登陆注册
5155200000008

第8章

(116) I think I have now very clearly explained all that I proposed to explain, but before I finish this chapter I would call attention to the fact that I have adopted a different method in speaking of miracles to that which I employed in treating of prophecy. (117) Of prophecy I have asserted nothing which could not be inferred from promises revealed in Scripture, whereas in this chapter I have deduced my conclusions solely from the principles ascertained by the natural light of reason. (118) I have proceeded in this way advisedly, for prophecy, in that it surpasses human knowledge, is a purely theological question; therefore, I knew that I could not make any assertions about it, nor learn wherein it consists, except through deductions from premises that have been revealed; therefore I was compelled to collate the history of prophecy, and to draw therefrom certain conclusions which would teach me, in so far as such teaching is possible, the nature and properties of the gift. (119) But in the case of miracles, as our inquiry is a question purely philosophical (namely, whether anything can happen which contravenes or does not follow from the laws of nature), I was not under any such necessity: I therefore thought it wiser to unravel the difficulty through premises ascertained and thoroughly known by could also easily have solved the problem merely from the doctrines and fundamental principles of Scripture: in order that everyone may acknowledge this, I will briefly show how it could be done.

(120) Scripture makes the general assertion in several passages thatnature's course is fixed and unchangeable. (121) In Ps. cxlviii:6, for instance, and Jer. xxxi:35. (122) The wise man also, in Eccles. i:10, distinctly teaches that "there is nothing new under the sun," and in verses 11, 12, illustrating the same idea, he adds that although something occasionally happens which seems new, it is not really new, but "hath been already of old time, which was before us, whereof there is no remembrance, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that come after." (123) Again in chap. iii:11, he says, "God hath made everything beautiful in his time," and immediately afterwards adds, "I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it."(124)Now all these texts teach most distinctly that nature preserves a fixed and unchangeable order, and that God in all ages, known and unknown, has been the same; further, that the laws of nature are so perfect, that nothing can be added thereto nor taken therefrom; and, lastly, that miracles only appear as something new because of man's ignorance.

(125)Such is the express teaching of Scripture: nowhere does Scripture assert that anything happens which contradicts, or cannot follow from the laws of nature; and, therefore, we should not attribute to it such a doctrine.

(126)To these considerations we must add, that miracles require causes and attendant circumstances, and that they follow, not from some mysterious royal power which the masses attribute to God, but from the Divine rule and decree, that is (as we have shown from Scripture itself) from the laws and order of nature; lastly, that miracles can be wrought even by false prophets, as is proved from Deut. xiii. and Matt. xxiv:24.

(127)The conclusion, then, that is most plainly put before us is, that miracles were natural occurrences, and must therefore be so explained as to appear neither new (in the words of Solomon) nor contrary to nature, but, as far as possible, in complete agreement with ordinary events. (128) This can easily be done by anyone, now that I have set forth the rules drawn from Scripture. (129) Nevertheless, though I maintain that Scripture teaches this doctrine, I do not assert that it teaches it as a truth necessary to salvation, but only that the prophets were in agreement with ourselves onthe point; therefore everyone is free to think on the subject as he likes, according as he thinks it best for himself, and most likely to conduce to the worship of God and to singlehearted religion.

(130) This is also the opinion of Josephus, for at the conclusion of the second book of his "Antiquities," he writes: Let no man think this story incredible of the sea's dividing to save these people, for we find it in ancient records that this hath been seen before, whether by God's extraordinary will or by the course of nature it is indifferent. (131) The same thing happened one time to the Macedonians, under the command of Alexander, when for want of another passage the Pamphylian Sea divided to make them way; God's Providence making use of Alexander at that time as His instrument for destroying the Persian Empire. (132) This is attested by all the historians who have pretended to write the Life of that Prince.

