A37035:958
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.
5. It may be asked, how a Minister may discern a luke-warm temper among the people over whom he hath charge? Answ. Although peremptory decision of such a persons state, who hath a form of Religion, be a thing that Ministers, nor others, are not to take on them; Yet (considering that such a case is often most frequent, and that it is of most weighty concernment for a Minister to discern the same; also, that where it is common, it is ordinarily one way or other so far discernible as is fit, to a searching discerning eye) We may offer from these words such characters thereof, as may help a Minister in applying of himself suitably, at least, to their present frame. 1. Such a luke-warm temper hath much more light than life, and much more delight in speculative knowledge, and in such preachings as bring some new thing to that, than they have in what really feedeth the soul, and tendeth to search the conscience or awaken any spiritual exercise therein. 2. Such a people have ordinarily a heal and unbroken condition; without fears, exercises, or doubts; and so accordingly there will be little of such subjects the matter of discourse betwixt them and the Minister: yea, if such a thing be moved, either they will suffer it to die out, as a thing which they are not acquainted with, or delighted in; or, so entertain it with some such general expressions as rather show their desire not to be thought ignorant, than any way to express their sense of the same. 3. Much of their discourse of Religion will readily be to their own commendation, even when they seem with the pharisee, (Luk. 18.) to thank God they are not as other men: and so still there is some expression of their satisfaction with their own condition that's discernible in the whole strain of their discourse and way, what ever acknowledgements may be intermixed. 4. It is discernible by pride, self-esteem, vain confidence, &c. that do accompany such, which for a continuance of time together can hardly be hid to a searching Minister: for, this doth not only kith negatively in their want of spiritual exercises, and such like; but it will even often kith positively, by their censuring of others when they fall;
5. It may be asked, how a Minister may discern a luke-warm temper among the people over whom he hath charge? Answ. Although peremptory decision of such a persons state, who hath a form of Religion, be a thing that Ministers, nor others, are not to take on them; Yet (considering that such a case is often most frequent, and that it is of most weighty concernment for a Minister to discern the same; also, that where it is common, it is ordinarily one way or other so farr discernable as is fit, to a searching discerning eye) We may offer from these words such characters thereof, as may help a Minister in applying of himself suitably, at least, to their present frame. 1. Such a luke-warm temper hath much more light than life, and much more delight in speculative knowledge, and in such preachings as bring some new thing to that, than they have in what really feedeth the soul, and tendeth to search the conscience or awaken any spirituall exercise therein. 2. Such a people have ordinarily a heal and unbroken condition; without fears, exercises, or doubts; and so accordingly there will be little of such subjects the matter of discourse betwixt them and the Minister: yea, if such a thing be moved, either they will suffer it to die out, as a thing which they are not acquainted with, or delighted in; or, so entertain it with some such general expressions as rather shew their desire not to be thought ignorant, than any way to expresse their sense of the same. 3. Much of their discourse of Religion will readily be to their own commendation, even when they seem with the pharisee, (