words, he may as easily work a miracle, and "perform a new thing" in the earth, as he may perfevere in the old, common way, and keep things on in their ordinary course. For the ordinary and extraordinary are equally in his power, and equally fubject to his will and controul. For no man will contend, that it requires more or greater power to top or alter the motions of the planets, than it does to carry them round in their orbits. No man will contend, that it requires a greater power to deluge the earth, or to divide the fea, than it did at firft to create them; and does ftill to preferve them in their prefent state. No man will contend, that it requires a greater power to restore life to a body when dead, than to give life to a body that before never lived. Or, if any one hould be difpofed to contend these points; yet he cannot deny, but that infinite power is able to perform them.

Hence then it follows, that miracles are poffible; that the Ruler of the world may counteract the laws, or alter the course of it,

when he fees proper. But when it may be proper for him to act in such a manner, we are not always competent judges. This however we may judge, that in general and common cafes, he will always act according to the general and common course of things as that courfe will be fufficient to answer the great and ultimate end of all his actionsthe production of the common and general good.

But, to come to my fecond point,

If any extraordinary occafions fhould arife, which require extraordinary provifions; then it is probable that he will make those provi fions for them in fome extraordinary way; that is, he will probably perform miracles. For MIRACLES ARE EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS PRODUCED UPON EXTRAORDINARY

OCCASIONS. And that fuch occafions may arife, both in the natural and moral world, 'tis an eafy matter to conceive. In the natural world, the attraction of bodies may bring on fuch irregularities, as can no otherwife be adjusted, than by the hand of Him who first formed it. And in the moral

* NEWTON'S Optics, Query 31. p. 378.

world,

world, the corruption of free agents may occafion fuch enormities, as can only be rectified by the interpofition of Providence.

In fuch circumftances therefore, where it feems neceffary that God, both as preserver and governor of the world, should interpofe for its fupport and welfare; it is very probable he may have interpofed: and more ef pecially in matters relating to true religion. For fince he is peculiarly concerned for the happiness, and, as the means of it, for the moral improvement, of mankind; if men, by a wrong use of their liberty, should plunge themselves into vice and wretchednefs if, in that ftate of ignorance and errour, inftead of being able to recover themfelves, they should continually fink into still worfe and worfe condition: what can you conceive more probable, than that God should interpofe, by some signal act of his providence, to reclaim them to the practice of virtue and religion; and thereby restore them to the capacity of attaining that happinefs, for which they were originally defigned?

E 4

If

66

If real piety and moral virtue, with the religious knowledge that is neceffary to them, are objects worthy of the divine attention; and if these were in danger of perishing utterly out of the world; " why fhould it be thought a thing incredible, that God" fhould commiffion proper perfons to republish the doctrines, and enforce the duties of religion and morality, with clear and exprefs authority? This commiffion of the prophets would be in itself miraculous: but then the miracle would not appear openly to the world: and therefore fome other miracles, obvious and fenfible, would be neceffary to atteft its truth. Superior knowledge and virtue are not alone fufficient to characterize a prophet. He must also " do fuch things, as no man can do, except God were with him," before his prophetic character will be established, and himself be acknowledged as a divine teacher!. And therefore we may conclude, that every prophet, employed upon any extraordinary meffage, would be endowed with this power of See Dr. ADAMS's Effay on Miracles, p. 33.

working

working miracles, as well in confirmation of his own miffion, as in fupport of the doctrines he had in charge to teach TM.

And if it should appear from the history of the world, that fuch good ends have in fact been answered by them: if it should appear, for example, that religion and morality, when just expiring, had been revived. by the help of these miracles; had been established among feveral nations; and in a way likely to gain farther ground: this will be a strong prefumption in their favour. And if it should farther appear, that there is no other affignable caufe, which could bring about this great event, but the miracles recorded to have been wrought for the purpofe; this will be a good proof, that they were accordingly wrought; and actually performed with that intention ".

What a strange conduct therefore must it be in our adverfary, to allow that "miracles may be possible; nay, and probable too; provided they have nothing to do with religion."

m STILLINGFLEET's Origin. Sacræ, b. II. ch. vi. § 15.