miracle_n no_o uiolation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n quid_fw-la non_fw-la miraculo_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la primum_fw-la in_o notitiam_fw-la venit_fw-la plinius_n histor._n nat._n lib._n 7._o cap._n 1._o london_n print_v for_o robert_n sollers_n at_o the_o king_n arm_n and_o bible_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1683._o premonition_n to_o the_o candid_a reader_n it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a theologue_n among_o the_o modern_n that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o they_o speak_v of_o natural_a thing_n do_v not_o design_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o physical_a speculation_n and_o the_o science_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n but_o aim_v only_o to_o excite_v pious_a affection_n in_o their_o breast_n and_o to_o induce_v they_o to_o the_o worship_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o true_a god_n who_o they_o celebrate_v in_o their_o write_n who_o power_n and_o goodness_n they_o therefore_o take_v all_o fair_a occasion_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o may_v from_o as_o well_o the_o natural_a as_o civil_a order_n of_o thing_n establish_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o reader_n a_o right_a and_o firm_a belief_n thereof_o this_o then_o be_v the_o only_a end_n they_o propose_v to_o themselves_o they_o find_v themselves_o oblige_v so_o to_o explicate_v the_o visible_a work_n of_o god_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o relate_v as_o that_o they_o may_v not_o by_o novity_n and_o insolency_n appear_v too_o remote_a and_o abhorrent_n from_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o preconceived_a opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a to_o who_o narrow_a capacity_n and_o grovel_a wit_n they_o be_v always_o to_o condescend_v yea_o even_o to_o wrest_v the_o general_a cause_n and_o end_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o people_n prejudices_fw-la as_o if_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o universe_n be_v ordain_v only_o for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n nor_o can_v it_o conduce_v to_o this_o their_o principal_a purpose_n to_o insist_v upon_o second_o cause_n or_o defer_v much_o to_o their_o efficacy_n but_o rather_o in_o all_o contingent_n or_o event_n to_o recur_v immediate_o to_o god_n himself_o the_o first_o cause_n author_n and_o precedent_n of_o nature_n omit_v to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o that_o apparatus_fw-la and_o long_a series_n of_o cause_n which_o philosopher_n use_v to_o remark_n in_o explicate_v the_o phenomena_n of_o nature_n and_o which_o nature_n herself_o use_v in_o their_o production_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o these_o pious_a writer_n compendious_o refer_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n and_o to_o his_o irresistible_a will_n and_o command_n leave_v man_n to_o learn_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o right_a reason_n which_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v it_o that_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o that_o all_o her_o law_n be_v his_o eternal_a decree_n for_o their_o business_n be_v not_o to_o treat_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n as_o i_o say_v before_o but_o to_o convince_v the_o unthinking_a multitude_n that_o god_n be_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n that_o universal_a nature_n be_v obedient_a to_o his_o will_n and_o that_o his_o providence_n preside_v over_o and_o govern_v all_o thing_n as_o well_o natural_a as_o bumane_a which_o he_o so_o dispose_v and_o accommodate_n as_o to_o make_v they_o conspire_v to_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o follow_v piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o to_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o impious_a and_o vicious_a and_o the_o multitude_n be_v to_o be_v convince_v not_o by_o lead_v their_o reason_n with_o a_o long_a chain_n of_o premise_n and_o conclusion_n theological_a but_o by_o surprise_v their_o imagination_n and_o accommodate_v event_n to_o their_o common_a opinion_n however_o unreasonable_a in_o themselves_o this_o well_o consider_v as_o we_o be_v not_o to_o admire_v if_o we_o find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n many_o memorable_a thing_n relate_v as_o miracle_n which_o yet_o notwith_o stand_v proceed_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n and_o necessary_o flow_v from_o a_o series_n of_o cause_n ordain_v according_a to_o her_o eternal_a law_n that_o be_v from_o god_n decree_n so_o ought_v we_o not_o rash_o to_o accuse_v any_o man_n of_o infidelity_n only_o because_o he_o refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o those_o miracle_n