A37035:792
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
AN EXPOSITION Of the BOOK of the REVELATION. › Lecture 1 › Chapter 3
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.
By Stars are here understood Ministers, as Chap. 1. vers. 20. is clear. Christ is here said to have them, as He hath the seven Spirits: which doth import. 1. His special interest in, and title to Ministers: He hath a peculiar right to the Church beside what He hath to the world; yet hath He a more peculiar right to the Ministers, as having their Commission from Him, and dependence on Him, in a more special manner. Therefore, Psal. 68. vers. 18. He is said after His Ascension peculiarly to have received gifts for men, or in the man: And yet these gifts, are no other but the gifts of Apostles, Pastors and Teachers, &c. which He again giveth to His Church, as is clear from Ephes. 4. vers. 8. and 11. Secondly, This title importeth Christs absolute Sovereignty over His Ministers in a special manner; ⟨p. 177⟩for, he hath them: And so they being His, He may dispose of them at His pleasure, for furthering of them in His work if they be faithful, and for blasting of them if it be otherwise. Thirdly, It points at Christs care of His Ministers, who doth in a special manner keep and preserve these Stars, as something that is much esteemed of by Him. Christ taketh this title unto Himself in this Epistle, 1. That He may provoke this lifeless Angel, to seek life in Him, seeing He who had the seven Stars, had also the seven Spirits; and so especially they, to wit, His Ministers might expect to be made lively by Him, if He were improved by them, and so this title doth back the directions that follow. 2. It is also to let them know that are Ministers, that though they be in an eminent place; yet are they subject to Christ who is their Sovereign, and so ought to be dependent on Him, otherwise they are liable to His trial and censure, who can dispose of them as He will: and so this title addeth weight to the threatening, which is contained, vers. 3.
By Stars are here understood Ministers, as Chap. 1. vers. 20. is clear. Christ is here said to have them, as He hath the seven Spirits: which doth import. 1. His speciall interest in, and title to Ministers: He hath a peculiar right to the Church beside what He hath to the world; yet hath He a more peculiar right to the Ministers, as having their Commission from Him, and dependance on Him, in a more special manner. Therefore,