A discourse concerning vulgar prophecies wherein the vanity of receiving them as the certain indications of any future event is discovered, and some characters of distinction between true and pretending prophets are laid down / by John Spencer.
         Spencer, John, 1630-1693.
      
       
         
           1665
        
      
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             A discourse concerning vulgar prophecies wherein the vanity of receiving them as the certain indications of any future event is discovered, and some characters of distinction between true and pretending prophets are laid down / by John Spencer.
             Spencer, John, 1630-1693.
          
           [5], 136, [5] p.
           
             Printed by J. Field for Timothy Garthwait,
             London :
             1665.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Prophecies.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           Vulgar
           Prophecies
           .
        
         
           WHEREIN
           The
           Vanity
           of
           receiving
           them
           as
           the
           certain
           Indications
           of
           any
           future
           Event
           is
           discovered
           ;
           And
           some
           CHARACTERS
           of
           Distinction
           between
           true
           and
           pretending
           Prophets
           are
           laid
           down
           .
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           SPENCER
           ,
           B.
           D.
           
        
         
           ISAI
           .
           44.
           24
           ,
           25.
           
        
         
           I
           am
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           stretcheth
           forth
           the
           Heavens
           alone
           ,
           —
           that
           frustrateth
           the
           tokens
           of
           the
           Lyars
           ,
           and
           maketh
           Diviners
           mad
           .
        
         
           EZEK
           .
           13.
           9.
           
        
         
           My
           hand
           shall
           be
           upon
           the
           Prophets
           that
           see
           Vanity
           ,
           and
           that
           divine
           Lies
           ;
           they
           shall
           not
           be
           in
           the
           Assembly
           of
           my
           People
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             I.
             Field
          
           for
           
             Timothy
             Garthwait
          
           at
           the
           Kings
           head
           in
           S.
           Pauls
           Church-yard
           ,
           1665.
           C
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
        
         
           THe
           Soul
           of
           Man
           was
           ●●de
           for
           intimacy
           and
           converse
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           therefore
           ;
           in
           a
           tacit
           sense
           thereof
           ,
           is
           continually
           reaching
           and
           aspiring
           after
           it
           .
           But
           Lust
           and
           Pride
           having
           blinded
           its
           Eye
           ,
           it
           is
           apt
           to
           affect
           and
           seek
           it
           in
           fond
           and
           fantastick
           ways
           .
           Whereas
           good
           men
           are
           (
           as
           Antoninus
           speaks
           )
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             become
             familiar
             with
             God
             by
             holy
             practices
             ,
          
           by
           profound
           Humility
           ,
           by
           abstractions
           from
           the
           World
           and
           Lust
           ;
           Men
           have
           conceited
           it
           is
           procured
           and
           maintained
           by
           going
           off
           from
           Reason
           ,
           by
           Raptures
           ,
           Visions
           ,
           Prophecies
           ,
           Enthusiasms
           ,
           hot
           and
           vigorous
           impressions
           of
           spirit
           ;
           and
           have
           verily
           thought
           (
           as
           the
           Ancient
           Heathens
           by
           their
           Prophets
           )
           that
           they
           are
           scarce
           ever
           
             full
             of
             God
          
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           half
           beside
           themselves
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Lives
           of
           the
           Romish
           Saints
           are
           stuffed
           
           out
           with
           perpetual
           Stories
           of
           such
           things
           as
           these
           ,
           which
           do
           but
           render
           them
           ●o
           the
           contempt
           of
           men
           that
           have
           a
           true
           and
           sober
           Notion
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           In
           confidence
           of
           this
           conceit
           ,
           such
           numbers
           of
           Devoto's
           in
           all
           Times
           have
           pretended
           Enthusiasm
           and
           extraordinary
           illapse
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           though
           to
           different
           ends
           and
           purposes
           ,
           according
           as
           a
           different
           habit
           of
           mind
           or
           body
           and
           some
           mutable
           circumstances
           of
           the
           Age
           or
           course
           of
           life
           might
           determine
           an
           hot
           Humor
           and
           busie
           Fancy
           (
           for
           it
           is
           little
           else
           )
           to
           ●xert
           it self
           .
        
         
           Among
           the
           many
           giddy
           Fancies
           and
           Errors
           of
           the
           late
           Times
           ,
           bred
           ,
           like
           the
           Worms
           in
           the
           Manna
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           our
           corrupted
           Government
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           this
           was
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           lea●ing
           imposture
           ,
           That
           the
           true
           
             Seculum
             Spiritus
             Sancti
          
           was
           now
           coming
           on
           upon
           the
           World
           ,
           wherein
           the
           immediate
           Teachings
           of
           God
           should
           antiquate
           the
           more
           dead
           an●
           obscure
           Teachings
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           those
           did
           the
           more
           weak
           and
           cloudy
           Instructions
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           that
           the
           Minds
           of
           Holy
           Men
           should
           conceive
           (
           like
           the
           Virgin
           Mary
           )
           by
           the
           sole
           
             overshadowings
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           without
           any
           Assistances
           from
           Man
           or
           Humane
           Literature
           .
           That
           Men
           should
           be
           autorized
           and
           assisted
           to
           the
           due
           performance
           
           of
           the
           Duties
           of
           publick
           Preaching
           and
           Praying
           by
           the
           incitements
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           place
           .
           That
           God
           was
           about
           no
           new
           Work
           ,
           but
           his
           Secrets
           were
           still
           made
           known
           unto
           the
           Faithful
           .
           That
           the
           mighty
           impressions
           and
           propensions
           upon
           the
           spirits
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ,
           was
           an
           interpretative
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           a
           kind
           of
           Bath-Col
           to
           supply
           the
           defect
           of
           Scripture-Prophecy
           in
           Dispensations
           more
           dark
           and
           aenigmatical
           .
           Whence
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           that
           every
           morbid
           heat
           of
           Passion
           and
           blind
           Zeal
           was
           christened
           by
           the
           name
           of
           an
           
             Ignis
             sacer
          
           ,
           the
           sacred
           impress
           and
           discovery
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           and
           every
           crazy
           Fancy
           and
           Dream
           dub'd
           a
           Prophetick
           Vision
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           Storms
           and
           Tempests
           at
           Sea
           ,
           though
           they
           prove
           the
           Evils
           of
           many
           a
           private
           man
           ,
           yet
           are
           the
           good
           things
           of
           Catholick
           Nature
           ,
           because
           serving
           as
           a
           kind
           of
           natural
           Exercise
           to
           keep
           that
           vast
           Body
           of
           Waters
           from
           putrefaction
           :
           Thus
           howsoever
           the
           bold
           Pretences
           to
           Revelations
           ,
           Prophecy
           ,
           and
           a
           greater
           intimacy
           with
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           proved
           the
           great
           Evils
           of
           those
           particular
           Times
           ,
           causing
           many
           (
           weaker
           vessels
           especially
           )
           to
           
             make
             shipwrack
             of
             Conscience
          
           and
           
             a
             sound
             Mind
          
           ,
           and
           betrayed
           them
           to
           gross
           and
           shameful
           Notions
           in
           Religion
           and
           Policy
           ;
           yet
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           general
           this
           hath
           proved
           
           the
           happy
           issue
           of
           this
           
             Ignis
             fatuus
          
           of
           Enthusiasm
           (
           in
           all
           the
           expresses
           thereof
           )
           even
           so
           effectual
           a
           Discovery
           of
           it
           ,
           both
           i●
           its
           Effects
           ,
           
             those
             bogs
             of
             Sedition
             ,
             Blasphemy
             ,
             Profaneness
             ,
             Giddiness
             ,
             it
             leads
             into
             ,
          
           and
           in
           its
           Cause
           ,
           
             onely
             a
             natural
             f●rvor
             and
             pregnancy
             of
             spirit
             i●
             some
             more
             refined
             ,
             and
             an
             heated
             Melancholy
             in
             other
             grosser
             Enthusiasts
             ,
          
           then
           hath
           been
           formerly
           made
           ;
           and
           such
           as
           might
           effectually
           secure
           the
           Person
           that
           can
           do
           more
           then
           believe
           ,
           from
           being
           easily
           abused
           by
           such
           shining
           Vanities
           as
           any
           pretended
           Enthusiasms
           make
           a
           proffer
           of
           .
           So
           that
           the
           present
           Undertaking
           to
           lay
           forth
           the
           impostures
           wrapt
           up
           in
           this
           most
           famo●us
           instance
           of
           Enthusiasm
           ,
           supposed
           Prophecy
           ,
           may
           seem
           to
           have
           nothing
           to
           justifie
           it
           but
           an
           honest
           intention
           :
           Especially
           considering
           tha●
           there
           are
           Penal
           Statutes
           provided
           to
           prevent
           the
           spreading
           of
           Seditious
           Prophecies
           ,
           by
           the
           Severities
           of
           which
           those
           may
           be
           whipt
           into
           their
           wits
           ,
           whom
           the
           Physick
           of
           an
           Argument
           cannot
           cure
           of
           their
           Prophetick
           Frenzies
           .
        
         
           These
           Considerations
           would
           easily
           have
           perswaded
           me
           to
           have
           spared
           the
           Reader
           and
           my self
           a
           further
           trouble
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           saw
           so
           great
           an
           affinity
           between
           the
           present
           and
           precedent
           Subject
           ,
           that
           the
           Discourses
           upon
           both
           would
           (
           like
           both
           the
           
           feet
           )
           derive
           a
           mutual
           strength
           and
           assurance
           upon
           each
           other
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Prophecies
           which
           are
           the
           issues
           of
           an
           hot
           head
           and
           disturbed
           imagination
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           one
           half
           of
           those
           which
           abuse
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           People
           :
           I
           considered
           withal
           that
           Prophecy
           is
           the
           most
           obstinate
           piece
           of
           Enthusiasm
           ,
           having
           our
           innate
           Curiosity
           and
           an
           Experience
           as
           great
           as
           Prodigies
           to
           make
           it
           considerable
           .
           Besides
           ,
           while
           good
           Laws
           are
           the
           best
           Security
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           sober
           Principles
           laid
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           the
           People
           are
           the
           best
           Security
           of
           the
           Laws
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           Of
           the
           Vanity
           of
           VULGAR
           PROPHECIES
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             Some
             general
             accounts
             given
             of
             the
             Argument
             .
          
           
             
               Counterfeits
               in
               Art
               ,
               Nature
               and
               Religion
               .
               False
               prophecy
               one
               instance
               of
               them
               .
               What
               kind
               of
               false
               Prophets
               the
               times
               of
               the
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               are
               freed
               from
               .
               The
               miscarriage
               of
               States
               oft
               by
               occasions
               contemptible
               ,
               noted
               .
               The
               present
               argument
               sutable
               to
               the
               age
               ,
               because
               an
               age
               of
               action
               ,
               of
               intellectual
               improvement
               ,
               and
               yet
               ,
               in
               many
               ,
               of
               Enthusiasm
               .
               Several
               confident
               pretenders
               to
               prophecy
               of
               late
               ,
               taken
               notice
               of
               .
               The
               affinity
               between
               Prodigies
               and
               Prophecies
               in
               the
               general
               ●ends
               of
               both
               .
               Prophecies
               of
               evil
               consequence
               in
               States
               and
               why
               .
               Our
               Nation
               extremely
               inclined
               toward
               them
               in
               former
               times
               .
               The
               ancient
               Ethnick
               Statesmen
               how
               they
               secured
               themselves
               against
               the
               prophetick
               humor
               of
               the
               people
               .
               
                 Judges
                 of
                 Prophecy
              
               in
               Plato
               ,
               who
               .
               The
               Sibylline
               Oracles
               of
               what
               use
               among
               the
               Romans
               .
               The
               Opinions
               the
               ancients
               had
               of
               Prophecy
               ,
               couched
               in
               the
               fable
               of
               Teresia
               .
               Religion
               a
               great
               sufferer
               by
               them
               in
               the
               
                 Practise
                 ,
                 Credit
                 ,
                 Doctrine
                 and
                 Foundation
              
               thereof
               .
               These
               noted
               prejudicial
               to
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               why
               :
               And
               to
               common
               life
               .
               Two
               examples
               to
               evince
               that
               ,
               taken
               notice
               of
               Prophecies
               as
               universally
               attended
               to
               as
               Prodigies
               ,
               amongst
               
                 Heathens
                 ,
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Christians
              
               ,
               with
               a
               threefold
               account
               thereof
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             hypocrisies
             of
             things
             are
             as
             familiar
             as
             those
             of
             men
             ,
             for
             as
             there
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             
               reprobate
               Silver
            
             which
             carries
             
             the
             image
             of
             the
             King
             and
             looks
             like
             Sterling
             ,
             so
             there
             are
             in
             Art
             ,
             in
             Nature
             ,
             in
             Religion
             the
             many
             instances
             of
             things
             that
             do
             only
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               carry
               a
               fair
               face
            
             ,
             bear
             a
             title
             and
             garb
             beyond
             their
             true
             and
             real
             value
             ▪
             As
             there
             is
             a
             ●●ue
             Masculine
             Rhetorick
             wherein
             the
             
               golden
               aples
            
             of
             some
             rich
             conceptions
             are
             set
             in
             the
             
               silver
               pictures
            
             of
             some
             b
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               words
               of
               desire
            
             ,
             expressions
             chosen
             and
             
               fitly
               set
            
             ,
             so
             there
             is
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             the
             charm
             of
             some
             soft
             and
             siren
             words
             and
             periods
             which
             (
             like
             a
             
               tinkling
               cimbal
            
             )
             make
             a
             pretty
             sound
             in
             the
             ear
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             rather
             inchant
             the
             mind
             then
             inform
             it
             .
             In
             Nature
             also
             there
             are
             the
             real
             Diamonds
             ,
             and
             Angels
             of
             light
             ,
             and
             others
             which
             by
             Sophistry
             c
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             are
             only
             
               transformed
               into
               their
               likeness
            
             and
             usurp
             their
             title
             .
             Religion
             also
             (
             through
             the
             Arts
             of
             evil
             men
             )
             is
             forced
             to
             carry
             two
             differen●
             faces
             of
             things
             under
             the
             hood
             of
             one
             and
             the
             same
             name
             and
             outward
             appearance
             :
             in
             which
             we
             find
             
               lying
               wonders
            
             ,
             d
             fan●astical
             depths
             ,
             a
             
               knowledg
               falsly
               so
               called
               ,
               a
               Spirit
               of
               error
               ,
            
             and
             so
             
               false
               Prophecies
            
             disguised
             in
             the
             titles
             and
             images
             of
             the
             true
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             indeed
             the
             great
             blessing
             promised
             to
             the
             times
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             be
             delivered
             from
             all
             those
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             the
             e
             Targum
             stiles
             them
             )
             
               Prophets
               of
               the
               spirit
               of
               a
               ly
               ,
            
             which
             should
             
             call
             men
             to
             the
             worship
             of
             Images
             :
             and
             God
             hath
             fulfilled
             the
             same
             unto
             us
             ,
             there
             being
             now
             none
             of
             those
             lying
             Prophets
             among
             us
             that
             the
             minds
             of
             the
             Heathens
             were
             abused
             withall
             ,
             who
             used
             to
             erect
             some
             Idols
             themselves
             had
             devised
             ,
             telling
             the
             people
             f
             
               they
               were
               the
               Images
               of
               such
               a
               star
               or
               constellation
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               which
               was
               made
               known
               to
               them
               by
               Prophecy
               .
            
             Yet
             there
             are
             still
             left
             among
             us
             (
             that
             there
             may
             be
             an
             exercise
             of
             Christian
             prudence
             as
             well
             as
             of
             other
             Virtues
             )
             some
             
               Prophets
               of
               a
               ly
            
             ,
             which
             call
             men
             to
             a
             reverence
             of
             the
             images
             of
             their
             own
             busy
             Fancy
             ,
             some
             who
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             (
             as
             g
             Theodoret
             of
             the
             Enthusiasts
             of
             his
             Age
             )
             call
             the
             idle
             phantasms
             of
             their
             dreams
             ,
             prophetick
             visions
             .
          
           
             Our
             present
             business
             therefore
             is
             ,
             to
             rub
             off
             the
             gilt
             of
             these
             shining
             vanities
             
               Supposed
               Prophecies
            
             ,
             and
             to
             discover
             the
             folly
             of
             that
             faith
             and
             affection
             with
             which
             they
             are
             so
             generally
             entertained
             ;
             and
             in
             order
             thereunto
             to
             lay
             down
             some
             characters
             of
             dictinction
             between
             real
             and
             pretending
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             to
             inquire
             (
             as
             we
             can
             )
             whether
             the
             h
             
               Sun
               be
            
             quite
             
               gone
               down
               over
               the
               Prophets
            
             ,
             and
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             never
             visited
             now
             with
             any
             beams
             of
             Prophetick
             light
             ,
             so
             familiar
             in
             the
             former
             Ages
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
           
             The
             Argument
             ,
             I
             know
             ,
             is
             as
             fruitful
             a
             field
             of
             imposture
             as
             the
             fo●egoing
             ,
             and
             the
             persons
             to
             whom
             I
             oppose
             my self
             therein
             ,
             are
             men
             of
             a
             more
             exe●cised
             faith
             then
             understanding
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             reverenced
             by
             some
             ,
             and
             e●ploded
             by
             others
             then
             Prophecying
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             easily
             foresee
             that
             I
             shall
             (
             like
             the
             candle
             )
             
               praelucendo
               perire
            
             ,
             suffer
             greatly
             my self
             in
             the
             prepossest
             thoughts
             of
             the
             most
             ,
             while
             attempting
             to
             give
             light
             to
             others
             in
             so
             imposterous
             and
             litigious
             an
             Argument
             as
             this
             is
             .
             But
             when
             bodies
             Politick
             have
             been
             often
             choked
             (
             like
             Adrian
             )
             with
             g●ats
             ,
             ruined
             by
             some
             occasions
             they
             despised
             and
             thought
             most
             beneath
             their
             caution
             ,
             (
             Propheci●s
             and
             Enthusiasms
             among
             the
             rest
             )
             and
             because
             if
             all
             men
             of
             more
             improved
             intellectuals
             should
             value
             themselves
             so
             far
             ,
             ●s
             never
             to
             stoop
             to
             a
             notice
             of
             those
             contemptible
             errors
             which
             the
             people
             are
             abused
             withall
             ,
             no
             body
             would
             be
             informed
             ,
             (
             as
             no
             bodies
             sores
             cured
             if
             all
             should
             be
             nice
             :
             )
             I
             have
             the
             intentions
             and
             hopes
             of
             a
             publick
             service
             to
             ballance
             the
             prejudices
             of
             some
             severer
             persons
             .
          
           
             But
             that
             which
             more
             effectually
             reconciled
             me
             to
             this
             attempt
             ,
             was
             a
             regard
             to
             the
             special
             sutableness
             thereof
             to
             the
             present
             Age
             :
             and
             the
             great
             Affinity
             between
             this
             and
             the
             foregoing
             Argument
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Age
             wherein
             our
             lot
             is
             fallen
             ,
             is
             an
             Age
             of
             Action
             and
             Expectation
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             times
             ,
             prophecies
             generally
             take
             confidence
             to
             become
             publick
             ,
             being
             then
             most
             grateful
             to
             men
             ,
             usually
             very
             impatient
             of
             uncertainties
             where
             they
             are
             hugely
             concerned
             .
             Among
             the
             Jews
             we
             find
             Prophets
             and
             Oracles
             especially
             consulted
             in
             times
             of
             some
             publick
             distraction
             ,
             and
             i
             Polybius
             tells
             us
             that
             when
             the
             Armies
             of
             the
             Romans
             and
             Carthaginians
             were
             ready
             every
             day
             to
             joyn
             battel
             ,
             
               every
               bodies
               mouth
               was
               full
               of
               Oracles
               and
               Prophecies
               .
            
             Men
             upon
             such
             occasions
             are
             apt
             to
             believe
             as
             they
             affect
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             presage
             as
             they
             believe
             .
             Besides
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             time
             of
             improvement
             in
             all
             humane
             and
             divine
             knowledg
             ,
             and
             that
             happy
             day
             seems
             risen
             upon
             us
             to
             which
             God
             hath
             promised
             an
             k
             increase
             of
             Knowledg
             :
             Nature
             begins
             now
             to
             be
             studied
             more
             then
             Aristotle
             ,
             and
             men
             are
             resolved
             upon
             a
             Philosophy
             that
             bottoms
             not
             upon
             phancy
             but
             experience
             ,
             a
             Philosophy
             that
             they
             can
             prove
             and
             use
             ,
             not
             that
             which
             commenceth
             in
             faith
             and
             concludes
             in
             talk
             .
             And
             considerate
             men
             are
             too
             much
             themselves
             now
             to
             be
             brought
             (
             like
             bees
             )
             to
             hive
             under
             any
             odd
             form
             of
             Opinion
             and
             party
             of
             men
             ,
             by
             the
             confused
             noise
             and
             dinn
             of
             
               Carnal
               reason
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               Superstition
               ,
               Reformation
               ,
               and
               the
               coming
               in
               of
               Popery
               .
            
             Now
             while
             Wisdom
             
             seems
             thus
             to
             have
             
               hewn
               out
               her
               seven
               pillars
            
             and
             her
             house
             is
             going
             up
             so
             fast
             ,
             it
             is
             ●
             duty
             to
             assist
             her
             work
             by
             removing
             a●l
             the
             rubbish
             of
             
               Prodigies
               ,
               Vulgar
               Prophecie●
            
             ,
             and
             what
             ever
             Doctrine
             makes
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             soft
             and
             easy
             (
             by
             teaching
             men
             to
             believe
             without
             evidence
             )
             and
             so
             ,
             unfit
             to
             make
             a
             due
             judgment
             of
             things
             .
             More-over
             ,
             'T
             is
             a
             time
             wherein
             (
             as
             't
             is
             usual
             )
             
               Folly
               is
            
             as
             busy
             as
             Wisdom
             .
             Never
             greater
             talk
             of
             
               terrible
               Signs
               ,
               Revelations
               ,
               new-lights
               ,
               Prophecies
               and
               Visions
            
             in
             our
             own
             and
             other
             Kingdoms
             then
             now
             .
             *
             We
             have
             had
             ●
             Volumes
             of
             Prophecies
             and
             Visions
             lately
             tendred
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             men
             of
             no
             common
             name
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             confidence
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             beyond
             the
             examples
             of
             History
             .
             For
             as
             many
             amongst
             our selves
             ,
             disbelieve
             the
             
               Writing
               of
               God
            
             though
             sealed
             with
             so
             many
             mighty
             signs
             ,
             martyrdoms
             ,
             accomplished
             predictions
             ,
             a
             resurrection
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             the
             attestation
             of
             millions
             of
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ;
             so
             they
             protest
             their
             visions
             in
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             without
             any
             considerable
             signs
             ,
             and
             notwithstanding
             the
             contempt
             of
             all
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             and
             those
             contrary
             events
             whereby
             God
             hath
             
               frustrated
               the
               tokens
               of
            
             these
             lyars
             and
             made
             these
             
               Diviners
               mad
            
             .
             And
             some
             of
             them
             stic●
             not
             to
             tell
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             
               by
               how
               much
               the
               ●carer
               that
               Great
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               ,
               the
               
               more
               evidently
               and
               familiarly
               doth
               he
               excite
               his
               Prophets
            
             ;
             and
             that
             they
             understand
             the
             
               frequent
               possessions
               ,
               Witchcrafts
               ▪
               and
               fanatical
               Enthusiasms
               of
               the
               Quakers
            
             ;
             k
             Satanicas
             esse
             praestigias
             ,
             quibus
             opera
             Dei
             obsuscare
             nituntur
             ,
             ut
             olim
             Jannes
             &
             Jambres
             Mosi
             restitére
             ,
             
               to
               be
               the
               delusions
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               whereby
               they
               endeavor
               to
               obscure
               the
               works
               of
               God
               ,
               as
            
             Jannes
             and
             Jambres
             withstood
             Moses
             
               of
               old
            
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             that
             Affinity
             noted
             between
             this
             Argument
             and
             the
             fore-going
             ,
             it
             will
             appear
             in
             the
             correspondence
             observable
             between
             Prodigies
             and
             Prodigies
             in
             the
             
               General
               Nature
               ,
               evil
               Consequents
               ,
               and
               common
               acceptance
            
             of
             them
             both
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               In
               their
               General
               Nature
            
             .
             For
             as
             Prodigies
             are
             received
             (
             as
             the
             l
             reason
             of
             the
             name
             intimates
             )
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Real
               prophecies
            
             ,
             (
             predictions
             ,
             
               as
               in
               a
               figure
            
             ,
             of
             some
             great
             plague
             or
             change
             in
             State.
             )
             So
             Prophecies
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Verbal
               Prodigies
            
             ,
             wonderful
             indications
             of
             the
             fortunes
             of
             Kingdoms
             or
             private
             persons
             :
             both
             feed
             the
             curiosities
             of
             men
             by
             the
             pretended
             notices
             of
             the
             future
             ;
             and
             have
             alwaies
             gone
             undivided
             in
             the
             Opinions
             and
             regards
             of
             easie
             men
             ,
             both
             among
             Heathens
             and
             Christians
             .
             Having
             therefore
             imbittered
             ,
             and
             dryed
             up
             that
             one
             breast
             ,
             
               the
               Opinion
               of
               Prodigies
            
             ,
             which
             used
             to
             suckle
             this
             childish
             humor
             of
             curiosity
             in
             
             men
             :
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             do
             as
             much
             to
             that
             other
             of
             
               common
               Prophecies
            
             ,
             that
             so
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             may
             be
             forced
             to
             take
             to
             some
             more
             substantial
             nourishment
             and
             may
             come
             the
             more
             entire
             and
             undisturbed
             to
             sober
             and
             wise
             thoughts
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               In
               their
               evil
               consequents
            
             .
             These
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             having
             as
             malign
             an
             influence
             upon
             the
             
               State
               ,
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             Understanding
             ,
             and
             
               Common
               life
            
             as
             Prodigies
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               They
               are
               of
               very
               evil
               consequence
               in
               the
               State.
            
             The
             monuments
             of
             our
             own
             and
             forrein
             Nations
             assure
             us
             that
             there
             is
             not
             a
             more
             fruitful
             womb
             of
             seditions
             and
             confusions
             in
             States
             then
             the
             Opinion
             of
             such
             predictions
             is
             .
             
               He
               that
               shall
               read
               ur
               Histories
            
             (
             saith
             our
             great
             l
             Lawyer
             )
             
               shall
               find
               what
               lamentable
               and
               fatal
               events
               have
               fallen
               out
               upon
               vain
               prophecies
               ,
               carried
               out
               of
               the
               inventions
               of
               wicked
               men
               ;
               pretended
               to
               be
               ancient
               ,
               but
               newly
               framed
               to
               deceive
               true
               men
               :
               and
               withall
               ,
               how
               credulous
               and
               inclinable
               to
               them
               our
               Countrey-men
               in
               former
               times
               have
               been
               .
            
             The
             reason
             why
             the
             publication
             of
             any
             such
             evil
             prophecies
             (
             as
             he
             tells
             us
             )
             hath
             been
             made
             felony
             without
             clergy
             by
             some
             ancient
             Statutes
             in
             our
             Kingdom
             ;
             and
             still
             interdicted
             under
             severe
             penalties
             both
             in
             our
             own
             and
             *
             forrein
             Countries
             .
             What
             attempt
             will
             not
             take
             confidence
             
             from
             a
             perswasion
             that
             God
             will
             succeed
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             some
             divine
             prediction
             ?
             and
             besides
             ,
             how
             certainly
             will
             the
             best
             cause
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             where
             
               the
               hands
            
             which
             are
             to
             suport
             it
             ,
             are
             weakned
             by
             an
             Opinion
             of
             some
             unpromising
             Omen
             or
             Prophecy
             ?
          
           
             The
             Ancient
             Ethnick
             States-men
             seem
             very
             sensible
             what
             a
             ready
             weapon
             of
             Sedition
             this
             sacred
             Opinion
             of
             Prophecies
             in
             the
             people
             was
             ,
             and
             therefore
             being
             unable
             to
             wrest
             it
             from
             them
             ,
             they
             endeavoured
             as
             much
             as
             they
             could
             to
             blunt
             its
             edg
             ;
             
               by
               subtil
               maxims
            
             ,
             such
             as
             these
             ,
             m
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Persons
               very
               simple
               or
               very
               poor
               ,
               never
               saw
               any
               dreams
               in
               which
               the
               publick
               was
               concerned
               .
            
             And
             that
             
               none
               but
               a
               King
               or
               a
               General
               was
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             preferred
             by
             the
             Gods
             
               the
               Prophet
               of
               a
               City
            
             :
             Or
             
               by
               appointing
               some
               prudentdent
               Over-seers
               and
               interpreters
               of
               Prophecies
               .
            
             Their
             Doctrine
             (
             as
             we
             learn
             from
             n
             Plato
             )
             was
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               It
               is
               not
               for
               the
               person
               acted
               by
               a
               pr●phetick
               fury
               ,
               whether
               he
               continue
               in
               it
               still
               or
               no
               ,
               of
               himself
               to
               judg
               his
               Prophetick
               Visions
               or
               Speeches
               :
               for
               (
               as
               it
               is
               commonly
               and
               truly
               said
               )
               to
               speak
               and
               do
               things
               becoming
               ,
               belongs
               soly
               to
               a
               wise
               person
               .
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
             
               Wherefore
               the
               law
               provides
               that
               an
               order
               of
               Prophets
               be
               set
               Iudges
               over
               all
               Enthusiastick
               Divinations
               ,
               which
               Prophets
               some
            
             by
             mistake
             
               call
               Diviners
            
             .
             Where
             indeed
             
               the
               Order
               of
               Prophets
               to
               whom
               He
               gives
               the
               preheminence
               ,
               were
               none
               else
               but
               wise
               and
               prudent
               Men
            
             (
             as
             a
             o
             late
             Writer
             ,
             truly
             )
             but
             whereas
             he
             adds
             ,
             
               who
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               Sagacity
               of
               their
               Understandings
               were
               able
               to
               judg
               of
               those
               things
               which
               were
               uttered
               by
               this
               dull
               spirit
               of
               Divination
               ,
               which
               resided
               only
               in
               faculties
               inferior
               to
               Reason
               ,
            
             I
             conceive
             he
             misapprehends
             the
             end
             and
             office
             of
             these
             prudent
             Persons
             ;
             who
             were
             indeed
             Iudges
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             interpret
             but
             to
             moderate
             these
             prophetick
             furies
             .
             For
             if
             these
             Enthusiasms
             were
             really
             divine
             ,
             no
             wise
             man
             would
             ,
             and
             if
             really
             phrenetical
             ,
             no
             wise
             man
             could
             judg
             them
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             expound
             and
             interpret
             them
             ;
             for
             can
             any
             man
             make
             any
             sober
             judgment
             of
             the
             phantasms
             and
             heats
             of
             distraction
             ,
             or
             find
             any
             reason
             in
             that
             which
             never
             approached
             the
             faculty
             of
             Reason
             ?
             These
             Wise
             Men
             therefore
             seem
             a
             ●ind
             of
             
               Ethnick
               Sanhedrim
            
             to
             judg
             of
             pretended
             prophecy
             in
             an
             authoritative
             way
             ,
             and
             to
             expunge
             or
             expound
             according
             as
             might
             best
             comport
             with
             the
             occasions
             of
             State.
             And
             the
             better
             to
             blanch
             over
             their
             Sentences
             
             and
             to
             make
             them
             look
             like
             Oracle
             ,
             they
             were
             themselves
             reported
             and
             verily
             thought
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             really
             prophetick
             persons
             .
             Answerable
             to
             which
             subtil
             men
             among
             the
             Graecians
             ,
             the
             Romans
             had
             constantly
             chosen
             out
             of
             the
             City
             ,
             their
             sole
             Keepers
             and
             Interpreters
             of
             the
             Sibylline
             prophecies
             ,
             which
             serve●
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             Ethnick
             Alcoran
             ,
             expounded
             alway
             by
             those
             Mufties
             according
             as
             the
             circumstances
             of
             State
             might
             require
             :
             and
             't
             is
             not
             unlikely
             that
             Caesar
             had
             been
             tampering
             with
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             told
             the
             Romans
             in
             open
             Senate
             ,
             as
             from
             the
             Oracles
             ,
             of
             Sibylla
             that
             p
             
               he
               that
               they
               had
               now
               their
               King
               in
               reality
               ,
               must
               have
               the
               title
               of
               King
               too
               ,
               if
               they
               would
               be
               in
               a
               safe
               condition
               .
            
          
           
             I
             incline
             to
             believe
             that
             this
             political
             Sophism
             in
             reference
             to
             Prophecy
             ,
             was
             couched
             by
             the
             Poets
             in
             the
             fable
             of
             their
             Hermaphrodite-Prophet
             Teresia
             ,
             whom
             they
             feign
             stricken
             with
             blindness
             by
             Iuno
             ,
             but
             in
             recompense
             of
             that
             ill
             turn
             ,
             blest
             by
             Iupiter
             with
             prophecy
             :
             and
             further
             that
             this
             q
             person
             had
             the
             forms
             of
             both
             Sexes
             ,
             and
             was
             often
             instrumental
             to
             accord
             many
             differences
             and
             strifes
             among
             the
             God.
             Wherein
             they
             seem
             to
             intimate
             that
             prophecy
             (
             as
             found
             among
             them
             )
             was
             given
             only
             to
             persons
             bereft
             of
             the
             use
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             dream
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             eclypse
             of
             reason
             by
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             Plutarch
             calls
             it
             )
             
               Prophetick
               effiux
            
             ,
             (
             in
             truth
             ,
             a
             subtil
             vapor
             ascending
             the
             body
             of
             the
             Pythia
             from
             those
             hollow
             caverns
             over
             which
             she
             stood
             ,
             and
             begetting
             a
             kind
             of
             dry
             drunkenness
             in
             her
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             so
             disposing
             her
             to
             an
             imitation
             of
             the
             Ecstacies
             and
             prophecies
             of
             an
             Enthusiast
             .
             )
             Or
             else
             of
             the
             very
             habit
             of
             wisdom
             ;
             (
             and
             that
             by
             Iuno
             ,
             a
             hand
             of
             Providence
             )
             as
             no
             men
             distracted
             ,
             hypochondriacks
             ,
             Epileptical
             persons
             ,
             old
             women
             :
             and
             this
             by
             God
             ,
             to
             compensate
             their
             great
             blindness
             and
             r
             folly
             in
             all
             other
             matters
             .
             Now
             these
             Prophecies
             seemed
             to
             carry
             the
             form
             of
             a
             
               Woman
               ▪
            
             as
             being
             delivered
             generally
             by
             that
             Sex
             ,
             but
             constantly
             by
             persons
             extremely
             ignorant
             ,
             credulous
             ,
             talkative
             ,
             and
             impotent
             both
             in
             mind
             and
             body
             ;
             and
             
               of
               a
               Man
            
             ,
             as
             being
             directed
             ,
             expounded
             and
             over-look'd
             by
             the
             care
             and
             wisdom
             of
             some
             prudent
             Men.
             And
             the
             fable
             seems
             further
             to
             intimate
             of
             what
             singular
             Use
             in
             State
             ,
             these
             pretended
             prophecies
             proved
             (
             when
             subtilly
             managed
             )
             to
             compound
             differences
             among
             the
             
               Gods
               ,
               Men
               of
               minds
               or
               power
               too
               high
               to
               be
               set
               down
               by
               any
               Law
               but
               what
               pretends
               from
               God
            
             ;
             and
             to
             conclude
             all
             pro
             and
             con
             in
             a
             Nation
             about
             matters
             referring
             to
             the
             Gods
             and
             Religion
             .
             Accordingly
             the
             ancient
             law-givers
             ,
             
               Numa
               ,
               Scipio
               ,
               Lycurgus
               ,
               Lysistratus
               ,
               Sertorius
               ,
            
             and
             the
             rest
             ,
             called
             their
             laws
             Oracles
             ,
             and
             the
             
             ten
             tables
             pretended
             from
             God
             as
             well
             as
             the
             two
             .
             And
             s
             Tully
             advised
             the
             secret
             custody
             of
             the
             Sibylline
             Oracles
             ,
             Valeantque
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               ad
               deponendas
               potius
               quam
               ad
               suscipiendas
               novas
               religiones
            
             ;
             thus
             some
             subtil
             men
             among
             the
             Iews
             ,
             to
             accord
             the
             fierce
             disputes
             between
             the
             School
             of
             Hillel
             and
             Schammai
             ,
             invented
             the
             story
             of
             a
             t
             
               Bath
               Kol
            
             (
             the
             lowest
             degree
             of
             prophecy
             ,
             according
             to
             them
             )
             a
             voice
             from
             heaven
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Et
               horum
               &
               illorum
               verba
               sunt
               verba
               Dei
               viventis
               .
            
             But
             when
             the
             laws
             of
             God
             will
             not
             warrant
             us
             to
             tell
             a
             ly
             for
             his
             honor
             ,
             much
             less
             for
             our
             interest
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             instance
             of
             the
             piety
             and
             policy
             of
             the
             State
             to
             enact
             severe
             laws
             against
             persons
             of
             so
             prostitute
             a
             Conscience
             ,
             as
             to
             encourage
             a
             sedition
             by
             any
             pretended
             prophecy
             :
             that
             so
             the
             just
             reverence
             of
             Divine
             prophecy
             may
             be
             secured
             ,
             and
             Faction
             may
             not
             use
             those
             Arts
             to
             disturb
             ,
             which
             Honesty
             dare
             not
             to
             secure
             the
             common
             peace
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               Vulgar
               Prophecies
               have
               as
               malign
               an
               influence
               upon
               Religion
               .
               In
               the
               practice
               thereof
               :
            
             for
             in
             an
             Opinion
             of
             such
             things
             ,
             the
             thoughts
             of
             some
             men
             are
             wholy
             entertained
             with
             enquiries
             
               where
               will
               God
               be
               next
            
             ,
             and
             their
             great
             question
             is
             ,
             
               Watchman
               ,
               what
               of
               the
               night
               ?
            
             what
             news
             of
             things
             as
             yet
             in
             the
             dark
             and
             out
             of
             view
             ?
             the
             work
             of
             the
             day
             scarce
             ever
             aproacheth
             their
             
             thoughts
             :
             the
             great
             sign
             with
             them
             of
             a
             familiar
             acquaintance
             with
             God
             is
             ,
             whe●
             he
             is
             continually
             whispering
             news
             in
             mens
             ears
             ,
             and
             making
             them
             intimate
             to
             his
             secrets
             ,
             and
             no
             man
             shall
             be
             thought
             a
             spiritual
             preacher
             by
             them
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             can
             loose
             the
             seals
             of
             the
             Apocalyptick
             visions
             .
             In
             the
             interim
             by
             such
             fond
             thoughts
             and
             curiosities
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             are
             made
             vain
             and
             trifling
             ▪
             their
             spirits
             too
             subtil
             and
             airy
             to
             fix
             upon
             a
             serious
             thing
             ,
             and
             while
             
               their
               eies
               are
               thus
               ,
               at
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
            
             they
             neglect
             to
             hee●
             their
             way
             ,
             and
             become
             (
             like
             silly
             birds
             )
             but
             the
             fairer
             mark
             for
             the
             Fowler
             ,
             by
             standing
             thus
             at
             gaze
             .
             And
             as
             great
             a
             sufferer
             by
             such
             things
             ,
             is
             Religion
             in
             
               the
               Reputation
               thereof
            
             ;
             for
             when
             subtil
             men
             shall
             see
             us
             (
             like
             the
             ancient
             Egyptians
             )
             inshrine
             every
             Ape
             ,
             give
             reverence
             to
             every
             vain
             person
             and
             clouted
             rhime
             ,
             which
             may
             ape
             the
             gestures
             and
             stile
             of
             a
             prophet
             or
             prophecy
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             ready
             to
             conclude
             Religion
             a
             meer
             Systeme
             of
             phantasms
             ,
             inexplicable
             impressions
             ,
             and
             a
             tutoring
             of
             men
             to
             a
             faith
             of
             contrad●ctions
             or
             meer
             imaginations
             .
             And
             all
             the
             Devoto's
             in
             the
             world
             shall
             be
             thought
             a
             Society
             of
             easy
             men
             that
             can
             say
             much
             and
             prove
             nothing
             ,
             and
             that
             (
             what
             was
             falsly
             ●aid
             of
             the
             Iews
             of
             old
             )
             give
             worship
             to
             an
             Asses
             head
             ,
             to
             the
             idle
             Visions
             of
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             heads
             ,
             as
             soft
             and
             ignorant
             as
             
             theirs
             .
             Besides
             ,
             an
             easy
             faith
             of
             such
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             as
             of
             divine
             impression
             ,
             doth
             greatly
             prejudice
             Religion
             
               in
               the
               Doctrine
            
             thereof
             .
             For
             men
             will
             readily
             conclude
             him
             
               a
               Man
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             
               Word
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               with
               him
            
             (
             be
             his
             Doctrine
             what
             it
             will
             )
             that
             seems
             to
             tell
             them
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             (
             the
             reason
             why
             the
             Seducers
             of
             greatest
             name
             in
             Story
             have
             pretended
             Prophecy
             .
             )
             The
             Church
             of
             Rome
             proves
             her self
             the
             Temple
             
               of
               the
               Living
               God
            
             ,
             and
             Gods
             presence
             with
             her
             ,
             by
             the
             Voice
             of
             his
             Oracles
             heard
             therein
             .
             She
             hath
             (
             she
             tells
             us
             )
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Prophecy
            
             (
             called
             the
             
               Testimony
               of
               Iesus
            
             )
             to
             bear
             u
             witness
             to
             her
             Doctrine
             ,
             discipline
             and
             worship
             :
             and
             to
             this
             purpose
             gives
             us
             in
             a
             list
             of
             her
             Prophets
             (
             but
             most
             of
             them
             women
             )
             and
             of
             their
             wonderful
             predictions
             ,
             and
             challengeth
             us
             to
             instance
             any
             such
             parallel
             examples
             .
             To
             whom
             we
             return
             ,
             w
             
               We
               are
               not
               careful
               to
               answer
               thee
               in
               this
               matter
               :
            
             while
             the
             house
             of
             God
             with
             us
             is
             
               built
               upon
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
            
             true
             
               Prophets
               and
               Apostles
            
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             need
             
               daubing
               with
            
             any
             such
             
               untempered
               mortar
            
             as
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             are
             ,
             to
             give
             strength
             or
             beauty
             thereunto
             .
             But
             Religion
             is
             a
             far
             greater
             sufferer
             by
             such
             Spurious
             Visions
             ,
             and
             Prophecies
             ,
             
               in
               the
               foundation
               thereof
            
             ,
             that
             
               Sure
               Word
               of
               Prophecy
            
             upon
             which
             it
             bottoms
             .
             There
             can
             hardly
             be
             a
             more
             subtil
             way
             
             invented
             to
             sink
             the
             value
             and
             credit
             of
             all
             divine
             prophecies
             and
             illapses
             ,
             then
             the
             multitude
             of
             those
             tinsil
             Enthusiasms
             wh●h
             are
             in
             the
             World.
             Men
             will
             quickly
             grow
             coy
             ,
             and
             loth
             to
             trust
             themselves
             w●th
             a
             Revelation
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             so
             much
             imposture
             breaking
             in
             upon
             the
             world
             that
             usurps
             that
             name
             .
             The
             Ethnick
             world
             had
             been
             for
             many
             ages
             imposed
             upon
             by
             
               Enthusiasms
               ,
               Dreams
               ,
               Oracles
               ,
               Prophecies
               ,
               Apparitions
               of
               the
               Gods
               ,
            
             till
             Socrates
             (
             in
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             Vanity
             of
             them
             )
             called
             men
             to
             an
             use
             of
             judgment
             ,
             and
             taught
             them
             to
             entertain
             no
             doctrine
             without
             or
             against
             apparent
             reason
             .
             And
             the
             many
             abuses
             formerly
             put
             upon
             them
             ,
             made
             them
             no
             :
             only
             readily
             entertain
             his
             doctrine
             ,
             but
             so
             prejudiced
             them
             against
             the
             very
             air
             of
             a
             Revelation
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             Jewish
             masters
             were
             perpetually
             demanding
             of
             signs
             ,
             so
             the
             Gentile
             Philosophers
             ,
             Demonstrations
             ,
             of
             the
             first
             preachers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             upbraiding
             them
             that
             their
             Doctrine
             was
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               a
               paradoxical
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               altogether
               impossible
               to
               be
               demonstrated
               .
            
