A37035:806
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.
They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept. And from this it is, that though their condition be exceeding defective before God; yet, they being unacquainted therewith cannot be affected with the same. An•, no question, many Ministers have much carnal quietness in their Ministry, who could not entertain the same, if they knew how things were with them before God. 5. This evil also is incident to Ministers, and hath great influence upon the other, that their having such Gifts, seeming fruits and approbation before others, is oftentimes made use of to counterbalance, and bear down any challenge that may arise concerning their own unfoundnesse, as if all these were testimonies to the contrary: and so, as oftentimes outward prosperity doth, through mens corruption, bear down challenges in some private persons, which adversity doth waken up in others; so an outward prosperous Ministry (to say so) doth often smother many ⟨p. 181⟩challenges of a mans inward unfoundnesse, which readily had been more taken notice of, had there not been such Gifts, outward countenance in external duties, and approbation from others. Hence we see, That as often the most tender Christian is under the cross, so it is the most lively Minister who laboureth most under the sense of his own insufficiency and short-coming in Gifts, who hath most gross out-breakings in Errors, and profanity weighting him amongst his people; who meeteth with most disrespect, and maniest disappointments among the people and such like; these are often blessed of God to keep such a person lively, when others without these do sit up and forget themselves. O but Ministers that have a name, and some seeming countenance in the exercise of their Gifts, great applause and acceptation amongst the people, had need to be humble and watchful, lest they be liable to this charge, Thou hast a name that thou livest, but art dea• ! And, no question, many inadvertently are slain by such things themselves, when they Preach to others.
They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not keeped. And from this it is, that though their condition be exceeding defective before God; yet, they being unacquainted therewith cannot be affected with the same. An•, no question, many Ministers have much carnal quietnesse in their Ministrie, who could not entertain the same, if they knew how things were with them before God. 5. This evil also is incident to Ministers, and hath great influence upon the other, that their having such Gifts, seeming fruits and approbation before others, is oftentimes made use of to counterballance, and bear down any challenge that may arise concerning their own unfoundnesse, as if all these were testimonies to the contrary: and so, as oftentimes outward prosperity doth, through mens corruption, bear down challenges in some private persons, which adversity doth waken up in others; so an outward prosperous Ministrie (to say so) doth often smother many