A37035:198
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.
4. Consider them, as they are some of them more, some of them less; yet, none of them, are called less or more Churches. Ephesus, where were many thousands, is but a Church, as Smyrna, and other lesser towns are: the reason is, the Scripture goes not upon multitude, and external considerations of that kind; but upon the unity that is among Ministers, and Officers, which is not astricted to one particular Congregation: and where it is, it makes an union among many, as amongst few; and amongst few, as amongst many.
4. Consider them, as they are some of them more, some of them lesse; yet, none of them, are called lesse or more Churches. Ephesus, where were many thousands, is but a Church, as Smyrna, and other lesser towns are: the reason is, the Scripture goes not upon multitude, and external considerations of that kind; but upon the unitie that is among Ministers, and Officers, which is not astricted to one particular Congregation: and where it is, it makes an union among many, as amongst few; and amongst few, as amongst many.
5. Consider, That the number of these Churches is according to the places where they were fixed, and where the members did inhabit: which shows, that Parochial marches by bounds or towns in convenient lying, is not unsuitable; but consonant to Scripture: wherefore the Church of Ephesus, or, of any certain place, includeth all the Professors living there, they are accounted of that Church and no other, as providence hath put them together: and the Churches are divided as they live sundry. No indweller of Ephesus, is accounted of the Church of Smyrna, or contrarily; order in this, being well consistent with the Gospel: and as we will not find mention made in Scripture of two Churches, in one place, what ever the number be, (save when they are after subdivided, as 1 Cor. 14.) So we will not find any Saint spoken of, as belonging to any Congregation, but as they dwell: and the Church at such a place, and Saints of such a place, are still taken to be of a like extent.