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PROFANE, a term used in opposition to holy; and in general is applied to all persons who have not the sacred character, and to things which do not belong to the service of religion.

PROFESSION among the Roman

order, whereby a person offers himself to God by a vow of inviolably observing obedience, chastity, and poverty.

Christians are required to make a profession of their faith, 1. Boldly, Rom. i 16.-2. Explicitly, Matt. v. 16.-3. Constantly, Heb. x. 23.-4. Yet not ostentatiously, but with humility and meekness.

and the Son. It seems to be founded oned for. The Latin church, however, that passage in John, xv. 26. "When has not scrupled to say that the Spirit the Comforter is come, whom I will proceeds from the Father and the Son; send unto you from the Father, even but the Greek churches chooses to exthe Spirit of Truth which proceedeth press it thus: the Spirit proceeds from from the Father, He shall testify of me." the Father by or through the Son, or he The procession of the Holy Ghost, it is receives of the Son, Gal. iv. 6. See said, is expressly taught by Christ, in HOLY GHOST; Bishop Pearson on the very strong terms in this text. This Creed, p. 324; Watt's Works, 8vo. ed. procession, it is alleged, is here evi- vol. v. p. 199; Hurrion on the Holy dently distinguished from his mission; Spirit, p. 204; Ridgley's Div. qu. 11; for it is said, "Whom I will send to you Dr. Lightfoot's Works, vol. i. p. 482. from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from theFather." If his mission and proceeding were the same thing, there would be a tautology in the words, his mission, according to that interpretation, being mentioned twice in the same verse. Dr. Watts,ists, denotes the entering into a religious however, observes, that the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father, respects not his nature or substance, but his mission only; and that no distinct and clear ideas can be formed of this procession; consequently it must be given up as popish, scholastic, inconceivable, and indefensible. But, it is answered, what clear idea can be given us of the originate, self-existent, eternal PROFESSOR, a term commonly being of the Father? Shall we, there-used in the religious world, to denote fore, deny him to be without beginning any person who makes an open acknow or end, and to be self existent, because ledgment of the religion of Christ, or we know not how he is so? If not, why who outwardly manifests his attachmust we give up the procession of the ment to Christianity. All real ChrisSpirit, because we know not the mode tians are professors, but all professors of it. We can no more explain the man- are not real Christians. In this, as in ner how the Spirit proceeds from the all other things of worth and imporFather, than we can explain the eternal tance, we find counterfeits. There are generation and hypostatical union of the many who become professors, not from two natures of the Son. We may say principle, from investigation, from love to the objector, as Gregory Nazianzen to the truth; but from interested moformerly did to his adversary, "Do you tives, prejudice of education, custom, tell me how the Father is unbegotten, influence of connections, novelty, &c. as and I will attempt to tell you how the Saul, Jehu, Judas, Demas, the foolish Son is begotten, and the Spirit pro- || virgins, &c. See article CHRISTIAN: ceeds." Jay's Sermons, ser. 9; Mead's Almost The clearest and fullest account of Christian; Bellamy's True Religion de this procession, next to that in the ineated; Shepherd's Sincere Convert, above-mentioned text, is that in 1 Cor. and on the Parable of the Ten Virii. 12. "The Spirit which is of God;"gins; Secker's Nonsuch Professor. that is (say the advocates for this dec. trine,) the Spirit which is the same in nature and essence with the Father, and so is said to be of him, or out of him, not as to local separation, but with respect to identity of nature.

PROMISE is a solemn asseveration, by which one pledges his veracity that he shall perform, or cause to be performed, the thing which he mentions.

