38Maimonidesandothersdoindeedmaintainthattheseandeveryotherinstanceofangelicapparitionse。g。toManoahandtoAbrahamofferingupIsaacoccurredduringsleep，forthatnoonewithhiseyesopenevercouldseeanangel，butthisismerenonsense。39ThesoleobjectofsuchcommentatorsseemstobetoextortfromScriptureconfirmationsofAristotelianquibblesandtheirowninventions，aproceedingwhichIregardastheacmeofabsurdity。
40Infigures，notrealbutexistingonlyintheprophet\'simagination，GodrevealedtoJosephhisfuturelordship，andinwordsandfiguresHerevealedtoJoshuathatHewouldfightfortheHebrews，causingtoappearanangel，asitweretheCaptainoftheLord\'shost，bearingasword，andbythismeanscommunicatingverbally。41TheforsakingofIsraelbyProvidencewasportrayedtoIsaiahbyavisionoftheLord，thethriceHoly，sittingonaveryloftythrone，andtheHebrews，stainedwiththemireoftheirsins，sunkasitwereinuncleanness，andthusasfaraspossibledistantfromGod。42Thewretchednessofthepeopleatthetimewasthusrevealed，whilefuturecalamitieswereforetoldinwords。IcouldcitefromHolyWritmanysimilarexamples，butIthinktheyaresufficientlywellknownalready。
43However，wegetastillmoreclearconfirmationofourpositioninNumxii:6，7，asfollows:\"Iftherebeanyprophetamongyou，ItheLordwillmakemyselfknownuntohiminavision\"i。e。byappearancesandsigns，forGodsaysoftheprophecyofMosesthatitwasavisionwithoutsigns，\"andwillspeakuntohiminadream\"i。e。notwithactualwordsandanactualvoice。44\"MyservantMosesisnotso；withhimwillIspeakmouthtomouth，evenapparently，andnotindarkspeeches，andthesimilitudeoftheLordheshallbehold，\"i。e。lookingonmeasafriendandnotafraid，hespeakswithmecf。Exxxxiii:17。
45Thismakesitindisputablethattheotherprophetsdidnotheararealvoice，andwegatherasmuchfromDeut。xxiv:10:\"AndtherearosenotaprophetsinceinIsraellikeuntoMoseswhomtheLordknewfacetoface，\"
whichmustmeanthattheLordspokewithnoneother；fornotevenMosessawtheLord\'sface。46ThesearetheonlymediaofcommunicationbetweenGodandmanwhichIfindmentionedinScripture，andthereforetheonlyoneswhichmaybesupposedorinvented。47WemaybeablequitetocomprehendthatGodcancommunicateimmediatelywithman，forwithouttheinterventionofbodilymeansHecommunicatestoourmindsHisessence；still，amanwhocanbypureintuitioncomprehendideaswhichareneithercontainedinnordeduciblefromthefoundationsofournaturalknowledge，mustnecessarilypossessamindfarsuperiortothoseofhisfellowmen，nordoIbelievethatanyhavebeensoendowedsaveChrist。48ToHimtheordinancesofGodleadingmentosalvationwererevealeddirectlywithoutwordsorvisions，sothatGodmanifestedHimselftotheApostlesthroughthemindofChristasHeformerlydidtoMosesthroughthesupernaturalvoice。49InthissensethevoiceofChrist，likethevoicewhichMosesheard，maybecalledthevoiceofGod，anditmaybesaidthatthewisdomofGod，i。e。wisdommorethanhumantookuponitselfinChristhumannature，andthatChristwasthewayofsalvation。50ImustatthisjuncturedeclarethatthosedoctrineswhichcertainchurchesputforwardconcerningChrist，Ineitheraffirmnordeny，forIfreelyconfessthatIdonotunderstandthem。51WhatIhavejuststatedIgatherfromScripture，whereIneverreadthatGodappearedtoChrist，orspoketoChrist，butthatGodwasrevealedtotheApostlesthroughChrist；thatChristwastheWayofLife，andthattheoldlawwasgiventhroughanangel，andnotimmediatelybyGod；whenceitfollowsthatifMosesspokewithGodfacetofaceasamanspeakswithhisfriendi。e。
bymeansoftheirtwobodiesChristcommunedwithGodmindtomind。
52ThuswemayconcludethatnooneexceptChristreceivedtherevelationsofGodwithouttheaidofimagination，whetherinwordsorvision。53
