A37035:2084
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.
1. Consider, That though now moe witnesses have appeared against Antichrist, whereby it cometh to pass that these two witnesses are about to finish their testimony, and as it were, to go off the stage, because God had now provided many for that task; yet the period of Antichrists absolute tyranny is not at a close, as we will find afterward. And the Lord wisely made His Church somewhat more visible before, that so this great act of his cruelty might be the more discernible, and that thereby marches might be the more clearly rid betwixt the period containing his height and that which immediately followeth, wherein is contained his decay and ruin.
1. Consider, That though now moe witnesses have appeared against Antichrist, whereby it cometh to passe that these two witnesses are about to finish their testimony, and as it were, to go off the stage, because God had now provided many for that task; yet the period of Antichrists absolute tyranny is not at a close, as we will find afterward. And the Lord wisely made His Church somewhat more visible before, that so this great act of his cruelty might be the more discernable, and that thereby marches might be the more clearly rid betwixt the period containing his height and that which immediately followeth, wherein is contained his decay and ruine.
2. Consider, these two witnesses testimony may be said to be finished when the manner of their testifying is finished or changed. That is either, 1. when their number is increased and God giveth moe witnesses, by bringing some others in their tour. Or, 2. When they then testify more publicly and boldly who were before hid and scarcely discerned, (as the ⟨p. 486⟩Church while she was in the wilderness, now they appear and openly avow their Doctrine, and give a public visible testimony. Or, 3. When their sackcloth is something altered, and that contempt and reproach that was upon honest Ministers is somewhat diminished, and they begin to get countenance, (it may be by some great persons or Princes) their testimony may be said to be finished, though not simply, yet in some respect; for, this testimony of theirs seemeth to be especially intended as a check against Antichrists reign, when all the world should be going after him: Now, after such a long time, the Ministers step out more publicly to cry down Antichrist; he is irritated and fighteth and warreth against them, and by his discerning them better now than before, he cometh at them with outward cruelty more. And God having guarded His own testimony, and made the world more sensible of these evils by their public appearing and suffering, in His righteous judgement and deep wisdom He permitteth Antichrist to prevail, that this testimony may be sealed by suffering and blood, in which the sufferers are overcomers, as it is, Chap. 12.11. and Christ getteth no less testimony and victory in that.