Page:Copy of a remarkable prophecy, relative to the present times.pdf/20

( 20 ) ven being owned by the apoſtle to attend the prophecy of Joel to that effect, does ſhew that the accompliſhment thereof on the day of Pentecoſt was not completed, becauſe no universal judgments did concur with tha juncture: if mankind from the leaſt to the greateſt, ſhall ever come to be taught immediately by the ſpirit of God, they will not need other inſtructors: ſuppoſing any one then to be a true prophet, he is no ways chargeable as acceſſary to draw down the judgments that the over ruling power of God foretells and denounces by him. Humiliation and religious fear will beſt become thoſe to whom ſuch a meſſage is delivered and that may, as to the public, mitigate, or even prevent the impending ſtrokes of heaven, and without queſtion will perſonally ſecure thoſe who are ſuitably wrought upon by the denunciation; and God grant the diſappointment of Jonah be mine in particular: on the other hand, it were to be wiſhed that Chriſtians inſtead of caviling at the meſſage at all adventures, and inſtead of forming within themſelves concluſions raſhly, and conſulting with the world too much for their opinion, would rather give themſelves leave to enquire firſt into the ſeveral matters of fact neceſſary, with that heed ance deliberation which the nature of the thing requires; and then laying aſide all prepoſ feſſions, would ſeek to the throne of grace with enlivened affections, for a participation