A37035:884
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.
Yet, 3. Seeing the Lord now giveth not this acquaintance with Divine Truths, and ability to reason, &c. immediately; the way of studying, by reading, and being brought up by others in the knowledge of these, is now, upon this supposition, simply necessary also: for, if it be necessary to know the mystery of the Gospel, and men by an immediate way do not attain it, then it is necessary to follow the way, whereby it is attainable. That it is not now immediately communicated, we suppose is clear in experience: men cannot now speak with a strange tongue; yea, not read their own tongue without teaching and learning: and can it be supposed that they shall be fit for prophecy, which is the greater gift? Beside, the Lord hath not left us His Word to lie by us, but that we should read it, as the command is expressed, 1 Tim.4.13, &c. Give thyself to reading: yea, He hath so veiled many parts of His Word purposely, that the reader should be provoked to search into it, as is several times insinuated in this same prophecy: and seeing there is a communication of gifts, and what is made known to one, may and should (in a right manner) be made known to others, and that by write as well as by word: what reason can there be, that a Believer or Minister now may not, and should not improve the knowledge that others before him had, or now at a distance from him have, in the mystery of God, as well as by conference, he may make use of one that is alive, and present? And what other way in there than by reading to attain that? This cannot be denied to a private Christian, much less to a Minister: and the many sad fruits of ignorance, error and confusion, which flow from the neglect of study, show the necessity of this. Neither is it for nought that parents are commanded to bring up their children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord, which in Timothy's education, is commended: which could not be, if this way of acquiring knowledge were unlawful. And it is also confirmed by that property (given by the Lord Himself) of the Scribe, who is taught unto the Kingdom of God, Matth. 13.52. that he bringeth out of his treasure things new and old: whereby it appeareth not only that he hath a treasure or stock laid up, but that he hath in it, what is old, as having been of long time useful to the Church, and what is new, and added thereunto by his own painfulness.
Yet, 3. Seing the Lord now giveth not this acquaintance with Divine Truths, and ability to reason, &c. immediately; the way of studying, by reading, and being brought up by others in the knowledge of these, is now, upon this supposition, simplie necessary also: for, if it be necessary to know the mysterie of the Gospel, and men by an immediate way do not attain it, then it is necessary to follow the way, whereby it is attainable. That it is not now immediately communicated, we suppose is clear in experience: men cannot now speak with a strange tongue; yea, not read their own tongue without teaching and learning: and can it be supposed that they shall be fit for prophesie, which is the greater gift? Beside, the Lord hath not left us His Word to ly by us, but that we should read it, as the command is expressed,