A37035:794
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.
The case of this Minister and Church, is, in two expressions, 1. Setting out what they were thought-of by others. 2. Expressing what indeed they were before God. Before others they had a name that they were living, that is, they were thought to be in some good and lively condition more than ordinary, and were thought by others about them to be a Church, in better condition than other Churches: for, to have a name, doth import the esteem of somewhat in her, which was not ordinary; yet, saith the Lord, notwithstanding of that name they were dead, that is, very unsurable to that they were esteemed to be; and in respect thereof, indeed but spiritually dead. By this deadness we understand, First, A simple deadness in hypocrisy, and so it is to be understood, there are but many of you mere hypocrites, although ye have a fair show. Secondly, Deadness may be understood comparatively, that is, either in respect of what they seemed to be, and were thought to be by others, or what they ought to have been; or, in respect of what sometimes they had been. And so even Believers may be thus charged, who having some life, yet in these respects were defective. And by considering what is said, v•. 2. where somethings ready to die, are spoken of, it will appear that this charge is so to be applied in reference to declining Believers in part, as to others who were altogether hypocrites. It is like this Church hath been free of gross Errors; for there is no mention of the Nicolaitans in the same as in other Churches: It is like also there hath been no inward division amongst themselves, or gross profanity of practice, or such like: for there is no mention of such in the reproof, nor would such have stood with an eminent name; but on the contrary, it is like they had Ordinances in frequency and purity, the Minister had Gifts in some eminency, external subjection was given to the Ordinances, and they were waited upon; and, it may be, there was zeal in outward Reformation, as was in Ephesus. Upon these, and the like grounds, they came to be esteemed-of by others, as being in an excellent frame; the Preachers were thought excellent Preachers, and no Church thought more happy than the Church of Sardis; and it is like, it was counted a blessed thing to live in such a place:
The case of this Minister and Church, is, in two expressions, 1. Setting out what they were thought-of by others. 2. Expressing what indeed they were before God. Before others they had a name that they were living, that is, they were thought to be in some good and lively condition more than ordinary, and were thought by others about them to be a Church, in better condition than other Churches: for, to have a name, doth import the esteem of somewhat in her, which was not ordinary; yet, saith the Lord, notwithstanding of that name they were dead, that is, very unsurable to that they were esteemed to be; and in respect thereof, indeed but spiritually dead. By this deadnesse we understand, First, A simple deadnesse in hypocrisie, and so it is to be understood, there are but many of you meer hypocrites, although ye have a fair shew. Secondly, Deadnesse may be understood comparatively, that is, either in respect of what they seemed to be, and were thought to be by others, or what they ought to have been; or, in respect of what somtimes they had been. And so even Believers may be thus charged, who having some life, yet in these respects were defective. And by considering what is said, v. 2. where somthings ready to die, are spoken of, it will appear that this charge is so to be applied in reference to declining Believers in part, as to others who were altogether hypocrites. It is like this Church hath been free of grosse Errors; for there is no mention of the Nicolaitans in the same as in other Churches: It is like also there hath been no inward division amongst themselves, or grosse profanity of practice, or such like: for there is no mention of such in the reproof, nor would such have stood with an eminent name; but on the contrary, it is like they had Ordinances in frequencie and purity, the Minister had Gifts in some eminencie, external subjection was given to the Ordinances, and they were waited upon; and, it may be, there was zeal in outward Reformation, as was in Ephesus. Upon these, and the like grounds, they came to be esteemed-of by others, as being in an excellent frame; the Preachers were thought excellent Preachers, and no Church thought more happy than the Church of Sardis; and it is like, it was counted a blessed thing to live in such a place: