atheism_n but_o because_o to_o outstrip_v the_o devil_n and_o not_o believe_v at_o all_o be_v impossible_a long_o to_o continue_v and_o religion_n in_o general_n be_v so_o plant_v in_o nature_n that_o it_o will_v recur_v and_o keep_v the_o field_n therefore_o the_o most_o corrupt_a religion_n in_o special_a be_v fit_a at_o last_o to_o be_v choose_v and_o so_o atheism_n devolve_v to_o popery_n and_o send_v so_o many_o newgate-converts_a to_o tyburn_n as_o that_o party_n boast_v of_o but_o conviction_n without_o bitterness_n be_v all_o the_o application_n i_o shall_v tender_v from_o this_o discourse_n and_o that_o particular_o to_o the_o three_o abovesaid_a first_o to_o atheism_n thus_o if_o the_o scriptural_a revelation_n which_o be_v the_o christian_a institution_n be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v for_o he_o that_o consider_v it_o as_o become_v a_o reasonable_a man_n and_o yet_o disbelieve_v it_o reject_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o prime_a verity_n 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to_o weigh_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o jesuit_n casuistical_a divinity_n for_o never_o do_v any_o pretend_a religion_n so_o bold_o and_o palpable_o refix_v the_o common_a and_o natural_a sentiment_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a as_o that_o have_v do_v and_o god_n grant_v that_o no_o profession_n among_o ourselves_o by_o thirst_v after_o new_a light_n and_o inspiration_n pretend_v to_o differ_v from_o they_o may_v yet_o symbolize_v with_o they_o in_o this_o particular_a last_o to_o the_o vicious_a protestant_n or_o member_n as_o he_o call_v himself_o of_o the_o church_n reform_v the_o conviction_n apply_v itself_o for_o such_o a_o one_o stand_v self-condemned_a a_o good_a believer_n as_o he_o think_v himself_o and_o a_o bad_a liver_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a absurdity_n in_o the_o world_n and_o may_v not_o this_o be_v fear_v as_o much_o as_o popery_n for_o that_o make_v but_o man_n this_o make_v god_n our_o enemy_n we_o talk_v much_o at_o this_o day_n of_o unite_n different_a party_n joint_o disclaim_v popery_n and_o god_n grant_v it_o may_v succeed_v to_o good_a effect_n but_o if_o it_o be_v a_o union_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o religion_n i_o hope_v they_o will_v let_v we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o law_n establish_v know_v what_o faith_n they_o be_v of_o as_o they_o know_v we_o for_o methinks_v all_o or_o most_o difference_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v reconcile_v but_o one_o and_o that_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o this_o indeed_o be_v eternal_o irreconcilable_a the_o best_a method_n then_o of_o unite_n we_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o reform_a religion_n be_v to_o carry_v on_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v most_o needful_a not_o to_o reform_v the_o church_n but_o the_o member_n of_o it_o i._n e._n the_o evil_n we_o be_v guilty_a of_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v more_o in_o our_o power_n than_o our_o governor_n else_o i_o will_v not_o mention_v it_o but_o then_o as_o i_o say_v before_o evil_a and_o vice_n must_v have_v its_o due_a latitude_n which_o take_v in_o giddy_a and_o enthusiastic_a opinion_n as_o well_o as_o sensual_a and_o sinful_a practice_n for_o there_o be_v a_o filthiness_n 1._o 2_o cor._n 7._o 1._o of_o the_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o flesh_n i_o mean_v ungovernable_a spiritual_a pride_n and_o intellectual_a debauchery_n as_o well_o as_o sensual_a and_o will_v all_o sort_n of_o people_n joint_o disclaim_v popery_n set_v themselves_o sincere_o and_o humble_o about_o this_o great_a work_n of_o reformation_n it_o will_v certain_o dispose_v their_o heart_n to_o the_o union_n of_o charity_n and_o good_a affection_n though_o it_o may_v not_o in_o every_o particular_a mould_n their_o head_n into_o a_o unity_n of_o notion_n and_o without_o this_o unity_n in_o good_a affection_n it_o be_v strange_a if_o a_o church_n or_o kingdom_n so_o divide_v shall_v stand_v in_o a_o word_n that_o our_o faith_n in_o jesus_n may_v be_v rational_a and_o last_a i_o have_v press_v the_o best_a argument_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o conviction_n i_o know_v that_o it_o may_v work_v by_o love_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o christian_a affection_n shall_v be_v my_o prayer_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v all_o our_o endeavour_n till_o we_o all_o 13._o eph._n 4._o 13._o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n which_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n grant_v by_o direct_v and_o succeed_v these_o and_o all_o the_o ministery_n of_o his_o appointment_n through_o the_o continual_a blessing_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o jesus_n our_o lord_n to_o who_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v praise_n and_o honour_n and_o glory_n eternal_a amen_n finis_fw-la
