And the death of the wicked during the Millennium must in like manner signify a depression of their power and authority; and their revi the point, but may denote the saints' || church, in the successors of the mar spiritual privileges here, or their e-tyrs, Rom. xi. 15. Ezek. xxxvii. 1— ternal glory hereafter; or may relate 14. Psal. lxxxv. 6. Hos. vi. 2, 3. Zech. to the last judgment, or even could x. 9. quadrate with a happy state of the church on earth, without supposing the bodily presence of Christ, the death of all the wicked, or the resur-val at the end, import a recovery of rection of the martyrs in their bodies. This resurrection of the saints does not necessarily import the revival of the deceased, but the noted reformation, deliverance, and comfort of the their power and influence. We may add, How can this doctrine of the Millennium, as above hinted, accord with other passages of scripture ?— How can it consist with the saints were little known, and could not publicly avow what they believed and practised in private without being exposed to a most cruel persecution. Will any one say, this is the case now in every country bearing the Christian name, as it was before the ter part of Antichrist's 1260 years, or But, says a late writer, "the pope still "reigns; therefore the 42 months of the "beast are not ended; Popery is the es "tablished religion of a great part of "Europe." Yes, says the writer whom we just now referred to "Protestantism is persecut "ed in some parts of Europe; and there. "fore the witnesses still prophesy in "sackcloth." We answer, by observing, that the two witnesses are to be considered as repre We answer, that the period of forty-two senting the whole body of those ministers months, or 1260 days, is not set forth in who continued faithfulin testifyingagainst the prophesy as comprehending the whole the abominations of Antichrist. Such wittime of Antichrist's duration; but only nesses for Christ's truth were then under the time of his increase or coming to his persecution not only in some parts of Eu height; as is evident from the terms of rope, but through all Christendom. This the prophesy. It was the time in which he || book, in speaking of the rise and reign of was to possess the court without the temple, Antichrist, and of the church's deliverand tread under foot the holy city; the time ance from that adversary, still regards during which power was given him over all the condition not of a part, but of the whole kindreds and tongues and natione; and dur-visible church. And what is said of the ing which the witnesses were to prophesy clothed in sackcloth, Rev. xi. 2, 3. xiii. 5, 7. But the same writer alledges, that the "Gentiles still tread under foot the outer "court, and the holy city." good and evil of her condition is often to be understood not absolutely, but compa ratively. Thus, when we say, the witnesses do not now prophesy in sackcloth, we mean, that they are not now universally in a state of obscurity and persecution, as they were before the reformation. Farther, says the same author, "The "Ottoman empire is still a scourge to Christianity; therefore the second wo "is not past." We answer, that what is signified by these figurative expressions is an obscure, retired, persecuted state of the church andof gospel ordinances, and that not only in a great part of Europe but through the" whole world. The expression alludes to the profanation of the temple by Antio- In answer to this objection, we observe, chus Epiphanes; by which not only some that the plague intended by the second wo part, but the whole church of God was and by the terrific emblems in the descrip deprived of public ordinances. Such, in tion of the sixth trumpet is not to be un a great measure, was the deplorable state derstood as having any respect to particu of the church before the reformation.ar wars with this and the other nations of The generality fell in with the corruptions of Antichrist; and the few, who adhered to the truth and observed the ordinances of Christ according to the rule of his word, Europe. In this respect the Ottoman empire is no other or greater plague to these nations, than they are to one another. But the plague intended by the second wo is setting their affections on things above, and not on things on the earth; or looking at things eternal, not at things temporal? Col. iii. 1. 