NOTES ON THE MILLENNIUM.

Note 1, Book I.

E'en now the fire

For Babylon doth blaze. Calabria now,
Dread warning gives.

It is allowed by all commentators, that the Babylon mentioned in St. John's Revelation means Rome ; which, at the second coming of Christ is to be destroyed by fire. The late earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily, arising from subterraneous conflagrations, seem to point out the second cause by which this prophecy will be accomplished, as they happened so near that capital. And from the great length of time that the volcanos of Etna and Vesuvius have existed, it is probable that a great part of both Sicily and Italy are internally consuming at the present moment.

Note 2. Book I.

The scatter'd Jews confirm the Christian faith.

The Jews were, for their wickedness, to be scattered over the face of the earth-to be every where found, but to have a resting place no where-to be a by word, and a scorn to all people, and so to continue till the times of the

Gentiles should be fulfilled. Thus did Moses prophesy more than 3000 years ago-and Christ himself particularly pointed out the calamities that were to befal them. It is now very near 1700 years since they ceased to be a nation; and all these predictions have been so literally fulfilled, that the words of Moses would at this day stand for a brief and true history of that people. What happened to them is unprecedented in the annals of the world. And the fate of the house of Israel, has been, and is a standing miracle in support of the Holy Scriptures.

Note 3. Book I.

the fire obedient burst

From heaven and earth, and stopp'd the vain attempt.

After Constantine the great had established Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, the Emperor Julian, one of his immediate successors, apostatized from it. It was well known that according to prophesy the Jewish nation could not be restored till the second coming of Christ. Julian, therefore, resolved to falsify Scripture by rebuilding the temple, and by restoring the Jews. But the workmen being stopped in the first by miraculous fires, the whole scheme was abandoned.

Note 4. Book I.

And loosen every bond of human life.

The perversion of Christianity by the Papal power was foretold both in the Old and New Testament; particularly in Daniel and Revelations. And it is agreed by all Protestant commentators, to be the mystical antichrist.

Note 5. Book I.

Who the false prophet could foresee, save God?

In the 9th chapter of the Revelations to the 12th verse, the Arabs with Mahomet are plainly described, and his false doctrines are figured by the smoke ascending out of the bottomless pit.

Note 6. Book I.

Your garments watch, and think of what remains.

All commentators, amongst whom is the great Sir Isaac Newton, conceive that every thing in Revelation, prior to the seventh Angel. sounding his trumpet, is accomplished. And whenever that happens the nations of this world are to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

Note 7. Book II.

Peal after peal, in long succession roars.

The dreadful day, which foreruns the second coming, is particularly pointed out in various passages, both in the Old and New Testament. And Christ himself says, the sun shall withhold its light, and the moon be turned into blood, and that it shall be a time of trouble, such as never was before, nor ever will be again.

Note S. Book II.

In its lov'd darkness revels all the year.

The particulars, as to the destruction of Rome, are fully described in the 17th and 18th chapters of St. John's Revelation.

Note 9. Book II.

in their madness send

A proud defiance to the King of Kings.

The description of the Messiah's war against the beast, the false prophet and the kings of the earth, with his victory and the binding of Satan for 1000 years, is very particularly described in the 19th and 20th chapters of the Revelation of St. John.

Note 10. Book III.

For here I raise my everlasting throne.

The restoration of the Jews, the magnificence of the New Jerusalem, and the happy state of the whole world under the reign of the Messiah, is pointed out by all the prophets.

Note 11. Book III.

For Christ and with him live for ever now.

In the 14th chapter of Revelations, the Lamb is said to stand on Mount Sion, with 144,000 persons of the tribes of Israel. They are called the first fruits unto God and the Lamb, and are described as capable of singing a new song which none but them can learn. From some passages in the 20th chapter, we also find that they are kings and priests unto God and Christ, and to live and reign with the latter during the Millennium. No doubt it is them that are likewise meant by the Saints, whom Gog and Magog are to come up against after the 1000 years are expired. They, therefore, live for ever, and are those whom Esdras describes, as putting off the mortal clothing, and on whose heads he saw the Son of God placing crowns.