be_v effect_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n such_o as_o be_v not_o only_o inconsistent_a with_o but_o point_v blank_a repugnant_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n which_o he_o in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n have_v make_v and_o make_v so_o ample_a and_o fertile_a as_o to_o extend_v to_o the_o certain_a production_n of_o whatever_o event_n he_o have_v will_v and_o decree_v for_o first_o among_o the_o many_o miracle_n relate_v to_o be_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v i_o think_v no_o one_o that_o can_v be_v apodictical_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n of_o nature_n and_o then_o the_o power_n of_o god_n be_v infinite_a that_o of_o nature_n must_v be_v so_o too_o because_o one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o the_o power_n of_o god_n but_o humane_a understanding_n be_v finite_a and_o consequent_o incapable_a to_o know_v how_o far_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n extend_v themselves_o in_o a_o word_n therefore_o if_o by_o a_o miracle_n in_o the_o general_n you_o understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o certain_a work_n or_o effect_v the_o cause_n of_o which_o can_v be_v explicate_v by_o man_n ignorant_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n i_o acknowledge_v many_o such_o miracle_n to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o all_o age_n and_o among_o all_o nation_n nay_o more_o if_o by_o a_o miracle_n you_o mean_v that_o the_o cause_n whereof_o transcend_v the_o capacity_n even_o of_o the_o most_o acute_a and_o profound_a philosopher_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o among_o the_o many_o thing_n relate_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o miracle_n some_o be_v find_v that_o in_o this_o sense_n also_o may_v deserve_v that_o name_n because_o i_o do_v not_o measure_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n by_o the_o unequal_a line_n of_o humane_a wit._n but_o if_o you_o will_v have_v a_o miracle_n to_o be_v such_o a_o rare_a effect_n which_o be_v absolute_o above_o or_o which_o real_o be_v all_o one_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o can_v possible_o follow_v from_o she_o fix_v and_o immutable_a order_n then_o i_o dare_v not_o believe_v that_o any_o such_o miracle_n have_v ever_o happen_v in_o nature_n lest_o i_o oppose_v god_n to_o god_n that_o be_v admit_v that_o god_n change_v his_o own_o decree_n which_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o know_v to_o be_v impossible_a if_o you_o candid_a reader_n know_v so_o too_o i_o have_v already_o say_v more_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o innocent_a discourse_n and_o therefore_o acquiesce_v in_o hope_n of_o be_v right_o understand_v of_o miracle_n by_o miracle_n be_v understand_v the_o admirable_a or_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n but_o because_o man_n follow_v their_o own_o natural_a reason_n be_v wont_a to_o doubt_v whether_o what_o be_v by_o a_o prophet_n deliver_v for_o the_o command_n of_o god_n be_v true_o the_o command_n of_o god_n or_o not_o miracle_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n be_v call_v sign_n as_o signify_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o also_o in_o ethnic_a writer_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o be_v call_v ostenta_fw-la and_o portenta_fw-la as_o show_v or_o portend_v the_o divine_a will_n concern_v thing_n to_o come_v that_o we_o may_v therefore_o understand_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v we_o must_v observe_v what_o work_v those_o be_v which_o man_n general_o admire_v or_o wonder_v at_o the_o thing_n than_o that_o cause_n man_n to_o admire_v any_o work_n or_o remarkable_a effect_n be_v only_o two_o one_o be_v if_o that_o work_n be_v rare_a the_o like_a whereof_o they_o have_v seldom_o or_o never_o see_v do_v before_o the_o other_o if_o after_o thè_z work_n be_v do_v they_o can_v conceive_v it_o to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o natural_a cause_n but_o only_o by_o the_o immediate_a operation_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o the_o fact_n however_o rare_a it_o be_v or_o if_o we_o have_v often_o see_v the_o like_a do_v before_o though_o we_o do_v not_o conceive_v the_o natural_a cause_n thereof_o we_o no_o long_o admire_v it_o nor_o call_v it_o a_o miracle_n quae_fw-la usu_fw-la quotidiano_fw-la novimus_fw-la &_o frequenti_fw-la experientia_fw-la ea_fw-la neque_fw-la admiramur_fw-la neque_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la causas_fw-la investigandas_fw-la multum_fw-la excitari_fw-la solemus_fw-la