proposition_n seem_v pregnant_a with_o a_o peculiar_a observation_n which_o i_o shall_v offer_v you_o in_o these_o three_o particular_n first_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n i._n e._n he_o and_o none_o beside_o second_o it_o be_v not_o the_o person_n employ_v man_n or_o angel_n upon_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 three_o that_o primary_o and_o above_o all_o other_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n this_o last_o because_o little_o consider_v by_o any_o that_o i_o have_v see_v or_o not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o argument_n in_o my_o apprehension_n deserve_v be_v that_o i_o main_o intend_v and_o therefore_o without_o occur_v to_o all_o the_o objection_n i_o foresee_v in_o the_o two_o former_a i_o shall_v dispatch_v they_o brief_o first_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n so_o peculiar_o he_o that_o it_o never_o be_v produce_v to_o abet_v any_o cause_n or_o interest_n but_o he_o and_o what_o relate_v to_o it_o the_o first_o time_n the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n be_v in_o the_o concern_v of_o jesus_n to_o foretell_v his_o come_n and_o his_o undertake_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n gen._n 3._o 15._o it_o be_v true_a the_o divine_a spirit_n before_o reduce_v the_o creation_n into_o order_n when_o it_o move_v or_o brood_a upon_o the_o 2._o gen._n 1._o 2._o face_n of_o the_o water_n and_o as_o that_o word_n import_v hatch_v the_o world_n into_o a_o lively_a form_n but_o this_o it_o do_v as_o a_o spirit_n of_o power_n not_o as_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n when_o it_o exert_v itself_o as_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n from_o first_o to_o last_o it_o treat_v sole_o of_o jesus_n and_o his_o interest_n such_o as_o be_v either_o antecedent_o concomitant_o or_o consequent_o relate_v to_o his_o exhibition_n and_o undertake_n as_o all_o thing_n 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age_n or_o our_o own_o which_o i_o will_v not_o absolute_o reject_v i_o esteem_v no_o other_o than_o the_o preventive_a act_n of_o a_o gracious_a providence_n the_o like_a to_o which_o may_v by_o wise_a man_n be_v observe_v in_o other_o various_a instance_n of_o common_a life_n which_o natural_o awaken_v the_o mind_n to_o caution_n and_o reflection_n but_o will_v not_o amount_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o else_o if_o ever_o they_o arise_v to_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o title_n it_o will_v be_v find_v they_o be_v in_o order_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n as_o abimelech_n may_v be_v show_v to_o be_v for_o i_o can_v never_o 20._o gen._n 20._o think_v that_o any_o other_o cause_n beside_o what_o relate_v to_o he_o as_o sarahs_n do_v shall_v be_v vouchsafe_v the_o honour_n of_o so_o divine_a a_o testimony_n isai_n 41._o 21_o etc._n etc._n chap._n 43._o 9_o and_o chap._n 44._o 7._o 24_o etc._n etc._n second_o humane_a prudence_n may_v conjecture_v and_o sometime_o hit_v it_o it_o can_v certain_o foretell_v future_a contingency_n without_o this_o spirit_n three_o angelical_a sagacity_n may_v with_o great_a probability_n foresee_v contingency_n near_o at_o hand_n when_o once_o conceive_v and_o animate_v in_o the_o womb_n of_o second_o cause_n as_o the_o issue_n of_o a_o battle_n or_o a_o cause_n depend_v but_o this_o presage_a faculty_n of_o angel_n whether_o good_a or_o bad_a be_v ever_o defective_a in_o two_o property_n requisite_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n first_o in_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o foresight_n second_o in_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o thing_n fore-seen_a for_o defect_n in_o certainty_n the_o most_o renown_a heathen_a oracle_n be_v general_o ambiguous_a thereby_o to_o salve_v their_o reputation_n be_v the_o event_n what_o it_o will_v and_o for_o defect_n in_o distance_n they_o be_v seldom_o i_o think_v or_o never_o consult_v but_o about_o the_o success_n of_o a_o action_n already_o on_o the_o wheel_n or_o prepare_v