The Life of John Knox; Containing Illustrations of the History of the Reformation in Scotland with Biographical Notices of the Principal Reformers, and Sketches of the Progress of Literature in Scotland, During a Great Part of Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1813 edition. Excerpt: ...it cannot be denied, that the age in which our Reformer lived was prone to credit the marvellous, especially as to the infliction of divine judgments on individuals. A prudent inquirer who i.s aware of this, will not be disposed to acknowledge as preternatural whatever was formerly regarded in this light, and will be on his guard against the illusions of imagination as to impressions which may be made on his own mind. But, on the other hand, there is danger of running into scepticism, and of laying down general principles which may lead us Cicero de Divinat. lib. i. obstinately to contest the truth of the best authenticated facts, and even to limit the Spirit of God, and the operation of his providence. This is the extreme to which the present age inclines. That there have been instances of persons having presentiments and premonitions as to events that happened to themselves and others, there is, I think, the best reason to believe. The esprits forts, who laugh at vulgar credulity, and exert their ingenuity in ac- counting for such phenomena on ordinary principles, have been exceedingly puzzled with some of these, a great deal more puzzled than they hare confessed; and the solutions which they have given are, in some instances, as mysterious as any thing included in the intervention of superior spirits, or in preternatural and divine intimations. The canon of our faith, as Christians, is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament; we must not look to impressions or new revelations as the rule of our duty; but that God may, on particular occasions, forewarn persons of some things which shall happen, to testify his approbation of them, to This is acknowledged by one who had attempted this more frequently, and with greater...