(133)But people are at liberty to think what they please."(134)Such are the words of Josephus, and such is his opinion on faith in miracles.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 我的女孩死掉了

    我的女孩死掉了

    我梦见我翻过很多座山,穿过很多条街,在路边摘的花,拾起又扔掉。看了天边的云,日落和日出。又穿过一片森林,还是和你迎面相见。异能,末世,群像。停更修文中...
  • 紧那罗歌

    紧那罗歌

    紧那罗:梵语KIMNARA,意为“音乐天”、“歌神”,演奏法乐,是诸天的音乐神之一,紧那罗有男女之分,男性长一马头,女性相貌端庄,声音绝美,善舞。紧那罗因其头上长角又被称为“人非人“我执剑来断愁,带你去无忧的国度,你临阵脱逃,剩我一个人滞留,有人说你的不归我的孤独,都是心里藏着的魔,需要慈悲来引渡……”银幕亮起,曲终人散。——有人漠然,有人落泪。
  • 伯煊

    伯煊

    一个中学生努力找寻的故事,历经千难,屡次遇险,他能否找回伯煊……
  • 重生异能小俏媳

    重生异能小俏媳

    《重生之异能军嫂》正文已经完结,大胆跳坑哦推荐元笙的完结文《重生之神秘军嫂有点甜》依旧是甜宠无虐,放心跳坑哦重生的沈梦瑶只有一个目标,就是想要夜夜抱着闫哲涵睡。闫哲涵好不容易把自己心心念念的沈梦瑶给睡了,已经做好被她打骂的准备,没想到画风一变,沈梦瑶天天都想抱着他睡。这自己怎么好拒绝呢。经历过前世眼瞎,今生才能活的如此眼明心亮,所以抓紧目标坚决不放手。
  • 快穿系统之将反派进行到底

    快穿系统之将反派进行到底

    每个故事,总有一个存在,是为了给那个平静的世界制造一些祸端。这种人,称之为反派。然而他们不服,自己凭什么要有这样的命运,让他们当反派可以,但他们也有要求。于是,婳纱十(被)分(逼)荣(无)幸(奈)地接受了这个任务。她需要穿梭各个世界,根据反派死前的愿望,来维持那个世界的正常发展。而反派的任务是什么呢。花样作死,然后……领盒饭。婳纱表示我很在行。在一次次地穿梭中,她是否迷失了自己的真心呢?那名有意接近她的男子,又有什么目的?她的背后藏着什么故事呢?什么是R时空,什么是应该存在的,而什么,又是虚拟的?曾经单纯善良的她,终究还是被这个世界击垮。什么是对,什么又是错呢?她该何去何从?
  • Leaves From Australian Forests

    Leaves From Australian Forests

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 一念之差

    一念之差

    润丰公司销售部经理伍巧芳从外地出差回来,匆匆忙忙往家里赶。伍巧芳四十五岁,虽然已到中年,但是身材依旧很匀称。不过此时她的眼神中似乎露出几分不安和焦急。伍巧芳低着头走进自己家住的楼栋,这时是上午九点半,她快步来到三楼,打开房门,里面的情景令她目瞪口呆,手里的旅行包情不自禁地掉在地上,人也随即瘫倒下去。正好对门的邻居买菜回来,看到伍巧芳这副样子也向房内看了一眼,直惊得她把刚刚买来的菜扔在地上。
  • 班主任好累

    班主任好累

    一所普通中学赶上教改大潮,被整合到一所超级牛校。一个丧失激情的中年女教师也因此迎来职业生涯的春天,而此时却发生了一场令人始料未及的校园暴力事件。这里没有教育理想,只有普校现实;没有辛勤的园丁,只有疲惫的班主任。零今天听到了好消息。好消息啊。王天泽脱离了生命危险。阿弥陀佛。岂止是心里的石头,就连我的五脏六腑都终于落到了地上。
  • 大约是爱(同名电视剧原著)

    大约是爱(同名电视剧原著)

    同名剧12月3日在腾讯视频开播,美好纯粹的爱恋,许你童话般的深情。爱是一场不期而遇,却满足你生命中所有的期许。单纯活泼的女大学生周是与英俊多金的云玛总裁卫卿,本是毫无交集的两人却意外地相遇。他为她着迷,而她避之不及。开始时是逢场作戏,可渐渐地,他们谁也无法控制爱情的枝桠在心底蔓生。而在此时,一个少年的介入,却让他们之间再生波澜……
  • 大艺术家的审美故事

    大艺术家的审美故事

    艺术可以再现历史,概括生活,表现人类的内心世界。艺术是人类精神的集中、高度的反映。大利文艺复兴时期,出现了许多伟大的文学家、艺术家,达·芬奇便是这一时期伟大的艺术家和哲学家。达·芬奇的艺术之手,着重描绘人类的精神领域,著名的壁画《最后的晚餐》和肖像《蒙娜丽莎》是世界绘画史上的传世之作。