A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…

The Predictions relating to this great Apostasy are all of a moral Nature, relating to Men's Virtues and Vices, and their Exercises, Fruits and Consequences, and Events depending on them; and are very particular; and most of them often repeated, with many precise Characteristics, Descriptions, and Limitations of Qualities, Conduct, Influence, Effects, Extent, Duration, Periods, Circumstances, final Issue, &c. which it would be very long to mention particularly. And to suppose, all these are predicted by God without any certain Knowledge of the future moral Behaviour of free Agents, would be to the utmost Degree absurd.

The Predictions relating to this great Apostacy are all of a moral Nature, relating to Men's Vertues and Vices, and their Exercises, Fruits and Consequences, and Events depending on them; and are very particular; and most of them often repeated, with many precise Characteristicks, Descriptions, and Limitations of Qualities, Conduct, Influence, Effects, Extent, Duration, Periods, Circumstances, final Issue, &c. which it would be very long to mention particularly. And to suppose, all these are predicted by God without any certain Knowledge of the future moral Behaviour of free Agents, would be to the utmost Degree absurd.

5. Unless God foreknows the future Acts of Men's Wills, and their Behaviour as moral Agents, all those great Things which are foretold in both Old Testament and New concerning the Erection, Establishment, and universal Extent ⟨p. 106⟩of the Kingdom of the Messiah, were predicted and promised while God was in Ignorance whether any of these Things would come to pass or no, and did but guess at them. For that Kingdom is not of this World, it don't consist in Things external, but is within Men, and consists in the Dominion of Virtue in their Hearts, in Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and in these Things made manifest in Practice, to the Praise and Glory of God. The Messiah came to save Men from their Sins, and deliver them from their spiritual Enemies; that they might serve Him in Righteousness and Holiness before Him: He gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar People, zealous of good Works. And therefore his Success consists in gaining Men's Hearts to Virtue, in their being made God's willing People in the Day of his Power. His Conquest of his Enemies consists in his Victory over Men's Corruptions and Vices. And such Success, such Victory, and such a Reign and Dominion is often expressly foretold: That his Kingdom shall fill the Earth; that all People, Nations and Languages should serve and obey Him; and so, that all Nations should go up to the Mountain of the House of the Lord, that He might teach them his Ways, and that they might walk in his Paths: And that all Men should be drawn to Christ, and the Earth be full of the Knowledge of the Lord (by which, in the Style of Scripture, is meant true Virtue and Religion) as the Waters cover the Seas; that God's Law should be put into Men's inward Parts, and written in their Hearts; and that God's People should be all Righteous, &c. &c.