Thereforethepowerofprophecyimpliesnotapeculiarlyperfectmind，butapeculiarlyvividimagination，asIwillshowmoreclearlyinthenextchapter。54WewillnowinquirewhatismeantintheBiblebytheSpiritofGodbreathedintotheprophets，orbytheprophetsspeakingwiththeSpiritofGod；tothatendwemustdeterminetheexactsignificationoftheHebrewwordroo\'-akh，Strong:7307，commonlytranslatedspirit。
55Thewordroo\'-akh，Strong:7307，literallymeansawind，e……q。thesouthwind，butitisfrequentlyemployedinotherderivativesignifications。
Itisusedasequivalentto，561。Breath:\"Neitheristhereanyspiritinhismouth，\"Ps。cxxxv:17。
572。Life，orbreathing:\"Andhisspiritreturnedtohim\"
1Sam。xxx:12；i。e。hebreathedagain。
583。Courageandstrength:\"Neitherdidthereremainanymorespiritinanyman，\"Josh。ii:11；\"Andthespiritenteredintome，andmademestandonmyfeet，\"Ezek。ii:2。
594。Virtueandfitness:\"Daysshouldspeak，andmultitudesofyearsshouldteachwisdom；butthereisaspiritinman，\"Jobxxxii:7；
i。e。wisdomisnotalwaysfoundamongoldmenforInowdiscoverthatitdependsonindividualvirtueandcapacity。So，\"AmaninwhomistheSpirit，\"Numbersxxvii:18。
605。Habitofmind:\"Becausehehadanotherspiritwithhim，\"
Numbersxiv:24；i。e。anotherhabitofmind。\"BeholdIwillpouroutMySpirituntoyou，\"Prov。i:23。
616。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-
627。Passionsandfaculties。Aloftyspiritmeanspride，alowlyspirithumility，anevilspirithatredandmelancholy。So，too，theexpressionsspiritsofjealousy，fornication，wisdom，counsel，bravery，standforajealous，lascivious，wise，prudent，orbravemindforweHebrewsusesubstantivesinpreferencetoadjectives，orthesevariousqualities。
638。Theminditself，orthelife:\"Yea，theyhaveallonespirit，\"
Eccles。iii:19\"ThespiritshallreturntoGodWhogaveit。\"
649。Thequartersoftheworldfromthewindswhichblowthence，oreventhesideofanythingturnedtowardsaparticularquarter-
Ezek。xxxvii:9；xlii:16，17，18，19，&c。
65IhavealreadyalludedtothewayinwhichthingsarereferredtoGod，andsaidtobeofGod。
661。AsbelongingtoHisnature，andbeing，asitwere，partofHim；e。gthepowerofGod，theeyesofGod。
672。AsunderHisdominion，anddependingonHispleasure；thustheheavensarecalledtheheavensoftheLord，asbeingHischariotandhabitation。SoNebuchadnezzariscalledtheservantofGod，AssyriathescourgeofGod，&c。
683。AsdedicatedtoHim，e。g。theTempleofGod，aNazareneofGod，theBreadofGod。
694。Asrevealedthroughtheprophetsandnotthroughournaturalfaculties。InthissensetheMosaiclawiscalledthelawofGod。
705。Asbeinginthesuperlativedegree。VeryhighmountainsarestyledthemountainsofGod，averydeepsleep，thesleepofGod，&c。InthissensewemustexplainAmosiv:11:
\"IhaveoverthrownyouastheoverthrowoftheLordcameuponSodomandGomorrah，\"i。e。
thatmemorableoverthrow，forsinceGodHimselfistheSpeaker，thepassagecannotwellbetakenotherwise。ThewisdomofSolomoniscalledthewisdomofGod，orextraordinary。ThesizeofthecedarsofLebanonisalludedtointhePsalmist\'sexpression，\"thecedarsoftheLord。\"
71Similarly，iftheJewswereatalosstounderstandanyphenomenon，orwereignorantofitscause，theyreferredittoGod。72ThusastormwastermedthechidingofGod，thunderandlightningthearrowsofGod，foritwasthoughtthatGodkeptthewindsconfinedincaves，Histreasuries；thusdifferingmerelyinnamefromtheGreekwind-godEolus。73InlikemannermiracleswerecalledworksofGod，asbeingespeciallymarvellous；thoughinreality，ofcourse，allnaturaleventsaretheworksofGod，andtakeplacesolelybyHispower。74ThePsalmistcallsthemiraclesinEgypttheworksofGod，becausetheHebrewsfoundinthemawayofsafetywhichtheyhadnotlookedfor，andthereforeespeciallymarvelledat。
75As，then，unusualnaturalphenomenaarecalledworksofGod，andtreesofunusualsizearecalledtreesofGod，wecannotwonderthatverystrongandtallmen，thoughimpiousrobbersandwhoremongers，areinGenesiscalledsonsofGod。
76ThisreferenceofthingswonderfultoGodwasnotpeculiartotheJews。
