divinity_n itself_o and_o happy_a be_v it_o will_v man_n consider_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o they_o may_v with_o the_o apostle_n amid_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o the_o world_n stand_v firm_a with_o a_o nevertheless_o i_o be_o not_o ashamed_a for_o i_o 12._o 2_o tim._n 1._o 12._o know_v who_o i_o have_v believe_v and_o that_o mankind_n may_v have_v rational_a and_o satisfactory_a ground_n for_o faith_n in_o jesus_n the_o divine_a spirit_n which_o ever_o give_v testimony_n to_o he_o exert_v itself_o both_o as_o a_o spirit_n of_o omnipotency_n in_o miracle_n and_o of_o omniscience_n in_o prophecy_n to_o the_o end_n man_n may_v believe_v the_o great_a concern_v of_o revelation_n upon_o the_o demonstrative_a ground_n of_o divine_a perfection_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v st._n paul_n meaning_n when_o he_o say_v my_o preach_n be_v not_o with_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n 4_o 1_o cor_fw-la 2._o v._o 4_o wisdom_n but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n i._n e._n of_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o omnipotency_n and_o of_o demonstrative_a conviction_n out_o of_o the_o prophet_n who_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v act_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o omniscience_n and_o truth_n itself_o by_o the_o event_n answer_v their_o prediction_n that_o your_o faith_n say_v he_o shall_v 5._o verse_n 5._o not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n either_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n with_o the_o leviathan_n or_o strong_a probability_n with_o other_o but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n i._n e._n in_o 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d v._o 4._o the_o divinity_n itself_o which_o when_o it_o give_v testimony_n natural_a light_n unquestionable_o conclude_v it_o true_a and_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v which_o way_n the_o apostle_n make_v his_o demonstration_n in_o the_o spirit_n i_o suppose_v he_o tell_v we_o v._o 13._o we_o speak_v not_o in_o the_o word_n which_o man_n wisdom_n teach_v i_o e._n according_a to_o the_o study_a rule_n of_o art_n now_o in_o greece_n but_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a i._n e._n compare_v the_o doctrine_n and_o transaction_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o hereby_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v divine_a because_o attest_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n for_o in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n he_o have_v quote_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n and_o so_o in_o all_o his_o preach_v as_o act_n 17._o 2_o 3._o and_o for_o study_v this_o demonstration_n or_o compare_v the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o old_a the_o berean_o be_v so_o much_o commend_v v._o 11._o and_o nothing_o be_v plain_a than_o that_o all_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n and_o even_o christ_n himself_o do_v thus_o argue_v or_o convince_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n prophet_n the_o force_n therefore_o of_o the_o testimony_n depend_v sole_o upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o that_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o prime_n and_o omniscient_a verity_n i_o must_v not_o stay_v to_o clear_v my_o hand_n of_o the_o tractatus_fw-la theologico-politicus_a who_o have_v resolve_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o as_o st._n peter_n do_v into_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 2_o pet_n 1._o 21._o but_o into_o the_o crasis_n of_o the_o imaginative_a faculty_n that_o so_o you_o may_v know_v he_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o leviathan_n and_o by_o their_o hypothesis_n who_o scholar_n etc._n tract_n p._n 7_o etc._n etc._n both_o be_v even_o his_o who_o resolve_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o universe_n into_o the_o fortuitous_a concur_v of_o atom_n neither_o may_v i_o reflect_v upon_o that_o moral_a probability_n which_o some_o seem_v to_o think_v a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o faith_n further_o than_o to_o say_v that_o matter_n reveal_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o far_o as_o reveal_v as_o certain_a truth_n as_o any_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o i_o fear_v not_o after_o st._n paul_n to_o say_v that_o matter_n of_o a_o moral_a and_o spiritual_a nature_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v take_v demonstration_n not_o in_o the_o confine_v signification_n which_o the_o school_n of_o heathen_a philosophy_n affix_v to_o it_o but_o in_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o demonstration_n serve_v viz._n a_o proof_n that_o create_v