CHAP. VII
The true state of the Millennium, according to
Characters taken from Scripture; some mistakes
concerning it, examin'd.
WE have made sufficient proof of a Millennial
state, from Scripture and Antiquity; and upon that firm Basis have setled our second Proposition.
We should now determine the Time and Place of this
future kingdom of Christ: Not whether it is to be in
Heaven, or upon Earth: for that we suppose determin'd already; but whether it is to be in the present
Earth, and under the present constitution of Nature,
or in the New Heavens and New Earth, which are promis'd after the Conflagration. This is to make our
Third Proposition: and I should have proceeded immediately to the examination of it, but that I imagine
it will give us some light in this affair, if we enquire
further into the true state of the Millennium, before
we determine its Time and Place.
We have already noted some moral Characters of
the Millennial state; And the great Natural Character
of it, is this in gencral, That it will be Paradisiacal.
Free from all inconveniences, either of external Nature, or of our own Bodies. For my part, I do not
understand how there can be any considerable degree
of happiness without Indolency: nor how there can be
Indolency, while we have such Bodies as we have now,
and such an external constitution of Nature. And as
there must be Indolency, where there is happiness; so
there must not be Indigency, or want of any due comforts of life. For where there is Indigency, there is sollicitude, and distraction, and uneasiness, and fear: Passions, that do as naturally disquiet the Soul, as pain
does the Body. Therefore Indolency and Plenty seem
to be two essential Ingredients of every happy state;
and these two in conjunction make that state we call
Paradisiacal.