77Pharaoh，onhearingtheinterpretationofhisdream，exclaimedthatthemindofthegodswasinJoseph。78NebuchadnezzartoldDanielthathepossessedthemindoftheholygods；soalsoinLatinanythingwellmadeisoftensaidtobewroughtwithDivinehands，whichisequivalenttotheHebrewphrase，wroughtwiththehandofGod。
80WecannowveryeasilyunderstandandexplainthosepassagesofScripturewhichspeakoftheSpiritofGod。81Insomeplacestheexpressionmerelymeansaverystrong，dry，anddeadlywind，asinIsaiahxl:7，\"Thegrasswithereth，theflowerfadeth，becausetheSpiritoftheLordblowethuponit。\"82SimilarlyinGen。i:2:\"TheSpiritoftheLordmovedoverthefaceofthewaters。\"83Atothertimesitisusedasequivalenttoahighcourage，thusthespiritofGideonandofSamsoniscalledtheSpiritoftheLord，asbeingverybold，andpreparedforanyemergency。84AnyunusualvirtueorpoweriscalledtheSpiritorVirtueoftheLord，Ex。xxxi:3:\"IwillfillhimBezaleelwiththeSpiritoftheLord，\"i。e。，astheBibleitselfexplains，withtalentaboveman\'susualendowment。85SoIsa。xi:2:\"AndtheSpiritoftheLordshallrestuponhim，\"isexplainedafterwardsinthetexttomeanthespiritofwisdomandunderstanding，ofcounselandmight。
86ThemelancholyofSauliscalledthemelancholyoftheLord，oraverydeepmelancholy，thepersonswhoappliedthetermshowingthattheyunderstoodbyitnothingsupernatural，inthattheysentforamusiciantoassuageitbyharp-playing。87Again，the\"SpiritoftheLord\"isusedasequivalenttothemindofman，forinstance，Jobxxvii:3:\"AndtheSpiritoftheLordinmynostrils，\"theallusionbeingtoGen。ii:7:\"AndGodbreathedintoman\'snostrilsthebreathoflife。\"88Ezekielalso，prophesyingtothedead，saysxxvii:14，\"AndIwillgivetoyouMySpirit，andyeshalllive；\"i。e。Iwillrestoreyoutolife。89InJobxxxiv:14，weread:\"IfHegatheruntoHimselfHisSpiritandbreath；\"inGen。vi:3:
\"MySpiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman，forthathealsoisflesh，\"
i。e。sincemanactsonthedictatesofhisbody，andnotthespiritwhichI
gavehimtodiscernthegood，Iwilllethimalone。90So，too，Ps。li:12:
\"Createinmeacleanheart，0God，andrenewarightspiritwithinme；castmenotawayfromThypresence，andtakenotThyHolySpiritfromme。\"91
Itwassupposedthatsinoriginatedonlyfromthebody，andthatgoodimpulsescomefromthemind；thereforethePsalmistinvokestheaidofGodagainstthebodilyappetites，butpraysthatthespiritwhichtheLord，theHolyOne，hadgivenhimmightberenewed。92Again，inasmuchastheBible，inconcessiontopopularignorance，describesGodashavingamind，aheart，emotions-nay，evenabodyandbreath-theexpressionSpiritoftheLordisusedforGod\'smind，disposition，emotion，strength，orbreath。
93Thus，Isa。xl:13:\"WhohathdisposedtheSpiritoftheLord?\"i。e。who，saveHimself，hathcausedthemindoftheLordtowillanything，?andIsa。lxiii:10:\"Buttheyrebelled，andvexedtheHolySpirit。\"
94ThephrasecomestobeusedofthelawofMoses，whichinasenseexpoundsGod\'swill，Is。lxiii。11，\"WhereisHethatputHisHolySpiritwithinhim?\"meaning，asweclearlygatherfromthecontext，thelawofMoses。95Nehemiah，speakingofthegivingofthelaw，says，i:20，\"ThougavestalsothygoodSpirittoinstructthem。\"96ThisisreferredtoinDeut。iv:6，\"Thisisyourwisdomandunderstanding，\"andinPs。cxliii:10，\"ThygoodSpiritwillleadmeintothelandofuprightness。\"
97TheSpiritoftheLordmaymeanthebreathoftheLord，forbreath，nolessthanamind，aheart，andabodyareattributedtoGodinScripture，asinPs。xxxiii:6。98Henceitgetstomeanthepower，strength，orfacultyofGod，asinJobxxxiii:4，\"TheSpiritoftheLordmademe，\"i。e。thepower，or，ifyouprefer，thedecreeoftheLord。99SothePsalmistinpoeticlanguagedeclares，xxxiii:6，\"BythewordoftheLordweretheheavensmade，andallthehostofthembythebreathofHismouth，\"i。e。byamandateissued，asitwere，inonebreath。100AlsoPs。cxxxix:7，\"WithershallIgofromThySpirit，orwhithershallIfleefromThypresence?\"i。e。whithershallIgosoastobebeyondThypowerandThypresence?
