A37035:726
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.
If it be asked, Why the devil seeketh thus to engage women, and to put them on the top of such designs?
If it be asked, Why the devil seeketh thus to engage women, and to put them on the top of such designes?
Answ. These reasons may be given, 1. Because often women are most easily engaged and carried furthest on in the delusion; and it is not so easy to make a man give out himself for a prophet, as a woman to take on her the name of a prophetess. This general we may gather from, 2 Tim. 3.6.7. 2. Women are most eager, vehement, and diligent in pursuing what they are engaged into: even late times may teach how they may prevail and insinuate on many by their diligence, if we consider what is recorded of Mistress Hutchinson and some others, mentioned in that little Story of the Rise, Reign, and Ruin of Familists, Libertines, &c. in New England. 3. Women are oftentimes less suspected than men; and any seeming parts or abilities, which in the Lords secret Justice they may be furnished with, is usually more admired and taking than in men, as if it looked like a thing above nature. This same consideration, occasioned a Schism in Phrygia, because some had more respect to Montanus his prophetesses, than was fit. 4. Women also have more secret, and private access to tempt and infect others, than men can have: for, partly, they are less suspected; partly, more slighted and despised by others; partly also, more forborne because of their sex than men would be: whereupon often they arrogate to themselves a greater liberty and impudency in speaking when they are corruptly principled, than would be suffered in men. And lastly, There is more access for them to converse with women, and to infuse their venom in them than there is for men. Eusebius marketh this as a reason of such Heretics associating with women, that thereby there might be the greater facility to seduce the simple of both sexes. Sometimes also they were helpful by their means and credit to further Sect-masters in their designs, and to hold them on in them: sometimes again, they were exceeding dexterous and diligent in venting and spreading false reports upon honest Ministers, and to beget a favourable opinion of these that were erroneous. All which tend exceedingly to the promoving of Error and to the hurting of the truth. And we will find Augustine often complaining of the malicious reports that this Lucilla used to spread upon them, whereby the calumnies of the Donatists were strengthened.