A37035:271
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. He expoundeth the Stars: The seven Stars, are the Angels of the seven Churches, that is, the seven Stars signify, mean, and represent the Angels, or Ministers, or Officers of the seven Churches: for, it's a thing ordinary, to call Ministers, Angels, Mal. 2.7. The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and the people should seek the Law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. In the Original, it is, For he is the Angel of the Lord of Hosts. So, Judges 2.1. it is said, an Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim: the word in the Original, is, a messenger came up; one, particularly sent for that errand. Ministers are called Angels, 1. For Gods special employing them about His holy things, beyond others. 2. Because of that their sanctified station: to put them in mind, that they should be in their conversation, Angelical. 3. To make them to be received as Angels by others: that is the dignity due to them. By Angels here, is not meant some more eminent nor another in these Churches, such as the Lord Bishop; but by Angels, we understand all the Bishops and Presbyters that were over these Churches. 1. Because, when it is said, the seven Stars, are the Angels of the seven Churches, it speaketh of them indefinitely, whether they be moe or fewer; and he faith not, they are ⟨p. 50⟩the seven Angels of the seven Churches, as it saith, the seven Candlesticks, are the seven Churches; but supposeth, that the number is not so exact in the one as in the other: for, if the number of Ministers were definite, as of the Churches, Why should the manner of speech be different? nor saith it, the eminent Angels of the Seven Churches; but indefinitely, they are the Angels of the seven Churches. As Philip. 1. He writeth to the Bishops and Deacons, supposing a plurality of such in one Town, less than Ephesus, or others mentioned here. Therefore, 2. It is not to be expounded of one man, as if some one man in each of these Churches, had had the preeminence, because our Lord writing to some of these Churches, and directing the Epistle to the Angel, speaketh of them as moe; As when He writeth to Smyrna, chapter 2. vers. 10. He saith, Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried: which must relate primarily, to the Ministers in Smyrna: and supposeth moe Ministers than one;