The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-08-13

ed in the prophecies of Joachim, Abbot Of
Flora. "
2. We come now to the period Of the
Reformation; and here We challenge the
Pre-Adventist brethren to produce any
testimony in favor Of their view from any
of the ceeeds of that era, except perhaps
those Of the Anabaptists. "Millenarian-
ism made its appearance, as it has been
well said, "in connection with the fanati-
cal and heterodox tendencies that sprung
up>along with the great religious awaken
ing. Hence the Symbols when they no
tice the doctrine at all, do so in terms of
condemnation (Shedds Hist Of Doctrine,
H., p 1865 The same statement is made
substantially by Hagenbach (sec. 270). In
all these symbols Of the Reformation, so
far as we have examined, the doctrines Of
the resurrection and the judgment are
stated in a form which, we are certain, no
e-Millennialist would have preferred.
We say nothing of the formal condemna
ton of the Anabaptists in some Of these
symbols, as it is not perfectly clear to us
that they held the same doctrine, as to
the Last Things, with our modern Mil
lenarians. We give them in the exercise
of that charity which believeth all things
the benefit of the doubt. Turretin, who
died in 1857, makes Il conclusive agument
against Millenarianism a.. 20, Q. 3d.;
and refers to the Reformed divines who
held it in terms which imply that there
were not many of them. There have
not been wanting also some who, in our
time, have wished to bring back Chiliasm,
&c. He then mentions Joseph Mede
and Piscaton
8. The Westminster Assembly has enbe
claimed as holding the Pre-Adventist
doctrine. We say, then, again, let the
passage be produced in which they teach
it. There were doubtless Pre- Millennial-
lists in the Assembly; but the question is
not what some of its members held, but
what the Assembly held. Sure we are,
that an intelligent man might read the
articles of its Confession on "the state of
man after death, and on the resurrection
from the dead" (chap 32); and on the
last judgment" (chap. 33) without ever
thinking Of Pre- Millennial advent
Nay rather; ifsuch man had read much
in Pre-Millennial literature, he could
hardly help thinking of that doctrine,
and thinking that the trainers Of these ar
ticles intended a silent protest against it.
(See especially art. II. of chap. 30, and
arts l. and II. Of chap 49,
The Rev. Thomas Edwards, minister of
Christ church, London, and a Jealous
Presbyterian in his famous "Gapgraena, ="
puts down among the heresies of the times
the doctrine that Christ shall come and
live again upon th# earth. and for thou
sand years reign aiablv, as an earthly
monarch, over al .e world, in outward
glory and pomp s. 4tting down all em7
pires and kingdom This does not look
like Millenarianisla. The "Gangraena"
was published soon after the dissolution
of the Assembly (See History of the
Westminster Assembly, ascribed to DR..
Archibald Alexan&e5-p. l49)
We have not gotten down to poor Whit
~ yet by nifty ODD years; but euough
las been said to show that the assertion
that the Church held no other doctrine
but Millennarianism until his time is, to
say the very least. somewhat rash. We
10 not wonder that the Millennialists
have a grudge against Whitby, for his
expose Of ancient Millennialism places
them in a very awkward dilemma
Either this doctripe-of Ireneus, with all
its foohness, is ours, or it is not If it is
ours, how can we hold up our heads in
the face of mankind? If not what shall
we do with our claim to an antiquity so
venerable? QUERIsT.
t.. IL. C..4..l p...l-4..