2 Cor. iv. 18. How could it consist with the saints' happiness, to leave the celestial state, and return to our earth, not in bodies fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body, but in bodies needing meat and drink? Phil. i. 23. and iii. 21. If their bodies are raised spiritual and incorruptible, as is said, 1 Cor. xv. 42, 49. what comfort could even these receive from the meat, drink, or clothing on earth? or what folly would it be for Satan to gather his troops to eut off incorruptible and spiritual bodies! Nay, who can imagine that the wicked, when raised up to everlasting damnation, shall have leisure to attack the saints? Moreover, the dead in Christ are represented as all rising together; and such as are alive on the earth, have their bodies changed in a moment, 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52. On these, and the like accounts, we cannot believe that the happiness of the Millennium will amount to any more than a peaceable state of the church, wherein great multitudes of Jews and Gentiles shall be converted to Christ, and enjoy much spiritual and delightful fellowship with him, and with one another. One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day; in proportion to his infinite duration, the one is no longer than the other, 2 Pet. iii. 8. YEARNING of bowels, imports the stirring of the most tender pity and affection, Gen. xliii. 30. 1 Kings iii. 26. YELL; to cry as a young lion. The Assyrians and Chaldeans yelled against the Jews; with terrible noise, and avaricious greed, they ravaged the country, and murdered the inhabitants, Jer. ii, 15. The Medes and Persians, and even the Chaldeans, what was called the holy war, in which not the church of Christ has now a visibility, a only one or two nations, but Christendom public appearance, which it had not before in general was engaged; and that for se- the blessed æra of the reformation from veral centuries. This was a tremend-popery? Nay, we have the same reason to ous judgment upon the nations bearing the hold the reformed churches to be the true Christian name, not only on account of the church of Christ that we have to hold the millions of lives destroyed in it; but chief-|| Popish church to be Antichristian. We ly on account of what accords with the ge-hold that church to be visibly Antichristineral design of the trumpets; that is, on an on account of its obstinate attachment account of the spirit of delusion and super- to the Pope's vain pretence of being the stition with which this war was carried on; visible head of the whole church upon and on account of the great increase of || earth, and to his other errors and corrupthe pope's authority which it occasioned, tions. And for the same reason we must he having had the cruisades entirely under hold the reformed churches to be visibly his influence and direction. the true church of Christ, on account of their professed adherence to the truths and ordinances of Christ according to his word, and on account of their public and unaniAnswer. He might have said, that if the mous renunciation of the Pope's supremahypothesis which he and others contend cy and of his other errors and corruptions. for about the 1260 days were true, then the But, adds this writer, "there are divisichurch would be more invisible now, than" ons among the Protestant churches." in the tenth century; as, in that case, the Answer. There were divisions in the power of Antichrist would be on the in- church of Corinth: but it did not on that crease, and also the depression and obscu- account cease to be a visible church of rity of the true church would be greater. Christ. These churches have not all atBut does not this set the falsehood of thattained the same measure of reformation. hypothesis in a strong light? For can it be any doubtful matter to those who read the scriptures and enjoy gospel ordinances in a great measure of agreeableness to the scriptures, no man forbidding them, that But, says this writer, "the church of "Christ is as invisible now as it was in the "tenth century." But we can no more on this account deny them to be true visible churches of Christ, than we can deny a number of individuals to be truly men, because they are not all of the same staturo. made a terrible yelling, or outcries of joy or grief, when Babylon was taken, Jer, li 38. YELLOW hair, betokening the leprosy, might denote a weakness and stupidity under the reigning power of sin, Lev. xiii. 30-36. YESTERDAY; (1.) The day before, 1 Sam. xx. 27. (2.) Any time lately past, Job. viii. 7. ` (3.) All time past. Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; he is the same under the Old Testament, and during the gospel and eternal period, Heb. xiii. 8. A thousand years are in God's sight as yesterday: he exactly knows all past things, and thousands of years bear no proportion to his infinite duration, Psal. xc. 4. YET; (1.) At that or this time, John ii. 4. (2.) Notwithstanding, James ii. 10. YIELD; (1.) To produce, Gen. iv. 12. and xlix. 20. (2.) To surrender, submit, Prov. vii. 21. Rom. vi. 19. Men yield themselves to the Lord, when they receive his unspeakable gift, submit to his righteousness as their robe, and to his law as their rule, 2 Chron. xxx. 8. carnal and burdensome, Matth. xi. 29, 30. Gal. v. 1. Bondage or slavery is called a yoke; in it men are obliged to suffer and labour in a most debased manner, Lev. xxvi. 13. Isa. ix. 4. and x. 27; and a yoke of iron, to express its hard and painful influence, 1 Kings viii. 51. Deut. xxviii. 