a_o knowledge_n certain_a and_o indubitable_a and_o this_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o as_o reveal_n but_o as_o confirm_v revelation_n by_o prediction_n do_v which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o three_o and_o chief_a design_v particular_a three_o that_o of_o all_o other_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n my_o meaning_n be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o stand_a satisfactory_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o jesvs_n transaction_n faith_n and_o doctrine_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v there_o be_v indeed_o many_o other_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n better_a than_o most_o or_o any_o other_o cause_n beside_o he_o can_v produce_v first_o the_o testimony_n of_o angel_n both_o good_a and_o bad_a the_o good_a in_o obsequious_a attendancy_n upon_o his_o birth_n his_o etc._n luke_n 2._o 13._o 22._o 43_o etc._n etc._n agony_n his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n the_o bad_a in_o fly_a fear_n conclude_v at_o least_o strong_o suspect_v by_o 24._o luke_n 8._o 28._o mark_v 1._o 24._o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o old_a prophet_n who_o it_o be_v they_o now_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o in_o humane_a nature_n even_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o god_n or_o the_o seed_n promise_v to_o break_v the_o serpent_n head_n second_o the_o testimony_n of_o man_n both_o his_o friend_n and_o enemy_n his_o friend_n extol_v adore_v he_o die_v for_o he_o his_o enemy_n of_o all_o sort_n confess_v he_o a_o extraordinary_a person_n though_o a_o deceiver_n as_o celsus_n jalian_n mahomed_n the_o jew_n the_o philosopher_n the_o apostate_n the_o impostor_n the_o infidel_n mahomed_n be_v kind_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o he_o will_v allow_v he_o to_o be_v his_o pewfellow_n in_o prophecy_n upon_o condition_n he_o may_v but_o sit_v above_o he_o nay_o three_o there_o be_v more_o venerable_a witness_n than_o either_o angel_n or_o man_n i_o mean_v those_o three_o in_o heaven_n 8._o 1_o joh._n 5._o 7_o 8._o and_o those_o three_o on_o earth_n where_o though_o the_o divine_a spirit_n make_v one_o in_o either_o three_o yet_o which_o i_o wonder_v be_v no_o more_o observe_v and_o insist_v on_o the_o spirit_n as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o sense_n explain_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v however_o to_o my_o apprehension_n the_o testimony_n not_o in_o preference_n to_o the_o other_o consider_v in_o themselves_o but_o consider_v with_o reference_n to_o mankind_n who_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n of_o their_o evidence_n and_o who_o judge_a faculty_n be_v more_o susceptive_a of_o satisfaction_n from_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o infinite_a science_n in_o truth_n than_o from_o the_o same_o spirit_n in_o any_o other_o way_n of_o evidence_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v this_o that_o the_o conviction_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o way_n of_o prophecy_n or_o in_o the_o display_v of_o omniscience_n be_v more_o direct_o accommodate_v to_o humane_a intellect_n our_o faculty_n of_o science_n than_o any_o other_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v for_o the_o strong_a tendency_n of_o intellect_n be_v to_o the_o science_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o act_n of_o omniscient_a truth_n be_v more_o accommodate_v to_o humane_a understanding_n than_o act_n of_o power_n wisdom_n be_v that_o it_o be_v more_o delight_v in_o than_o strength_n if_o any_o revelation_n be_v from_o god_n by_o the_o foresay_a rule_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v accept_v and_o submit_v to_o but_o whether_o that_o which_o pretend_v revelation_n be_v from_o god_n or_o no_o be_v the_o only_a question_n now_o the_o argument_n from_o miracle_n be_v press_v by_o all_o this_o of_o prediction_n by_o few_o or_o none_o but_o without_o depreciate_a the_o former_a i_o must_v confess_v ever_o since_o i_o consider_v it_o the_o latter_a be_v weighty_a and_o more_o convictive_a with_o i_o for_o i_o be_o more_o full_o satisfy_v that_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o scriptural_a revelation_n be_v divine_a because_o i_o find_v all_o along_o the_o spirit_n of_o prediction_n interweave_v than_o because_o i_o read_v such_o and_o such_o miracle_n do_v for_o i_o find_v the_o alcharon_n pretend_v miracle_n but_o not_o dare_v to_o pretend_v prediction_n so_o that_o of_o all_o the_o innate_a character_n of_o divinity_n pretend_v to_o in_o any_o write_a law_n this_o of_o prediction_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o scripture_n this_o
