In which the AUTHOR'S NOTION Concerning the Poffibility of a Man's attaining to the true Knowledge of GOD, and Things neceffary to Salvation, without the Ufe of external Means, is briefly confider'd. 4 By SIMON OCKLEY, M. A. Vicar of Swavefey in Cambridgfhire. FOR HO LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1708. THE CONTENTS §. 1. 2. 2.T T Difcourfe. 4.3, 4, 5. God's way HE Occafion and Defign of this of teaching his People was by Prophets. §. 6, 7. Prophecy not attain'd by any Applicatian or Industry, but depended upon the pofitive Will of God. §.8. And consequently the Vifion of God, or beholding the Divine Being, which is fuperior to Prophefying, cannot be fo attain'd. §. 9. That it was never mention'd as attaina ble, nor the Search of it recommended by the Prophet Mofes. §. 10. Nor any other Prophets that fucceeded him. §. 11. What was not enjoy'd in the early Times of Christianity, when the Gifts of the Spirit were more plentifully pour'd out, cannot be expected now, §. 12. But fuch a Power, whereby a Man might (without external Helps) attain to the true Knowledge of God, and Things necessary to Salvation, was no where promis'd by our Saviour. §. 13. Nor enjoy'd by devout Per fons in the first times of the Gospel, which is prov'd from the Example of the Eunuch. §. 14. §. 14. And Cornelius. §. 15. The whole Tenour of the Apostles Doctrine forbids us to expect the Vifion of God in this Life. §. 16. From all which is inferr'd, that those Scriptures, which Speak of the plentiful Effu- fion of the Spirit in the Gospel Times, are mifunderstood by Enthufiafts. §. 17. Why we are not to expect Prophets now. §. 18. If these things be denied to Chriftians, they are not to be found amongst Heathens or Maho- metans. §. 19, 20, 21. The Enthusiasm of APPENDIX, &c. §. I. TH "HO' the preceeding Hiftory, upon the account of the lively Image and Representation which it gives of unfpotted Virtue, unfeigned Love of God, and Contempt of the Things of this Life, does very well deferve to be read: So, as it contains feveral things co-incident with the Errors of fome Enthusiasts of these prefent Times, it deferves to be confider'd. Upon which Account, I had no fooner fuffer'd my felf to be perfwaded to undertake the Tranflation of this Book, than I determin'd to fubjoin fome Reflections upon fuch part of it as feem'd to me most worthy of Confideration. Left otherwise, that Book, which was by me defign'd for the Innocent, and not altogether unprofitable Diverfion of the Reader, might accidentally prove a means of leading some into Error, who are not capable of judging aright; and of confirming others in their Mittakes, who, through their own Weaknefs, or the Prejudice of a bad Education, have the Misfortune to be led out of the way. |