48. Affliction, whether penal or correctory, is called a yoke ; it distresses men's persons, circumstances, and spirit: and it is the yoke of transgressions, because inflicted on their account, Lam. iii. 27. and i. 14. Marriage is called a yoke, as persons therein joined are bound to serve God, and assist one another; and they are unequally yoked, when they are different in their religion, and are much so in their tempers and circumstances, 2 Cor. vi. 14. Paul calls his fellowpreachers his true yoke-fellows, as they laboured in the same service of Christ as he did, Phil. iv. 3. YOUNG; that which has lived but a short while, John xii. 14. The Jews reckoned persons young till married or marriageable, Deut. xxviii. 57.— Nay, Joshua is called young at 56 years of age, as it seems he was then YOKE; an instrument put on the in the prime of his strength. Rehoneck of cattle, for drawing ploughs, || boam is called young and tender at 41, wagons, and the like: and the cattle 2 Chron. xiii. 7. Sodom is called the yoked together in one plough, are Jews' younger sister, because the pow called a yoke, 1 Kings xix. 19. The er thereof was inferior to that of law of God is a yoke, which galls the the Jews, Ezek. xvi. 46, 61. YOUTH; carnal man, as it binds him to his du- (1.) Early age, or what is done in it, ty; but as received in Christ, it is an Eccl. xi. 9, 10. And hence the first easy yoke, receiving excitement and beginnings of nations, as of Israel in strength from Jesus; men with plea- the wilderness, and at their entrance sure and comfort obey it; and it is into Canaan, is called their youth, Jer. much easier than the service of sin,|| ii. 2. Ezek. xvi. 22. Hos. ii. 15. (2.) the slavery of the broken covenant, Young persons, Job xxx. 12. Isa. xl. or the bondage of the ceremonial law, 30. Christ's youth, is either the early which is called a yoke, or yoke of bon-period of the Christian church, or his dage, as the service required by it was new converts, Psal. cx. 3. W ungrateful wretch ordered him to be stoned to death in the court of the temple. In his dying moments, he told them that the Lord would speed Hether ZAANAN, a city destroyed by the Assyrians, was one of the tribe of Naphtali, in the plain of Zaananim, or Zanaim; or if it was Zenah, a city of Judah, weily avenge his death, 2 Chron. xxiv. know not, Mic. i. 11. Judg. iv. 11. Josh. xix. 33. and xv. 37. 20-25. (3.) The son of Jeberechiah, or Barachial, who had understanding in the visions of God, and encouraged Uzziah in his piety, and perhaps withstood him when he attempted to offer incense, 2 Chron. xxvi. 5. He was one of the faithful witnesses that attested Isaiah's writing concerning Maher-shalalhashbaz, Isa. viii. 2. (4.) The son of Barachiah, grandson of Iddo, and i1th of the lesser prophets. He returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel; and while yet young, began to prophesy in the second year of Darius Hystaspes, A. M. 3484, about two months after Haggai. They two mightily encouraged the Jews in their building of the second temple, Ezra v. 1. After Zerubbabel had exhorted the people to repentance, the Lord appeared to Zechariah as a man on horseback, in the middle of a plot of myrtle-trees, in a low place, thereby intimating the presence of God with, and care for his people in their distress; and hinted to him that Jerusalem should be rebuilt. By the vision of four horns frayed away by four carpenters, was hinted, that God would raise up Jewish governors, that should resist and harass the AmmonZACHARIAH, ZACHARIAS, ZE-ites, Moabites, Samaritans, and PhiCHARIAH; (1.) The son of Jerobo-iistines, the enemies of Judah, Zech. am the 2d, and the 4th descendant of i. By the visionary measuring of JeJehu. Perhaps his father left him an rusalem, was hinted, that it should be infant. It was about 23, or perhaps rebuilt; and the prophet was informno more than 11 years after, that heed, that its inhabitants should be very mounted the throne, and having reign-numerous, and the Lord should mared six months, was murdered by Shai-velously protect them, chap. ii. By lum, the son of Jabesh, A. M. 3232, the vision of Joshua the high2 Kings xv. 8-11. (2.) The son priest's preservation from Satan, and of Jehoiada the chief priest, who is the change of his filthy robes for perhaps also called Azariah. Hav-fine apparel, and he and his fellowing reproved King JoASH his cousin, priests being crowned with gold, for his idolatry and wickedness, that was hinted, the safety and glory of Whether ZACCHEUS was a Gentile, or rather a