A37035:949
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 other thing of the conclusion, is the common advertisement, now, the seventh time repeated, vers. 22. Yet is it never idly done: Which showeth, 1. what all mens duty is, to wit, it is their part that live in any place at any time, to receive the Word of God with as great reverence, as others who lived in some other place, and at some other time: therefore this advertisement is given equally to all the Churches, and to all Hearers. It is mens duty to receive with reverence every word of God, of whatsoever kind it be: therefore it is subjoined to all the several messages. 2. It showeth mens sinful stubbornness that are not easily brought to give obedience to this principal duty.
The other thing of the conclusion, is the common advertisement, now, the seventh time repeated, vers. 22. Yet is it never idlely done: Which sheweth, 1. what all mens duty is, to wit, it is their part that live in any place at any time, to receive the Word of God with as great reverence, as others who lived in some other place, and at some other time: therefore this advertisement is given equally to all the Churches, and to all Hearers. It is mens duty to receive with reverence every word of God, of whatsoever kind it be: therefore it is subjoyned to all the several messages. 2. It sheweth mens sinfull stubbornesse that are not easily brought to give obedience to this principal duty.
It is meet now that we take notice of some difficulties that may arise from the words. And here it may be enquired, what is to be thought of this Church? or, what judgement may be given of the same? Answ. Although it is hard to determine peremptorily concerning the state; yet it appeareth that the condition of this Church, is the very worst of any that hath been written to: For, 1. there is nothing in her commendable, (at least commended) as was in Ephesus, Pergamos, and other Churches. 2. There is no person excepted from the charge of luke-warmness and hypocrisy, as was done in the Epistle to Sardis, vers. 4. But the strain of the Epistle runeth to charge them, and to charge them all with a most grievous charge. And seeing our Lord doth take this title to Himself in this very Epistle, to be the faithful and true witness, it is not like that He would have altogether past over their honesty, or such as were sincere amongst them, without commending the same, if there had been any such to be commended. For, our Lord kept that way in all the former Epistles; and had there been any sincere persons in this Church, it had been no less to their commendation, and to the commendation of His Grace, to have commended the same: yet we think that the Lord is in trysting-terms with them, and therefore might possibly have some to call effectually from amongst them, which maketh Him thus, out of love to continue and knock: yet we cannot see any ground to conclude that there was any sincerity, or sincere person amongst them for the time. Upon which, several Questions may arise, as,