I HAVE at last adopted the word predictions, in compliment to the sensual organs of my readers, for to spirit there is no prediction: this is only a relative to matter: a future event is a thing which exists in spirit, has proceeded thence, and is on its way to matter. When the soul, which is the intermediate of spirit and matter, feels the approach of an event from spirit, it communicates its sensation to matter. This communication is called foresight or præ-sentiment, a term which evidently is given by matter, and is descriptive of its relation to spirit. When these præ-sentiments are uttered, they become præ-dictions. Those uttered from Astrology have only this difference; that they are derived by sight from an index of spirit, instead of being felt from the touch of spirit. The Astrologer describes man from his reflexion in a magnifying mirror; inspirati imbibe their ideas from feeling, as a blind man does the structure of his members. And as it is plain, that a blind man cannot have the same ideas of space and magnitude with mankind who use their eyes, yet he will have ideas analogical, and MORE CORRECT; for they will be formed from the fountain itself of the senses, feeling; and consequently, though obscure to the man of sight, whose ideas of the whole ocean are drawn from only one stream, yet will he avoid those delusions, which even men of sight agree to, proverbially, express by visionary [1]. Isa. xlii.16,19. [E1]
Now I have turned the tables on the wise men of Gotham [E2], and condemned them out of their own mouth, I shall proceed.—I speak this month from scripture only.
Charity never faileth; but whether they be prophecies they shall fail; whether they be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away. Paul [E3]—GOD IS LOVE. John [E4]—The word of GOD is quick and powerful; piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. Paul [E5]—Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, to-day—after so long a time; as it is said, to-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts: for if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of another day. THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD—Paul.[E6] THE THINGS THAT ARE REVEALED BELONG TO US, AND TO OUR CHILDREN—Moses.[E7]
By fire, and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Isaiah [E8].
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool! [E9] Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send thee to drink it. Jerem. [E10]
In Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call—Joel. [E11] O that one might plead for a man with God as a man pleadeth with his neighbour—Job. [E12] The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; for there is a consumption determined upon the whole earth. The consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the WEST, and his GLORY from the rising of the Sun. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob—Isaiah.[E13] And this my son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, and shall destroy them without labour, by the law that is like unto fire; therefore sawest thou the multitude with Peace—Esdras. [E14] The earth abideth for EVER—Solomon. [E15]
The newspapers having advanced, that the death of the Swedish monarch had not a deep ground, and that there would be an end of the matter, without farther consequences to the government; I shall just say THEY are mistaken. The Assassins triumph. B.