A37035:2174
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.
The first ground of their praise, is, because thou hast taken to Thee Thy great Power, and hast reigned: which doth imply, 1. that in the time of Antichrists full domineering, the Lord seemed not to reign, having had His Power obscured by that tyranny. 2. That the Lords having a Church in the world, especially in any flourishing condition, is the great evidence of His Power and Government in the world, and a notable effect thereof; and that it ought to be exceeding refreshful to Gods people when He exerciseth His Power for having of a Church in the days wherein they live, that they may see Him glorified in the flourishing of His Ordinances.
The first ground of their praise, is, because thou hast taken to Thee Thy great Power, and hast reigned: which doth imply, 1. that in the time of Antichrists full domineering, the Lord seemed not to reign, having had His Power obscured by that tyrannie. 2. That the Lords having a Church in the world, especially in any flourishing condition, is the great evidence of His Power and Government in the world, and a notable effect thereof; and that it ought to be exceeding refreshfull to Gods people when He exerciseth His Power for having of a Church in the dayes wherein they live, that they may see Him glorified in the flourishing of His Ordinances.
The second part of their praise relateth to the work of Justice against enemies, vers. 18. This work of Justice is five ways amplified and set forth, 1. In the nature and height of it, and thy wrath is come. God sometimes seemeth to oversee wrongs, but He hath a time of calling to a reckoning, when wrath will not be delayed, as is threatened by the Angel, Chap. 10. 2. It is amplified in respect of these on whom it came, and the Nations were angry: the world was in tops with Christs Church, having hatred against His people; even then seasonably God trysteth the vengeance, and that not on particular persons only, but on Nations. 3. The greatness of this work is set forth by the low condition of these that were to be delivered, they are called dead, as being appointed to death, and so accounted amongst the men of the world; which looketh to the reviving of the Prophets formerly spoken of, and to that Resurrection of the Professors, Chap. 20. as impossible and improbable, it being no less Power to bring the Church through that desperate-like condition she was under, than to raise the dead. The last two amplifications of this judgement are the universality and equity of it. Its universality is expressed, in that it is called the time of judgement wherein small and great shall be called to a reckoning. It is said, the time is come, to show Gods appointing of times and periods even before they come, and that every event is beautiful in its season, and ought to be welcomed by Gods people in His time. The equity and justice of His proceeding is two ways expressed, 1. His keeping promise to His own, That thou shouldest give reward to thy Servants the Prophets, and to the Saints, and to them that fear thy name, small and great. This recompense of Grace, is called a reward, 1. Because God hath knit it to His promise and tied Himself by Grace to the performing of it. 2. Because He accounteth Himself bound by the right He hath given them to it. 3. Because He alloweth it in lieu of the former sufferings and afflictions which they lay under: the Prophets are first named to be recompensed, because both their work and suffering is greatest: Then all His Saints follow, even small and great;