$ OPERATIONS OF wrought. For whereas it consists in an affecting of the mind with a transient irradiation of light in hidden things, it neither did, nor could of itself, produce faith, love, or holiness in the heart. Another work of the Holy Ghost was necessary hereunto. (3.) There is therefore no inconsistency in this matter, that God should grant an immediate inspiration unto some that were not really sanctified. And yet I would not grant this to have been actually done without a just limitation. For, whereas some were established to be prophets un- to the church in the whole course of their lives after their first call from God, as Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and the rest ofthe prophets mentioned in the scripture; in like manner I no way doubt but they were all of them really sanctified by the Holy Spirit of God. But others therewere who had only some occasional dis- coveries of hidden or future things made unto them, or fell into some ecstasies or raptures with a supernatural agitation of their minds (as it is twice said of Saul) for a short season. And I see no reason why we may not grant, yea, from scripture testimonies, we must grant, that many such persons may be'so actuatedby the Holy Spirit of God. So was it with wicked Caiaphas, who is said to prophesy, John xi. 51. And a great pro- phecy indeed it was which his words expressed, greater than which there is none in the scripture. But the wretch himself knew nothing of the importance of what was uttered by him. A sudden impression of the ;Spirit of God caused him, against his intention, to ut- ter a sacred truth, and that because he was high priest, whose words were of great reputation with the people. s And, as Balsam was over-ruled to prophesy and speak good of Israel, when he really designed and de- sired to curse them: so this Caiaphas, designing the de- struction of Jesus Christ, brought forth those words which expressed the salvation of the world by his death. (5.) For the difficulty about Balaam himself; who was a sorcerer, and the devil's prophet, I acknowledge it is of importance. But sundry things may be offered for the removal of it. (1.) Some do contend, that Balsam s 'Es es, FpY Kr TleOrvTVç ¡rl, waveg, itgopr£VEi; Eî ae i,5 Iigorvrvv E, uvrd,s în ,rgorE e; -.-r b. a¡ rav ae -g, rev Ka,áyar vavygau¡eevmv, ar1vgseferarra Tee, ru reorseas, ¡r,, ¿el .a, Ss1a yvxv ¡Ira, xeea, Tort is wçvgts,w r. Origen. Comment. is Johan. Sect. 30. THE BOLT SPIRIT, was a prophet of God only. That indeed he gave him- self unto judicial astrology, and the conjectures of fa- ture events, from natural causes. But as to his pro- phecies they were all divine; and the light of them af- fecting only the speculative part of his mind, had no influence upon his will, heart, and affections, which were still corrupt. This Tostatuspleadeth for. But, as it is expressly said, that he sought for enchantments, Numb. xxiv. 1. So the whole description of his course and end gives him up as a cursed sorcerer; and he is ex- pressly snip called a soothsayer, Josh. xii. 22, Which word, though we have once rendered by prudent, that is, one who prudently conjectureth at future events ac- cording urto present appearing causes, Isa. iii. 2. yet it is mostly used for a diabolical diviner or soothsayer, And, for what he said of himself; that he heard the voice ofGad, and saw the visionsofthe Most High, it might be only his own boasting to procure veneration to his diabolical incantations. But in reputation we find he was in those days in the world, and supposed he was to utter divine oracles unto men. This God, in his providence, made use of to give out a testimony to the nations concerning the coming of the Messiah, the re- port whereof was then almost lost amongst men. In this condition it may be granted, that the good Spirit of God, without the least reflection on the majesty and purity of his own holiness, did overrule the power of the devil, cast out his suggestions from the .San's mind, and gave such an impressionof sacred truths in the room of them, as he could not but utter and declare. For that instant he did, as it were, take the instrument out of the hand of Satan, and, by his impression on it, caused it to give a sound according to his mind, which, when he had done, he left it again unto bis possession. And 1 know not but that he might do so sometimes with others among the Gentiles, who were professedly given up to receive and give out the oracles of the devil. So he made the damsel, possessed with a spirit of divi- nation and soothsaying, to acknowledge Paul and his companions to be servants of the most high God, and to chew to men the way of salvation, Acts xvi. 16, 17. And this must be acknowledged by them who suppose that the Sybills gave out predictions concerning Jesus Christ, seeing the whole strain of their prophetical ora- cles were expressly diabolical. And no conspiracy of men or devils shall cause biro to forego his sovereignty
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