for_o and_o i_o suppose_v these_o two_o consideration_n may_v help_v we_o to_o account_v for_o all_o the_o art_n of_o heathen_a divination_n for_o why_o may_v not_o a_o prudent_a man_n that_o understand_v the_o temper_n and_o interest_n of_o both_o army_n have_v satisfy_v young_a pompey_n the_o night_n before_o the_o pharsalian_a field_n as_o well_o as_o the_o witch_n of_o thessaly_n by_o her_o familiar_a daemon_n 6._o lucan_n lib._n 6._o especial_o if_o acquaint_v with_o daniel_n prophecy_n as_o no_o doubt_n the_o devil_n be_v concern_v the_o four_o monarchy_n which_o now_o call_v for_o its_o proper_a head_n in_o caesar_n and_o be_v inconsistent_a long_o under_o pompey_n cause_n i._n e._n the_o senate_n four_o how_o far_o soever_o into_o the_o future_a the_o contrivance_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n may_v succeed_v without_o this_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n yet_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n two_o thing_n be_v observable_a first_o that_o the_o last_o result_v of_o such_o plot_n and_o contrivance_n prove_v ever_o something_o beside_o if_o not_o contrary_a to_o the_o grand_a intendment_n of_o the_o projector_n of_o which_o instance_n in_o all_o politic_a gest_n record_v be_v innumerable_a second_o the_o most_o project_v politician_n abstract_v from_o this_o spirit_n ever_o find_v some_o link_n in_o the_o chain_n of_o his_o contrivance_n break_v which_o he_o be_v force_v to_o piece_n up_o anew_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o affair_n will_v permit_v and_o to_o let_v all_o man_n see_v that_o only_o the_o all-seeing_a counsel_n of_o god_n shall_v stand_v all_o other_o consult_v even_o at_o their_o height_n have_v fall_v as_o in_o the_o four_o monarchy_n whereof_o the_o best_a account_n that_o can_v be_v give_v be_v that_o the_o utmost_a create_a foresight_n be_v short_a and_o defectible_a and_o therefore_o the_o best_a lay_v project_n subject_a to_o defeat_v whereas_o the_o unerring_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v both_o certain_a and_o extend_v to_o the_o most_o distant_a futurity_n so_o that_o it_o have_v determinate_o foretell_v ex_fw-la gr_n the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o the_o four_o monarchy_n that_o so_o it_o may_v make_v heaven_n make_v for_o the_o communication_n the_o world_n enjoy_v by_o be_v under_o one_o monarchy_n do_v extreme_o facilitate_v the_o gospel_n propagation_n and_o be_v foretell_v to_o be_v in_o the_o four_o monarchy_n do_v in_o all_o reason_n oblige_v it_o to_o 〈◊〉_d submission_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o heaven_n way_n for_o jesus_n and_o his_o everlasting_a kingdom_n last_o what_o look_v with_o the_o face_n of_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n the_o oracle_n and_o divination_n of_o the_o heathen_a for_o i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o of_o our_o astrological_a vanity_n be_v apparent_o act_v by_o the_o sophistry_n of_o evil_n man_n or_o angel_n and_o be_v as_o far_o below_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n as_o liegerdu-main_a be_v of_o work_v of_o miracle_n and_o that_o the_o prince_n of_o devil_n though_o so_o ambitious_a to_o be_v like_o god_n can_v never_o reach_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n this_o to_o i_o be_v a_o demonstration_n viz._n that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o celebrate_a oracle_n when_o it_o be_v proper_a he_o have_v not_o foretell_v the_o come_n of_o some_o successful_a antichristian_a power_n as_o 54._o the_o bold_a attempt_n in_o a_o determinate_a prediction_n that_o i_o remember_v among_o the_o heathen_n be_v that_o mention_v by_o st._n austin_n de_fw-fr civet_fw-la lib_n 18._o cap._n 53._o excogitaverunt_fw-la nescio_fw-la quos_fw-la versus_fw-la graecos_n tanquam_fw-la consulenti_fw-la cuidam_fw-la divino_fw-la oraculo_fw-la effusos_fw-la ut_fw-la coleretur_fw-la christi_fw-la nomen_fw-la per_fw-la 365_o annos_fw-la deinde_fw-la completo_fw-la memorato_fw-la numero_fw-la annorum_fw-la sine_fw-la morâ_fw-la sumeret_fw-la finem_fw-la this_o as_o he_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n compute_v shall_v have_v be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o consulship_n of_o honorius_n and_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
