A37035:2133
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.
Again, it is most usual to count the change of periods in the visible Church by the change of events in the Empire, and also to account these from its authoritative conclusions, as we will see in the close of the first period of Heathenish persecution, and Satan's casting from Heaven, reckoned Chap. 12. following. Beside, it is not inconsiderable, that about this time Religion was again established in Britain by Queen Elizabeths coming to the Crown, Queen Mary having begun her reign, Anno 1554. and continuing in it for five years and some odd months, died the same year. Also it was revived in Scotland the year before, as it was in France at the entry of Charles the ninth his reign, Anno 1560.
Again, it is most usuall to count the change of periods in the visible Church by the change of events in the Empire, and also to account these from its authoritative conclusions, as we will see in the close of the first period of Heathenish persecution, and Satans casting from Heaven, reckoned Chap. 12. following. Beside, it is not inconsiderable, that about this time Religion was again established in Britain by Queen Elizabeths coming to the Crown, Queen Marie having begun her reign, Anno 1554. and continuing in it for five years and some odd moneths, died the same year. Also it was revived in Scotland the year before, as it was in France at the entry of Charles the ninth his reign, Anno 1560.
2. We gather that the rise of this forty and two months reign, is to be reckoned from the year three hundred or thereabout, when the Heathenish persecution ceased, and liberty was brought to Christianity, as was formerly cleared, Chap. 6. This upon the former grounds must be acquiesced in, for timing the rise of the Churches flight, and Antichrists under-hand working, whatever objection arise from the application it self, as being too soon; yet that flight of the Churches being the second period of her condition, and succeeding immediately to the first, must be contemporated with the trumpets. And now, having thus fixed its rise and close, we may gather the duration thereof, which being supposed to be from Anno 300. or thereabout, to Anno 1560. or thereabout, it will extend in whole to us to 1260. years. And although at first we did not think it convincing to build the account of so many years upon the number of so many days, for the reasons formerly mentioned; yet considering that this definite number is five times mentioned under the same exact account, though in diverse expressions, which seemeth purposely to point out one particular definite number beside others; and considering that the event answereth this, or cometh near to it upon the former suppositions, We think, in this place, it is not unsafe to account days for years, seeing by the former characters of its rise and close, it is indeed found to comprehend so many years. And although at first (as is said) we durst not lay the weight of this simply upon the number of days; yet, being expounded materially by these foresaid characters, to signify so many years, as that is more plainly interpreted,