quanquam_fw-la saepe_fw-la occultiores_fw-la sint_fw-la inventuque_fw-la difficiliores_fw-la aliis_fw-la quae_fw-la ob_fw-la raritatem_fw-la hominum_fw-la studia_fw-la &_o animos_fw-la maximè_fw-la occupant_fw-la thus_o for_o example_n if_o we_o shall_v hear_v a_o ox_n or_o horse_n speak_v we_o shall_v call_v it_o a_o miracle_n because_o rare_a and_o of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o imagine_v a_o natural_a cause_n thus_o also_o in_o the_o generation_n of_o animal_n every_o unusual_a error_n or_o deviation_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v hold_v for_o a_o miracle_n but_o if_o a_o man_n or_o any_o other_o animal_n generate_v his_o like_a in_o specie_fw-la though_o we_o be_v equal_o ignorant_a how_o this_o and_o that_o be_v perform_v we_o do_v not_o take_v it_o for_o a_o miracle_n also_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v transform_v into_o a_o stone_n it_o will_v be_v a_o miracle_n because_o rare_a but_o if_o wood_n shall_v be_v convert_v into_o a_o stone_n because_o such_o conversion_n be_v often_o see_v it_o be_v no_o miracle_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o we_o be_v as_o ignorant_a how_o god_n effect_n that_o conversion_n in_o wood_n as_o how_o he_o effect_n it_o in_o a_o man._n the_o rainbow_n that_o first_o appear_v in_o the_o sky_n be_v a_o miracle_n because_o the_o first_o that_o be_v the_o like_a have_v never_o be_v see_v before_o and_o because_o it_o be_v show_v by_o god_n for_o a_o sign_n to_o signify_v that_o the_o world_n shall_v never_o again_o be_v destroy_v by_o a_o deluge_n but_o at_o this_o day_n because_o rain-bow_n be_v often_o see_v no_o man_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o miracle_n again_o many_o wonderful_a work_n be_v produce_v by_o humane_a art_n yet_o because_o after_o they_o be_v effect_v we_o come_v to_o understand_v how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_n we_o therefore_o not_o account_v they_o for_o miracle_n for_o admiration_n depend_v for_o the_o most_o part_n upon_o man_n knowledge_n and_o experience_n so_o that_o what_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o miracle_n to_o one_o man_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v so_o to_o another_o and_o unskilful_a and_o superstitious_a man_n be_v wont_a to_o take_v for_o great_a miracle_n those_o thing_n which_o the_o learned_a and_o well_o experience_v do_v not_o at_o all_o admire_v eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n have_v in_o time_n past_o be_v mistake_v for_o supernatural_a effect_n and_o prodigy_n by_o the_o vulgar_a while_o learned_a astronomer_n understand_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o they_o have_v certain_o predict_v they_o also_o cunning_a man_n confederate_a among_o themselves_o close_o inquire_v into_o and_o discover_v some_o secret_a action_n of_o a_o unwary_a and_o simple_a man_n and_o afterward_o relate_v they_o to_o he_o have_v be_v hold_v in_o great_a admiration_n as_o if_o they_o have_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o secret_n by_o supernatural_a mean_n by_o divine_a revelation_n at_o least_o when_o the_o same_o confederate_n have_v not_o be_v able_a so_o easy_o to_o impose_v upon_o wary_a and_o prudent_a person_n admiration_n then_o we_o see_v be_v general_o great_a or_o less_o according_a to_o the_o various_a degree_n of_o science_n and_o observation_n among_o man_n the_o most_o ignorant_a be_v most_o prone_a to_o wonder_v and_o the_o cause_n of_o admiration_n which_o many_o time_n make_v a_o miracle_n of_o what_o be_v pure_o natural_a we_o have_v find_v to_o be_v rarity_n and_o ignorance_n ii_o if_o this_o disquisition_n be_v yet_o a_o little_a far_o pursue_v it_o will_v soon_o appear_v that_o superstition_n also_o contribute_v large_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o miracle_n for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v natural_o prone_a to_o be_v agitate_a betwixt_o fear_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o future_a the_o two_o grand_a passion_n that_o govern_v humane_a life_n thence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o they_o very_o often_o fancy_v a_o certain_a extraordinary_a divine_a power_n in_o all_o contingent_n which_o be_v unusual_a and_o the_o natural_a cause_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v as_o if_o those_o contingent_n certain_o proceed_v not_o from_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n but_o from_o a_o immediate_a operation_n of_o god_n transcend_v or_o change_v that_o order_n and_o that_o they_o presignify_v some_o good_a or_o evil_a fortune_n to_o themselves_o for_o the_o vulgar_a think_v that_o the_o power_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v then_o most_o apparent_a when_o they_o observe_v any_o event_n unusual_a in_o nature_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v from_o custom_n conceive_v of_o nature_n chief_o if_o the_o event_n seem_v to_o promise_v any_o thing_n of_o commodity_n