Europe especially of horsemen, and made the swiftest progresse after their invasion, which hath been of a long time heard of, much more numerous than ever the Christians were able to oppose unto them.
The riders with their defensive armour, and the nature of the horses (and, it is like, their offensive arms) are described, vers. 17. They had breast-plates of fire and of jacinth and brimstone. Breastplates use not to be made of such matter. We conceive the meaning is, they shall be terrible, dreadful and destructive, as fire, brimstone, &c. which, working terror on these whom they invade, shall occasion such security to themselves from the hurt of any, as if they were fully armed, and also richly, which we conceive to be understood by jacinth. Their offensive arms, or, their offending power, are set out by two expressions. 1. The heads of the horses were as the heads of lions, that is, bold, fierce and destroying, and that professedly without any colour or pretext, such as the locusts had. 2. Out of their mouths is said to issue fire and brimstone: whereby it would seem, their wasting and cruel way of proceeding is set forth. Some also think it doth relate to the use of Cannon, Musket and Pistol: For, these two are certain. 1 That the use of these weapons was found out, much about this time. 2. There was never such abundance of them, and of such huge greatness, as was used by them in their European expeditions.