eutychianus_n whether_o it_o be_v oraculum_fw-la daemonum_fw-la aut_fw-la figmentum_fw-la hominum_fw-la he_o assure_v we_o not_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v ground_v on_o some_o opinion_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n concern_v antichrist_n appearance_n but_o how_o miserable_o it_o fail_v st._n austin_n observe_v that_o in_o the_o very_a year_n gaudentius_n and_o jovius_n overthrow_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n in_o cartage_n et_fw-la plurimi_fw-la christiani_n facti_fw-la qui_fw-la tanquam_fw-la verâ_fw-la illâ_fw-la divinatione_fw-la revocabantur_fw-la à _fw-la fide_fw-la postquam_fw-la eam_fw-la completo_fw-la eodem_fw-la annorum_fw-la numero_fw-la inanem_fw-la irridendamque_fw-la viderunt_fw-la de_fw-fr civet_fw-la lib._n 18._o cap._n 54._o the_o papal_a or_o mahometan_n under_o the_o character_n of_o a_o divine_a institution_n for_o certain_o this_o he_o will_v have_v do_v have_v not_o the_o ability_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n fail_v he_o both_z as_o to_o the_o certainty_n and_o distance_n of_o such_o a_o contingency_n because_o nothing_o imaginable_a can_v have_v bruise_v the_o heel_n of_o the_o woman_n seed_n so_o dangerous_o confirm_v gentile_a idolatry_n and_o staggare_v the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n so_o effectual_o as_o this_o by_o confront_v a_o testimony_n for_o antichrist_n out_o of_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n as_o good_a as_o that_o for_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n prophecy_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o the_o serpent_n can_v do_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v to_o play_v the_o aftergame_n as_o subtle_o as_o may_v be_v and_o inspire_v mahomet_n when_o he_o find_v he_o enthusiastic_a and_o among_o a_o people_n fit_a for_o delusion_n and_o so_o to_o club_n to_o perfect_v the_o imposture_n or_o else_o to_o transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n the_o only_a way_n to_o mischief_n the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n do_v himself_o into_o the_o catholic_n or_o a_o jesuit_n himself_o into_o a_o christian_a or_o a_o quaker_n himself_o into_o a_o man_n of_o perfection_n and_o because_o i_o may_v not_o scan_v every_o object_v instance_n in_o heathen_a divination_n i_o shall_v in_o general_a only_o say_v that_o who_o so_o affirm_v any_o other_o than_o the_o divine_a can_v be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n seem_v to_o suffrage_n with_o they_o that_o blaspheme_v against_o he_o in_o leave_v no_o distinctive_a character_n to_o discern_v the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o and_o so_o may_v ascribe_v to_o beelzebub_n what_o be_v the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v prerogative_n and_o i_o call_v this_o of_o prediction_n the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v prerogative_n because_o god_n in_o the_o prophet_n put_v all_o other_o diviner_n upon_o this_o test_n isa_n 41._o 21_o etc._n etc._n produce_v your_o cause_n say_v the_o lord_n bring_v forth_o your_o strong_a reason_n say_v the_o king_n of_o jacob._n let_v they_o bring_v they_o forth_o and_o show_v we_o 7._o see_v isa_n 47._o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o what_o shall_v happen_v let_v they_o show_v the_o former_a thing_n what_o they_o be_v that_o we_o may_v consider_v they_o and_o know_v the_o latter_a end_n of_o they_o or_o declare_v we_o thing_n for_o to_o come_v show_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v hereafter_o that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o you_o be_v god_n allow_v then_o that_o the_o sphere_n of_o jesus_n interest_n be_v as_o large_a as_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o church_n in_o all_o age_n the_o prophecy_n of_o enoch_n noah_n jacob_n and_o other_o before_o his_o incarnation_n or_o of_o agabus_n st._n john_n and_z other_o after_o it_o make_v no_o objection_n against_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n and_o nonce_n else_o so_o that_o no_o cause_n distinct_a or_o opposite_a to_o he_o can_v produce_v it_o all_o divine_a revelation_n centre_v in_o he_o to_o which_o give_v all_o the_o 43._o act._n 10._o 43._o prophet_n witness_n it_o be_v theresore_n call_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o prophet_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 11._o and_o it_o be_v observable_a when_o this_o divine_a spirit_n be_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o sin_n for_o not_o believe_v it_o silence_v all_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o world_n both_o true_a and_o false_a i_o mean_v both_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a 19_o act_n 16._o 16_o 17._o 19_o 16_o 19_o which_o may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o be_v my_o first_o observation_n