Jew, is not so certain as that he was a chief pubiican. As Jesus passed through Jericho, going to suffer at Jerusalem, Zaccheus had a great curiosity to see him; but as he was low of stature, he could not, till he climbed up on a sycamore tree. When Jesus came to the spot. he bade him come down hastily, as he intended to stop at his house. With great joy Zaccheus came down, and conducted our Saviour to his house. While the Jews murmured that Jesus was gone to be the guest of a publican, Zaccheus, convinced of his sin, told him that he intended to give the half of his goods to the poor, and, according to the Roman law, to restore fourfold to every body he might have wronged by false accusation. Jesus told him, that after all he behoved to expect no happiness by his own repentance and good works, but merely through the Christ, the salvation of God, now come to his house, and sent to seek and Save lost sinners, Luke xix. I-10. the priests under the second temple. || and the conversion of the Gentiles to By the vision of the stone with seven Christ, in the apostolic and millennial eyes on it, was hinted, that the temple periods, chap. ix-xiv. should, under the care of divine providence, be finished, and Christ come || in his season, chap. iii. By the vision of a candlestick with seven branches placed between two olive trees that issued oil out of themselves, might be signified, the comfort of the Jews by means of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and the comfort of the church by Christ and his Spirit, chap. iv. By a large flying roll, written all over with curses, was hinted the speedy and extensive vengeance of God against false swearers and thieves. The visionary ephah, || filled with a woman called wickedness, | and shut in with a heavy covering of lead,and carried by two winged women into the land of Shinar, imported the speedy and terrible vengeance taken on Babylon about four years after, by the Medes and Persians, or the terrible ruin and dispersion of the Jews, about 40 years after our Saviour's ascension, chap. v. By four chariots proceeding from between brazen imountains, and traversing the earth, was signified the fate of the Chaldean, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires, and the fate of ministers in the various periods of the gospel-church. By an order to make crowns of silver and gold for Joshua, and for Heldai or Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen, was hinted, the glory of the Jewish priesthood, and the glory of Christ as the builder of his church, chap. vi. Af- Who was that ZECHARIAS, the son ter directing the Jews concerning of Barachias, who was slain between fasting, and inculcating a variety of the porch of the temple and the almoral duties, he foretells their happi- tar; whether he was the son of Jeness, and the vast number of their hoiadah, whose name has much the proselytes and favourites, chap. vii. same in signification as Barachi, i. e. viii. He then foretells the destructive a blesser of the Lord; or the son of wars of Syria, Phoenicia, and the Jeberechiah, whom perhaps Ahaz country of the Philistines; the pre-murdered between the porch and the servation of the Jews under their Egypto-grecian and Syro-grecian oppressors; the birth and injurious abuse of the Messiah; the publication and success of the gospel; the ruin of the Jewish church and state; (5.) ZECHARIAS; an ordinary priest, of the course of Abia. He and his wife Elisabeth were eminently godly and blameless; but she had been long barren. About 15 months before our Saviour's birth, as Zecharias was burning incense in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him that his wife should bear him a son called John, who should be the successful harbinger of the Messiah. As the priest refused to credit the message, the angel told him that his dumbness till the event should verify the prediction. When he came out of the temple, he could speak none, but made signs to the people, who were praying in the court, that he had seen a vision. When his turn of ministration was finished, he went home. His wife, after about nine months, was happily delivered of a son. Contrary to the remonstrances of their friends, Elisabeth insisted the child should be named John: Zecharias being consulted by signs, wrote that he should be so called.Hereupon he recovered the use of his speech, and uttered an hymn of praises to God, for the donation of the Messiah, whose birth was at hand; and turning himself to his babe, foretold that he should, by his instructions, || prepare the nation to receive the Messiah, Luke i. altar, for opposing his idolatrous worship; or the prophet above mentioned, who was perhaps murdered in that place; or the father of the Baptist, who might have shared the same fate, perhaps about the time when his son |