101Lastly，theSpiritoftheLordisusedinScripturetoexpresstheemotionsofGod，e。g。Hiskindnessandmercy，Micahii:7，\"IstheSpirit[i。e。themercy]oftheLordstraitened?102ArethesecrueltiesHisdoings?\"103Zech。iv:6，\"Notbymightorbypower，butMySpirit[i。e。
mercy]，saiththeLordofhosts。\"104Thetwelfthverseoftheseventhchapterofthesameprophetmust，Ithink，beinterpretedinlikemanner:
\"Yea，theymadetheirheartsasanadamantstone，lesttheyshouldhearthelaw，andthewordswhichtheLordofhostshathsentinHisSpirit[i。e。inHismercy]bytheformerprophets。\"105SoalsoHaggaiii:5:\"SoMySpiritremainethamongyou:fearnot。\"
106ThepassageinIsaiahxlviii:16，\"AndnowtheLordandHisSpirithathsentme，\"maybetakentorefertoGod\'smercyorHisrevealedlaw；fortheprophetsays，\"Fromthebeginning\"i。e。fromthetimewhenIfirstcametoyou，topreachGod\'sangerandHissentenceforthagainstyou\"Ispokenotinsecret；fromthetimethatitwas，thereamI，\"andnowIamsentbythemercyofGodasajoyfulmessengertopreachyourrestoration。107OrwemayunderstandhimtomeanbytherevealedlawthathehadbeforecometowarnthembythecommandofthelawLevit。xix:17inthesamemannerunderthesameconditionsasMoseshadwarnedthem，thatnow，likeMoses，heendsbypreachingtheirrestoration。108Butthefirstexplanationseemstomethebest。
109Returning，then，tothemainobjectofourdiscussion，wefindthattheScripturalphrases，\"TheSpiritoftheLordwasuponaprophet，\"\"TheLordbreathedHisSpiritintomen，\"\"MenwerefilledwiththeSpiritofGod，withtheHolySpirit，\"&c。，arequitecleartous，andmeanthatprophetswereendowedwithapeculiarandextraordinarypower，anddevotedthemselvestopietywithespecialconstancy3；thatthustheyperceivedthemindorthethoughtofGod，forwehaveshownthatGod\'sSpiritsignifiesinHebrewGod\'smindorthought，andthatthelawwhichshowsHismindandthoughtiscalledHisSpirit；hencethattheimaginationoftheprophets，inasmuchasthroughitwererevealedthedecreesofGod，mayequallybecalledthemindofGod，andtheprophetsbesaidtohavepossessedthemindofGod。110OnourmindsalsothemindofGodandHiseternalthoughtsareimpressed；butthisbeingthesameforallmenislesstakenintoaccount，especiallybytheHebrews，whoclaimedapre-eminence，anddespisedothermenandothermen\'sknowledge。
111Lastly，theprophetsweresaidtopossesstheSpiritofGodbecausemenknewnotthecauseofpropheticknowledge，andintheirwonderreferreditwithothermarvelsdirectlytotheDeity，stylingitDivineknowledge。
111WeneednolongerscrupletoaffirmthattheprophetsonlyperceivedGod\'srevelationbytheaidofimagination，thatis，bywordsandfigureseitherrealorimaginary。112WefindnoothermeansmentionedinScripture，andthereforemustnotinventany。113AstotheparticularlawofNaturebywhichthecommunicationstookplace，Iconfessmyignorance。
114Imight，indeed，sayasothersdo，thattheytookplacebythepowerofGod；butthiswouldbemeretrifling，andnobetterthanexplainingsomeuniquespecimenbyatranscendentalterm。115EverythingtakesplacebythepowerofGod。116NatureherselfisthepowerofGodunderanothername，andourignoranceofthepowerofGodisco-extensivewithourignoranceofNature。117Itisabsolutefolly，therefore，toascribeaneventtothepowerofGodwhenweknownotitsnaturalcause，whichisthepowerofGod。
118However，wearenotnowinquiringintothecausesofpropheticknowledge。119Weareonlyattempting，asIhavesaid，toexaminetheScripturaldocuments，andtodrawourconclusionsfromthemasfromultimatenaturalfacts；thecausesofthedocumentsdonotconcernus。
120AstheprophetsperceivedtherevelationsofGodbytheaidofimagination，theycouldindisputablyperceivemuchthatisbeyondtheboundaryoftheintellect，formanymoreideascanbeconstructedfromwordsandfiguresthanfromtheprinciplesandnotionsonwhichthewholefabricofreasonedknowledgeisreared。