The obligation of promises arises from the necessity of the well-being and exAbout the eighth and ninth centuriesistence of society. "Virtue requires," there was a very warm dispute between as Dr. Doddridge observes, "that prothe Greek and Latin churches, whether mises be fulfilled. The promisee, i. e. the Spirit proceeded from the Father the person to whom the promise is only, or from the Father and the Son; made, acquires a property in virtue of and the controversy arose to such a the promise. the uncertainty of proheight, that they charged one another perty would evidently be attended with with heresy and schism, when neither great inconvenience. By failing to fulside well understood what they contend-fil my promise, I either show that I was

pointed prophets to preach," ch. vi. ver. 7; and whoever speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort, is by St. Paul called a prophet, 1 Cor. xiv. 3. Hence it was that there were schools of prophets in Israel, where young men were instructed in the truths of religion, and fitted to exhort and com

ever, according to the first definition given above, we shall here consider.

not sincere in making it, or that I have little constancy or resolution, and either way injure my character, and consequently my usefulness in life Promises, however, are not binding, 1. If they were made by us before we came to such exercise of reason as to be fit to transact affairs of moment; or if by any distemper or sudden surprise we are de-fort the people. It is prophecy, howprived of the exercise of our reason at the time when the promise is made.3. If the promise was made on a false presumption, in which the promiser, after the most diligent inquiry, was im posed upon, especially if he were deceived by the fraud of the promisee. 3. If the thing itself be vicicus; for virtue cannot require that vice should be committed.-4. If the accomplishment of the promise be so hard and intolerable, that there is reason to believe that, had it been foreseen, it would have been an excepted case.-5. If the promise be not accepted, or if it depend on conditions not performed." See Doddridge's Lec. lec. 69; Grot de Jure, lib. ii. cap. 11; Paley's Mor. Phil. ch. 5. vol i Grove's Mor. Phil. vol. ii. p. 2, c 12;lidity. Hence St. Peter observes, “We Watt's Ser. ser. 20.

Prophecy (with the power of working miracles) may be considered as the highest evidence that can be given of a supernatural communion with the Deity. Hence, among the professors of almost every religious system, there have been numberless pretenders to the gift of prophecy. Pagans had their oracles, augurs, and soothsayers; modern idola. ters their necromancers and diviners; and the Jews, Christians, and Mahometans, their prophets The pretensions of Pagans and impostors, have, however, been justly exposed; while the Jewish and Christian prophecies carry with them evident marks of their va

have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place; for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Pet. ii. 19, 21. Scripture

PROMISES OF GOD are the kind declarations of his word, in which he hath assured us he will bestow blessings upon his people. The promises contained in the sacred Scriptures may be considered,1. Divine as to their origin. 2. Suitable as to their nature.-3. Abun-prophecy, therefore, hath God for its dant as to their number.-4. Clear as to origin. It did not arise from the genius their expression.-5 Certain as to their of the mind, the temperament of the accomplishment. The consideration of body, the influence of the stars, &c. them should, 1. Prove an antidote to but from the sovereign will of God. The despair.-2. A motive to patience.-3. || ways by which the Deity made known A call for prayer.-4. A spur to perse- his mind were various; such as by verance. See Clark on the Promises, a dreams, visions, angels, symbolic reprebook that Dr. Watts says," he could sentations, impulses on the mind, Numb. dare put into the hands of every Chris-xii, 6. Jer xxxi. 26. Dan. viii. 16, 17. tian, among all their divided sects and parties in the world." Buck's Serm.

ser, xi.

As to the language of prophecy: "It is," says Mr. Gray, "remarkable for its magnificence. Each prophetic wriPROPHECY, a word derived from ter is distinguished for peculiar beaugople, and in its original import signi- ties; but their style in general may be fies the prediction of future events. It characterised as strong, animated, and is thus defined by Witsius: "A know-impressive Its ornaments are derived ledge and manifestation of secret things, not from accumulation of epithet, or la which a man knows not from his own boured harmony; but from the real sagacity, nor from the relation of others, grandeur of its images, and the majestic but by an extraordinary revelation of force of its expressions. It is varied God from heaven." In the Old and with striking propriety, and enlivened New Testaments the word is not al with quick but easy transitions. Its sudways confined to the foretelling of fu den bursts of eloquence, its earnest ture events. In several instances it is warmth, its affecting exhortations and of the same import with preaching, and appeals, affords very interesting proofs denotes the faculty of illustrating and of that lively impression, and of that inapplying to present practical purposes spired conviction, under which the prothe doctrines of prior revelation. Thus, phets wrote; and which enabled them, in Nehemiah it is said, "Thou hast ap-among a people not distinguished for

"The uses of prophecy," says Dr. Jortin, "besides gradually opening and unfolding the things relating to the Messiah, and the blessings which by him should be conferred upon mankind, are many, great, and manifest.

