A37035:997
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.
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, Ephes. 1.4.11, 12. besides Apostles and Evangelists, he gave some to be Pastors and Teachers. Now, by Pastors and Teachers, must be understood Ministers, as we take them; because they are such as were by feeding and teaching to edify Christs Body to the end of the world: which cannot be restricted to Bishops as understood by him; otherwayes the Pastor shall not have access to edify Christs Church for any time to come. And if Pastors be here understood, then they must be understood as then in being, as the other Officers that are mentioned, and to have had their beginning immediately after Christs Ascension. The second pla•e is, 1 Cor. 12.28, 29. where the Apostle speaketh of the Lords instituting Teachers in His Church, as distinct from other Officers. And what can these Teachers be but such as we account ordinary Ministers, their title bearing out their office especially to be in Teaching? A third place, is, Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. where he that teacheth, and he that exhorteth, are spoken of, and are required to wait upon their Offices; and certainly cannot but be understood of ordinary Pastors, whose special duty consists in these. And considering the Doctors paraphrase upon these verses, we conceive that either there he expounds them of such as taught for the time, which doth confirm what we said; or, doth make it a direction to such as afterward might be called to that Office; whereby he would insinuate that there was none such in being for the time: this is expressly contrary to the letter of the Text, which speaketh of exhorting and teaching, as present duties of some Officer, as well as ruling and showing mercy, &c. are spoken of.
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,