permanent, than the mere preparation for it, and introduction to it. According to the uniform interpretation of prophetic Times and Numbers this expression-A Thousand years must then be understood mystically, and indefinitely: and seems to comprehend the whole period that the present system shall subsist from the commencement of the second coming of Christ, to the full accomplishment of the Kingdom of God. For though at the expiration of the thousand years Satan is to be loosed, it is but for a little season; and that only to perform the part assigned to him in the conclusion of the scene, and in the destruction of the finally impenitent and reprobate part of the Creation.

Thus we may suppose the Thousand years here to refer to the same period which Daniel describes in these words the Saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. And thus we may conceive the Thousand years here to express, and prophetically to imply, a period which compared to the duration of the present world might be reckoned eternal.

It seems strange that interpreters should coincide in understanding this literally, and in estimating their Milennium definitely at 1000 years; contrary to the sanctioned interpretation of every other expression of Number and Time in the prophetic Scriptures: As Daniel's Seventy weeks, his one thousand two hundred and

ninety days, St John's forty-two months; a period so often repeated in different terms both by Daniel and St John-as, 42 months 1260 days-a time, and times, and half a time-a time, and times, and the dividing of time,* all expressing the same period, and all implying literally, three years and a-half; but mystically, -as I have elsewhere endeavoured to shew,t the whole period of the duration assigned to the present system of things. All the above expressions it is agreed by commentators to understand indefinitely, and interpret mystically: and why not this term of A thousand years also ? Which as it is much the largest prophetic period, in literal expression, to be found in scripture, may be supposed to imply also a proportionally larger mystical period. And though all of these expressions might in the divine destination import a definite and certain period; yet it does not seem to be intended that by them mortals should be able to comprehend, or limit the counsels and designs of the Almighty. This, our Lord himself plainly intimates to the disciples, when he checks them in their inquiries upon this subject with, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. Of the importance of this admonis

Rev. xi. 2, 3.-Rev. xii. 6. xii. 14.-Dan. vii. 25.-Dan. xii. 7.

+See Historical and Political Explanation of the Book of Revelation, page 9th, and page 70th

tion, and the woeful consequence of neglecting it, we have a striking instance in the pernicious use that has been made of the words, predestine, predestinated, and predestination.

A DIGRESSION.

This treatise not being proposed as a regular work of any kind, it is hoped, that to avoid long marginal notes, occasional Digressions may be excused-especially such as the present, to draw attention to a most important prophetical period; and one, the oftenest referred to of any within the whole compass of Sacred Writ. One, indeed, expressing the whole destined duration of the present System of Nature, or, at least, of the present Administration of that System.

་

Daniel vii. 25. And they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time.-Dan. xii. 6, 7. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river. How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever, that it should be for a time, times, and an half.-Rev. xi. 2, 3. The holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a

M

A

thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.Rev. xii. 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days. Verse 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the Serpent.-Rev. xiii. 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

The above passages of Scripture, all expressing the same period of time; and that the most important of all mystical and scriptural periods, seem never to have duly attracted the attention of commentators. On all the occasions in which these passages are introduced, it is I think clear, that they express the whole destined period for the existence of the present Sublunary System of this World; or at least, of the present Administration of that System. The time literally meant, though variously expressed, in all these passages, is clearly three years and a half-or seven half years: but what the mystical period implied may be, we believe, is not given for man to know; but, as we have said, it plainly, though mystically, refers to the whole duration of the present administration of Providence.

The Holy City is given to be trodden under

foot of the Gentiles forty and two months expressing, probably, the whole time of the permissive operation of Evil in the Works of God

The two Witnesses, Reason and Revelation -or, Natural and Revealed Religion as we have elsewhere explained them* are to pro→ phesy 1260 days; making, at 30 days to a month, the same period: and which, as we have explained the Witnesses, must also imply the whole of the present Administration of this World. For we cannot doubt but the period of the dispensation of Natural and Revealed Religion, the Sole Witnesses for God in this World, will be the same with the duration of the present World.

The Heaven-protected Woman Rev. xii. 6, personifying the Church, or rather, the whole Dispensation, or Destination of God with respect to the present System of Nature-is to be fed in her place in the wilderness a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And again verse 14, the same woman, having fled into the wilderness, into her place, she is nourished for A Time, and Times, and Half a Time: which, taking the word, Time, for a year, as it is certainly meant here, makes the same mystical period, three years and a half.

To the portentous Beast, the emblem of Monarchical Despotism,† Chap. xiii. Ver. 5.

* See a New Historical and Political Explanation of the Book of Revelation, pages 8, 69, 97.

+ Pages 10, 11-108, &c.