"1. It served to secure the belief of a God, and of a providence.

"As God is invisible and spiritual, there was cause to fear, that, in the first and ruder ages of the world, when men were busier in cultivating the earth than in cultivating arts and sciences and

the study of morality, they might forget their Creator and Governor; and, therefore, God maintained amongst them the great article of faith in him, by manifestations of himself; by sending angels to declare his will; by miracles, and by prophecies.

genius, to surpass, in every variety of fy or employ the curiosity of the inqur, composition, the most admired produc || sitive, or that he gave his Spirit to men tions of Pagan antiquity. If the imagery || merely to enable them to give forth employed by the sacred writers appears predictions for the amusement and ensometimes to partake of a coarse and tertainment of the world: there must indelicate cast, it must be recollected. | be some end worthy of the author." that the Eastern manners and languages Now, what end could this be, but to required the most forcible representa- keep alive in the minds of those to whom tions; and that the masculine and in- it was given, a sense of religion, and a dignant spirit of the prophets led them hope of future deliverance from the to adopt the most energetic and descrip.curse of the fall through Jesus Christ? tive expressions. No style is, perhaps, so highly figurative as that of the prophets, Every object of nature and of art which could furnish allusions is explored with industry; every scene of creation, and every page of science, seems to have unfolded its rich varieties to the sacred writers, who, in the spirit of Eastern poetry, delight in every kind of metaphorical embellishment. Thus, by way of illustration, it is obvious to remark, that earthly dignities and powers are symbolized by the celestial bodies; the effects of moral evil are shown un-in seeking the necessaries of life than in der the storms and convulsions of nature; the pollutions of sin are represented by external impurities; and the beneficial influence of righteousness is depicted by the serenity and confidence of peaceful life. This allegorical language, being founded in ideas universally prevalent, and adhered to with invariable relation and regular analogy, has furnished great ornament and elegance to the sacred writings. Sometimes, however, the inspired penman drew their allusions from local and temporary sources of metaphor; from the peculiar scenery of their country; from the idolatries of heathen nations; from their own history and circumssances; from the service of their temple, and the|| ceremonies of their religion; from manners that have faded, and customs that have elapsed. Hence many appropriate beauties have vanished. Many descriptions and many representations, that must have had a solemnimportance among the Jews, are now considered, from a change of circumstances, in a degraded point of view. Hence, likewise, here and there a shade of obscurity. In general, however,the language of Scrip- "5. It was intended to keep the pen. ture, though highly sublime and beauti-ple, to whom God revealed himself, ful, is easy and intelligible to all capaci- from idolatry; a sin to which the Jews would be inclined, both from the dispo sition to it which they had acquired in Egypt, and from the contagion of bad example.

ties."

2. Of the use and intent of prophecy. As prophecy is so striking a proof of a supernatural communion with the Deity, and is of so early a date, we may rest assured it was given for wise and important ends. "It cannot be supposed," says bishop Sherlock, "that God delivered prophecies only to satis

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2. It was intended to give men the profoundest veneration for that amazing knowledge from which nothing was concealed, not even the future actions of creatures, and the things which as yet were not. How could a man hope to hide any counsel, any design or thought, from such a Being?"

"3. It contributed to keep up devotion and true religion, the religion of the heart, which consists partly in entertaining just and honourable notions of God, and of his perfections, and which is a more rational and a more acceptable service than rites and ceremonies.

"4. It excited men to rely upon God, and to love him who condescended to hold this mutual intercourse with his creatures, and to permit them to consult him, as one friend asks advice of another.

