A37035:954
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. If it be asked, how a person that is so unsound cometh to have such thoughts of himself, or such confidence of his own condition? We may Answer, Upon these considerations, 1. Men naturally are lovers of themselves, and admirers of what is in themselves. Hence it is, that men are so easily induced to overvalue their own natural and moral parts, and, upon the same account, these things that look more Spiritual-like. 2. Men naturally cannot discern the things of God, for they are Spiritually discerned: it is no wonder therefore that they take that which glittereth to be gold, especially this being added to the former consideration. 3. He hath all the concurrence the devil can give him to cause him entertain such thoughts: and therefore often such a man is kept from gross tentations, and foul out-breakings, which many sincere persons are tortured with: by which the devil aimeth to keep all in quiet, as the scope of the parable runneth, Matth. 12.29. If we consider his practice, it needeth not seem strange that he be thus deluded: for, he doth not search himself; he doth not make hypocrisy his burden, or use these means whereby the ⟨p. 220⟩sincere-hearted are helped to a discovery of their own naughtiness: and therefore, what wonder is it that such be strangers to this? 5. When they go on smothering convictions, neglecting duties, and such like, there is something that cometh judicially from God to give them up to that delusion, so as to trust the language of their own hearts concerning their own state, beyond the most clear convincing reproofs that may come from the Word of the Lord: and this is to be found, (Isa. 44.20.) in a very irrational like thing, as the worshipping of stocks and stones; yet such a person, being turned aside by a deceived heart, cannot deliver his own soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand? 6. There are some concurring things which may also have influence upon this, as suppose men be so esteemed of by others who are esteemed gracious, especially if upon some fits of convictions, or common exercises, they have been inconsiderately cried-up by Ministers, as exercised Christians, when as yet the exercise hath not taken root, not hath it been adverted possibly, how it came to a close:
3. If it be asked, how a person that is so unsound cometh to have such thoughts of himself, or such confidence of his own condition? We may Answer, Upon these confiderations, 1. Men naturally are lovers of themselves, and admirers of what is in themselves. Hence it is, that men are so easily induced to overvalue their own natural and moral parts, and, upon the same account, these things that look more Spiritual-like. 2. Men naturally cannot discern the things of God, for they are Spiritually discerned: it is no wonder therefore that they take that which glittereth to be gold, especially this being added to the former consideration. 3. He hath all the concurrence the devil can give him to cause him entertain such thoughts: and therefore often such a man is kept from grosse tentations, and foul out-breakings, which many sincere persons are tortoured with: by which the devil aimeth to keep all in quiet, as the scope of the parable runneth,