is it in his power to confer knowledge of future events.  There are differences of gifts, says the Apostle, but one and the same spirit; whence Peter, in his second Epistle, writes, “For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man, but men spake as if they were inspired by the Holy Ghost:” to the same effect did the Chaldeans answer king Nebuchadonazar on the interpretation of his dream, which he wished to extort from them.  “There is not,” say they, “a man upon earth who can, O king, satisfactorily answer your question; let no king therefore, however great or potent, make a similar request to any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean; for it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the Gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”  On this passage Jerome remarks, “The diviners and all the learned of this world confess, that the prescience of future events belongs to God alone; the prophets therefore, who foretold things to come, spake by the spirit of God.  Hence some persons object, that, if they were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they would sometimes premise, “Thus saith the Lord God,” or make use of some expression in the prophetic style; and as such a mode of prophesying is not taken notice of by Merlin, and no mention is made of his sanctity, devotion, or faith, many think that he spake by a Pythonic spirit.  To which I answer, that the spirit of prophecy was given not only to the holy, but sometimes to unbelievers and Gentiles, to Baal, to the sibyls, and even to bad people, as to Caiaphas and Bela.  On which occasion Origen says: “Do not wonder, if he whom ye have mentioned declares that the Scribes and Pharisees and doctors amongst the Jews prophesied concerning Christ; for Caiaphas said: “It is expedient for us that one man die for the people:” but asserts at the same time, that because he was high priest for that year, he prophesied.  Let no man therefore be lifted up, if he prophesies, if he merits prescience; for prophecies shall fail, tongues shall cease, knowledge shall vanish away; and now abideth, faith, hope, and charity: these three; but the greatest of these is Charity, which never faileth.  But these bad men not only prophesied, but sometimes performed great miracles, which others could not accomplish.  John the Baptist, who was so great a personage, performed no miracle, as John the Evangelist testifies: “And many came to Jesus and said, Because John wrought no signs,” etc.  Nor do we hear that the mother of God performed any miracle; we read in the Acts of the Apostles, that the sons of Sheva cast out devils in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached; and in Matthew and Luke we may find these words: “Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then I will profess unto them, I never knew you.”  And in another place, John says: “Master, we saw a certain man casting out devils in thy name, and forbade him, because he followeth not with us.”  But Jesus said: “Forbid him not; no man can do a miracle in my name, and speak evil of me; for whoever is not against me, is for me.”