Having determined the time of writing the _Apocalyse_, I need not say much about the truth of it, since it was in such request with the first ages, that many endeavoured to imitate it, by feigning _Apocalypses_ under the Apostles names; and the Apostles themselves, as I have just now shewed, studied it, and used its phrases; by which means the style of the Epistle to the _Hebrews_ became more mystical than that of _Paul_'s other Epistles, and the style of _John_'s Gospel more figurative and majestical than that of the other Gospels. I do not apprehend that _Christ_ was called the word of God in any book of the New Testament written before the _Apocalypse_; and therefore am of opinion, the language was taken from this Prophecy, as were also many other phrases in this Gospel, such as those of _Christ_'s being _the light which enlightens the world, the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, the bridegroom, he that testifieth, he that came down from heaven, the Son of God_, &c. _Justin Martyr_, who within thirty years after _John_'s death became a _Christian_, writes expresly that _a certain man among the _Christians_ whose name was _John_, one of the twelve Apostles of _Christ_, in the Revelation which was shewed him, prophesied that those who believed in _Christ_ should live a thousand years at _Jerusalem__. And a few lines before he saith: _But I, and as many as are _Christians_, in all things right in their opinions, believe both that there shall be a resurrection of the flesh, and a thousand years life at _Jerusalem_ built, adorned and enlarged_. Which is as much as to say, that all true _Christians_ in that early age received this Prophecy: for in all ages, as many as believed the thousand years, received the _Apocalypse_ as the foundation of their opinion: and I do not know one instance to the contrary. _Papias_ Bishop of _Hierapolis_, a man of the Apostolic age, and one of _John_'s own disciples, did not only teach the doctrine of the thousand years, but also [37] asserted the _Apocalypse_ as written by divine inspiration. _Melito_, who flourished next after _Justin_, [38] wrote a commentary upon this Prophecy; and he, being Bishop of _Sardis_ one of the seven Churches, could neither be ignorant of their tradition about it, nor impose upon them. _Irenaeus_, who was contemporary with _Melito_, wrote much upon it, and said, that _the number 666 was in all the antient and approved copies; and that he had it also confirmed to him by those who had seen _John_ face to face_, meaning no doubt his master _Polycarp_ for one. At the same time [39] _Theophilus_ Bishop of _Antioch_ asserted it, and so did _Tertullian_, _Clemens Alexandrinus_, and _Origen_ soon after; and their contemporary _Hippolytus_ the Martyr, Metropolitan of the _Arabians_, [40] wrote a commentary upon it. All these were antient men, flourishing within a hundred and twenty years after _John_'s death, and of greatest note in the Churches of those times.