472 LOGIC: OR, THE RIGHT USE OF REASON. and meaning of that which God has revealed, for reason itself demands the belief of it. Now divine testimony or revelation requires these follow- ing credentials : I. That the propositions or doctrines revealed be not incon- sistent with reason ; for intelligent creatures ean never be bound to believe real inconsistencies. Therefore we arc sure the popish doctrine of transubstantiation is not a matter of divine revelation, because it is contrary to all our senses and our reason, even in their proper exercises. God can dictate nothing but what is worthy of himself, and agreeable to his own nature and divine perfections. Now many of these perfections are discoverable by the light of reasons and whatsoever is inconsistent with these perfections, cannot be a di- vine revelation. But let it be noted, that in matters of practice towards òbr fellow- creatures, God may command us to act in a manner con - trary to what reason would direct antecedent to that command. So Abraham was commanded to offer up his °'son 'a sacrifice: The Israelites were ordered to borrow of the eEgyptians' w thoút paying them, and to plunder and slay the inhabitants ofCanaan i because God has a sovereign right to all things, and can with equity dispossess his creatures of life, and every thing which he has given them, and especially such sinful creatures as man- kind ; and he can appoint whom he pleases to be the instruments of this just dispossession or deprivation. So that 'these divine commands are not really inconsistent with right reason; for whatsoever is so, cannot be believed where that inconsistency appears. 2. Upon the same account the whole doctrine of revelation must be consistent with itself; every part of it must be consistent With each other and though in points of practicë'latter revela- tion may repeal or cancel former divine laws, yet in matters of belief, no latter revelation can be inconsistent with what has been heretofore revealed. 3. Divine revelation must be confirmed by some divine and supernatural appearances, some extraordinary signs or tokens, visions, voices, or miracles wrought, or prophecies fulfilled. There must be some demonstrations of the presence and power of God, superior to all the powers of nature, or the settled connec- tion which God as Creator has establïsbedamong his creatures in this visible world. 4. If there are any such-extraordinary and wonderful ap- pearances and operations brought to contest with, or to oppose divine revelation, there must and always will be such a superi- orityon the side of that revelation which is truly divine, as to manifest that God is there. This was the case When the .Egyp
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