(38)Maimonidesandothersdoindeedmaintainthattheseandeveryotherinstanceofangelicapparitions(e。g。toManoahandtoAbrahamofferingupIsaac)occurredduringsleep，forthatnoonewithhiseyesopenevercouldseeanangel，butthisismerenonsense。(39)ThesoleobjectofsuchcommentatorsseemstobetoextortfromScriptureconfirmationsofAristotelianquibblesandtheirowninventions，aproceedingwhichIregardastheacmeofabsurdity。
(40)Infigures，notrealbutexistingonlyintheprophet\'simagination，GodrevealedtoJosephhisfuturelordship，andinwordsandfiguresHerevealedtoJoshuathatHewouldfightfortheHebrews，causingtoappearanangel，asitweretheCaptainoftheLord\'shost，bearingasword，andbythismeanscommunicatingverbally。(41)TheforsakingofIsraelbyProvidencewasportrayedtoIsaiahbyavisionoftheLord，thethriceHoly，sittingonaveryloftythrone，andtheHebrews，stainedwiththemireoftheirsins，sunkasitwereinuncleanness，andthusasfaraspossibledistantfromGod。(42)Thewretchednessofthepeopleatthetimewasthusrevealed，whilefuturecalamitieswereforetoldinwords。IcouldcitefromHolyWritmanysimilarexamples，butIthinktheyaresufficientlywellknownalready。
(43)However，wegetastillmoreclearconfirmationofourpositioninNumxii:6，7，asfollows:\"Iftherebeanyprophetamongyou，ItheLordwillmakemyselfknownuntohiminavision\"(i。e。byappearancesandsigns，forGodsaysoftheprophecyofMosesthatitwasavisionwithoutsigns)，\"andwillspeakuntohiminadream\"(i。e。notwithactualwordsandanactualvoice)。(44)\"MyservantMosesisnotso；withhimwillIspeakmouthtomouth，evenapparently，andnotindarkspeeches，andthesimilitudeoftheLordheshallbehold，\"i。e。lookingonmeasafriendandnotafraid，hespeakswithme(cf。Exxxxiii:17)。
(45)Thismakesitindisputablethattheotherprophetsdidnotheararealvoice，andwegatherasmuchfromDeut。xxiv:10:\"AndtherearosenotaprophetsinceinIsraellikeuntoMoseswhomtheLordknewfacetoface，\"
whichmustmeanthattheLordspokewithnoneother；fornotevenMosessawtheLord\'sface。(46)ThesearetheonlymediaofcommunicationbetweenGodandmanwhichIfindmentionedinScripture，andthereforetheonlyoneswhichmaybesupposedorinvented。(47)WemaybeablequitetocomprehendthatGodcancommunicateimmediatelywithman，forwithouttheinterventionofbodilymeansHecommunicatestoourmindsHisessence；still，amanwhocanbypureintuitioncomprehendideaswhichareneithercontainedinnordeduciblefromthefoundationsofournaturalknowledge，mustnecessarilypossessamindfarsuperiortothoseofhisfellowmen，nordoIbelievethatanyhavebeensoendowedsaveChrist。(48)ToHimtheordinancesofGodleadingmentosalvationwererevealeddirectlywithoutwordsorvisions，sothatGodmanifestedHimselftotheApostlesthroughthemindofChristasHeformerlydidtoMosesthroughthesupernaturalvoice。(49)InthissensethevoiceofChrist，likethevoicewhichMosesheard，maybecalledthevoiceofGod，anditmaybesaidthatthewisdomofGod(，i。e。wisdommorethanhuman)tookuponitselfinChristhumannature，andthatChristwasthewayofsalvation。(50)ImustatthisjuncturedeclarethatthosedoctrineswhichcertainchurchesputforwardconcerningChrist，Ineitheraffirmnordeny，forIfreelyconfessthatIdonotunderstandthem。(51)WhatIhavejuststatedIgatherfromScripture，whereIneverreadthatGodappearedtoChrist，orspoketoChrist，butthatGodwasrevealedtotheApostlesthroughChrist；thatChristwastheWayofLife，andthattheoldlawwasgiventhroughanangel，andnotimmediatelybyGod；whenceitfollowsthatifMosesspokewithGodfacetofaceasamanspeakswithhisfriend(i。e。
bymeansoftheirtwobodies)ChristcommunedwithGodmindtomind。
(52)ThuswemayconcludethatnooneexceptChristreceivedtherevelationsofGodwithouttheaidofimagination，whetherinwordsorvision。(53)
Thereforethepowerofprophecyimpliesnotapeculiarlyperfectmind，butapeculiarlyvividimagination，asIwillshowmoreclearlyinthenextchapter。(54)WewillnowinquirewhatismeantintheBiblebytheSpiritofGodbreathedintotheprophets，orbytheprophetsspeakingwiththeSpiritofGod；tothatendwemustdeterminetheexactsignificationoftheHebrewwordroo\'-akh，Strong:7307，commonlytranslatedspirit。
