CONSIDERATIONS UPON THE MIRACLES of the GOSPEL. PART I. Miracles wrought by Jefus-Christ as a Proof of the Divinity of his Miffion. CHA P. I. Of the various Proofs furnished by GOD, in Support of his Revelation. MR. R. Rouffeau firft obferves, that *" all "Men not having their Heads "made alike, they cannot be all equally affected by the fame arguments. "When therefore, adds he, God gives to "Mankind a Revelation, it is neceffary he "fhould found it upon proofs good for all. * Lettres de la Mont. p. 70, 73. Edit. duodec. B "Now "Now God has given to the Miffion of his Meffengers feveral Characters. The "first of these, is the nature of the Doc trine, its Utility, its Beauty, its Sanctity. "The Second is that of the Perfons whom "God hath chofen to announce his Word: "Their Sanctity, their Virtues fuperior "to the paffions, together with the Quali"fications of Understanding, Reason, Spirit, Learning, Prudence, are so many refpectable tokens, whofe union, where nothing contradicts it, forms a complete "Proof in their Favour. The third Cha"racter is fuch an Emanation of the Di"vine Power, as as can can interrupt and change the Course of Nature.” Unfortunately, according to our Author, each of these Characters has fome Inconveniency peculiar to itself. "The first Cha"racter is the most infallible, but it is the "moft difficult to establish; to be felt it requires Study, Reflection and Difcuffion, "of which every body is not capable. "The second Character is particularly strik"ing to good and honest Persons, who fee "Truth wherever they fee Virtue; but this "Character may deceive us; it is not impoffible for an Impostor to abuse honest "Folks, nor for an honeft Man to abuse " himself |