A37035:669
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 special encouragements that are expressed, are two: (for, some are implied in the former words) The first, is, fear none of th•se things, &c. This is a general comfort, frequently given by the Lord, fear not, &c. Isa. 41.42, 43. &c. And certainly though it be general; yet being spoken out of Christs own mouth, must be very comprehensive and massive. By which we learn, That the Saints consolations flow not from their freedom, or being preserved from crosses, (for, that is not their comfort here) but they flow from Christs being engaged to sustain them under the same, and from His Word, which ought to keep them from anxiety and fainting in the greatest tribulations. The second encouragement, is subjoined to an exhortation, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will g•ve th•• • crown of life. The Lord subjoineth the promise to the exhortation, 1. To show the necessity of steadfastness, even under suffering, seeing without it there is no promise of reward. 2. It is done to mollify and sweeten the peremptoriness of that exhortation by such a sweet encouraging promise annexed to it. The promise is of a crown of life: which looketh to the eternal happiness that Believers are to enjoy after this, as 2 Tim. 4.7.8. It is called life: because of the cheerfulness of that condition, where Mortality is swallowed up of life: and the life that is here, is not worthy of that name. And it is a crown of life: to show the dignity and excellency thereof; and also to intimate that it is • prize to be obtained (as Crowns usually were given) after a fight. Also, the Lord saith, I will give it, if thou be faithful unto death: to show, that faithfulness and perseverance therein, is a necessary pre-requisite to the obtaining of this Crown; yet that it hath no meritorious influence to alter the nature and freeness of it, it is still a gift of grace even to those that persevere.
The speciall encouragements that are expressed, are two: (for, some are implyed in the former words) The first, is, fear none of th•se things, &c. This is a generall comfort, frequently given by the Lord, fear not, &c. Isa. 41.42, 43. &c. And certainly though it be generall; yet being spoken out of Christs own mouth, must be very comprehensive and massie. By which we learn, That the Saints consolations flow not from their freedom, or being presrved from crosses, (for, that is not their comfort here) but they flow from Christs being engaged to sustain them under the same, and from His Word, which ought to keep them from anxiety and fainting in the greatest tribulations. The second encouragement, is subjoyned to an exhortation, Be thou fathfull unto death, and I will gve th crown of life. The Lord subjoyneth the promise to the exhortation, 1. To shew the necessity of stedfastnesse, even under suffering, seing without it there is no promise of reward. 2. It is done to molifie and sweeten the premptorinesse of that exhortation by such a sweet encouraging promise annexed to it. The promise is of a crown of life: which looketh to the eternall happinesse that Believers are to enjoy after this, as