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having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. This angel I view, as some spiritual sight, coming into the hearts or minds of mankind, shewing them the bottomless pit of deep deceit, by which they have been kept in civil and religious bondage and darkness. This great chain, appears to me to intimate some great union among the lower classes, particularly in France; as chains for binding, not for ornament, are made of common and coarser metals, so the lower callings and occupations, uniting by the same angelic light, become like a chain to bind what really doth or may seem to hurt or destroy them.
In the 2d verse, the use of this chain is evidenced; where it is said, that he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, the devil and satan, and bound him a thousand years. This, I think, is to limit evil powers, principles, and practices that have been pernicious to mankind, hurting and destroying them and their privileges, by fury and cruelty. Like the dragon, deceiving them by subtilety; like the serpent, in poisoning their minds and senses. The spiritual evils, represented
