The same _Peter Martyr_ also saith, that the divell maie suspect, but not know our thoughts: for if he should know our thoughts, he should understand our faith; which if he did, he would never assalt us with one temptation. Indeed we read that _Samuel_ could tell where things lost were straied, &c: but we see that gift also ceased by the comming of Christ, according to the saieng of _Paule_; At sundrie times, and in diverse maners God spake in the old times by our fathers the prophets, in these last daies he hath spoken unto us by his sonne, &c. And therefore I saie that gift of prophesie, wherewith God in times past endued his people, is also ceased, and counterfeits and couseners are come in their places, according to this saieng of _Peter_: There were false prophets among the people, even as there shalbe false teachers among you, &c. And thinke not that so notable a gift should be taken from the beloved and elect people of God, and committed to mother _Bungie_, and such like of hir profession. ♦_P. Martyr. in loc. comm._♦ ♦Hebr. 1, 8. & 2.♦ ♦2. Pet. 2. 1.♦ The words of the prophet _Zacharie_ are plaine, touching the ceasing both of the good and bad prophet, to wit: I will cause the prophets and uncleane spirits to depart out of the land, and when anie shall yet prophesie, his parents shall saie to him; Thou shalt not live, for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his parents shall thrust him through when he prophesieth, &c. No, no: the foretelling of things to come, is the onelie worke of God, who disposeth all things sweetlie, of whose counsell there hath never yet beene anie man. And to know our labours, the times and moments God hath placed in his owne power. Also _Phavorinus_ saith, that if these cold prophets or oraclers tell thee prosperitie, and deceive thee, thou art made a miser through vaine expectation: if they tell thee of adversitie, &c: and lie, thou art made a miser through vaine feare. And therefore I saie, we maie as well looke to heare prophesies at the tabernacle, in the bush, of the cherubin, among the clouds, from the angels, within the arke, or out of the flame, &c: as to expect an oracle of a prophet in these daies. ♦Zach. 13.♦ ♦_J. Chrysost. in evang. Johan. hom. 18._ _Pet. Blest. epist. 49._♦ But put the case, that one in our common wealth should step up and saie he were a prophet (as manie frentike persons doo) who would beleeve him, or not thinke rather that he were a lewd person? See the statutes _Elizab._ 5. whether there be not lawes made against them, condemning their arrogancie and cousenage: see also the canon lawes to the same effect. ♦_Canon. de. malef. & mathemat._♦ The third Chapter. _That Oracles are ceased._