A37035:902
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.
3. We say then, That something positive is attainable, and is to be enquired for: which though it be not infallibly convincing of the persons state; yet may be sufficient, to quiet the mind against the challenges of rash and sudden proceeding in that matter. Which, in the general, may be drawn to these three, 1. That there be a search in the external positives that are given in the Word; the knowledge whereof may be attained by search. 2. There may be some observation of a mans way, and tract of carriage, from which some discovery may be made of a mans equableness, singleness and spirituality in such duties. 3. There may be some discovery attained of a mans universality in these duties so qualified, by considering his carriage in reference to divers cases and conditions and divers persons, both such as are more tender, and others. That these are attainable cannot be denied, at least so far as is necessary for the scope foresaid. And certainly, that precept must be understood to require proof and trial in this, so far as is possibly attainable (otherwayes a man cannot be thought to be sufficiently exonerated in his duty) as the reason subjoined confirmeth: especially in such cases where neither the good works, nor the evil of some men, are open before hand. And these being attainable, as is said, It will follow then that they are to be enquired into. Judicious and Learned Mr. Wood in his Piece against Mr. Lockier, doth assert, That there are some more eminent outward works and actings in Religion, and Piety, by which, men (so far as is competent to men to judge) may be warrantably judged positively gracious, pag. 142. and showeth how this is to be attained, pag. 152, 153. in these words, There is requisite some seemingness of Spiritual sincerity in a mans profession, id est, that he doth it from a Spiritual principle, upon Spiritual motives, and for a Spiritual end: but a mere, sober, not mocking, serious profession without more, is not a positive appearance of Spiritual supernatural sincerity. Which showeth, that such a thing is possible; and experience also doth confirm this.
3. We say then, That somthing positive is attainable, and is to be enquired for: which though it be not infallibly convincing of the persons state; yet may be sufficient, to quiet the mind against the challenges of rash and sudden proceeding in that matter. Which, in the general, may be drawn to these three, 1. That there be a search in the external positives that are given in the Word; the knowledge whereof may be attained by search. 2. There may be some observation of a mans way, and tract of carriage, from which some discoverie may be made of a mans equablnesse, singlnesse and spirituality in such duties. 3. There may be some discovery attained of a mans universality in these duties so qualified, by considering his carriage in reference to divers cases and conditions and divers persons, both such as are more tender, and others. That these are attainable cannot be denied, at least so far as is necessary for the scope foresaid. And certainly, that precept must be understood to require proof and trial in this, so far as is possibly attainable (otherwayes a man cannot be thought to be sufficiently exonered in his duty) as the reason subjoyned confirmeth: especially in such cases where neither the good works, nor the evil of some men, are open before hand. And these being attainable, as is said, It will follow then that they are to be enquired into. Judicious and Learned Mr. Wood in his Peece against Mr. Lockier, doth assert, That there are some more eminent outward works and actings in Religion, and Piety, by which, men (so far as is competent to men to judge) may be warrantably judged positively gracious, pag. 142. and sheweth how this is to be attained, pag. 152, 153. in these words, There is requisite some seemingnesse of Spiritual sinceritie in a mans profession, id est, that he doth it from a Spiritual principle, upon Spiritual motives, and for a Spiritual end: but a meer, sober, not mocking, serious profession without more, is not a positive appearance of Spiritual supernatural sinceritie. Which sheweth, that such a thing is possible; and experience also doth confirm this.