             And
             amongst
             our selves
             ,
             while
             some
             must
             have
             an
             Enthusiasm
             in
             all
             the
             great
             turns
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             fed
             ,
             like
             the
             Patriarchs
             ,
             with
             Visions
             and
             Prophecy
             ,
             others
             (
             seeing
             the
             impos●ures
             wrapt
             up
             in
             them
             )
             hate
             such
             light
             meat
             ,
             
             and
             begin
             to
             look
             upon
             a
             Revelation
             as
             a
             matter
             un-intelligible
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             maner
             of
             conveyance
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             of
             discovery
             and
             discrimination
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             no
             man
             can
             answer
             the
             taking
             up
             of
             any
             Opinion
             upon
             the
             credit
             of
             a
             prophetick
             testimony
             ,
             to
             his
             cool
             and
             advised
             thoughts
             .
             But
             if
             the
             more
             fortunate
             credulity
             and
             simplicity
             of
             the
             persons
             to
             whom
             these
             Visions
             and
             prophetick
             Raptures
             happen
             ,
             make
             them
             impregnable
             by
             a
             temptation
             to
             any
             such
             subtil
             Atheism
             ,
             yet
             still
             Scripture
             is
             disparaged
             while
             the
             affections
             of
             men
             are
             divided
             between
             an
             old
             Prophecy
             and
             a
             new
             ,
             and
             that
             sickly
             humor
             in
             some
             men
             of
             longing
             after
             somewhat
             new
             in
             Religion
             ,
             is
             fed
             ,
             mens
             gadding
             Fancies
             are
             gratified
             ,
             and
             Religion
             is
             exposed
             to
             the
             danger
             of
             being
             evaporated
             into
             air
             and
             rapture
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               These
               pretended
               Prophecies
               do
               as
               much
               usurp
               upon
               the
               mind
               and
               understanding
               :
            
             because
             instructing
             both
             Deliverers
             and
             Receivers
             onely
             to
             a
             bold
             and
             forward
             Faith.
             For
             they
             that
             deliver
             them
             presume
             it
             were
             not
             to
             believe
             but
             to
             dispute
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             (
             like
             x
             Gideon
             )
             desire
             
               a
               sign
               of
               God
               that
               it
               is
               he
               indeed
               that
               talketh
               with
               them
               :
            
             these
             impressions
             they
             conceive
             are
             both
             writing
             and
             seal
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             proclaim
             by
             their
             own
             mighty
             force
             and
             vivacity
             that
             they
             are
             set
             on
             by
             a
             divine
             hand
             :
             the
             mind
             of
             
             man
             (
             say
             they
             )
             under
             the
             Divine
             Visitations
             ,
             is
             onely
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             to
             attend
             ▪
             in
             an
             humble
             passiveness
             and
             silence
             ,
             to
             God
             ,
             while
             instructing
             it
             by
             the
             whispers
             of
             his
             Spirit
             .
             A
             Doctrine
             which
             is
             virtually
             an
             infinite
             imposture
             ,
             and
             which
             brings
             a
             man
             into
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             the
             y
             Arabians
             call
             the
             Wilderness
             )
             a
             
               desert
               of
               wandering
            
             ,
             wherein
             he
             may
             run
             for
             ever
             from
             one
             wild
             imagination
             to
             another
             ;
             and
             contains
             as
             much
             Reason
             therein
             ,
             as
             the
             conceit
             of
             that
             Mariner
             that
             should
             think
             his
             Ship
             ran
             a
             right
             course
             onely
             because
             driven
             with
             a
             fierce
             wind
             .
             And
             as
             much
             do
             these
             Prop●ecies
             usurp
             upon
             the
             Understandings
             of
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             are
             tendred
             ;
             we
             must
             trust
             our
             Faith
             with
             these
             things
             ,
             but
             never
             o●fer
             to
             demand
             first
             the
             security
             of
             some
             divine
             Sign
             ;
             we
             must
             believe
             them
             of
             divine
             inspiration
             onely
             because
             we
             are
             told
             they
             are
             so
             :
             and
             if
             we
             demur
             ,
             as
             thinking
             the
             condition
             unreasonable
             ,
             we
             are
             bidden
             to
             have
             a
             care
             we
             be
             not
             
               found
               to
               fight
               against
               God
            
             ,
             and
             so
             must
             become
             fools
             for
             fear
             we
             prove
             knaves
             .
             But
             when
             our
             Blessed
             Savio●
             himself
             would
             not
             so
             far
             controul
             the
             Law
             of
             reasonable
             Nature
             in
             Man
             ,
             as
             to
             require
             him
             to
             a
             Faith
             of
             his
             Prophecies
             before
             sufficient
             assurance
             given
             of
             their
             Divinity
             ;
             we
             know
             not
             to
             value
             our selves
             ,
             if
             we
             suffer
             a
             Faith
             of
             these
             common
             Prophecies
             to
             be
             
             forc'd
             upon
             us
             ,
             which
             offer
             nothing
             to
             assure
             them
             but
             solemn
             looks
             and
             Verily
             verily
             .
             The
             World
             swarms
             with
             pretended
             Prophecies
             and
             Revelations
             ;
             we
             have
             not
             onely
             our
             monthly
             but
             our
             daily
             Prognosticators
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             honest
             looks
             of
             the
             proposers
             are
             not
             sufficient
             grounds
             of
             trust
             in
             this
             business
             .
             That
             proposition
             ,
             
               Intellectus
               patiens
               recipit
               phantasmata
            
             ,
             is
             a
             truth
             also
             in
             Divinity
             ;
             the
             soly
             passive
             intellect
             ,
             that
             is
             impressive
             and
             easie
             ,
             that
             doth
             not
             use
             it self
             to
             discourse
             and
             judg
             ,
             receives
             Fantasms
             into
             it self
             ,
             little
             besides
             the
             airy
             Visions
             of
             its
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             vain
             imaginations
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             
               These
               Prophecies
               are
               of
               very
               evil
               consequence
               in
               common
               life
               :
            
             They
             give
             silly
             men
             to
             conceit
             they
             are
             never
             Gods
             favorites
             till
             they
             are
             half
             mad
             ,
             and
             have
             constant
             intelligence
             from
             Heaven
             by
             some
             new
             Vision
             .
             They
             torture
             mens
             minds
             with
             infinite
             anxieties
             ,
             and
             lay
             upon
             their
             thoughts
             the
             Evils
             of
             an
             Age
             to
             lament
             at
             once
             .
             They
             encourage
             them
             in
             very
             evil
             purposes
             ,
             by
             the
             confidence
             they
             give
             them
             of
             success
             .
             They
             keep
             men
             from
             possessing
             themselves
             in
             peace
             by
             a
             secure
             repose
             on
             the
             wisdom
             and
             goodness
             of
             God.
             They
             tempt
             them
             to
             a
             neglect
             of
             those
             faithful
             and
             acknowledged
             Rules
             of
             life
             ,
             
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               the
               Maxims
               of
               Reason
               ,
            
             to
             attend
             to
             measures
             fantastical
             and
             never
             
             proved
             .
             They
             cow
             mens
             spirits
             ,
             and
             betray
             those
             succors
             which
             Reason
             affords
             and
             commands
             the
             use
             of
             .
             Thus
             the
             z
             Historian
             tells
             us
             the
             Senate
             of
             Florence
             would
             by
             no
             means
             make
             opposition
             to
             the
             French
             King
             Charls
             the
             eighth
             ,
             because
             advised
             to
             the
             contrary
             by
             the
             reputed
             Prophecies
             of
             Savanarola
             .
             The
             Examples
             of
             men
             which
             have
             run
             themselves
             upon
             strange
             Precipices
             by
             following
             these
             foolish
             fires
             ,
             are
             infinite
             .
             I
             shall
             instance
             but
             two
             ,
             to
             stop
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             ,
             the
             mouths
             of
             my
             two
             Adversaries
             in
             this
             Argument
             ,
             the
             Papist
             and
             the
             Enthusiast
             .
             The
             first
             shall
             be
             the
             strange
             Example
             of
             
               Pope
               Gregory
               the
               ninth
            
             ,
             who
             was
             perswaded
             by
             the
             pretended
             Visions
             and
             Prophecies
             of
             
               Catharina
               de
               Senis
            
             to
             go
             from
             Avenion
             to
             Rome
             ,
             against
             the
             Reasons
             and
             Perswasions
             of
             his
             Cardinals
             and
             Friends
             ;
             whereby
             he
             became
             the
             occasion
             of
             that
             Schism
             which
             lasted
             for
             about
             forty
             years
             in
             that
             Church
             .
             a
             In
             an
             easie
             foresight
             whereof
             ,
             
               a
               few
               hours
               before
               his
               death
            
             (
             which
             hapned
             within
             half
             a
             year
             after
             his
             coming
             thither
             )
             
               having
               the
               holy
               Eucharist
               in
               his
               hands
               ,
               he
               protested
               before
               them
               all
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               beware
               of
               either
               Men
               or
               Women
               delivering
               ,
               under
               a
               s●ew
               of
               Religion
               ,
               the
               Visions
               of
               their
               own
               hea●
               ;
               because
               himself
               ,
               being
               seduced
               by
               such
               ,
               had
               ,
               in
               a
               neglect
               of
               the
               sober
               counsels
               of
               his
               Friends
               ,
               drawn
               himself
               and
               the
               whole
               Church
               into
               
               danger
               of
               imminent
               Schism
               ,
               except
               the
               mercy
               of
               Christ
               interposed
               .
            
             The
             other
             Example
             toucheth
             closer
             upon
             our
             present
             Times
             ;
             that
             of
             Comenius
             (
             a
             person
             whose
             other
             
               works
               praise
               him
            
             ,
             so
             
               that
               I
               need
               say
               nothing
            
             )
             who
             was
             so
             inchanted
             by
             the
             simplicity
             of
             maners
             ,
             solemn
             asseverations
             ,
             frequent
             extasies
             ,
             rapturous
             speeches
             ,
             devout
             language
             ,
             pompous
             visions
             ,
             unaccountable
             passions
             ,
             some
             casually
             accomplished
             Predictions
             of
             those
             three
             pretending
             Prophets
             ,
             
               Christopherus
               Kotterus
               ,
               Christina
               Poniatovia
               ,
               Nicholaus
               Drabicius
               ,
            
             as
             greatly
             to
             reverence
             their
             persons
             ,
             to
             record
             and
             at
             last
             to
             publish
             their
             Visions
             and
             Prophecies
             under
             the
             specious
             title
             of
             
               Lux
               in
               tenebris
            
             ,
             to
             write
             the
             History
             of
             their
             Lives
             and
             prophetick
             Raptures
             ,
             to
             attempt
             to
             reconcile
             the
             contradictions
             in
             their
             Predictions
             :
             and
             where
             their
             deformity
             appeared
             through
             the
             finest
             colors
             he
             could
             dissemble
             it
             with
             ,
             He
             ventures
             to
             bring
             himself
             off
             ,
             thus
             ;
             b
             
               Sapientiam
               Dei
               varie
               nobiscum
               ludere
               ,
               &
               lusisse
               hac
               in
               re
               ,
               haec
               ostendunt
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             And
             elswhere
             ,
             c
             
               Non
               invenio
               quid
               dicendum
               restet
               ,
               nisi
               aut
               haec
            
             prophetica
             
               non
               esse
               divina
               ,
               aut
               hypothesin
               Theologiae
               nostra
            
             (
             de
             omnimoda
             Immutabilitate
             Dei
             ,
             etiam
             nostri
             &
             temporalium
             respectu
             )
             
               vacillare
               .
               Utrum
               potius
               suspicandum
               sit
               ,
               quid
               si
               pronunciare
               ne
               festinemus
               ?
            
             and
             the
             like
             :
             which
             is
             to
             make
             God
             a
             deceiver
             (
             I
             speak
             as
             a
             man
             )
             
             that
             so
             silly
             men
             may
             speak
             truth
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
               Prophecies
               and
               Prodigies
               touch
               and
               agree
               in
               the
               universal
               reception
               of
               them
               both
               .
            
             Prophecy
             never
             wanted
             Professors
             or
             Auditors
             in
             any
             Age
             or
             place
             in
             the
             World.
             It
             was
             the
             Opinion
             of
             some
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             the
             Gentile
             Philosophers
             of
             old
             ,
             that
             the
             Soul
             came
             down
             into
             the
             Body
             ,
             pregnant
             with
             d
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               a
               prophetick
               power
            
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             muffled
             and
             blinded
             because
             of
             its
             commixture
             and
             confusion
             with
             this
             lump
             of
             Earth
             ,
             whic●
             perpetually
             sends
             up
             such
             a
             thick
             mist
             of
             Fantasms
             before
             its
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             now
             
               see
               afar
               off
            
             .
             A
             Doctrine
             ,
             which
             the
             deport
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             while
             a
             prisoner
             to
             its
             own
             house
             ,
             seems
             a
             little
             to
             encourage
             :
             for
             as
             the
             Bush
             in
             the
             Fable
             ,
             having
             sustained
             a
             great
             loss
             of
             cloth
             ,
             is
             fancied
             to
             stand
             ever
             since
             by
             the
             high-way
             catching
             hold
             of
             every
             mans
             clothes
             ,
             in
             hopes
             to
             recover
             its
             own
             lost
             goods
             ;
             so
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             seem
             to
             express
             a
             tacit
             sense
             of
             a
             great
             loss
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             knowledg
             of
             things
             future
             ,
             in
             this
             embodied
             state
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             stand
             (
             as
             it
             were
             )
             
               in
               triviis
            
             ,
             and
             hastily
             catch
             at
             any
             pre●ending
             Prophecy
             and
             shadow
             of
             Divination
             :
             〈◊〉
             indeed
             I
             have
             nothing
             (
             in
             this
             matter
             )
             〈…〉
             
               to
               accuse
               my
               own
               Nation
            
             then
             others
             〈…〉
             being
             an
             argument
             of
             the
             blindness
             of
             
             most
             Ages
             and
             Nations
             ,
             that
             they
             readily
             swallow
             down
             such
             Flies
             as
             these
             when
             tendred
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             What
             place
             and
             repute
             Prophecy
             held
             among
             the
             Gentiles
             of
             old
             ,
             those
             words
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             and
             that
             vast
             rabble
             of
             
               Chaldeans
               ,
               Astrologers
               ,
               Soothsayers
               ,
               Necromancers
               ,
               Interpreters
               of
               Dreams
               and
               Prodigies
               ,
               Diviners
               by
               the
               Smoke
               ,
               the
               Exta
               ,
               the
               Incense
               on
               the
               Altar
               ,
               by
               a
               Staff
               ,
               the
               chirping
               of
               Birds
               ,
            
             all
             of
             familiar
             occurrence
             in
             their
             Writings
             ,
             are
             a
             sufficient
             assurance
             .
             Particularly
             the
             Eastern
             Nations
             were
             so
             mad
             upon
             Divination
             ,
             that
             e
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               they
               are
               full
               of
               the
               East
            
             seems
             used
             proverbially
             by
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             to
             set
             forth
             that
             mighty
             passion
             with
             which
             the
             Iews
             were
             carried
             after
             Divination
             and
             the
             knowledg
             of
             Futurities
             .
             And
             with
             how
             easie
             a
             Faith
             the
             Iews
             used
             to
             meet
             any
             pretenders
             to
             Prophecy
             ,
             though
             calling
             them
             (
             to
             the
             most
             open
             defiance
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             )
             Idolatry
             ,
             the
             Writings
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             will
             sufficiently
             resolve
             us
             .
             And
             Christians
             (
             though
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             have
             been
             proved
             ,
             by
             an
             infinite
             Experience
             ,
             a
             dead
             catch
             ,
             devoid
             of
             the
             life
             of
             truth
             and
             perspicuity
             )
             stoop
             as
             greedily
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             ever
             thrown
             before
             them
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             all
             Oracle
             .
             For
             they
             easily
             
             believe
             no
             man
             to
             be
             so
             projectedly
             Atheistical
             ,
             as
             to
             intitle
             God
             to
             the
             Visions
             of
             his
             own
             brain
             :
             not
             considering
             that
             the
             spirit
             of
             heated
             Melancholy
             may
             inspire
             these
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             abuse
             them
             with
             some
             vigorous
             impressions
             as
             much
             as
             they
             do
             other
             men
             .
          
           
             Now
             it
             cannot
             but
             seem
             strange
             to
             our
             first
             thoughts
             ,
             that
             while
             all
             other
             Sects
             and
             impostures
             suited
             to
             the
             present
             gusto
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             have
             had
             their
             peculiar
             times
             and
             places
             of
             acceptance
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Wheel
               of
               Fortune
            
             (
             as
             it
             is
             called
             )
             hath
             gone
             over
             them
             all
             and
             crush'd
             them
             in
             the
             dust
             ,
             Enthusiasts
             and
             pretences
             to
             Prophecy
             should
             prove
             an
             obstinate
             cheat
             which
             all
             Ages
             and
             Nations
             have
             been
             thus
             gull'd
             withal
             ;
             especially
             considering
             that
             the
             hiding
             of
             Events
             from
             us
             is
             so
             great
             a
             security
             to
             the
             quiet
             of
             our
             minds
             ,
             and
             felicities
             are
             always
             greater
             ,
             and
             Evils
             (
             because
             they
             then
             afflict
             us
             but
             once
             )
             the
             lighter
             ,
             which
             do
             surprize
             us
             .
             This
             so
             strange
             and
             catholick
             a
             Vanity
             must
             determine
             our
             Inquiries
             after
             some
             catholick
             and
             immutable
             Causes
             in
             humane
             Nature
             which
             may
             give
             us
             some
             probable
             account
             thereof
             .
             They
             are
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             especially
             these
             three
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             
               A
               catholick
               presumption
               of
               the
               singular
               readiness
               of
               God
               to
               communicate
               with
               Man
               ,
               especially
               if
               a
               more
               refined
               person
               ,
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               and
               separate
               from
               all
               the
               ways
               of
               the
               people
            
             (
             as
             the
             Masters
             say
             a
             Prophet
             must
             be
             .
             )
             This
             perswasion
             may
             grow
             either
             from
             a
             kind
             of
             tacit
             sense
             in
             the
             Soul
             that
             it
             was
             made
             for
             converse
             with
             God
             ,
             to
             refer
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             derive
             light
             and
             law
             from
             him
             .
             A
             remembrance
             of
             which
             birthright
             of
             the
             Soul
             remained
             a
             while
             in
             the
             more
             simple
             and
             innocent
             years
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             in
             that
             frequent
             intercourse
             between
             God
             and
             Man
             ,
             by
             the
             mission
             of
             Angels
             ,
             vouchsafing
             of
             divine
             Visions
             and
             Prophecies
             ,
             immediate
             Oracles
             ,
             and
             that
             administration
             of
             civil
             affairs
             in
             the
             Iewish
             Kingdom
             by
             the
             immediate
             direction
             of
             God
             himself
             .
             Or
             else
             (
             which
             is
             more
             explicable
             )
             it
             might
             possibly
             arise
             from
             a
             fantastical
             measure
             of
             goodness
             in
             God.
             Men
             have
             thought
             it
             could
             not
             stand
             with
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             to
             suppose
             him
             reserved
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             them
             in
             the
             dark
             in
             some
             very
             doubtful
             and
             perplexed
             circumstances
             of
             life
             :
             and
             therefore
             
               si
               Dii
               sint
               ,
               divinatio
               est
            
             was
             thought
             by
             Tully
             and
             others
             a
             very
             natural
             consequence
             .
             And
             a
             late
             Writer
             ,
             to
             prove
             Prophecy
             not
             yet
             ceased
             ,
             placeth
             this
             in
             the
             front
             of
             his
             demonstrations
             (
             so
             he
             calls
             them
             )
             
               the
               eternal
               duration
               of
               the
               Divine
               Goodness
               and
               Bounty
            
             ;
             which
             will
             oblige
             him
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             to
             as
             free
             a
             communication
             of
             this
             prophetick
             light
             now
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             years
             of
             old
             :
             and
             therefore
             
             concludes
             his
             Argument
             with
             a
             brand
             upon
             the
             f
             
               inexcusable
               wickedness
               and
               rashness
               of
               those
               men
               who
               would
               have
               this
               Fountain
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               dried
               up
               ,
            
             while
             denying
             Prophecy
             .
             But
             who
             art
             thou
             ,
             
               O
               vain
               man
            
             ,
             that
             wilt
             thus
             
               mete
               out
               the
               Heavens
               with
               thy
               span
               ?
            
             prefer
             thy
             short
             thoughts
             of
             what
             is
             fit
             and
             good
             the
             measures
             of
             infinite
             Bounty
             and
             Goodness
             ?
             Doth
             not
             the
             Papist
             conclude
             an
             infallible
             spirit
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             from
             the
             same
             topick
             the
             Enthusiast
             doth
             a
             prophetical
             spirit
             therein
             ,
             even
             because
             God's
             goodness
             will
             not
             permit
             him
             to
             withhold
             so
             great
             a
             Blessing
             ?
             Certainly
             if
             God's
             goodness
             prove
             the
             spirit
             of
             Prophecy
             to
             be
             at
             all
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             it
             will
             prove
             it
             also
             as
             plentifully
             poured
             out
             now
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             primitive
             Times
             ,
             God
             being
             as
             rich
             in
             goodness
             now
             as
             then
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               Opinions
               of
               this
               World
               vast
               and
               unmeasured
               ,
               is
               another
               great
               support
               of
               the
               credit
               of
               Vulgar
               Prophecies
               .
            
             Men
             in
             all
             times
             have
             been
             apt
             to
             value
             the
             concerns
             of
             this
             World
             amiss
             ,
             to
             think
             persons
             and
             affairs
             hold
             the
             same
             place
             in
             the
             thoughts
             of
             God
             as
             of
             a
             man
             ,
             and
             could
             not
             imagine
             that
             what
             was
             a
             great
             reality
             to
             their
             inchanted
             minds
             ,
             was
             but
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             great
             Fancy
             in
             the
             account
             of
             Heaven
             :
             and
             therefore
             easily
             conceived
             that
             all
             Events
             of
             greater
             note
             came
             with
             observation
             ,
             and
             
             had
             the
             harbinger
             of
             a
             Prodigy
             or
             Prophecy
             to
             run
             before
             and
             give
             notice
             when
             ever
             they
             are
             coming
             after
             .
             This
             Vulgar
             Judgment
             of
             things
             drew
             forth
             that
             speech
             from
             the
             g
             Roman
             Historian
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               It
               hath
               often
               occurred
               to
               my
               thoughts
               as
               a
               Wonder
               ,
               that
               when
               the
               City
               of
            
             Byzantium
             
               hath
               risen
               so
               exceedingly
               ,
               that
               no
               City
               besides
               can
               vie
               fortunes
               or
               greatness
               with
               it
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               no
               Prophecy
               was
               ever
               given
               our
               Ancestors
               from
               the
               Gods
               of
               its
               singular
               felicities
               and
               increase
               .
               And
               my
               thoughts
            
             (
             as
             he
             goes
             on
             )
             
               oft
               running
               upon
               this
               strange
               instance
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               having
               turned
               over
               many
               Volumes
               of
               History
               and
               Collections
               of
               Oracles
               ,
               scarce
               at
               last
               have
               I
               light
               upon
               an
               Oracle
               of
            
             Sibylla
             Erythrea
             
               which
               seems
               to
               carry
               some
               prophetick
               ayrs
               of
               the
               succeeding
               grandeur
               of
               this
               City
               .
            
             But
             yet
             after
             a
             full
             recital
             of
             the
             Oracle
             ,
             he
             concludes
             (
             as
             he
             had
             reason
             ,
             so
             loose
             and
             general
             the
             words
             are
             )
             
               If
               the
               Oracle
               shall
               seem
               to
               any
               one
               to
               speak
               a
               different
               sense
               ,
            
             
             
               let
               him
               take
               to
               it
               if
               he
               please
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             
               There
               is
               in
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               an
               infinite
               thirst
               after
               the
               knowledg
               of
               Futurities
               .
            
             What
             purchase
             would
             be
             thought
             (
             by
             many
             men
             )
             too
             great
             for
             the
             knowledg
             of
             such
             things
             as
             these
             ,
             
               How
               long
               such
               a
               King
               shall
               reign
               ,
               who
               shall
               succeed
               to
               the
               Throne
               ,
               when
               
               Antichrist
               shall
               fall
               ,
               how
               long
               they
               shall
               live
               ,
               whom
               they
               shall
               marry
               ,
               what
               shall
               be
               the
               issue
               of
               such
               a
               War
               ,
               when
               such
               a
               cloud
               of
               affliction
               shall
               go
               off
               from
               their
               Tabernacle
               :
            
             this
             thirst
             made
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             (
             that
             thought
             there
             was
             nothing
             beyond
             the
             Horizon
             of
             sense
             )
             almost
             nothing
             but
             a
             continued
             Divination
             ,
             an
             unwearied
             pursuit
             of
             this
             knowledg
             ,
             in
             Oracles
             ,
             in
             Omens
             ,
             in
             Prophecies
             ,
             in
             Prodigies
             ,
             in
             Auguries
             ,
             in
             the
             Signs
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             the
             Guts
             of
             the
             Sacrifice
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ;
             and
             so
             far
             befooled
             them
             that
             they
             oft
             preferred
             the
             ravings
             of
             a
             mad-man
             ,
             the
             chirpings
             of
             a
             Bird
             ,
             the
             babble
             of
             an
             Astrologer
             ,
             and
             the
             Dreams
             of
             an
             old
             woman
             ,
             to
             greater
             veneration
             then
             
               the
               words
               of
               the
               wise
            
             ;
             and
             made
             the
             smoke
             of
             his
             house
             appear
             a
             better
             Oracle
             then
             the
             man
             of
             counsel
             that
             dwelt
             in
             it
             .
             And
             an
             impatience
             of
             the
             ignorance
             of
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             fooled
             the
             Iews
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Gentiles
             out
             of
             their
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             both
             at
             once
             ,
             tempting
             them
             to
             g
             
               ask
               counsel
               at
               their
               stocks
            
             ,
             and
             to
             seek
             to
             
               their
               Staff
               to
               declare
            
             futurities
             
               unto
               them
            
             .
             Amongst
             our selves
             a
             like
             affection
             for
             this
             knowledg
             betrays
             so
             many
             men
             to
             such
             Opinions
             of
             Astrologers
             ,
             Fortune-tellers
             ,
             the
             predictions
             of
             Enthusiasts
             ,
             and
             men
             upon
             a
             death-bed
             .
             Look
             as
             those
             gross
             vapors
             ,
             which
             ,
             while
             he●e
             below
             ,
             are
             of
             no
             name
             and
             consideration
             ,
             but
             
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             mount
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             carry
             light
             and
             fire
             with
             them
             ,
             draw
             the
             eyes
             of
             men
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             are
             thought
             Divine
             presages
             .
             Thus
             those
             persons
             ,
             whose
             grossness
             and
             dulness
             in
             all
             matters
             referring
             to
             Religion
             ,
             Learning
             or
             common
             life
             ,
             rendred
             them
             to
             the
             neglect
             or
             pity
             of
             sober
             men
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             that
             black
             humor
             in
             them
             takes
             fire
             ,
             and
             the
             men
             seem
             to
             speak
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             to
             carry
             a
             prophetick
             light
             with
             them
             ,
             they
             presently
             become
             considerable
             ,
             are
             advanced
             the
             common
             Subjects
             of
             Discourse
             ,
             their
             Prophecies
             are
             studied
             more
             then
             the
             Bible
             ,
             and
             men
             wonder
             to
             see
             how
             little
             those
             fools-bolts
             mist
             of
             the
             mark
             they
             were
             level'd
             unto
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             teeth
             of
             men
             have
             thus
             water'd
             for
             this
             
               forbidden
               fruit
            
             ,
             the
             knowledg
             of
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             partly
             from
             a
             weakness
             and
             childishness
             of
             temper
             whereby
             they
             cannot
             relish
             and
             digest
             the
             
               strong
               meat
            
             of
             substantial
             Doctrine
             and
             solid
             argument
             ;
             partly
             from
             some
             present
             uneasiness
             of
             condition
             ,
             the
             duration
             whereof
             looks
             like
             an
             Eternity
             to
             their
             short
             spirits
             ,
             while
             they
             know
             no
             end
             thereof
             ;
             partly
             in
             a
             vain
             hope
             that
             according
             as
             a
             good
             or
             an
             evil
             is
             prophesied
             concerning
             them
             ,
             so
             their
             diligence
             may
             be
             applied
             to
             promote
             it
             or
             prevent
             it
             .
          
           
             In
             consideration
             of
             all
             the
             premises
             ,
             I
             have
             applied
             my self
             with
             the
             greater
             seriousness
             
             to
             sink
             the
             reputation
             of
             those
             pretending
             Prophecies
             which
             so
             much
             ingross
             the
             studies
             and
             affections
             of
             many
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             evince
             that
             pretenders
             to
             Predictions
             now
             ,
             are
             ,
             in
             all
             likelihood
             ,
             
             Prophets
             onely
             
               of
               the
               deceit
               of
               their
               own
               heart
               ,
            
             and
             that
             none
             of
             their
             Prophecies
             are
             to
             be
             attended
             to
             ,
             as
             the
             certain
             indications
             of
             a
             future
             time
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             The
             Vanity
             of
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             detected
             from
             the
             unworthiness
             of
             the
             Pretenders
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             
               All
               things
               and
               Persons
               thought
               by
               the
               Heathens
               to
               partake
               somewhat
               of
               a
               Prophetick
               Power
               .
               Wisdom
               onely
               excluded
               by
               them
               from
               any
               share
               in
               that
               gift
               .
               The
               Perswasion
               too
               much
               abetted
               by
               some
               Christians
               .
               To
               reprehend
               which
               ,
               the
               first
               Consideration
               is
               proposed
               .
               That
               Prophetick
               Maxim
               ,
               
                 That
                 Prophecy
                 rests
                 not
                 but
                 upon
                 a
                 wise
                 ,
                 a
                 valiant
                 and
                 a
                 rich
                 man
                 ,
              
               how
               understood
               by
               the
               Modern
               Jews
               :
               A
               conjecture
               concerning
               the
               Reason
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               their
               sense
               .
               How
               understood
               by
               the
               more
               Ancient
               Jews
               ,
               shewn
               at
               large
               from
               their
               Writings
               .
               God's
               Prophets
               never
               mad
               in
               a
               Prophetick
               fit
               .
               Wise-men
               an
               ancient
               addition
               of
               the
               Prophets
               :
               the
               title
               usurped
               by
               the
               Ancient
               Philosophers
               and
               
                 Magicians
                 .
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Christians
              
               and
               Heathens
               required
               Sanctity
               in
               order
               to
               true
               Prophecy
               .
               None
               born
               Prophets
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               why
               .
               Our
               pretended
               Prophets
               largely
               proved
               devoid
               of
               all
               true
               Prophetical
               qualifications
               ,
               and
               therefore
               not
               creditable
               .
               The
               Church
               of
               Rome
               why
               so
               fruitful
               in
               such
               Prophets
               .
            
          
           
             HOw
             much
             a
             fond
             affection
             for
             Prophecy
             had
             blinded
             the
             Minds
             of
             the
             Ethnick
             World
             ,
             appears
             by
             their
             conceiting
             the
             Prophetick
             light
             as
             much
             diffused
             as
             the
             natural
             ;
             and
             that
             as
             every
             thing
             did
             ,
             according
             to
             its
             measure
             ,
             participate
             of
             the
             i
             Goodness
             ,
             so
             of
             the
             Prescience
             of
             God.
             They
             regarded
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             k
             parts
             thereof
             ,
             but
             as
             so
             many
             softer
             
             Oracles
             :
             not
             a
             Star
             or
             Comet
             in
             the
             Firmament
             ,
             not
             a
             Monster
             on
             Earth
             ,
             not
             a
             Staff
             in
             the
             Wood
             ,
             not
             a
             Gut
             in
             the
             Sacrifice
             ,
             not
             a
             Line
             in
             the
             Hand
             ,
             but
             was
             thought
             prophetical
             .
             The
             Earth
             was
             thought
             pregnant
             with
             a
             l
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Prophetick
               efflux
               and
               most
               Divine
               Spirit
               ,
            
             able
             to
             inspire
             the
             Pythia
             which
             stood
             over
             it
             .
             The
             Souls
             of
             all
             men
             were
             thought
             continually
             uttering
             some
             softer
             voices
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             but
             could
             not
             be
             heard
             till
             a
             Dream
             ,
             or
             an
             Ecstacy
             ,
             or
             a
             Frenzy
             had
             hush'd
             the
             clamors
             of
             an
             obstreperous
             Reason
             ;
             and
             therefore
             even
             persons
             which
             could
             not
             speak
             sense
             ,
             yet
             were
             presumed
             able
             to
             speak
             a
             Prophecy
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             every
             thing
             was
             thought
             pregnant
             with
             some
             Presage
             ,
             but
             onely
             Reason
             and
             
               the
               Mind
               that
               had
               wisdom
            
             ;
             for
             as
             to
             that
             ,
             their
             Doctrine
             was
             m
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               mortal
               wisdom
            
             (
             stylo
             novo
             ,
             
               corrupt
               Reason
               )
               diverts
               and
               extinguisheth
               that
               Enthuusiasm
            
             which
             would
             otherwise
             rise
             upon
             the
             Soul.
             And
             I
             am
             sorry
             to
             see
             ,
             that
             amidst
             all
             this
             light
             which
             falls
             upon
             us
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             men
             should
             yet
             be
             so
             little
             awakened
             out
             of
             the
             Dreams
             of
             Gentilism
             ,
             as
             to
             think
             Divination
             almost
             as
             familiar
             a
             thing
             as
             the
             Heathens
             did
             ;
             an●
             that
             while
             we
             profess
             Miracles
             the
             Seal
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Prophecy
             the
             Rule
             ,
             and
             Prophet
             the
             
             great
             title
             of
             the
             Lord
             thereof
             ,
             we
             should
             be
             so
             lavish
             of
             these
             sacred
             names
             ,
             as
             to
             throw
             them
             away
             upon
             every
             prodigy
             which
             our
             Philosophy
             cannot
             Salve
             ;
             and
             should
             still
             conceit
             a
             monster
             ,
             a
             Comet
             ,
             a
             great
             wind
             ,
             the
             falling
             of
             the
             salt
             ,
             or
             the
             tingling
             of
             the
             ears
             as
             prophetical
             as
             they
             did
             ;
             and
             profane
             the
             sacred
             title
             of
             prophecy
             by
             bestowing
             it
             upon
             the
             crazy
             fancies
             of
             every
             idle
             visionist
             ;
             and
             be
             ready
             to
             call
             him
             a
             Prophet
             ,
             that
             hath
             scarce
             reason
             or
             morality
             enough
             to
             intitle
             him
             Man.
             
          
           
             That
             this
             is
             no
             scandal
             may
             in
             part
             appear
             from
             the
             fore-going
             Treatise
             ,
             but
             will
             more
             fully
             by
             what
             time
             we
             dismiss
             our
             first
             Consideration
             to
             reprehend
             the
             vanity
             of
             receiving
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             as
             Gods
             signs
             of
             the
             condition
             of
             a
             future
             time
             ;
             which
             is
             this
             ,
             
             
               The
               Prophets
               which
               deliver
               them
               are
               generally
               devoid
               of
               all
               the
               Prophetick
               qualifications
               necessary
               to
               conciliate
               reverence
               to
               their
               Persons
               and
               Prophecies
               .
            
             What
             these
             are
             we
             may
             best
             learn
             from
             the
             Jewish
             Masters
             ;
             now
             with
             them
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             ruling
             Maxim
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             n
             
               Prophecy
               rests
               not
               but
               upon
               a
               wise
               ,
               a
               valiant
               and
               a
               rich
               man
               :
            
             where
             by
             the
             
               Wise
               man
            
             ,
             they
             understand
             a
             Man
             of
             prudence
             ,
             and
             well
             practiced
             especially
             in
             their
             Cabbalistical
             and
             traditional
             learning
             ,
             in
             great
             price
             with
             them
             :
             the
             other
             
             words
             they
             expound
             in
             the
             rigid
             an●
             usual
             sense
             and
             meaning
             of
             them
             ;
             because
             observing
             in
             Scripture
             so
             much
             courage
             attending
             the
             prophetick
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             generally
             great
             riches
             ,
             excepting
             (
             o
             say
             they
             )
             in
             t●e
             instances
             of
             
               Moses
               ,
               Samuel
               ,
               Amos
            
             and
             Iona
             ;
             who
             yet
             did
             not
             conflict
             with
             extreme
             necessities
             ,
             nor
             yet
             (
             I
             think
             )
             any
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             except
             in
             a
             time
             of
             some
             common
             calamity
             ,
             when
             their
             strai●s
             and
             indigencies
             were
             rather
             a
             p
             testimony
             to
             their
             office
             then
             a
             scandal
             .
             But
             I
             think
             the
             most
             rational
             account
             that
             can
             be
             given
             of
             this
             Maxim
             thus
             expounded
             ,
             is
             this
             ▪
             The
             greatest
             assurances
             which
             Faith
             can
             require
             in
             the
             Prophet
             himself
             ,
             are
             these
             two
             :
             that
             he
             appear
             a
             person
             not
             apt
             to
             be
             deceived
             himself
             (
             by
             taking
             the
             impression
             ;
             of
             a
             strong
             Fancy
             for
             the
             
               hand
               of
               God
            
             upon
             him
             )
             which
             therefore
             ,
             that
             first
             requisite
             of
             wisdom
             secures
             him
             from
             the
             Suspicion
             of
             :
             and
             that
             he
             appear
             a
             person
             not
             apt
             to
             deceive
             others
             .
             Now
             all
             aptness
             to
             deceive
             others
             grows
             q
             either
             from
             a
             fear
             of
             cispleasing
             by
             some
             greivous
             ,
             or
             hope
             of
             reward
             by
             some
             grateful
             prediction
             ;
             and
             therefore
             that
             he
             may
             be
             proof
             against
             temptaion
             from
             fear
             or
             hope
             ,
             they
             make
             him
             armed
             with
             valor
             and
             riches
             .
             And
             perhaps
             that
             *
             Maxim
             we
             met
             with
             before
             among
             the
             heathens
             somewhat
             like
             this
             among
             the
             present
             Jews
             )
             
             might
             carry
             some
             respects
             to
             some
             such
             considerations
             as
             these
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             conceive
             the
             more
             Ancient
             Rabbies
             intended
             some
             richer
             Sence
             in
             this
             Maxim
             ,
             understanding
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               the
               Wise
               man
            
             ,
             in
             a
             more
             lax
             and
             general
             signification
             :
             so
             as
             to
             comprehend
             a
             person
             furnished
             with
             all
             the
             kinds
             of
             wisdom
             :
             with
             
               Natural
               wisdom
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Soundness
             of
             mind
             both
             before
             and
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             prophetick
             afflatus
             .
             Accordingly
             ,
             r
             Vorstius
             tells
             us
             from
             the
             writings
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             that
             among
             many
             other
             preparatory
             requisites
             to
             prophecy
             ,
             the
             first
             they
             lay
             donw
             is
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Natural
               disposition
            
             ,
             an
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             firm
             and
             sound
             constitution
             of
             body
             ,
             that
             there
             appear
             no
             shew
             of
             a
             person
             crazy
             and
             sunk
             into
             phantasms
             .
             And
             s
             all
             writers
             ancient
             and
             modern
             have
             been
             careful
             to
             secure
             the
             Divine
             Prophets
             in
             the
             Opinion
             of
             being
             sober
             and
             rational
             ,
             even
             while
             acted
             by
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             ,
             fully
             able
             to
             conceive
             and
             express
             what
             was
             sealed
             upon
             their
             minds
             by
             the
             
               hand
               of
               God
               upon
               them
            
             .
             God
             sometimes
             sent
             his
             Servants
             (
             as
             t
             Epiphanius
             distinguisheth
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               the
               Ecstacy
               of
               sleep
            
             (
             in
             the
             silence
             and
             composure
             whereof
             ,
             the
             Soul
             might
             best
             attend
             the
             softer
             whisperings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               not
               an
               Ecstasy
               of
               mind
            
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Understanding
             became
             useless
             ,
             and
             
             the
             language
             confused
             and
             inconsequent
             :
             whereas
             the
             Ethnick
             Prophet
             was
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               the
               Organ
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             sounding
             forth
             such
             discordant
             and
             rude
             airs
             as
             he
             inspired
             him
             with
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             person
             scarce
             retained
             the
             remembrance
             when
             the
             fit
             was
             over
             .
             'T
             is
             noted
             of
             the
             Idol-Prophet
             ,
             that
             he
             used
             not
             to
             prophecy
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             u
             till
             in
             the
             previous
             use
             of
             some
             extatical
             solemnities
             ,
             he
             became
             frantick
             and
             epileptical
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             Natural
             was
             superadded
             
               a
               Livine
               Widom
            
             ,
             
             great
             skill
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             mysteries
             relating
             to
             the
             person
             and
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Messiah
             ,
             in
             conjunction
             with
             a
             divine
             Philosophy
             ,
             the
             knowledg
             of
             the
             works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             with
             reference
             to
             piety
             and
             virtue
             ,
             (
             the
             most
             valued
             learning
             of
             those
             whiter
             Ages
             of
             the
             World.
             )
             God
             did
             not
             w
             use
             to
             hazard
             the
             reputation
             of
             his
             Oracles
             by
             trusting
             them
             with
             such
             Prophets
             ,
             whose
             rudeness
             would
             have
             rendered
             their
             persons
             and
             Message
             to
             the
             common
             scorn
             ;
             but
             the
             prophetick
             Spirit
             found
             them
             or
             made
             them
             wise
             and
             understanding
             men
             :
             and
             that
             in
             so
             eminent
             a
             degree
             ,
             that
             the
             title
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               wise
               men
            
             x
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             anciently
             the
             peculiar
             addition
             of
             Prophets
             and
             used
             characteristically
             ,
             as
             Scribe
             was
             originally
             the
             distinctive
             title
             of
             
               a
               Son
               of
               the
               Prophets
            
             ,
             and
             an
             expectant
             of
             that
             
             sacred
             function
             :
             and
             therefore
             an
             ancient
             Doctor
             y
             of
             the
             Jewish
             Nation
             tells
             us
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             after
             40
             years
             (
             the
             time
             they
             assign
             to
             prophecy
             after
             the
             second
             Temple
             )
             
               all
               the
               Wise-men
               were
               called
               the
               Men
               of
               the
               great
               Synagogue
               :
            
             as
             conceiving
             that
             title
             now
             too
             August
             and
             sacred
             for
             them
             to
             wear
             ,
             as
             the
             Primitive
             Bishops
             did
             the
             title
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             to
             whose
             places
             but
             not
             to
             their
             measures
             of
             the
             Spirit
             they
             did
             succeed
             ;
             and
             from
             hence
             it
             came
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             Devils
             prophets
             that
             assumed
             the
             skill
             ,
             usurpt
             also
             the
             stile
             of
             God's
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             were
             intitled
             z
             
               Wise
               men
            
             ;
             and
             perhaps
             the
             more
             ancient
             Philosophers
             amongst
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             as
             they
             borrowed
             their
             Wisdom
             ,
             
             so
             also
             the
             stile
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             
               Wise
               men
            
             ,
             from
             the
             prophetick
             Doctors
             of
             the
             Jewish
             church
             so
             eminent
             in
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             By
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               the
               rich
               man
            
             there
             ,
             they
             understand
             (
             as
             b
             Maimonides
             expounds
             the
             word
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               the
               man
               that
               rejoyceth
               in
               his
               portion
               ,
            
             of
             riches
             ,
             honor
             ,
             health
             ,
             pleasure
             ,
             which
             his
             father
             hath
             allotted
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             is
             of
             
               a
               contented
            
             and
             chearful
             Spirit
             :
             for
             as
             that
             water
             which
             is
             not
             mudded
             with
             Earth
             nor
             ruffled
             with
             the
             wind
             ,
             is
             most
             apt
             to
             receive
             and
             reflect
             an
             image
             ,
             so
             that
             Minde
             which
             is
             not
             soyled
             with
             covetous
             
             desires
             as
             with
             earth
             ,
             nor
             discomposed
             with
             anger
             or
             sorrow
             ,
             as
             with
             wind
             ,
             is
             most
             receptive
             of
             a
             prophetick
             image
             and
             impression
             .
             Accordingly
             we
             find
             none
             of
             Gods
             Prophets
             (
             nay
             none
             of
             his
             servants
             )
             blemished
             in
             Scripture
             for
             an
             inordinate
             love
             to
             this
             worlds
             goods
             ;
             and
             so
             far
             did
             they
             stand
             from
             a
             morose
             and
             sowr
             humor
             ,
             that
             we
             scarce
             read
             of
             any
             inspired
             persons
             but
             were
             c
             frequent
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             instruments
             of
             Musick
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             soft
             and
             gent●e
             airs
             thereof
             they
             might
             allay
             all
             undue
             ●eats
             ,
             and
             charm
             their
             unquiet
             thoughts
             into
             stilness
             and
             silence
             .
          
