第2章

(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。