thority of fome unknown perfon, or the truth of fome new doctrine. But if the pretended criterion, by which we are to determine, be itself doubtful and fallacious, what fatisfaction can it afford us in either of thofe cafes? At best it can serve only to raise our fufpicions, and provoke our contempt.

'Tis upon the fame account that miracles are in fcripture-language often called Signs, as they are intended for a testimony in matters of question and difpute. Now to bring that for an evidence, which is not clearer at least than the point to be evidenced by it, is confeffedly abfurd; fince whatfoever maketh any thing manifest must be light.

But I pafs on to the Second thing propofed, which was to point out the distinguishing marks and properties of a Divine Miracle.

2. It hath been granted that both good and bad Angels are capable of performing many wondrous works, which pafs man's comprehenfion : Such too as fhall have in them the effentials of a miracle before laid down; being fupernatural in themfelves, and obvious to the fenfes of thofe before whom they are wrought. 'Tis therefore abfolutely neceffary, in a matter of fo great importance, that we be poffeffed of fome infallible means of difcerning betwixt the finger of God and the machinations of Satan. And here, it is unquestionably certain, that the Holy and Eternal Spirit, who can neither be deceived himself nor deceive others, though He may fuffer unbelieving and inconfiderate men to be judicially impofed upon by lying wonders, hath always in referve fome peculiar circumftances of advantage, by which every honeft and ingenuous mind may be fully affured of the reality of his operations, even with fenfible difcern

ment.

ment. Such as proceed from Heaven can never fail to indicate their fource to every unprejudiced obferver; both from the excellence of their own nature, and of the end which they are defigned to promote.

As to the excellency of Divine Miracles in point of greatness, number, and other circumstances; the wonderful works wrought by Mofes, when compared with those which were indeed produced by the Magicians of Egypt, afford a notable and lafting example in this respect. The over-ruling Providence of God allowed the Devil with his Inftruments to proceed fo far in opposition to his fovereign authority, but no farther: Both equally for wife and good reasons ; (viz.) for the greater confirmation of his fuperior power, and to serve his own will by them. He in due time plainly enough declared himself on the fide of his true Legate, by caufing Aaron's Rod

to

to swallow up their Rods; and by removing the feveral plagues in an instant, at the entreaties of Mofes. And as thofe impotent Inchanters were by no means able to follow Him throughout all his workings, they were obliged at the fame time to confefs the finger of God in the inimitable fuperiority of them : Nor could they defend fo much as their own perfons from the contagion of heavenly vengeance. Thus did the miracles of the great Lawgiver remain triumphant ; and confequently his divine Legation ftands upon a more certain bafis, the fenfes themselves being judges.

But neither is the argument from Power the only one to be regarded in this matter: The good or ill purpose, to which fo extraordinary an exertion of it apparently tends, is likewife of main confideration. Every miracle from God must in all respects be worthy of it's Author: 'Tis the very feal of his testi

mony

mony to fome great and heavenly truth; and cannot ultimately be affixed to any perfon or doctrine in contradiction to his nature, his attributes, or revealed will. Should therefore our aftonishment be at any time excited through certain marvellous appearances, not otherwise to be distinguished from true miracles;

we

have a divine caution and rule for our

direction in fuch cafe-" If (faid God "If by his fervant Mofes) there arife among you a Prophet or a Dreamer of Dreams, and giveth thee a fign or a wonder, and the fign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, faying, let us go after other Gods which thou haft not known, and let us ferve them, thou fhalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet. For the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your foul." It were indeed inexcufable for the People of Ifrael to have listened to any pretended Prophet,

how