(55)Thewordroo\'-akh，Strong:7307，literallymeansawind，e……q。thesouthwind，butitisfrequentlyemployedinotherderivativesignifications。
Itisusedasequivalentto，(56)(1。)Breath:\"Neitheristhereanyspiritinhismouth，\"Ps。cxxxv:17。
(57)(2。)Life，orbreathing:\"Andhisspiritreturnedtohim\"
1Sam。xxx:12；i。e。hebreathedagain。
(58)(3。)Courageandstrength:\"Neitherdidthereremainanymorespiritinanyman，\"Josh。ii:11；\"Andthespiritenteredintome，andmademestandonmyfeet，\"Ezek。ii:2。
(59)(4。)Virtueandfitness:\"Daysshouldspeak，andmultitudesofyearsshouldteachwisdom；butthereisaspiritinman，\"Jobxxxii:7；
i。e。wisdomisnotalwaysfoundamongoldmenforInowdiscoverthatitdependsonindividualvirtueandcapacity。So，\"AmaninwhomistheSpirit，\"Numbersxxvii:18。
(60)(5。)Habitofmind:\"Becausehehadanotherspiritwithhim，\"
Numbersxiv:24；i。e。anotherhabitofmind。\"BeholdIwillpouroutMySpirituntoyou，\"Prov。i:23。
(61)(6。)Will，purpose，desire，impulse:\"Whitherthespiritwastogo，theywent，\"Ezek。1:12；\"Thatcoverwithacovering，butnotofMySpirit，\"Is。xxx:1；\"FortheLordhathpouredoutonyouthespiritofdeepsleep，\"Is。xxix:10；\"Thenwastheirspiritsoftened，\"Judgesviii:3；\"Hethatrulethhisspirit，isbetterthanhethattakethacity，\"Prov。xvi:32；\"Hethathathnoruoverhisownspirit，\"Prov。xxv:28；\"Yourspiritasfireshalldevouryou，\"Isaiahxxxiii:l。
Fromthemeaningofdispositionweget-
(62)(7。)Passionsandfaculties。Aloftyspiritmeanspride，alowlyspirithumility，anevilspirithatredandmelancholy。So，too，theexpressionsspiritsofjealousy，fornication，wisdom，counsel，bravery，standforajealous，lascivious，wise，prudent，orbravemind(forweHebrewsusesubstantivesinpreferencetoadjectives)，orthesevariousqualities。
(63)(8。)Theminditself，orthelife:\"Yea，theyhaveallonespirit，\"
Eccles。iii:19\"ThespiritshallreturntoGodWhogaveit。\"
(64)(9。)Thequartersoftheworld(fromthewindswhichblowthence)，oreventhesideofanythingturnedtowardsaparticularquarter-
Ezek。xxxvii:9；xlii:16，17，18，19，&c。
(65)IhavealreadyalludedtothewayinwhichthingsarereferredtoGod，andsaidtobeofGod。
(66)(1。)AsbelongingtoHisnature，andbeing，asitwere，partofHim；e。gthepowerofGod，theeyesofGod。
(67)(2。)AsunderHisdominion，anddependingonHispleasure；thustheheavensarecalledtheheavensoftheLord，asbeingHischariotandhabitation。SoNebuchadnezzariscalledtheservantofGod，AssyriathescourgeofGod，&c。
(68)(3。)AsdedicatedtoHim，e。g。theTempleofGod，aNazareneofGod，theBreadofGod。
(69)(4。)Asrevealedthroughtheprophetsandnotthroughournaturalfaculties。InthissensetheMosaiclawiscalledthelawofGod。
(70)(5。)Asbeinginthesuperlativedegree。VeryhighmountainsarestyledthemountainsofGod，averydeepsleep，thesleepofGod，&c。InthissensewemustexplainAmosiv:11:
\"IhaveoverthrownyouastheoverthrowoftheLordcameuponSodomandGomorrah，\"i。e。
thatmemorableoverthrow，forsinceGodHimselfistheSpeaker，thepassagecannotwellbetakenotherwise。ThewisdomofSolomoniscalledthewisdomofGod，orextraordinary。ThesizeofthecedarsofLebanonisalludedtointhePsalmist\'sexpression，\"thecedarsoftheLord。\"
(71)Similarly，iftheJewswereatalosstounderstandanyphenomenon，orwereignorantofitscause，theyreferredittoGod。(72)ThusastormwastermedthechidingofGod，thunderandlightningthearrowsofGod，foritwasthoughtthatGodkeptthewindsconfinedincaves，Histreasuries；thusdifferingmerelyinnamefromtheGreekwind-godEolus。(73)InlikemannermiracleswerecalledworksofGod，asbeingespeciallymarvellous；thoughinreality，ofcourse，allnaturaleventsaretheworksofGod，andtakeplacesolelybyHispower。(74)ThePsalmistcallsthemiraclesinEgypttheworksofGod，becausetheHebrewsfoundinthemawayofsafetywhichtheyhadnotlookedfor，andthereforeespeciallymarvelledat。
(75)As，then，unusualnaturalphenomenaarecalledworksofGod，andtreesofunusualsizearecalledtreesofGod，wecannotwonderthatverystrongandtallmen，thoughimpiousrobbersandwhoremongers，areinGenesiscalledsonsofGod。
(76)ThisreferenceofthingswonderfultoGodwasnotpeculiartotheJews。
(77)Pharaoh，onhearingtheinterpretationofhisdream，exclaimedthatthemindofthegodswasinJoseph。(78)NebuchadnezzartoldDanielthathepossessedthemindoftheholygods；soalsoinLatinanythingwellmadeisoftensaidtobewroughtwithDivinehands，whichisequivalenttotheHebrewphrase，wroughtwiththehandofGod。
(80)WecannowveryeasilyunderstandandexplainthosepassagesofScripturewhichspeakoftheSpiritofGod。(81)Insomeplacestheexpressionmerelymeansaverystrong，dry，anddeadlywind，asinIsaiahxl:7，\"Thegrasswithereth，theflowerfadeth，becausetheSpiritoftheLordblowethuponit。\"(82)SimilarlyinGen。i:2:\"TheSpiritoftheLordmovedoverthefaceofthewaters。\"(83)Atothertimesitisusedasequivalenttoahighcourage，thusthespiritofGideonandofSamsoniscalledtheSpiritoftheLord，asbeingverybold，andpreparedforanyemergency。(84)AnyunusualvirtueorpoweriscalledtheSpiritorVirtueoftheLord，Ex。xxxi:3:\"Iwillfillhim(Bezaleel)withtheSpiritoftheLord，\"i。e。，astheBibleitselfexplains，withtalentaboveman\'susualendowment。(85)SoIsa。xi:2:\"AndtheSpiritoftheLordshallrestuponhim，\"isexplainedafterwardsinthetexttomeanthespiritofwisdomandunderstanding，ofcounselandmight。
(86)ThemelancholyofSauliscalledthemelancholyoftheLord，oraverydeepmelancholy，thepersonswhoappliedthetermshowingthattheyunderstoodbyitnothingsupernatural，inthattheysentforamusiciantoassuageitbyharp-playing。(87)Again，the\"SpiritoftheLord\"isusedasequivalenttothemindofman，forinstance，Jobxxvii:3:\"AndtheSpiritoftheLordinmynostrils，\"theallusionbeingtoGen。ii:7:\"AndGodbreathedintoman\'snostrilsthebreathoflife。\"(88)Ezekielalso，prophesyingtothedead，says(xxvii:14)，\"AndIwillgivetoyouMySpirit，andyeshalllive；\"i。e。Iwillrestoreyoutolife。(89)InJobxxxiv:14，weread:\"IfHegatheruntoHimselfHisSpiritandbreath；\"inGen。vi:3:
\"MySpiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman，forthathealsoisflesh，\"
i。e。sincemanactsonthedictatesofhisbody，andnotthespiritwhichI
gavehimtodiscernthegood，Iwilllethimalone。(90)So，too，Ps。li:12:
\"Createinmeacleanheart，0God，andrenewarightspiritwithinme；castmenotawayfromThypresence，andtakenotThyHolySpiritfromme。\"(91)
Itwassupposedthatsinoriginatedonlyfromthebody，andthatgoodimpulsescomefromthemind；thereforethePsalmistinvokestheaidofGodagainstthebodilyappetites，butpraysthatthespiritwhichtheLord，theHolyOne，hadgivenhimmightberenewed。(92)Again，inasmuchastheBible，inconcessiontopopularignorance，describesGodashavingamind，aheart，emotions-nay，evenabodyandbreath-theexpressionSpiritoftheLordisusedforGod\'smind，disposition，emotion，strength，orbreath。
(93)Thus，Isa。xl:13:\"WhohathdisposedtheSpiritoftheLord?\"i。e。who，saveHimself，hathcausedthemindoftheLordtowillanything，?andIsa。lxiii:10:\"Buttheyrebelled，andvexedtheHolySpirit。\"
(94)ThephrasecomestobeusedofthelawofMoses，whichinasenseexpoundsGod\'swill，Is。lxiii。11，\"WhereisHethatputHisHolySpiritwithinhim?\"meaning，asweclearlygatherfromthecontext，thelawofMoses。(95)Nehemiah，speakingofthegivingofthelaw，says，i:20，\"ThougavestalsothygoodSpirittoinstructthem。\"(96)ThisisreferredtoinDeut。iv:6，\"Thisisyourwisdomandunderstanding，\"andinPs。cxliii:10，\"ThygoodSpiritwillleadmeintothelandofuprightness。\"
(97)TheSpiritoftheLordmaymeanthebreathoftheLord，forbreath，nolessthanamind，aheart，andabodyareattributedtoGodinScripture，asinPs。xxxiii:6。(98)Henceitgetstomeanthepower，strength，orfacultyofGod，asinJobxxxiii:4，\"TheSpiritoftheLordmademe，\"i。e。thepower，or，ifyouprefer，thedecreeoftheLord。(99)SothePsalmistinpoeticlanguagedeclares，xxxiii:6，\"BythewordoftheLordweretheheavensmade，andallthehostofthembythebreathofHismouth，\"i。e。byamandateissued，asitwere，inonebreath。(100)AlsoPs。cxxxix:7，\"WithershallIgofromThySpirit，orwhithershallIfleefromThypresence?\"i。e。whithershallIgosoastobebeyondThypowerandThypresence?
(101)Lastly，theSpiritoftheLordisusedinScripturetoexpresstheemotionsofGod，e。g。Hiskindnessandmercy，Micahii:7，\"IstheSpirit[i。e。themercy]oftheLordstraitened?(102)ArethesecrueltiesHisdoings?\"(103)Zech。iv:6，\"Notbymightorbypower，butMySpirit[i。e。
mercy]，saiththeLordofhosts。\"(104)Thetwelfthverseoftheseventhchapterofthesameprophetmust，Ithink，beinterpretedinlikemanner:
\"Yea，theymadetheirheartsasanadamantstone，lesttheyshouldhearthelaw，andthewordswhichtheLordofhostshathsentinHisSpirit[i。e。inHismercy]bytheformerprophets。\"(105)SoalsoHaggaiii:5:\"SoMySpiritremainethamongyou:fearnot。\"
(106)ThepassageinIsaiahxlviii:16，\"AndnowtheLordandHisSpirithathsentme，\"maybetakentorefertoGod\'smercyorHisrevealedlaw；fortheprophetsays，\"Fromthebeginning\"(i。e。fromthetimewhenIfirstcametoyou，topreachGod\'sangerandHissentenceforthagainstyou)\"Ispokenotinsecret；fromthetimethatitwas，thereamI，\"andnowIamsentbythemercyofGodasajoyfulmessengertopreachyourrestoration。(107)Orwemayunderstandhimtomeanbytherevealedlawthathehadbeforecometowarnthembythecommandofthelaw(Levit。xix:17)inthesamemannerunderthesameconditionsasMoseshadwarnedthem，thatnow，likeMoses，heendsbypreachingtheirrestoration。(108)Butthefirstexplanationseemstomethebest。
(109)Returning，then，tothemainobjectofourdiscussion，wefindthattheScripturalphrases，\"TheSpiritoftheLordwasuponaprophet，\"\"TheLordbreathedHisSpiritintomen，\"\"MenwerefilledwiththeSpiritofGod，withtheHolySpirit，\"&c。，arequitecleartous，andmeanthatprophetswereendowedwithapeculiarandextraordinarypower，anddevotedthemselvestopietywithespecialconstancy(3)；thatthustheyperceivedthemindorthethoughtofGod，forwehaveshownthatGod\'sSpiritsignifiesinHebrewGod\'smindorthought，andthatthelawwhichshowsHismindandthoughtiscalledHisSpirit；hencethattheimaginationoftheprophets，inasmuchasthroughitwererevealedthedecreesofGod，mayequallybecalledthemindofGod，andtheprophetsbesaidtohavepossessedthemindofGod。(110)OnourmindsalsothemindofGodandHiseternalthoughtsareimpressed；butthisbeingthesameforallmenislesstakenintoaccount，especiallybytheHebrews，whoclaimedapre-eminence，anddespisedothermenandothermen\'sknowledge。
(111)Lastly，theprophetsweresaidtopossesstheSpiritofGodbecausemenknewnotthecauseofpropheticknowledge，andintheirwonderreferreditwithothermarvelsdirectlytotheDeity，stylingitDivineknowledge。
(111)WeneednolongerscrupletoaffirmthattheprophetsonlyperceivedGod\'srevelationbytheaidofimagination，thatis，bywordsandfigureseitherrealorimaginary。(112)WefindnoothermeansmentionedinScripture，andthereforemustnotinventany。(113)AstotheparticularlawofNaturebywhichthecommunicationstookplace，Iconfessmyignorance。
(114)Imight，indeed，sayasothersdo，thattheytookplacebythepowerofGod；butthiswouldbemeretrifling，andnobetterthanexplainingsomeuniquespecimenbyatranscendentalterm。(115)EverythingtakesplacebythepowerofGod。(116)NatureherselfisthepowerofGodunderanothername，andourignoranceofthepowerofGodisco-extensivewithourignoranceofNature。(117)Itisabsolutefolly，therefore，toascribeaneventtothepowerofGodwhenweknownotitsnaturalcause，whichisthepowerofGod。
(118)However，wearenotnowinquiringintothecausesofpropheticknowledge。(119)Weareonlyattempting，asIhavesaid，toexaminetheScripturaldocuments，andtodrawourconclusionsfromthemasfromultimatenaturalfacts；thecausesofthedocumentsdonotconcernus。
(120)AstheprophetsperceivedtherevelationsofGodbytheaidofimagination，theycouldindisputablyperceivemuchthatisbeyondtheboundaryoftheintellect，formanymoreideascanbeconstructedfromwordsandfiguresthanfromtheprinciplesandnotionsonwhichthewholefabricofreasonedknowledgeisreared。
(121)Thuswehaveacluetothefactthattheprophetsperceivednearlyeverythinginparablesandallegories，andclothedspiritualtruthsinbodilyforms，forsuchistheusualmethodofimagination。(122)WeneednolongerwonderthatScriptureandtheprophetsspeaksostrangelyandobscurelyofGod\'sSpiritorMind(cf。Numbersxi:17，1Kingsxxii:21，&c。)，thattheLordwasseenbyMicahassitting，byDanielasanoldmanclothedinwhite，byEzekielasafire，thattheHolySpiritappearedtothosewithChristasadescendingdove，totheapostlesasfierytongues，toPaulonhisconversionasagreatlight。(123)AlltheseexpressionsareplainlyinharmonywiththecurrentideasofGodandspirits。
(124)Inasmuchasimaginationisfleetingandinconstant，wefindthatthepowerofprophecydidnotremainwithaprophetforlong，normanifestitselffrequently，butwasveryrare；manifestingitselfonlyinafewmen，andinthemnotoften。
(125)Wemustnecessarilyinquirehowtheprophetsbecameassuredofthetruthofwhattheyperceivedbyimagination，andnotbysurementallaws；
butourinvestigationmustbeconfinedtoScripture，forthesubjectisoneonwhichwecannotacquirecertainknowledge，andwhichwecannotexplainbytheimmediatecauses。(126)ScriptureteachingabouttheassuranceofprophetsIwilltreatofinthenextchapter。
CHAPTERII-OFPROPHETS。
(1)Itfollowsfromthelastchapterthat，asIhavesaid，theprophetswereendowedwithunusuallyvividimaginations，andnotwithunusually，perfectminds。(2)ThisconclusionisamplysustainedbyScripture，forwearetoldthatSolomonwasthewisestofmen，buthadnospecialfacultyofprophecy。
(3)Heman，Calcol，andDara，thoughmenofgreattalent，werenotprophets，whereasuneducatedcountrymen，nay，evenwomen，suchasHagar，Abraham\'shandmaid，werethusgifted。(4)Noristhiscontrarytoordinaryexperienceandreason。(5)Menofgreatimaginativepowerarelessfittedforabstractreasoning，whereasthosewhoexcelinintellectanditsusekeeptheirimaginationmorerestrainedandcontrolled，holdingitinsubjection，sotospeak，lestitshouldusurptheplaceofreason。
(6)Thustosupposethatknowledgeofnaturalandspiritualphenomenacanbegainedfromthepropheticbooks，isanuttermistake，whichIshallendeavourtoexpose，asIthinkphilosophy，theage，andthequestionitselfdemand。(7)Icarenotforthegirdingsofsuperstition，forsuperstitionisthebitterenemy，ofalltrueknowledgeandtruemorality。(8)Yes；ithascometothis!(9)MenwhoopenlyconfessthattheycanformnoideaofGod，andonlyknowHimthroughcreatedthings，ofwhichtheyknownotthecauses，canunblushingly，accusephilosophersofAtheism。(10)Treatingthequestionmethodically，Iwillshowthatpropheciesvaried，notonlyaccordingtotheimaginationandphysicaltemperamentoftheprophet，butalsoaccordingtohisparticularopinions；andfurtherthatprophecyneverrenderedtheprophetwiserthanhewasbefore。(11)ButIwillfirstdiscusstheassuranceoftruthwhichtheprophetsreceived，forthisisakintothesubject-matterofthechapter，andwillservetoelucidatesomewhatourpresentpoint。
(12)Imaginationdoesnot，initsownnature，involveanycertaintyoftruth，suchasisimpliedineveryclearanddistinctidea，butrequiressomeextrinsicreasontoassureusofitsobjectivereality:henceprophecycannotaffordcertainty，andtheprophetswereassuredofGod\'srevelationbysomesign，andnotbythefactofrevelation，aswemayseefromAbraham，who，whenhehadheardthepromiseofGod，demandedasign，notbecausehedidnotbelieveinGod，butbecausehewishedtobesurethatitwasGodWhomadethepromise。(13)ThefactisstillmoreevidentinthecaseofGideon:
\"Showme，\"hesaystoGod，\"showmeasign，thatImayknowthatitisThouthattalkestwithme。\"(14)GodalsosaystoMoses:\"AndletthisbeasignthatIhavesentthee。\"(15)Hezekiah，thoughhehadlongknownIsaiahtobeaprophet，nonethelessdemandedasignofthecurewhichhepredicted。(15)Itisthusquiteevidentthattheprophetsalwaysreceivedsomesigntocertifythemoftheirpropheticimaginings；andforthisreasonMosesbidstheJews(Deut。xviii。)askoftheprophetsasign，namely，thepredictionofsomecomingevent。(16)Inthisrespect，propheticknowledgeisinferiortonaturalknowledge，whichneedsnosign，andinitselfimpliescertitude。(17)Moreover，Scripturewarrantsthestatementthatthecertitudeoftheprophetswasnotmathematical，butmoral。(18)Moseslaysdownthepunishmentofdeathfortheprophetwhopreachesnewgods，eventhoughheconfirmhisdoctrinebysignsandwonders(Deut。xiii。)；\"For，\"hesays，\"theLordalsoworkethsignsandwonderstotryHispeople。\"(19)AndJesusChristwarnsHisdisciplesofthesamething(Matt。xxiv:24)。(20)
Furthermore，Ezekiel(xiv:9)plainlystatesthatGodsometimesdeceivesmenwithfalserevelations；andMicaiahbearslikewitnessinthecaseoftheprophetsofAhab。
(21)Althoughtheseinstancesgotoprovethatrevelationisopentodoubt，itneverthelesscontains，aswehavesaid，aconsiderableelementofcertainty，forGodneverdeceivesthegood，norHischosen，but(accordingtotheancientproverb，andasappearsinthehistoryofAbigailandherspeech)，Godusesthegoodasinstrumentsofgoodness，andthewickedasmeanstoexecuteHiswrath。(22)ThismaybeseenfromthecaseofMicaiahabovequoted；foralthoughGodhaddeterminedtodeceiveAhab，throughprophets，Hemadeuseoflyingprophets；tothegoodprophetHerevealedthetruth，anddidnotforbidhisproclaimingit。
(23)Stillthecertitudeofprophecy，remains，asIhavesaid，merely，moral；fornoonecanjustifyhimselfbeforeGod，norboastthatheisaninstrumentforGod\'sgoodness。(24)ScriptureitselfteachesandshowsthatGodledawayDavidtonumberthepeople，thoughitbearsamplewitnesstoDavid\'spiety。
(25)Thewholequestionofthecertitudeofprophecy，wasbasedonthesethreeconsiderations:
1。Thatthethingsrevealedwereimaginedveryvividly，affectingtheprophetsinthesamewayasthingsseenwhenawake；
2。Thepresenceofasign；
3。Lastly，andchiefly，thatthemindoftheprophetwasgivenwholly，towhatwasrightandgood。
(26)AlthoughScripturedoesnotalwaysmakementionofasign，wemustneverthelesssupposethatasignwasalwaysvouchsafed；forScripturedoesnotalwaysrelateevery，conditionandcircumstance(asmany，haveremarked)，butrathertakesthemforgranted。(27)Wemay，however，admitthatnosignwasneededwhentheprophecydeclarednothingthatwasnotalreadycontainedinthelawofMoses，becauseitwasconfirmedbythatlaw。
(28)Forinstance，Jeremiah\'sprophecy，ofthedestructionofJerusalemwasconfirmedbythepropheciesofotherprophets，andbythethreatsinthelaw，and，therefore，itneedednosign；whereasHananiah，who，contrarytoalltheprophets，foretoldthespeedyrestorationofthestate，stoodinneedofasign，orhewouldhavebeenindoubtastothetruthofhisprophecy，untilitwasconfirmedbyfacts。(29)\"Theprophetwhichprophesiethofpeace，whenthewordoftheprophetshallcometopass，thenshalltheprophetbeknownthattheLordhathtrulysenthim。\"
(30)As，then，thecertitudeaffordedtotheprophetbysignswasnotmathematical(i。e。didnotnecessarilyfollowfromtheperceptionofthethingperceivedorseen)，butonlymoral，andasthesignswereonlygiventoconvincetheprophet，itfollowsthatsuchsignsweregivenaccordingtotheopinionsandcapacityofeachprophet，sothatasignwhichconvinceoneprophetwouldfallfarshortofconvincinganotherwhowasimbuedwithdifferentopinions。(31)Thereforethesignsvariedaccordingtotheindividualprophet。
(32)Soalsodidtherevelationvary，aswehavestated，accordingtoindividualdispositionandtemperament，andaccordingtotheopinionspreviouslyheld。
(33)Itvariedaccordingtodisposition，inthisway:ifaprophetwascheerful，victories，peace，andeventswhichmakemenglad，wererevealedtohim；inthathewasnaturallymorelikelytoimaginesuchthings。(34)If，onthecontrary，hewasmelancholy，wars，massacres，andcalamitieswererevealed；andso，accordingasaprophetwasmerciful，gentle，quicktoanger，orsevere，hewasmorefittedforonekindofrevelationthananother。(35)Itvariedaccordingtothetemperofimaginationinthisway:
ifaprophetwascultivatedheperceivedthemindofGodinacultivatedway，ifhewasconfusedheperceiveditconfusedly。(36)Andsowithrevelationsperceivedthroughvisions。(37)Ifaprophetwasacountrymanhesawvisionsofoxen，cows，andthelike；ifhewasasoldier，hesawgeneralsandarmies；ifacourtier，aroyalthrone，andsoon。
(38)Lastly，prophecyvariedaccordingtotheopinionsheldbytheprophets；
forinstance，totheMagi，whobelievedinthefolliesofastrology，thebirthofChristwasrevealedthroughthevisionofastarintheEast。(39)
TotheaugursofNebuchadnezzarthedestructionofJerusalemwasrevealedthroughentrails，whereasthekinghimselfinferreditfromoraclesandthedirectionofarrowswhichheshotintotheair。(40)Toprophetswhobelievedthatmanactsfromfreechoiceandbyhisownpower，Godwasrevealedasstandingapartfromandignorantoffuturehumanactions。(41)
AllofwhichwewillillustratefromScripture。
(42)ThefirstpointisprovedfromthecaseofElisha，who，inordertoprophecytoJehoram，askedforaharp，andwasunabletoperceivetheDivinepurposetillhehadbeenrecreatedbyitsmusic；then，indeed，heprophesiedtoJehoramandtohisalliesgladtidings，whichpreviouslyhehadbeenunabletoattaintobecausehewasangrywiththeking，andthesewhoareangrywithanyonecanimagineevilofhim，butnotgood。(43)ThetheorythatGoddoesnotrevealHimselftotheangryorthesad，isameredream:
forGodrevealedtoMoseswhileangry，theterribleslaughterofthefirstborn，anddidsowithouttheinterventionofaharp。(44)ToCaininhisrage，Godwasrevealed，andtoEzekiel，impatientwithanger，wasrevealedthecontumacyandwretchednessoftheJews。(45)Jeremiah，miserableandwearyoflife，prophesiedthedisastersoftheHebrews，sothatJosiahwouldnotconsulthim，butinquiredofawoman，inasmuchasitwasmoreinaccordancewithwomanlynaturethatGodshouldrevealHismercythereto。(46)So，MicaiahneverprophesiedgoodtoAhab，thoughothertrueprophetshaddoneso，butinvariablyevil。(46)Thusweseethatindividualprophetswerebytemperamentmorefittedforonesortofrevelationthananother。
(47)Thestyleoftheprophecyalsovariedaccordingtotheeloquenceoftheindividualprophet。(48)ThepropheciesofEzekielandAmosarenotwritteninacultivatedstylelikethoseofIsaiahandNahum，butmorerudely。(49)
AnyHebrewscholarwhowishestoinquireintothispointmoreclosely，andcompareschaptersofthedifferentprophetstreatingofthesamesubject，willfindgreatdissimilarityofstyle。(50)Compare，forinstance，chap。i。
ofthecourtlyIsaiah，verse11toverse20，withchap。v。ofthecountrymanAmos，verses21-24。(51)ComparealsotheorderandreasoningofthepropheciesofJeremiah，writteninIdumaea(chap。xhx。)，withtheorderandreasoningofObadiah。(52)Compare，lastly，Isa。xl:19，20，andxliv:8，withHoseaviii:6，andxiii:2。Andsoon。
(53)AdueconsiderationofthesepassagewillclearlyshowusthatGodhasnoparticularstyleinspeaking，but，accordingtothelearningandcapacityoftheprophet，iscultivated，compressed，severe，untutored，prolix，orobscure。
(54)Therewas，moreover，acertainvariationinthevisionsvouchsafedtotheprophets，andinthesymbolsbywhichtheyexpressedthem，forIsaiahsawthegloryoftheLorddepartingfromtheTempleinadifferentformfromthatpresentedtoEzekiel。(55)TheRabbis，indeed，maintainthatbothvisionswerereallythesame，butthatEzekiel，beingacountryman，wasabovemeasureimpressedbyit，andthereforesetitforthinfulldetail；
butunlessthereisatrustworthytraditiononthesubject，whichIdonotforamomentbelieve，thistheoryisplainlyaninvention。Isaiahsawseraphimwithsixwings，Ezekielbeastswithfourwings；IsaiahsawGodclothedandsittingonaroyalthrone，EzekielsawHiminthelikenessofafire；eachdoubtlesssawGodundertheforminwhichheusuallyimaginedHim。
(56)Further，thevisionsvariedinclearnessaswellasindetails；fortherevelationsofZechariahweretooobscuretobeunderstoodbytheprophetwithoutexplanation，asappearsfromhisnarrationofthem；thevisionsofDanielcouldnotbeunderstoodbyhimevenaftertheyhadbeenexplained，andthisobscuritydidnotarisefromthedifficultyofthematterrevealed(forbeingmerelyhumanaffairs，theseonlytranscendedhumancapacityinbeingfuture)，butsolelyinthefactthatDaniel\'simaginationwasnotsocapableforprophecywhilehewasawakeaswhilehewasasleep；andthisisfurtherevidentfromthefactthatattheverybeginningofthevisionhewassoterrifiedthathealmostdespairedofhisstrength。(57)Thus，onaccountoftheinadequacyofhisimaginationandhisstrength，thethingsrevealedweresoobscuretohimthathecouldnotunderstandthemevenaftertheyhadbeenexplained。(58)HerewemaynotethatthewordsheardbyDaniel，were，aswehaveshownabove，simplyimaginary，sothatitishardlywonderfulthatinhisfrightenedstateheimaginedthemsoconfusedlyandobscurelythatafterwardshecouldmakenothingofthem。(59)ThosewhosaythatGoddidnotwishtomakeaclearrevelation，donotseemtohavereadthewordsoftheangel，whoexpresslysaysthathecametomaketheprophetunderstandwhatshouldbefallhispeopleinthelatterdays(Dan。x:14)。