121Thuswehaveacluetothefactthattheprophetsperceivednearlyeverythinginparablesandallegories，andclothedspiritualtruthsinbodilyforms，forsuchistheusualmethodofimagination。122WeneednolongerwonderthatScriptureandtheprophetsspeaksostrangelyandobscurelyofGod\'sSpiritorMindcf。Numbersxi:17，1Kingsxxii:21，&c。，thattheLordwasseenbyMicahassitting，byDanielasanoldmanclothedinwhite，byEzekielasafire，thattheHolySpiritappearedtothosewithChristasadescendingdove，totheapostlesasfierytongues，toPaulonhisconversionasagreatlight。123AlltheseexpressionsareplainlyinharmonywiththecurrentideasofGodandspirits。
124Inasmuchasimaginationisfleetingandinconstant，wefindthatthepowerofprophecydidnotremainwithaprophetforlong，normanifestitselffrequently，butwasveryrare；manifestingitselfonlyinafewmen，andinthemnotoften。
125Wemustnecessarilyinquirehowtheprophetsbecameassuredofthetruthofwhattheyperceivedbyimagination，andnotbysurementallaws；
butourinvestigationmustbeconfinedtoScripture，forthesubjectisoneonwhichwecannotacquirecertainknowledge，andwhichwecannotexplainbytheimmediatecauses。126ScriptureteachingabouttheassuranceofprophetsIwilltreatofinthenextchapter。
CHAPTERII-OFPROPHETS。
1Itfollowsfromthelastchapterthat，asIhavesaid，theprophetswereendowedwithunusuallyvividimaginations，andnotwithunusually，perfectminds。2ThisconclusionisamplysustainedbyScripture，forwearetoldthatSolomonwasthewisestofmen，buthadnospecialfacultyofprophecy。
3Heman，Calcol，andDara，thoughmenofgreattalent，werenotprophets，whereasuneducatedcountrymen，nay，evenwomen，suchasHagar，Abraham\'shandmaid，werethusgifted。4Noristhiscontrarytoordinaryexperienceandreason。5Menofgreatimaginativepowerarelessfittedforabstractreasoning，whereasthosewhoexcelinintellectanditsusekeeptheirimaginationmorerestrainedandcontrolled，holdingitinsubjection，sotospeak，lestitshouldusurptheplaceofreason。
6Thustosupposethatknowledgeofnaturalandspiritualphenomenacanbegainedfromthepropheticbooks，isanuttermistake，whichIshallendeavourtoexpose，asIthinkphilosophy，theage，andthequestionitselfdemand。7Icarenotforthegirdingsofsuperstition，forsuperstitionisthebitterenemy，ofalltrueknowledgeandtruemorality。8Yes；ithascometothis!9MenwhoopenlyconfessthattheycanformnoideaofGod，andonlyknowHimthroughcreatedthings，ofwhichtheyknownotthecauses，canunblushingly，accusephilosophersofAtheism。10Treatingthequestionmethodically，Iwillshowthatpropheciesvaried，notonlyaccordingtotheimaginationandphysicaltemperamentoftheprophet，butalsoaccordingtohisparticularopinions；andfurtherthatprophecyneverrenderedtheprophetwiserthanhewasbefore。11ButIwillfirstdiscusstheassuranceoftruthwhichtheprophetsreceived，forthisisakintothesubject-matterofthechapter，andwillservetoelucidatesomewhatourpresentpoint。
12Imaginationdoesnot，initsownnature，involveanycertaintyoftruth，suchasisimpliedineveryclearanddistinctidea，butrequiressomeextrinsicreasontoassureusofitsobjectivereality:henceprophecycannotaffordcertainty，andtheprophetswereassuredofGod\'srevelationbysomesign，andnotbythefactofrevelation，aswemayseefromAbraham，who，whenhehadheardthepromiseofGod，demandedasign，notbecausehedidnotbelieveinGod，butbecausehewishedtobesurethatitwasGodWhomadethepromise。13ThefactisstillmoreevidentinthecaseofGideon:
\"Showme，\"hesaystoGod，\"showmeasign，thatImayknowthatitisThouthattalkestwithme。\"14GodalsosaystoMoses:\"AndletthisbeasignthatIhavesentthee。\"15Hezekiah，thoughhehadlongknownIsaiahtobeaprophet，nonethelessdemandedasignofthecurewhichhepredicted。15Itisthusquiteevidentthattheprophetsalwaysreceivedsomesigntocertifythemoftheirpropheticimaginings；andforthisreasonMosesbidstheJewsDeut。xviii。askoftheprophetsasign，namely，thepredictionofsomecomingevent。16Inthisrespect，propheticknowledgeisinferiortonaturalknowledge，whichneedsnosign，andinitselfimpliescertitude。17Moreover，Scripturewarrantsthestatementthatthecertitudeoftheprophetswasnotmathematical，butmoral。18Moseslaysdownthepunishmentofdeathfortheprophetwhopreachesnewgods，eventhoughheconfirmhisdoctrinebysignsandwondersDeut。xiii。；\"For，\"hesays，\"theLordalsoworkethsignsandwonderstotryHispeople。\"19AndJesusChristwarnsHisdisciplesofthesamethingMatt。xxiv:24。20
