A37035:856
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
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 third thing in the verse, is, the Lords making this promise so observable, both by doubling and repeating the same; and also by prefixing a behold at every time thereunto: which showeth, 1. That the thing is most rare which is here promised, •o wit, to have blasphemers made converts. 2. That it is a most excellent favour to a Minister or Church when such a mercy is bestowed. And, 3. that although it be difficult-like; yet in this case it is sure, seeing for the confirmation of the saith of this Church the Lord hath repeated the same.
The third thing in the verse, is, the Lords making this promise so observable, both by doubling and repeating the same; and also by prefixing a behold at every time thereunto: which sheweth, 1. That the thing is most rare which is here promised, •o wit, to have blasphemers made converts. 2. That it is a most excellent favour to a Minister or Church when such a mercy is bestowed. And, 3. that although it be difficult-like; yet in this case it is sure, seing for the confirmation of the saith of this Church the Lord hath repeated the same.
The encouragement in reference to the other persecution followeth, vers. 10. Wherein, 1. there is a common trial foretold. 2. There is a promise made to them in reference to the same. And, 3. some ground, as it were a reason of this promise, is premitted, vers.. 10.
The trial which is foretold, is several ways set forth. 1. It is called a ventation. It is usual in Scripture to stile affliction by the name of tentation, as I•m. 1.2. Count it all joy when ye fall in divers tentations; and so also, vers. 11. The reason is, because such afflictions want never many circumstances waiting upon them, which do indeed make them to be tentations: and so ther men are tried by them, or, through their own corruption, snared upon such occasions. 2. It is an hour of tentation: to signify both the definitnesse and shortness thereof: which doth carry an encouragement in the bosom of it. 3. It is a trial which shall come upon all the world: By world here, is not to be understood the Heathen world, as contradistinct from the Church, for, that world is not the object of such trials; but is instrumental therein: it is then the Church spread up and down throughout the world, They shall be tried. And usually it was so, when persecution was moved by the Heathen Emperors, it spread through all the corners of the world, where any part of the Church was. 4. The end thereof, is, to try them that dwell upon the earth, that is, the Saints that live upon the earth; and so earth here, is not contradistinguished from the Church simply; but thereby the Church militant is contradistinguished from the Church-triumphant. For, the privilege of Philadelphia is not, that she shall be kept from ills that are common to the men of the world; but this, that when the Church should be under persecution generally, the Lord should secretly and tenderly preserve her from the weight of that trial, that others were to meet with: which is the second thing to be considered in the verse.