(60)Therevelationremainedobscurebecausenoonewasfound，atthattime，withimaginationsufficientlystrongtoconceiveitmoreclearly。(61)
Lastly，theprophets，towhomitwasrevealedthatGodwouldtakeawayElijah，wishedtopersuadeElishathathehadbeentakensomewherewheretheywouldfindhim；showingsufficientlyclearlythattheyhadnotunderstoodGod\'srevelationaright。
(62)Thereisnoneedtosetthisoutmoreamply，fornothingismoreplainintheBiblethanthatGodendowedsomeprophetswithfargreatergiftsofprophecythanothers。(63)ButIwillshowingreaterdetailandlength，forIconsiderthepointmoreimportant，thatthepropheciesvariedaccordingtotheopinionspreviouslyembracedbytheprophets，andthattheprophetshelddiverseandevencontraryopinionsandprejudices。(64)(Ispeak，beitunderstood，solelyofmattersspeculative，forinregardtouprightnessandmoralitythecaseiswidelydifferent。)(65)FromthenceIshallconcludethatprophecyneverrenderedtheprophetsmorelearned，butleftthemwiththeirformeropinions，andthatweare，therefore，notatallboundtotrusttheminmattersofintellect。
(66)Everyonehasbeenstrangelyhastyinaffirmingthattheprophetskneweverythingwithinthescopeofhumanintellect；and，althoughcertainpassagesofScriptureplainlyaffirmthattheprophetswereincertainrespectsignorant，suchpersonswouldrathersaythattheydonotunderstandthepassagesthanadmitthattherewasanythingwhichtheprophetsdidnotknow；orelsetheytrytowresttheScripturalwordsawayfromtheirevidentmeaning。
(67)IfeitheroftheseproceedingsisallowablewemayaswellshutourBibles，forvainlyshallweattempttoproveanythingfromthemiftheirplainestpassagesmaybeclassedamongobscureandimpenetrablemysteries，orifwemayputanyinterpretationonthemwhichwefancy。(68)Forinstance，nothingismoreclearintheBiblethanthatJoshua，andperhapsalsotheauthorwhowrotehishistory，thoughtthatthesunrevolvesroundtheearth，andthattheearthisfixed，andfurtherthatthesunforacertainperiodremainedstill。(69)Many，whowillnotadmitanymovementintheheavenlybodies，explainawaythepassagetillitseemstomeansomethingquitedifferent；others，whohavelearnedtophilosophizemorecorrectly，andunderstandthattheearthmoveswhilethesunisstill，oratanyratedoesnotrevolveroundtheearth，trywithalltheirmighttowrestthismeaningfromScripture，thoughplainlynothingofthesortisintended。(70)Suchquibblersexcitemywonder!(71)Arewe，forsooth，boundtobelievethatJoshuatheSoldierwasalearnedastronomer?orthatamiraclecouldnotberevealedtohim，orthatthelightofthesuncouldnotremainlongerthanusualabovethehorizon，withouthisknowingthecause?
(72)Tomebothalternativesappearridiculous，andthereforeIwouldrathersay，thatJoshuawasignorantofthetruecauseofthelengthenedday，andthatheandthewholehostwithhimthoughtthatthesunmovedroundtheeartheveryday，andthatonthatparticularoccasionitstoodstillforatime，thuscausingthelighttoremainlonger；andIwouldsay，thattheydidnotconjecturethat，fromtheamountofsnowintheair(seeJosh。x:11)，therefractionmayhavebeengreaterthanusual，orthattheremayhavebeensomeothercausewhichwewillnotnowinquireinto。
(73)SoalsothesignoftheshadowgoingbackwasrevealedtoIsaiahaccordingtohisunderstanding；thatis，asproceedingfromagoingbackwardsofthesun；forhe，too，thoughtthatthesunmovesandthattheearthisstill；ofparheliaheperhapsneverevendreamed。(74)Wemayarriveatthisconclusionwithoutany，scruple，forthesigncouldreallyhavecometopass，andhavebeenpredictedbyIsaiahtotheking，withouttheprophetbeingawareoftherealcause。
