A37035:813
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.
From this now it will be easy to answer to the second, to wit, what defects in ministerial duties may make them not to be accounted perfect before God: for, if the former four be necessary to make such works perfect, then when there is defect in these, or any of these, a Ministers works cannot but be found imperfect: and therefore we shall say no more of it.
From this now it will be easie to answer to the second, to wit, what defects in ministeriall duties may make them not to be accounted perfect before God: for, if the former four be necessary to make such works perfect, then when there is defect in these, or any of these, a Ministers works cannot but be found imperfect: and therefore we shall say no more of it.
The second sort of directions that some way relate to their former carriage, as well as to their present duty, are set down, vers. 3. In them the Lord draweth them back to consider the time of their espousals (as it were) and the terms upon which they Contracted together; what He proposed to them, and what they received off His hand, when the Word came amongst them; that now themselves may see if they have been answerable to such Engagements and Resolutions; and if there be not reason to repent of their declinings. In general, this direction putteth them to a back-search of themselves: which is an excellent mean of recovery, either of Minister, or of People who have declined, as was cleared from the Epistle to Ephesus, Chap. 2.5. But more particularly, there are four words holding forth their duty. 1. Remember how thou received: this importeth, First, That there was an offer made to them of the Gospel. Secondly, That they had in profession received the same. Thirdly, When it is said, how thou hast, &c. it importeth some more than ordinary conviction, or warmness in that their professed subjection to the proposed Gospel. It is like, some of them were as John Baptist's hearers were, Joh. 5.35. rejoicing in that light for a season; but afterward becoming carnal and secure. And if there was any honesty, it was then more lively in exercise, than it continued to be thereafter: therefore, saith the Lord, consider what hath become of that now, and if the present deadness be answerable to that tenderness; and so, upon that consideration, be provoked to study more liveliness. The second word is, how thou hast heard: this is almost the same with the former, and looketh to the terms which God proposed to them when He took them to be a Church, and what was their purpose when they submitted thereunto. As if the Lord had said, did I propose to you only to take on a name without reality? or did ye engage only to be professors in show, and not to be throughly sincere? See then how this condition of yours answereth my proposal, and your engagement. The third word is, and hold fast: which is not to be understood, as if he were well pleased with their present condition, as in the Epistles to Thyatira and Philadelphia: because here He giveth them many directions and burdens (to say so) besides this, which He doth not in the other two Epistles: