A37035:909
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.
A fifth evidence is, That he be no Novice, 1 Tim. 3.6. which holdeth out that he ought to be of some settled standing in the profession of Godliness; at least, there would be ground to think him so: which cannot well be, if the man have been but as others in his education, and possibly come by reason of the thoughts of a Ministry to have some fairer outward carriage than others; when yet, as to the practice of Religion, he may be but a mere Novice, and so give no ground to found a rational charity for expecting any thriving of the work of Grace in his heart, or of the work of the Ministry in his hands.
A fifth evidence is, That he be no Novice, 1 Tim. 3.6. which holdeth out that he ought to be of some settled standing in the profession of Godlinesse; at least, there would be ground to think him so: which cannot well be, if the man have been but as others in his education, and possibly come by reason of the thoughts of a Ministery to have some fairer outward carriage than others; when yet, as to the practice of Religion, he may be but a mere Novice, and so give no ground to found a rationall charity for expecting any thriving of the work of Grace in his heart, or of the work of the Ministery in his hands.
When these external evidences are found, Then Ministers ought to reflect upon all to see if any thing can be gathered concerning the sincerity of their end, spiritualness of their walk, and such like, as by the words of these two eminent Divines formerly cited doth appear. And because this cannot be discerned by one act or two; or, in a month or two: therefore it is necessary to take time, and to consider the equableness of such a mans way for satisfying of themselves concerning him. And though it is not like that each Minister can come to a well grounded knowledge in reference to the Admission of every one, by his own particular acquaintance; yet in such a case, it is to be supplied by the testimony of such, who being able to discern, and throughly satisfied themselves upon solid grounds, dare confidently give testimony of the good behaviour and Christian carriage of such a person, according to the former characters: and such testimony, when given, ought to have weight. Therefore we see that in Scripture, the faithful Servants of God used to commend such, as were of their acquaintance, to others: and such recommendations wanted never weight. Only concerning this, we say, That seeing recommendations and testimonies may have much influence upon the good or ill of the Church. This would not be overly gone about; but these caveats would be observed, 1. That when men testify positively such and such qualifications to be in any, they would have ground of satisfaction in their own consciences that such things are true, and consistent in their knowledge. 2. As this testimony would be on knowledge; so the matter testified, would be weighty, and such as being true evidenceth some good beginning, or appearance of the work of Grace. There are many testimonies given through Pauls Epistles to several persons; but we will still find them have these two, 1. The thing testified, is something that doth indeed commend them as Christians; as having