finger_n of_o god_n i_o be_o sensible_a the_o common_a opinion_n press_v i_o most_o with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o my_o doctrine_n evacuate_v the_o conviction_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o patronise_v the_o jew_n infidelity_n in_o not_o believe_v for_o the_o work_v sake_n but_o as_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o a_o judicious_a man_n this_o be_v a_o jackson_n dr._n jackson_n mistake_n for_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o trial_n whereby_o to_o discern_v that_o the_o work_n of_o jesus_n be_v wrought_v in_o god_n and_o not_o in_o beelzebub_n and_o that_o rule_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n which_o like_o the_o light_n as_o it_o self-evident_o manifest_v its_o own_o divinity_n so_o by_o its_o illustration_n it_o manifest_v other_o thing_n which_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n those_o oracle_n commit_v to_o the_o jew_n have_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n so_o bear_v so_o 2._o rom._n 3._o 2._o qualify_v so_o circumstantiate_v as_o jesus_n and_o none_o other_o ever_o be_v shall_v do_v these_o particular_a work_n of_o wonder_n so_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o they_o true_o sign_n and_o therefore_o convictive_a not_o sole_o because_o divine_a operation_n for_o that_o be_v the_o question_n but_o because_o they_o be_v contingency_n determinate_o foretell_v and_o this_o be_v plain_a from_o our_o saviour_n answer_n to_o the_o pharisee_n require_v a_o sign_n matt._n 16._o 3._o can_v you_o not_o discern_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o time_n or_o as_o st._n luke_n this_o time_n chap._n 12._o 56._o where_o in_o st._n luke_n christ_n add_v as_o awaken_n their_o common_a reason_n yea_o why_o do_v you_o not_o of_o yourselves_o judge_v what_o be_v right_a which_o argue_v that_o they_o have_v a_o rule_n to_o judge_v by_o i._n e._n why_o do_v you_o not_o of_o yourselves_o without_o my_o grant_v your_o request_n of_o a_o sign_n judge_v out_o of_o the_o prophet_n that_o i_o be_o the_o messiah_n the_o work_n that_o i_o do_v in_o my_o father_n name-bear_a witness_n of_o 36._o john_n 5._o 36._o i_o i._n e._n who_o i_o be_o why_o how_o the_o answer_n christ_n make_v to_o john_n the_o baptist_n disciple_n matt._n 11._o 4._o resolve_n it_o go_v tell_v john_n what_o you_o see_v and_o hear_v the_o blind_a see_v the_o lame_a walk_n etc._n etc._n i._n e._n go_v tell_v he_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n you_o see_v be_v 46._o all_o christ_n miracle_n be_v sign_n to_o the_o jew_n because_o presignify_v by_o the_o prophet_n who_o the_o jew_n believe_v and_o in_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o grace_n the_o messiah_n be_v therefore_o send_v to_o that_o people_n first_o who_o have_v the_o record_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n i_o be_o not_o send_v but_o to_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n why_o mankind_n have_v as_o much_o interest_n in_o he_o as_o they_o but_o the_o most_o satisfactory_a convictive_a way_n of_o propagate_a his_o faith_n to_o mankind_n be_v from_o they_o which_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o be_v to_o be_v preach_v to_o all_o nation_n begin_v from_o jerusalem_n luke_n 24._o 46._o fulfil_v by_o i_o isai_n 35._o 6._o and_o 61._o 1._o and_o then_o let_v he_o and_o you_o consider_v who_o i_o be_o where_o christ_n to_o that_o grand_a question_n which_o be_v the_o pharisee_n as_o well_o as_o john_n in_o answer_n produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o hereby_o he_o prove_v his_o work_n to_o be_v divine_a or_o that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o the_o father_n as_o he_o himself_o speak_v and_o then_o i_o allow_v most_o unquestionable_a and_o demonstrative_a conviction_n and_o why_o be_v not_o this_o that_o which_o aggrandize_v their_o sin_n into_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n matt._n 12._o that_o they_o wilful_o withstand_v the_o conviction_n not_o only_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o power_n but_o of_o prophecy_n too_o of_o which_o latter_a they_o be_v such_o competent_a judge_n whatever_o they_o be_v of_o the_o former_a nay_o it_o be_v further_a observable_a in_o this_o matter_n that_o after_o jesus_n have_v press_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o two_o first_o witness_n in_o heaven_n viz._n the_o father_n voice_n and_o the_o son_n miracle_n joh._n 5._o 36_o 37._o he_o final_o lay_v the_o stress_n of_o his_o conviction_n on_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o i._n e._n 46_o joh._n 5._o 46_o the_o grand_a witness_n i_o appeal_v to_o at_o the_o bar_n of_o man_n judgement_n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o the_o write_a