it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n i._n e._n peculiarly_a and_o nonce_n else_o second_o it_o be_v not_o the_o person_n employ_v man_n or_o angel_n on_o who_o the_o validity_n of_o this_o testimony_n depend_v but_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o only_o as_o reveal_v god_n mind_n but_o as_o predict_v to_o confirm_v the_o revelation_n i._n e._n it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o omniscient_a veracity_n or_o of_o the_o prime_a verity_n for_o nothing_o can_v furnish_v out_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n but_o a_o science_n and_o truth_n that_o be_v indefectible_a and_o infinite_a for_o the_o account_n of_o certainty_n in_o the_o divine_a prescience_n as_o to_o contingency_n and_o the_o product_n of_o liberty_n must_v not_o be_v resolve_v into_o the_o decree_n as_o if_o god_n certain_o foreknow_v this_o will_v be_v the_o product_n of_o liberty_n therefore_o because_o he_o decree_v it_o for_o the_o decree_n make_v all_o contingency_n equal_o possible_a unless_o we_o introduce_v fatality_n but_o the_o certainty_n of_o prescience_n must_v be_v resolve_v sole_o into_o the_o infinity_o of_o science_n there_o be_v no_o search_v of_o his_o understanding_n isa_n 40._o 28._o so_o then_o whether_o it_o be_v man_n or_o angel_n that_o be_v act_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n whether_o moses_n or_o balaam_n simeon_n or_o caiphas_n it_o matter_n not_o contrary_a to_o maimonides_n rule_n about_o qualification_n the_o testimony_n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n the_o attestation_n to_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v by_o the_o prime_a verity_n and_o the_o force_n lie_v in_o the_o presumptive_a truth_n of_o nature_n concession_n what_o god_n say_v be_v true_a or_o as_o st._n john_n express_v it_o if_o we_o receive_v the_o witness_n of_o man_n the_o witness_n of_o god_n be_v great_a 1_o joh._n 5._o 9_o for_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o they_o have_v or_o want_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o etc._n the_o thus_o the_o sun_n evidence_v itself_o by_o its_o own_o light_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n visible_a by_o that_o illustration_n of_o light_n it_o lend_v they_o either_o transient_o as_o to_o the_o air_n or_o permanent_o as_o to_o some_o precious_a stone_n etc._n etc._n prime_a verity_n whether_o that_o verity_n record_v its_o testimony_n in_o the_o settle_a law_n and_o volume_n of_o nature_n upon_o which_o the_o study_n of_o philosophy_n and_o all_o secular_a knowledge_n depend_v or_o in_o the_o prescript_n of_o revelation_n call_v for_o distinction_n sake_n supernatural_a knowledge_n i._n e._n therefore_o this_o or_o that_o knowledge_n be_v true_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n because_o their_o cause_n and_o effect_n be_v apprehend_v as_o the_o first_o cause_n and_o the_o divine_a truth_n do_v constitute_v they_o and_o so_o in_o revelation_n this_o or_o that_o create_a knowledge_n and_o judgement_n be_v true_a or_o false_a which_o apprehend_v it_o according_a to_o the_o word_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o first_o revealer_n or_o otherwise_o we_o see_v this_o in_o humane_a affair_n where_o the_o grand_a decision_n of_o truth_n depend_v entire_o upon_o a_o oath_n and_o therefore_o upon_o a_o oath_n because_o a_o oath_n be_v the_o attestation_n or_o appeal_v to_o the_o prime_a verity_n which_o testimony_n upon_o oath_n be_v ever_o esteem_v most_o sacred_a till_o the_o licentious_a and_o atheistical_a profaneness_n of_o our_o swear_v age_n assay_v to_o unhallow_a and_o make_v it_o common_a therefore_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o whatever_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o prime_a verity_n itself_o be_v true_a without_o any_o other_o or_o against_o any_o other_o contrary_a evidence_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o render_v the_o faith_n of_o christian_a mystery_n reasonable_a now_o the_o declaration_n or_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n self-evident_o appear_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o prime_a verity_n because_o no_o knowledge_n but_o the_o divine_a and_o infinite_a can_v reach_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n i._n e._n can_v confirm_v revelation_n by_o certain_a prediction_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o this_o wound_v the_o leviathan_n who_o have_v take_v his_o pastime_n in_o these_o water_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o may_v show_v he_o that_o divine_a faith_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v resolve_v into_o divine_a truth_n that_o so_o its_o certainty_n may_v be_v steadfast_a as_o any_o knowledge_n in_o the_o world_n for_o whosoever_o may_v minister_v to_o this_o faith_n its_o reliance_n must_v be_v upon_o
