A Dissertation on Miracles

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary Considerations, p. 1.

SECTION I.

THE nature of miracles explained, and shewn to consist in

their contrariety to those general rules by which the visible world is governed; or to the common course of events in it, p. 2. This account cleared from objections, p. 3. Four conclusions from it, p. 11.

SECTION II.

Miracles not impossible to the power of God, p. 14. Nor necessarily repugnant to our ideas of his wisdom and immutability, p. 18. Neither do they imply any inconsistency in the divine conduct, or any defect or disturbance of the laws of nature, p. 21.

P. 22.

SECTION III.

Of the different causes to which miracles have been ascribed, Ist. Miracles unjustly considered by some as the effects of the secret powers of nature, ib. Easily distinguished from the wonders both of nature and art, p. 26. 2dly.. The opinion of those who ascribe miracles to superior created intelligences acting without a special commission from God, stated, p. 27. 3dly. An examination of the opinion of those who appropriate all real miracles to God, as works which are supposed to require the immediate exertion of divine omnipotence; while at the same time they allow superior spirits, both good and evil, a power of performing very great wonders, p. 28. and suppose.

the

the devil counterfeits true miracles, and deceives the senses

of mankind, p. 30.-What is here proposed, is, to prove

that miracles can never be effected without a divine interposition,

and are in themselves authentic evidences of a revelation from

God, p. 31.

CHAPTER II.

Arguments from Reason, to prove that Miracles

are never performed without a Divine Interposi-

tion, p. 33..

SECTION I.

The same arguments, which prove the existence of superior

created intelligences, do much more strongly conclude against.

their acting out of their proper sphere, p. 34. 1. The argu-

ment from the gradation of being in our system, ib.
2. The

argument from the perfections of God, and the magnificence of

the universe, p. 38. The objection from the spiritual and

invisible nature of superior beings answered, p. 39. A power

of moving matter, not essential to all spirits, p. 40.. As reason.

makes known to us only one almighty Being, who can cer-

tainly work miracles, it is most natural to refer these works to

him, p. 43.

SECTION II.

No proper evidence of the truth of any miracles, but such as

might have God for their author, p. 44. The supposition of

the power of any created agents to work miracles in this lower

world without a divine commission, contrary to our own personal

observation and experience, p. 45. Nor does it appear that

history has transmitted to us any miracles worthy of credit, but

such as might fitly be ascribed to God, ib. Several general rea-

sons for rejecting all miracles that could not have God for their

author, p. 47. If superior beings never exert, it is unnatural

to suppose they possess, a miraculous power, p. 51. The ob-

jection, "that God may lay created spirits under a general

but not under an universal restraint," considered, p. 52. ·

SECTION III.

The laws of nature being the immediate ordinance or operation of

God, the rule of his government, and essential to the order and

happiness of the world; it is impossible that God should dele-

gate to any of his creatures a power of working miracles, by

which those divine establishments may be superseded and con-

trolled, p. 56.

SECTION IV..

The ascribing to any superior beings, besides God, and those

immediately commissioned by him, the power of working

miracles, destroys the evidence of the existence and providence
of God, p. 61; is hurtful to true piety, p. 63; and a fruitful
source of idolatry and superstition, p. 64. Christians too nearly
resemble the Pagans, who deified the principle of evil, ib.

SECTION V.

If miracles were performed in favour of false doctrines, mankind

would be exposed to frequent and unavoidable delusion, p. 67.

Of the natural impression of miracles, when performed in

attestation of a professed mission, P. 68. Whether miracles

may accompany a false doctrine, for the trial of mankind, p. 112.

Whether, in this case, the nature of the doctrine would uni-

versally secure mankind from deception, p. 73.
What conse-

quences might be expected to follow, from miracles wrought in

support of idolatry, p. 74; or vice, p. 76. God will not subject

mankind to necessary delusion, p. 77.

If miracles may

SECTION VI.

be performed without a divine interposition, and

support
of falsehood, they cannot be, in themselves, authentic

credentials of a divine mission, and criterions of truth, p. 79.

Whether,

Whether, in case of a contest between two opposite parties

working miracles for victory, the party that works the most and
greatest miracles is espoused by God, p. 81. Whether, in case
miracles prove only the interposition of some superior being, the
doctrine will enable us to determine who that being is, p. 84.
The proper and immediate intention of miracles could not be
answered, if they did not appear to be divine works, previous
to our examination of the doctrine they attest, p. 86. God
must therefore have reserved to himself the power of miracles,
p. 88. Recapitulation, ib.

CHAPTER III.

Arguments from Revelation, to prove that Miracles

are, in themselves, certain Evidences of a Divine

Interposition, p. 91.

SECTION I.

The view which the Scripture gives us of angels, both gool and

evil, and of the souls of departed men, inconsistent with their

liberty of working miracles, p. 91.

I. Concerning angels in general, and good angels, ib.

II. Concerning fallen angels, and their state as described by

St. Peter and St. Jude, p. 94. Their presidency over distinct

regions of the world cannot be proved from what occurs