Furthermore，Ezekielxiv:9plainlystatesthatGodsometimesdeceivesmenwithfalserevelations；andMicaiahbearslikewitnessinthecaseoftheprophetsofAhab。
21Althoughtheseinstancesgotoprovethatrevelationisopentodoubt，itneverthelesscontains，aswehavesaid，aconsiderableelementofcertainty，forGodneverdeceivesthegood，norHischosen，butaccordingtotheancientproverb，andasappearsinthehistoryofAbigailandherspeech，Godusesthegoodasinstrumentsofgoodness，andthewickedasmeanstoexecuteHiswrath。22ThismaybeseenfromthecaseofMicaiahabovequoted；foralthoughGodhaddeterminedtodeceiveAhab，throughprophets，Hemadeuseoflyingprophets；tothegoodprophetHerevealedthetruth，anddidnotforbidhisproclaimingit。
23Stillthecertitudeofprophecy，remains，asIhavesaid，merely，moral；fornoonecanjustifyhimselfbeforeGod，norboastthatheisaninstrumentforGod\'sgoodness。24ScriptureitselfteachesandshowsthatGodledawayDavidtonumberthepeople，thoughitbearsamplewitnesstoDavid\'spiety。
25Thewholequestionofthecertitudeofprophecy，wasbasedonthesethreeconsiderations:
1。Thatthethingsrevealedwereimaginedveryvividly，affectingtheprophetsinthesamewayasthingsseenwhenawake；
2。Thepresenceofasign；
3。Lastly，andchiefly，thatthemindoftheprophetwasgivenwholly，towhatwasrightandgood。
26AlthoughScripturedoesnotalwaysmakementionofasign，wemustneverthelesssupposethatasignwasalwaysvouchsafed；forScripturedoesnotalwaysrelateevery，conditionandcircumstanceasmany，haveremarked，butrathertakesthemforgranted。27Wemay，however，admitthatnosignwasneededwhentheprophecydeclarednothingthatwasnotalreadycontainedinthelawofMoses，becauseitwasconfirmedbythatlaw。
28Forinstance，Jeremiah\'sprophecy，ofthedestructionofJerusalemwasconfirmedbythepropheciesofotherprophets，andbythethreatsinthelaw，and，therefore，itneedednosign；whereasHananiah，who，contrarytoalltheprophets，foretoldthespeedyrestorationofthestate，stoodinneedofasign，orhewouldhavebeenindoubtastothetruthofhisprophecy，untilitwasconfirmedbyfacts。29\"Theprophetwhichprophesiethofpeace，whenthewordoftheprophetshallcometopass，thenshalltheprophetbeknownthattheLordhathtrulysenthim。\"
30As，then，thecertitudeaffordedtotheprophetbysignswasnotmathematicali。e。didnotnecessarilyfollowfromtheperceptionofthethingperceivedorseen，butonlymoral，andasthesignswereonlygiventoconvincetheprophet，itfollowsthatsuchsignsweregivenaccordingtotheopinionsandcapacityofeachprophet，sothatasignwhichconvinceoneprophetwouldfallfarshortofconvincinganotherwhowasimbuedwithdifferentopinions。31Thereforethesignsvariedaccordingtotheindividualprophet。
32Soalsodidtherevelationvary，aswehavestated，accordingtoindividualdispositionandtemperament，andaccordingtotheopinionspreviouslyheld。
33Itvariedaccordingtodisposition，inthisway:ifaprophetwascheerful，victories，peace，andeventswhichmakemenglad，wererevealedtohim；inthathewasnaturallymorelikelytoimaginesuchthings。34If，onthecontrary，hewasmelancholy，wars，massacres，andcalamitieswererevealed；andso，accordingasaprophetwasmerciful，gentle，quicktoanger，orsevere，hewasmorefittedforonekindofrevelationthananother。35Itvariedaccordingtothetemperofimaginationinthisway:
ifaprophetwascultivatedheperceivedthemindofGodinacultivatedway，ifhewasconfusedheperceiveditconfusedly。36Andsowithrevelationsperceivedthroughvisions。37Ifaprophetwasacountrymanhesawvisionsofoxen，cows，andthelike；ifhewasasoldier，hesawgeneralsandarmies；ifacourtier，aroyalthrone，andsoon。
38Lastly，prophecyvariedaccordingtotheopinionsheldbytheprophets；
forinstance，totheMagi，whobelievedinthefolliesofastrology，thebirthofChristwasrevealedthroughthevisionofastarintheEast。39