of_o jesus_n be_v to_o restore_v it_o effectual_o which_o he_o do_v by_o supernatural_a help_n whereas_o other_o essay_v it_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o nature_n alone_o which_o after_o the_o fall_n be_v impossible_a so_o that_o though_o jesus_n in_o this_o surpass_v all_o mankind_n yet_o some_o rival_n have_v be_v set_v up_o against_o he_o as_o apollonius_n by_o hierocles_n 2._o to_o be_v a_o martyr_n for_o a_o lie_n when_o a_o man_n believe_v it_o as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o some_o shall_v be_v neither_o unusual_a nor_o 11._o 2_o thess_n 2._o 11._o unreasonable_a 3._o the_o age_n of_o miracle_n except_v the_o wisdom_n and_o conduct_n of_o providence_n which_o be_v not_o regard_v be_v wear_v out_o for_o all_o the_o legendary_a imposture_n of_o that_o church_n that_o still_o pretend_v they_o but_o that_o which_o strengthen_v all_o the_o rest_n by_o its_o connexion_n with_o they_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n stand_v like_o a_o fix_a star_n to_o give_v light_n to_o every_o hour_n of_o time_n call_v therefore_o the_o more_o sure_a word_n and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 2_o pet._n 1._o 19_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 25._o not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d word_n of_o god_n which_o abide_v for_o ever_o to_o which_o we_o do_v well_o if_o we_o give_v heed_n my_o meaning_n be_v the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v stand_v witness_n to_o our_o faith_n in_o jesus_n all_o age_n may_v consult_v these_o record_n and_o find_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n so_o interweave_v in_o every_o part_n that_o it_o certain_o evidence_v their_o divinity_n and_o truth_n can_v any_o other_o write_v be_v produce_v that_o dare_v attempt_v to_o foretell_v such_o thing_n and_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n to_o confirm_v any_o other_o pretend_a revelation_n or_o institution_n contradictory_n to_o this_o or_o do_v not_o every_o event_n in_o these_o answer_n its_o prediction_n ex._n gr_n be_v not_o the_o disperse_a condition_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n a_o 47._o a_o on_o those_o word_n psal_n 59_o 11._o slay_v they_o not_o lest_o my_o people_n forget_v scatter_v they_o by_o thy_o power_n st._n austin_n apply_v they_o to_o the_o jew_n have_v this_o excellent_a remark_n ne_o obliti_fw-la legem_fw-la dei_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la agimus_fw-la testimonium_fw-la nihil_fw-la valerent_fw-la quoniam_fw-la si_fw-la cum_fw-la testimonio_fw-la scripturarum_fw-la in_o suâ_fw-la tantummodo_fw-la terrâ_fw-la non_fw-la ubique_fw-la essent_fw-la profecto_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la quae_fw-la ubique_fw-la est_fw-la eos_fw-la prophetiarum_fw-la quae_fw-la de_fw-la christo_fw-la pramissae_n sunt_fw-la testes_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la gentibus_fw-la non_fw-la haberet_fw-la de_fw-fr civit._n lib._n 18._o cap._n 46._o and_o then_o conclude_v ideo_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la firmius_fw-la ad_fw-la convincendos_fw-la quoslibet_fw-la alienos_fw-la si_fw-la de_fw-la hac_fw-la re_fw-la contenderint_fw-la nostrosque_fw-la fulciendos_fw-la si_fw-la rectè_fw-la sapuerint_fw-la quam_fw-la ut_fw-la divina_fw-la praedicla_fw-la de_fw-la christo_fw-la ea_fw-la proferantur_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o judaeorum_fw-la scripta_fw-la sunt_fw-la codicibus_fw-la quibus_fw-la avulsis_fw-la de_fw-la sedibus_fw-la proptil_v &_o propter_fw-la hoc_fw-la testimonium_fw-la toto_fw-la orb_n dispersis_fw-la christi_fw-la usquequaque_fw-la crevit_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la ibid._n cap._n 47._o stand_a sign_n to_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n since_o the_o gospel_n promulgation_n and_o a_o permanent_a rule_n of_o trial_n lay_v before_o all_o considerative_a man_n that_o both_o testament_n which_o foretell_v it_o proceed_v from_o the_o unerring_a spirit_n of_o omniscience_n or_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o parallel_a case_n to_o they_o to_o continue_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n without_o any_o tie_v of_o national_a government_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o be_v lose_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o nation_n where_o so_o many_o mutation_n have_v happen_v nor_o at_o all_o like_o the_o ten_o tribe_n swallow_v up_o in_o their_o dispersion_n as_o wide_o as_o the_o universe_n i_o must_v not_o insist_v upon_o other_o permanent_a sign_n confirm_v the_o scriptural_a revelation_n as_o the_o case_n of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o many_o more_o foretell_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o