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prophet； but also according to his particular opinions； and further that
prophecy never rendered the prophet wiser than he was before。 （11） But I
will first discuss the assurance of truth which the prophets received； for
this is akin to the subject…matter of the chapter； and will serve to elucidate
somewhat our present point。
（12） Imagination does not； in its own nature； involve any certainty of
truth； such as is implied in every clear and distinct idea； but requires some
extrinsic reason to assure us of its objective reality： hence prophecy cannot
afford certainty； and the prophets were assured of God's revelation by
some sign； and not by the fact of revelation； as we may see from Abraham；
who； when he had heard the promise of God； demanded a sign； not
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because he did not believe in God； but because he wished to be sure that it
was God Who made the promise。 （13） The fact is still more evident in the
case of Gideon： 〃Show me；〃 he says to God； 〃show me a sign； that I may
know that it is Thou that talkest with me。〃 （14） God also says to Moses：
〃And let this be a sign that I have sent thee。〃 （15） Hezekiah； though he had
long known Isaiah to be a prophet； none the less demanded a sign of the
cure which he predicted。 （15） It is thus quite evident that the prophets
always received some sign to certify them of their prophetic imaginings；
and for this reason Moses bids the Jews （Deut。 xviii。） ask of the prophets a
sign； namely； the prediction of some coming event。 （16） In this respect；
prophetic knowledge is inferior to natural knowledge； which needs no sign；
and in itself implies certitude。 （17） Moreover； Scripture warrants the
statement that the certitude of the prophets was not mathematical； but
moral。 （18） Moses lays down the punishment of death for the prophet who
preaches new gods； even though he confirm his doctrine by signs and
wonders （Deut。 xiii。）； 〃For；〃 he says； 〃the Lord also worketh signs and
wonders to try His people。〃 （19） And Jesus Christ warns His disciples of
the same thing （Matt。 xxiv：24）。 （20） Furthermore； Ezekiel （xiv：9） plainly
states that God sometimes deceives men with false revelations； and
Micaiah bears like witness in the case of the prophets of Ahab。
（21） Although these instances go to prove that revelation is open to
doubt； it nevertheless contains； as we have said； a considerable element of
certainty； for God never deceives the good； nor His chosen； but （according
to the ancient proverb； and as appears in the history of Abigail and her
speech）； God uses the good as instruments of goodness； and the wicked as
means to execute His wrath。 （22） This may be seen from the case of
Micaiah above quoted； for although God had determined to deceive Ahab；
through prophets； He made use of lying prophets； to the good prophet He
revealed the truth； and did not forbid his proclaiming it。
（23） Still the certitude of prophecy； remains； as I have said； merely；
moral； for no one can justify himself before God； nor boast that he is an
instrument for God's goodness。 （24） Scripture itself teaches and shows that
God led away David to number the people； though it bears ample witness
to David's piety。
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（25） The whole question of the certitude of prophecy； was based on
these three considerations： 1。 That the things revealed were imagined
very vividly； affecting the prophets in the same way as things seen
when awake；
2。 The presence of a sign；
3。 Lastly； and chiefly； that the mind of the prophet was given
wholly； to what was right and good。
（26） Although Scripture does not always make mention of a sign； we
must nevertheless suppose that a sign was always vouchsafed； for
Scripture does not always relate every； condition and circumstance （as
many； have remarked）； but rather takes them for granted。 （27） We may；
however； admit that no sign was needed when the prophecy declared
nothing that was not already contained in the law of Moses； because it was
confirmed by that law。 （28） For instance； Jeremiah's prophecy； of the
destruction of Jerusalem was confirmed by the prophecies of other
prophets； and by the threats in the law； and； therefore； it needed no sign ；
whereas Hananiah； who； contrary to all the prophets； foretold the speedy
restoration of the state； stood in need of a sign； or he would have been in
doubt as to the truth of his prophecy； until it was confirmed by facts。 （29）
〃The prophet which prophesieth of peace； when the word of the prophet
shall come to pass； then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath
truly sent him。〃
（30） As； then； the certitude afforded to the prophet by signs was not
mathematical （i。e。 did not necessarily follow from the perception of the
thing perceived or seen）； but only moral； and as the signs were only given
to convince the prophet； it follows that such signs were given according to
the opinions and capacity of each prophet； so that a sign which convince
one prophet would fall far short of convincing another who was imbued
with different opinions。 （31） Therefore the signs varied according to the
individual prophet。
（32） So also did the revelation vary； as we have stated； according to
individual disposition and temperament； and according to the opinions
previously held。
（33） It varied according to disposition； in this way： if a prophet was
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cheerful； victories； peace； and events which make men glad； were revealed
to him； in that he was naturally more likely to imagine such things。 （34） If；
on the contrary； he was melancholy； wars； massacres； and calamities were
revealed； and so； according as a prophet was merciful； gentle； quick to
anger； or severe； he was more fitted for one kind of revelation than another。
（35） It varied according to the temper of imagination in this way： if a
p