           
             By
             that
             third
             word
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             they
             understood
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             these
             three
             excellencies
             :
             (
             1.
             )
             
               Great
               courage
               and
               presence
               of
               mind
               :
            
             that
             which
             we
             may
             find
             a●l
             the
             Prophets
             in
             Scripture
             eminent
             for
             :
             Upon
             which
             account
             perhaps
             ,
             the
             title
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             stout
             or
             valiant
             ,
             became
             the
             almost
             distinctive
             Epithite
             of
             a
             Prophet
             .
             Our
             forementioned
             d
             Master
             ,
             speaking
             of
             Abraham
             describes
             him
             by
             the
             character
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               this
               stout
               one
            
             .
             And
             some
             of
             the
             R●bbins
             conjecture
             ,
             that
             the
             Moneth
             Tisri
             o●
             September
             is
             stiled
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             1
             
               Kings
               8.
               2.
               the
               moneth
               of
               the
               Valiant
               ,
            
             because
             (
             say
             they
             )
             three
             great
             Prophets
             were
             born
             therein
             .
             But
             this
             e
             singular
             presence
             of
             m●nd
             ,
             I
             conceive
             rather
             an
             effect
             of
             then
             a
             disposition
             
             to
             the
             prophetick
             Spirit
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             
               Power
               over
               inordinate
               affections
            
             ,
             for
             so
             Maimonides
             having
             asked
             (
             upon
             occasion
             of
             this
             Maxim
             )
             
               who
               is
               the
               strong
               man
            
             ?
             makes
             answer
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               the
               man
               that
               subdues
               his
               concupiscence
            
             ;
             for
             herein
             the
             true
             strength
             and
             vigor
             of
             the
             Soul
             reports
             it self
             ,
             that
             it
             can
             maintain
             its
             supremacy
             ,
             and
             give
             check
             to
             all
             its
             rebel-passions
             :
             and
             therefore
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             a
             word
             used
             in
             Scripture
             for
             temperance
             )
             signifies
             a
             having
             somewhat
             in
             ones
             power
             ,
             and
             holding
             it
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             ones
             strength
             .
             All
             inordinate
             passions
             the
             Iews
             used
             to
             stile
             
               the
               vails
               of
               the
               Prophets
            
             ,
             which
             intercepted
             the
             light
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             ready
             otherwise
             to
             fall
             upon
             them
             ;
             and
             therefore
             rightly
             judged
             ,
             a
             power
             over
             the
             motions
             of
             the
             lower
             Soul
             essential
             to
             the
             Prophetick
             State.
             (
             3.
             )
             
               Singular
               gravity
               and
               severity
               of
               life
               and
               manners
               :
            
             for
             in
             such
             a
             sence
             the
             word
             occurs
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             22.
             26.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               with
               the
               strongly
            
             or
             heroically
             
               perfect
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               shew
               thy self
               perfect
               .
            
             And
             a
             late
             f
             learned
             Papist
             conceives
             that
             the
             title
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Gen.
             6.
             4.
             was
             anciently
             the
             distinctive
             character
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             are
             not
             there
             and
             in
             other
             places
             to
             understand
             (
             as
             we
             translate
             it
             )
             Gyants
             ,
             sed
             
               homines
               virtute
               &
               sanctitate
               ad
               miraculum
               usque
               potentes
               ,
               &
               quasi
               Gygantes
               :
            
             for
             
             which
             he
             gives
             several
             reasons
             .
             It
             hath
             been
             the
             acknowledged
             doctrine
             both
             of
             
               Iews
               ,
               Christians
            
             ,
             yea
             Heathens
             ,
             that
             God
             never
             sets
             up
             a
             prophetick
             light
             but
             in
             golden
             candle-sticks
             ,
             persons
             of
             most
             refined
             minds
             and
             maners
             .
             Amongst
             the
             Jews
             it
             obtained
             so
             much
             ,
             that
             g
             Maimonides
             tells
             us
             that
             
               hitherto
               there
               was
               never
               the
               man
               that
               would
               say
               that
               God
               did
               cause
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               to
               dwell
               in
               a
               bad
               man
               ,
               but
               then
               only
               when
               he
               had
               reformed
               his
               life
               :
            
             nay
             so
             ass●r'd
             were
             they
             in
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             Master
             tells
             us
             h
             elsewhere
             ,
             that
             if
             a
             prophet
             arise
             and
             
               shew
               them
               a
               sign
               or
               a
               wonder
               ,
            
             yet
             they
             
               believe
               him
               not
               ,
               if
               not
               found
               to
               have
               walked
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               in
               the
               waies
               of
               prophecy
               ,
               in
               holiness
               and
               separation
               from
               the
               world
               ,
               in
               the
               study
               of
               Wisdom
               ,
            
             &c
             And
             as
             much
             was
             this
             doctrine
             subscribed
             unto
             by
             the
             Christians
             .
             i
             Origen
             takes
             notice
             that
             the
             Prophets
             God
             ever
             spake
             by
             ,
             were
             eminent
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             for
             the
             
               inimitable
               sanctity
               and
               incomparable
               settledness
               of
               life
               and
               maners
            
             ;
             and
             many
             more
             besides
             himself
             cited
             by
             a
             k
             Modern
             writer
             concerning
             Prophecy
             .
             And
             the
             very
             Heathens
             thought
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             did
             so
             hate
             to
             touch
             any
             unclean
             thing
             ,
             that
             the
             prophetick
             illapses
             could
             never
             grace
             an
             impure
             Soul.
             Aristotle
             (
             speaking
             of
             prophetick
             dreams
             )
             tells
             
             us
             to
             suppose
             
               that
               they
               are
               ever
               sent
               from
               God
               ,
            
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               and
               that
               he
               sends
               them
               not
               to
               the
               best
               and
               wisest
               of
               men
               ,
               but
               indifferently
               and
               as
               it
               happens
               ,
               is
               an
               absurd
               conceit
               :
            
             and
             therefore
             the
             wiser
             heathens
             prepared
             themselves
             for
             the
             reception
             of
             any
             divine
             communications
             by
             abstinencies
             ,
             washings
             ,
             some
             fantastical
             separations
             and
             sanctities
             ;
             which
             proceeded
             upon
             a
             tacit
             sense
             of
             this
             truth
             ,
             that
             the
             light
             of
             heaven
             cannot
             shine
             through
             dirt
             and
             filth
             ,
             nor
             God
             ever
             make
             an
             unhallowed
             place
             or
             person
             ,
             his
             Oracle
             .
             And
             if
             we
             consult
             Scripture
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             that
             howsoever
             the
             order
             of
             Kings
             by
             whom
             the
             Judicial
             ,
             and
             of
             Priests
             by
             whom
             the
             Ceremonial
             law
             was
             administred
             ,
             was
             maintained
             by
             a
             natural
             and
             hereditary
             succession
             of
             persons
             in
             the
             families
             of
             David
             and
             Aron
             ;
             yet
             the
             order
             of
             Prophets
             (
             by
             whose
             care
             the
             Moral
             law
             was
             especially
             secured
             )
             was
             alwaies
             elective
             :
             never
             any
             born
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             but
             the
             office
             was
             served
             by
             such
             persons
             as
             God
             found
             qualified
             ,
             generally
             with
             wisdom
             ,
             always
             with
             piety
             .
             And
             therefore
             our
             Savior
             tells
             us
             we
             may
             know
             fals-Prophets
             m
             
               by
               their
               fruits
            
             :
             by
             some
             evil
             maners
             ,
             or
             some
             doctrine
             which
             directly
             tends
             to
             incourage
             them
             .
             As
             for
             the
             instances
             of
             n
             
               Amos
               ,
               Balaam
            
             and
             Caiaphas
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             opposed
             
             to
             what
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             I
             shall
             return
             but
             this
             (
             for
             brevity's
             sake
             )
             that
             they
             are
             examples
             singular
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             occasions
             extraordinary
             and
             therefore
             (
             like
             the
             jogging
             of
             young
             trees
             )
             do
             but
             more
             fully
             confirm
             and
             settle
             the
             rule
             they
             seem
             to
             shake
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             fitted
             our
             prophetick
             ballance
             ,
             if
             we
             proceed
             now
             to
             weigh
             our
             pretending
             Prophets
             therein
             they
             will
             be
             found
             greatly
             wanting
             .
             For
             the
             greater
             part
             of
             our
             little
             Prophets
             ,
             appear
             devoid
             of
             that
             natural
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             soundness
             of
             mind
             of
             which
             the
             true
             prophets
             of
             God
             gave
             such
             undoubted
             evidences
             .
             That
             word
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Prophets
             (
             deriving
             from
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             madness
             )
             carries
             in
             the
             Original
             thereof
             a
             remembrance
             what
             kind
             of
             crack'd
             mettal
             ,
             the
             Ethnick
             Prophets
             of
             old
             were
             generally
             made
             of
             :
             and
             it
             derives
             a
             great
             suspicion
             upon
             our
             modem
             Prophets
             of
             some
             such
             crazy
             temper
             ,
             that
             so
             o
             great
             a
             part
             of
             these
             
               ignes
               fatui
            
             have
             risen
             from
             the
             boggs
             of
             the
             Romish
             cells
             and
             hermitages
             ,
             where
             the
             strict
             separations
             from
             Company
             and
             hones
             :
             business
             ,
             the
             high
             applauses
             of
             an
             abstract
             and
             ecstatical
             devotion
             ,
             the
             severe
             disciplines
             of
             the
             body
             by
             excessive
             fastings
             and
             scourgings
             ,
             the
             strict
             forbidding
             of
             Marriage
             ●o
             persons
             not
             capable
             of
             that
             doctrine
             ,
             the
             common
             Opinion
             of
             the
             frequent
             visits
             of
             the
             
               V.
               Mary
            
             and
             other
             Saints
             vouchsaft
             to
             more
             
             severe
             livers
             ,
             together
             with
             a
             strong
             opinion
             of
             meriting
             ,
             by
             such
             devout
             singularities
             ,
             the
             highest
             favors
             and
             intimacies
             with
             God
             ,
             cannot
             easily
             fail
             of
             intoxicating
             ,
             weaker
             heads
             especially
             ,
             with
             the
             conceit
             of
             some
             extraordinary
             visions
             and
             prophetick
             inspirations
             .
             Accordingly
             such
             swarms
             of
             prophets
             and
             rapturists
             have
             flown
             out
             of
             those
             hives
             in
             some
             ages
             ,
             that
             the
             Council
             of
             
               Constance
               ,
               Anno
            
             1415.
             was
             conven'd
             (
             as
             p
             Gerson
             tells
             us
             )
             especially
             to
             determine
             which
             should
             pass
             for
             Canonical
             and
             which
             for
             Apocryphal
             prophets
             in
             that
             Church
             :
             and
             the
             many
             gross
             fallacies
             put
             ,
             even
             upon
             wise
             men
             ,
             by
             such
             frequent
             Visionists
             ,
             put
             him
             upon
             writing
             those
             learned
             and
             pious
             pieces
             extant
             in
             the
             collection
             of
             his
             works
             ,
             
               De
               probatione
               Spirituum
               ,
               De
               distinctione
               verarum
               visionam
               à
               falsis
               ,
               De
               examine
               Doctrinarum
               ,
            
             and
             that
             Epistle
             intituled
             
               Doctrinae
               ad
               quendam
               Eremitam
            
             ,
             in
             all
             which
             he
             doth
             with
             great
             Sobriety
             and
             Christian
             zeal
             advise
             against
             the
             spreading
             infection
             of
             those
             more
             
               solemn
               and
               demurer
               frenzies
            
             ,
             Visions
             and
             pretended
             Prophecies
             .
             Nor
             perhaps
             will
             that
             term
             be
             thought
             a
             bolt
             let
             fly
             without
             aim
             ,
             if
             the
             Reader
             consider
             further
             how
             frequent
             such
             prophetick
             visions
             and
             illapses
             are
             with
             these
             persons
             ;
             Revelations
             usually
             are
             as
             familiar
             with
             them
             as
             Arguments
             with
             other
             men
             ,
             
             those
             three
             q
             Prophets
             ,
             
               Kotterus
               ,
               Christina
            
             ,
             and
             Drabicius
             ,
             which
             of
             late
             years
             have
             made
             such
             a
             noise
             
               in
               Germany
            
             (
             as
             fruitful
             in
             Enthusiasts
             as
             Africa
             in
             monsters
             )
             had
             their
             weekly
             or
             dayly
             Visions
             ,
             and
             heard
             from
             God
             almost
             every
             day
             :
             and
             the
             Visions
             of
             any
             one
             of
             them
             may
             compare
             numbers
             with
             all
             that
             the
             prophetick
             writings
             make
             mention
             of
             .
             A
             consideration
             that
             will
             give
             us
             a
             great
             jealousy
             that
             the
             most
             of
             them
             were
             but
             the
             visions
             of
             a
             disturbed
             Fancy
             ,
             and
             the
             spurious
             issues
             of
             that
             inchanting
             humor
             of
             Melancholy
             which
             will
             present
             as
             many
             delusive
             images
             to
             a
             man
             as
             a
             conjurers
             glass
             .
             And
             perhaps
             ,
             therefore
             did
             the
             holy
             Prophets
             record
             the
             year
             and
             the
             month
             when
             they
             received
             the
             divine
             illapses
             ,
             that
             so
             their
             Visions
             and
             Prophecies
             might
             not
             be
             thought
             the
             fatal
             and
             therefore
             frequent
             workings
             of
             that
             black
             humor
             in
             them
             ,
             but
             the
             arbitrary
             ,
             and
             therefore
             oft
             interrupted
             ,
             Visits
             of
             the
             true
             prophetick
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             proceed
             next
             to
             make
             search
             into
             their
             acquired
             Wisdom
             ,
             we
             shall
             soon
             perceive
             them
             greatly
             unworthy
             the
             title
             they
             assume
             :
             Is
             the
             hundredth
             part
             of
             them
             (
             as
             formerly
             )
             improved
             by
             any
             ingenuous
             education
             ?
             are
             they
             not
             persons
             generally
             whose
             grosness
             and
             ignorance
             gives
             them
             a
             great
             confidence
             ,
             credulity
             ,
             and
             talkativeness
             ,
             three
             gifts
             of
             singular
             use
             to
             men
             of
             
             their
             profession
             ?
             are
             they
             not
             silly
             women
             ,
             
               S.
               Brigit
               ,
               S.
               Hildegardis
               ,
               S.
               Catherin
               Senensis
               ,
               S.
               Teresia
               ,
               S.
               Matild
               ,
               S.
               Elizabeth
               ,
            
             which
             are
             of
             greatest
             name
             for
             Prophecy
             in
             the
             Romish
             Church
             ?
             Who
             were
             the
             men
             in
             the
             late
             times
             that
             most
             affected
             the
             Opinion
             of
             Prophecy
             and
             inspiration
             ,
             but
             they
             which
             (
             like
             the
             r
             Lyon
             in
             sacred
             writ
             )
             would
             gladly
             tear
             God's
             learned
             Prophets
             in
             pieces
             ,
             but
             had
             a
             kindness
             for
             the
             Ass
             ?
             The
             Ebionites
             (
             a
             sort
             of
             ancient
             Enthusiasts
             )
             *
             Eusebius
             tells
             took
             their
             name
             originally
             from
             the
             Hebrew
             word
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             signifying
             poor
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               because
               of
               the
               poverty
               of
               their
               understanding
               :
            
             and
             s
             Calvin
             speaking
             of
             the
             Enthusiasts
             of
             his
             time
             ,
             saith
             of
             them
             ,
             
               ignari
               sunt
               supra
               quam
               dici
               possit
            
             ;
             and
             as
             vast
             as
             that
             number
             of
             pretenders
             to
             revelation
             was
             in
             Germany
             ,
             (
             even
             40000
             )
             the
             t
             Historian
             relates
             ,
             
               in
               tanta
               hominum
               colluvie
               ,
               ne
               unus
               quidem
               inventus
               traditur
               qui
               literas
               didicerit
               :
               in
               such
               a
               rout
               of
               people
               ,
            
             the
             followers
             of
             their
             Prophet
             
               Muncer
               ,
               not
               a
               man
               was
               found
               that
               could
               read
            
             ;
             and
             of
             u
             
               David
               George
            
             (
             that
             famous
             new
             New-light
             of
             Germany
             in
             the
             last
             Age
             )
             't
             is
             recorded
             ,
             that
             
               He
               was
               a
               man
               of
               little
               Learning
               ,
               but
               of
               an
               extraordinary
               self-love
               .
            
             'T
             is
             only
             because
             the
             men
             are
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             that
             every
             rotten
             imagination
             shines
             to
             them
             and
             looks
             like
             Prophecy
             .
             
             They
             are
             easily
             imposed
             upon
             by
             a
             busy
             fancy
             ,
             because
             their
             undisciplin'd
             mind
             is
             unable
             to
             disabuse
             it self
             by
             an
             appeal
             to
             some
             sober
             and
             enduring
             principles
             .
          
           
             And
             their
             Morals
             will
             appear
             as
             unworthy
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             dignity
             as
             their
             intellectuals
             .
             Are
             they
             not
             persons
             generally
             discontented
             with
             the
             present
             s●ate
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             therefore
             clap
             the
             mantle
             of
             Samuel
             over
             the
             devil
             of
             Sedition
             ,
             and
             disguize
             the
             wishes
             of
             or
             encouragements
             unto
             some
             sudden
             change
             ,
             in
             the
             sacred
             livery
             of
             a
             Prophecy
             ?
             are
             they
             not
             persons
             generally
             extremely
             indigent
             and
             therefore
             have
             their
             eies
             much
             
               upon
               the
               rewards
               of
               Divination
            
             ?
             are
             they
             not
             persons
             commonly
             of
             a
             very
             morose
             and
             sowr
             humor
             ,
             especially
             where
             they
             perceive
             themselves
             neglected
             ?
             is
             there
             any
             shadow
             of
             that
             unforc'd
             gravity
             ,
             real
             sanctity
             ,
             contempt
             of
             the
             profits
             and
             applauses
             of
             this
             world
             which
             made
             the
             faces
             of
             God's
             Prophets
             to
             shine
             before
             men
             ?
             What
             indifferency
             to
             the
             Opinions
             of
             men
             discovers
             it self
             in
             them
             ?
             How
             much
             the
             notices
             of
             men
             affect
             them
             ,
             appea●s
             from
             the
             many
             Ecce's
             and
             Selah's
             they
             affix
             to
             their
             prophetick
             Speeches
             if
             ever
             they
             chance
             to
             hit
             .
             Whereas
             we
             may
             observe
             that
             howsoever
             there
             be
             a
             very
             critical
             notice
             taken
             in
             the
             Gospels
             how
             all
             the
             lines
             both
             of
             typical
             and
             verbal
             prophecy
             centered
             
             in
             the
             person
             of
             our
             Savior
             ,
             and
             how
             all
             were
             exactly
             fulfilled
             which
             referred
             to
             him
             (
             the
             more
             to
             assure
             our
             faith
             in
             so
             concerning
             an
             article
             as
             his
             being
             the
             true
             Messiah
             )
             yet
             there
             is
             so
             little
             intimation
             given
             when
             and
             how
             those
             other
             prophecies
             (
             in
             Daniel
             especially
             and
             the
             Revelations
             )
             of
             a
             more
             common
             and
             worldly
             reference
             ,
             had
             their
             accomplishments
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             argument
             wherein
             Divines
             more
             labor
             then
             in
             determining
             the
             places
             and
             seasons
             of
             them
             :
             and
             this
             ,
             that
             God's
             Prophets
             might
             appear
             satisfied
             from
             themselves
             ,
             and
             nothing
             sollicitous
             about
             the
             Opinion
             of
             a
             vain
             man.
             But
             especially
             notorious
             shall
             we
             find
             these
             pretending
             Prophets
             for
             Sensuallity
             and
             Sedition
             .
             The
             Gnosticks
             which
             arrogated
             such
             an
             intimacy
             with
             God
             stand
             branded
             with
             Sensuallity
             and
             opposition
             to
             Magistrates
             ,
             in
             w
             Sacred
             writ
             .
             Mahomet
             was
             a
             most
             unclean
             and
             turbulent
             Prophet
             ,
             the
             chief
             Doctrines
             taught
             and
             practiced
             by
             the
             Muncerians
             in
             Germany
             ,
             were
             
               Multiplicity
               of
               Wives
            
             ,
             and
             
               No
               necessity
               of
               Magistracy
            
             :
             and
             that
             false
             prophetess
             (
             whether
             person
             or
             Society
             )
             in
             the
             Revelation
             is
             called
             x
             Iezebel
             ,
             who
             was
             a
             very
             turbulent
             and
             a
             very
             lascivious
             Woman
             .
             Whereas
             when
             the
             true
             Spirit
             of
             Prophecy
             was
             powred
             out
             upon
             men
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             ,
             it
             made
             them
             famous
             especially
             for
             purity
             ,
             and
             a
             perfect
             submission
             
             to
             the
             most
             inhumane
             Magistrates
             .
          
           
             To
             think
             now
             that
             the
             prophetick
             Spirit
             (
             if
             yet
             found
             in
             the
             world
             )
             balks
             all
             the
             more
             lively
             images
             of
             God
             therein
             ,
             all
             those
             persons
             whose
             singular
             lives
             and
             learning
             were
             most
             likely
             to
             derive
             a
             reputation
             upon
             their
             message
             ,
             and
             dwells
             with
             those
             which
             have
             scarce
             any
             thing
             of
             man
             ,
             besides
             speech
             and
             figure
             ,
             is
             to
             approach
             very
             near
             the
             judgment
             of
             the
             old
             Heathens
             subscribed
             by
             y
             
               Celsus
               ,
               that
               bruit
               beasts
               were
               not
               only
               wiser
               then
               Man-kind
               ,
               but
               more
               dear
               to
               God
            
             a
             conceit
             easily
             pardonable
             to
             their
             hypothesis
             ,
             that
             God
             conveyed
             the
             knowledg
             of
             futurities
             to
             man
             ,
             through
             them
             .
             The
             z
             ●athers
             thought
             it
             sufficiently
             to
             reproach
             the
             faith
             of
             all
             the
             Ethnick
             Prophecies
             and
             Oracles
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             delivered
             by
             persons
             notorious
             for
             nothing
             but
             the
             grossness
             of
             their
             minds
             or
             manners
             .
             It
             will
             here
             perhaps
             be
             opposed
             that
             very
             many
             modern
             Prophets
             have
             been
             persons
             of
             unstained
             lives
             ,
             persons
             whose
             piety
             and
             prophecy
             reflected
             a
             mutual
             grace
             upon
             each
             other
             .
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ,
             That
             we
             scarce
             ever
             met
             with
             a
             false
             prophet
             in
             a
             Scripture
             but
             challenged
             for
             some
             enormity
             of
             life
             or
             doctrine
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             Spirits
             which
             came
             out
             of
             the
             mouth
             of
             the
             False
             Prophet
             are
             well
             emblem'd
             by
             b
             frogs
             ,
             which
             as
             they
             can
             only
             croke
             and
             make
             a
             noise
             ,
             so
             they
             live
             in
             the
             
             mud
             ,
             and
             are
             impure
             creatures
             .
             And
             as
             it
             was
             then
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             generally
             now
             .
             Paracelsus
             (
             several
             of
             whose
             Prophecies
             are
             extant
             )
             was
             a
             walking
             Dunghil
             (
             so
             offensive
             and
             corrupt
             his
             life
             )
             if
             c
             story
             do
             not
             misreport
             him
             .
             d
             Savanarola
             (
             the
             Italian
             Prophet
             )
             was
             condemned
             ,
             by
             the
             Senate
             of
             Florence
             ,
             to
             the
             fire
             ,
             for
             raising
             Seditions
             in
             the
             State.
             e
             Drabicius
             (
             so
             much
             the
             discourse
             of
             late
             )
             was
             excommunicate
             for
             his
             scandalous
             maners
             not
             long
             before
             he
             fell
             a
             prophesying
             .
             As
             for
             the
             Piety
             of
             the
             rest
             ,
             it
             usually
             keeps
             pace
             with
             their
             Prophecy
             ,
             being
             as
             fantastical
             as
             that
             ,
             consisting
             in
             some
             pathetical
             Prayers
             ,
             vehement
             expressions
             ,
             bodily
             severities
             ,
             affected
             anomalies
             and
             aversions
             from
             the
             innocent
             usages
             of
             men
             ,
             not
             in
             a
             profound
             Humility
             and
             universal
             Charity
             .
             But
             if
             any
             of
             these
             persons
             were
             so
             really
             religious
             as
             it
             is
             pretended
             ,
             I
             cannot
             weaken
             their
             title
             to
             Prophecy
             by
             this
             first
             Consideration
             ,
             but
             may
             possibly
             effect
             it
             by
             some
             that
             shall
             succeed
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             proved
             vain
             from
             the
             intrinsick
             circumstances
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             
               Several
               circumstances
               in
               the
               matter
               and
               stile
               of
               those
               Prophecies
               instanced
               in
               ,
               which
               speak
               them
               unworthy
               of
               God.
               Their
               being
               generally
               delivered
               in
               numbers
               noted
               as
               a
               character
               of
               Vanity
               ,
               and
               why
               .
               The
               Devil's
               Oracles
               of
               old
               delivered
               usually
               in
               Verse
               .
               Why
               afterward
               in
               more
               natural
               and
               familiar
               forms
               .
               Tully's
               exception
               against
               the
               pretended
               Oracles
               of
               the
               Sibyls
               justified
               .
               What
               appearance
               of
               Poetry
               in
               the
               Prophetick
               Writing●
               .
               These
               Prophecies
               noted
               to
               be
               delivered
               without
               any
               or
               a
               very
               long
               time
               prefixed
               for
               their
               accomplishment
               :
               useless
               upon
               that
               account
               to
               any
               good
               end
               .
               Why
               Scripture-Prophecies
               may
               be
               allowed
               a
               long
               time
               to
               be
               accomplished
               in
               ,
               but
               not
               Vulgar
               .
               The
               Devil
               concluded
               to
               influence
               these
               Vulgar
               Prophecies
               ,
               and
               therefore
               not
               to
               be
               credited
               .
            
          
           
             OUr
             second
             Consideration
             ,
             to
             evince
             the
             Vanity
             of
             these
             petty
             Oracles
             ,
             is
             this
             :
             
             
               Their
               very
               shape
               and
               character
               speak
               them
               greatly
               unworthy
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               alone
               is
               able
               to
               declare
               the
               things
               that
               are
               to
               come
               .
            
             For
             *
             they
             seem
             not
             at
             all
             level'd
             (
             what
             was
             f
             noted
             of
             old
             of
             all
             the
             Devil's
             Predictions
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               to
               ●he
               bettering
               and
               correction
               of
               mens
               lives
               and
               maners
               ,
            
             but
             rather
             to
             Curiosity
             and
             Sedition
             in
             the
             State.
             *
             God
             is
             seldom
             owned
             in
             them
             as
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Evils
             foretold
             ,
             nor
             Repentance
             as
             the
             remedy
             .
             *
             They
             frequently
             betray
             men
             (
             by
             some
             ambiguous
             
             expression
             )
             to
             the
             Evils
             they
             seem
             to
             warn
             them
             of
             .
             *
             They
             commonly
             come
             forth
             ,
             and
             are
             most
             attended
             to
             in
             times
             of
             action
             and
             expectation
             ,
             and
             therefore
             most
             likely
             to
             be
             then
             invented
             .
             *
             They
             are
             generally
             found
             (
             as
             lines
             drawn
             by
             no
             rule
             )
             to
             cross
             and
             thwart
             one
             another
             .
             *
             The
             stile
             they
             are
             delivered
             in
             ,
             commonly
             wears
             the
             Devil's
             livery
             ,
             being
             so
             full
             of
             darkness
             and
             perplexity
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             serve
             to
             any
             interpretation
             .
             *
             The
             knowledg
             they
             pretend
             to
             give
             ,
             is
             profitable
             to
             no
             great
             end
             ,
             whereas
             all
             the
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             are
             bestowed
             g
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             to
             some
             common
             benefit
             .
             *
             They
             are
             generally
             delivered
             in
             such
             affected
             barbarisms
             ,
             halting
             meeter
             ,
             fantastical
             pictures
             and
             emblems
             ,
             which
             carry
             nothing
             of
             that
             grace
             and
             majesty
             which
             attends
             the
             breathings
             of
             the
             true
             Spirit
             of
             Prophecy
             in
             Scripture
             .
             *
             Events
             are
             oft
             foretold
             in
             them
             ,
             without
             those
             circumstances
             of
             time
             ,
             place
             ,
             persons
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             which
             might
             assure
             the
             Events
             to
             be
             as
             well
             foreseen
             as
             foretold
             when
             they
             come
             to
             pass
             .
             *
             The
             matter
             's
             foretold
             in
             them
             are
             cheap
             and
             trivial
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             it
             were
             infinitely
             better
             for
             men
             not
             to
             know
             .
             *
             The
             pretended
             Visions
             ,
             often
             monstrous
             beyond
             the
             fictions
             of
             Bedlam
             ,
             the
             stile
             fluttering
             and
             uneven
             ,
             like
             the
             heated
             spirits
             which
             conduct
             it
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             Let
             but
             any
             wise
             man
             read
             over
             the
             Prophecies
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             
             and
             then
             those
             of
             Merlin
             or
             Nostredame
             ,
             and
             I
             believe
             he
             will
             scarce
             need
             an
             Argument
             to
             perswade
             him
             that
             they
             were
             never
             both
             inspired
             by
             the
             same
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             are
             two
             things
             of
             more
             especial
             note
             in
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Characters
             of
             Vanity
             :
             (
             1.
             )
             
               Those
               Poetical
               numbers
               in
               which
               they
               are
               frequently
               delivered
               :
            
             For
             whereas
             all
             the
             great
             Prophets
             of
             God
             delivered
             themselves
             in
             a
             natural
             and
             unforc'd
             order
             of
             words
             ,
             the
             far
             greater
             part
             of
             these
             pretended
             Oracles
             of
             elder
             and
             later
             times
             are
             delivered
             in
             Verse
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             inchant
             the
             fancies
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             become
             observable
             ;
             for
             an
             Oracle
             in
             Verse
             at
             once
             commands
             and
             courts
             the
             Soul
             to
             a
             regard
             thereof
             .
             The
             Devil's
             Oracles
             of
             old
             were
             so
             generally
             clothed
             in
             numbers
             ,
             and
             those
             enamel'd
             with
             all
             the
             curiosities
             of
             art
             ,
             that
             when
             they
             became
             about
             the
             times
             of
             Plutarch
             more
             familiar
             and
             simple
             ,
             it
             was
             so
             much
             observed
             ,
             that
             he
             wrote
             a
             D●scourse
             upon
             the
             occasion
             ,
             intitled
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Why
               the
               Pythia
               doth
               not
            
             now
             as
             heretofore
             
               use
               Poetry
            
             in
             her
             Oracular
             Speeches
             .
             To
             satisfie
             which
             Q●estion
             ,
             among
             other
             things
             ,
             he
             tells
             his
             Reader
             ,
             That
             h
             
               God
               had
               now
               removed
               from
               his
               Oracles
               ,
               Poetry
               ,
               and
               variety
               of
               dialect
               ,
               and
               circumlocution
               ,
               and
               obscurity
               ;
               and
               ordered
               them
               to
               speak
               to
               those
               which
               counsu●t
               them
               ,
               
               as
               Kings
               to
               their
               People
               ,
               and
               Masters
               to
               their
               Scholars
               ,
               in
               language
               intelligible
               and
               perswasive
               .
            
             But
             this
             rather
             shews
             the
             knot
             then
             unties
             it
             .
             The
             true
             Reason
             of
             this
             change
             of
             language
             was
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             either
             because
             men
             began
             to
             suspect
             that
             where
             there
             was
             so
             much
             of
             man
             appearing
             in
             the
             Oracle
             there
             could
             not
             be
             much
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             Inspiration
             is
             too
             hot
             and
             active
             a
             thing
             to
             move
             the
             sober
             and
             cool
             pace
             of
             a
             Poem
             :
             or
             else
             because
             the
             tempers
             of
             men
             were
             grown
             more
             sedate
             ,
             their
             minds
             &
             discourses
             not
             so
             turgent
             and
             ecstatical
             as
             heretofore
             ;
             or
             because
             he
             saw
             the
             clouds
             began
             to
             break
             ,
             and
             God
             addrest
             him
             to
             men
             in
             more
             natural
             and
             familiar
             ways
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             Devil
             (
             who
             would
             never
             be
             out
             of
             fashion
             )
             came
             nearer
             to
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             laid
             aside
             the
             state
             and
             solemnity
             he
             formerly
             spake
             to
             them
             with
             .
             Or
             perhaps
             because
             the
             true
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             delivered
             in
             more
             easie
             and
             neglected
             language
             ,
             began
             to
             lie
             more
             exposed
             to
             the
             common
             view
             ,
             and
             he
             would
             not
             have
             his
             to
             differ
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             imitate
             them
             .
             There
             is
             that
             coolness
             and
             curiousness
             in
             a
             Verse
             ,
             which
             speaks
             it
             greatly
             unsuitable
             to
             the
             vehemence
             and
             seriousness
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             .
             It
             useth
             to
             beget
             transports
             of
             mind
             ,
             which
             cannot
             bear
             the
             slowness
             and
             nicety
             of
             a
             Poem
             :
             for
             ,
             as
             common
             and
             quotidian
             thoughts
             are
             beneath
             
             the
             grace
             of
             a
             Verse
             ;
             so
             great
             and
             vehement
             are
             above
             the
             straits
             thereof
             ;
             they
             are
             impatient
             of
             borrowing
             feet
             ,
             that
             are
             fit
             to
             fly
             .
             And
             therefore
             i
             Tull●
             enters
             this
             judicious
             exception
             against
             the
             Cibylline
             Oracles
             of
             his
             time
             ,
             that
             they
             we●e
             delivered
             in
             Verses
             ,
             and
             many
             of
             those
             Acrosticks
             ,
             and
             ca●ried
             the
             evident
             tokens
             of
             art
             and
             contrivance
             ;
             and
             therefore
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               magis
               artis
               &
               diligentiae
               erant
               ,
               quam
               incitationis
               &
               motus
               ,
            
             they
             were
             rather
             the
             issue
             of
             
               Art
               and
               diligence
               ,
               then
               Enthusiasm
               and
               divine
               motion
               .
            
             Nor
             is
             the
             Exception
             entred
             by
             a
             k
             late
             learned
             Writer
             against
             this
             Exception
             of
             
               Tully
               ,
               That
               the
               Book
               of
            
             Job
             
               is
               Poetical
               ,
               and
               some
               of
               the
            
             Psalms
             Acrosticks
             ,
             of
             any
             great
             moment
             ;
             those
             writings
             being
             inspired
             by
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               the
               Holy
               Ghos●
            
             (
             as
             the
             Iews
             distinguish
             )
             a
             more
             gentle
             and
             easie
             afflatus
             ,
             that
             was
             still
             and
             sedate
             ,
             and
             approach'd
             very
             near
             to
             the
             more
             rational
             and
             divine
             actings
             of
             a
             wel-disposed
             mind
             .
             Whereas
             the
             motions
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             (
             strictly
             so
             called
             )
             are
             quick
             and
             vehement
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             the
             slow
             feet
             of
             a
             Verse
             cannot
             hold
             pace
             withal
             .
             And
             as
             for
             the
             Poetry
             in
             those
             Books
             ,
             it
             is
             rathe●
             in
             the
             phrase
             and
             matter
             of
             them
             then
             in
             the
             measure
             .
             For
             if
             there
             be
             any
             set
             numbe●s
             observed
             in
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             generally
             so
             mysteriously
             couch'd
             that
             none
             of
             the
             learned
             have
             
             been
             able
             yet
             to
             make
             any
             certain
             report
             of
             them
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             upon
             this
             score
             ,
             I
             should
             make
             no
             great
             doubt
             to
             throw
             out
             the
             vast
             rabble
             of
             rhyming
             ,
             clinching
             ,
             versing
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             persons
             that
             tell
             the
             worst
             lies
             in
             the
             best
             maner
             .
          
           
             Another
             thing
             which
             proclaims
             the
             Vanity
             of
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             ,
             is
             ,
             
               the
               circumstance
               of
               time
               with
               which
               they
               are
               generally
               delivered
               :
            
             For
             either
             they
             prefix
             no
             time
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             a
             very
             long
             period
             thereof
             to
             be
             accomplish'd
             in
             ;
             whereby
             they
             can
             minister
             neither
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             God
             nor
             the
             good
             of
             man.
             For
             they
             can
             give
             no
             testimony
             to
             his
             Providence
             or
             Prescience
             ,
             because
             they
             will
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             fulfilled
             by
             chance
             ,
             or
             the
             Prophecy
             (
             because
             long
             ago
             delivered
             )
             will
             be
             forgotten
             ,
             and
             the
             Event
             ,
             when
             it
             comes
             ,
             be
             thought
             to
             have
             stood
             in
             no
             relation
             at
             all
             to
             the
             Prophecy
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             may
             perhaps
             ,
             by
             the
             singularity
             thereof
             ,
             beget
             wonder
             in
             men
             ,
             but
             not
             piety
             .
             Nor
             can
             any
             man
             be
             warned
             by
             them
             to
             avoid
             an
             Evil
             ,
             which
             may
             come
             (
             for
             ought
             he
             knows
             )
             not
             till
             his
             head
             be
             laid
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             give
             check
             to
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             time
             ,
             for
             men
             will
             be
             ready
             to
             say
             ,
             like
             the
             scorners
             in
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
             
               The
               days
               are
               prolonged
               ,
               and
               every
               Vision
               faileth
               .
            
             Nor
             (
             if
             the
             Prophecy
             fail
             )
             shall
             the
             Prophet
             be
             alive
             to
             bear
             the
             shame
             of
             his
             impostures
             .
             The
             condition
             of
             those
             Prophecies
             
             in
             sacred
             Writ
             ,
             which
             take
             Ages
             to
             be
             accomplish'd
             in
             ,
             is
             quite
             diffe●ent
             ;
             for
             they
             stand
             perpetuated
             in
             Scrip●ure
             ,
             and
             therefore
             fall
             under
             the
             daily
             notices
             of
             men
             ;
             so
             that
             when
             the
             Events
             foretold
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             they
             may
             readily
             be
             compared
             with
             the
             Prophecies
             ;
             which
             ,
             the
             more
             ancient
             date
             they
             bear
             ,
             the
             more
             wonderful
             will
             they
             appear
             when
             accomplish'd
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             full
             reports
             will
             they
             make
             of
             their
             divine
             Original
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Scripture
             wherein
             they
             are
             found
             .
             For
             there
             is
             nothing
             doth
             so
             seal
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             divine
             Inspiration
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             as
             the
             various
             Predictions
             therein
             ,
             delivered
             at
             such
             distant
             times
             and
             places
             ,
             exactly
             accomplish'd
             in
             thei●
             seasons
             .
             But
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             are
             either
             not
             delivered
             to
             writing
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             the
             writings
             forgotten
             ,
             or
             look'd
             into
             but
             by
             a
             few
             curious
             persons
             ,
             and
             therefore
             easily
             altered
             and
             varied
             (
             as
             the
             Prophecies
             of
             Me●lin
             have
             been
             )
             as
             might
             suit
             occasions
             ,
             or
             mens
             humors
             .
             Besides
             ,
             though
             even
             these
             Scripture-Prophecies
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             a
             m●re
             catholick
             concern
             (
             as
             those
             relating
             to
             the
             Messiah
             and
             his
             Kingdom
             )
             received
             a
             slow
             accomplishment
             ,
             yet
             the
             Prophecies
             of
             a
             more
             confined
             reference
             did
             not
             use
             to
             go
             long
             before
             they
             were
             delivered
             of
             the
             Evils
             they
             were
             pregnant
             with
             ,
             m
             especially
             after
             men
             grew
             so
             wicked
             as
             to
             deride
             the
             patience
             
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             they
             lived
             the
             longer
             for
             being
             threatned
             by
             his
             Prophets
             .
          
