A37042:15
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal divided into four parts ... : in each of which there are not a few choice and useful questions, very shortly and satisfyingly discussed and cleared / by ... Mr. James Durham ... who being dead (by this) yet speaketh ; and published by John Carstares ... ; to which is prefixed an excellent preface of famous Mr. Blair ... ; together with a table of the contents of the several chapters of each part.
Edinburgh: printed by Christopher Higgins, 1659
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.
The Preface.
The rise of the subsequent Treatise, the blessed Author, in the very first words thereof, declareth to be the occasion he had from Revel. 2. on the Epistle to the Church of Pergamos, to meditate on the nature and sorts of Scandal. And before I say anything of this present work, I shall hence take occasion, to show my thoughts of his Commentary on the Book of Revelation. In my humble opinion, that which was spoken of the virtuous woman, Prov. 30. v. 29. may well be applied to the pains this Author hath taken on that Book: Many Writers have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. The reason of my so high estimation thereof, is taken from a threefold excellency I find therein. The first is, a brief, clear and accurate opening of the most difficult Text in the whole Bible, applying with great sagacity and admirable dexterity, dark Prophecies to their historical events: and yet with judicious sobriety, not restraining, as it were, to single stars of several persons, that which rather relateth to conglobate constellations of agents or patients: together with a modest, yet a diligent search of those things which are not yet accomplished. Whoever would compendiously have an experiment hereof, let him read the first Lecture on Chap. 6. (which parcel, with some others, were sent to me by the Author, some months before the printing) And as herein I did find great satisfaction, by reason of the clearness and notable coherence of the Interpretation, and convincing grounds and arguments proving the solidity thereof▪ So may thou, Christian Reader, be sweetly refreshed and strongly confirmed thereby. The ⟨image 3⟩second excellency hereof, is the great plenty of practical Divinity, relating to all Christians, but more especially to Ministers of the Gospel. I cannot name any Authors work, wherein I have perceived so many edifying overtures, so many searching discourses and encouraging helps as this Commentary abounds with. From the first Lecture on Chap. 3. both the careful Christian and the well-gifted diligent Preacher, may be first alarmed, and then well strengthened, by that searching discourse on these words, Thou hast a name that thou livest, but art dead.