record_n search_v the_o scripture_n and_o all_o this_o to_o prove_v what_o christ_n 39_o v._o 39_o have_v say_v v._o 30._o that_o the_o father_n send_v he_o where_o after_o all_o the_o other_o testimony_n produce_v he_o final_o rely_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n but_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o his_o writing_n how_o shall_v you_o believe_v my_o word_n where_o jesus_n himself_o 47._o v._o 47._o plain_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o humane_a judgement_n the_o test_n both_o of_o his_o word_n and_o work_n and_o all_o his_o pretension_n of_o divine_a mission_n mention_v v._o 30_o etc._n etc._n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n as_o predict_v so_o that_o i_o see_v not_o but_o we_o may_v conclude_v without_o any_o derogation_n that_o christ_n miracle_n receive_v the_o force_n of_o their_o conviction_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o of_o power_n only_o and_o so_o the_o apostle_n miracle_n do_v too_o for_o as_o christ_n miracle_n be_v determinate_o foretell_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n so_o the_o apostle_n miracle_n be_v by_o christ_n both_o be_v sign_n i._n e._n foretell_v christ_n work_n in_o all_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o apostle_n mark_v 16._o 17._o these_o sign_n shall_v follow_v they_o and_o elsewhere_o and_o this_o be_v the_o gospel_n confirmation_n god_n bear_v they_o witness_n both_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o divers_a 4._o heb._n 2._o 3_o 4._o miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o first_o of_o sign_n convictive_a as_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o omniscient_a verity_n the_o second_o of_o miracle_n awaken_n the_o sense_n and_o thereby_o the_o understanding_n to_o consider_v that_o conviction_n as_o the_o force_n of_o omnipotence_n most_o effectual_o in_o this_o dull_a state_n can_v the_o last_o of_o gift_n as_o qualify_a the_o gospel_n minister_n to_o so_o difficult_a a_o employment_n last_o after_o all_o their_o miracle_n both_o jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n back_o their_o doctrine_n with_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o hang_v the_o weight_n of_o their_o conviction_n thereon_o this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v speak_v or_o thus_o it_o be_v write_v throughout_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o i_o think_v it_o be_v most_o remarkable_a that_o after_o all_o possible_a satisfaction_n give_v to_o their_o sense_n christ_n prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o this_o testimony_n and_o it_o be_v speak_v signanter_n then_o open_v he_o their_o understanding_n that_o 46._o luk._n 24._o 45_o 46._o they_o may_v understand_v the_o scripture_n i._n e._n he_o explain_v the_o scripture_n intelligible_o to_o they_o and_o say_v unto_o they_o thus_o it_o be_v write_v etc._n etc._n from_o all_o which_o consider_v i_o may_v conclude_v this_o first_o reason_n why_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v the_o testimony_n because_o it_o be_v that_o tally_n can_v not_o be_v counterfeit_v give_v therefore_o to_o prevent_v delusion_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o trial_n be_v easy_a and_o certain_a and_o no_o divination_n can_v bear_v the_o test_n but_o what_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n its_o author_n or_o else_o deserve_v not_o the_o name_n of_o prophecy_n second_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n because_o all_o age_n be_v under_o its_o conviction_n equal_o more_o than_o they_o be_v of_o any_o other_o abstract_v from_o this_o and_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o testimony_n be_v permanent_a and_o the_o rest_n without_o this_o be_v transient_a though_o this_o adjoin_v make_v even_o they_o permanent_a too_o ex._n gr_n 1._o the_o father_n voice_n as_o i_o remember_v be_v only_o hear_v at_o the_o baptism_n and_o transfiguration_n of_o jesus_n 2._o the_o word_n incarnate_a be_v personal_o present_a only_o in_o the_o day_n of_o augustus_n and_o tiberius_n 3._o the_o holy_a ghost_n visible_a descent_n be_v but_o once_o at_o jordan_n and_o once_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n and_o these_o as_o general_o interpret_v be_v the_o three_o in_o heaven_n so_o likewise_o for_o the_o other_o three_o on_o earth_n 1._o holiness_n or_o moral_a goodness_n be_v the_o pretence_n of_o every_o philosopher_n a_o stand_a and_o laudable_a testimony_n i_o confess_v and_o therefore_o the_o grand_a design_n