for a considerable length of time interrupted. VIII. Those events, which are contained in ch. xix., are plainly followed by these which take place from ch. xx. 11 to ch. xxii. 5 ; the millennium comes be- tween, of which neither the beginning nor the end, if it is past, falls in to this place ; therefore they cannot transfer it elsewhere, unless their inclination stands in the place of reason. It is evident from this, that the view of the Chiliasts was not correctly derived by Gebhardi from this, that the connection of the prophetical word was neglected by them. — Comm, on Twelve Prophets, p. 655. Lastly, IX. Between the angel of the a/wi i4ou, everlasting Gospel, ch. xiv. 6, and the end of the world, a certain a Juv, age , intervenes ; but no one will be able to point it out, if the millennium is taken away. In a short time, they who believe that the millennium is at hand, will be found to have the privilege of the true meaning, rather than those who contend that it is past ; nor do they delay the course of the sun, who speak against it. In the meantime, let every one see in what things he himself seeks a happy life. There is no error, much less danger, in maintaining that the thousand years are future , but rather in in- terpreting these years, w’hether future or past, in a carnal sense. The doctrine respecting the Son of God is a mystery, His cross is a mystery, and lastly, His glory also. He himself is a sign , which is spoken against in one point after another. There is abundant ground for believing and confessing Him.
3. ”'En\ii6e) Erasmus adds abrovf against the MSS. and the text of Andreas himself. In general, xXetetv, to shut , may be used, not only, for instance, of a prison, but also of a captive : but here Apringius rightly construes, shut upon him , so that both tx'ksnrsv and iffppu'yiffiv cohere with errdvu a vrou, as, Gen. vii. 16, it is said, txXeurev s%uQev avrov • and altogether W'X *UD', Job xii. 14. — iva fir, , that not) One benefit only is here expressed, but that of itself is by far the greatest, and has many great blessings joined with it. For when the chief enemy is removed, the kingdom of God gains vigour without impediment among the nations , and the great mystery of God, announced by the prophets, is finished. Ap. x. 7.
Winckler , in his Disquisitions, p. 193, etc , refutes modem Chiliasm , as an error , and that a fundamental one, by arguments drawn from the article on creation, on redemption, and on sanctifi- cation ; and he also censures me as a defender of that error. And yet not even one of your arguments, most courteous AVinckler,
1 ABA Vulg. oppose otvr 6v. Rec. Text has it whbout authority. — E.