TotheaugursofNebuchadnezzarthedestructionofJerusalemwasrevealedthroughentrails，whereasthekinghimselfinferreditfromoraclesandthedirectionofarrowswhichheshotintotheair。40Toprophetswhobelievedthatmanactsfromfreechoiceandbyhisownpower，Godwasrevealedasstandingapartfromandignorantoffuturehumanactions。41
AllofwhichwewillillustratefromScripture。
42ThefirstpointisprovedfromthecaseofElisha，who，inordertoprophecytoJehoram，askedforaharp，andwasunabletoperceivetheDivinepurposetillhehadbeenrecreatedbyitsmusic；then，indeed，heprophesiedtoJehoramandtohisalliesgladtidings，whichpreviouslyhehadbeenunabletoattaintobecausehewasangrywiththeking，andthesewhoareangrywithanyonecanimagineevilofhim，butnotgood。43ThetheorythatGoddoesnotrevealHimselftotheangryorthesad，isameredream:
forGodrevealedtoMoseswhileangry，theterribleslaughterofthefirstborn，anddidsowithouttheinterventionofaharp。44ToCaininhisrage，Godwasrevealed，andtoEzekiel，impatientwithanger，wasrevealedthecontumacyandwretchednessoftheJews。45Jeremiah，miserableandwearyoflife，prophesiedthedisastersoftheHebrews，sothatJosiahwouldnotconsulthim，butinquiredofawoman，inasmuchasitwasmoreinaccordancewithwomanlynaturethatGodshouldrevealHismercythereto。46So，MicaiahneverprophesiedgoodtoAhab，thoughothertrueprophetshaddoneso，butinvariablyevil。46Thusweseethatindividualprophetswerebytemperamentmorefittedforonesortofrevelationthananother。
47Thestyleoftheprophecyalsovariedaccordingtotheeloquenceoftheindividualprophet。48ThepropheciesofEzekielandAmosarenotwritteninacultivatedstylelikethoseofIsaiahandNahum，butmorerudely。49
AnyHebrewscholarwhowishestoinquireintothispointmoreclosely，andcompareschaptersofthedifferentprophetstreatingofthesamesubject，willfindgreatdissimilarityofstyle。50Compare，forinstance，chap。i。
ofthecourtlyIsaiah，verse11toverse20，withchap。v。ofthecountrymanAmos，verses21-24。51ComparealsotheorderandreasoningofthepropheciesofJeremiah，writteninIdumaeachap。xhx。，withtheorderandreasoningofObadiah。52Compare，lastly，Isa。xl:19，20，andxliv:8，withHoseaviii:6，andxiii:2。Andsoon。
53AdueconsiderationofthesepassagewillclearlyshowusthatGodhasnoparticularstyleinspeaking，but，accordingtothelearningandcapacityoftheprophet，iscultivated，compressed，severe，untutored，prolix，orobscure。
54Therewas，moreover，acertainvariationinthevisionsvouchsafedtotheprophets，andinthesymbolsbywhichtheyexpressedthem，forIsaiahsawthegloryoftheLorddepartingfromtheTempleinadifferentformfromthatpresentedtoEzekiel。55TheRabbis，indeed，maintainthatbothvisionswerereallythesame，butthatEzekiel，beingacountryman，wasabovemeasureimpressedbyit，andthereforesetitforthinfulldetail；
butunlessthereisatrustworthytraditiononthesubject，whichIdonotforamomentbelieve，thistheoryisplainlyaninvention。Isaiahsawseraphimwithsixwings，Ezekielbeastswithfourwings；IsaiahsawGodclothedandsittingonaroyalthrone，EzekielsawHiminthelikenessofafire；eachdoubtlesssawGodundertheforminwhichheusuallyimaginedHim。
56Further，thevisionsvariedinclearnessaswellasindetails；fortherevelationsofZechariahweretooobscuretobeunderstoodbytheprophetwithoutexplanation，asappearsfromhisnarrationofthem；thevisionsofDanielcouldnotbeunderstoodbyhimevenaftertheyhadbeenexplained，andthisobscuritydidnotarisefromthedifficultyofthematterrevealedforbeingmerelyhumanaffairs，theseonlytranscendedhumancapacityinbeingfuture，butsolelyinthefactthatDaniel\'simaginationwasnotsocapableforprophecywhilehewasawakeaswhilehewasasleep；andthisisfurtherevidentfromthefactthatattheverybeginningofthevisionhewassoterrifiedthathealmostdespairedofhisstrength。57Thus，onaccountoftheinadequacyofhisimaginationandhisstrength，thethingsrevealedweresoobscuretohimthathecouldnotunderstandthemevenaftertheyhadbeenexplained。58HerewemaynotethatthewordsheardbyDaniel，were，aswehaveshownabove，simplyimaginary，sothatitishardlywonderfulthatinhisfrightenedstateheimaginedthemsoconfusedlyandobscurelythatafterwardshecouldmakenothingofthem。59ThosewhosaythatGoddidnotwishtomakeaclearrevelation，donotseemtohavereadthewordsoftheangel，whoexpresslysaysthathecametomaketheprophetunderstandwhatshouldbefallhispeopleinthelatterdaysDan。x:14。