           
             From
             all
             this
             it
             appears
             ,
             in
             a
             great
             degree
             of
             probability
             ,
             that
             the
             Father
             of
             Lies
             gave
             being
             to
             very
             many
             of
             these
             spurious
             Prophecies
             ,
             that
             by
             these
             false
             he
             might
             derive
             a
             suspicion
             upon
             the
             true
             ones
             ,
             or
             abuse
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             with
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             panick
             fears
             ,
             or
             curious
             impertinences
             .
             And
             will
             any
             man
             ,
             that
             owns
             his
             Savior
             for
             his
             Prophet
             ,
             receive
             the
             Devil
             for
             his
             Oracle
             ?
             or
             when
             he
             is
             sick
             of
             things
             present
             ,
             go
             to
             
               the
               God
               of
               Ekron
            
             (
             by
             attending
             to
             any
             Prophecy
             of
             his
             incitation
             )
             for
             quiet
             and
             resolution
             ?
             Shall
             we
             value
             our
             Faith
             at
             so
             cheap
             a
             rate
             as
             to
             trust
             it
             with
             the
             Oracles
             of
             the
             Father
             of
             Lies
             ?
             Can
             the
             Devil
             be
             presumed
             n
             able
             to
             give
             us
             true
             resolutions
             to
             any
             questions
             concerning
             the
             future
             ?
             (
             Did
             God
             ever
             make
             him
             of
             his
             Councel
             ,
             or
             deliver
             Times
             and
             Seasons
             into
             his
             power
             ?
             )
             or
             willing
             ,
             if
             able
             ,
             to
             do
             it
             with
             any
             fair
             and
             single
             intentions
             ?
             Have
             the
             beams
             of
             the
             
               Sun
               of
               Righteousness
            
             put
             out
             all
             the
             fires
             on
             his
             Altars
             ,
             the
             Glory
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             Divine
             Oracles
             and
             Miracles
             spoiled
             his
             great
             trade
             of
             lying
             Oracles
             and
             Wonders
             ,
             and
             shall
             our
             easiness
             and
             vanity
             encourage
             him
             to
             drive
             this
             more
             secret
             and
             little
             trade
             of
             Prophecies
             and
             Prodigies
             ?
             Certainly
             that
             man
             is
             strangely
             desirous
             of
             news
             that
             will
             go
             to
             the
             Devil
             for
             intelligence
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             The
             vanity
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             evinc'd
             by
             their
             coming
             unattended
             with
             Signs
             .
          
           
             
               The
               difference
               between
               a
               Sign
               and
               a
               wonder
               .
               Of
               what
               kind
               of
               Prophets
               no
               Sign
               was
               to
               be
               required
               .
               What
               method
               the
               Jews
               observed
               in
               the
               trial
               of
               Prophets
               .
               Miracles
               not
               a
               Sign
               required
               of
               all
               Prophets
               .
               Six
               P●ophetical
               Signs
               taken
               notice
               of
               .
               Our
               Savior's
               Prophecy
               confirmed
               by
               them
               all
               .
               Signs
               of
               the
               Prophet
               and
               of
               the
               Prophecy
               .
               None
               of
               these
               Vulgar
               Prophets
               give
               a
               Sign
               .
               Their
               pretended
               Sanctity
               no
               sufficient
               Sign
               .
               Their
               admired
               gift
               of
               Prayer
               of
               as
               little
               credit
               as
               that
               .
               Natural
               ●rdor
               how
               effectual
               to
               enable
               the
               power
               of
               speaking
               freely
               o●
               the
               sudden
               :
               that
               confirmed
               by
               the
               example
               of
               the
               ancient
               Roman
               Orators
               .
               Quintilian
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               of
               o●d
               ,
               what
               .
               Why
               some
               men
               fluen●
               onely
               before
               company
               .
               The
               great
               efficacy
               of
               exalted
               imagination
               to
               assist
               an
               ex●emporary
               Rhetorick
               .
               Why
               vehement
               speeches
               so
               migh●ily
               move
               men
               .
               What
               kind
               of
               heats
               commendable
               in
               Religion
               .
               The
               powerful
               impression
               of
               these
               Prophecies
               ●o
               sign
               of
               their
               Divinity
               .
               Divine
               impressions
               not
               distinguishable
               soly
               by
               their
               power
               and
               evidence
               ,
               Asserted
               ag●inst
               some
               
                 Jewish
                 Rabbins
                 .
                 Artemidorus
                 .
                 Some
                 accomplished
                 Predictions
                 ,
              
               no
               safe
               Sign
               of
               the
               inspiration
               of
               ou●
               Modern
               Prophets
               .
            
          
           
             THe
             Vanity
             of
             receiving
             these
             Prophecies
             as
             the
             certain
             indications
             of
             any
             future
             Event
             further
             appears
             from
             hence
             ;
             
               The
               Deliverers
               of
               them
               shew
               neither
               Sign
               nor
               Wonder
               to
               derive
               authority
               upon
               their
               persons
               and
               prophecies
               .
            
             
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             so
             often
             coupled
             together
             ,
             &
             somtimes
             used
             indifferently
             in
             the
             Writings
             of
             the
             Old
             and
             New
             Testament
             ,
             are
             not
             alway
             the
             same
             thing
             ;
             every
             
             Wonder
             or
             Miracle
             being
             indeed
             a
             Sign
             ,
             and
             so
             often
             stiled
             ;
             but
             every
             Sign
             is
             not
             (
             if
             we
             speak
             acc●rately
             )
             a
             Miracle
             .
             For
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Miracle
            
             ,
             is
             some
             mighty
             work
             transcendent
             to
             the
             powers
             and
             capacities
             of
             natural
             Agents
             ,
             but
             o
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Sign
            
             ,
             is
             any
             extraordinary
             indication
             ,
             besides
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             make
             faith
             of
             the
             real
             inspiration
             of
             the
             person
             who
             pretends
             to
             speak
             from
             God.
             
          
           
             Now
             all
             persons
             that
             pretended
             of
             old
             to
             speak
             immediately
             from
             God
             ,
             came
             attested
             with
             some
             Sign
             or
             Wonder
             ;
             except
             they
             onely
             called
             men
             to
             obedience
             to
             some
             acknowledged
             Precept
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             :
             for
             then
             (
             as
             p
             Grot●us
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             truly
             notes
             )
             no
             Sign
             or
             Wonder
             was
             required
             of
             them
             ,
             because
             the
             condition
             of
             that
             Oeconomy
             ,
             in
             which
             God
             had
             promised
             and
             the
             people
             more
             wanted
             such
             extraordinary
             Teachers
             ,
             was
             a
             competent
             security
             to
             their
             Faith
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             imposed
             upon
             by
             any
             such
             pretender
             ,
             especially
             if
             the
             forementioned
             prophetick
             qualifications
             were
             found
             about
             him
             .
             But
             if
             the
             inspired
             man
             required
             them
             to
             a
             faith
             of
             some
             Prediction
             or
             Doctrine
             ,
             really
             or
             in
             appearance
             ,
             new
             ,
             he
             came
             always
             authorized
             by
             some
             divine
             Sign
             or
             Wonder
             .
             It
             is
             therefore
             a
             Maxim
             with
             the
             
             Masters
             ,
             that
             q
             
               when
               ever
               God
               sends
               a
               Prophet
               to
               a
               People
               ,
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               he
               gives
               him
               a
               Sign
               or
               a
               Wo●der
               that
               the
               people
               may
               know
               God
               hath
               truly
               seat
               him
               .
            
             Accordingly
             we
             meet
             with
             the
             Iews
             r
             often
             demanding
             a
             Sign
             of
             our
             Savior
             as
             the
             Seal
             of
             his
             divine
             Mission
             and
             Prophecy
             ;
             and
             what
             a
             singular
             respect
             they
             had
             to
             some
             Sign
             in
             the
             trial
             of
             Prophets
             ,
             may
             appear
             ,
             as
             from
             the
             sacred
             ,
             so
             also
             ,
             from
             the
             Iewish
             s
             monuments
             .
             In
             consideration
             whereof
             ,
             all
             the
             Impostors
             anciently
             ,
             which
             usurp'd
             the
             title
             of
             Prophets
             ,
             pretended
             to
             u
             Signs
             ,
             without
             which
             counterfeit
             Seal
             they
             and
             their
             Doctrine
             could
             never
             have
             past
             unsuspected
             among
             the
             people
             :
             and
             the
             better
             to
             ape
             a
             Miracle
             ,
             most
             of
             those
             pretenders
             to
             Enthusiasm
             among
             the
             
               Iews
               ,
               Christians
            
             ,
             and
             Heathens
             ,
             were
             Magicians
             ,
             as
             might
             be
             made
             appear
             were
             it
             here
             pertinent
             .
             He
             that
             was
             Truth
             it self
             was
             content
             to
             borrow
             credit
             and
             authority
             (
             before
             men
             )
             to
             his
             Prophecy
             ,
             from
             
               Signs
               and
               Wonders
            
             ,
             Act.
             2.
             22.
             
          
           
             Now
             Miracles
             were
             generally
             reserved
             to
             seal
             the
             person
             and
             message
             of
             such
             inspired
             persons
             as
             were
             to
             introduce
             a
             way
             of
             Worship
             ,
             in
             truth
             or
             common
             Opinion
             ,
             new
             :
             and
             therefore
             were
             never
             wrought
             (
             fam●liarly
             at
             least
             )
             but
             by
             Moses
             the
             Deliverer
             ▪
             Elijah
             and
             Elisha
             the
             Restorers
             ,
             and
             our
             Savior
             the
             Fulfiller
             and
             Finisher
             of
             the
             Law
             ▪
             and
             his
             
             D●sciples
             ,
             the
             Preachers
             of
             a
             Gospel
             which
             was
             a
             w
             novel
             Doctrine
             in
             the
             opinion
             of
             me●
             ,
             at
             that
             time
             .
             Scarce
             any
             Prophet
             was
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               a
               worker
               of
               Paradoxes
            
             (
             as
             Iosephus
             saith
             of
             our
             Savior
             )
             but
             he
             that
             was
             a
             Preacher
             of
             them
             .
             But
             however
             ,
             all
             the
             Heralds
             of
             Heaven
             had
             the
             badg
             of
             some
             divine
             Signs
             ,
             whereby
             unpossest
             minds
             might
             easily
             distinguish
             them
             from
             Impostors
             .
             Of
             these
             ,
             it
             will
             suffice
             to
             my
             present
             purpose
             briefly
             to
             point
             to
             some
             few
             ,
             which
             the
             Ages
             ,
             to
             which
             Prophecy
             was
             promised
             ,
             seem
             to
             have
             made
             the
             greatest
             reckoning
             of
             .
          
           
             As
             (
             1.
             )
             
               The
               discovery
               of
               some
               present
               matter
               ,
               evidently
               out
               of
               the
               compass
               of
               all
               humane
               knowledg
               :
            
             as
             the
             secrets
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             the
             counsels
             of
             the
             bed-chamber
             ,
             matters
             done
             at
             distance
             and
             with
             all
             possible
             secrecy
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             .
             Such
             wonderful
             discoveries
             were
             of
             x
             great
             consideration
             with
             the
             people
             (
             in
             that
             time
             to
             which
             God
             had
             promised
             Prophecy
             )
             to
             assure
             the
             divine
             Mission
             of
             the
             Prophets
             :
             accordingly
             our
             Savior
             was
             y
             frequent
             in
             the
             use
             of
             such
             divine
             Signs
             ,
             and
             so
             were
             the
             z
             other
             Prophets
             it
             is
             likely
             :
             and
             therefore
             the
             Iews
             ,
             which
             looked
             upon
             our
             Savior
             but
             as
             a
             Mock-Prophet
             ,
             required
             him
             to
             a
             discovery
             of
             a
             a
             Mock-Secret
             ,
             the
             person
             who
             smote
             him
             on
             the
             face
             while
             he
             was
             blindfolded
             ;
             the
             
             revealing
             whereof
             they
             called
             Prophecy
             ,
             〈◊〉
             discovery
             of
             such
             kind
             of
             Secrets
             being
             received
             as
             the
             Seals
             of
             a
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             
               The
               constant
               coming
               to
               pass
               of
               Eve●●s
               foretold
               in
               very
            
             b
             
               critical
               and
               contingent
               circumstances
            
             .
             Many
             things
             the
             Prophets
             foretold
             to
             fall
             out
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             a
             few
             months
             or
             days
             ,
             that
             so
             their
             Prophecies
             of
             a
             longer
             time
             might
             have
             the
             greater
             credit
             ,
             and
             men
             might
             quickly
             understand
             that
             they
             were
             
               established
               Prophets
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             Thus
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             they
             knew
             c
             Samuel
             to
             be
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             
               none
               of
               his
            
             prophetick
             
               words
               to
               fall
               to
               the
               ground
               :
            
             and
             d
             Ezekiel
             having
             delivered
             his
             Prediction
             ,
             adds
             ,
             
               And
               when
               this
               cometh
               to
               pass
               ,
               then
               shall
               they
               know
               that
               a
               Prophet
               hath
               been
               among
               them
               .
            
             And
             God
             himself
             ,
             in
             the
             trial
             of
             Prophets
             ,
             appointed
             the
             Iews
             to
             look
             to
             the
             issues
             of
             their
             Predictions
             ,
             Deut
             ,
             18.
             21
             ,
             22.
             
             Upon
             which
             Text
             ,
             e
             Maimonides
             lets
             fall
             this
             gloss
             :
             
               Cum
               quis
               ,
               ipsum
            
             munus
             propheticum
             
               sibi
               vendicaverit
               ,
               dicemus
               ei
               ,
               ede
               nobis
               promissi
               ,
               &
               refer
               nobis
               aliqua
               eorum
               quae
               nota
               fecit
               tibi
               Dominus
               ;
               quo
               referente
               ,
               si
               vera
               evas●rint
               promissa
               ejus
               omnia
               ,
               hinc
               prophetiae
               ejus
               veritatem
               percipiemus
               .
               Quod
               si
               in
               aliquo
               ipsorū
               ,
               vel
               minutissimo
               ,
               mendax
               fuerit
               ,
               hinc
               nendacem
               cum
               esse
               cognoscemus
               .
               Atque
               haec
               est
               expressa
               legis
               de
               hujusmodi
               probatione
               sententia
               .
            
             So
             that
             it
             seems
             probable
             that
             the
             ●●ews
             required
             
             but
             the
             Sign
             of
             some
             accomplish'd
             Prediction
             (
             not
             always
             a
             Miracle
             )
             from
             the
             more
             common
             sort
             of
             Prophets
             :
             and
             therefore
             f
             some
             derive
             the
             Hebrew
             word
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Sign
            
             ,
             from
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             venit
             ,
             because
             the
             most
             frequent
             Sign
             of
             Prophecy
             the
             Prophets
             g
             gave
             ,
             and
             the
             people
             required
             ,
             was
             the
             coming
             to
             pass
             of
             some
             Prediction
             ,
             delivered
             is
             such
             circumstances
             as
             no
             Eye
             of
             humane
             prudence
             could
             possibly
             foresee
             .
             (
             3.
             )
             
               Some
               gifts
               and
               abilities
               extraordinary
               gotten
               suddenly
               and
               without
               humane
               industry
               ,
               and
               abiding
               with
               them
               ,
            
             (
             for
             many
             possest
             persons
             have
             for
             some
             time
             h
             spoken
             languages
             ,
             and
             made
             shew
             of
             singular
             abilities
             to
             discredit
             this
             prophetick
             Sign
             ,
             )
             as
             to
             deliver
             himself
             
               ex
               tempore
            
             in
             very
             weighty
             sentences
             ,
             to
             sing
             praises
             to
             God
             with
             singular
             art
             and
             dexterity
             upon
             the
             place
             ,
             to
             interpret
             Scripture
             with
             great
             evidence
             of
             truth
             .
             All
             which
             were
             i
             comprized
             by
             the
             Iewish
             Doctors
             ,
             in
             that
             degree
             of
             Prophecy
             they
             stiled
             (
             for
             distinction's
             sake
             )
             
               Spiritus
               Sanctus
            
             .
             This
             prophetick
             Sign
             our
             k
             Savior
             and
             his
             l
             followers
             did
             seal
             the
             truth
             of
             their
             Enthusiasm
             withal
             ,
             as
             other
             Ancient
             Prophets
             had
             done
             before
             them
             .
             It
             is
             God
             onely
             that
             can
             make
             his
             way
             to
             the
             Soul
             immediately
             ,
             and
             seal
             it
             with
             the
             abiding
             characters
             of
             Wisdom
             .
             (
             4.
             )
             
               The
               attestation
               of
               some
               Person
               of
               whose
               Prophetick
               Spirit
               there
               is
               no
               question
               :
            
             According
             
             to
             that
             Maxim
             of
             the
             m
             Masters
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               The
               Prophet
               of
               whom
               some
               other
            
             undoubted
             
               Prophet
               witnesseth
               that
               he
               is
               a
               Prophet
               ,
               is
               assuredly
               a
               Prophet
               .
            
             Accordingly
             they
             note
             that
             the
             testimony
             of
             n
             Moses
             to
             the
             divine
             Mission
             of
             Ioshua
             procured
             him
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             People
             before
             his
             conduct
             was
             credited
             from
             Heaven
             by
             any
             Miracle
             .
             Which
             rule
             I
             take
             to
             have
             a
             truth
             therein
             ,
             though
             I
             de●ur
             upon
             that
             other
             they
             sometimes
             superadd
             to
             it
             ,
             o
             
               Every
               Prophet
               which
               arose
               ;
               spake
            
             in
             testimony
             
               of
               his
               companion
            
             in
             Prophecy
             .
             It
             is
             likely
             some
             p
             did
             .
             And
             therefore
             perhaps
             would
             our
             Savior
             have
             his
             Prophecy
             attested
             by
             q
             
               Iohn
               the
               Baptist
            
             (
             generally
             reputed
             a
             r
             Prophet
             by
             the
             people
             )
             that
             so
             ●his
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             other
             prophetick
             Signs
             ,
             which
             ever
             singly
             and
             apart
             derived
             credit
             upon
             the
             person
             and
             message
             of
             any
             other
             inferior
             Prophet
             ,
             might
             conspire
             in
             the
             Person
             and
             Prophecy
             of
             him
             the
             great
             Prophet
             of
             his
             Church
             .
             (
             5.
             )
             
               The
               immediate
               voice
               of
               God
               from
               Heaven
               to
               him
               ,
               before
               witnesses
               ,
            
             was
             another
             Sign
             of
             a
             Prophet
             s
             in
             ancient
             times
             ;
             especially
             before
             the
             building
             of
             the
             Tabernacle
             :
             but
             when
             Prophecy
             became
             more
             common
             ,
             God
             chose
             to
             speak
             to
             holy
             men
             t
             by
             Dreams
             and
             Visions
             :
             and
             perhaps
             the
             ceasing
             of
             that
             more
             usual
             way
             of
             divine
             Manifestation
             under
             the
             second
             Temple
             ,
             
             might
             occasion
             some
             to
             think
             he
             might
             possibly
             return
             to
             the
             more
             ancient
             way
             of
             revealing
             himself
             ,
             by
             a
             
               Bath
               Kol
            
             ,
             a
             voice
             from
             heaven
             .
             However
             ,
             with
             this
             also
             Sign
             God
             u
             dignified
             our
             Savior
             .
             (
             6.
             )
             
               The
               general
               prevalency
               of
               their
               prayers
               ,
            
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             a
             more
             publick
             reference
             ,
             
               was
               a
               very
               probable
               sign
               of
               true
               Prophets
               anciently
               .
            
             God
             assigns
             this
             as
             the
             Characteristick
             note
             between
             false
             and
             true
             Prophets
             ,
             that
             one
             had
             great
             interest
             and
             power
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             none
             at
             all
             .
             w
             
               But
               if
               they
               be
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               if
               the
               word
               of
               the
               Lord
               be
               with
               them
               ,
               let
               them
               now
               make
               intercession
               to
               the
               Lord
               of
               Hosts
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             This
             was
             a
             sign
             of
             a
             Prophet
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             a
             sign
             he
             prayed
             by
             a
             special
             instinct
             from
             God
             ,
             whereby
             he
             knew
             what
             blessings
             God
             was
             ready
             to
             bestow
             ;
             and
             besides
             ,
             it
             was
             a
             sign
             of
             that
             singular
             favor
             he
             had
             with
             God
             :
             and
             therefore
             we
             shall
             find
             an
             high
             value
             set
             upon
             the
             the
             prayers
             of
             a
             Prophet
             both
             by
             God
             and
             men
             ,
             x
             in
             Scripture
             .
             And
             perhaps
             in
             confidence
             of
             the
             y
             prevalence
             of
             his
             prayers
             ,
             some
             people
             that
             held
             our
             Savior
             for
             a
             great
             Prophet
             though
             not
             the
             Messiah
             ,
             brought
             their
             young
             children
             to
             him
             
               that
               he
               might
               lay
               his
               hands
               upon
               them
               and
               pray
               ,
            
             Matth.
             19.
             13.
             
             This
             prophetick
             sign
             also
             attested
             the
             Prophecy
             of
             our
             Bl.
             Savior
             ,
             Ioh.
             11.
             42.
             
          
           
           
             These
             were
             some
             of
             those
             more
             general
             signs
             which
             gave
             testimony
             to
             the
             Divine
             Mission
             of
             a
             Prophet
             :
             but
             besides
             these
             ,
             there
             were
             also
             frequently
             added
             some
             particular
             signs
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             or
             that
             extraordinay
             prediction
             ;
             especially
             if
             of
             some
             matter
             of
             greater
             import
             ,
             of
             the
             truth
             whereof
             it
             was
             somewhat
             necessary
             the
             people
             should
             have
             a
             full
             assurance
             :
             the
             instances
             whereof
             are
             of
             familiar
             occurrence
             z
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             when
             our
             Savior
             had
             foretold
             an
             Event
             so
             great
             ,
             as
             the
             destruction
             of
             Ierusalem
             and
             the
             Temple
             ,
             demanded
             of
             him
             a
             sign
             both
             of
             the
             truth
             and
             time
             of
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             that
             Prophecy
             .
             a
             
               Master
               when
               shall
               these
               things
               be
               ,
               and
               what
               shall
               be
               the
               sign
               when
               all
               these
               things
               shall
               come
               to
               pass
               ?
            
             These
             particular
             and
             almost
             present
             signs
             ,
             gave
             assurance
             that
             the
             Prophet
             did
             not
             deliver
             conjectures
             but
             Prophecies
             ,
             and
             the
             doubling
             thus
             of
             his
             Prophecy
             was
             a
             sign
             that
             the
             thing
             was
             certain
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             foretold
             conditionally
             onely
             ,
             (
             as
             judgments
             and
             blessings
             often
             were
             )
             and
             that
             the
             agreement
             between
             the
             Prediction
             and
             the
             Event
             when
             coming
             to
             pass
             ,
             was
             not
             a
             chance
             but
             a
             Providence
             .
             So
             that
             these
             were
             more
             immediately
             the
             signs
             of
             the
             Prophecy
             ,
             as
             the
             other
             six
             of
             the
             Prophet
             .
          
           
             From
             all
             this
             ,
             it
             seems
             more
             then
             probable
             ,
             
             that
             all
             true
             Prophets
             came
             distinguished
             by
             some
             divine
             sign
             ,
             although
             it
             appear
             not
             now
             from
             Scripture
             ,
             what
             particular
             sign
             it
             was
             which
             gave
             credit
             to
             each
             Prophet
             therein
             mentioned
             ;
             and
             that
             anciently
             Men
             were
             wiser
             then
             to
             let
             every
             prophecy
             pass
             currant
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             ever
             it
             had
             the
             image
             of
             the
             King
             of
             heaven
             stampt
             upon
             it
             ,
             carryed
             the
             face
             of
             an
             inspiration
             from
             God.
             Men
             then
             understood
             Prophecy
             ,
             upon
             many
             accounts
             ,
             too
             much
             exposed
             to
             suspicion
             of
             imposture
             to
             be
             credited
             upon
             the
             single
             testimony
             of
             every
             zealous
             pretender
             thereunto
             :
             ●and
             therefore
             all
             Prophets
             though
             they
             came
             not
             recommended
             by
             equal
             testimony
             (
             the
             occasions
             they
             were
             to
             serve
             not
             being
             of
             equal
             moment
             )
             yet
             still
             with
             what
             might
             suffice
             to
             place
             their
             divine
             Mission
             beyond
             a
             question
             .
             Some
             were
             attested
             by
             Wonders
             ,
             some
             by
             signs
             ,
             some
             by
             both
             .
             If
             then
             (
             to
             apply
             all
             this
             to
             the
             occasion
             )
             Men
             would
             once
             be
             so
             advised
             as
             to
             demand
             some
             such
             divine
             sign
             as
             used
             heretofore
             to
             credit
             the
             Prophetick
             function
             of
             these
             pretended
             Prophets
             ,
             they
             would
             certainly
             all
             sneak
             away
             like
             Juglers
             when
             called
             to
             shew
             a
             Miracle
             .
             What
             have
             they
             generally
             beyond
             Ordinary
             besides
             ignorance
             and
             confidence
             ?
             What
             Miracle
             or
             Sign
             doth
             God
             bear
             witness
             to
             their
             b
             Mission
             by
             ?
             what
             have
             all
             the
             great
             
               Swelling
               words
            
             of
             
             Enthusiasts
             been
             at
             last
             delivered
             of
             ,
             beside
             the
             crude
             air
             of
             some
             flatulent
             imagination
             ?
             have
             they
             ,
             after
             all
             the
             noise
             they
             have
             made
             ,
             blest
             the
             world
             with
             the
             discovery
             of
             any
             useful
             secret
             in
             Philosophy
             or
             Divinity
             ?
             are
             not
             Scripture
             prophecies
             as
             dark
             ,
             diseases
             as
             desperate
             ,
             nature
             vail'd
             as
             much
             now
             as
             in
             former
             Ages
             ?
             do
             not
             all
             their
             books
             (
             like
             the
             barren
             fig-tree
             )
             bear
             
               leaves
               only
            
             ,
             a
             few
             rampant
             Metaphors
             ,
             and
             some
             higher
             straines
             of
             prophetick
             Scripture
             ,
             jumbled
             together
             like
             the
             images
             of
             a
             dream
             ?
             shall
             we
             then
             appear
             so
             unworthy
             of
             the
             title
             we
             carry
             as
             to
             think
             a
             few
             exstatical
             looks
             and
             Scripture
             phrases
             sufficient
             to
             intitle
             a
             man
             to
             the
             Opinion
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Master
               of
               light
            
             ?
             as
             the
             Iews
             use
             to
             stile
             a
             Prophet
             :
             It
             is
             not
             to
             be
             imagined
             that
             God
             would
             send
             Prophecy
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             not
             have
             it
             regarded
             ,
             or
             that
             it
             can
             be
             regarded
             ,
             if
             it
             come
             attended
             with
             nothing
             whereby
             it
             can
             be
             known
             .
             When
             the
             Apostles
             had
             such
             an
             extraordinary
             measure
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             there
             was
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               a
               manifestation
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ;
             as
             the
             extraordinary
             Measure
             of
             the
             Spirit
             then
             poured
             out
             gave
             c
             testimony
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             so
             the
             mighty
             signs
             and
             wonders
             which
             attended
             it
             gave
             testimony
             to
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             To
             all
             this
             ,
             I
             know
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             opposed
             that
             many
             of
             these
             modern
             Prophets
             come
             
             attended
             with
             signs
             sufficent
             to
             the
             man
             who
             is
             of
             an
             humble
             and
             teachable
             temper
             ,
             whom
             alone
             God
             seeks
             to
             satisfie
             :
             viz.
             these
             four
             ,
             
               Eminent
               Sanctity
               .
               A
               very
               liberal
               and
               powerful
               gift
               of
               Prayer
               .
               The
               mighty
               energy
               and
               impression
               of
               their
               Visions
               and
               Prophecies
               .
               The
               accomplishment
               of
               very
               many
               of
               their
               Predictions
               .
            
             To
             all
             which
             I
             shall
             return
             a
             few
             words
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             We
             are
             told
             that
             they
             are
             persons
             of
             
               very
               eminent
               Sanctity
            
             ,
             that
             are
             wholy
             abstract
             from
             the
             pleasures
             and
             honors
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             have
             no
             fleshly
             relishes
             appearing
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             't
             is
             most
             unlikely
             that
             they
             would
             deceive
             others
             or
             should
             be
             deceived
             themselves
             by
             a
             false
             Prophecy
             .
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ,
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             misjudged
             then
             Sanctity
             ,
             't
             is
             too
             commonly
             thought
             to
             stand
             
               in
               some
               more
               solemn
               looks
               at
               a
               Sacrament
               ,
               in
               visiting
               of
               an
               holy
               shrine
               ,
               in
               some
               extatical
               devotions
               ,
               in
               the
               use
               of
               some
               interpreting
               garbs
               ,
               faces
               and
               Phrases
               ,
               in
               caressing
               of
               Christ
               by
               some
               pretty
               attributes
               ,
               in
               declaiming
               with
               much
               zeal
               against
               some
               odious
               names
               ,
               heresie
               ,
               Antichrist
               and
               Superstition
               ,
               in
               carrying
               it
               very
               morosely
               towards
               men
               of
               a
               different
               form
               from
               ones
               self
               ,
               in
               some
               severer
               disciplines
               and
               neglects
               of
               the
               body
               :
            
             and
             therefore
             't
             is
             unsafe
             trusting
             our
             faith
             with
             a
             prophecy
             upon
             a
             report
             of
             the
             sanctity
             of
             the
             Prophet
             .
             Besides
             ,
             no
             
             men
             more
             subject
             to
             such
             delusions
             ,
             then
             men
             of
             devout
             affections
             ,
             if
             of
             strong
             fancies
             ,
             impressive
             tempers
             ,
             and
             weak
             intell●ctuals
             :
             for
             in
             such
             persons
             ;
             an
             indiscreet
             use
             of
             R●ligion
             by
             very
             pensive
             and
             solemn
             thoughts
             ,
             affected
             retirements
             and
             Silences
             ,
             ●oo
             intense
             Meditations
             ,
             continual
             fervors
             and
             endeavored
             heats
             ,
             unreasonable
             fastings
             and
             watchings
             ,
             the
             neglect
             of
             innocent
             diversions
             and
             relaxations
             ,
             especially
             if
             joyn'd
             with
             the
             continual
             study
             of
             some
             dark
             prophecies
             and
             visions
             in
             Scripture
             (
             more
             proper
             entertainments
             for
             Men
             of
             great
             learning
             )
             cannot
             easily
             fail
             of
             intoxicating
             the
             mind
             with
             wild
             and
             extravagant
             imaginations
             .
             The
             overstraining
             of
             them
             by
             such
             intense
             devotions
             and
             perpetual
             fervors
             ,
             d
             hath
             produced
             so
             many
             crack'd
             brains
             ,
             pretended
             Prophets
             and
             visionists
             in
             the
             Religio●
             houses
             of
             the
             Romish
             Church
             ;
             who
             is
             yet
             so
             ill
             advised
             as
             to
             cite
             them
             as
             the
             proofs
             of
             that
             prophetick
             Spirit
             she
             laies
             claim
             unto
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             It
             hath
             ever
             been
             the
             Policy
             of
             the
             Devil
             to
             do
             the
             Church
             the
             greatest
             Mischief
             by
             men
             of
             greatest
             name
             for
             Religion
             .
             He
             knows
             good
             men
             are
             soonest
             decoyed
             by
             those
             which
             seem
             of
             a
             feathe●
             with
             themselves
             ,
             and
             that
             error
             will
             soo●er
             be
             entertained
             from
             a●pious
             then
             truth
             from
             a
             profane
             person
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             Iews
             among
             the
             four
             things
             which
             they
             say
             destroy
             
             the
             world
             ,
             number
             ,
             
               A
               Religious
               man
               that
               is
               a
               Fool.
            
             God
             perhaps
             permits
             it
             thus
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             men
             might
             learn
             to
             make
             him
             only
             Lord
             of
             their
             Faith
             ;
             and
             not
             to
             give
             an
             absolute
             trust
             (
             his
             due
             alone
             )
             to
             the
             wisest
             or
             best
             of
             Men.
             Good
             men
             are
             no
             more
             exempt
             from
             mistakes
             and
             lunacies
             ,
             then
             they
             are
             from
             a
             feaver
             or
             the
             infirmities
             of
             Age.
             
          
           
             But
             we
             are
             further
             told
             that
             many
             of
             these
             prophetick
             Persons
             are
             sealed
             by
             the
             
               singular
               gift
               of
               praying
               in
               the
               Holy-Ghost
               .
            
             Their
             lips
             seem
             touch'd
             by
             a
             
               coal
               from
               the
               altar
            
             ,
             so
             fervent
             and
             so
             Scripture-like
             are
             the
             expressions
             they
             bespeak
             God
             withall
             upon
             the
             suddain
             .
             Nature
             useth
             to
             be
             eloquent
             indeed
             in
             its
             own
             concerns
             ,
             but
             lisps
             and
             is
             a
             child
             in
             the
             things
             of
             heaven
             ,
             useth
             to
             speak
             to
             God
             in
             language
             of
             ic●
             ,
             words
             that
             freeze
             and
             even
             dy
             between
             the
             lips
             ;
             and
             besides
             ,
             where
             words
             come
             without
             forcing
             ,
             and
             sit
             handsomely
             about
             the
             matter
             ,
             
               dantur
               in
               illa
               hora
               ,
               't
               is
            
             (
             surely
             )
             
               not
               they
               which
               speak
               but
               the
               Holy-Ghost
               which
               speaketh
               in
               them
               .
            
             Nature
             seems
             not
             sufficient
             for
             such
             singular
             performances
             upon
             the
             place
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             their
             words
             (
             like
             arrows
             pointed
             and
             fired
             )
             make
             a
             very
             deep
             and
             abiding
             impression
             upon
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             hearers
             ,
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             become
             half
             unbodyed
             ,
             while
             they
             hang
             upon
             the
             lips
             of
             these
             extraordinary
             
             persons
             ;
             and
             therefore
             surely
             
               non
               vox
               hominem
               sonat
            
             ;
             there
             is
             more
             in
             these
             words
             then
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             and
             the
             charms
             of
             a
             little
             fervent
             and
             Pathetical
             language
             .
          
           
             I
             answer
             ,
             This
             devout
             ardor
             with
             the
             effects
             consequent
             thereunto
             ,
             doth
             extremely
             inchant
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             with
             great
             Opinions
             of
             the
             Men
             in
             whom
             it
             appears
             ;
             and
             is
             readily
             received
             (
             like
             the
             divine
             fire
             that
             came
             down
             upon
             the
             Sacrifice
             )
             as
             the
             testimony
             of
             God
             to
             the
             person
             and
             to
             all
             he
             offers
             .
             
               David
               George
            
             obtained
             the
             repute
             of
             a
             Prophet
             chiefly
             e
             
               assiduo
               ac
               ardenti
               in
               speciem
               preces
               ad
               Deum
               funclendi
               studio
               .
            
             Whereas
             all
             these
             strange
             phoenomena
             may
             be
             salved
             by
             meer
             mecharical
             principles
             ,
             all
             generally
             being
             but
             the
             ●ssue
             of
             a
             natural
             pregnancy
             and
             fervor
             of
             temper
             ,
             exerting
             it self
             in
             fluent
             words
             tinctured
             with
             religion
             and
             Scripture
             phrases
             .
             Where
             there
             is
             
               naturalis
               quaedam
               animi
               mobilitas
            
             (
             which
             Quintilian
             requires
             in
             order
             to
             speaking
             well
             
               ex
               tempore
               )
               a
               natural
               moveableness
               of
               Soul
               ,
            
             whereby
             it
             is
             inabled
             to
             turn
             it self
             nimbly
             and
             with
             ease
             to
             new
             thoughts
             and
             words
             ,
             and
             this
             ass●sted
             (
             or
             rather
             created
             )
             by
             some
             more
             brisk
             and
             active
             spirits
             ,
             it
             may
             equal
             ,
             perhaps
             exceed
             the
             performances
             of
             more
             advised
             thoughts
             .
             A
             moderate
             heat
             ,
             wherein
             all
             the
             Spirits
             
             flow
             to
             their
             proper
             principles
             and
             fountains
             ,
             the
             vital
             to
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             animal
             to
             the
             brain
             ,
             and
             are
             put
             into
             quick
             but
             manageable
             motions
             ,
             doth
             raise
             in
             a
             man
             a
             more
             fine
             and
             exquisite
             power
             of
             perception
             ,
             and
             cause
             the
             images
             of
             things
             to
             appear
             more
             distinct
             ,
             and
             to
             come
             faster
             upon
             his
             mind
             ,
             then
             otherwise
             they
             would
             ,
             and
             by
             consequence
             make
             the
             Understanding
             more
             pregnant
             ,
             and
             the
             expressions
             more
             fluent
             and
             easy
             .
             And
             therefore
             when
             the
             Orators
             of
             old
             attributed
             their
             more
             fortunate
             performances
             and
             rhetorical
             inlargements
             in
             their
             extempore
             declamations
             before
             the
             people
             ,
             (
             then
             much
             in
             use
             )
             to
             the
             special
             assistance
             and
             incitation
             of
             God
             ;
             Quintilian
             judiciously
             gives
             them
             to
             the
             present
             heat
             and
             fermentation
             of
             spirits
             ,
             the
             great
             instruments
             whereby
             the
             Soul
             performs
             all
             its
             works
             in
             this
             embodied
             state
             .
             His
             words
             are
             these
             ,
             f
             
               Si
               quem
               calor
               ac
               Spiritus
               tulit
               ,
               frequenter
               accidit
               ,
               ut
               successum
               extemporalem
               consequi
               cut
               a
               non
               possit
               ;
               Deum
               tunc
               adfuisse
               ,
               Veteres
               Oratores
               aiebant
               ,
               sed
               ratio
               manifesta
               est
               :
               nam
               bene
               concepti
               affectus
               &
               recentes
               rerum
               imagines
               continuo
               impetu
               feruntur
               ,
               quae
               nonnunquam
               mora
               styli
               refrigescunt
               ,
               &
               dilatae
               non
               revertuntur
               .
            
             Which
             words
             I
             shall
             dismiss
             untranslated
             ,
             lest
             (
             like
             liquors
             put
             into
             another
             vessel
             )
             they
             should
             contract
             a
             flatness
             and
             loose
             Spirits
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             these
             words
             of
             Quintilia●
             give
             a
             good
             account
             of
             the
             extempore
             felcities
             of
             the
             Orators
             of
             those
             times
             ,
             which
             themselves
             had
             such
             great
             thoughts
             of
             ,
             that
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               to
               speak
               divinely
            
             or
             by
             inspiration
             g
             was
             the
             usual
             phrase
             whereby
             they
             exprest
             speaking
             fluently
             ,
             pathetically
             and
             with
             coherence
             ,
             without
             more
             thoughts
             then
             just
             ushered
             the
             words
             they
             spake
             .
             And
             that
             Spirit
             which
             generally
             inspires
             our
             Divine
             Orators
             and
             makes
             them
             un-over
             with
             such
             winning
             rhetorick
             ,
             is
             much
             of
             kind
             with
             that
             which
             incited
             those
             civil
             ones
             ;
             viz.
             a
             natural
             fervor
             of
             temper
             ,
             excited
             by
             some
             superficial
             affection
             ,
             and
             assisted
             by
             a
             plenty
             of
             fit
             expressions
             made
             familiar
             to
             them
             by
             study
             and
             custom
             .
             For
             we
             find
             men
             of
             very
             evil
             lives
             i
             Ignatius
             ,
             k
             Hacket
             ,
             and
             others
             eminent
             for
             this
             religious
             Rhetorick
             and
             fervor
             ;
             and
             many
             of
             these
             Orators
             have
             confest
             themselves
             greatly
             straitned
             and
             
               bound
               ut
            
             (
             as
             the
             phrase
             is
             )
             when
             in
             their
             closets
             ,
             who
             are
             carried
             with
             full
             sails
             when
             to
             act
             before
             a
             l
             Company
             ;
             because
             desire
             of
             Opinion
             makes
             them
             more
             concerned
             ,
             excites
             affection
             ,
             and
             consequently
             that
             ardor
             so
             essential
             to
             a
             smooth
             performance
             .
             They
             are
             (
             in
             the
             Phrase
             of
             
               Plato
               )
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ful
               of
               the
               Theater
               ,
            
             
             are
             touched
             with
             applause
             ,
             and
             therefore
             act
             to
             the
             height
             of
             themselves
             in
             publick
             ,
             but
             are
             cold
             and
             indifferent
             where
             the
             breath
             of
             man
             is
             wanting
             to
             excite
             and
             blow
             them
             up
             .
          
           
             Now
             our
             admired
             Prophets
             having
             this
             natural
             fervor
             and
             pregnancy
             of
             Spirit
             to
             wing
             their
             Fancies
             ,
             and
             this
             heat
             intended
             by
             the
             new
             forces
             of
             an
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             Longinus
             stiles
             the
             Earthy
             vapor
             which
             inspired
             the
             Pythia
             )
             an
             enthusiastick
             vapor
             of
             heated
             Melancholy
             arising
             from
             the
             hypochondria
             ,
             it
             cannot
             fail
             of
             displaying
             it self
             in
             such
             rapturous
             and
             lofty
             strains
             of
             divine
             rhetorick
             ;
             as
             shall
             be
             verily
             thought
             to
             flow
             m
             
               è
               vena
               Israelis
            
             ,
             from
             the
             same
             Divine
             Spirit
             which
             inspired
             the
             Prophets
             :
             when
             the
             persons
             are
             but
             heightned
             by
             a
             fume
             somewhat
             more
             gross
             and
             unruly
             then
             that
             which
             inspires
             our
             common
             Poets
             ,
             whose
             more
             happy
             heats
             and
             sprucer
             fancies
             have
             been
             thought
             the
             issue
             of
             borrowed
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             grape
             been
             generally
             vouched
             by
             them
             the
             most
             natural
             exciter
             of
             the
             poetick
             vein
             .
             Besides
             ,
             these
             Prophets
             are
             much
             advantaged
             for
             a
             more
             lively
             imitation
             of
             Enthusiasm
             above
             the
             more
             Vulgar
             pretenders
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             an
             exalted
             Imagination
             .
             For
             the
             most
             vehement
             Objects
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
               God
               ,
               Heaven
               ,
               Hell
               ,
               the
               glories
               of
               the
               new
            
             Hierusalem
             ,
             
               some
               
               prophetick
               Scheams
            
             ,
             being
             made
             familiar
             to
             their
             softer
             fancies
             ,
             stand
             before
             their
             minds
             in
             very
             distinct
             and
             affecting
             ideas
             .
             Now
             where
             imagination
             is
             thus
             boiled
             up
             and
             often
             rub'd
             upon
             by
             the
             most
             moving
             objects
             ,
             it
             fails
             not
             of
             raising
             affections
             and
             and
             consequently
             expressions
             great
             and
             vehement
             as
             the
             objects
             are
             from
             whence
             they
             do
             arise
             .
             And
             therefore
             n
             Quintilian
             ,
             to
             assist
             the
             power
             of
             Speaking
             very
             movingly
             and
             fluently
             extempore
             (
             which
             the
             Orators
             of
             those
             times
             so
             much
             endeavoured
             )
             adviseth
             to
             imprint
             upon
             imagination
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             the
             images
             of
             the
             things
             we
             are
             to
             speak
             about
             :
             as
             if
             we
             were
             to
             speak
             about
             the
             murder
             of
             any
             person
             ,
             suddenly
             to
             make
             all
             the
             terrible
             images
             of
             the
             bleeding
             man
             to
             walk
             upon
             the
             Scene
             of
             Phancy
             ,
             and
             to
             set
             (
             as
             it
             were
             )
             before
             our
             eyes
             all
             the
             black
             circumstances
             of
             the
             action
             ,
             thereby
             to
             quicken
             affection
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             Expression
             .
          
           
             I
             intend
             not
             these
             words
             to
             stifle
             the
             devout
             ardors
             of
             holy
             men
             displayed
             in
             affectionate
             o
             
               pantings
               after
               God
            
             and
             a
             divine
             Nature
             ,
             in
             desires
             too
             big
             for
             words
             ,
             divine
             relishes
             ,
             and
             that
             unforced
             Rhetorick
             which
             the
             
               abundance
               of
               their
               hearts
            
             instructs
             them
             unto
             ,
             when
             to
             bespeak
             God
             in
             private
             .
             For
             our
             Religion
             could
             no
             more
             please
             our selves
             then
             God
             ,
             if
             it
             could
             not
             ravish
             the
             
             heart
             as
             well
             as
             renew
             it
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             a
             kind
             of
             
               caput
               mortuum
            
             ,
             an
             heavy
             ,
             stark
             ,
             insipid
             thing
             ,
             without
             heat
             and
             Spirit
             .
             Heat
             and
             zeal
             is
             the
             
               calidum
               innatum
            
             of
             the
             
               New
               Man
            
             ,
             without
             which
             he
             neither
             lives
             nor
             moves
             .
             Only
             care
             must
             be
             had
             ,
             that
             this
             heat
             and
             zeal
             (
             like
             the
             flame
             at
             Pentecost
             )
             aspire
             and
             mount
             upward
             ,
             but
             without
             firing
             the
             Persons
             head
             ,
             and
             making
             him
             of
             too
             hot
             and
             firy
             a
             temper
             to
             bear
             any
             confinement
             of
             Opinion
             or
             practice
             ,
             by
             Scripture
             ,
             laws
             or
             the
             Reasons
             of
             wise
             men
             .
             I
             have
             in
             all
             this
             designed
             only
             the
             disparagement
             of
             the
             ignorant
             imaginations
             of
             those
             men
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             the
             heathens
             of
             old
             )
             look
             upon
             heat
             and
             noise
             ,
             words
             full
             of
             charms
             thrown
             out
             without
             method
             or
             measure
             upon
             the
             suddain
             ,
             and
             very
             vehement
             affections
             ,
             the
             symptomes
             of
             a
             person
             
               full
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             managed
             by
             some
             power
             transcendent
             to
             natural
             .
             Whereas
             all
             these
             things
             ,
             howsoever
             ,
             like
             Meteors
             ,
             they
             carry
             an
             heavenly
             appearance
             in
             the
             eie
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             we
             have
             found
             of
             a
             more
             common
             and
             base
             Extraction
             .
             Nor
             is
             the
             mighty
             power
             they
             may
             have
             over
             the
             Spirits
             of
             others
             ,
             any
             argument
             to
             the
             contrary
             ;
             all
             fluent
             language
             ,
             feathered
             with
             soft
             and
             delicate
             phrases
             ,
             and
             pointed
             with
             pathetical
             accents
             ,
             being
             naturally
             fitted
             (
             as
             the
             stage
             will
             assure
             us
             )
             to
             make
             a
             deep
             impression
             upon
             the
             heart
             .
             p
             Plutarch
             
             speaking
             of
             that
             rare
             Art
             ,
             those
             Masters
             of
             Language
             ,
             the
             
               Graecian
               Sophists
            
             ,
             discovered
             in
             composing
             and
             delivering
             of
             their
             Orations
             ,
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             
               they
               raised
               up
               a
               kind
               of
               Bacchical
               Enthusiasm
               ,
               and
               transported
               their
               hearers
               ,
               with
               some
               honey
               words
               ,
               soft
               and
               effeminate
               phrases
               and
               accents
               ,
               and
               a
               kind
               of
               singing
               tones
               .
            
             And
             no
             doubt
             those
             hearers
             ,
             of
             whom
             he
             there
             speaks
             ,
             which
             used
             to
             applaud
             their
             Orators
             at
             the
             end
             of
             their
             Declamations
             with
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               divinely
               ,
               heavenly
               ,
               inimitably
            
             spoken
             ;
             found
             themselves
             as
             much
             stirred
             and
             moved
             as
             many
             a
             Man
             at
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             who
             yet
             thinks
             't
             is
             not
             the
             Art
             of
             the
             Preacher
             but
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             that
             warms
             and
             excites
             him
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             further
             alledged
             in
             vindication
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             no
             evanid
             and
             languishing
             imaginations
             ;
             but
             come
             upon
             the
             minds
             of
             those
             that
             have
             them
             with
             a
             light
             and
             evidence
             which
             bears
             before
             it
             all
             scruple
             about
             their
             divine
             Original
             :
             Now
             the
             Devil
             or
             Melancholy
             cannot
             possibly
             seal
             the
             mind
             with
             Opinions
             which
             carry
             that
             energy
             with
             them
             as
             these
             do
             :
             so
             that
             the
             very
             great
             Strength
             of
             the
             Impressions
             (
             like
             that
             of
             Samson
             )
             speaks
             the
             mighty
             presence
             of
             God
             with
             them
             :
             For
             how
             did
             the
             Prophets
             of
             God
             of
             old
             know
             themselves
             divinely
             incited
             but
             by
             
             feeling
             
               the
               hand
               of
               God
               strong
               upon
               them
               ,
            
             and
             his
             q
             
               word
               in
               their
               heart
               as
               a
               burning
               fire
               shut
               up
               within
               their
               bones
               ,
            
             whence
             they
             were
             
               weary
               of
               forbearing
               and
               could
               not
               stay
               ?
            
          
           
             I
             answer
             ,
             whence
             these
             prophetick
             phancies
             come
             to
             be
             thus
             vigorous
             and
             importunate
             shall
             be
             inquired
             in
             due
             place
             ;
             for
             the
             present
             ,
             I
             assert
             
               (
               yet
               not
               I
               but
               the
            
             r
             Lord
             )
             that
             there
             may
             be
             an
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               energy
               of
               Error
            
             as
             well
             as
             Truth
             ,
             which
             may
             strongly
             carry
             a
             man
             quite
             out
             of
             the
             hearing
             of
             what
             ever
             reason
             may
             be
             tendered
             to
             disabuse
             him
             .
             s
             Theodoret
             tells
             us
             of
             some
             Enthusiasts
             of
             his
             time
             ,
             which
             
               receiving
               the
               vigorous
               working
               of
               some
            
             Daemon
             
               in
               them
               ,
               took
               it
               to
               be
               the
               presence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
             And
             t
             Gerson
             of
             many
             others
             ,
             
               of
               which
               every
               one
               had
               it
            
             (
             he
             said
             )
             
               certainly
               revealed
               to
               him
               that
               he
               should
               be
               Pope
               .
            
             Amongst
             which
             
               there
               was
               one
               of
               great
               name
               and
               learning
               which
               left
               this
            
             revelation
             
               in
               writing
               with
               his
               own
               hand
               ,
               and
               endeavoured
               to
               make
               it
               good
               by
               many
               arguments
               and
               conjectures
               :
            
             and
             we
             find
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             false
             Prophets
             as
             much
             pretending
             plerophories
             and
             strength
             of
             perswasion
             as
             the
             true
             .
             As
             for
             those
             Characters
             whereby
             Gods
             Prophets
             were
             enabled
             to
             distinguish
             infallibly
             a
             divine
             
             dream
             and
             prophetick
             impression
             ,
             in
             their
             own
             minds
             ,
             from
             the
             delusions
             of
             the
             Devil
             or
             Phancy
             ,
             it
             is
             extremely
             difficult
             at
             this
             distance
             from
             that
             Age
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             clearly
             to
             assign
             them
             .
             u
             A
             late
             learned
             writer
             ,
             from
             Aberbanel
             and
             Maimonides
             ,
             in
             this
             matter
             thus
             ventures
             to
             resolve
             his
             Reader
             :
             
               A
               Prophet
               when
               he
               is
               asleep
               may
               distinguish
               a
               Prophetical
               dream
               and
               that
               which
               is
               not
               such
               ,
               by
               the
               vigor
               and
               liveliness
               of
               the
               perception
               ,
               whereby
               he
               apprehends
               the
               thing
               propounded
               ,
               or
               else
               by
               the
               imbecility
               and
               weakeness
               thereof
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             
               Maimon
               .
               hath
               said
               well
            
             .
             All
             Prophecy
             makes
             it self
             known
             to
             the
             Prophet
             that
             it
             is
             Prophecy
             indeed
             ,
             
               that
               is
               ,
               makes
               it self
               known
               to
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               by
               the
               strength
               and
               vigor
               of
               the
               perception
               ,
               so
               that
               his
               mind
               is
               freed
               from
               all
               scruple
               whatsoever
               about
               it
               .
            
             (
             A
             notion
             which
             he
             there
             endeavours
             to
             build
             up
             by
             Scriptures
             ,
             but
             how
             short
             they
             fall
             of
             reaching
             the
             proof
             thereof
             ,
             the
             indifferent
             Reader
             may
             easily
             perceive
             .
             )
             But
             though
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             the
             divine
             illapses
             made
             a
             very
             deep
             impression
             upon
             the
             minds
             of
             holy
             men
             ,
             and
             came
             attended
             with
             such
             light
             and
             evidence
             as
             chased
             away
             all
             shadow
             of
             scruple
             about
             their
             divine
             Original
             ,
             yet
             I
             think
             to
             assert
             this
             vivacity
             of
             impression
             the
             distinctive
             character
             of
             divine
             from
             pretending
             Enthusiasms
             and
             dreams
             ,
             is
             neither
             true
             nor
             safe
             .
             
             Which
             will
             perhaps
             appear
             by
             what
             time
             I
             have
             shewn
             the
             Reader
             ,
             that
             the
             Ancient
             Interpreters
             of
             Dreams
             proceeded
             by
             some
             such
             rule
             as
             this
             .
             Artemidorus
             gives
             this
             difference
             between
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             natural
             and
             
               divine
               Dream
            
             :
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               a
               common
               Dream
               is
               the
               meer
               figment
               of
               men
               asleep
               ,
            
             of
             which
             he
             saith
             ,
             w
             
               So
               far
               as
               it
               appears
               in
               sleep
               it
               is
               vigorous
               and
               active
               upon
               the
               Scene
               of
               Fancy
               ,
               but
               as
               soon
               as
               the
               sleep
               determines
               ,
               that
               vanisheth
               from
               the
               thoughts
               .
            
             But
             then
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             a
             divinatory
             Dream
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               hath
               a
               more
               lasting
               energy
               upon
               the
               mind
               ,
            
             x
             
               creates
               a
               regard
               of
               the
               futurities
               declared
               in
               it
               ,
               ingageth
               endeavor
               ,
               and
               is
               made
               apt
               extreamly
               to
               stir
               up
               and
               excite
               the
               Soul
               that
               hath
               it
               .
            
             Besides
             ,
             if
             that
             power
             and
             evidence
             ,
             with
             which
             a
             conceit
             may
             bear
             down
             the
             mind
             to
             a
             perswasion
             thereof
             ,
             may
             be
             preferred
             the
             Sign
             of
             its
             divine
             Original
             ,
             how
             many
             men
             shall
             we
             soon
             have
             that
             will
             look
             demurely
             ,
             and
             tell
             the
             World
             (
             as
             the
             Sons
             of
             Fancy
             among
             us
             used
             to
             do
             )
             that
             
               God
               hath
               made
               out
               this
               or
               that
               to
               them
               ,
            
             and
             that
             
               this
               is
               much
               upon
               their
               spirits
               ,
            
             and
             therefore
             past
             question
             an
             intimation
             from
             God
             ?
          
           
             As
             for
             those
             accomplish'd
             Predictions
             brought
             to
             support
             the
             falling
             credit
             of
             these
             Modern
             Prophets
             ,
             they
             will
             prove
             but
             z
             
               as
               a
               foot
               out
               of
               joint
               .
            
             For
             there
             was
             no
             prophetick
             
             Sign
             foregoing
             to
             assure
             the
             accomplishment
             to
             be
             any
             other
             then
             a
             lucky
             his
             .
             And
             besides
             ,
             the
             a
             Papists
             ,
             nay
             the
             b
             Heathens
             ,
             tell
             us
             (
             and
             men
             must
             be
             willing
             to
             give
             that
             Faith
             they
             expect
             from
             others
             )
             of
             many
             instances
             of
             such
             Predictions
             deliveted
             by
             their
             
               Popes
               ,
               Religioso's
               ,
               Diviners
               ,
               Oracles
               ,
            
             very
             particularly
             accomplish'd
             .
             Now
             then
             I
             demand
             ,
             were
             these
             Prophecies
             
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               or
               from
               Men
               ?
            
             If
             
               from
               Heaven
            
             ,
             why
             then
             do
             many
             men
             think
             with
             no
             more
             favor
             of
             the
             Heathens
             and
             Papists
             ,
             to
             whom
             God
             seems
             to
             give
             
               the
               testimony
               of
               Iesus
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prophecy
               ?
            
             If
             
               from
               men
            
             (
             assisted
             by
             civil
             Prudence
             or
             evil
             Spirits
             )
             then
             all
             accomplish'd
             Predictions
             are
             not
             concluding
             Arguments
             of
             the
             divine
             Inspiration
             of
             the
             Authors
             .
             But
             because
             God
             in
             the
             trial
             of
             Prophets
             hath
             c
             directed
             us
             to
             a
             regard
             of
             the
             issues
             of
             their
             Prophecies
             ,
             this
             matter
             may
             seem
             to
             merit
             a
             more
             close
             and
             particular
             Consideration
             ,
             to
             which
             therefore
             I
             shall
             next
             apply
             my self
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             The
             failing
             of
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             an
             assurance
             of
             their
             Vanity
             .
          
           
             
               Vulgar
               Prophecies
               referring
               to
               the
               Publick
               ,
               generally
               false
               :
               that
               proved
               from
               
                 Justin
                 Martyr
              
               ,
               and
               the
               falshood
               of
               some
               Modern
               Prophecies
               particularly
               instanced
               in
               .
               A
               fayleur
               but
               in
               a
               circumstance
               a
               sign
               of
               the
               forgery
               of
               the
               whole
               Prophecy
               ,
               and
               why
               ●
               .
               A
               five
               fold
               account
               given
               of
               the
               pretended
               accomplishments
               of
               some
               Modern
               Prophecies
               .
               How
               far
               it
               seems
               fitting
               that
               Prophecies
               should
               descend
               to
               the
               circumstances
               of
               Events
               .
               An
               account
               why
               some
               of
               these
               Prophecies
               hit
               and
               others
               miss
               .
               All
               Divine
               Prophecies
               fulfilled
               which
               were
               absolutely
               delivered
               .
               Some
               Characters
               to
               distinguish
               such
               Prophecies
               by
               .
            
          
           
             THat
             which
             may
             yet
             more
             fully
             secure
             us
             in
             a
             perswasion
             of
             the
             Vanity
             of
             all
             these
             Modern
             Prophecies
             ,
             
             is
             this
             :
             
               All
               these
               unattested
               Prophets
            
             generally
             
               fail
               in
               all
               their
               Prophecies
               ,
               but
            
             always
             
               in
               some
            
             .
             Generally
             in
             all
             ;
             viz.
             such
             are
             most
             fit
             to
             assure
             men
             of
             their
             divine
             Inspiration
             ,
             as
             those
             onely
             are
             which
             are
             of
             a
             publick
             reference
             .
             d
             Ieremiah
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Prophets
               which
               had
               been
               before
               him
               of
               old
               ,
               prophesied
               both
               against
               many
               Countries
               ,
               and
               against
               great
               Kingdoms
               ,
               of
               War
               and
               of
               Evil
               and
               of
               Pestilence
            
             ;
             as
             they
             also
             did
             sometimes
             of
             great
             National
             Blessings
             .
             Now
             the
             coming
             to
             pass
             of
             such
             Prophecies
             was
             the
             most
             undoubted
             evidence
             of
             their
             Divinity
             :
             for
             though
             the
             Devil
             may
             be
             presumed
             able
             to
             bring
             about
             
             some
             little
             turns
             in
             the
             lives
             of
             private
             men
             ,
             yet
             
               the
               spirit
               of
               the
               living
               creature
            
             onely
             moves
             in
             those
             great
             Wheels
             ,
             the
             turns
             in
             States
             are
             soly
             under
             the
             particular
             conduct
             of
             God
             ;
             those
             Wheels
             are
             too
             great
             for
             him
             to
             move
             one
             way
             or
             other
             .
             And
             therefore
             e
             
               Iustin
               Martyr
            
             ,
             when
             the
             accomplish'd
             Predictions
             of
             the
             Ethnick
             Prophets
             were
             opposed
             to
             him
             ,
             returns
             this
             judicious
             Answer
             ;
             
               No
               event
               which
               the
               Ethnick
               Prophets
               foretold
               ,
               either
               against
               the
               Truth
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               his
               Worshippers
               ,
               or
               referring
               to
               the
               publick
               Affairs
               of
               the
            
             Grecian
             
               States
               ,
               ever
               came
               to
               pass
            
             ;
             though
             perhaps
             some
             matters
             of
             a
             more
             narrow
             concern
             might
             ,
             which
             fell
             more
             within
             the
             Devil's
             compass
             .
             An
             Observation
             more
             fully
             justified
             in
             the
             pretending
             Prophets
             of
             later
             times
             :
             what
             is
             become
             of
             all
             the
             Oracular
             leaves
             of
             Grebner
             ?
             hath
             not
             
               the
               wind
               taken
               them
               away
               ,
               and
               the
               whirlwind
               scattered
               them
               ?
            
             (
             as
             it
             did
             those
             of
             the
             
               Sibyl
               .
               )
               He
               prophesied
            
             (
             saith
             f
             Mr
             
               Mede
               )
               great
               matters
               of
            
             Henry
             
               the
               fourth
               of
            
             France
             ,
             
               which
               proved
               clean
               contrary
               ;
               of
               Queen
            
             Elizabeth
             ,
             
               and
               other
               Princes
               ,
               which
               never
               came
               to
               pass
               :
               I
               have
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               how
               often
               to
               satisfie
               one
               or
               other
               ,
               told
               them
               as
               I
               now
               tell
               you
               ,
               and
               yet
               every
               five
               or
               six
               years
               it
               comes
               up
               again
               as
               if
               it
               had
               never
               been
               discovered
               .
               Men
               are
               prone
               to
               believe
               anything
               they
               would
               have
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             And
             how
             have
             all
             the
             swelling
             
             Prophecies
             of
             
               Cotterus
               ,
               Christina
               Poniativia
            
             ,
             and
             Drabicius
             ,
             concerning
             the
             sudden
             Conversion
             of
             the
             Turks
             ,
             the
             Establishment
             of
             the
             German
             Churches
             by
             Frederick
             King
             of
             Bohemia
             and
             Gustavus
             of
             Sweden
             ,
             the
             sudden
             Propagation
             of
             the
             Gospel
             throughout
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             advancement
             first
             of
             Ragotzi
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             Son
             and
             then
             the
             Brother
             ,
             to
             the
             Crown
             of
             Hungary
             ,
             of
             the
             dreadful
             overthrow
             of
             the
             Papacy
             (
             many
             of
             them
             delivered
             about
             fifty
             years
             ago
             )
             been
             delivered
             of
             nothing
             but
             the
             wind
             ?
             even
             their
             great
             g
             Patrons
             themselves
             being
             witnesses
             ;
             while
             yet
             so
             inchanted
             with
             the
             Opinion
             of
             them
             as
             to
             publish
             them
             now
             as
             the
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             Divine
             Providence
             hath
             encouraged
             sober
             Christians
             to
             hiss
             them
             out
             of
             the
             World.
             And
             indeed
             it
             is
             so
             h
             the
             usage
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             to
             shame
             the
             impatience
             and
             curiosity
             of
             men
             discovered
             in
             attending
             to
             such
             Prophecies
             ,
             that
             I
             perswade
             my self
             it
             is
             next
             to
             impossible
             to
             instance
             a
             Modern
             Prophecy
             referring
             to
             the
             Publick
             ,
             that
             speaks
             distinctly
             as
             to
             words
             and
             time
             of
             accomplishment
             ,
             that
             failed
             not
             in
             the
             substance
             or
             some
             eminent
             circumstance
             thereof
             .
             Now
             a
             fayleur
             but
             in
             a
             tittle
             ,
             is
             a
             
               dead
               Flie
            
             sufficient
             to
             make
             the
             whole
             Prophecy
             smell
             strongly
             of
             an
             imposture
             .
             Of
             Divine
             Prophecies
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             the
             
             Master
             to
             whom
             we
             have
             had
             such
             frequent
             recourse
             ,
             
             well
             notes
             )
             
               not
               the
               greater
               nor
               lesser
               part
               ,
            
             substance
             or
             circumstance
             ,
             ever
             fell
             to
             the
             ground
             .
             And
             He
             tells
             us
             ,
             those
             words
             of
             Ieremiah
             ,
             k
             
               The
               Prophet
               that
               hath
               a
               Dream
               ,
               let
               him
               tell
               a
               Dream
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               my
               Word
               ,
               let
               him
               speak
               my
               Word
               faithfully
               ;
               what
               is
               the
               chaff
               to
               the
               wheat
               ?
            
             their
             Doctors
             used
             to
             gloss
             thus
             ;
             
               Prophecy
               is
               a
               thing
               pure
               without
               the
               allay
               of
               any
               falshood
               mixed
               with
               it
               ,
               like
               wheat
               cleansed
               from
               the
               chaff
               ;
               but
               Dreams
               and
               other
               vulgar
               Indications
               have
               a
               lie
               always
               intermixed
               ,
               and
               are
               like
               chaff
               in
               which
               there
               are
               but
               some
               few
               grains
               of
               wheat
               .
            
             God
             is
             careful
             to
             accomplish
             the
             very
             criticisms
             and
             circumstances
             of
             his
             Predictions
             ,
             because
             this
             gives
             the
             greatest
             assurance
             of
             their
             Divine
             Author
             .
             For
             the
             substance
             of
             Events
             may
             possibly
             be
             thought
             Object
             great
             enough
             for
             the
             Eye
             of
             humane
             Prudence
             to
             see
             afar
             off
             ,
             but
             circumstances
             are
             easily
             presumed
             too
             little
             for
             our
             heavy
             Eyes
             to
             discern
             at
             any
             great
             removes
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             Person
             better
             seen
             in
             the
             Writings
             of
             Modern
             Prophets
             ,
             then
             I
             have
             any
             ambition
             to
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             ,
             is
             able
             to
             instance
             a
             Prophecy
             of
             any
             longer
             date
             ,
             whose
             words
             did
             exactly
             touch
             the
             Event
             foretold
             both
             in
             the
             substance
             and
             circumstance
             thereof
             ;
             yet
             he
             shall
             alway
             observe
             his
             Prophet
             to
             
             have
             failed
             in
             some
             one
             ,
             nay
             in
             very
             many
             other
             instances
             ,
             if
             any
             thing
             talkative
             (
             as
             it
             is
             well
             the
             prophetick
             humor
             in
             such
             persons
             disposeth
             them
             to
             be
             )
             which
             is
             a
             sufficient
             assurance
             that
             he
             foretold
             nothing
             by
             a
             divine
             suggestion
             .
             Thus
             Savanarola
             (
             a
             Dominican
             )
             foretold
             long
             before
             ,
             that
             Charls
             the
             eighth
             of
             France
             should
             come
             into
             Italy
             with
             a
             great
             Army
             ,
             which
             came
             to
             pass
             :
             But
             l
             
               withal
               ,
               that
               God
               had
               revealed
               to
               him
               that
               the
               State
               Ecclesiastick
               should
               be
               reformed
               by
               force
               of
               Arms
               :
               which
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Historian
             )
             
               hath
               not
               yet
            
             (
             nor
             yet
             )
             
               hapned
               ,
               but
               at
               that
               time
               was
               very
               likely
               to
               have
               been
               effected
               .
            
             The
             Examples
             of
             this
             kind
             are
             too
             great
             for
             Arithmetick
             .
          
           
             The
             two
             branches
             of
             this
             Consideration
             I
             find
             struck
             at
             by
             a
             double
             Objection
             ,
             which
             I
             shall
             endeavor
             to
             secure
             them
             from
             .
             It
             is
             opposed
             to
             the
             first
             ,
             That
             very
             many
             of
             these
             Modern
             Prophecies
             have
             been
             very
             punctually
             accomplish'd
             ,
             though
             unseal'd
             by
             any
             divine
             Sign
             attending
             the
             delivery
             of
             them
             .
             In
             Answer
             hereunto
             ,
             I
             return
             ,
             (
             1.
             )
             
               Meer
               prudential
               Conjectures
               after
               the
               Event
               often
               commence
               accomplish'd
               Prophecies
               in
               vulgar
               Opinion
               :
            
             the
             common
             sort
             of
             people
             being
             apt
             to
             invest
             every
             thing
             that
             lies
             out
             of
             the
             road
             of
             their
             thoughts
             and
             observations
             with
             the
             Opinion
             of
             some
             Divinity
             lodged
             in
             it
             .
             Thus
             that
             famous
             
             Speech
             of
             Seneca
             the
             Tragaedian
             ,
             
               
                 —
                 Venient
                 annis
              
               
                 Secula
                 seris
                 ,
                 quibus
                 Oceanus
              
               
                 Vincula
                 rerum
                 laxet
                 ,
                 &
                 ingen
                 .
              
               
                 Pateat
                 Tellus
                 ,
                 Typhisque
                 novo
                 .
              
               
                 Detegat
                 orbes
                 ;
                 nec
                 sit
                 terris
              
               
                 Ultima
                 Thule
                 ,
                 —
              
            
             hath
             been
             concluded
             
               the
               voice
               of
               God
            
             ,
             a
             prophetick
             instinct
             referring
             to
             the
             discovery
             of
             America
             in
             these
             latter
             Ages
             ,
             which
             was
             indeed
             but
             
               the
               voice
               of
               a
               Man
            
             ,
             a
             rational
             conjecture
             proceeding
             upon
             a
             probable
             perswasion
             ,
             that
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             the
             Globe
             of
             the
             Earth
             was
             not
             all
             Sea
             ,
             and
             so
             would
             in
             time
             be
             found
             .
             m
             Cardan
             having
             related
             several
             very
             strange
             Predictions
             of
             his
             ,
             exactly
             fulfilled
             ,
             adds
             ,
             
               Neither
               would
               I
               have
               any
               one
               think
               these
               to
               have
               been
               far
               fetch'd
               ,
               either
               from
               the
               Devil
               or
               the
               Stars
               ;
               but
               onely
               from
               the
               Oracle
               of
            
             Aristotle
             ,
             
               who
               gives
               true
               Divination
               onely
               to
               prudent
               Persons
               .
            
             This
             prudential
             Divination
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             the
             foresight
             of
             the
             effect
             in
             the
             promises
             of
             some
             parturient
             Causes
             ,
             is
             familiar
             with
             wise
             and
             observant
             men
             .
             For
             a
             wise
             -
             
               mans
               heart
               will
               tell
               him
               more
               then
               seven
               watchmen
               that
               are
               upon
               a
               tower
               ,
            
             whose
             office
             it
             is
             to
             see
             men
             and
             things
             at
             distance
             .
             Prudence
             is
             but
             the
             contraction
             of
             Providence
             in
             the
             name
             ,
             and
             the
             commendable
             n
             image
             of
             it
             in
             the
             nature
             thereof
             .
             (
             2.
             )
             
               Many
               of
               these
               accomplishments
               
               were
               rather
               lucky
               hits
               then
               divine
               foresights
               .
            
             These
             Prophets
             are
             many
             ,
             and
             perpetually
             shooting
             of
             their
             bolts
             ,
             and
             it
             were
             hard
             if
             they
             did
             not
             sometimes
             hit
             the
             mark
             ,
             especially
             when
             standing
             so
             near
             as
             sometimes
             they
             do
             before
             they
             let
             fly
             (
             foretelling
             things
             ,
             removed
             by
             no
             great
             distance
             of
             time
             .
             )
             Such
             a
             lucky
             cast
             was
             that
             singular
             foresight
             of
             Tully
             ,
             reflected
             upon
             by
             o
             himself
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             divine
             Testimony
             to
             the
             sincerity
             of
             his
             intentions
             in
             reference
             to
             the
             Commonwealth
             .
             And
             the
             fortunate
             Speech
             of
             that
             Ancient
             Greeian
             Philosopher
             
               Lucanus
               Ocellus
            
             ,
             p
             Greece
             
               hath
               been
               often
               barbarous
               heretofore
               ,
               and
               so
               shall
               be
               again
            
             in
             after
             Ages
             ,
             some
             would
             be
             ready
             now
             to
             prefer
             to
             the
             repute
             of
             a
             Prophecy
             ,
             which
             was
             but
             a
             loose
             &
             conjectural
             Conclusion
             built
             upon
             an
             observation
             that
             Bodies
             Politick
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Natural
             ,
             have
             their
             decays
             and
             years
             of
             dotage
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             deepest
             dye
             of
             any
             worldly
             felicity
             would
             in
             time
             languish
             and
             change
             color
             .
             (
             3.
             )
             
               A
               great
               part
               of
               these
               Prophecies
               are
               meer
               impostures
               ,
               and
               contrived
               after
               the
               Event
               ,
               by
               some
               idle
               heads
               .
            
             For
             it
             is
             seldom
             that
             we
             hear
             of
             them
             ,
             till
             the
             matters
             related
             in
             them
             are
             past
             ;
             and
             then
             these
             Prophets
             ,
             having
             the
             Event
             before
             them
             to
             take
             measure
             of
             ,
             make
             their
             Prophecy
             to
             fit
             it
             exactly
             ,
             both
             in
             substance
             and
             circumstance
             ,
             that
             so
             there
             might
             be
             the
             less
             suspicion
             
             that
             they
             saw
             things
             to
             come
             (
             like
             the
             man
             but
             half
             cured
             of
             his
             blindness
             )
             onely
             in
             rude
             generals
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             heavy
             Eye
             of
             humane
             prudence
             .
             Whereas
             there
             cannot
             be
             a
             greater
             assurance
             of
             sophistry
             in
             a
             Prediction
             ,
             then
             an
             over-busie
             and
             critical
             enumeration
             of
             Events
             therein
             .
             For
             Prophecies
             should
             deliver
             the
             general
             substance
             or
             some
             one
             great
             circumstance
             of
             an
             Event
             so
             distinctly
             that
             they
             be
             not
             thought
             loose
             conjectures
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             the
             circumstances
             of
             less
             remark
             ,
             they
             should
             be
             wholy
             silent
             ,
             that
             they
             be
             not
             suspected
             onely
             disguized
             Histories
             when
             once
             they
             are
             fulfilled
             .
             For
             this
             Reason
             perhaps
             the
             Divine
             Prophecies
             come
             forth
             (
             like
             the
             pillar
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             )
             partly
             cloud
             and
             partly
             fire
             ,
             cloudy
             and
             obscure
             as
             to
             the
             lesser
             circumstances
             ,
             but
             bright
             and
             clear
             enough
             as
             to
             the
             substance
             of
             Events
             foretold
             .
             Whereas
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             either
             stay
             in
             loose
             Generals
             ,
             and
             like
             a
             sack
             are
             so
             contrived
             that
             they
             may
             be
             clapt
             upon
             any
             person
             ,
             but
             perfectly
             fit
             none
             ;
             or
             else
             are
             most
             industriously
             particular
             and
             scarce
             omit
             a
             circumstance
             .
             Thus
             the
             pretended
             q
             Sibylline
             Oracles
             tell
             out
             Saviors
             very
             name
             Iesus
             ;
             and
             whereas
             the
             Prophet
             onely
             foretels
             ,
             
               A
               Virgin
               shall
               conceive
            
             ,
             they
             add
             ,
             
               The
               Virgin
               Mary
               shall
               conceive
            
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             .
             For
             so
             it
             is
             usual
             for
             such
             Apes
             of
             Prophecy
             to
             become
             ridiculous
             by
             an
             over-acted
             
             imitation
             .
             (
             4.
             )
             
               Many
               of
               these
               Vulgar
               Prophecies
               o●
               their
               successes
               ,
               in
               all
               probability
               ,
               to
               diabolical
               efficiency
               .
            
             The
             Devil
             first
             excites
             such
             Images
             in
             the
             Fancies
             of
             these
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             may
             probably
             determine
             them
             to
             foretel
             many
             things
             ,
             which
             he
             conceives
             most
             likely
             to
             fall
             within
             his
             sphere
             of
             activity
             ,
             and
             then
             he
             accomplisheth
             as
             many
             as
             he
             can
             ,
             though
             with
             no
             more
             of
             true
             foresight
             then
             that
             man
             hath
             that
             should
             think
             fit
             ,
             when
             he
             knows
             them
             ,
             to
             fulfil
             many
             of
             his
             Neighbors
             Dreams
             .
             And
             he
             is
             the
             more
             ready
             to
             interpose
             his
             power
             in
             this
             business
             ,
             because
             when
             men
             shall
             see
             their
             Prophecies
             or
             Dreams
             ,
             of
             future
             contingencies
             especially
             ,
             thus
             strangely
             issued
             ,
             they
             will
             stroke
             their
             heads
             presently
             ,
             and
             make
             no
             doubt
             of
             their
             near
             approaches
             to
             the
             prophetick
             grace
             ;
             and
             whilest
             other
             men
             are
             detained
             in
             an
             idle
             attendance
             to
             such
             shining
             vanities
             ,
             they
             are
             r
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               taken
               alive
            
             by
             this
             Fowler
             in
             his
             net
             .
             And
             this
             Consideration
             may
             probably
             resolve
             us
             why
             some
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             so
             strangely
             hit
             ,
             and
             others
             miss
             ;
             viz.
             because
             the
             Devil
             fulfils
             as
             many
             of
             them
             as
             fall
             within
             his
             compass
             ,
             and
             those
             which
             his
             confined
             power
             extends
             not
             to
             accomplish
             necessarily
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             .
             (
             5.
             )
             
               Several
               of
               these
               Prophecies
               are
               delivered
               in
               words
               so
               loose
               and
               unconfined
               both
               as
               to
               sense
               and
               time
               ,
               that
               it
               were
               a
               great
               wonder
               ,
               
               if
               amidst
               the
               vast
               varieties
               of
               Providence
               they
               appeared
               not
               fulfilled
               in
               some
               Event
               and
               Time
               or
               other
               .
            
             Thus
             it
             was
             noted
             of
             old
             of
             the
             true
             s
             Sibylline
             Oracles
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             composed
             in
             such
             dark
             and
             undetermined
             expressions
             ,
             that
             Fancy
             might
             make
             them
             ,
             like
             a
             Picture
             ,
             look
             to
             any
             Person
             ,
             any
             Event
             whatsoever
             .
             All
             this
             offers
             us
             some
             account
             of
             those
             successes
             which
             these
             Propheticall
             Essays
             have
             sometimes
             been
             followed
             with
             ;
             and
             withal
             conclude
             the
             great
             necessity
             of
             some
             divine
             Sign
             to
             attest
             the
             Prophet
             or
             Prophecy
             ,
             that
             so
             it
             may
             be
             known
             that
             the
             Event
             was
             not
             a
             chance
             ,
             a
             prudential
             foresight
             ,
             or
             diabolical
             delusion
             ,
             but
             a
             true
             prophetical
             accomplishment
             .
          
           
             To
             the
             second
             branch
             of
             the
             present
             Argument
             it
             is
             opposed
             ,
             that
             many
             of
             God's
             Prophecies
             were
             never
             fulfilled
             .
             
               If
               all
               were
            
             (
             saith
             t
             
               Comenius
               )
               whence
               was
               it
               that
               the
               Prophets
               became
               the
               publick
               scorn
               ,
               the
               People
            
             sarcastically
             
               demanding
               ,
               Where
               is
               the
               Word
               of
               the
               Lord
               ?
               Let
               it
               come
               now
               ,
               Ierem
               ,
            
             17.
             15.
             
             To
             this
             Objection
             (
             though
             indeed
             it
             merit
             rather
             a
             Censure
             then
             an
             Answer
             )
             I
             return
             ,
             That
             Scripture
             u
             abundantly
             assures
             ●s
             ,
             that
             never
             one
             word
             which
             God
             spake
             fell
             to
             the
             ground
             :
             and
             therefore
             perhaps
             the
             LXX
             chose
             to
             render
             Urim
             and
             Thum●nim
             by
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             and
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Manifestation
             and
             Truth
             ,
             because
             by
             these
             two
             especially
             were
             God's
             
             Oracles
             distinguish'd
             from
             the
             Devil's
             :
             God's
             being
             eminent
             for
             perspicuity
             and
             Truth
             ,
             and
             the
             Devil
             's
             for
             obscurity
             and
             falshood
             .
             God
             hath
             given
             us
             this
             character
             to
             know
             a
             false
             Prophet
             by
             ,
             w
             
               When
               a
               Prophet
               speaketh
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               if
               the
               thing
               follow
               not
               ,
               nor
               come
               to
               pass
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               thing
               which
               the
               Lord
               hath
               not
               spoken
               ,
               but
               the
               Prophet
               hath
               spoken
               it
               presumptuously
            
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             may
             rest
             assured
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             if
             he
             x
             
               speak
               with
               his
               mouth
               ,
               will
               fulfil
               with
               his
               hand
               .
            
             True
             indeed
             ,
             we
             read
             of
             some
             divine
             Prophecies
             of
             great
             Blessings
             and
             Judgments
             not
             literally
             fulfilled
             :
             But
             these
             (
             as
             God
             himself
             y
             tells
             us
             )
             though
             absolute
             in
             their
             terms
             ,
             yet
             were
             always
             conditional
             in
             their
             interpretation
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             ever
             they
             were
             not
             fulfilled
             in
             terms
             ,
             there
             was
             some
             great
             sin
             or
             repentance
             interposing
             which
             gave
             a
             very
             rational
             account
             thereof
             to
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             .
             But
             all
             divine
             Prophecy
             ,
             absolute
             both
             in
             its
             terms
             and
             intent
             ,
             constantly
             was
             fulfilled
             .
             Now
             when
             the
             Prophecy
             was
             such
             ,
             the
             People
             might
             understand
             by
             such
             Signs
             as
             these
             ,
             *
             If
             the
             Prophecy
             were
             sealed
             with
             the
             Oath
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             some
             equivalent
             asseveration
             :
             
             *
             If
             it
             were
             delivered
             as
             a
             Sign
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Prophet's
             Mission
             ,
             or
             of
             some
             other
             more
             considerable
             Prediction
             :
             *
             If
             the
             Prediction
             were
             delivered
             in
             terms
             of
             the
             Preter-tense
             :
             
             *
             If
             it
             were
             often
             repeated
             by
             the
             same
             or
             more
             Prophets
             :
             *
             If
             it
             were
             a
             Prediction
             of
             some
             Evil
             against
             things
             or
             persons
             evidently
             devoted
             to
             destruction
             :
             
             *
             If
             the
             things
             foretold
             were
             of
             an
             indifferent
             nature
             ,
             not
             greatly
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             and
             many
             such
             like
             .
             These
             I
             say
             constantly
             came
             to
             pass
             :
             and
             therefore
             to
             those
             words
             of
             the
             people
             (
             which
             thought
             a
             Prophecy
             delay'd
             ,
             forgotten
             )
             I
             oppose
             the
             words
             of
             God
             appealing
             to
             the
             Experience
             of
             these
             very
             People
             :
             
               My
               Words
               and
               my
               Statutes
               which
               I
               commanded
               my
               servants
               the
               Prophets
               ,
            
             
             
               did
               they
               not
               take
               hold
               of
               your
               Fathers
               ?
            
             to
             which
             the
             People
             ,
             in
             a
             more
             serious
             temper
             ,
             return
             ;
             
               Like
               as
               the
               Lord
               of
               Hosts
               thought
               to
               do
               unto
               us
               ,
               according
               to
               our
               ways
               ,
               and
               according
               to
               our
               doings
               ,
               so
               hath
               he
               done
               unto
               us
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             Many
             Modern
             Prophecies
             proved
             to
             arise
             from
             Melancholy
             .
          
           
             
               The
               strong
               Opinion
               of
               Inspiration
               in
               Modern
               Prophets
               ,
               proved
               an
               effect
               of
               the
               power
               of
               Melancholy
               .
               Their
               pretended
               Visions
               attributed
               to
               the
               same
               cause
               .
               The
               Visions
               of
               melancholy
               men
               ,
               why
               many
               ,
               and
               to
               them
               very
               evident
               .
               Their
               vehement
               incitations
               to
               Prophecy
               proved
               also
               a
               symptome
               of
               Melancholy
               .
               How
               this
               humor
               becomes
               effectual
               thus
               to
               excite
               to
               Prophecy
               .
               Dying
               men
               ,
               why
               often
               ,
               in
               appearance
               ,
               Prophetical
               .
               A
               natural
               account
               of
               the
               Prophetical
               Essays
               of
               the
               Plutarch's
               Philosophical
               account
               of
               some
               ceasing
               Oracles
               justified
               .
               The
               ardors
               in
               these
               Prophets
               and
               the
               Sibyls
               ,
               natural
               .
               The
               delusions
               of
               Melancholy
               assisted
               usually
               by
               the
               cooperation
               of
               the
               Devil
               .
            
          
           
             A
             Fifth
             Consideration
             to
             reprehend
             the
             Faith
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             ,
             is
             this
             ;
             Those
             popular
             Wonders
             which
             shew
             
               forth
               themselves
               in
               the
               Authors
               of
               them
               ,
            
             
             
               plainly
               appear
               but
               the
               natural
               Effects
               of
               Melancholy
               tinctured
               with
               Religion
               .
            
             This
             will
             appear
             more
             clearly
             if
             we
             be
             a
             little
             particular
             :
             (
             1.
             )
             
               That
               invincible
               confidence
            
             (
             which
             inchants
             the
             vulgar
             )
             
               of
               their
               being
               divinely
               inspired
            
             .
             It
             is
             ordinary
             with
             such
             such
             men
             to
             take
             to
             themselves
             the
             titles
             of
             the
             b
             
               Trump
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               last
               Prophet
               ,
            
             c
             
               the
               Word
               and
               Power
               of
               God
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             ;
             and
             that
             with
             a
             plerophory
             that
             shall
             bear
             it self
             against
             the
             strongest
             Reasons
             ,
             contrary
             Events
             
             of
             things
             ,
             yea
             sometimes
             the
             greatest
             bodily
             severities
             that
             can
             be
             used
             to
             discompose
             their
             Dreams
             .
             Now
             as
             the
             Heathens
             holding
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               that
               the
               brain
               was
               sacred
            
             ,
             and
             the
             seat
             of
             some
             Deity
             ,
             when
             any
             one
             neezed
             they
             would
             venerate
             the
             noise
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             expression
             of
             the
             Deity
             inshrined
             in
             the
             head
             ;
             thus
             these
             men
             being
             strongly
             possest
             by
             this
             conceit
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             
               Goded
               with
               God
            
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             
               Holy
               Ghost
            
             is
             lodged
             in
             their
             heads
             ,
             not
             a
             fancy
             can
             rise
             up
             therein
             but
             it
             is
             received
             with
             as
             sacred
             Opinions
             as
             a
             Papist
             doth
             the
             regs
             and
             reliques
             of
             his
             Saint
             ;
             not
             a
             cloudy
             expression
             drops
             from
             them
             but
             it
             is
             christned
             d
             a
             depth
             and
             a
             great
             mystery
             ,
             their
             ear
             cannot
             tingle
             but
             God
             is
             thought
             to
             whisper
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             men
             cannot
             dream
             at
             the
             common
             rate
             of
             other
             mortals
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             all
             these
             imaginations
             are
             but
             the
             issues
             of
             that
             impostrous
             humor
             when
             it
             passeth
             into
             a
             disease
             .
             A
             Melancholy
             Fancy
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             Incubus
             and
             Succubus
             to
             it self
             ,
             serving
             to
             beget
             and
             to
             conceive
             any
             odd
             crotchet
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             so
             much
             strength
             ,
             that
             it
             appears
             before
             the
             mind
             in
             the
             certainty
             of
             sight
             or
             tast
             .
             And
             it
             is
             so
             usual
             for
             this
             black
             humor
             to
             bew●tch
             the
             mind
             into
             some
             one
             wild
             and
             extravagant
             conceit
             ,
             while
             it
             appears
             sound
             and
             untouch'd
             in
             all
             its
             other
             judgments
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Greek
               
               Physician
            
             hath
             defin'd
             it
             ,
             e
             
               A
               solemn
               sadness
               and
               seriousness
               about
               some
               one
            
             odd
             
               Fancy
               without
               a
               feaver
            
             .
             Now
             look
             as
             the
             images
             which
             appears
             before
             our
             Minds
             in
             a
             dream
             ,
             ow
             their
             general
             odness
             of
             composure
             to
             the
             power
             of
             Fancy
             over
             reason
             in
             our
             sleep
             ,
             but
             their
             more
             particular
             figures
             usually
             to
             the
             occasions
             of
             the
             day
             before
             :
             thus
             the
             conceits
             of
             Melancholy
             (
             the
             dreams
             of
             waking
             men
             )
             ow
             their
             general
             wildness
             and
             fondness
             ,
             to
             the
             undue
             figuration
             of
             the
             brain
             or
             Spirits
             by
             this
             anomalous
             humor
             ,
             but
             their
             particular
             kinds
             to
             those
             mutable
             occasions
             of
             common
             life
             ,
             the
             head
             is
             most
             accustomed
             to
             receive
             impressions
             from
             .
             Men
             of
             a
             more
             contemplative
             Genius
             ,
             conceit
             themselves
             inspired
             with
             some
             rare
             mysteries
             in
             Nature
             ,
             with
             the
             Cabbalistick
             sense
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             with
             the
             understanding
             of
             the
             hidden
             analogies
             between
             the
             sensible
             and
             intelligible
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             and
             lesser
             world
             ,
             with
             the
             Art
             to
             cure
             all
             the
             natural
             leprosies
             of
             mettals
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             :
             Men
             whose
             course
             of
             life
             determines
             their
             thoughts
             more
             upon
             civil
             affairs
             this
             humor
             possesseth
             with
             the
             opinion
             of
             their
             being
             designed
             Popes
             or
             Princes
             ,
             or
             some
             Restorers
             of
             the
             publick
             liberty
             .
             And
             persons
             of
             a
             more
             devotional
             complexion
             talk
             much
             of
             Visions
             ,
             raptures
             ,
             converse
             with
             Angels
             and
             prophecie
             ,
             and
             are
             apt
             to
             fall
             down
             before
             
             every
             idol
             of
             their
             busy
             fancy
             ,
             as
             if
             some
             Deity
             were
             lodged
             in
             it
             .
             Thus
             this
             giddy
             humor
             moves
             every
             man
             (
             ●s
             f
             Plutarch
             saith
             the
             Divinatory
             Enthusiasm
             doth
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               according
               as
               he
               is
               naturally
               disposed
               and
               inclined
               .
            
          
           
             How
             the
             humors
             of
             the
             body
             arive
             at
             an
             ability
             thus
             to
             impregnate
             the
             mind
             with
             conceits
             wild
             and
             monstrous
             beyond
             the
             Varieties
             of
             Africa
             ,
             is
             an
             enquiry
             not
             pertinent
             here
             ;
             but
             to
             question
             that
             so
             they
             can
             ,
             is
             to
             speak
             our selves
             strangers
             to
             all
             the
             stories
             of
             Hypocondriacks
             ,
             books
             and
             discourses
             abound
             withall
             ;
             and
             that
             't
             is
             nothing
             but
             the
             enormous
             power
             of
             a
             disturbed
             imagination
             that
             bears
             down
             these
             persons
             into
             a
             belief
             of
             divine
             visions
             ,
             voices
             and
             illapse
             ,
             sappears
             sufficiently
             in
             that
             they
             usually
             commence
             Prophets
             
               per
               saltum
            
             ,
             and
             before
             they
             are
             tolerably
             qualified
             with
             knowledg
             or
             piety
             ,
             they
             become
             inspired
             ;
             and
             that
             though
             heaven
             and
             earth
             refute
             their
             predictions
             once
             and
             again
             ,
             an
             
               heart
               deceived
            
             by
             the
             fulness
             and
             importunity
             of
             the
             Impression
             ,
             
               hath
               so
               turned
               them
               aside
            
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             attend
             ;
             and
             therefore
             are
             no
             more
             awakened
             out
             of
             their
             prophetick
             dreams
             by
             any
             contrary
             events
             ,
             then
             the
             begger
             out
             of
             his
             dreams
             of
             greatness
             and
             honor
             by
             the
             rags
             he
             wears
             and
             the
             dunghill
             he
             sleeps
             on
             .
             An
             example
             of
             which
             
             grossness
             and
             non-attendance
             we
             have
             in
             Drabicius
             (
             a
             German
             Prophet
             ,
             of
             whom
             so
             much
             written
             and
             discourst
             of
             late
             )
             who
             though
             he
             saw
             his
             predictions
             clearly
             refuted
             by
             events
             ,
             and
             told
             thereof
             at
             one
             ear
             by
             his
             Friends
             and
             at
             both
             ears
             by
             his
             enemies
             ,
             yet
             was
             so
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             carried
             away
             by
             the
             power
             of
             his
             prophetick
             dreams
             as
             to
             secure
             himself
             in
             his
             fond
             opinion
             of
             Inspiration
             by
             returning
             ,
             g
             
               Annon
               vox
               Dei
               est
               quae
               dicit
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Is
             it
             not
             the
             voice
             of
             God
             which
             h
             saith
             ,
             
               God
               doth
               nothing
               but
               he
               reveals
               his
               secrets
               to
               his
               servants
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               the
               later
               daies
               he
               will
               pour
               out
               his
               Spirit
               upon
               all
               flesh
               ,
               and
               young
               men
               shall
               see
               Visions
               and
               old
               men
               dream
               dreams
               :
            
             Scriptures
             which
             any
             pretender
             to
             prophecy
             might
             have
             cited
             in
             his
             vindication
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             he
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               Those
               wonderful
               Visions
               represented
               to
               their
               minds
               in
               some
               Ecstacy
               or
               profound
               sleep
               .
            
             At
             such
             a
             time
             some
             very
             frightful
             or
             lovely
             images
             shew
             themselves
             upon
             the
             Scene
             of
             Fancy
             ,
             and
             those
             (
             as
             dreams
             take
             figure
             from
             the
             occasions
             of
             the
             day
             )
             generally
             made
             after
             the
             likeness
             of
             those
             Apocalyptical
             or
             other
             Prophetick
             Visions
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             minds
             of
             such
             persons
             when
             awake
             are
             commonly
             entertained
             and
             deeply
             sealed
             .
             Now
             these
             Visa
             ,
             by
             the
             great
             singularity
             of
             their
             form
             ,
             vivacity
             of
             representation
             ,
             
             and
             prophetical
             analogy
             ,
             do
             so
             wonderfully
             affect
             and
             possess
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             inchant
             it
             with
             such
             huge
             fears
             or
             joys
             ,
             that
             the
             Melancholy
             person
             doubts
             not
             to
             receive
             them
             with
             the
             faith
             and
             affection
             of
             Divine
             discoveries
             .
             And
             therefore
             if
             the
             more
             terrible
             aspect
             of
             the
             images
             represented
             to
             his
             mind
             ,
             proclaim
             them
             the
             proper
             emblems
             of
             some
             great
             evils
             ,
             he
             presently
             concludes
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             tenders
             his
             servants
             with
             the
             care
             and
             affection
             a
             Mother
             doth
             her
             sucking
             child
             ,
             would
             willingly
             have
             them
             forewarned
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             might
             by
             repentance
             ,
             prayers
             or
             prudence
             avert
             the
             impendent
             evil
             from
             themselves
             ,
             or
             fortifie
             their
             minds
             with
             Christian
             patience
             to
             receive
             its
             coming
             .
             But
             if
             their
             more
             delightful
             form
             prefer
             them
             the
             types
             of
             some
             joyful
             Event
             ,
             as
             is
             the
             freedom
             of
             the
             Church
             laboring
             under
             some
             heavy
             oppression
             ,
             the
             propagation
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             the
             enlargement
             of
             Christs
             Kingdom
             ;
             they
             hastily
             catch
             at
             the
             welcome
             token
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             thought
             foretold
             therein
             which
             themselves
             have
             the
             greatest
             passion
             for
             .
             And
             they
             are
             the
             more
             soft
             and
             easy
             to
             such
             prophetical
             conceits
             ,
             because
             those
             passions
             of
             Fear
             and
             Hope
             ,
             so
             intimate
             to
             our
             Natures
             ,
             and
             which
             generally
             govern
             the
             Perswasions
             even
             of
             wiser
             men
             ,
             are
             so
             regnant
             in
             their
             Souls
             made
             so
             impressive
             by
             Melancholy
             
             and
             some
             tinctures
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Now
             these
             pretended
             Visions
             ,
             which
             conciliate
             Veneration
             to
             these
             Prophets
             with
             ruder
             persons
             ,
             will
             appear
             much
             beneath
             our
             wonder
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             considered
             that
             Melancholy
             when
             it
             exceeds
             its
             just
             proportions
             ,
             is
             very
             productive
             of
             them
             .
             This
             the
             Philosopher
             hath
             noted
             ,
             i
             
               Men
               that
               are
               of
               a
               talkative
               and
               melancholy
               temper
               see
               any
               kind
               of
               Visions
               .
            
             And
             this
             ,
             especially
             because
             they
             have
             so
             deep
             a
             resentment
             of
             the
             most
             affecting
             objects
             ,
             whose
             images
             therefore
             recur
             to
             the
             fancy
             when
             they
             are
             asleep
             ,
             in
             most
             distinct
             and
             lively
             figures
             .
             Now
             the
             Visions
             of
             such
             men
             are
             the
             more
             evident
             and
             lively
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             dryness
             of
             their
             temper
             (
             as
             l
             Gallen
             gives
             the
             reason
             )
             whereby
             there
             are
             no
             such
             mysts
             and
             vapors
             rising
             up
             to
             confound
             and
             obscure
             them
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             cause
             why
             the
             night-Visions
             of
             persons
             full
             fed
             ,
             or
             overcome
             with
             wine
             ,
             are
             so
             confused
             and
             leave
             such
             languishing
             impressions
             upon
             their
             waking
             Fancies
             .
             These
             images
             being
             so
             clear
             and
             active
             ,
             the
             mind
             takes
             them
             (
             as
             the
             birds
             did
             those
             on
             the
             tables
             of
             Apelles
             )
             for
             true
             and
             real
             things
             ;
             and
             as
             when
             we
             suddainly
             awake
             out
             of
             some
             very
             affecting
             dream
             ,
             the
             figures
             which
             its
             clearness
             and
             strength
             of
             impression
             made
             upon
             the
             Fancy
             ,
             cannot
             
             not
             presently
             be
             blotted
             out
             ,
             but
             we
             continue
             for
             a
             time
             to
             entertain
             it
             with
             the
             affections
             of
             a
             great
             reality
             ;
             thus
             (
             but
             by
             a
             more
             obstinate
             delusion
             )
             are
             the
             persons
             we
             now
             speak
             of
             imposed
             upon
             by
             an
             unruly
             Fancy
             .
             For
             when
             deep
             sleep
             hath
             fallen
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             cut
             the
             Soul
             off
             from
             all
             converse
             with
             things
             sensible
             ,
             it
             is
             wholy
             immerst
             in
             the
             view
             of
             those
             images
             which
             walk
             upon
             the
             stage
             of
             Imagination
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             common
             sense
             is
             as
             inwardly
             moved
             ,
             as
             if
             excited
             by
             some
             object
             from
             abroad
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             receives
             them
             with
             the
             Opinion
             of
             their
             being
             not
             phantastical
             but
             real
             and
             divine
             appearances
             .
             As
             for
             those
             Visions
             these
             Prophets
             speak
             of
             when
             they
             are
             awake
             ,
             they
             may
             arise
             from
             those
             m
             vehement
             and
             intense
             thoughts
             ,
             which
             represent
             some
             great
             Objects
             to
             them
             in
             very
             distinct
             and
             affecting
             Ideas
             ;
             with
             which
             the
             mind
             is
             so
             fully
             possest
             and
             sealed
             ,
             as
             not
             much
             to
             attend
             to
             the
             circumstance
             of
             the
             real
             presence
             thereof
             ;
             and
             therefore
             easily
             perswades
             it self
             ,
             that
             object
             stood
             before
             it
             of
             which
             it
             had
             so
             lively
             a
             perception
             ,
             and
             with
             which
             it
             was
             so
             inwardly
             touched
             and
             affected
             .
             Besides
             ,
             nothing
             so
             familiar
             as
             for
             men
             of
             very
             impressive
             phancies
             and
             timerous
             dispos●tions
             to
             have
             a
             continual
             scene
             of
             strange
             sights
             presented
             before
             them
             .
             The
             n
             Philos●pher
             noted
             
             long
             ago
             ,
             that
             
               to
               persons
               young
               and
               that
               look
               intensly
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               dark
               ,
               there
               appear
               many
               strange
               images
               moving
               to
               and
               fro
               ,
               so
               that
               in
               a
               great
               fear
               they
               hide
               themselves
               in
               the
               bed-clothes
               .
            
             Whereas
             in
             such
             sights
             the
             Fancy
             is
             both
             Scene
             and
             Spectator
             to
             it self
             .
             This
             shews
             that
             't
             is
             possible
             that
             these
             pretended
             Visions
             may
             be
             but
             the
             inchantments
             of
             Melancholy
             .
             But
             he
             that
             considers
             that
             Divine
             Visions
             were
             vouchsaft
             as
             rarely
             and
             upon
             as
             concerning
             occasions
             as
             Miracles
             will
             believe
             it
             probable
             that
             they
             are
             no
             other
             .
             Did
             God
             dispense
             the
             favors
             of
             these
             divine
             visits
             to
             the
             Patriarchs
             and
             Prophets
             so
             sparingly
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             are
             they
             become
             now
             as
             familiar
             to
             some
             men
             as
             dreams
             to
             others
             ?
             Familiars
             ,
             hath
             been
             the
             title
             of
             bad
             spirits
             but
             never
             of
             good
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Their
               vehement
               incitations
               to
               prophecy
            
             .
             They
             feel
             the
             new
             images
             of
             things
             or
             persons
             striking
             with
             great
             strength
             and
             evidence
             upon
             their
             Fancies
             ,
             and
             themselves
             quickened
             by
             a
             very
             hot
             and
             active
             principle
             ,
             whose
             powers
             they
             cannot
             easily
             stand
             against
             ,
             to
             
               make
               the
               Vision
               plain
            
             ,
             and
             to
             declare
             to
             others
             what
             conceits
             and
             passions
             it
             comes
             attended
             with
             :
             and
             therefore
             they
             conceive
             that
             
               the
               word
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               as
               a
               fire
               shut
               up
               in
               their
               bones
               ,
            
             and
             that
             they
             are
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             wholy
             possest
             by
             some
             divine
             power
             which
             they
             cannot
             bear
             themselves
             
             against
             ,
             nay
             indeed
             
               should
               not
            
             ,
             for
             who
             are
             they
             that
             should
             
               withstand
               God
            
             ?
             Whereas
             all
             these
             things
             are
             but
             the
             subtil
             fallacies
             which
             the
             fumes
             of
             hypochondriacal
             Melancholy
             ,
             when
             grown
             hot
             and
             fiery
             ,
             put
             upon
             the
             Fancy
             ,
             being
             as
             apt
             to
             intoxicate
             the
             brain
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             impressive
             to
             as
             odd
             conceits
             ,
             as
             the
             active
             vapors
             of
             lusty
             wine
             .
             These
             vapors
             being
             carried
             by
             the
             brain
             with
             a
             mighty
             force
             ,
             confou●d
             the
             natural
             figurations
             thereof
             and
             excite
             some
             new
             Idols
             therein
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             s●ngularity
             of
             their
             appearance
             ,
             and
             importunity
             of
             occurrence
             ,
             cannot
             but
             create
             affections
             correspondent
             to
             them
             u
             which
             together
             with
             those
             firy
             Spirits
             ,
             will
             put
             men
             upon
             great
             freedom
             of
             speech
             (
             that
             which
             a
             very
             affecting
             dream
             will
             sometimes
             do
             )
             to
             deliver
             themselves
             of
             those
             strange
             thoughts
             which
             upon
             such
             occasions
             will
             rise
             up
             within
             them
             .
             Now
             't
             is
             no
             wonder
             at
             all
             (
             as
             the
             w
             Philosopher
             saith
             )
             if
             such
             kind
             of
             men
             being
             thus
             
               incited
               to
               speak
               very
               much
               and
               of
               very
               various
               things
            
             (
             the
             Scenes
             of
             Fancy
             being
             so
             often
             shifted
             by
             these
             giddy
             vapors
             )
             
               that
               they
               have
               some
               fortunate
               hits
               ,
            
             and
             true
             divinations
             .
          
           
             That
             't
             is
             only
             the
             forrein
             heat
             of
             these
             Vapors
             which
             excites
             these
             predictions
             ,
             appears
             probable
             in
             that
             every
             x
             flatuous
             calefaction
             
             of
             the
             brain
             whence
             soever
             it
             arise
             ,
             is
             apt
             to
             make
             a
             man
             ecstatical
             ,
             to
             express
             it self
             in
             wonderful
             speeches
             ,
             and
             those
             often
             prophetical
             .
             The
             vapors
             of
             wine
             meeting
             with
             some
             constitutions
             ,
             have
             strangely
             ap'd
             an
             Enthusiasm
             ;
             as
             appears
             from
             those
             Verses
             of
             the
             y
             Poet
             ,
             upon
             occasion
             of
             the
             truly
             Iovial
             doings
             upon
             some
             of
             their
             idolatrous
             Festivals
             .
          
           
             
               Invenies
               illic
               qui
               Nestoris
               ebibat
               annos
            
             
               Quae
               sit
               per
               calices
               facta
               Sibylla
               suos
               .
            
          
           
             
               There
               shall
               you
               find
               old
               men
               turn'd
               boies
               by
               wine
               ,
            
             
               Young
               Maids
               old
               Sibyls
               ,
               who
               
                 by
                 th'
                 cup
                 divine
              
               .
            
          
           
             Accordingly
             in
             some
             z
             Oracular
             places
             ,
             the
             Diviners
             used
             to
             excite
             the
             Prophetick
             faculty
             (
             as
             they
             thought
             )
             by
             a
             liberal
             ,
             dose
             of
             wine
             or
             some
             water
             which
             had
             a
             kind
             of
             inebriating
             property
             :
             such
             hot
             and
             unwieldy
             vapors
             (
             though
             excited
             by
             a
             feaver
             )
             have
             made
             dying
             men
             so
             famous
             ,
             for
             their
             prophetical
             Essays
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             Nations
             :
             though
             they
             have
             been
             vainly
             thought
             (
             as
             all
             Extraordinaries
             ,
             especially
             about
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             usually
             are
             )
             of
             a
             more
             divine
             extraction
             .
             And
             that
             prophetick
             fit
             which
             seiz'd
             the
             Pythia
             placed
             over
             some
             hollow
             cavern
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             was
             owing
             to
             the
             subtil
             
             and
             fiery
             spirit
             (
             as
             a
             Iamblicus
             calls
             it
             )
             thence
             ascending
             her
             tender
             body
             and
             b
             intoxicating
             of
             her
             ,
             though
             in
             so●ewhat
             a
             more
             violent
             maner
             then
             wine
             w●uld
             have
             done
             (
             in
             so
             much
             as
             sometimes
             she
             dyed
             in
             the
             fit
             )
             and
             sealing
             her
             Fancy
             (
             already
             strongly
             possest
             with
             the
             extraordinary
             Sacredness
             of
             her
             place
             and
             office
             )
             with
             wild
             conceits
             which
             she
             delivered
             in
             as
             wild
             a
             maner
             :
             and
             this
             account
             of
             the
             pretended
             inspiration
             of
             the
             Pythia
             is
             favored
             by
             c
             Strabo
             ,
             telling
             us
             that
             she
             expected
             the
             Oracular
             power
             being
             placed
             ove●
             the
             narrow
             mouth
             of
             the
             Sacred
             cavern
             ,
             and
             that
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             from
             thence
             was
             carried
             forth
             an
             Enthusiastick
             d
             vapor
             or
             spirit
             ,
             which
             excited
             the
             atent
             disposition
             to
             prophecy
             in
             her
             soul
             ,
             as
             the
             wind
             doth
             the
             Musical
             power
             of
             some
             well-tuned
             Organ
             .
             And
             therefore
             I
             think
             Plutarch
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             out
             ,
             as
             commonly
             thought
             in
             his
             Treatise
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               concerning
               the
               ceasing
               Oracles
            
             ,
             (
             for
             so
             it
             should
             be
             rendered
             ,
             e
             all
             not
             being
             silenced
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             nor
             long
             after
             )
             when
             attributing
             their
             Silence
             in
             some
             formerly
             famous
             places
             ,
             to
             the
             languishing
             of
             that
             Enthusiastick
             Vapor
             which
             inspired
             the
             P●ophetess
             ,
             the
             caverns
             (
             as
             he
             conceives
             )
             lying
             continually
             open
             being
             apt
             (
             like
             exposed
             liquors
             )
             to
             lose
             Spirits
             ;
             and
             to
             decay
             it
             their
             ancient
             
             vertues
             .
             This
             imposture
             the
             Devil
             abused
             the
             world
             withal
             ,
             till
             the
             light
             of
             the
             Gospel
             and
             Philosophy
             made
             the
             fallacy
             notorious
             .
          
           
             To
             return
             .
             As
             for
             that
             mighty
             ardor
             whereby
             they
             are
             carried
             forth
             to
             deliver
             themselves
             ,
             it
             is
             perfectly
             a
             natural
             thing
             ,
             being
             but
             the
             impatience
             of
             that
             hot
             and
             nimble
             vapor
             of
             fermented
             Melancholy
             .
             The
             Sibyls
             of
             old
             (
             which
             f
             Aristotle
             rightly
             judgeth
             inspired
             only
             by
             this
             fiery
             Spirit
             )
             used
             g
             often
             to
             mention
             those
             divine
             fires
             they
             felt
             themselves
             (
             as
             they
             thought
             )
             quickned
             and
             excited
             by
             ;
             which
             were
             only
             the
             Symptomes
             of
             this
             exalted
             humor
             of
             which
             the
             same
             Philosopher
             notes
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             it
             becomes
             even
             like
             boyling
             water
             when
             once
             sufficiently
             heated
             .
             And
             that
             they
             are
             only
             these
             hot
             and
             restless
             Spirits
             arising
             out
             of
             the
             caverns
             of
             the
             body
             (
             much
             of
             temper
             with
             those
             in
             the
             Pythia
             )
             which
             inspire
             them
             ,
             appears
             in
             that
             we
             generally
             find
             them
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             as
             h
             Eusebius
             stiles
             the
             Preachers
             ,
             of
             Montanus
             his
             doctrine
             )
             
               Prophets
               that
               talk
               without
               measure
            
             .
             Their
             books
             and
             discourses
             are
             so
             voluminous
             as
             if
             they
             feared
             nothing
             more
             then
             the
             poor
             title
             of
             
               Minor
               Prophets
            
             :
             witness
             the
             mighty
             bulk
             to
             which
             the
             Revelations
             of
             St.
             
               Brigid
               ,
               Drabitius
            
             and
             others
             swell
             into
             .
             We
             may
             
             ever
             have
             Prophecies
             from
             these
             persons
             very
             good
             cheap
             .
             Whereas
             when
             the
             Spirit
             of
             wisdom
             incited
             the
             holy
             men
             of
             old
             ,
             their
             words
             were
             weighed
             in
             a
             balance
             ,
             their
             discourses
             consequent
             ,
             their
             seasons
             of
             Prophecy
             few
             and
             chosen
             ,
             and
             their
             Doctrine
             precious
             as
             the
             gold
             of
             Ophir
             .
          
           
             While
             I
             thus
             salve
             the
             strange
             Phoenomena
             about
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophets
             by
             the
             powers
             of
             Melancholy
             ;
             I
             intend
             not
             to
             deny
             but
             that
             the
             Devil
             (
             who
             works
             by
             darkness
             as
             God
             by
             light
             )
             may
             sometimes
             interpose
             ,
             and
             where
             he
             finds
             the
             Mind
             fitted
             by
             this
             distemper
             for
             him
             to
             work
             upon
             ,
             may
             (
             to
             make
             the
             imposture
             more
             fine
             and
             subtil
             )
             act
             it
             to
             some
             expressions
             beyond
             the
             bare
             capacities
             of
             this
             jugling
             humor
             ,
             as
             to
             speak
             languages
             ,
             to
             tell
             some
             things
             at
             distance
             ,
             as
             the
             certain
             coming
             of
             such
             a
             friend
             or
             Epileptick
             fit
             ,
             upon
             such
             a
             day
             or
             hour
             (
             which
             the
             German
             Prophetess
             Christina
             often
             did
             .
             )
             It
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             the
             received
             opinion
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Iews
             that
             an
             high
             Melancholy
             or
             distraction
             was
             attended
             alway
             with
             an
             evil
             Spirit
             .
             whence
             that
             speech
             of
             the●rs
             concerning
             our
             Savior
             .
             *
             
               He
               hath
               a
               Devil
               and
               is
               mad
               ,
            
             upon
             which
             Text
             Mr
             Mead
             tells
             us
             that
             they
             used
             to
             stile
             their
             Melancholici
             and
             Maniaci
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             And
             according
             to
             the
             strain
             of
             
             all
             the
             Jewish
             Scholiasts
             (
             as
             i
             Master
             Smith
             informs
             us
             )
             by
             
               the
               Evil
               Spirit
            
             of
             Saul
             nothing
             else
             is
             meant
             but
             a
             
               Melancholy
               kind
               of
               Madness
            
             which
             made
             him
             Prophecy
             or
             speak
             distractedly
             and
             inconsistently
             :
             and
             when
             the
             gentle
             aires
             and
             motions
             of
             *
             Musick
             had
             dissipated
             these
             Melancholy
             vapors
             
               the
               Evil
               Spirit
               departed
            
             with
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             Probable
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             all
             divine
             Prophecy
             now
             ceast
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Cessation
               of
               Prophecy
               now
               ,
               not
               absolutely
               asserted
               ,
               and
               why
               .
               Five
               reasons
               alledged
               to
               prove
               its
               cessat
               on
               ,
               probable
               .
               A
               promise
               of
               Prophecy
               to
               any
               Age
               ,
               the
               greatest
               Security
               that
               it
               is
               not
               imposed
               upon
               by
               Pretenders
               to
               it
               .
               No
               Promise
               of
               Prophecy
               made
               to
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               World.
               The
               several
               ends
               Prophecy
               served
               to
               under
               the
               times
               of
               the
               Old
               and
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               :
               proved
               unserviceable
               t●●
               any
               such
               ends
               now
               .
               Why
               Prophecy
               not
               given
               now
               to
               comfort
               good
               men
               it
               affliction
               .
               Why
               it
               exspired
               in
               the
               Jewish
               Church
               so
               long
               before
               our
               Saviors
               coming
               .
               Several
               reasons
               alledged
               against
               the
               received
               Opinion
               of
               a
               
                 Bath
                 Kol
              
               succceding
               to
               Prophecy
               under
               the
               second
               Temple
               .
               The
               Original
               of
               that
               speech
               of
               
                 Strabo
                 ,
                 that
                 Moses
                 advanced
                 him self
                 by
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 a
                 Religion
                 without
                 Sacrifice
                 or
                 Prophecy
                 ,
              
               guest
               at
               .
               Such
               a
               Religion
               proved
               the
               felicity
               of
               this
               New
               Dispensation
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             last
             Consideration
             which
             I
             shall
             superadd
             to
             disparage
             the
             saith
             of
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             is
             this
             .
             
             
               It
               seems
               highly
               probable
               that
               the
               true
               Prophetick
               Spirit
               is
               now
               gone
               up
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               divine
               Revelations
               ,
               as
               well
               of
               future
               Events
               as
               new
               Doctrines
               ,
               are
               wholy
               ceast
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               God.
            
             I
             shall
             not
             be
             positive
             in
             this
             Assertion
             ,
             because
             I
             find
             a
             Synod
             convened
             in
             Germany
             ,
             Anno
             1633.
             where
             the
             Divines
             being
             moved
             by
             some
             zealous
             persons
             to
             declare
             themselves
             against
             all
             pretended
             Revelations
             and
             Prophecies
             ,
             now
             that
             God
             had
             
             so
             eminently
             refuted
             the
             famous
             Visions
             of
             Cotterus
             and
             
               Christina
               Poniatovia
            
             in
             the
             unexpected
             deaths
             of
             Gustavus
             of
             Sweden
             and
             Frederick
             of
             Bohemia
             ,
             prophecyed
             of
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             Saviors
             and
             Restorers
             of
             the
             German
             Protestants
             ;
             They
             declined
             it
             ,
             adding
             ,
             that
             k
             
               yet
               no
               Church
               ,
               or
               Consistory
               or
               University
               had
               altogether
               rejected
               or
               condemned
               ,
               such
               kind
               of
               new
               Prophecies
               ,
               and
               why
               would
               we
               be
               the
               First
               ?
            
             Certainly
             then
             't
             will
             very
             ill
             become
             my
             privacy
             and
             obscurity
             to
             take
             the
             Chair
             and
             pronounce
             confidently
             that
             folly
             is
             with
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             of
             Divine
             Prophecy
             now
             in
             the
             world
             besides
             the
             vain
             noise
             and
             affectation
             thereof
             .
             I
             shall
             only
             crave
             the
             freedom
             to
             tender
             those
             reasons
             which
             make
             it
             seem
             probable
             to
             my self
             that
             there
             are
             no
             such
             extraordinary
             visits
             of
             the
             Divine
             Spirit
             now
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             world
             .
             Whereof
             the
             first
             is
             this
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             
               God
               hath
               by
               no
               Promise
               encouraged
               our
               Expectation
               of
               any
               such
               prophetick
               inspiration
               in
               these
               latter
               Ages
               of
               the
               World.
            
             
             When
             ever
             God
             gave
             Prophecy
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             it
             usually
             came
             attended
             with
             some
             other
             eminent
             gifts
             ,
             whereby
             men
             might
             understand
             it
             was
             an
             Age
             of
             Extraordinaries
             ;
             so
             it
             was
             alway
             ushered
             by
             some
             promise
             thereof
             .
             God
             gave
             Prophecy
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             and
             to
             
             the
             Times
             wherein
             our
             Savior
             was
             first
             manifested
             and
             preached
             to
             the
             world
             (
             stiled
             the
             l
             
               last
               daies
            
             ,
             being
             the
             expiring
             times
             of
             the
             Jewish
             Oeconomie
             )
             and
             there
             was
             notice
             given
             thereof
             by
             a
             fore-running
             Promise
             delivered
             by
             m
             Moses
             and
             Ioel.
             God
             would
             not
             have
             so
             great
             a
             gift
             ,
             that
             comes
             forth
             (
             as
             all
             extraordinary
             ones
             do
             )
             upon
             some
             errand
             of
             import
             ,
             to
             steal
             into
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             men
             be
             in
             danger
             of
             losing
             the
             benefit
             thereof
             ,
             while
             destitute
             of
             any
             thing
             to
             resolve
             them
             whether
             there
             be
             any
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Holy
               Ghost
            
             thus
             given
             yea
             or
             no.
             Besides
             ,
             where
             we
             have
             no
             special
             promise
             ,
             we
             have
             no
             ground
             at
             all
             of
             expectation
             or
             trust
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             trust
             our
             Faith
             with
             any
             pretended
             Prophecy
             and
             Revelation
             though
             presented
             with
             all
             the
             probable
             appearances
             of
             truth
             ,
             before
             we
             know
             whether
             God
             hath
             made
             promise
             of
             any
             such
             matter
             now
             ,
             we
             do
             but
             tempt
             God
             ,
             and
             expect
             he
             should
             charge
             himself
             with
             us
             while
             we
             walk
             
               in
               praecipitiis
            
             ,
             in
             waies
             wherein
             he
             never
             told
             us
             we
             should
             meet
             him
             .
             A
             Promise
             from
             God
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             is
             (
             I
             think
             )
             one
             of
             the
             most
             necessary
             securities
             to
             our
             faith
             .
             There
             were
             under
             the
             times
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             undoubtedly
             ,
             as
             many
             persons
             inspired
             only
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             heated
             Melancholy
             ,
             and
             more
             by
             a
             much
             worse
             ,
             then
             now
             there
             are
             ;
             but
             that
             which
             was
             the
             great
             security
             to
             the
             
             minds
             of
             good
             men
             then
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             cheated
             by
             any
             of
             the
             gilded
             Prophecies
             then
             current
             among
             them
             ,
             was
             ,
             that
             God
             had
             made
             them
             a
             Promise
             to
             send
             them
             Prophets
             from
             time
             to
             time
             to
             resolve
             them
             in
             all
             matters
             relating
             to
             this
             life
             as
             well
             as
             the
             other
             :
             and
             therefore
             they
             might
             presume
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             would
             be
             more
             especially
             watchful
             to
             preserve
             them
             (
             if
             not
             greatly
             wanting
             to
             themselves
             )
             from
             being
             fatally
             abused
             while
             expecting
             instruction
             by
             a
             Prophecy
             ,
             a
             way
             of
             divine
             Sanction
             in
             those
             times
             .
             In
             confidence
             especially
             of
             this
             divine
             security
             ,
             we
             find
             even
             n
             Princes
             proceeding
             without
             scruple
             to
             action
             ,
             and
             in
             matters
             of
             very
             great
             moment
             ,
             upon
             the
             bare
             word
             of
             a
             Person
             that
             pretended
             to
             speak
             from
             God
             ,
             though
             without
             any
             Sign
             (
             that
             we
             read
             of
             )
             given
             to
             seal
             his
             Mission
             from
             God
             upon
             that
             occasion
             ;
             whereas
             now
             a
             Prince
             would
             but
             fall
             the
             Martyr
             of
             his
             own
             credulity
             ,
             if
             trusting
             his
             affairs
             with
             the
             most
             importunate
             voices
             of
             a
             pretending
             Prophet
             against
             sober
             Reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             when
             there
             appears
             neither
             divine
             Sign
             ,
             nor
             promise
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             to
             warrant
             his
             Faith.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             readily
             acknowledged
             ,
             that
             none
             of
             God's
             true
             Prophets
             but
             came
             attested
             at
             one
             time
             or
             other
             with
             some
             divine
             Signs
             ;
             but
             yet
             he
             that
             shall
             consider
             that
             these
             
             were
             not
             vouchsafed
             to
             bear
             testimony
             to
             each
             particular
             message
             which
             they
             delivered
             as
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             many
             Signs
             were
             given
             by
             them
             (
             as
             the
             causing
             of
             iron
             to
             swim
             ,
             disclosing
             the
             secrets
             of
             the
             bedchamber
             ,
             foretelling
             the
             death
             of
             some
             person
             ,
             and
             some
             seeming
             contingencies
             )
             which
             ●t
             is
             likely
             fall
             within
             the
             Devil's
             compass
             to
             shew
             ;
             and
             that
             sometimes
             the
             Prophets
             o
             countermanded
             their
             own
             counsels
             and
             advices
             ,
             and
             that
             those
             holy
             men
             were
             no
             more
             exempt
             from
             the
             delusions
             of
             Melancholy
             then
             good
             men
             are
             now
             ;
             and
             that
             Miracles
             have
             been
             so
             counterfeited
             by
             the
             Arts
             of
             Magick
             ,
             that
             even
             wise
             men
             have
             not
             been
             able
             to
             detect
             the
             imposture
             ;
             must
             needs
             grant
             ,
             that
             the
             promise
             of
             God
             to
             teach
             men
             by
             Prophecy
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Prophet
             his
             appearing
             (
             as
             the
             Iews
             speak
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               a
               Man
               fit
               for
               Prophecy
            
             ,
             was
             generally
             the
             firmest
             ground
             of
             trust
             they
             had
             to
             build
             the
             faith
             of
             the
             Divinity
             of
             his
             Signs
             and
             Prophecy
             upon
             .
             And
             therefore
             I
             think
             many
             Signs
             might
             more
             firmly
             conclude
             the
             divine
             inspiration
             of
             men
             in
             those
             Ages
             to
             which
             Prophecy
             was
             promised
             ,
             then
             the
             like
             can
             do
             if
             tendred
             by
             any
             Pretender
             to
             inspiration
             in
             our
             own
             .
          
           
             Now
             then
             ,
             there
             being
             not
             the
             least
             air
             of
             any
             promise
             of
             Prophecy
             made
             to
             the
             last
             Times
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             
             think
             that
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             is
             flown
             back
             to
             Heaven
             (
             like
             Elijah
             )
             and
             hath
             left
             nothing
             behind
             it
             ,
             but
             its
             mantle
             ,
             its
             garb
             and
             dress
             ,
             which
             Imposture
             sometimes
             walks
             up
             and
             down
             the
             World
             withal
             .
             As
             for
             that
             place
             of
             Scripture
             so
             often
             alledged
             by
             the
             Modern
             Enthusiasts
             ,
             to
             justifie
             the
             Expectation
             of
             Prophecy
             now
             ;
             
             
               It
               shall
               come
               to
               pass
               in
               the
               last
               days
               that
               I
               will
               pour
               out
               my
               Spirit
               upon
               all
               flesh
               ,
               and
               your
               sons
               and
               your
               daughters
               shall
               prophesie
               ,
               &c.
            
             it
             is
             wholy
             impertinent
             ,
             because
             ,
             as
             q
             Theodoret
             notes
             ,
             it
             received
             its
             evident
             and
             literal
             accomplishment
             at
             the
             day
             of
             Pentecost
             .
             But
             a
             greater
             then
             Theodoret
             is
             here
             ,
             S.
             Peter
             ,
             who
             r
             expresly
             fixeth
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             that
             Prophecy
             in
             the
             liberal
             effusions
             of
             the
             extraordinary
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             upon
             that
             great
             Day
             :
             where
             we
             may
             note
             by
             the
             way
             ,
             that
             he
             seems
             not
             to
             understand
             the
             place
             of
             Prophecy
             strictly
             taken
             (
             for
             Prediction
             )
             in
             favor
             of
             which
             alone
             it
             is
             alledged
             by
             our
             Adversaries
             ,
             but
             for
             those
             other
             extraordinary
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             there
             mentioned
             ,
             and
             for
             which
             Prophecy
             doth
             often
             suppose
             elswhere
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             
               All
               other
               extraordinary
               gifts
               which
               anciently
               attended
               the
               Prophetick
               Spirit
               ,
               are
               now
               ceased
               .
            
             
             The
             gifts
             of
             healing
             ,
             of
             working
             Miracles
             ,
             
             of
             discerning
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             of
             divers
             Tongues
             ,
             of
             interpretation
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             
             have
             all
             expired
             with
             their
             occasion
             ;
             and
             why
             should
             we
             imagine
             that
             Prophecy
             (
             numbred
             with
             them
             )
             survives
             them
             all
             ?
             a
             gift
             of
             which
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             World
             hath
             incomparably
             less
             need
             then
             of
             any
             of
             the
             rest
             !
             Those
             other
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             could
             ease
             the
             pains
             ,
             enlighten
             the
             Eyes
             ,
             resolve
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             presently
             confirm
             the
             Faith
             of
             men
             ,
             which
             a
             Prophecy
             could
             not
             do
             :
             and
             therefore
             whereas
             we
             find
             those
             gifts
             very
             familiarly
             used
             ,
             and
             liberally
             conferred
             in
             the
             first
             times
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             yet
             we
             meet
             with
             this
             prophetick
             gift
             very
             rarely
             exerted
             by
             our
             Savior
             or
             his
             Apostles
             ;
             and
             some
             of
             the
             Persons
             who
             had
             it
             (
             as
             if
             they
             were
             rarely
             to
             be
             found
             )
             are
             particularly
             mentioned
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ;
             
             
               viz.
               Agabus
               ,
               Barnabas
               ,
               Simon
               Niger
               ,
               Lucius
               ,
               Manahen
               ,
               Silas
               ,
            
             the
             four
             Daughters
             of
             Philip
             ,
             and
             some
             few
             others
             .
             Why
             then
             should
             a
             Gift
             ,
             which
             was
             of
             so
             little
             name
             and
             consideration
             ●n
             compare
             with
             the
             rest
             ,
             continue
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             other
             (
             like
             Scaffolds
             when
             the
             House
             is
             built
             )
             are
             taken
             away
             ,
             now
             that
             
               the
               House
               of
               God
            
             is
             built
             up
             ,
             and
             the
             Faith
             confirmed
             ?
             Certainly
             the
             fond
             affection
             which
             some
             men
             have
             for
             Prophecy
             ,
             and
             that
             strength
             of
             face
             with
             which
             others
             pretend
             to
             it
             ,
             are
             the
             things
             which
             suborn
             their
             Understandings
             to
             believe
             that
             so
             acceptable
             a
             gift
             is
             honored
             with
             a
             longer
             continuance
             
             in
             the
             World
             then
             the
             rest
             of
             its
             Brethren
             .
             If
             we
             consult
             Antiquity
             ,
             it
             will
             appear
             more
             likely
             that
             this
             gift
             alone
             is
             faln
             ,
             there
             being
             r
             more
             frequent
             mention
             therein
             of
             some
             Miracles
             wrought
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             less
             is
             said
             concerning
             the
             Prophetical
             Spirit
             ,
             especially
             after
             the
             second
             Century
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Prophecy
               cannot
               now
               minister
               to
               any
               of
               those
               great
               ends
               ,
            
             
             
               to
               which
               under
               the
               first
               times
               of
               the
               Old
               and
               New
               Testament
               it
               did
               .
            
             It
             served
             under
             the
             Old
             Testament
             as
             
               a
               seal
               of
               the
               divine
               Inspiration
               of
               those
               Scriptures
               in
               which
               it
               was
               found
            
             ;
             and
             was
             a
             pregnant
             assurance
             to
             present
             and
             future
             Times
             ,
             that
             all
             those
             Promises
             ,
             Precepts
             ,
             Threatnings
             ,
             found
             in
             conjunction
             with
             any
             accomplish'd
             Prophecy
             ,
             were
             equally
             of
             divine
             Original
             .
             To
             this
             purpose
             speaks
             a
             s
             Iewish
             Doctor
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               The
               fundamental
               Reason
               why
               Prophecy
               is
               extant
               in
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               is
               onely
               this
               ,
               That
               they
               may
            
             with
             the
             greater
             authority
             
               exhort
               men
               to
               an
               observation
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               to
               divine
               Worship
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               what
               is
               acceptable
               unto
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               Man
               may
               be
               perfect
               with
               God
               ,
               not
               barely
               that
               they
               may
               declare
               things
               to
               come
               .
               This
               is
               found
               in
               the
               Prophets
               but
               out
               of
               a
               secondary
               intention
               ,
               onely
               to
               confirm
               the
               truth
               of
               their
               inspiration
            
             ;
             and
             the
             like
             reason
             of
             Prophecy
             in
             Scripture
             is
             alleged
             by
             t
             Origen
             .
             Whereas
             these
             
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             cannot
             (
             need
             not
             )
             seal
             any
             divine
             Doctrine
             or
             part
             of
             Scripture
             if
             they
             should
             be
             fulfilled
             ;
             and
             therefore
             have
             no
             more
             real
             value
             then
             the
             seal
             in
             separation
             from
             the
             writing
             .
             They
             tell
             us
             perhaps
             (
             which
             no
             wise
             man
             much
             concerns
             himself
             to
             know
             )
             that
             after
             such
             a
             period
             of
             time
             ,
             such
             a
             great
             Prince
             shall
             ascend
             the
             Throne
             ,
             such
             a
             famous
             Event
             shall
             fall
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Prediction
             chance
             to
             succeed
             ,
             the
             Prophet
             looks
             big
             ,
             and
             the
             People
             wonder
             ,
             and
             that
             's
             all
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             
               Prophecy
               served
            
             (
             like
             the
             Shechinah
             in
             the
             Temple
             )
             
               as
               a
            
             u
             
               testimony
               of
               God's
               dwelling
               in
               and
               owning
               of
               that
               Church
               in
               which
               it
               was
               found
               .
            
             And
             accordingly
             the
             departing
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             from
             a
             people
             ,
             if
             found
             elswhere
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             was
             a
             Sign
             God
             had
             given
             them
             a
             bill
             of
             divorce
             .
             Thus
             God
             at
             last
             assured
             his
             rejection
             of
             the
             Iewish
             and
             acknowledgment
             of
             the
             Gentile
             Church
             ,
             by
             his
             taking
             Prophecy
             wholy
             from
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             giving
             it
             at
             the
             same
             time
             unto
             the
             other
             ;
             that
             which
             w
             Origen
             and
             x
             
               Iustin
               Martyr
            
             take
             frequent
             notice
             of
             in
             their
             Disputes
             against
             the
             Iews
             and
             Heathens
             .
             Now
             Prophecy
             is
             no
             more
             necessary
             in
             this
             Age
             then
             Miracles
             to
             witness
             Christs
             presence
             with
             his
             Church
             ,
             for
             she
             hath
             had
             it
             liberally
             already
             ;
             and
             when
             it
             departed
             ,
             it
             went
             not
             from
             her
             to
             Iew
             or
             Turk
             ,
             but
             back
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             leaving
             
             behind
             it
             the
             many
             virtues
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             themselves
             more
             undoubted
             pledges
             of
             his
             favor
             .
             And
             besides
             ,
             the
             Christian
             Church
             now
             is
             crumbled
             into
             so
             many
             Sects
             and
             Forms
             ,
             that
             were
             Prophecy
             now
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             men
             would
             be
             apt
             to
             receive
             it
             as
             a
             testimony
             ,
             not
             to
             their
             Church
             ,
             but
             to
             their
             Party
             ,
             (
             to
             which
             purpose
             the
             Faction
             of
             Rome
             pretends
             it
             ;
             )
             and
             therefore
             perhaps
             Prophecy
             was
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             more
             united
             times
             both
             of
             the
             Iewish
             and
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             but
             went
             away
             when
             they
             began
             to
             distinguish
             themselves
             by
             little
             Forms
             and
             Notions
             ,
             lest
             it
             should
             seem
             to
             witness
             not
             to
             the
             Truth
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             humors
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             A
             third
             Reason
             assigned
             by
             some
             y
             Iewish
             and
             Christian
             Writers
             ,
             why
             God
             gave
             the
             People
             of
             the
             Iews
             their
             Oracles
             and
             Prophets
             to
             give
             them
             the
             knowledge
             of
             Futurities
             ,
             as
             the
             success
             of
             a
             Battel
             ,
             the
             issue
             of
             a
             Sickness
             ,
             the
             condition
             of
             other
             Kingdoms
             in
             after-times
             ,
             &c.
             is
             this
             ;
             
               Because
               else
               in
               all
               likelihood
               they
               would
               have
               apostatized
               to
               the
               Rites
               of
               the
               Heathen
               ,
            
             who
             had
             their
             Oracles
             and
             Diviners
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               being
               prompted
               thereunto
               by
               that
               natural
               liquorousness
               in
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               after
               the
               knowledg
               of
               things
               to
               come
               ,
            
             as
             z
             Origen
             gives
             the
             reason
             ;
             and
             a
             Scripture
             seems
             
             to
             assign
             the
             same
             why
             God
             gave
             them
             Prophecy
             ,
             even
             to
             secure
             them
             from
             all
             temptation
             to
             consult
             the
             Oracles
             of
             the
             Heathen
             ,
             which
             we
             find
             they
             sometimes
             did
             in
             the
             b
             silence
             or
             c
             absence
             of
             the
             true
             Prophets
             .
             To
             suppose
             Prophecy
             necessary
             now
             for
             this
             end
             ,
             to
             save
             mens
             longing
             after
             the
             knowledg
             of
             things
             sealed
             up
             in
             the
             Counsels
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             to
             reproach
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             suppose
             it
             as
             liquorish
             as
             in
             its
             more
             childish
             years
             .
             Hath
             not
             the
             World
             out-grown
             the
             follies
             of
             Auguries
             ,
             Soothsaying
             ,
             and
             profest
             Diviners
             long
             ago
             ,
             and
             took
             up
             in
             the
             resolves
             of
             Reason
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             Oracle
             to
             consult
             in
             a
             civil
             business
             ?
             and
             must
             Christians
             be
             thought
             the
             onely
             persons
             that
             want
             a
             Prophecy
             to
             arrest
             their
             anxieties
             in
             reference
             to
             hereafter
             ,
             and
             a
             Prophecy
             of
             the
             certain
             truth
             whereof
             they
             are
             as
             much
             unresolved
             as
             of
             the
             issue
             of
             affairs
             ?
             And
             besides
             ,
             we
             shall
             observe
             how
             God
             sometimes
             chastised
             that
             wanton
             humor
             in
             the
             Iews
             ,
             by
             permitting
             even
             his
             own
             Predictions
             to
             be
             ,
             not
             seldom
             ,
             the
             d
             occasions
             of
             very
             evil
             Effects
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             proceed
             to
             a
             view
             of
             those
             Ends
             which
             prophecy
             serv'd
             to
             more
             specially
             in
             the
             times
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             it
             will
             more
             clearly
             appear
             a
             great
             impertinence
             now
             .
             It
             served
             then
             as
             a
             divine
             largess
             to
             grace
             the
             solemn
             Inauguration
             of
             our
             Saviour
             to
             his
             Mediatory
             
             Kingdom
             :
             To
             assure
             the
             acceptance
             of
             his
             person
             and
             undertaking
             with
             God
             ,
             who
             impowered
             him
             to
             confer
             such
             great
             gifts
             on
             men
             .
             To
             fore-warn
             and
             so
             to
             fore-arm
             young
             Coverts
             ,
             apt
             otherwise
             to
             be
             scandalized
             by
             the
             then
             approaching
             persecutions
             for
             Christ's
             sake
             .
             To
             seal
             the
             reception
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             to
             the
             dignity
             of
             Sonship
             ,
             upon
             whom
             God
             had
             bestowed
             so
             great
             a
             portion
             of
             his
             Spirit
             .
             To
             prefer
             the
             Christian
             Oeconomy
             to
             as
             sacred
             regards
             with
             men
             as
             the
             Iewish
             had
             of
             old
             ,
             because
             attended
             with
             as
             liberal
             an
             effusion
             of
             all
             extraordinary
             gifts
             upon
             men
             ,
             as
             that
             was
             .
             Now
             it
             were
             greatly
             to
             under-rate
             the
             Reader
             's
             time
             and
             my
             own
             ,
             to
             prove
             Prophecy
             in
             this
             Age
             utterly
             unnecessary
             for
             the
             service
             of
             any
             such
             ends
             as
             these
             .
             So
             that
             there
             appears
             not
             any
             sufficient
             Reason
             why
             we
             should
             believe
             there
             are
             any
             Examples
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             now
             extant
             in
             the
             World.
             Miracles
             and
             Prophecies
             always
             came
             forth
             from
             God
             to
             serve
             some
             great
             occasions
             ,
             (
             his
             Servants
             never
             wrought
             a
             Miracle
             ,
             or
             foretold
             an
             Event
             ,
             as
             Juglers
             shew
             tricks
             ,
             or
             Gypsies
             tell
             fortunes
             ,
             onely
             to
             cause
             wonder
             or
             to
             supply
             discourse
             :
             )
             now
             these
             occasions
             being
             long
             ago
             expired
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             reasonable
             to
             presume
             that
             Miracles
             and
             Prophecies
             are
             faln
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             To
             all
             this
             perhaps
             it
             will
             be
             opposed
             ,
             
             That
             oft-times
             a
             very
             black
             and
             tedious
             night
             of
             affliction
             covers
             the
             Servants
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             a
             Prophecy
             might
             then
             serve
             as
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Cock
             to
             bring
             the
             joyful
             news
             of
             an
             approaching
             morning
             of
             deliverance
             ;
             and
             that
             for
             this
             end
             also
             God
             often
             favored
             his
             ancient
             People
             the
             Iews
             with
             Prophecy
             ,
             even
             to
             let
             them
             understand
             when
             their
             miseries
             should
             determine
             ,
             lest
             they
             
               should
               grow
               weary
               and
               faint
               in
               their
               minds
               .
            
          
           
             I
             answer
             ;
             God
             hath
             now
             supplied
             good
             men
             with
             higher
             cordials
             then
             a
             Prophecy
             to
             support
             their
             sinking
             spirits
             with
             in
             a
             day
             of
             Evil.
             He
             hath
             confirmed
             his
             singular
             affection
             to
             them
             by
             the
             great
             gift
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             he
             hath
             told
             them
             that
             
               all
               things
               shall
               work
               together
               for
               their
            
             temporal
             or
             eternal
             good
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             
               a
               merciful
               High-Priest
               that
               is
               touch'd
               with
               a
               feeling
               of
               all
               their
               infirmities
               ,
            
             that
             their
             
               light
               affliction
               which
               is
               but
               for
               a
               moment
               works
               for
               them
               a
               far
               more
               exceeding
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               glory
            
             ;
             and
             are
             not
             these
             Considerations
             better
             to
             them
             then
             ten
             Prophecies
             ?
             Besides
             ,
             God
             having
             now
             caused
             the
             felicities
             of
             the
             other
             World
             to
             stand
             before
             us
             in
             so
             full
             a
             light
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             our
             minds
             less
             intangled
             with
             sollicitous
             and
             unquiet
             thoughts
             about
             the
             futurities
             of
             this
             .
             It
             greatly
             becomes
             us
             now
             to
             be
             more
             heroical
             and
             manly
             in
             our
             hopes
             
             and
             resolutions
             then
             the
             Iews
             were
             ,
             whose
             temper
             was
             as
             weak
             ,
             wordly
             and
             carnal
             ,
             as
             their
             way
             of
             Worship
             ;
             in
             compliance
             with
             which
             God
             encouraged
             their
             service
             by
             a
             Covenant
             made
             up
             of
             worldly
             Promises
             ,
             
               possession
               of
               the
               Land
               ,
               the
               abundance
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               freedom
               from
               evils
               and
               bondage
               .
            
             Now
             ,
             lest
             in
             a
             tedious
             affliction
             they
             should
             think
             God
             had
             forgotten
             his
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             should
             cast
             about
             for
             some
             new
             Master
             ,
             the
             Prophets
             were
             sent
             from
             time
             to
             time
             ,
             to
             resolve
             them
             of
             the
             cause
             and
             continuance
             thereof
             ,
             and
             (
             that
             their
             patience
             might
             not
             tire
             )
             to
             tell
             them
             when
             their
             warfare
             should
             be
             accomplish'd
             .
             Besides
             ,
             their
             notices
             of
             the
             felicities
             of
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             being
             so
             obscure
             and
             languishing
             ,
             might
             easily
             render
             them
             to
             greater
             impatience
             of
             the
             undetermined
             miseries
             of
             this
             :
             and
             therefore
             when
             in
             the
             times
             of
             the
             second
             Temple
             they
             began
             to
             be
             more
             clear
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             a
             Resurrection
             and
             a
             life
             to
             come
             ,
             Prophecies
             of
             a
             temporal
             reference
             became
             more
             rare
             ;
             as
             appears
             from
             the
             words
             of
             that
             e
             Psalm
             ,
             written
             (
             it
             is
             thought
             )
             after
             the
             Captivity
             ,
             where
             the
             Church
             under
             great
             pressures
             thus
             bemoans
             her self
             :
             
               We
               see
               not
               our
               Signs
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               more
               any
               Prophet
               ,
               neither
               is
               there
               any
               among
               us
               that
               knoweth
               how
               long
               :
            
             which
             words
             suggest
             to
             us
             a
             fourth
             Reason
             .
             
          
           
             4.
             
             
               Prophecy
               expired
               in
               the
            
             Jewish
             
               Church
               
               for
               two
               or
               three
               hundred
               years
               before
               the
               coming
               of
               our
               Savior
               .
            
             This
             is
             a
             truth
             of
             catholick
             acknowledgment
             ,
             all
             Ievish
             and
             Christian
             Writers
             confess
             it
             but
             only
             
               Iustin
               Martyr
            
             ,
             who
             once
             and
             again
             f
             tell
             ;
             Trypho
             the
             
               Iew
               ,
               There
               never
               ceased
               in
               your
               Nation
               ,
               either
               Prophet
               or
               Prince
               till
               Iesus
               Christ
               was
               both
               born
               and
               had
               suffred
               .
            
             But
             in
             this
             Opinion
             that
             excellent
             Man
             stands
             against
             all
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             and
             against
             g
             Canon
             and
             h
             Apocrypha
             ;
             and
             therefore
             his
             Testimony
             not
             binding
             .
             Now
             if
             Prophecy
             ceased
             then
             ,
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             presume
             it
             continues
             now
             ;
             for
             what
             ever
             Arguments
             seem
             to
             conclude
             it
             necessary
             to
             the
             Christian
             Church
             now
             ,
             would
             with
             much
             more
             strength
             conclude
             the
             necessity
             of
             it
             to
             the
             Iewish
             then
             :
             for
             the
             Scripture
             was
             then
             more
             dark
             and
             incompleat
             then
             now
             ,
             the
             People
             were
             of
             a
             more
             weak
             and
             worldly
             temper
             ,
             the
             Oeconomy
             more
             carnal
             ,
             the
             Age
             more
             accustomed
             to
             Prophecies
             ,
             Men
             more
             in
             danger
             of
             being
             tempted
             by
             the
             absence
             of
             Prophecy
             to
             consult
             the
             Devil's
             Prophets
             and
             Oracles
             ,
             then
             so
             frequent
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             a
             succession
             of
             Prophets
             more
             fully
             promised
             without
             any
             limitation
             of
             time
             ,
             then
             now
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             reason
             of
             its
             cessation
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             catholick
             ,
             viz.
             this
             :
             It
             had
             now
             ministred
             to
             all
             those
             great
             Ends
             to
             which
             it
             was
             thought
             necessary
             in
             the
             Times
             
             to
             which
             it
             was
             vouchsafed
             ;
             and
             therefore
             (
             as
             it
             is
             said
             of
             David
             )
             having
             thus
             
               served
               its
               Generation
               ,
               it
               fell
               asleep
               .
            
             For
             though
             it
             be
             true
             that
             the
             cessation
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             as
             also
             the
             absence
             of
             the
             many
             Glories
             from
             the
             Second
             Temple
             which
             the
             First
             had
             ,
             might
             serve
             to
             take
             men
             off
             from
             looking
             too
             intently
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             Moses
             ,
             whose
             splendor
             plainly
             appeared
             to
             be
             nigh
             to
             vanishing
             away
             ,
             and
             to
             quicken
             their
             desires
             after
             the
             more
             inward
             and
             abiding
             Glories
             of
             the
             Messiah's
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             to
             cause
             them
             
               to
               expect
               that
               New
               Dispensation
               so
               long
               promised
               before
               ,
               which
               should
               restore
               the
               Prophetical
               Spirit
               more
               abundantly
            
             ;
             yet
             I
             conceive
             this
             to
             be
             neither
             the
             onely
             nor
             the
             principal
             Reason
             of
             that
             long
             interstitium
             of
             Prophecy
             in
             the
             Iewish
             Church
             .
             For
             the
             Ark
             ,
             the
             Shechinah
             ,
             the
             heavenly
             fire
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             ,
             were
             ceremonial
             appendices
             ,
             and
             served
             the
             pomp
             and
             splendor
             of
             that
             Lower
             Dispensation
             ,
             the
             utter
             absence
             whereof
             from
             the
             second
             Temple
             might
             shew
             that
             Oeconomy
             now
             waxing
             old
             and
             wearing
             away
             ;
             but
             Prophecy
             lasted
             (
             it
             is
             concluded
             )
             for
             at
             least
             forty
             or
             fifty
             years
             under
             the
             second
             Temple
             ,
             and
             besides
             was
             given
             rather
             for
             Moral
             then
             Ceremonial
             Ends
             ,
             which
             having
             sufficiently
             served
             ,
             it
             was
             beneath
             the
             sacredness
             thereof
             to
             be
             continued
             to
             serve
             onely
             the
             pomp
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             or
             the
             curiosities
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             The
             onely
             thing
             now
             occurring
             to
             my
             thoughts
             ,
             which
             may
             seem
             to
             weaken
             the
             force
             of
             this
             Reason
             ,
             is
             the
             common
             Opinion
             of
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               Filia
               vocis
            
             ,
             a
             soft
             voice
             ,
             heard
             as
             descending
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             was
             (
             say
             the
             Masters
             )
             a
             lower
             degree
             of
             Prophecy
             continuing
             under
             the
             Times
             of
             the
             second
             Temple
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             twilight
             in
             the
             Iewish
             Church
             after
             the
             setting
             of
             the
             Sun
             of
             Prophecy
             ;
             and
             to
             which
             the
             i
             Targum
             is
             thought
             sometimes
             to
             refer
             .
             But
             as
             for
             this
             prophetick
             voice
             ,
             I
             see
             no
             great
             reason
             why
             we
             should
             stick
             to
             number
             it
             with
             those
             
               Iewish
               Fables
            
             mentioned
             
               Tit.
               1.
               14.
            
             and
             invented
             (
             as
             many
             more
             were
             )
             to
             serve
             the
             glory
             of
             that
             Nation
             ,
             and
             to
             greaten
             the
             favor
             of
             Heaven
             thereunto
             :
             there
             being
             no
             two
             Nations
             so
             much
             remarked
             for
             vanity
             and
             pride
             ,
             both
             in
             sacred
             and
             profane
             Writings
             ,
             as
             the
             Iewish
             and
             Grecian
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             none
             that
             have
             so
             corrupted
             Histories
             ,
             and
             obtruded
             so
             many
             Legends
             upon
             the
             credulity
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             inhance
             the
             credit
             and
             reputation
             of
             their
             own
             People
             .
             Can
             it
             easily
             be
             thought
             that
             God
             would
             now
             speak
             from
             Heaven
             to
             them
             who
             had
             turned
             the
             deaf
             ear
             to
             all
             his
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             were
             now
             so
             addicted
             to
             Magick
             ,
             Superstition
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Examples
             of
             Folly
             and
             Profaneness
             ?
             What
             reason
             can
             
             be
             given
             why
             God
             should
             silence
             all
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             the
             Oracles
             by
             Urim
             ,
             and
             by
             Visions
             ,
             and
             honor
             that
             obdurate
             People
             by
             any
             immediate
             addresses
             ?
             What
             higher
             Grace
             did
             God
             confer
             upon
             Abraham
             ,
             upon
             Moses
             ,
             nay
             upon
             his
             Son
             ,
             then
             to
             speak
             to
             them
             by
             a
             Voice
             from
             the
             
               excellent
               Glory
            
             ?
             What
             are
             all
             the
             occasions
             ,
             upon
             which
             they
             say
             it
             was
             heard
             ,
             but
             weak
             and
             tri●ling
             ,
             and
             evidently
             unworthy
             of
             so
             sacred
             an
             Oracle
             ?
             When
             Ionathan
             began
             his
             Paraphrase
             ,
             k
             they
             tell
             us
             he
             was
             check'd
             by
             a
             
               Bath
               Kol
            
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Quis
               est
               ille
               qui
               revelat
               filiis
               hominum
               mysteria
               Legis
               ?
            
             When
             
               Rab.
               Iuda
               Sanctus
            
             died
             ,
             the
             l
             Talmudists
             tell
             us
             ,
             
               Bath
               Kol
               beatitudinem
               eum
               plangentibus
               pronunciavit
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             .
             Besides
             ,
             a
             Voice
             from
             Heaven
             seems
             reserved
             as
             the
             more
             sacred
             way
             of
             divine
             Revelation
             (
             so
             far
             is
             it
             from
             being
             the
             lowest
             degree
             of
             Prophecy
             )
             for
             the
             Times
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             It
             was
             a
             m
             Voice
             from
             Heaven
             that
             gave
             testimony
             to
             Christ
             ,
             that
             occasioned
             S.
             Paul's
             Conversion
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             urged
             as
             a
             strong
             argument
             against
             refusing
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             a
             n
             
               turning
               away
               from
               him
               that
               speaketh
               from
               Heaven
               :
            
             And
             we
             shall
             observe
             that
             all
             the
             Prophecies
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             have
             not
             that
             Expression
             ,
             
               I
               heard
               a
               Voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
            
             so
             oft
             as
             that
             single
             Prophecy
             of
             the
             New
             ,
             the
             Revelation
             :
             God
             generally
             making
             use
             of
             other
             
             ways
             before
             ,
             to
             give
             his
             Prophets
             an
             intimation
             of
             his
             Counsels
             :
             So
             that
             this
             Notion
             cannot
             greatly
             prejudice
             the
             Reason
             alledged
             ,
             having
             so
             little
             color
             of
             truth
             to
             recommend
             it
             .
             Nor
             am
             I
             alone
             in
             this
             perswasion
             ,
             finding
             some
             learned
             men
             speaking
             o
             very
             doubtfully
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             others
             very
             p
             confidently
             against
             it
             .
             Though
             perhaps
             all
             this
             be
             more
             then
             I
             need
             have
             said
             ,
             for
             this
             was
             no
             personal
             Prophecy
             ,
             nor
             (
             that
             I
             can
             find
             )
             ever
             asserted
             to
             declare
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             but
             to
             direct
             in
             some
             emergent
             difficulties
             in
             common
             life
             .
          
           
             In
             confirmation
             of
             what
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             't
             were
             easy
             to
             superadd
             the
             many
             Testimonies
             of
             the
             Ancients
             to
             prove
             the
             going
             up
             of
             the
             Prophetick
             Spirit
             in
             this
             confirm'd
             State
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Messiah
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             full
             in
             this
             perswasion
             ,
             that
             (
             as
             't
             is
             noted
             )
             the
             Montanists
             are
             by
             some
             of
             the
             Fathers
             proved
             to
             be
             no
             better
             then
             Dissemblers
             when
             they
             pretended
             to
             the
             Gift
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             for
             that
             it
             was
             then
             ceased
             in
             the
             Church
             .
             But
             that
             I
             seem
             
               not
               to
               boast
               in
            
             q
             
               another
               Man's
               line
            
             ,
             I
             shall
             dismiss
             this
             Chapter
             with
             a
             Conjecture
             upon
             a
             passage
             
             in
             r
             Strabo
             applicable
             to
             our
             present
             purpose
             .
             He
             ,
             coming
             to
             speak
             of
             Moses
             and
             some
             Jewish
             Customs
             ,
             makes
             (
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             Heathen
             )
             a
             very
             invidious
             relation
             of
             what
             Arts
             he
             used
             to
             oblige
             so
             great
             a
             multitude
             his
             Followers
             .
             One
             of
             which
             ,
             he
             saith
             was
             a
             promise
             to
             deliver
             to
             them
             ,
             
               Such
               a
               worship
               ,
               and
               such
               rites
               of
               Sacrifice
               ,
               as
               should
               not
               trouble
               the
               Users
               of
               them
               with
               any
               great
               expenses
               ,
               nor
               prophetical
               raptures
               and
               ecstacies
               ,
               nor
               any
               other
               absurd
               businesses
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             A
             Speech
             that
             assures
             Strabo
             not
             over-fond
             of
             such
             things
             himself
             ,
             for
             else
             he
             could
             not
             so
             easily
             have
             believed
             a
             promise
             of
             deliverance
             from
             them
             ,
             the
             best
             bait
             Moses
             could
             use
             to
             catch
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             Multitude
             withall
             .
             But
             certain
             it
             is
             that
             no
             promise
             was
             further
             from
             his
             thoughts
             then
             this
             ;
             for
             his
             law
             was
             a
             s
             law
             of
             rites
             and
             costly
             sacrifices
             ,
             and
             his
             great
             with
             was
             that
             
               all
               the
               Lords
               people
               were
               Prophets
               ,
            
             and
             nothing
             that
             himself
             more
             pretended
             or
             t
             promised
             then
             Prophecy
             .
             I
             conceive
             therefore
             that
             (
             as
             most
             lies
             bottom
             upon
             some
             truth
             )
             this
             Relation
             was
             originally
             but
             some
             traditional
             prophecy
             of
             the
             State
             of
             the
             times
             under
             the
             Messiah
             current
             (
             among
             some
             others
             )
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             or
             else
             a
             right
             opinion
             of
             theirs
             founded
             in
             a
             mistaken
             Sense
             of
             that
             Prophecy
             of
             u
             Daniel
             concerning
             the
             Messiah
             ,
             that
             He
             should
             
               seal
               up
               Vision
               and
               
               Prophecy
               and
               cause
               sacrifice
               and
               oblation
               to
               cease
               .
            
             Now
             this
             notion
             of
             the
             ceasing
             of
             Prophecy
             and
             Sacrifice
             might
             (
             as
             some
             other
             did
             )
             arrive
             at
             last
             among
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             who
             understanding
             it
             to
             halfes
             ,
             might
             easily
             intitle
             Moses
             to
             the
             promise
             thereof
             ,
             a
             Person
             of
             so
             great
             Name
             both
             among
             the
             Iews
             and
             themselves
             .
          
           
             But
             a
             freedom
             from
             these
             two
             is
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             promise
             ,
             the
             performance
             only
             of
             the
             Mediator
             of
             a
             better
             Covenant
             the●
             Moses
             ,
             who
             by
             the
             offering
             of
             himself
             to
             God
             left
             place
             for
             no
             other
             then
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             the
             w
             living
             sacrifice
             of
             our selves
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             more
             liberal
             effusions
             of
             his
             Spirit
             to
             enlighten
             our
             minds
             ,
             and
             to
             place
             oru
             hearts
             above
             the
             fears
             and
             hopes
             of
             this
             world
             hath
             made
             Prophecy
             less
             necessary
             now
             ,
             and
             therefore
             most
             likely
             not
             be
             at
             all
             therein
             .
             Sure
             I
             am
             God
             hath
             no
             where
             promised
             it
             to
             the
             
               ends
               of
               the
               World
            
             ,
             nor
             do
             men
             most
             disposed
             ,
             by
             great
             wisdom
             and
             Sanctity
             ,
             to
             receive
             it
             ,
             either
             feel
             it
             or
             desire
             it
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             ever
             have
             ,
             with
             the
             greatest
             wariness
             ,
             trusted
             to
             it
             ,
             have
             been
             at
             last
             clothed
             with
             shame
             and
             confusion
             ;
             and
             God
             in
             his
             Providence
             seems
             to
             deliver
             all
             pretences
             to
             it
             to
             persons
             so
             extremely
             ignorant
             ,
             vicious
             ,
             vain
             or
             hypochondrical
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             become
             a
             scandal
             to
             profess
             it
             ,
             &
             for
             a
             man
             to
             pretend
             an
             Enthusiasm
             now
             ,
             gives
             notice
             that
             he
             wants
             a
             Physician
             ;
             
             whereas
             heretofore
             his
             greatest
             judgments
             Miracles
             and
             signs
             came
             to
             secure
             the
             honor
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             and
             of
             those
             excellent
             Persons
             which
             profest
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             Man
             but
             hath
             a
             quick
             sense
             of
             the
             happiness
             of
             being
             freed
             from
             a
             Religion
             made
             grievous
             by
             so
             many
             chargeable
             sacrifices
             as
             the
             Jewish
             was
             :
             and
             who
             so
             considers
             that
             it
             was
             so
             hard
             to
             distinguish
             true
             Prophecy
             from
             false
             even
             in
             that
             Age
             to
             which
             it
             was
             promised
             ,
             that
             often
             the
             People
             ,
             and
             x
             sometimes
             the
             true
             Prophets
             were
             abused
             by
             the
             Pretenders
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             could
             not
             but
             have
             some
             uneasinesses
             therein
             ,
             while
             attended
             with
             those
             y
             vehement
             transports
             ,
             consternations
             ,
             tremors
             ,
             aenigmatical
             Visions
             ,
             and
             that
             harshness
             which
             the
             most
             gentle
             strokes
             
               the
               hand
               of
               God
            
             made
             upon
             the
             faculties
             of
             those
             holy
             men
             which
             were
             acted
             by
             it
             ,
             cannot
             but
             value
             it
             as
             a
             happiness
             that
             God
             hath
             delivered
             us
             now
             to
             the
             conduct
             only
             of
             that
             
               sure
               word
               of
               Prophecy
            
             ,
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             the
             evident
             and
             gentle
             Maxims
             of
             Right
             Reason
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Conclusion
             .
          
           
             
               Private
               persons
               not
               Competent
               Iudges
               of
               Prop●ecy
               ,
               and
               why
               .
               The
               Decree
               of
               Pope
               Leo
               touching
               New
               Prophets
               commended
               .
               Men
               formerly
               and
               still
               subject
               to
               b●
               imposed
               upon
               by
               seeming
               Miracles
               .
               The
               discrediting
               of
               t●ese
               Prophecies
               of
               great
               advantage
               to
               the
               Church
               .
            
          
           
             LEst
             these
             Considerations
             should
             not
             be
             thought
             sufficient
             to
             disparage
             that
             easy
             faith
             which
             private
             men
             usually
             meet
             these
             Vulgar
             prophecies
             withall
             ;
             I
             shall
             further
             mind
             the
             Reader
             ,
             that
             Prophecy
             is
             in
             it self
             and
             so
             hath
             been
             judged
             by
             wise
             men
             a
             matter
             too
             nice
             and
             subtile
             for
             any
             ,
             much
             less
             for
             men
             that
             z
             occupy
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               the
               room
               of
               the
               unlearned
            
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             make
             an
             hasty
             judgment
             in
             .
             Therefore
             (
             ●s
             was
             noted
             before
             from
             Plato
             )
             the
             Laws
             in
             the
             Graecian
             Commonwealth
             ,
             appointed
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             some
             publick
             
               Iudges
               over
               Enthusiastick
               prophecies
            
             :
             which
             institution
             ,
             whatever
             further
             end
             the
             State
             aimed
             at
             therein
             ,
             proceeded
             upon
             this
             acknowledg'd
             principle
             ,
             That
             Prophecy
             was
             in
             the
             source
             and
             sense
             thereof
             too
             perplext
             and
             dark
             a
             business
             for
             the
             ruder
             minds
             of
             private
             men
             to
             make
             any
             steady
             judgment
             in
             .
          
           
             
               And
               therefore
               as
               passionately
               as
               the
            
             Romish
             
               Church
               laies
               claim
               to
               the
            
             Spirit
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             
             
               as
               the
               testimony
               of
               God
               to
               her
               ,
               yet
               upon
               occasion
               of
               some
               Enthusiasts
               which
               would
               define
               the
               particular
               time
               of
               the
               Day
               of
               judgment
               ,
               we
               find
               a
               very
               severe
               and
               punctual
               Decree
               made
               by
               Pope
            
             Leo
             
               to
               limit
               the
               judgment
               of
               such
               Persons
               ,
               the
               summ
               whereof
               is
               this
               .
            
             a
             If
             God
             have
             revealed
             some
             things
             to
             come
             to
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             we
             will
             by
             no
             means
             that
             they
             be
             presently
             reputed
             Impostors
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             disturbed
             ,
             
               (
               against
               the
               Apostolical
               command
               of
               not
            
             despising
             Prophesyings
             )
             but
             b
             we
             will
             that
             by
             an
             Ordinary
             law
             all
             such
             asserted
             inspirations
             before
             they
             be
             published
             or
             preached
             to
             the
             people
             ,
             be
             from
             henceforth
             understood
             reserved
             solely
             to
             the
             cognizance
             of
             the
             Apostolical
             Chair
             .
             But
             if
             that
             may
             not
             be
             without
             some
             danger
             of
             delay
             ,
             and
             an
             urgent
             necessity
             advise
             otherwise
             ,
             then
             that
             they
             be
             notified
             to
             the
             Ordinary
             of
             the
             place
             ,
             that
             he
             taking
             with
             him
             three
             or
             four
             grave
             and
             learned
             men
             ,
             and
             having
             diligently
             examined
             the
             whole
             business
             with
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             judg
             it
             convenient
             (
             upon
             which
             we
             charge
             their
             own
             Consciences
             )
             they
             may
             give
             licence
             for
             the
             publication
             of
             them
             .
             
               And
               after
               many
               other
            
             Proviso's
             
               in
               this
               affair
               ,
               the
               whole
               is
               concluded
               with
               a
               severe
               temporal
               and
               spiritual
               punishment
               threatned
               upon
               the
               offenders
               in
               the
               premises
               .
               Should
               appear
            
             ictus
             Piscator
             ,
             
               the
               Pope
               once
               stricken
               by
               such
               apish
               prophets
               became
               wise
               ,
               and
               would
               no
               longer
               entrust
               
               the
               judgment
               of
               them
               with
               the
               sof●
               and
               ignorant
               Multitude
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             Prophecy
             hath
             been
             thus
             wisely
             reserved
             to
             the
             cognizance
             of
             Persons
             of
             more
             exercised
             minds
             ,
             because
             c
             humane
             Nature
             undisciplin'd
             is
             so
             extremely
             prone
             to
             meet
             things
             pompous
             and
             vehement
             with
             very
             sacred
             and
             solemn
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             (
             as
             the
             frogs
             in
             the
             fable
             ,
             by
             the
             bloc●
             which
             fell
             among
             them
             )
             if
             the
             person
             make
             a
             great
             noise
             and
             busse
             ,
             come
             attended
             with
             flaming
             expressions
             ,
             pathetical
             devotions
             ,
             si●gularities
             of
             gesture
             and
             phrase
             ,
             affected
             silences
             and
             severities
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ;
             sent
             from
             God
             extraordinarily
             ,
             to
             rule
             in
             their
             minds
             and
             lives
             .
             Besides
             ,
             men
             that
             have
             no
             notices
             of
             the
             compass
             of
             natural
             or
             diabolical
             operation
             ,
             are
             ready
             to
             receive
             the
             sudden
             tremors
             ,
             frequent
             ecstacies
             and
             other
             works
             which
             fall
             not
             within
             the
             little
             circle
             of
             their
             ●bservation
             ,
             as
             the
             powers
             of
             God
             and
             exam●les
             Miraculous
             .
             And
             this
             they
             may
             be
             the
             more
             easily
             tempted
             to
             do
             ,
             because
             though
             sometimes
             the
             signs
             these
             Prophets
             shew
             are
             so
             thin
             and
             weak
             that
             the
             dullest
             eye
             may
             see
             through
             them
             ,
             and
             discover
             them
             to
             be
             the
             delusions
             of
             the
             Devil
             or
             Melancholy
             :
             (
             such
             was
             that
             of
             d
             Drabicius
             and
             many
             of
             
               Apollavius
               ,
            
             )
             yet
             sometimes
             jugling
             Prophets
             have
             acted
             a
             Miracle
             so
             to
             the
             life
             ,
             that
             even
             wise
             men
             have
             been
             imposed
             upon
             by
             the
             sine
             and
             
             subtil
             management
             of
             the
             imposture
             ;
             as
             may
             apear
             by
             that
             Chapter
             in
             e
             Iamblicus
             intitled
             
               Miracula
               multa
               fiunt
               .
               à
               Prophetis
               ,
            
             and
             f
             other
             writers
             .
          
           
             If
             all
             these
             considerations
             might
             obtain
             with
             men
             to
             give
             no
             faith
             or
             (
             which
             is
             next
             to
             it
             )
             a
             very
             slow
             and
             doubtful
             one
             to
             all
             pretended
             Prophets
             now
             ,
             the
             happy
             consequent
             would
             be
             the
             freedom
             of
             the
             world
             at
             last
             from
             these
             ancient
             cheats
             ,
             for
             these
             little
             Oracles
             (
             like
             those
             of
             old
             )
             would
             soon
             become
             less
             talkative
             if
             men
             were
             once
             become
             less
             credulous
             ;
             and
             God
             would
             no
             more
             be
             look'd
             for
             in
             the
             whirl-wind
             of
             raptures
             ,
             mystical
             phrases
             ,
             and
             ecstatical
             Orations
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             
               still
               voice
            
             of
             a
             great
             humility
             ,
             a
             sound
             mind
             ,
             and
             an
             heart
             reconciled
             to
             himself
             and
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             they
             would
             begin
             to
             believe
             God
             knows
             better
             what
             is
             good
             for
             us
             then
             we
             do
             our selves
             ,
             while
             hiding
             futurities
             from
             us
             ,
             that
             so
             we
             might
             not
             be
             discomposed
             by
             any
             joys
             ,
             sorrows
             or
             fears
             born
             out
             of
             due
             time
             ;
             and
             they
             would
             cast
             anchor
             onely
             upon
             his
             Promises
             and
             Attributes
             ,
             when
             
               afflicted
               with
               all
               his
               waves
            
             ,
             and
             value
             them
             as
             sufficient
             security
             to
             the
             peace
             and
             quiet
             of
             their
             minds
             in
             the
             worst
             of
             Evils
             .
             Finally
             all
             the
             Ends
             the
             Devil
             
             seeks
             to
             serve
             upon
             such
             Prophecies
             would
             be
             happily
             defeated
             ;
             who
             if
             they
             chance
             to
             hit
             ,
             fails
             not
             to
             possess
             the
             Deliverer
             of
             them
             with
             an
             impregnable
             perswasion
             that
             he
             is
             God's
             
               Holy
               One
            
             ,
             his
             
               (
               Urim
            
             )
             sacred
             Oracles
             being
             found
             with
             him
             ;
             and
             the
             Receiver
             with
             such
             great
             Opinions
             of
             them
             as
             shall
             render
             him
             curious
             ,
             credulous
             ,
             anxious
             ,
             impertinent
             in
             his
             studies
             ,
             and
             regardless
             of
             the
             known
             rules
             of
             life
             .
             But
             if
             they
             miss
             ,
             he
             tempts
             men
             to
             a
             suspicion
             of
             all
             Prophecy
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             the
             false
             ,
             and
             to
             regard
             even
             the
             Revelations
             of
             Scripture
             but
             as
             more
             venerable
             impostures
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Contents
           of
           the
           Treatise
           of
           Vulgar
           PROPHECIES
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             1.
             
          
           
             Some
             general
             accounts
             given
             of
             the
             Argument
             .
          
           
             Counterfeits
             in
             Art
             ,
             Nature
             and
             Religion
             .
             False
             prophecy
             one
             instance
             of
             them
             .
             What
             kind
             of
             false
             Prophets
             the
             times
             of
             the
             
               New
               Testament
            
             are
             freed
             from
             .
             The
             miscarriage
             of
             States
             oft
             by
             occasions
             contemptible
             ,
             noted
             .
             The
             present
             argument
             sutable
             to
             the
             age
             ,
             because
             an
             age
             of
             action
             ,
             of
             intellectual
             improvement
             ,
             and
             yet
             ,
             in
             many
             ,
             of
             Enthusiasm
             .
             Several
             confident
             pretenders
             to
             prophecy
             of
             late
             ,
             taken
             notice
             of
             .
             The
             affinity
             between
             Prodigies
             and
             Prophecies
             in
             the
             general
             ends
             of
             both
             .
             Prophecies
             of
             evil
             consequence
             in
             States
             and
             why
             .
             Our
             Nation
             extremely
             inclined
             toward
             them
             in
             former
             times
             .
             The
             ancient
             Ethnick
             Statsmen
             how
             they
             secured
             themselves
             against
             the
             prophetick
             humor
             of
             the
             people
             .
             
               Judges
               of
               Prophecy
            
             in
             
               Plato
               ,
               who
            
             .
             The
             Sibylline
             Oracles
             of
             what
             use
             among
             the
             Romans
             .
             The
             Opinons
             the
             ancients
             had
             of
             Prophecy
             .
             couched
             in
             the
             fable
             of
             Teresia
             .
             Religion
             a
             great
             sufferer
             by
             them
             in
             the
             
               Practise
               ,
               Credit
               ,
               Doctrine
               and
               Foundation
            
             thereof
             .
             These
             noted
             prejudicial
             to
             the
             mind
             ,
             and
             why
             :
             And
             to
             common
             life
             .
             Two
             examples
             to
             evince
             that
             ,
             taken
             notice
             of
             .
             Prophesies
             as
             universally
             attended
             to
             as
             Prodigies
             ,
             among
             the
             
               Heathens
               ,
               Jews
               ,
               Christians
            
             ,
             with
             a
             threefold
             account
             thereof
             .
             p.
             1.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             The
             Vanity
             of
             Vulgar
             Prophecie
             :
             detected
             from
             the
             unworthiness
             of
             the
             Pretenders
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             All
             things
             and
             Persons
             thought
             by
             the
             Heathens
             to
             partake
             somewhat
             of
             a
             Prophetick
             Power
             .
             Wisdom
             onely
             excluded
             by
             them
             from
             any
             share
             in
             that
             gift
             .
             The
             Perswasion
             too
             much
             abetted
             by
             some
             Christians
             .
             To
             reprehend
             which
             ,
             the
             first
             Consideration
             is
             proposed
             .
             That
             Prophetick
             Maxim.
             
               That
               Prophecy
               rests
               not
               but
               upon
               ●
               wise
               a
               valiant
               and
               a
               rich
               man
               ,
            
             how
             understood
             by
             the
             Modern
             Jews
             :
             A
             conjecture
             concerning
             the
             Reason
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             their
             sense
             .
             How
             understood
             by
             the
             more
             Ancient
             Jews
             ,
             shewn
             at
             large
             from
             their
             Writings
             .
             God's
             Prophets
             never
             mad
             in
             a
             Prophetick
             sit
             .
             Wise-men
             an
             ancient
             ad●ition
             of
             the
             Prophets
             :
             the
             title
             usurped
             by
             the
             Ancient
             Philosophers
             and
             
               Magicians
               .
               Jews
               ,
               Christians
            
             and
             Heathens
             required
             Sanctity
             in
             order
             to
             true
             Prophecy
             .
             None
             b●rn
             Prophets
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             why
             .
             Our
             pretended
             Prop●ets
             largely
             proved
             devoid
             of
             all
             true
             Prophetical
             qualifications
             ,
             and
             therefore
             not
             creditable
             .
             The
             Church
             of
             Rome
             why
             so
             fruitful
             in
             such
             Prophets
             .
             p.
             31.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             proved
             vain
             from
             the
             intrinsick
             circumstances
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Several
             circumstances
             in
             the
             matter
             and
             stile
             of
             the
             Prophecies
             instanced
             in
             ,
             which
             speak
             them
             unwor●hy
             of
             God.
             Their
             being
             generally
             delivered
             in
             numbers
             noted
             as
             a
             character
             of
             Vanity
             ,
             and
             why
             .
             The
             Devil's
             Oracles
             of
             old
             delivered
             usually
             in
             Verse
             .
             Why
             afterwa●d
             in
             more
             natural
             and
             familiar
             forms
             .
             Tully's
             exception
             against
             the
             pretended
             Oracles
             of
             the
             
               Sibyls
               justified
            
             .
             What
             appe●rance
             of
             Poetry
             in
             the
             Prophetick
             Writings
             .
             These
             Prophecies
             noted
             to
             be
             delivered
             without
             an●
             or
             a
             very
             long
             time
             prefixed
             for
             their
             accomplishment
             :
             Useless
             
             upon
             that
             account
             to
             any
             good
             end
             .
             Why
             Scripture-Prophecies
             may
             be
             allowed
             a
             long
             time
             to
             be
             accomplished
             in
             ,
             but
             not
             Vulgar
             .
             The
             Devil
             concluded
             to
             influence
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             ,
             and
             therefore
             not
             to
             be
             credited
             .
             p.
             50.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             The
             vanity
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             evinc'd
             by
             their
             coming
             unattended
             with
             Signs
             .
          
