A37035:891
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.
and yet there cannot much be expected (what ever God may sovereignly do) from a man that standeth not in Gods counsel, Jer. 23.22. and therefore turneth not many from their iniquity: neither can any expect that the Lord will approve that he should be made a steward in His house, and an under-father to His Children, who yet upon no charitable ground can be accounted a child himself, and what confidence can there be, that a man not esteemed gracious, shall either Christianly carry in the outward form of Religion, or yet keep soundness in the Faith? and will they not be accessory to these evils, who have hazarded so much on them, who are not worthy of any such Trust?
and yet there cannot much be expected (what ever God may soveraignly do) from a man that standeth not in Gods counsel, Ier. 23.22. and therefore turneth not many from their iniquity: neither can any expect that the Lord will approve that he should be made a steward in His house, and an under-father to His Children, who yet upon no charitable ground can be accounted a child himself, and what confidence can there be, that a man not esteemed gracious, shall either Christianly carrie in the outward form of Religion, or yet keep soundnesse in the Faith? and will they not be accessory to these evils, who have hazarded so much on them, who are not worthy of any such Trust?
The considering of this, as it relateth to a Presbyteries duty, will confirm it further. We say, they ought not (whoever call, or whatever ones parts be) to proceed to admit men to the Ministry, without respect to this qualification of holiness: my meaning is no•, that search in extraordinary ways should be made for knowing of mens conversion, or, that ⟨p. 204⟩infallibility should be expected in this, or, that any particular evidences in such a measure or degree should be pitched on, without which nothing is to be satisfying, (for there are degrees, as was said) but because, even Scholars are naturally sinful, and gifts do not mortify corruption, nor edify, but as they are well improved; and seeing often by mens profanity, good gifts do much hurt in the Church; and seeing there can be no ground to expect the right improvement of gifts by one not supposed to be gracious, Therefore trial would be, 1. To clear that he be not profane, and that nothing can be charged on him. And, 2. That there are some things making him look holy-like, and giving ground, in a discerning charity, to esteem so of him, that what ever afterward he prove, they may have peace in what they have done. And lastly, that some fit time and way be taken purposely for trying of this. This is clear, 1. From the many directions that are given to Ministers concerning this one thing, in the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and Titus, where they are expressly limited in their proceeding to this, that he be holy,