A37035:802
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.
To the first, we say, that in the describing of such a Minister, we must, 1. look to something• which he hath, that give the ground of his having a name. And, 2. to something which he hath not, the want whereof, proveth him to have no more but a name. First then, A Minister may be in his particular condition such an one as was formerly described with many commendable things in his outward carriage. Secondly, he may have some good measure of gifts, and a pleasing quickness and dexterity in Preaching and managing of other duties that belong to his Calling. This gift it seemeth was in many Church-officers at Corinth, which made them appear exceeding eminent. Thirdly, he may have a frequency, and accurate formality in the discharge of all duties, as bearing forth much diligence and faithfulness in the discharge of them, with a seeming fervour and earnestness. It is like that these who preached Christ out of envy, Philip. 1.15. wanted not a good measure of this. Fourthly, he may have a great plausibleness, and a familiar kind of humanity, and discretion (to speak so) in his conversation with others, which often tendeth to gain applause from them, as if it were a special sign of humility, and an evidence of love and ⟨p. 180⟩respect, whereby men oftentimes are engaged to esteem of such a Minister, more upon such an account, to wit, as being particularly friendly to them, than for their works sake, as the word is, 1 Thess. 5.13. It is like, that these false Teachers that got such a name, as, who but they, in Corinth and Galatia, had much of this way of insinuation: and also these mentioned, Philip. 1. cannot well be thought to be free in this respect, seeing they Preached Christ out of envy and strife, vers. 15. as minding to gain a name thereby beyond Paul. Fifthly, Such a Minister may also have seeming countenance in his Ministry with Authority and respect amongst his people, and seeming countenance and fruit in outward things, as in the bearing down of Error, the suppressing of gross scandals and outbreakings, and the bringing of his people to some conformity in public and private duties: in which respects, his Congregation may be more formal than many others. Upon these and such like considerations, a Minister may have a name of a very eminent and excellent Minister; and yet there may be much unsoundness in two respects, 1.