INSPIRATION, among divines, implies the con-
veying of certain extraordinary and supernatural notices or motions into the soul. ||
Some authors reduce the inspiration of the sacred writers to a particular care of providence, which prevented any thing they had said from failing or coming to nought; maintaining, that they never were really inspired, either with knowledge or expression.
According to M. Simon, inspiration is no more than a direction of the Holy Spirit, which never permitted the sacred writers to be mistaken.
It is a common opinion, that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit regards only the matter, not the style or words; which seems to fall in with M. Simon's doctrine of direction.
Among the heathens, the priests and priestesses were said to be divinely inspired when they gave oracles.
The poets, too, laid claim to it; and to this end always invoked Apollo and the muses at the beginning of any great work.