or_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o imagine_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o supreme_a be_v can_v be_v by_o no_o way_n better_o prove_v than_o by_o the_o inversion_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o suppose_v to_o happen_v in_o all_o unusual_a event_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o common_a head_n always_o accuse_v those_o philosopher_n of_o atheism_n and_o design_n to_o extirpate_v the_o belief_n of_o god_n at_o least_o of_o his_o providence_n who_o endeavour_n to_o explicate_v what_o they_o call_v miracle_n by_o natural_a cause_n and_o study_v to_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o they_o erroneous_o conceive_v that_o god_n forsooth_o remain_v idle_a while_o nature_n act_n in_o her_o usual_a order_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v suspend_v and_o the_o action_n of_o all_o natural_a cause_n arrest_v or_o frustrate_v while_o god_n act_n thus_o they_o form_n in_o their_o brain_n confuse_v notion_n of_o two_o distinct_a power_n one_o of_o god_n other_o of_o nature_n which_o yet_o they_o allow_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o god_n but_o what_o to_o understand_v by_o either_o of_o these_o power_n and_o wherein_o the_o difference_n they_o suppose_v consist_v they_o know_v not_o only_o this_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o the_o unusual_a work_n of_o nature_n be_v miracle_n or_o the_o work_v of_o god_n and_o partly_o out_o of_o blind_a devotion_n i._n e._n superstition_n partly_o from_o a_o itch_n of_o oppose_v wise_a man_n that_o study_v nature_n law_n and_o constitution_n they_o please_v themselves_o in_o their_o ignorance_n and_o think_v they_o please_v god_n too_o with_o their_o affect_a admiration_n not_o consider_v how_o much_o they_o derogate_v from_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n while_o they_o conceive_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n by_o he_o make_v and_o establish_v insufficient_a to_o effect_v all_o thing_n he_o have_v decree_v to_o produce_v for_o the_o end_n in_o order_n to_o which_o he_o ordain_v they_o without_o variation_n iii_o this_o popular_a error_n seem_v to_o derive_v its_o original_a from_o the_o primitive_a jew_n who_o that_o they_o may_v convince_v the_o ethnic_n of_o their_o time_n who_o adore_v visible_a god_n the_o sun_n moon_n earth_n water_n air_n etc._n etc._n and_o show_v they_o that_o those_o god_n be_v weak_a and_o inconstant_a or_o mutable_a and_o under_o the_o command_n of_o the_o invisible_a god_n who_o themselves_o worship_v recount_v to_o they_o the_o miracle_n he_o have_v wrought_v for_o their_o sake_n as_o cogent_a argument_n that_o all_o nature_n be_v by_o his_o superintendency_n and_o command_n direct_v only_o to_o their_o commodity_n and_o advantage_n other_o nation_n the_o while_n have_v not_o a_o equal_a share_n of_o his_o providence_n a_o persuasion_n so_o agreeable_a and_o grateful_a to_o man_n that_o to_o this_o day_n they_o have_v not_o cease_v to_o feign_v miracle_n in_o favour_n of_o themselves_o that_o other_o may_v believe_v they_o to_o be_v more_o belove_v by_o god_n and_o dear_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o his_o providence_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n yea_o more_o the_o final_a cause_n for_o which_o he_o at_o first_o create_v and_o continual_o direct_v all_o thing_n what_o do_v not_o the_o folly_n of_o the_o vulgar_a arrogate_v to_o itself_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o sound_a conception_n or_o thought_n concern_v either_o god_n or_o nature_n confound_v the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n with_o the_o mutable_a placit_n of_o man_n and_o feign_a nature_n to_o be_v so_o narrow_a and_o limit_v as_o that_o man_n be_v the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n iv._o have_v from_o this_o brief_a enquiry_n learned_a what_o be_v general_o understand_v by_o the_o word_n miracle_n what_o be_v the_o opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o vulgar_a concern_v miracle_n and_o whence_o those_o opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la have_v proceed_v urge_v as_o well_o by_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n which_o be_v never_o propagate_v by_o erroneous_a conception_n of_o his_o nature_n power_n wisdom_n and_o providence_n as_o by_o charity_n for_o the_o unlearned_a part_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v always_o by_o ignorance_n seduce_v into_o superstition_n i_o resolve_v to_o endeavour_v by_o a_o few_o plain_a reason_n to_o show_v the_o unsoundness_n yea_o the_o