our_o age_n and_o other_o may_v see_v fulfil_v and_o therefore_o be_v under_o the_o conviction_n of_o this_o testimony_n equal_o i_o mean_v we_o of_o this_o and_o every_o age_n be_v under_o the_o conviction_n of_o that_o revelation_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v attest_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o because_o it_o have_v so_o attest_v as_o much_o as_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o in_o the_o age_n of_o miracle_n for_o else_o i_o see_v not_o how_o abraham_n answer_n to_o dives_n be_v good_a nay_o certain_o posterity_n be_v better_a enable_v to_o judge_v of_o prophecy_n than_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o first_o appear_v and_o this_o after_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n shut_v up_o and_o universal_o receive_v render_v all_o new_a light_n and_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n not_o only_o suspect_v but_o perfect_o needless_a the_o design_n of_o my_o discourse_n be_v chief_o this_o to_o show_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n thus_o explain_v which_o so_o apparent_o run_v parallel_v to_o the_o whole_a line_n of_o scriptural_a revelation_n do_v most_o rational_o convince_v we_o and_o all_o age_n of_o the_o divine_a truth_n of_o that_o revelation_n and_o if_o so_o we_o gain_v two_o point_n not_o only_o of_o great_a advantage_n always_o but_o most_o needful_a at_o this_o day_n when_o christian_a religion_n be_v either_o look_v out_o of_o countenance_n by_o atheism_n and_o scepticism_n or_o look_v itself_o we_o know_v not_o whither_o by_o the_o distortion_n of_o popery_n and_o phanaticism_n the_o first_o point_n we_o gain_v be_v to_o confirm_v our_o christian_a faith_n in_o general_n upon_o most_o rational_a and_o accountable_a ground_n that_o it_o may_v endure_v the_o concussion_n and_o mutation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o second_o be_v to_o confirm_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o particular_a as_o our_o sure_a rule_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o duty_n for_o if_o we_o confess_v as_o can_v be_v deny_v till_o some_o other_o be_v produce_v as_o able_a that_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v author_n of_o the_o prediction_n in_o scripture_n what_o reason_n can_v we_o have_v against_o the_o institution_n of_o life_n reveal_v it_o be_v in_o all_o man_n allowance_n unreasonable_o unjust_a to_o allow_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o record_n in_o one_o part_n that_o it_o declare_v and_o not_o in_o another_o unless_o we_o can_v better_a than_o by_o bold_a affirm_v prove_v it_o in_o that_o part_n corrupt_v to_o draw_v these_o point_n out_o to_o the_o great_a advantage_n let_v i_o reflect_v upon_o this_o discourse_n and_o infer_v three_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o great_a design_n of_o our_o merciful_a creator_n in_o give_v this_o testimony_n be_v man_n conviction_n in_o order_n to_o the_o faith_n i._n e._n the_o obedience_n of_o jesus_n for_o in_o its_o most_o plentiful_a effusion_n and_o powerful_a operation_n this_o be_v its_o first_o grand_a end_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o shall_v convince_v the_o world_n john_n 16._o 18._o which_o when_o it_o have_v do_v the_o revelation_n itself_o become_v the_o undoubted_a rule_n as_o to_o believer_n but_o they_o who_o disbelieve_v the_o whole_a revelation_n be_v principal_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o this_o testimony_n which_o i_o have_v assert_v to_o be_v most_o demonstrative_a and_o satisfactory_a and_o such_o sure_o our_o saviour_n think_v it_o himself_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o that_o when_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v you_o may_v believe_v joh._n 13._o 19_o and_o 16._o 4._o whether_o then_o the_o unbeliever_n who_o pretend_v to_o a_o primogeniture_n in_o wit_n and_o reason_n have_v this_o conviction_n offer_v they_o under_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o prediction_n fulfil_v more_o than_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n have_v as_o the_o atheist_n and_o sceptic_n of_o our_o age_n may_v not_o by_o ascribe_v all_o to_o a_o cheat_n sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o well_o as_o they_o in_o matt._n 12._o be_v a_o question_n i_o will_v not_o absolute_o determine_v in_o the_o affirmative_a but_o ought_v not_o methinks_v to_o be_v carry_v in_o the_o negative_a so_o dogmatical_o as_o by_o the_o author_n of_o our_o age_n it_o have_v who_o lead_v i_o believe_v etc._n hales_n etc._n etc._n by_o their_o own_o native_a tenderness_n and_o benignity_n have_v conclude_v there_o be_v no_o meridian_n for_o that_o sin_n to_o appear_v in_o now_o the_o age_n of_o miracle_n be_v past_a to_o confirm_v the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n the_o spirit_n both_o of_o power_n and_o prophecy_n be_v give_v believer_n as_o the_o prophet_n and_o jesus_n foretell_v and_o the_o manifest_a effect_n of_o this_o remain_n unto_o
