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In fpeaking of the Inspiration, by which the Scriptures were written, I. I fhall fhew wherein the Infpiration of the Writers of the Scriptures did confift, or how far it extended. II. I fhall from thence make fuch inferences, as may afford a fufficient anfwer to the ob. jections alledged upon this fubject.

I. I shall fhew wherein the Inspiration of the Writers of the Scriptures did confift, or how far it extended. And here we must confider both the Matter and the Words of Scripture. The Matter is either concerning things reveal'd, and which could not be known but by Revelation, or it is fomething which was the object of Senfe and Matter of Fact, as when the Apostles teftify, that our Saviour was crucify'd and rofe again; or laftly, it is matter of Reason, as difcourfes upon Moral fubjects, and inferences made from things reveal'd, or from matter of Fact. God, who is a Spirit, can speak as intelligibly to the fpirits and minds of Men, as Men can speak to the ear, and in things which could not be known but by Revelation, the notions were fuggested and infufed into the minds of the Apoftles and Prophets by the Holy Ghost, feito, but they might be left to put them into their numow a Words, being fo directed in the ufe of Prophe

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them, as to give infallibly the fenfe and full importance of the Revelation. In matters of Fact, their Memories were according to our Saviours promise affifted and confirm'd. In matters of Discourse or Reasoning, either from their own natural Notions, or from things Reveal'd, or from matters of Fact, their understandings were enlightned, and their Judgments strengthned. And ftill in all cafes their natural Faculties were fo fupported and guided both in their Notions and Words, as that nothing should come into their Writings, but what is infallibly true. They had always the use of their Faculties, tho under the infallible Direction and Conduct of the Holy Ghoft, and in things that were the proper objects of their faculties, the Holy Ghoft might only fupport and guide them, as in matters of fenfe and natural Reason and Memory, and in their Words and Style to express all these. But in things of an higher Nature, which were above their faculties, and which they could have no knowledge of, but from Revelation, the things themselves were infufed, tho the words in most cafes might be their own, but they were preferv'd from error in the use of them by that Spirit, who was to guide them into all Truth.

For tho the several Writers of the Scriptures might be allowed to use their own Words and Style, yet it was under the infal lible guidance and influence of the Spirit, as

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when a man is left to the ufe of his own Hand, or manner of Writing, but is directed in the Senfe and Orthography by one who dictates to him, or affifts him with his help, where it is needful. Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God Spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft: 2 Pet. 1. 21. All Scripture is given by Infpi3ration of God: 2 Tim. 3. 16. The Holy - Ghoft faith, by the Pfalmift, to day if ye will I hear his Voice, Hebr. 3. 7. David faith of

himself, the Spirit of the Lord fpake by me, and = his word was in my Tongue, 2 Sam. 23. 2. And = God is faid to speak by the hand of Mofes his Servant, and by the hand of his fervant Ahijah the Prophet, 1 Kings 8.53. 14. 18. By which it appears, that he ufed the Prophets as his Inftruments in revealing his Will: For as Miracles were by the immediate power of God, though wrought by the hands of men, fo the Revelations were of God, though spoken or written by the Prophets and Apostles. But though God ufed them as his Inftruments, yet not as mechanical, but as rational Inftru ments; and as in working their Miracles, they were not always neceffarily determined to the place, or to the perfons on whom they were wrought, but in general were guided to work them, when they were proper and feasonable and the Actions, by which they wrought them, were their own, though the power D

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that accompanied them was of God; fo in their Doctrines, they might be permitted to ufe their own Words and Phrafes, and to be guided by prudential Motives, as to time, and place, and perfons, with a directive power only over them, to fpeak and write nothing but infallible truth, upon fuch occafions, and in fuch circumstances, as might anfwer the end of their Miflion, with which they were entrusted.

God promifed Mofes, when he fent him to Pharaoh, that he would be with his mouth, and with Aaron's mouth, and would teach them what they should say, Exod. 4. 12, 15. And our Saviour tells his Difciples, ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my fake, for a teftimony against them and the Gentiles: But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how or what ye shall Speak, for it shall be given you in that fame hour what ye hall Speak, Matt. 10. 18, 19. And if Mofes was infpired upon that particular occafion, and the Apoftles were infpired in things which were perfonal, as in the defence that they made for themselves, they must much rather be inspired in their Writings, which concern the Church in all ages. St Luke had perfect understanding of all things from above, Luke 1.3. fo Dr Lightfoot renders it with great probability: for thus avadev is used for go in many places of Scripture, Joh. 3. 3, 31. 19. 2. Jam. 1. 17. 3.17. And this the Church of

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Corinth expected from St Paul, they fought a proof of Chrift Speaking in him, 2 Cor. 13.3.as that Apostle tells them he did, and that not in a weak and obfcure, but in a powerful and effectual manner. He writes for the fame reafon to the Theffalonians, ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jefus, Theff. 4. 2. and he diftinguifheth between his own Judgment (affifted and enlightened, though not infallibly, by the Holy Ghost) and the Commandments of the Lord, or the infallible dictates of the Spirit, 1 Cor 7. 10, 12, 25, 40. The Holy Ghoft taught the Apoftles all things, and brought all things to their remembrance, Jo. 14. 26. and guided them into all Truth, Joh. 16.13. and the Unction from the holy one inftructed 'em to know all things,1 Joh. II. 20. that is,all things pertaining to Salvatithis is faid of their Difciples, and therefore may in a more efpecial manner be affirmed of the Apostles themselves; infomuch that the words themselves are ascribed to the Holy' Ghoft, which things alfo we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghoft teacheth, comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual, 1 Cor. 2. 13. For they were under the conduct and influence of. the Holy Ghost in the choice of every word they used, tho not fo, as to be infpired with a new style and dialect; the words themselves' were not always fuggefted, but they were always inspired in the ufe of them; and tho

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