which_o they_o can_v be_v change_v to_o we_o at_o least_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o we_o conclude_v upon_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n from_o they_o they_o ought_v to_o appear_v such_o if_o we_o will_v secure_v our_o conclusion_n from_o all_o possible_a doubt_n for_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v that_o those_o notion_n may_v be_v change_v by_o any_o power_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v then_o shall_v we_o doubt_v of_o their_o verity_n and_o consequent_o of_o that_o of_o our_o conclusion_n also_o namely_o of_o god_n existence_n nor_o can_v we_o ever_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o other_o thing_n whatever_o beside_o this_o we_o know_v not_o this_o or_o that_o thing_n to_o be_v according_a to_o nature_n or_o repugnant_a to_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v evince_v the_o same_o to_o be_v convenient_a or_o repugnant_a to_o those_o fundamental_a notion_n or_o principle_n wherefore_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v any_o thing_n in_o nature_n possible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o power_n whatever_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o nature_n that_o thing_n will_v be_v repugnant_a to_o those_o first_o notion_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v reject_v as_o absurd_a or_o else_o as_o be_v just_a now_o intimate_v we_o must_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o first_o notion_n and_o by_o consequence_n also_o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n what_o ever_o and_o howsoever_o perceive_v miracle_n then_o if_o understand_v to_o be_v work_v repugnant_a to_o the_o fix_a order_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o far_o from_o evince_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o will_v make_v we_o doubt_v of_o it_o when_o without_o they_o we_o may_v be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o same_o know_v that_o all_o thing_n in_o nature_n follow_v a_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n but_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o what_o can_v be_v explicate_v by_o natural_a cause_n be_v a_o miracle_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v two_o way_n either_o as_o that_o which_o have_v indeed_o natural_a cause_n but_o such_o as_o can_v be_v investigate_v by_o humane_a understanding_n or_o as_o that_o which_o have_v no_o cause_n but_o only_o the_o will_n of_o god_n now_o because_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o natural_a cause_n be_v do_v also_o by_o the_o sole_a power_n and_o will_n of_o god_n we_o be_v under_o a_o plain_a necessity_n of_o come_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o a_o miracle_n whether_o it_o be_v effect_v by_o natural_a cause_n or_o not_o be_v a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n but_o from_o a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n we_o can_v know_v nothing_o for_o whatever_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v must_v come_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o either_o by_o itself_o or_o by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v therefore_o from_o a_o miracle_n or_o work_n that_o transcend_v our_o capacity_n we_o can_v understand_v neither_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n nor_o his_o existence_n nor_o his_o providence_n nor_o any_o thing_n else_o concern_v he_o or_o his_o minister_n nature_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a since_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v determine_v and_o decree_v by_o god_n that_o the_o operation_n of_o nature_n follow_v from_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o eternal_a decree_n and_o volition_n of_o god_n we_o be_v oblige_v absolute_o to_o conclude_v that_o we_o so_o much_o the_o better_a know_v god_n and_o his_o will_n by_o how_o much_o the_o better_o we_o know_v natural_a thing_n and_o more_o clear_o understand_v how_o they_o depend_v upon_o their_o first_o cause_n and_o how_o they_o operate_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a law_n of_o nature_n wherefore_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o understanding_n those_o work_n that_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v be_v with_o much_o more_o right_a to_o be_v call_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v refer_v to_o his_o will_n than_o those_o we_o do_v not_o at_o all_o understand_v although_o they_o strong_o exercise_v the_o imagination_n and_o ravish_v man_n into_o admiration_n of_o they_o forasmuch_o as_o only_o those_o work_n of_o nature_n which_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v render_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n more_o sublime_a and_o most_o clear_o show_v his_o will_n and_o decree_n they_o therefore_o that_o when_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v a_o thing_n have_v recourse_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n talk_v impertinent_o show_v more_o of_o