therefore_o be_v the_o proposition_n i_o shall_v insist_v upon_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o as_o reveal_n god_n mind_n only_o for_o that_o be_v the_o question_n but_o as_o predict_v to_o confirm_v what_o be_v reveal_v be_v primary_o the_o testimony_n the_o reason_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a offer_n be_v these_o two_n first_o because_o this_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v that_o tally_n can_v be_v counterfeit_v but_o may_v easy_o be_v discover_v by_o certain_a rule_n of_o trial_n second_o because_o all_o age_n be_v equal_o under_o its_o conviction_n which_o they_o be_v not_o as_o to_o any_o other_o testimony_n abstract_v from_o this_o nay_o succeed_a age_n have_v the_o advantage_n in_o this_o and_o may_v rely_v upon_o it_o as_o that_o which_o give_v credit_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n first_o because_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v that_o tally_n can_v be_v counterfeit_v but_o may_v easy_o be_v discover_v and_o therefore_o god_n give_v it_o to_o the_o world_n to_o prevent_v delusion_n in_o matter_n of_o revelation_n the_o intention_n of_o his_o mercy_n to_o recover_v mankind_n from_o the_o fall_n god_n hold_v forth_o the_o faith_n and_o hope_n of_o to_z adam_z and_o all_o his_o posterity_n in_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o seed_n that_o shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n i._n e._n in_o the_o gospel_n style_n shall_v 8._o gen._n 3._o 15._o 1_o joh._n 3._o 8._o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o lest_o the_o subtle_a serpent_n shall_v set_v up_o one_o of_o his_o own_o party_n under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o redeem_v mankind_n when_o the_o conceal_a intention_n be_v to_o enslave_v they_o more_o god_n do_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o several_a age_n so_o individualize_v that_o redeemer_n so_o precise_o foretell_v his_o time_n so_o notify_v all_o his_o transaction_n that_o in_o common_a reason_n he_o may_v be_v know_v from_o all_o other_o and_o this_o want_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o our_o saviour_n wonder_v at_o in_o the_o pharisee_n who_o seek_v a_o sign_n of_o he_o you_o can_v discern_v the_o 1._o matt._n 16._o 1._o face_n of_o the_o sky_n but_o can_v you_o not_o discern_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o time_n i._o e._n that_o these_o be_v the_o time_n of_o your_o expect_a messiah_n presignify_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o you_o need_v no_o sign_n from_o i_o to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o correspondency_n of_o my_o time_n and_o action_n to_o their_o prediction_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v thus_o characterise_v the_o person_n the_o time_n the_o action_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n must_v needs_o be_v he_o of_o who_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n do_v write_v joh._n 1._o 45._o i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o clear_a in_o this_o i_o refer_v to_o the_o evangelist_n especial_o st._n matthew_n who_o still_o appeal_v elsewhere_o appeal_v as_o matt._n 18._o 17._o and_o elsewhere_o even_o in_o christ_n miracle_n to_o what_o be_v write_v in_o the_o prophet_n take_v then_o this_o for_o grant_v i_o say_v that_o this_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v that_o tally_n can_v not_o be_v counterfeit_v give_v therefore_o by_o god_n to_o prevent_v delusion_n in_o matter_n pretend_v to_o revelation_n and_o so_o it_o be_v emphatical_o the_o testimony_n not_o that_o a_o lie_a spirit_n can_v not_o pretend_v a_o divination_n as_o well_o as_o a_o revelation_n but_o that_o it_o can_v not_o predict_v a_o future_a contingent_a event_n especial_o remote_a so_o as_o to_o adventure_v on_o the_o trial_n of_o prophecy_n and_o all_o heathen_a divination_n boggle_v here_o for_o it_o be_v as_o infallible_a a_o rule_n that_o none_o but_o the_o divine_a spirit_n can_v be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n as_o it_o be_v that_o remote_a future_a contingency_n can_v be_v clear_o foresee_v and_o certain_o foretell_v by_o none_o but_o omniscient_a veracity_n and_o therefore_o set_v aside_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n which_o find_v natural_a religion_n there_o be_v no_o effect_n that_o argue_v a_o immediate_a divinity_n for_o its_o cause_n so_o clear_o as_o the_o prophetical_a prediction_n do_v because_o there_o be_v more_o easy_a and_o certain_a rule_n of_o trial_n to_o discern_v which_o