The time of his imprisonment is set down to be a thousand years; that is, all the time from the preaching of Christ and his Apostles, until Gregory the seventh, and other monstrous Popes, which did let Satan loose again. Which space of time is guessed by the learned, to be a thousand years, or thereabouts. But here it is to be observed, that this binding of Satan is not to be taken simply and absolutely, as though Satan was so bound and chained up for this thousand years, that he could not seduce at all, or do no mischief at all after the preaching of the Gospel by Christ and his Apostles, I say, this is not to be taken simply, but after a ⟨p. 362⟩sort; that is, that he could not so generally and universally seduce all nations, as he had in former time, before the coming of Christ. For otherwise, it is well known, that even after Christs time, he did greatly persecute the Church, bring in many errors and heresies, and harden and blind many mens hearts: but yet all this was nothing, in comparison of that which he had wrought in former ages, when he was even as it were the god of the world, and the Gentiles worshipped him as god, as the Apostle teacheth,1 That all the worship of the heathen nations was the worship of Devils. And again,2 That God in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walk in their own ways: And then was Satan a great prince indeed. But now cometh a chain for him: For Christ preacheth the Gospel, and sendeth forth his Disciples with power, and thereupon saith,3 I saw Satan fall down like lightning: For the preaching of the Gospel beateth down the kingdom of Satan and sin.
The time of his imprisonment is set down to be a thousand yeers; that is, all the time from the preaching of Christ and his Apostles, untill Gregory the seventh, and other monstrous Popes, which did let Satan loose againe. Which space of time is ghessed by the learned, to be a thousand yeers, or thereabouts. But here it is to be observed, that this binding of Satan is not to be taken simply and absolutely, as though Satan was so bound and chained up for this thousand yeers, that he could not seduce at all, or do no mischiefe at all after the preaching of the Gospel by Christ and his Apostles, I say, this is not to be taken simply, but after a ⟨p. 362⟩sort; that is, that he could not so generally and universally seduce all nations, as hee had in former time, before the coming of Christ. For otherwise, it is well knowne, that even after Christs time, he did greatly persecute the Church, bring in many errors and heresies, and harden and blinde many mens hearts: but yet all this was nothing, in comparison of that which hee had wrought in former ages, when he was even as it were the god of the world, and the Gentiles worshipped him as god, as the Apostle teacheth,1 That all the worship of the heathen nations was the worship of Divels. And againe,2 That God in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walke in their owne wayes: And then was Satan a great prince indeed. But now cometh a chaine for him: For Christ preacheth the Gospel, and sendeth forth his Disciples with power, and thereupon saith,3 I saw Satan fall downe like lightning: For the preaching of the Gospel beateth downe the kingdome of Satan and sinne.
- 11 Cor. 10.
- 2Acts 14.16.
- 3Luke 18.10.
