A37035:995
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.
First, Consider the general harmony of all the Ancients, of all the School-men, generally all that ever wrote since Reformation: for, I suppose, never any questioned but that there were Preaching-presbyters in the Church as we take them: and cannot Episcopacy be established except all these foundations be overturned; without which yet there will not be much to say for it?
Secondly, Consider the principles of that party: for, generally, they do account the Apostles to have been in the degree of Bishops, and the Disciples to have been in the place of ordinary Pastors; also that Bishops Jurisdiction over Ministers, is instituted and established in Timothy and Titus, their ordaining, admonishing, reproving, &c. of ordinary Ministers. And if there were none such in the Apostles days, they cannot be said to have had power over such: and so either these Arguments must stand, and this Authors assertion must fall; or, if it stand, they must fall: by which there is a loss to that party however.
Secondly, Consider the principles of that party: for, generally, they do account the Apostles to have been in the degree of Bishops, and the Disciples to have been in the place of ordinary Pastors; also that Bishops Jurisdiction over Ministers, is instituted and established in Timothy and Titus, their ordaining, admonishing, reproving, &c. of ordinary Ministers. And if there were none such in the Apostles dayes, they cannot be said to have had power over such: and so either these Arguments must stand, and this Authors assertion must fall; or, if it stand, they must fall: by which there is a losse to that party however.
Thirdly, It may be considered how that Authors ground can be reconciled with Scripture, wherein the office and actual being of such an Officer as a Presbyter, as we take it, is sufficiently clear: for which, see, First, these Scriptures that do most fully hold forth the distinct offices of the Church under the New Testament, as,