A37035:2135
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.
Object. 1. That this reckoning seemeth to begin the Kingdom of Antichrist too soon while the Church enjoyed great outward liberty and much purity also, And therefore it cannot be said, that she was tread upon, or did flee while she continued to be in so good a condition. Answ. This objection doth not arise from the Text, but from the seeming difference of the event in the application; and if it appear by the series of this prophecy, that the Church is no sooner delivered from Heathenish persecution, but she fleeth to the wilderness, and hath wings given her for that end, There is no seeming reason can have weight against that. 2. In the Scripture, periods of time are counted from the main, or last part of them, as when it is said to Abraham, Gen. 15.13. four hundred years thy children shall be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and shall be afflicted four hundred years; yet being compared with other Scriptures, we will that the continuance of the children of Israel in Egypt was not so long; beside, that for a time while Joseph lived, they were not afflicted, but well entertained. 3. It is often the manner of reckoning, used especially in this Book, to reckon a ⟨p. 498⟩whole period of the Churches estate from what is most predominant in it: as for instance, three great periods of the visible Church are reckoned successively to each other in this Book. The first under the seals, is reckoned a time of persecution under Heathens; and the Church (Chap. 13.) is said to travel all that time, although there were many and considerable long intervals of peace. Again, under the vials, Christ and His Saints are said to reign, although Antichrists Kingdom and profanity continue long very high in the world, yet is it called the time of his reigning, and of Antichrists down-coming, because from the beginning of that period it tendeth to that scope: so here, the first six trumpets being accounted one period, and Antichrists tyranny being the most prevalent event under them, and his rise being long working under ground before it came to a height, even from the Churches first outward peace, if not before; we conceive, upon these grounds, it is not unsuitable to Scripture, or this Book, to reckon Antichrists rise from the beginning of that period wherein he riseth, cometh to his height and reigneth, which is during the prophecy of the trumpets.
Object. 1. That this reckoning seemeth to begin the Kingdom of Antichrist too soon while the Church enjoyed great outward liberty and much purity also, And therefore it cannot be said, that she was tread upon, or did flee while she continued to be in so good a condition. Answ. This objection doth not arise from the Text, but from the seeming difference of the event in the application; and if it appear by the series of this prophesie, that the Church is no sooner delivered from Heathenish persecution, but she fleeth to the wildernesse, and hath wings given her for that end, There is no seeming reason can have weight against that. 2. In the Scripture, periods of time are counted from the main, or last part of them, as when it is said to Abraham,