"The people of Israel were strictly forbidden to consult the diviners and the gods of other nations, and to use any enchantments and wicked arts; and that they might have no temptation to

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it, God permitted them to apply to him || rived from the same fountain of perand to his prophets, even upon small fection; it keeps them alive to its imoccasions; and he raised up amongst ||portance, because prophecy shows that them a succession of prophets, to whom the Supreme Being has vouchsafed, they might have recourse for advice and through a long succession of ages, to direction. These prophets were re- prepare mankind, by gradual revelaverenced abroad as well as at home, tions of his will, for future blessings; and consulted by foreign princes; and, and has proved, by sending chosen mesin times of the captivity, they were ho- sengers to usher in this final dispensa. noured by great kings, and advanced to tion, that the testimony of Jesus Is the high stations." spirit of prophecy.' It confirms the As it respects us, prophecy connect- general belief of a God, and points out ed with miracles affords a considerable to a careless world the plain traces of evidence, of the truth of revelation, as his watchful providence. It displays the well as of a superintending Providence. counsels of inspiration, incessantly di This evidence too, is a growing evirecting the course of events, without dence, "The divine design, uniformly || violating the order of reason and of hupursued through a series of successive man action. Such knowledge is too generations opens with a greater de- wonderful for us! such power is above gree of clearness, in proportion to the our comprehension! But the fact is lapse of time and the number of events. placed before our eyes. We see, or may An increase of age is an addition to its see, a regular train of prophecies tendstrength; and the nearer we approaching towards one declared end, accuratethe point towards which the dispensations of God unvaryingly tend, the more clearly shall we discern the wonderful regularity, consistency, and beauty of this stupendous plan for universal good. Of the great use of prophecies which have been fulfilled, as a direct and strong argument to convert unbelievers to Christianity, and to establish Chris- || tians in the faith, we have the most am pie proofs. Our Lord himself made very frequent appeals to prophecy as evidence of his divine mission: he referred the Jews to their own Scriptures, as most fully and clearly bearing wit ness of himself. Upon them he grounded the necessity of his sufferings; upon them he settled the faith of the disciples at Emmaus, and of the apostles at Jerusalem. The same source supplied the eloquence of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the means with which Apollos mightily convinced the Jews. This was a powerful instrument of persuasion in the succeeding ages of the church, when used by the primitive apologists Upon this topic were employed the zeal and diligence not only of Justin Martyr, but Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustin. It would never have been so frequently employed, if it had not been well adapted to the desired end; and that it did most completely answer this end, by the conversion of unbelievers, is evident from the accounts of Scripture, and the records of the primitive ||

church.

"Prophecy keeps the attention of Christians alive to the truth and importance of their holy religion : to its truth, because prophecy and Christianity had one and the same origin, both being de

ly fulfilled and fulfilling amidst all the confusion and opposition of this tumultuous world; and we see that these prophecies are clear, both in prediction and accomplishment, in proportion to their importance in fixing our belief in the providence of God, and in the great truths of divine revelation. Thus it appears that the chief design of prophecy is to bear constant witness to religious truth; but though to convince gainisayers of this truth is justly considered as its principal use, it has another very important object, to which it well be. comes us to pay attention, from motives of gratitude, as well as from fear of incurring the blame which Scripture invariably imputes to those who neglect to take advantage of the light afforded them. It is designed to protect believers in the word of God from the dangers arising from the prevalent corruptions, errors, and vices of the age in

hich they live. The due consideration of prophecy will administer consolation amidst present distress, and enliven faith and elevate hope, whilst passing through those dark depressing scenes, which, without this gracious aid, might lead through the intricacies of doubt to the gloom of despair."

Objections, however, have been raised against the prophecies from their obscurity. But to this it is answered, that they have often a first, or partial, and an ultimate completion, of which the former may be generally considered as an earnest of the latter. It is principally this double sense of prophecy, which renders it obscure; for though the predictions of the prophets were sometimes "positive and exactly descriptive, and de.

