they are aiming per willing, in relation to friendly, of course mysterious researchs
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shall conquer them, and even the prince with whom he has made a covenant.
For having renewed the league with him, he shall work deceitfully, and enter
with a small people into his province, peaceably and without fear. He shall
take the fattest places, and shall do that which his fathers have not done,
and ravage on all sides. He shall forecast great devices during his time."
723. Prophecies.--The seventy weeks of Daniel are ambiguous as regards the
term of commencement, because of the terms of the prophecy; and as regards
the term of conclusion, because of the differences among chronologists. But
all this difference extends only to two hundred years.
724. Predictions.--That in the fourth monarchy, before the destruction of
the second temple, before the dominion of the Jews was taken away, in the
seventieth week of Daniel, during the continuance of the second temple, the
heathen should be instructed, and brought to the knowledge of the God
worshipped by the Jews; that those who loved Him should be delivered from
their enemies, and filled with His fear and love.
And it happened that in the fourth monarchy, before the destruction of the
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excellence? And is it not equally true that we experience every hour the
results of our deplorable condition? What does this chaos and monstrous
confusion proclaim to us but the truth of these two states, with a voice so
powerful that it is impossible to resist it?
436. Weakness.--Every pursuit of men is to get wealth; and they cannot have
a title to show that they possess it justly, for they have only that of
human caprice; nor have they strength to hold it securely. It is the same
with knowledge, for disease takes it away. We are incapable both of truth
and goodness.
437. We desire truth, and find within ourselves only uncertainty.
We seek happiness, and find only misery and death.
We cannot but desire truth and happiness, and are incapable of certainty or
happiness. This desire is left to us, partly to punish us, partly to make us
perceive wherefrom we are fallen.
438. If man is not made for God, why is he only happy in God? If man is made
for God, why is he so opposed to God?
439. Nature corrupted.--Man does not act by reason, which constitutes his
being.
440. The corruption of reason is shown by the existence of so many different
and extravagant customs. It was necessary that truth should come, in order
that man should no longer dwell within himself.
441. For myself, I confess that, so soon as the Christian religion reveals
the principle that human nature is corrupt and fallen from God, that opens
my eyes to see everywhere the mark of this truth: for nature is such that
she testifies everywhere, both within man and without him, to a lost God and
a corrupt nature.
442. Man's true nature, his true good,