60Therevelationremainedobscurebecausenoonewasfound，atthattime，withimaginationsufficientlystrongtoconceiveitmoreclearly。61
Lastly，theprophets，towhomitwasrevealedthatGodwouldtakeawayElijah，wishedtopersuadeElishathathehadbeentakensomewherewheretheywouldfindhim；showingsufficientlyclearlythattheyhadnotunderstoodGod\'srevelationaright。
62Thereisnoneedtosetthisoutmoreamply，fornothingismoreplainintheBiblethanthatGodendowedsomeprophetswithfargreatergiftsofprophecythanothers。63ButIwillshowingreaterdetailandlength，forIconsiderthepointmoreimportant，thatthepropheciesvariedaccordingtotheopinionspreviouslyembracedbytheprophets，andthattheprophetshelddiverseandevencontraryopinionsandprejudices。64Ispeak，beitunderstood，solelyofmattersspeculative，forinregardtouprightnessandmoralitythecaseiswidelydifferent。65FromthenceIshallconcludethatprophecyneverrenderedtheprophetsmorelearned，butleftthemwiththeirformeropinions，andthatweare，therefore，notatallboundtotrusttheminmattersofintellect。
66Everyonehasbeenstrangelyhastyinaffirmingthattheprophetskneweverythingwithinthescopeofhumanintellect；and，althoughcertainpassagesofScriptureplainlyaffirmthattheprophetswereincertainrespectsignorant，suchpersonswouldrathersaythattheydonotunderstandthepassagesthanadmitthattherewasanythingwhichtheprophetsdidnotknow；orelsetheytrytowresttheScripturalwordsawayfromtheirevidentmeaning。
67IfeitheroftheseproceedingsisallowablewemayaswellshutourBibles，forvainlyshallweattempttoproveanythingfromthemiftheirplainestpassagesmaybeclassedamongobscureandimpenetrablemysteries，orifwemayputanyinterpretationonthemwhichwefancy。68Forinstance，nothingismoreclearintheBiblethanthatJoshua，andperhapsalsotheauthorwhowrotehishistory，thoughtthatthesunrevolvesroundtheearth，andthattheearthisfixed，andfurtherthatthesunforacertainperiodremainedstill。69Many，whowillnotadmitanymovementintheheavenlybodies，explainawaythepassagetillitseemstomeansomethingquitedifferent；others，whohavelearnedtophilosophizemorecorrectly，andunderstandthattheearthmoveswhilethesunisstill，oratanyratedoesnotrevolveroundtheearth，trywithalltheirmighttowrestthismeaningfromScripture，thoughplainlynothingofthesortisintended。70Suchquibblersexcitemywonder!71Arewe，forsooth，boundtobelievethatJoshuatheSoldierwasalearnedastronomer?orthatamiraclecouldnotberevealedtohim，orthatthelightofthesuncouldnotremainlongerthanusualabovethehorizon，withouthisknowingthecause?
72Tomebothalternativesappearridiculous，andthereforeIwouldrathersay，thatJoshuawasignorantofthetruecauseofthelengthenedday，andthatheandthewholehostwithhimthoughtthatthesunmovedroundtheeartheveryday，andthatonthatparticularoccasionitstoodstillforatime，thuscausingthelighttoremainlonger；andIwouldsay，thattheydidnotconjecturethat，fromtheamountofsnowintheairseeJosh。x:11，therefractionmayhavebeengreaterthanusual，orthattheremayhavebeensomeothercausewhichwewillnotnowinquireinto。
73SoalsothesignoftheshadowgoingbackwasrevealedtoIsaiahaccordingtohisunderstanding；thatis，asproceedingfromagoingbackwardsofthesun；forhe，too，thoughtthatthesunmovesandthattheearthisstill；ofparheliaheperhapsneverevendreamed。74Wemayarriveatthisconclusionwithoutany，scruple，forthesigncouldreallyhavecometopass，andhavebeenpredictedbyIsaiahtotheking，withouttheprophetbeingawareoftherealcause。