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livered with an accurate and definite family of Esau totally extinct, and that designation of names and times, pro- of Jacob subsisting at this day; the phecy was not generally designed to be sceptre departed from Judah,' and the clear before its accomplishment. It is, people living no where in authority, however, always sufficiently exact in its every where in subjection; the Jews still descriptions to authenticate its preten- dwelling alone among the nations, while sions to a divine authority; to produce, the remembrance of Amalek is utterwhen it comes to pass, an acknowledg. ly put out from under heaven.' We see ment of its unerring certainty; and to the Jews severely punished for their indemonstrate the wisdom and power of fidelity and disobedience to their great God. As Bishop Newton observes, proprophet like unto Moses: plucked phecies are the only species of writing from off their own land, and removed which are designed more for the instruc-into all the kingdoms of the earth; option of future ages than of the times pressed and spoiled evermore; and wherein they are written. In this re- made a proverb and a bye-word among spect, as the world groweth older, it all nations.' We see Ephraim so brogroweth wiser. Time, that detracts ken as to be no more a people,' while something from the evidence of other the whole nation is comprehended unwriters, is still adding something to the der the name of Judah; the Jews WODcredit and authority of the prophets. derfully preserved as a distinct people, Future ages will comprehend more while their great conquerors are every than the present, as the present under- where destroyed; their land lying destands more than the past; and the solate, and themselves cut off from beperfect accomplishment will produce a ing the people of God, while the Geaperfect knowledge of all the prophe-tiles are advanced in their room. We

cies.

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See Nineveh so completely destroyed, 3. Of the fulfilment of prophecy. that the place thereof is not and cannot Our limits will not permit us to give a be known; Babylon made a desola copious account of the various prophe- tion for ever, a possession for the bitcies which have been remarkably ful- tern, and pools of water;' Tyre become filled; but whoever has examined pro-like the top of a rock, a place for fane history with any degree of attention, and compared it with the predictions of Scripture, must, if he be not blinded by prejudice, and hardened by infidelity, be convinced of the truth of prophecy by its exact accomplishment, It is in vain to say that these prophecies were delivered since the events have taken place; for we see the prophecies, the latest where of were delivered about 1700 years ago, and some of them above 3000 years ago, fulfilling at this very time; and cities, and countries, and kingdoms, in the very same condition, and all brought about in the very same manner, and with the very same circumstances, as the prophets had fore told. "We see, 29

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fishers to spread their nets upon;' and Egypt, a base kingdom, the basest of the kingdoms,' and still tributary and subject to strangers. We see, of the four great empires of the world, the fourth and last, which was greater and more powerful than any of the former, divided in the western part thereof into ten lesser kingdoms; and among them a power with a triple crown differs from the first,' with a mouth speaking very great things,' and with a look more stout than his fellows, speaking great words against the Most High, wearing out the saints of the Most High, and changing times and laws.' We see a power cast down the truth says Bishop New-to the ground, and prosper, and practon, the descendants of Shem and tise, and destroy the holy people, not reJapheth, ruling and enlarged in Asia garding the God of his fathers, nor the and Europe, and perhaps in America, desire of wives, but honouring Mahuzand the curse of servitude,' still at- zim,' gods-protectors, or saints-protectending the wretched descendants of tors, and causing' the priests of MaHam in Africa. We see the posterity huzzim to rule over many, and to diof Ishmael,multiplied exceedingly,' vide the land for gain.' and become a great nation,' in the Ara. Turks stretching forth their hand We see the bians; yet living like wild men,' and over the countries,' and particularly shifting from place to place in the wil-over the land of Egypt, the Lybians at derness; their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them; and still dwelling an independent and free people, in the presence of all their brethren, and in the presence of all their enemies. We see the

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their steps,' and the Arabians still

escaping out of their hand.' We see the Jews led away captive into all na. tions, and Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles,' and likely to continue so until the times of the Gentiles be ful

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