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。