Kings, and Princes, is human. The authority of Councils, Synods, Bishops, and Presbyters, is human. The authority of the Prophets is divine, and comprehends the sum of religion, reckoning _Moses_ and the Apostles among the Prophets; and _if an Angel from Heaven preach any other gospel_, than what they have delivered, _let him be accursed_. Their writings contain the covenant between God and his people, with instructions for keeping this covenant; instances of God's judgments upon them that break it: and predictions of things to come. While the people of God keep the covenant, they continue to be his people: when they break it they cease to be his people or church, and become _the Synagogue of Satan, who say they are _Jews_ and are not._ And no power on earth is authorized to alter this covenant. The predictions of things to come relate to the state of the Church in all ages: and amongst the old Prophets, _Daniel_ is most distinct in order of time, and easiest to be understood: and therefore in those things which relate to the last times, he must be made the key to the rest. Notes to Chap. I. [1] 2 Chron. xxxiii. 5, 6, 7. [2] 2 Chron. xxxiv. [3] 2 Chron. xii. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9. & xv. 3, 5, 6. [4] 2 Chron. xiv. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12. [5] 2 Chron. xv. 3, 12, 13, 16, 18. [6] 2 Kings xvii. 27, 28, 32, 33. [7] 2 Kings xvii. 34, 41. [8] Gen. xxxvi. 31. * * * * * CHAP. II. _Of the Prophetic Language._ For understanding the Prophecies, we are, in the first place, to acquaint our-selves with the figurative language of the Prophets. This language is taken from the analogy between the world natural, and an empire or kingdom considered as a world politic.