COMPILED PRINCIPALLY FROM THE PRODUCTIONS
OF LATE EMINENT WRITERS UPON
THAT SUBJECT.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

FURTHER REMARKS AND NOTES BY THE
COMPILER.

Arrangement of the work:

1st. To shew from scripture prophecy, that such a time is yet to come.

2d. When it will come.

3d. In what it will consist.

4th. The events which will first take place introductory to it.

BY RAY POTTER,

Minister of the Gospel, Pawtuckes.

PROVIDENCE:

Brown & Danforth, Printers.

C.325.34.35

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

1865, Mar. 29. Gift-of Rev. Thos. W. Soigginsoni (96. 6. 1841.)

PREFACE.

I HAVE for my own part enjoyed much comfort of mind in contemplating the subject of the Millennium, in tracing the connexion of Prophecies which fully confirm me in the opinion that such a time is yet to come, and in reading many excellent remarks made on it by those who have appeared to me to have quite consistent views of the subject. At the. present time, when Zion's ways mourn, when pure religion (if we are permitted to judge by the fruits of professors) is at a low ebb, when sectarianism and denomination names and prejudices almost totally distract the church, it must indeed be a matter of great consolation unto the friends of Christ and his cause in the world, that things shall not long continue in this present gloomy and disordered state, but that the righteousness of Jerusalem shall ere long break forth as the morning, and her salvation as the lamp that burneththat pure religion shall pervade the world, the watchmen see eye to eye, and all divisions aud party contentions among Christians be lost in oblivion, and known no more. As it was the case that in the dark time before the advent of Christ, many were waiting for the consolation of Israel; so also there are many now who are earnestly desiring to witness the coming

*

of the Lord, to destroy the kingdom of antichrist in the world, and give rest unto his long-afflicted church and people. I have reason to hope, that unto such, the following treatise will be read with pleasure. I have gathered it principally from other writers, without any regard to sect or party; having some time since come to what I hope will not be considered an unwise conclusion, not to deprive myself of the privilege of being benefitted by the remarks of any Christian, which are in themselves correct and pertinent, simply because he may think differently from me in some points of divinity. Dr. Hopkins has written an excellent treatise on the Millennium, from which I have selected a considerable part of the following work. The first section is almost entire from his work; but few probably have ever read it, nor will, except it should be published in a detached work from his body of divinity, which is too costly and voluminous for the common class of Christians to be possessed of. In short, L have simply this to say, that in compiling this work, I have brought on to its pages that alone which has appeared to me agreeable to scripture, and have only to ask the reader to first read without prejudice, and then to judge with candour and impartiality with a regard

unto its merits.

Pawtucket, July 8, 1824.

A TREATISE

ON THE MILLENNIUM, &C.

SECTION I.

Shewing from scripture prophecy that such a time is yet to come.

"THE first revelation of a Redeemer, in the prediction spoken to the serpent, may be considered as implying the destruction of the kingdom of the devil in this world, by the wisdom and energy of Christ.— "He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."* Satan has bruised the heel of Christ, in the sufferings and dishonour he has been instrumental of bringing upon him, and in the opposition he has made to the interest and church of Christ, in this world. And it is natural to suppose that Christ shall bruise his head in this world, by destroying his interest and kingdom among men, and gaining a conquest over him, in the struggle and war which has taken place between the Redeemer and seducer of men. And by the Redeemer's bruising the head of the serpent, is signified that he will not destroy him by the mere exertion of his power, but that by his superior wisdom, he will confound and defeat Satan, in all his subtilty and cunning, on which he depends so much, and by which he aims to disappoint Christ and defeat him in his designs. And by this he will make a glorious display of his wisdom, as well as of his power, while

Gen. iii., 15: