4. In regard both the old and new Testament, even the Historical and Epiftolary Parts, do contain various Predictions; in uttering Predictions of Events not depending upon a Chain of material Caufes, but on the Actions of free Agents, and which were punctually fulfilled, the Writers must be inspired by a foreseeing, unerring Spirit *.

Then as to Doctrines and Precepts, the Prophets and Apostles (Men of Integrity and Sanctity, who durft not lie) utter them in t Name of God, and as Commands of the L Jefus. And many Doctrines of the new I tament the Apoftles cou'd know nothing o much less perfectly comprehend the whole grand Syftem of Chriftian Truths, and preach

Spirit, the following Cafes. (1) Speeches which relate to the Common Occurrences of Life; as Rom. 15. 24. 1 Cor. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 7. 2 Cor. 1.15, 16. ch. 11. 17. John 6. 19. Acts 7. 16. cb. 19. 7. (2) Speeches which concern Cafes of human Prudence; as 1 Cor. 7. 12, 25, 26. the Apoftle Speaks and writes only by the ordinary Affiftance of the Spirit. (3) Speeches about Points declared to be unrevealed, as the Day of Judgment, and restoring the Kingdom to Ifrael; 1 Cor. 10. 11. b. 15. 52. 2 Cor. 5. 3.. 1 Theff. 4. 14. 2 Theff. 2. 2. Pet. 4.7.2 Pet, 3. 4. Heb. 9. 26. In these, Slips of Memory, or Miftakes of Judgment may be allowed poflible, without any Prejudice to the Authority of the Chrif tian Camon.

See Lowth of Inspiration, and Dr. Whitby's Preface to his Annotations.

*The old Teftament abounds with Predictions of bath mearer and remoter Events, concerning both Persons and Kingdoms, which were exactly accomplished.

See Allix's Reflections.

and

and write about them with Copiousness, Freedom and Affurance, and in perfect Confistency one with another, except by the Illuminati on and Affiftance of the divine Spirit.

Several important Doctrines of Chriftianity, and fome Laws, particularly the Abrogation of the Jewish Ceremonies, were referved to the Difpenfation of the Spirit; partly, in regard the Apoftles themselves were unable at first to bear that Abrogation; and the eft of the Jews were much less able; partly, not proper to be preached till after the eath, Refurrection and Afcenfion of Chrift, on which Events thofe Doctrines depended.

As to the Book of Pfalms, many of thefe are plainly prophetical, as Pfal. 2. 16. 22; 24′′ 40. 50. 72. 110. with others, which must be wrote by Infpiration. And the fame divine Spirit breathes in the Devotional ones; which all pious Men have confeffed to be in a strain above all human Compofures. The Jews, and fince them the Chriftians have conftantly used the Pfalms as a Part of their Temple, Synagogue and Family Worship; which they

+ For Infance, Doctrines concerning the Effects of Chrift's Death, his State of Exaltation and Dominion, his Return to Judgment, and the Manner of it; the State of the Dead; the Refurrection and Order of it; the Advocateship of Christ ; his giving up the Kingdom to the Father; the Interpretation and Application of the old Teftament Types and Shadows.

A a 2

wou'd

wou'd not have done, had they not thought them composed by inspired Men *.

5. There was as much need of the Aids of an unerring Spirit in Writings defigned for the Perpetual Ufe of the Chriftian Church, as in Preaching to the Age then present. That the Writings of the new Testament were intended for future Ages, the Nature of the Cafe fpeaks; for otherwise the Church had been without a Canon. The Being and Benefit of the Church depends upon the Being and Truth of Chrift's and the Apostle's Doctrine, which cou'd be preferved only by Writing, as the Jewish Canon was.

Chron. 6. 31, 32. ch. 16. 1, 40, 42. Ezra 3.10, 11. Mat. 26. 30. Col. 3. 16. In what Degrees the Spirit of God affifted in compofing the Palms, and what was left to the Compofer's Invention, is as impoffible, as it is needlefs for us to determine. But it was an Affiftance which did not exclude the Ufe of natural Faculties, or acquired Talents, I Tim. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 6. St. Paul's arguing in a strong, rational, argumentative Way, is fure no Reafon for denying his Infpiration; or that he had the whole Scheme of Chriftian Truths infufed into his Mind by immediate Revelation.

EIA

The EN D.

ERRATA

P. 12. 1. 9. for the r. their P. 31:1, 4 putthe Figure
P. 114.1: 9.10. r. Souls. Neceffit

CHAP. I.

Existence of God

SECT. I. Religion defined. God defined. The
Being of God not proved by the Scriptures; but by the
vifible Creation.

SECT. II. Proofs of a God from the Effects to the Cause,
Three Poftulata. Six ways of proving a God. Three in-
fifted on.

1. The Being and Building of this World proveth a God.
Plain marks of Defign in all its Parts. Every Object dif
covers God to us. The Earth, its Matter, Form, Situation,
Motion prove a God. Water, its Qualities, the Sea, Rivers,
prove a God
Air, its Properties prove a God. Fire. The
Heavens prove a God. Storms and Thunder no Objection.
The Sain proves a God. Birds, Beafts, Man's Body; Man's
Soul prove a God.

2. The general Confent of Mankind proveth a God.. -
3. Mens Confciences prove a God.

SECT. III. An Objection," That the World was E-
ernal," anfwered.

SICT. IV. The Perfections of God infinite and abso
lutely neceffary, in fix Propofitions.

1. God'

r. God's Eternity proved.

2. His Independency and Immutablility.
3. His abfolute Neceffity.

4. His Immateriality. The material World cannot be
God.

5. The Unity of God.

6. The Intelligence of God.

The Being of a God is the Foundation of all rational
Satisfaction and Comfort.

CHA P. II.

The Providence of God proved.

SECT. I. Providence defined. Arguments for it from
the Nature of God. 1. From his Wisdom. 2. From his
Omniprefence. 3. From his Power.

SECT. II. Arguments from the vifible World.

ft. The Whole is fupported, tho' the Parts change.
2d. From the Political World.

3d. From remarkable Distinctions between the Righ-
teous and Wicked; or from the moral World.

ones.

4th. From Miracles and Prophecies:

5th. From the Dependance of great Things on fmall

SECT. III. Objections against Providence anfwered.
1. Three Objections against the Soveraignty of Providence.
2. Three against the Wisdom of Providence.

3. Four-againft the Holiness of Providence.
4. Five-againft the Juftice of Providence.

5. Eleven Objections against the Goodness of Providence

CHA P. III.

Proofs of the Immortality of the Soul.
SECT. I. Confcious Life effential to the Soul.

SECT. II. Arguments from the Nature of the Soul.
1. The Soul is a diftinct Being from the Body. It con-
fiders the Body; moves it; hath a distinct Intereft from it;
has a common Senfibility; remains intire when the Body
is maimed, and lofeth feveral Parts.

An Objection answered.
2. The Soul is not material.
All Matter does not think.

Thought