1.4-1030 THE DOCTRINE OF THE MILLENNIUM. A DISCOURSE, DELIVERED AT THE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER'S MEETING, STEPNEY, AUGUST 6, 1829, BEFORE THE MONTHLY ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL AND AT THEIR REQUEST NOW PUBLISHED. BY JOHN MORISON. BODI 2 KNA BIBE LONDON: HOLDSWORTH AND BALL, 18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD; AND WESTLEY AND DAVIS, STATIONERS' COURT. ADVERTISEMENT. IN venturing to lay this fragment of a great subject before his brethren in the ministry and the churches who requested its publication, the Author is fully aware that he has only just glanced at topics which require and deserve the most ample discussion. He has, however, done what he could, in the form of a single Discourse, and ventures to hope, that by the divine blessing, an effort to do good, however humble, will not altogether prove unsuccessful. If into whose hands this Discourse may any fall are anxious to obtain accurate and extensive information on the subject of the Millennium, the Author begs to refer them to the following works: viz. Faber's "Calendar of Prophecy;" Tower's "Illustrations of Prophecy," with Additions by the Rev. W. Vint, 2 vols. 8vo.; the Rev. Dr. Bryce Johnston's " Commentary on the Revelation of St. John," 2 vols. 8vo.; the Rev. Dr. Bogue's "Discourses on the Doctrine of the Millennium," 2 vols. 12mo.; Dr. Hamilton's "Defence of the Scriptural Doctrine concerning the Seond Advent of Christ, from the Erroneous Representations of Modern Millenarians," 1 vol. 12mo.; Dr. Whitby's "Treatise on the True Millennium;" and Dr. Wardlaw's "Two Sermons on the Millennium," in an admirable volume of Discourses just published. The Author cannot but regret that he had not the opportunity of examining the Discourses of his esteemed friend, Dr. Wardlaw, before the delivery of his Sermon. At the same time, he cannot but rejoice to find that he substantially agrees with this able divine on the general doctrine of a Millennium, and also in those interpretations of the text which he has ventured upon. Such as this humble attempt is, he now consigns it to the attention of the Public, imploring that blessing from above which only can render human efforts available to the real benefit of the Church. A DISCOURSE. REV. XX. 1-10. "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more; till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand |