A37035:960
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.
Some-thing also may be gathered from this, if the Congregation be esteemed to be generally religious, and if their manner of carriage under it be still the same, and hath been so for a long time together, without any observable change, and such like. When these things concur, it may justly be suspected if such a work be real that's so universal and easily constant. By these and such like, an observing and discerning Minister may, at least, come so far in the knowledge of such a case, as may warrant him to apply himself to deal with them suitably to the same.
Some-thing also may be gathered from this, if the Congregation be esteemed to be generally religious, and if their manner of carriage under it be still the same, and hath been so for a long time together, without any observable change, and such like. When these things concur, it may justly be suspected if such a work be reall that's so universal and easily constant. By these and such like, an observing and discerning Minister may, at least, come so farr in the knowledge of such a case, as may warrand him to apply himself to deal with them suitably to the same.
6. If it should be asked, How it is that a Minister ought to deal with people in such a frame? This will be indeed more difficult to answer, and will be the matter of many serious thoughts to a faithful Minister, lest he run, and labour in vain among such a people. For there is no people with greater difficulty gained by the Gospel; and there is not ordinarily any case that doth destroy so many souls in the visible Church, as this doth: and therefore there is not more zeal and prudence required in reference to any sort of persons, than in reference to such. For helping to answer this, we may offer these things from the way which our Lord useth in this Epistle, 1. A Minister that hath to do with such a people, would endeavour to have a ministerial esteem amongst them, that is, that, upon the one side, he may have a testimony in their consciences, that he loveth them, and wisheth the good of their souls, as a faithful Minister should do: otherwayes, if there should be any other jar, all his reproofs and threatenings will be accounted to flow from that, and so be rejected. Again, on the other side, when (I say) this respect ought to be ministerial, it is to seclude a carnal, trivial respect and affection, that doth proceed from too great familiarity with such persons, than which there is nothing more dangerous both to Ministers and People: for, where it is, he is accounted a companion, and, plainness from him, hath no weight with it: for they cannot think that he would converse with them so familiarly, if he had indeed such thoughts of their condition, as faithfulness will put a Minister to express in such a case: and, as such persons usually seek to gain such affection and familiarity from their Minister, as a special mean to keep him in esteeming so of them, as they do of themselves; So Ministers would beware of giving them such a stumbling; but to endeavour such an esteem amongst them, as is, for the works sake,