OF THE MILLENNIUM OF THE Ancient Doctors of the CHURCH.
CHAP. I. That the Doctrine of the Millennium was never generally received in the Church of Christ, is proved, 1. From the Testimony of Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, § I. Of Eusebius, Ori∣gen and Stephanus Gobarus, and the Distinction which then obtained betwixt the Allegorists and the Disciples of the Letter, § II. An Answer to the Pretended Tradition of Papias, mentioned by Irenaeus, § III. The Millennium of the Ancients differed from that which is now asserted by the most judicious of the modern Millennaries in Five Particulars: (1st,) The Ancients generally held, That the Temple, or City of Jerusalem should be new built. (2dly,) That all the Just were then to rise, and not Martyrs only. (3dly,) That Jesus Christ should then Reign on Earth. (4thly,) That they should fare Deliciously, and enjoy Corporal Delights. (5thly,) That they should get Children; all which Things are denied by the Modern Millennaries, § IV. The Necessity of these Doctrines according to the Literal Scriptures cited for the Millennium, by those Ancients who espoused that Doctrine, § V. This Error of some of the Fathers, as to the Millennium, w ll not invalidate their Authority as to any thing delivered by them as Eye-Witnesses, or which they deliver as the Practice of the Church of Christ in their Days, § VI.
CHAP. II. How far I differ from the Ancient and Modern Millennaries, and in what I agree with them, §. I. The Proposition that the true Millennium is only a Reign of the Converted Jews, and of the Gentiles flowing in to them, Ibid. Where it is noted, 1. That all spiritual Blessings have been still conveyed from the Jews to other Nations. 2. That there will be a glorious Conversion of the Jews to the Christian Faith, §. II. That the Description of this Conver∣sion of the Jews made by their own Prophets and Writers, answers fully to the Millennium of St. John, which he speaks of in the very words of the said Prophets, §. III. The Chara∣cters which the Patrons of the Millennium give of those times accord exactly with the Cha∣racters given by the Prophets of the Conversion of the Jews, §. IV. The Prophets seem to intimate that this Conversion shall be effected by a full influence of the Holy Ghost upon them, §. V. All the Passages cited to this Effect from the Jewish Writers speak only of the Millennium, the Resurrection, the New Heavens and Earth belonging to the Jewish Na∣tion, §. VI.
CHAP. III. This Chapter contains an Answer to all the Arguments produc'd from Scripture, to prove this literal Resurrection of the Martyrs, and this Reign of them on Earth a thousand Years, viz. 1. To the chief Argument for this Opinion, from Rev. 20.4, 5, 6. §. I. To 2 Pet 3. from vers. 5.13. §. II. To Heb. 25. compared with Chap. 1.6. §. III. To Matth. 5.5. The Meek shall inherit the Earth, §. IV. To Rom. 8.19, 20. The Creature shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, §. V. To Act. 3.20.21. The Heavens must receive him till the time of the restitution of all things, §. VI. To Matth. 19.27, 28, 29. Ye that have followed me in the Regeneration, shall fit upon twelve Thrones, §. VII. And they shall receive an hundred fold now in this life. Ibid.
CHAP. IV. This Chapter contains Arguments against the literal Resurrection, and the Reign of Martyrs upon Earth a thousand Years. First, From the Inconsistency of it with the happy State of Souls departed, §. I. Secondly, From the accurate Description of the Resurrection in the Holy Scripture, without any mention of a first and second Resurrection, and with such De∣scriptions of the Qualities of the Bodies raised, the efficient Cause, of the Time, Circumstan∣ces, and Consequents of it, which suit not with the Doctrine of the Millennium, §. II. Thirdly, From the Inconsistency of it with the Genius of the Christian Faith, and the Na∣ture of the Gospel Promises, §. III.
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