mankind may be in some measure subdued by the force of opposite principles. And whenever this is the case, it becomes necessary to shew that those principles are ill founded.

What is attempted in the following sheets, is,. to refute those principles of dæmonism, which have done so much discredit to the argument drawn from miracles in favour of the Jewish and Christian revelations. Without entering into an examination of the peculiar nature and circumstances of the Scripture miracles, I consider only the general question, Whether miracles are, in themselves, evidences of a divine interposition, and consequently (when properly applied) certain proofs of the divine original of supernatural revelation? Nor is it merely the credit of reve lation that is concerned in this question; but the. honour also of the general administration of divine providence, and the common interests of piety and virtue. And one would imagine that. all men would wish to see the affirmative of this question fully proved; for what can contribute more to our happiness, than the belief that the world is under the government of God alone; and that no created spirits, much less such as oppose his benevolent and wise designs, can disturb that course and order of things which he has established? With respect to the friends of revelation,

lation, there is this additional reason to dispose them in favour of this principle, that they must allow, that (at least) it facilitates the proof of revelation, and reduces it within a narrow compass; leaving them only the easy task of proving the truth of the miracles of the Gospel, in order to their fully establishing its divine original.

Notwithstanding many recommendations of this principle, I am sensible it must meet with opposition from the prejudices of mankind, which insensibly bias even upright inquirers after truth. Many are ready to acknowledge, that an opinion is not therefore false Lecause it contradicts received notions; and yet but few are duly sensible, how exceeding difficult it is to get rid of false opinions early entertained, constantly inculcated, and stamped with the authority of those who are most respected for their learning and abilities. Habits have as great an influence over the judg ments as over the actions of mankind.

The subject before us certainly deserves an impartial and attentive examination. And though the manner in which it is here handled may be liable to several objections, yet the author hopes for some indulgence from those who are acquainted with the difficulties with which the subject was embarrassed, and consider the compass necessary to be taken in treating it. One objec

tion it may be proper here to obviate, viz. “ that by maintaining that miracles, if they are not works peculiar to God, form no conclusive proof of a divine revelation, I give an advantage to infidélity.' To persons accustomed to follow truth wherever it leads, such language will seem rather

to require a rebuke than to deserve an answer. It is not the language of probity, but of policy, which has ever discouraged all inquiries after truth, and still continues to stop its progress in the world. This language betrays an unworthy suspicion of the Christian revelation, which, nobly conscious of the validity of its credentials, demands a rigorous examination, and must in the end be a gainer by it. If the tenets advanced in the fol lowing sheets are false, it is fit they should be detected; and if they are true, we may embrace them with safety; because truth will be always found consistent with itself. It is not however the doctrine which we assert, that gives advantage to infidelity, but that which we oppose, viz. "the power of other beings besides God to work miracles, even in opposition to heaven." While this principle is maintained, and maintained upon the credit of those very Scriptures whose authority it subverts; unbelievers, if we may judge by the experience of near two thousand years, will always reject the evidence of miracles

as

as inconclusive. If they are to be convinced, it must be done, I apprehend, in the method here attempted, by shewing them that this principle is as contrary to the sense of revelation as it is to the genuine dictates of reason; and consequently that miracles, being appropriate to God, constitute a certain proof of a divine mission, and are the most proper means of confirming and propagat-ing a new revelation.

I will only add, that it was never more necessary to do justice to revelation on this subject than in the present age, which is every day making such quick advances in the knowledge of nature. For hereby we are daily furnished with new proofs, that in the system of nature there is no combat of opposite powers; that all the parts of which. that system is composed, though infinitely various, act by uniform laws, and conspire together in carrying on the same design; and consequently. that they are under the constant direction of One almighty ruler. Will not the prejudices of unbelievers therefore be every day increasing, while men misrepresent revelation as teaching the con-trary doctrine?

ADVER

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

SECOND EDITION.

THE Editor of this work flatters himself that the present edition will be found correctly printed from a copy of that impression which passed under the superintendance of the author in the year 1771.

To the great care and attention of the printer he is much indebted for that accuracy which he trusts will be found through the whole volume, and which in very heavy notes, with frequent quotations in several dead languages, is not easily attained.

Every page of the new edition has been compared with the old, and the proper references made in the table of contents, which, in fact, is a sort of index to the volume. A new index is now also added of all the passages of Scripture explained or referred to in the course of the work, which it is presumed will. be found highly useful to the theological student.

Glocester Place,

Jan. 1, 1804.

J. J.