bigotry_n than_o wit_n and_o ridiculous_o profess_v their_o ignorance_n viii_o moreover_o can_v we_o conclude_v any_o thing_n from_o miracle_n yet_o we_o can_v never_o thence_o conclude_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n for_o since_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o work_n limit_v and_o never_o imply_v any_o but_o a_o certain_a and_o limit_a power_n most_o certain_a and_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o from_o such_o a_o effect_n we_o can_v right_o infer_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o cause_n who_o power_n be_v infinite_a but_o at_o most_o of_o a_o cause_n who_o power_n be_v great_a i_o say_v at_o most_o because_o from_o many_o cause_n concur_v there_o may_v follow_v some_o work_n who_o force_n and_o power_n be_v indeed_o less_o than_o the_o power_n of_o all_o its_o cause_n put_v together_o but_o far_o great_a than_o the_o power_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o take_v singular_o but_o because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v extend_v themselves_o to_o infinite_a thing_n and_o be_v conceive_v by_o we_o under_o a_o certain_a semblance_n of_o eternity_n and_o nature_n according_a to_o they_o proceed_v in_o a_o certain_a and_o immutable_a order_n those_o very_a law_n do_v in_o some_o measure_n indicate_v to_o we_o the_o infinity_o eternity_n and_o immutability_n of_o god_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o by_o miracle_n we_o can_v know_v god_n and_o his_o existence_n and_o his_o providence_n but_o that_o these_o may_v be_v far_o better_a conclude_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n in_o this_o conclusion_n i_o speak_v of_o a_o miracle_n as_o understand_v to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n or_o be_v believe_v to_o do_v so_o for_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o destroy_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n or_o to_o interrupt_v it_o or_o to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o then_o certain_o it_o can_v not_o only_o give_v we_o no_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n will_v take_v from_o we_o all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o natural_o have_v and_o make_v we_o doubt_v of_o god_n and_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n nor_o do_v i_o here_o acknowledge_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o work_n contrary_a to_o nature_n and_o a_o work_n above_o nature_n that_o be_v as_o some_o be_v please_v to_o speak_v a_o work_v not_o in_o truth_n repugnant_a to_o nature_n but_o which_o can_v be_v produce_v or_o effect_v by_o her_o power_n alone_o for_o since_o a_o miracle_n be_v do_v non_fw-la extra_fw-la naturam_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o ipsa_fw-la natura_fw-la though_o it_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v supra_fw-la naturam_fw-la yet_o still_o must_v it_o interrupt_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v from_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n fix_v and_o immutable_a if_o therefore_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v in_o nature_n that_o shall_v not_o follow_v from_o her_o law_n it_o will_v necessary_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o order_n which_o god_n have_v by_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n establish_v in_o the_o universe_n and_o consequent_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o will_v make_v we_o doubt_v of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o lead_v we_o into_o atheism_n and_o thus_o if_o i_o be_v not_o gross_o mistake_v in_o the_o force_n of_o the_o reason_n here_o allege_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v what_o in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o intend_v and_o from_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o take_v liberty_n to_o conclude_v de_fw-fr novo_fw-la that_o a_o miracle_n against_o nature_n or_o above_o nature_n be_v a_o mere_a absurdity_n and_o therefore_o that_o by_o a_o miracle_n in_o holy_a scripture_n nothing_o else_o can_v right_o be_v understand_v but_o such_o a_o work_n of_o nature_n which_o either_o real_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n or_o be_v believe_v to_o do_v so_o ix_o nevertheless_o for_o more_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o new_a doctrine_n i_o think_v myself_o concern_v to_o confirm_v that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o affirm_v that_o from_o miracle_n we_o can_v know_v god_n this_o i_o humble_o conceive_v may_v be_v do_v by_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o for_o though_o they_o no_o where_o ex_fw-la professo_fw-la and_o plain_o teach_v that_o position_n viz._n that_o god_n be_v not_o make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o miracle_n