this inconsistency is not only to be found in the Bible, but in the experience of God's children. Luther found enough of it, as appears in his Comment on the Galatians. And I have felt so much of it since I could call Jesus my Lord and my God, that I declare, in the presence of God, I would not go through it again for a thousand worlds. But it was God's will that I should know law from gospel, not only in my head by the scriptures, but. in my heart by their different operations. Paul knew what it was to go bound in the Spirit, and what it was to be made all things to all men; as under the law to them that were under the law; and what it was to warn sinners for three years, night and day, with tears. And I much question if there is one child of God in this nation, twenty years old in grace, that has not felt this yoke, or at times been more or less influenced with a spirit of bondage. Thus this inconsistency is to be found in the Bible, and in the experience of all the saints of God: but there is a worse inconsistency to be found in graceless professors, and that is, promis ing others liberty while themselves are the servants of corruption. THE LYING PROPHET EXAMINED, AND HIS FALSE PREDICTIONS DISCOVERED; BEING A DISSECTION OF THE PROPHECIES OF RICHARD BROTHERS. TRY THE SPIRITS WHETHER THEY ARE OF GOD; BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS ARE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD. 1 JOHN iv. 1. DEDICATION. ΤΟ NATHANIEL BRASSEY HALHED, ESQ. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, PALL-MALL. SIR, You may at first sight be somewhat struck with surprize at seeing your name in the front of this performance: but in this you are not alone; for I was struck with equal surprize at seeing the name of a gentleman in your high station, and of your abilities and learning, stand affixed to a vindication of the prophecies of Richard Brothers. My charity for you, sir, is, that in the integrity of your heart, and in the innocency of your hands, you have done this; having written, as I judge, from a principle of conscience, and, as you conceived, in defence of divine truth. But this, sir, must be granted, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God; for "the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man," nor are they unfolded by the wisdom of man, "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost:" which divine dictator is the only infallible interpreter, and who, in much condescension to human weakness, hath seldom left a prophecy in a dark ambiguous fold, but he has left, in a more open and conspicuous page, a key or a clue to direct the humble and earnest inquirer what end to trace it to, and where to make the application. Without this necessary interpreter, and his proper key, the wisest of men, however equipped with natural or acquired abilities, are sure to err. When I first heard of Mr. Brothers as a prophet, and of the things predicted by him, I thought it was not likely that the prophecies of a man so arrogant, so presumptuous, and so profoundly ignorant of divine revelation, should ever obtain or gain much credit in the world; forgetting, at the instant, that in calamitous times false prophets are generally increased, when people in a panic are ready to believe every word; as was the case with the Jews. The royal family, and thousands more, suffered in the faith of false prophets when invaded by the Chaldeans, and besieged by the Romans. One cried, The Messiah is in the secret chamber; and another, He is in the desert: which was the chief cause of their holding out against the Roman arms as they did; which added to their misery, and increased their destruction. False prophets shall arise, as a just judgment from God, to ensnare some, and to try the faith of others; for they shall deceive many: and it is threatened as the |