           
             The
             difference
             between
             a
             Sign
             and
             a
             wonder
             .
             Of
             what
             kind
             of
             Prophets
             no
             sign
             was
             to
             be
             required
             .
             What
             method
             the
             Jews
             observed
             in
             the
             trial
             of
             Prophets
             .
             Miracles
             not
             a
             Sign
             required
             of
             all
             Prophets
             .
             Six
             Prophetical
             Signs
             taken
             notice
             of
             .
             Our
             Savior's
             Prophecy
             confirmed
             by
             them
             all
             .
             Signs
             of
             the
             Prophet
             and
             of
             the
             Prophecy
             .
             None
             of
             these
             Vulgar
             Prophets
             give
             a
             Sign
             .
             Their
             pretended
             Sanctity
             no
             sufficient
             Sign
             .
             Their
             admired
             gift
             of
             Prayer
             of
             as
             little
             credit
             as
             that
             .
             Natural
             ardor
             how
             effectual
             to
             enable
             the
             power
             of
             speaking
             freely
             on
             the
             sudden
             :
             that
             confirmed
             by
             the
             example
             of
             the
             ancient
             Roman
             Orators
             .
             Quintilian
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             of
             old
             ,
             what
             .
             Why
             some
             men
             fluent
             onely
             before
             company
             .
             The
             great
             efficacy
             of
             exalted
             imagination
             to
             assist
             an
             extemporary
             Rhetorick
             .
             Why
             vehement
             speeches
             so
             mightily
             move
             men
             .
             What
             kind
             of
             heats
             commendable
             in
             Religion
             .
             The
             powerful
             impression
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             no
             sign
             of
             their
             Divinity
             .
             Divine
             impressions
             not
             distinguishable
             soly
             by
             their
             power
             and
             evidence
             ,
             asserted
             against
             some
             
               Jewish
               Rabbins
               .
               Artemidorus
               .
               Some
               accomplished
               Predictions
               ,
            
             no
             safe
             Sign
             of
             the
             inspiration
             of
             our
             Modern
             Prophets
             .
             p.
             58.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             The
             failing
             of
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             an
             assurance
             of
             their
             Vanity
             .
          
           
             Vulgar
             Prophecies
             referring
             to
             the
             Publick
             ,
             generally
             false
             :
             that
             proved
             from
             
               Justin
               Martyr
            
             ,
             and
             the
             falshood
             
             of
             some
             Modern
             Prophecies
             particularly
             in●tanced
             in
             .
             A
             fayleur
             but
             in
             a
             circumstance
             ,
             a
             sign
             of
             the
             forgery
             of
             the
             whole
             Prophecy
             ,
             and
             why
             .
             A
             fivefold
             acco●nt
             given
             of
             the
             pretended
             accomplishments
             of
             some
             Modern
             Prophecies
             .
             How
             far
             it
             seems
             fitting
             that
             Prophecies
             should
             des●end
             to
             the
             circumstances
             of
             Events
             .
             An
             account
             why
             some
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             hit
             and
             others
             miss
             .
             All
             Divine
             Prophecies
             fulfilled
             which
             were
             absolutely
             delivered
             .
             Some
             Characters
             to
             distinguish
             such
             Prophecies
             by
             .
             p.
             83.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             Many
             Modern
             Prophecies
             proved
             to
             arise
             from
             Melancholy
             .
          
           
             The
             strong
             Opinion
             of
             Inspiration
             in
             Modern
             Prophets
             ,
             proved
             an
             effect
             of
             the
             power
             of
             Melancholy
             .
             Their
             pretended
             Visions
             attributed
             to
             the
             same
             cause
             .
             The
             Visions
             of
             melancholy
             men
             ,
             why
             many
             ,
             and
             to
             them
             very
             evident
             .
             Their
             vehem●nt
             in●itations
             to
             Prophecy
             proved
             also
             a
             symptom
             of
             Melancholy
             .
             How
             this
             humor
             becomes
             effectual
             thus
             to
             excite
             to
             Prophecy
             .
             Dying
             men
             ,
             why
             often
             ,
             in
             appearance
             ,
             Prophetical
             .
             A
             natural
             account
             of
             the
             Prophetical
             Essays
             of
             the
             
               Pythia
               .
               Plutarch's
            
             Philosophical
             account
             of
             some
             ceasing
             Oracles
             justified
             .
             The
             ardors
             in
             these
             Prophets
             and
             the
             Sibyls
             ,
             natural
             .
             The
             delusions
             of
             Melancholy
             assisted
             usually
             by
             the
             cooperation
             of
             the
             Devil
             .
             p.
             95.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             Probable
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             all
             divine
             Prophecy
             now
             ceast
             .
          
           
             The
             Cessation
             of
             Prophecy
             now
             ,
             not
             absolutely
             ●sserted
             ,
             and
             why
             .
             Five
             reasons
             alledged
             to
             prove
             its
             cessation
             ,
             probable
             .
             A
             promise
             of
             Prophecy
             to
             any
             Age
             ,
             the
             greatest
             Security
             that
             it
             is
             not
             imposed
             upon
             by
             Pretenders
             to
             ●t
             .
             No
             Promise
             of
             Prophecy
             made
             to
             the
             ends
             of
             the
             World.
             The
             several
             
             ends
             Prophecy
             served
             to
             under
             the
             times
             of
             the
             Old
             and
             
               New
               Testament
            
             :
             proved
             unserviceable
             to
             any
             such
             ends
             now
             .
             Why
             Prophecy
             not
             given
             now
             to
             comfort
             good
             men
             in
             affliction
             .
             Why
             it
             exspired
             in
             the
             Jewish
             Church
             so
             long
             before
             our
             Saviors
             coming
             .
             Several
             reasons
             alledged
             against
             the
             received
             Opinion
             of
             a
             
               Bath
               Kol
            
             succeeding
             to
             Prophecy
             under
             the
             second
             Temple
             .
             The
             Original
             of
             that
             speech
             of
             
               Strabo
               ,
               that
               Moses
               advanced
               himself
               by
               the
               promise
               of
               a
               Religion
               without
               Sacrifice
               or
               Prophecy
               ,
            
             guest
             at
             .
             Such
             a
             Religion
             proved
             the
             felicity
             of
             this
             New
             Dispensation
             .
             p.
             110.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Conclusion
             .
          
           
             Private
             Persons
             not
             competent
             Iudges
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             and
             why
             .
             The
             Decree
             of
             Pope
             Leo
             touching
             New
             Prophets
             commended
             .
             Men
             formerly
             and
             still
             subject
             to
             be
             imposed
             upon
             by
             seeming
             Miracles
             .
             The
             discrediting
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             of
             great
             advantage
             to
             the
             Church
             .
             p.
             131.
             
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61109-e450
           
             a
             Gal.
             6.
             12.
             
          
           
             b
             Eccles.
             12.
             10
             
          
           
             c
             2
             Cor.
             11.
             14
             
          
           
             d
             Rev.
             2.
             24.
             ●
             
          
           
             e
             Z●ch
             .
             13.
             2.
             1
             
             King.
             18.
             19.
             
          
           
             f
             Maimonid
             .
             de
             Idolat
             .
             
               c.
               1.
               sect
            
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             g
             Theodor.
             l.
             4.
             c.
             10.
             
          
           
             h
             Mic.
             3.
             6.
             
          
           
             i
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Polib
             .
             Hist.
             lib.
             3.
             
          
           
             k
             Dan.
             12.
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             Lu●
             in
             tenebris
             .
             edit
             .
             1657
             Histor.
             Revel
             .
             edit
             .
             per
             I.
             A.
             C.
             1659.
             
             Revel
             .
             Divin
             .
             Epitom
             .
             Edit
             .
             1663.
             
          
           
             k
             Histor.
             Rev.
             p.
             189.
             
          
           
             l
             
               Quia
               ostendunt
               ,
               porte●dunt
               ,
               monstrant
               ,
               prae●icunt
               ,
            
             ostenta
             ,
             portenta
             ,
             monstra
             ,
             prodigi●
             ,
             dicuntur
             .
             Tull.
             de
             Divin
             .
             l.
             1.
             
          
           
             l
             Sir
             Ed.
             Cooks
             Instit.
             p.
             3.
             c.
             55.
             
          
           
             *
             See
             Le●d
             Howard
             Defensat
             .
             against
             Prophecies
             .
             c.
             20.
             
          
           
             m
             Artemid
             .
             Oncirocrit
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             n
             Plat.
             in
             Tim.
             
          
           
             o
             Mr
             Smith
             Disc.
             of
             Proph●●y
             .
             p.
             195.
             
          
           
             p
             Tull.
             de
             Div.
             l.
             2.
             sub
             fin
             .
          
           
             q
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             Iust.
             Mart.
             Quaest.
             &
             Resp.
             ad
             Ort●o●
             .
             Q.
             146.
             
          
           
             r
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Plat.
             in
             Tim.
             
          
           
             s
             lib.
             2.
             de
             Divin
             .
          
           
             t
             Vid.
             Doctor
             Lightfoot
             ,
             Hor.
             Habr
             .
             p.
             156.
             
          
           
             u
             Vid.
             Bozium
             Eugub
             .
             de
             Signis
             Eccles.
             l.
             6
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             w
             Dan.
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             Iust.
             Martyr
             .
             in
             Dial.
             cum
             Tryph.
             p.
             207.
             
          
           
             x
             Judg.
             6.
             17.
             
          
           
             y
             Maimonid
             .
             Mor.
             Nevoc
             .
             P.
             3.
             c.
             50.
             
          
           
             z
             Senatus
             plurimumei
             tribuebat
             ,
             &
             ipsius
             permoti
             concionibus
             ,
             nihil
             sibi
             contra
             Regem
             suscipiendum
             esse
             putabant
             .
             
               Comin
               .
               de
               Bel.
               Neapolit
               .
               l.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             a
             Hic
             positus
             in
             extremis
             ,
             habens
             in
             manibus
             sacrum
             Christi
             corpus
             ,
             protestatus
             est
             coram
             omnibus
             ut
             caverent
             sive
             à
             viris
             sive
             à
             mulieribus
             sub
             specie
             religionis
             ,
             loquentibus
             visiones
             sui
             capitis
             ,
             quia
             per
             tales
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               J.
               Gerson
               .
               de
               Exam.
               Doctrin
               .
               consid
               .
            
             3.
             
          
           
             b
             Histor.
             Dabric
             .
             p.
             157.
             
          
           
             c
             ib.
             p.
             234.
             
          
           
             d
             Piutarc
             .
             de
             Defect
             .
             O●ac
             .
          
           
             e
             Isai.
             2.
             6.
             
          
           
             f
             Inexcusabilis
             ●rgò
             est
             hominum
             illorū
             malitia
             &
             temeritas
             ,
             qui
             hunc
             divinae
             gratiae
             fontem
             exsic●atum
             hodic
             volunt
             :
             non
             minus
             peccādo
             quam
             malev●li
             
               Philisth●i
               ,
               Gen.
            
             26.
             18
             ,
             &c.
             
               Author
               .
               lib.
               cui
               tit
            
             .
             Probat
             .
             Vis.
             
               apud
               Comen
               .
               in
               Hist.
               Revel
               .
               p.
            
             204.
             
          
           
             g
             Zosim
             .
             Histor.
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             g
             Hos.
             4.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             23.
             26.
             
          
           
             i
             Sicut
             imago
             ipsius
             boni
             in
             omnibus
             Deum
             praefert
             ,
             sic
             in
             cunctis
             est
             vestigium
             aliquod
             vaticinii
             .
             
               Jambl.
               de
               Myster
               .
               Aegyp
               .
               in
               .
               p.
            
             89.
             
          
           
             k
             Tanta
             est
             exuberantia
             Providentiae
             ad
             ostendenda
             nobis
             signa
             ,
             ut
             etiam
             in
             calculis
             ,
             virgis
             ,
             lignis
             lapidibus
             ,
             frumento
             ,
             farin●
             ,
             indicia
             praebeat
             futurorum
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               Id.
               ib.
               p.
            
             76.
             
          
           
             l
             Plut.
             de
             Def.
             Orac.
             
          
           
             m
             Plut.
             de
             Def.
             Orac.
             
          
           
             Consider
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             n
             Maimonid
             .
             Praef.
             in
             Sed.
             Zer
             .
             &
             de
             fund
             .
             leg
             .
             c.
             7.
             sect
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             o
             Vid.
             Vorst
             .
             in
             Not.
             ad
             .
             Maim
             .
             p.
             88.
             
          
           
             p
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             2.
             
             Habac.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             q
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Artemid
             .
             On●iroc
             .
             
               l.
               2.
               c.
            
             74.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             r
             Vorst
             .
             ub
             .
             sup
             .
          
           
             s
             V.
             Blond●ll's
             Treat
             .
             of
             the
             Sibyls
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               25.
               fusè
            
             Sherlog
             .
             Antiq.
             Heb.
             
               l.
               1.
               
               Dis.
            
             4.
             
          
           
             t
             L.
             1.
             cont
             .
             Haer●s
             .
             48.
             
          
           
             u
             
               Mai●
               .
               Idolat
            
             .
             c.
             6.
             sect
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             w
             Rarò
             sub
             
               V.
               T.
            
             Prophetiae
             donum
             contingebat
             nisi
             iis
             qui
             diu
             in
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             i.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &
             in
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             i.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             essent
             instituti
             .
             Cui
             rei
             inserviebant
             Prophetarum
             Scholae
             .
             
               Grot.
               in
               Sap.
            
             7.
             27.
             
          
           
             x
             
               Scripture
               seems
               to
               refer
               to
               these
               titles
               .
            
             Prov.
             1.
             6.
             
             Jer.
             8.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Mat.
             23.
             34.
             1
             
             Cor.
             1.
             20.
             
             Hos.
             9.
             7.
             
          
           
             y
             Cited
             by
             M.
             Smith
             ,
             Disc
             of
             Prophes
             .
             p.
             269.
             
          
           
             z
             Dan.
             2.
             12.
             13.
             
             Exod.
             7.
             11.
             
          
           
             Scld.
             dc
             .
             Iur
             Nat.
             &
             Gent.
             l.
             1.
             c.
             1.
             
          
           
             b
             apud
             Cl.
             D.
             Pocock
             .
             Port.
             Mos.
             p.
             227.
             
          
           
             c
             Exod.
             15.
             21.
             1
             
             Sam.
             10.
             5.
             1
             
             Chron.
             25.
             1.
             2
             
             King.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             d
             Maimon
             .
             d●
             Idolat
             .
             c.
             1.
             sec.
             6.
             
          
           
             e
             Mic.
             3.
             8.
             
             Isa.
             50.
             7.
             
             Ezek.
             3.
             9.
             
             Act.
             4.
             13.
             31.
             
          
           
             f
             Iacob
             .
             Bold
             .
             de
             Eccles.
             ante
             leg
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               9.
               
               P●
               .
            
             18.
             26.
             
          
           
             g
             Hucusque
             nemo
             adhuc
             fuit
             ,
             qui
             dicere
             voluerit
             ,
             Deum
             Majestatem
             suam
             Divinam
             habitare
             facere
             in
             viro
             malo
             ,
             sed
             tum
             demū
             si
             in
             melius
             ipsum
             prius
             converterit
             .
             
               Maimon
               .
               Mor.
               Nevoc
               .
               P.
               2.
               c.
            
             32.
             
          
           
             h
             De
             fundam
             .
             leg
             .
             
               ch
               .
               7.
               sec.
               12
               Vid.
            
             &
             Phil.
             Iud.
             Quis
             rer
             .
             div
             .
             haeres
             .
          
           
             i
             l.
             7.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             p.
             336.
             
          
           
             k
             Christ.
             à
             Ca
             stro
             de
             Vaticin
             .
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
               11.
               
               &
            
             16.
             
          
           
             De
             Divin
             .
             per.
             Insom
             .
             
               c.
               1.
               
               &
            
             Iamblic
             .
             de
             myst
             .
             Aegypt
             .
             cap.
             cui
             .
             tit
             .
             
               inspirat
               .
               vacat
               .
               &c.
            
             
          
           
             m
             Mat.
             7.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             n
             Amos
             7.
             14.
             
          
           
             o
             
               See
               a
               book
               intit
            
             .
             Admirable
             and
             notable
             Prophecies
             uttered
             by
             24
             Roman
             Catholicks
             .
             by
             James
             Maxwel
             .
             cd
             .
             1615.
             
          
           
             p
             Tract
             .
             de
             Probat
             .
             Spir.
             
          
           
             q
             Vid.
             Revel
             .
             Div.
             Epitom
             .
          
           
             r
             1
             Kin.
             13.
             18
             
          
           
             *
             lib.
             1.
             c.
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             s
             c.
             4.
             cont
             .
             Libertin
             .
          
           
             t
             Sleid.
             Comment
             .
             l.
             5.
             
          
           
             u
             Erat
             David
             ille
             
               homo
               exiguae
               quidem
               peritiae
               sed
               philautiae
               maximae
               .
            
             Ub.
             Em.
             l.
             de
             Spirit
             .
             David
             .
             Georg.
             p.
             47.
             
          
           
             w
             Ep.
             S.
             Jud.
             ver
             .
             10.
             2
             
             Pet.
             2.
             10.
             
          
           
             x
             Rev.
             2.
             
             2●
             .
          
           
             y
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Orig.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             l.
             4.
             p.
             227.
             
          
           
             z
             Orig.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             l.
             7.
             p.
             337
             
          
           
             a
             Mic.
             3.
             5.
             11.
             
             Ezec.
             13.
             22.
             2
             
             Pet.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             Mat.
             7.
             15.
             
          
           
             b
             Rev.
             16.
             13.
             
          
           
             c
             V.
             Hornbeck
             de
             Weigelian
             .
          
           
             d
             Cominaeus
             de
             Bel.
             Neapol
             .
             l.
             5.
             
          
           
             e
             Vis.
             Drabic
             .
             Histor.
             per
             I.
             A.
             C.
             p.
             131.
             
          
           
             Considerat
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             f
             Orig.
             l.
             7.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             p.
             335.
             
          
           
             g
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             7.
             
          
           
             h
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             &c.
             
          
           
             i
             Tull.
             de
             div
             .
             
               l.
               ●
            
             .
          
           
             k
             Amyrald
             .
             Dissertat
             .
             de
             Trinit
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             12.
             22.
             
          
           
             m
             See
             Ezek.
             12.
             22
             ,
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25.
             
          
           
             n
             Isai.
             41.
             23.
             
             &
             chap.
             44.
             7.
             
          
           
             Consid.
             3.
             
          
           
             o
             And
             so
             Eustathius
             seems
             to
             distinguish
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               In
               2.
               
               Iliad
            
             .
          
           
             p
             Notandum
             est
             hoc
             ,
             ab
             eo
             Prophetâ
             qu●
             tantum
             hortatur
             ad
             implenda
             legis
             jussa
             ,
             nulla
             signa
             requiri
             .
             
               Grot.
               Not.
               in
               Deut.
            
             18.
             22.
             
          
           
             q
             Maimonid
             .
             de
             Fundam
             .
             Leg.
             c.
             7.
             sect
             .
             11.
             
          
           
             r
             Mat
             12.
             38.
             
             Luke
             11.
             29.
             
             Mat.
             16.
             1.
             
             Luke
             23.
             8.
             
          
           
             s
             Singularem
             signi
             (
             quod
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             vocant
             )
             in
             Prophetis
             dijudicandis
             rationē
             haberi
             ,
             
               apud
               Judaeos
            
             ,
             tum
             è
             sacris
             literis
             tum
             è
             Magistrorum
             doctrinâ
             discimus
             .
             
               Selden
               .
               de
               Synedr
               .
               l.
               3.
               c.
            
             6.
             
          
           
             u
             Mat.
             24.
             24.
             
             Rev.
             16.
             13
             ,
             14
             2
             Thes.
             2.
             9.
             
             Deut.
             13.
             1.
             
             Act.
             13.
             6.
             
          
           
             w
             Act.
             17.
             19.
             
          
           
             x
             Joh.
             4.
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             1
             
             Cor.
             14.
             25.
             
          
           
             y
             Mat.
             21.
             2.
             
             Luk.
             22.
             12
             ,
             13
             11.
             17.
             24.
             38.
             
          
           
             z
             2
             King.
             6.
             12.
             2
             
             Sam.
             12
             ▪
             12.
             
          
           
             a
             Luk.
             22.
             64.
             
          
           
             b
             Non
             ex
             solo
             successu
             ,
             verbis
             respondente
             ,
             cognosci
             Propheta
             potest
             ,
             nisi
             successui
             mult●s
             addiderit
             circumstantias
             quas
             nulla
             humana
             prudentia
             pro●picere
             possit
             .
             
               Grot.
               Not.
               in
               Deut.
            
             18.
             22.
             
          
           
             c
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             19
             ,
             20.
             and
             9.
             6.
             
          
           
             d
             Ezek.
             33.
             33
             
             Jer.
             28.
             9.
             
          
           
             e
             Maimonid
             .
             Praefat.
             in
             Sed.
             Zer
             .
             è
             vers
             .
             D.
             
               Pocock
               ,
               p.
            
             19.
             
          
           
             f
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Gerundensi●
             derivat
             ab
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             venit
             ,
             quoniam
             v●nturum
             aliquod
             significat
             ,
             ut
             si
             dixero
             ,
             Ego
             sum
             Propheta
             verus
             à
             Deo
             missus
             ,
             &
             hoc
             erit
             vobis
             signum
             ,
             eras
             veniet
             locusta
             ,
             asellus
             &
             bruchus
             .
             
               Drus.
               in
               Deut.
            
             18.
             
          
           
             g
             2
             King.
             7.
             18
             
             Jer.
             28.
             16
             ,
             17
             Mat.
             26.
             34.
             
          
           
             h
             Vid.
             Psel
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             &
             I.
             Voss.
             de
             Idol
             .
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
               44.
               p.
            
             969.
             
          
           
             i
             Raymund
             .
             Pud
             .
             Fid.
             p.
             99.
             
          
           
             k
             Jo.
             7.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             l
             Act.
             4.
             13.
             1
             
             Cor.
             12.
             10.
             
          
           
             m
             Maimonid
             .
             Fund
             .
             leg
             .
             
               c.
               10.
               sect
            
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             n
             Deut.
             31.
             7.
             
             Josh.
             1.
             17.
             
          
           
             o
             Omnis
             vates
             qui
             surrexit
             locutus
             est
             de
             Prophetiis
             so
             cii
             sui
             .
             
               Vorst
               .
               in
               Maim
               .
               de
               ●und
               .
               leg
               .
               c.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             p
             2
             King.
             3.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             q
             Joh.
             5.
             32.
             
          
           
             r
             Luk.
             20.
             6.
             
          
           
             s
             Psa.
             99.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             Job
             38.
             1.
             
             Exod.
             24.
             16.
             
          
           
             t
             Num.
             12.
             6.
             
          
           
             u
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             17.
             
             Joh.
             12.
             
             2●
             .
          
           
             w
             Jer.
             27.
             
             1●
             .
             Ezek.
             13.
             4
             ,
             ●
             .
          
           
             x
             Gen.
             20.
             7.
             1
             
             Sam.
             7.
             5.
             
             Deut.
             9.
             18.
             20
             26.
             2
             
             King.
             2.
             12.
             
             Mat.
             18.
             19.
             
          
           
             y
             Observandū
             est
             Propheterū
             preces
             esse
             efficaces
             ,
             plurimum
             conferre
             ad
             vitam
             ,
             si
             pr●
             iliquo
             preces
             ad
             Deum
             fuderint
             .
             
               Procop.
               com
               .
               in
               Gen.
            
             20.
             7.
             
          
           
             z
             Is.
             3●
             .
             7.
             
             Jer.
             44.
             29.
             1
             
             Sam.
             2.
             34.
             1
             
             King.
             13.
             2
             ,
             3
             2
             King.
             20.
             8.
             1
             
             Sam.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             
          
           
             a
             Luke
             21.
             7.
             
          
           
             c
             Gal.
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             d
             De
             multis
             in
             religione
             &
             austeritate
             vitae
             constitutis
             ,
             incredibilia
             ●ere
             sunt
             quae
             idoneis
             testibus
             refrentibus
             audivi
             .
             
               Gers.
               de
               dist
               .
               Ver.
               Vis.
               à
               fals
               .
            
          
           
             e
             Spaenhem
             .
             de
             Orig.
             Anabap.
             sec.
             24.
             
          
           
             f
             Inst.
             Orat.
             l.
             10.
             c.
             7.
             
          
           
             g
             V.
             Francis.
             Ferr.
             de
             Acclamationib
             .
             Vet.
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
            
             14.
             
          
           
             i
             Interdum
             ficbat
             ut
             preces
             inter
             &
             sacrificia
             ,
             tantis
             ardoribus
             astuaret
             ,
             ut
             omnes
             partes
             corporis
             exarde
             secrent
             ,
             facies
             instar
             purpurae
             rubcret
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Vit.
               &
               glor
               .
               S.
               Ignat.
               per.
               Anon.
               c.
            
             9.
             
          
           
             k
             Dr.
             Casaub.
             Enthas
             .
             m.
             p.
             214.
             
          
           
             l
             Extemporalis
             actio
             
               auditorum
               frequentiâ
            
             ut
             miles
             concentu
             signorum
             excitatur
             ,
             secundos
             impetus
             auget
             placendi
             cupido
             ,
             velo
             ,
             inio
             .
             
               Quintil.
               l.
               10.
               c.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             m
             Ps.
             68.
             26.
             
          
           
             n
             Quintil.
             Instit
             .
             Orat.
             
               l.
               6.
               c.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             o
             Ps.
             42.
             1.
             
          
           
             p
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Plut.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             q
             Jer.
             20.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             r
             2
             Thess.
             2.
             11.
             
          
           
             s
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Hist.
             Eccles.
             l.
             4.
             c.
             10.
             
          
           
             t
             Inter
             hos
             quidam
             bend
             literatus
             &
             famolus
             hoc
             etiam
             propria
             manu
             in
             scriptis
             ,
             quae
             legi
             ,
             reliquit
             &
             argumentis
             &
             conjecturis
             plurimis
             asserere
             conatus
             est
             .
             
               J.
               Gers.
               De
               distinct
               .
               ver
               .
               vis
               .
               à
               falsis
               .
            
          
           
             u
             
               Mr.
               Smith
            
             .
             Disc.
             of
             Prophecies
             ,
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             w
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             x
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Artemid
             .
             Oneiroc
             .
             l.
             1.
             c.
             1.
             
          
           
             z
             Prov.
             25.
             19.
             
          
           
             a
             See
             several
             Examples
             in
             
               Boz
               .
               Eugubin
               .
               de
               Sig.
               Eccles.
            
             l.
             6.
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             b
             Tul.
             de
             Div.
             l.
             1.
             
             Sibyllas
             praevidisse
             apud
             multas
             Gentes
             pericula
             divinitus
             imminentia
             admonuissc
             populos
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Jambl.
               de
               Myst.
               Aegyp
               .
               m.
               p.
            
             59.
             
          
           
             c
             Deut.
             18.
             21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             Confiderat
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             d
             Jer.
             28.
             8.
             
          
           
             e
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             Resp.
             ad
             Orthod
             .
             q.
             2.
             
          
           
             f
             V.
             Mr
             Medes
             Letter
             to
             Mr
             Hartlib
             ,
             Part.
             4.
             p.
             652.
             
          
           
             g
             Patiamini
             Apologiam
             meam
             ,
             quam
             post
             publicatas
             revelationes
             
               Cotteri
               ,
               Drabicii
               ,
               &c.
            
             &
             mox
             contra
             omnem
             spem
             eventus
             spei
             nostrae
             contrarios
             ,
             amicorū
             trepidatio
             texere
             coegerat
             .
             
               J.
               Comen
               .
               in
               Praefar
               .
               ad
               Histor.
               Revelat
               .
            
          
           
             h
             Isai.
             44.
             25.
             
          
           
             
               Vid.
               Pocock
            
             .
             Port.
             Mos.
             p.
             23.
             
          
           
             k
             Jer.
             23.
             28.
             
          
           
             l
             Ad
             haec
             divinitus
             fibi
             patefactū
             esse
             dicebat
             oportere
             statum
             Ecclosiasticum
             per
             vim
             armorum
             em●ndari
             .
             Nondum
             quidem
             istu●
             accidit
             ,
             sed
             tunc
             t●mporis
             prope●erat
             ut
             ficret
             .
             
               Phil.
               Co●●inaeus
               ,
               de
               bel
               .
               Neap.
               l.
               3.
               p.
               m.
            
             586.
             
          
           
             m
             Nec
             velim
             quenquam
             opinari
             quod
             haec
             longius
             petita
             sint
             ,
             aut
             ex
             Daemonc
             aut
             ex
             astris
             ,
             sed
             ex
             Aristotelis
             Oraculo
             ,
             solum
             enim
             inquit
             ille
             ,
             prudentum
             ac
             sapientum
             veram
             esse
             Divinationem
             .
             
               Card.
               de
               vit
               .
               propr
               .
               c.
            
             42.
             
          
           
             n
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Synes
             .
             de
             Reg.
             
          
           
             o
             Praeclara
             conscientia
             ,
             sustentor
             ,
             cum
             cogito
             me
             de
             Rep.
             aut
             meruisse
             optimè
             cum
             potuerim
             ,
             aut
             certe
             nunquā
             nisi
             divinè
             cogitasse
             ,
             cāabque
             ;
             ipsa
             tempestate
             eversam
             esse
             Remp.
             quam
             ego
             14
             annis
             ante
             prospexerim
             .
             Epist.
             l.
             10.
             3.
             
          
           
             p
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Lucan
             .
             Occl.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             q
             
               V.
               Lib.
            
             8.
             
             Orac.
             Sibyl
             .
          
           
             r
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             26.
             
          
           
             s
             Callidè
             ,
             qui
             illa
             Oracula
             composuit
             ,
             perfecit
             ,
             ut
             quodcunque
             accidisset
             ,
             praedictum
             videretur
             ,
             hominū
             &
             temporum
             definitione
             sublat●
             adhibuit
             ctiā
             lat●bram
             obscuritatis
             ,
             ut
             iidem
             versus
             ali●s
             in
             aliam
             rem
             posse
             accommodari
             viderentur
             .
             
               Tul.
               de
               Div.
            
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             t
             Si
             omnia
             ,
             Unde
             igitur
             fuit
             ,
             quòd
             Israelitici●tiam
             ●tiam
             Prophetae
             à
             suis
             ludibria
             passi
             ,
             quaeritantibus
             ,
             
               Ubi
               est
               verbum
            
             ,
             &c.
             Praefat.
             in
             Hist.
             Revel
             .
             p.
             11.
             
          
           
             u
             See
             Num.
             23.
             19.
             
             Isai.
             34.
             16.
             
             Josh.
             23.
             14.
             1
             
             Sam.
             3.
             19.
             
             Isai.
             14.
             24.
             
             Mat.
             5.
             18.
             
             Hab.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             w
             Deut.
             18.
             22.
             
          
           
             x
             1
             Kin.
             8
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             y
             Jer.
             18.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             15.
             29
             ▪
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             15.
             29.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             1.
             6.
             
          
           
             Consid.
             5.
             
          
           
             b
             Placuit
             Deoper
             me
             tanquā
             ultimam
             suam
             Tubam
             Nationibus
             ,
             &c.
             
               Drabic
               .
               Revel
               ,
               Div.
               Epit.
               p.
            
             16
             
          
           
             c
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             uti
             Maximil-Montani
             Prophetis
             .
             
               apud
               Eus.
               l.
               5.
               c.
            
             15.
             
          
           
             d
             Rev.
             2.
             24.
             
          
           
             e
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Aret.
             cappad
             .
             l.
             1.
             c.
             5.
             
          
           
             f
             Plut.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Jud.
             ver
             .
             8.
             
          
           
             g
             Hist.
             Revel
             .
             p.
             248.
             
          
           
             h
             Amos
             3.
             7.
             
             Joel
             .
             2.
             28.
             
          
           
             i
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Arist.
             de
             div
             .
             per
             insomn
             .
             c.
             1
             
          
           
             l
             Melancholicis
             ,
             propter
             ficcitatem
             ,
             visae
             in
             somnis
             prorsus
             evidentia
             apparent
             .
             
               Comment
               .
               in
               Hippocrat
               .
               de
               Humor
               .
               l.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             m
             V.
             Joh.
             de
             Guevar
             .
             de
             Inter
             .
             Sens.
             l.
             3.
             q.
             30.
             
          
           
             n
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             De.
             Insom
             .
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             u
             Job
             32.
             18
             ,
             19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             w
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             De
             Divin
             .
             per
             Insomn
             .
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             x
             Cerebri
             fla
             tuosa
             calcfactio
             ,
             undecun
             que
             proveniat
             ,
             sub
             certa
             temperic
             constituta
             incitat
             ad
             mira
             eloquenda
             ,
             per
             cantilenas
             ,
             hominemque
             supra
             se
             penè
             constituit
             .
             
               Christ.
               à
               castr●
               .
               de
               V●ticin
               .
               l.
               1.
               c.
            
             21.
             
          
           
             y
             Ovid.
             Fastor
             .
             l.
             3.
             
          
           
             z
             In
             hoc
             adyto
             ,
             Liberi
             ,
             vaticinaturi
             ,
             plurimo
             mero
             sumpto
             ,
             uti
             apud
             Clarium
             aqua
             epota
             effantur
             Oracula
             .
             
               Macrob.
               Satum
               .
               l.
               1.
               c.
               18.
               
               V.
               Is.
               Vos
               .
               De
               Idolat
               .
               l.
               2.
               p.
            
             685.
             
          
           
             a
             Sibylla
             suscipiebat
             Deum
             per
             Spiritum
             quendā
             tenuem
             igneumque
             qui
             crumpebat
             ex
             ore
             antri
             ,
             
               &c.
               De
               Myst.
               Egypt
               .
               m.
               p.
            
             66.
             
          
           
             b
             Alibi
             fatidic●
             Sp●cus
             ,
             quorum
             exha●ation●
             temulenti
             ,
             futura
             praecinunt
             ,
             ut
             Delphis
             ,
             &c.
             
               Plin.
               Nat.
               Hist.
            
             l.
             2.
             p.
             93.
             
          
           
             c
             Strab.
             Geog.
             l.
             9.
             
          
           
             d
             To
             this
             purpose
             Prudentius
             :
             
               P●rdidit
               insanos
               m●ndax
               Dodona
               Vapores
            
             .
             In
             Apoth
             .
             tit
             .
             cont
             .
             Jud.
             
          
           
             e
             Vid.
             Molin
             .
             Va●
             .
             l.
             3.
             c.
             11.
             
          
           
             f
             Arist.
             Probl.
             sec.
             30.
             
          
           
             g
             Sibyllae
             crebro
             se
             dicunt
             ardere
             ,
             torrente
             vi
             magna
             flammarum
             .
             
               Ammian
               .
               Mar
               ▪
               cel
               .
               l.
               21.
               sub
               init
               .
               ub
               .
               sup
               .
            
          
           
             h
             Euseb.
             hist.
             Eccles.
             l.
             5.
             c.
             15.
             
             Joh.
             10.
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             Joh.
             10.
             20.
             
          
           
             i
             Disc.
             of
             Prophec
             .
             p.
             250.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Sam.
             16.
             23.
             
          
           
             Confid
             .
             6.
             
          
           
             k
             Nondum
             ullam
             Ecclesiam
             ,
             aut
             Consistorium
             ,
             vel
             Academiam
             ,
             no
             vas
             id
             genus
             prophetias
             penitus
             rejecisse
             ,
             aut
             condemnasse
             :
             nos
             cur
             primi
             esse
             vellemus
             ?
             
               Hist
               Revel
               .
               per
               J.
               A.
               C.
               p.
            
             131
             
          
           
             Reas.
             1.
             
          
           
             l
             Act.
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             m
             Deut.
             18.
             
             Joel
             .
             2.
             32.
             
          
           
             n
             See
             2
             King.
             9.
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             2
             
             Chro.
             20.
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             2
             
             Chro.
             25.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             o
             2
             Sam.
             7.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Joel
             2.
             28.
             
          
           
             q
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Comment
             .
             in
             loc
             .
          
           
             r
             Act.
             2.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Reas.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             10.
             
          
           
             Acts
             13.
             1.
             
          
           
             r
             V.
             
               Mr.
               Smith
            
             Disc.
             of
             Prophec
             .
             p.
             272.
             
          
           
             Reas.
             3.
             
          
           
             s
             Author
             Sep●
             .
             IK
             .
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
               8.
               ap
            
             .
             Vois
             .
             in
             Pug.
             Fid.
             p.
             101.
             
          
           
             t
             Orig.
             l.
             7.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             p.
             338.
             
             Ed.
             Cantabr
             .
          
           
             u
             Ecclus.
             36.
             15.
             
             Rev.
             19.
             10.
             
             Luk.
             7.
             16.
             
             Joel
             2.
             28.
             
             Isai.
             29.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             w
             Orig.
             cont
             .
             Cels.
             
               l.
               7.
               p.
            
             337
             
          
           
             x
             Iust.
             M.
             Dial.
             cum
             
               Tryp
               .
               p.
            
             211.
             
             &
             245.
             
          
           
             y
             Deus
             prophetas
             mittendo
             fecit
             ne
             opus
             haberemus
             Astrologis
             &
             divinatoribus
             &
             ariolis
             ,
             quoniam
             illos
             consulere
             possumus
             ,
             &c.
             
               Maimon
               .
               apud
               D.
               Pocock
               .
               P.
               M.
               p.
            
             20.
             
          
           
             z
             
               Orig.
               cont
               .
               Cels.
            
             l.
             1.
             p.
             28.
             l.
             3.
             p.
             113.
             
          
           
             a
             Deut.
             18.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             b
             1
             Sam.
             28.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             c
             2
             Kin.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             d
             2
             King.
             8.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             2
             
             King.
             10.
             10.
             1
             
             King.
             11.
             31
             ,
             40.
             
          
           
             e
             Psa.
             74.
             9.
             
          
           
             Reas.
             4.
             
          
           
             f
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Dialog
             .
             cum
             
               Tryph.
               p.
            
             211.
             
             &
             245.
             
          
           
             g
             Psal.
             74.
             9.
             
          
           
             h
             1
             Mac.
             9.
             27.
             4.
             46.
             14.
             41.
             
          
           
             i
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Targum
             .
             in
             Cantic
             .
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             k
             V.
             Christoph.
             Helvic
             .
             de
             Paraph.
             Chald.
             p.
             12.
             
          
           
             l
             Dr.
             Lightfoot
             Hor.
             Hebr.
             p.
             149.
             
          
           
             m
             Mat.
             3.
             17.
             
             Joh.
             12.
             28.
             
          
           
             n
             Heb.
             12.
             25.
             
          
           
             o
             Vocale
             Responsum
             quod
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             dicitur
             ,
             sub
             secundo
             Templo
             fuisse
             ,
             nul
             lo
             idoneo
             testimonio
             potest
             comprobari
             ,
             quamvis
             Iudaei
             contra
             pertendant
             .
             
               Molin
               .
               Vat.
               l.
               1.
               c.
            
             26.
             
          
           
             p
             Credamne
             ●go
             Deum
             Populo
             tam
             dirâ
             apostasia
             laboranti
             ,
             ita
             indulgentem
             ,
             ut
             è
             coelo
             cum
             iis
             familiariter
             colloqui
             dignaretur
             ,
             atque
             iis
             Oracula
             tam
             sublimia
             exhibere
             ,
             tamque
             frequentia
             ut
             non
             paria
             Prophetis
             ?
             &c.
             
               R.
               Dr.
               Lightfoot
               ,
               Hor.
               Hebr.
               p.
            
             63.
             
          
           
             q
             See
             their
             several
             Testimonies
             in
             Mr.
             Smith's
             Disc.
             of
             Prophec
             .
             p.
             270.
             
          
           
             r
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Geogr.
             l.
             16.
             
          
           
             s
             Heb.
             9.
             10.
             
             Eph.
             2.
             15.
             
          
           
             t
             Deut.
             18.
             15.
             18.
             
          
           
             u
             Dan.
             9.
             24.
             27.
             
          
           
             w
             Rom.
             12
             ,
             1.
             
          
           
             x
             1
             King.
             13.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             y
             Isa.
             21.
             3.
             
             Gen.
             15.
             12.
             
             Dan.
             10.
             8.
             
             Jer.
             23.
             9.
             
          
           
             z
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             16
             
          
           
             a
             Caterum
             ,
             si
             quibusdam
             eorum
             Dominm
             futura
             quaed●
             in
             Dei
             Ecclesi●
             inspiratione
             quapiam
             revelaverit
             ,
             &c.
             
               Concil
               .
               Later
               .
               Sub.
               Leon.
               10.
               
               Ses.
            
             11.
             
          
           
             b
             Volum●●
             ut
             lege
             ordinariae
             tales
             assertae
             inspirattones
             ,
             antequam
             publicentur
             a●t
             aut
             populo
             praedicentur
             ,
             ex
             nunc
             Apostolicae
             sedis
             examini
             reservatae
             intelligantur
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             c
             Solent
             Americani
             ipsos
             montes
             &
             quicquid
             communem
             naturae
             ordinem
             egr●ditur
             ,
             venerari
             .
             
               D.
               Vos
               .
               de
               Id●lol
               .
               p.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             d
             Zeii
             excessu
             signum
             aliquod
             (
             ut
             Gedeoni
             vel
             Maria
             )
             dari
             inflanter
             petiit
             D●abic
             .
             datumque
             est
             
               Frontis
               punctura
               &
               velut
               igne
               ambusta
               .
               facies
            
             (
             risum
             ten●atis
             ?
             )
             
               Histor.
               Drab
               .
               per.
               J.
               A.
               C.
               p.
               14●
               ▪
            
          
           
             e
             Multi
             eorum
             admoto
             igne
             non
             uruntur
             ,
             ignem
             videlicet
             repellente
             Deo
             intus
             afflante
             ,
             vel
             si
             uruntur
             non
             persentiunt
             ,
             neque
             pungentia
             percipiunt
             vel
             radentia
             vel
             ulla
             tormenta
             .
             —
             per
             invia
             vadunt
             〈◊〉
             ignem
             feruntur
             intacti
             ,
             &c.
             
               De
               Myst.
               Aeg.
            
             
          
           
             f
             M.
             Mede
             
               Apost
               .
               lat
               times
            
             .
             P.
             2.
             c.
             2.
             
             &
             3.
             
             Mat.
             24.
             24.