be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n than_o any_o divine_a operation_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o thing_n for_o wonderful_a work_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o that_o energy_n which_o the_o creator_n at_o first_o enrich_v nature_n with_o and_o so_o a_o 71._o a_o quare_fw-la absolutè_fw-la concludimus_fw-la omne_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o scripture_n verè_fw-la narrantur_fw-la contigisse_fw-la ea_fw-la secundum_fw-la leges_fw-la naturae_fw-la ut_fw-la omne_fw-la necessario_fw-la contigisse_fw-la et_fw-la si_fw-la quid_fw-la reperiatur_fw-la legibus_fw-la naturae_fw-la repugnare_fw-la aut_fw-la ex_fw-la iis_fw-la consequi_fw-la non_fw-la potuisse_fw-la planè_fw-la credendum_fw-la id_fw-la à _fw-la sacrilegis_fw-la hominibus_fw-la sacris_fw-la literis_fw-la adjectum_fw-la esse_fw-la tract_n theo._n pol._n c._n 6._o p_o 71._o late_a offspring_n of_o the_o leviathan_n affirm_v but_o prediction_n be_v self-evident_o a_o immediate_a issue_n from_o the_o divinity_n de_fw-fr novo_fw-la which_o if_o so_o and_o press_v home_o upon_o the_o leviathan_n and_o his_o first-born_a now_o mention_v will_v show_v they_o other_o ground_n for_o christian_a faith_n and_o scripture_n than_o only_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n 37._o god_n leviath_n cap._n 36_o 37._o lieutenant_n now_o the_o rule_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n by_o as_o i_o take_v it_o be_v but_o these_o two_n first_o that_o the_o thing_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n which_o be_v always_o a_o injunction_n or_o prohibition_n with_o their_o annex_n have_v not_o intrinsical_v evil_a in_o it_o or_o necessary_o derivative_a from_o it_o peccant_a against_o the_o law_n of_o morality_n settle_v in_o the_o first_o creation_n i._n e._n against_o natural_a religion_n or_o a_o former_a law_n reveal_v and_o on_o good_a ground_n accept_v as_o divine_a for_o god_n law_n never_o contradict_v one_o another_o neither_o be_v his_o wisdom_n so_o shortsighted_a as_o to_o set_v up_o contrary_a institution_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o the_o christian_a law_n destroy_v not_o the_o moysaicall_a but_o complete_v its_o imperfection_n i_o come_v not_o to_o destroy_v but_o to_o fulfil_v i._n e._n to_o fill_v up_o this_o be_v the_o primary_n and_o grand_a rule_n of_o trial_n to_o which_o man_n non-attendance_n have_v at_o last_o debauch_v all_o religion_n make_v it_o a_o wild_a and_o unaccountable_a thing_n and_o let_v in_o that_o spirit_n of_o giddiness_n that_o expose_v man_n to_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n the_o second_o rule_n of_o trial_n be_v this_o that_o the_o revelation_n pretend_v from_o god_n and_o not_o peccant_a as_o aforesaid_a shall_v be_v confirm_v with_o a_o sign_n i._n e._n prediction_n fulfil_v these_o two_o rule_n bring_v the_o whole_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n under_o trial_n let_v the_o rabbi_n and_o they_o that_o in_o this_o admire_v they_o multiply_v never_o so_o many_o i_o apprehend_v not_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o any_o more_o or_o that_o reason_n require_v they_o only_o two_o thing_n be_v here_o to_o be_v observe_v first_o that_o in_o whatever_o matter_n it_o consist_v whether_o miracle_n or_o not_o yet_o be_v a_o contingency_n the_o formality_n of_o a_o sign_n consist_v in_o prediction_n fulfil_v second_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o trial_n by_o sign_n be_v but_o secondary_a and_o subordinate_a to_o that_o of_o trial_n by_o natural_a religion_n i._n e._n a_o former_a law_n whether_o that_o of_o creation_n or_o revelation_n after_o confirm_v and_o accept_v and_o all_o this_o be_v plain_a from_o deut._n 18._o and_o the_o 13_o chapter_n first_o when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o 22._o chap._n 18._o 22._o lord_n i._n e._n pretend_v a_o revelation_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v the_o defect_n of_o prediction_n fulfil_v overthrow_v the_o pretence_n of_o inspiration_n or_o revelation_n which_o necessary_o argue_v whatever_n the_o materiality_n of_o a_o sign_n be_v its_o 33._o its_o jer._n 28._o 9_o ezek._n 33._o 33._o formality_n consist_v in_o prediction_n fulfil_v though_o i_o allow_v it_o be_v often_o but_o not_o always_o in_o a_o matter_n or_o work_v miraculous_a that_o what_o omniscience_n have_v say_v omnipotence_n may_v back_o and_o awaken_v the_o understanding_n by_o the_o impression_n on_o sense_n second_o if_o a_o sign_n or_o prediction_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v to_o promote_v idolatry_n or_o any_o thing_n destructive_a to_o natural_a religion_n or_o a_o former_a divine_a law_n reveal_v thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o that_o prophet_n for_o the_o lord_n etc._n deut._n 13._o 3_o