denyed great and most Signal Miracles to have been wrought in the Orthodox Church of Christ None of them ever hitherto brought in S Austin as Opposite to our Catholick Miracles Many it's true assert That false wonders have by abuse often passed for true ones which all willingly acknowledge and Say the Church upon their Discovery hath severely punished those who gave the scandal and upon this unsteady Topick the Dr unworthily ground 's the most of his whole Discourse as will appear afterwards Now to S. Austins Testimonies 2. The Dr quotes his Book of true Religion S. Austin de vera Religion c. 25. where it is Said that the working of Miracles since the Church is novv established and diffused over the world becomes Vnnecessary yet God thinks Mr Dr might do them out of extraordinary kindness to his Church in à time when many Pagans vvere yet unreclaimed Reader here Dr Still page 581. is not all for S Austin in his Book of Retractations and the Dr saw it well enough declared his own meaning thus When saith he I S Aust lib. 1. Retract cap. 1 3. taught in my Book of true Religion That after the Churches Establishment Miracles vvere not necessary that 's very true because novv vvhen hands are laid upon the Baptized They receive not so the Holy Ghost Observe what Miracles S. Austin speak's of as to speak vvith the Tongues of all Nations neither are the Infirm now healed by the shadows of Christ's Preachers that passe by them These and the like Wonders cease But vvhat I said then mark the words is not to be taken as if no Miracles vvere novv vvrought in the name of Christ for I had assurance of à blinde man cured at Millan and of many other great Miracles done in These times that I neither knovv them all nor can enumerate those I knovv Thus S. Austin Say Reader doth not the Dr egregiously juggle in raising à Difficulty out of S. Austin which the Saint had solved long since and plainly laid before all mens Eyes 3. The next Quotation in S. Austins Book S. Austin de utilit credendi c. 16. of the Vsefulness of believing is nothing at all to the Dr ' s purpose There we are Told what great Miracles were frequently done by God made man while he lived on earth then S. Austin Demands Why they are not done now He Answers because they would not move unless they were wonderful for Saith he were they Things common or usually Shown they would not seem wonderful and he explain's his meaning by an excellent Instance vvaved by Mr Dr. Should one saith the Saint who never yet saw the Vicissitude of day and night the constant motion of the Celestial Orbes the four various Seasons of the year the mighty efficacy which lies in seed the Beauty of light of Colours c. Should such à man I say first behold these wonders He would be overwhelmed with à Sight of admirable Miracles Yet We. not because we knovv the Causes of these things for nothing is more obscure But because they are common and dayly seen make little or no Account of them And so it would Were Miracles vulgar and common they whould not move happen were the Miracles wrought by our Saviour continually shown or often laid before our Eyes S. Austins whole Drift therefore is to Demonstrate that if Christ's Miracles were so common or continually wrought amongst us like the incessant Motion of the Heavens or those other wonders already mentioned They would to use the Saints words grovv contemptible Yet hence contrary to all Logick and rational Discourse the Dr would inferr that Miracles are never wrought though God often vouchsafes Pro opportunitate temporum That 's also S. Austin's expression to do them by his Servants here on earth That is not so frequently by any one man or in any such manner as our Saviour did in the first Promulgation of the Gospel 4. Here the Dr to his own confusion remit's S. Austin lib 4. Retract c. 14. us again to S. Austin When saith the Saint I mentioned in another place the Miracles our Lord JESUS vvrought in his mortal flesh I asked vvhy the like are not done novv And ansvvered They vvould not move unless they vvere vvonderful and this I said because neither so great Miracles nor all the Miracles vvrought by Christ are novv done among us Non quia nulla fiunt etiam modo And not because God vvorks no Miracles among us novv in this present Age. These last words which prove that Miracles cease not in the Church our Dr vvisely conceal's and adds to S. Austins Text another Expression not extant there Viz. As vvere vvrought by Christ and his Apostles whereas the Saint in this Passage speaks only of our Saviours Miracles without mention made of the Apostles However after this double fraud you must hear the Dr triumph And can saith he any Sayings be more contradictory than this of S. Austin's and E. W. s asserting That as many and as great Miracles yea greater are wrought since as were in their Dayes Mr Dr deal plainly read in lieu of your words As are done in their dayes as were wrought by Christ and your supposed contradiction vanishes into smoak For do not I expresly Part. 2. c. 1. â—um 3. say in the last Treatise That Christ our Lord proved himselfe the greatest Thaumaturgus the world ever beheld and far surpassed all Angels and men Patriarks Prophets or Apostles in working Miracles all nature over which none ever did before or shall do hereafter None but Christ commanded à new Star to shine at their birth No man like our Saviour darkened the lights of Heaven split the rocks rent the vail of the Temple moved the earth or rose again to Life like Christ our Lord. Therefore Ghâ—ist our Lord for above all men and Angels in working Miracles S. Austin saies well and I also assert it that neither so admirable nor all the Miracles wrought by Christ are now done amongst us Notwithstanding to verify that certain Prediction of greater wonders I said more blinde have seen more dead have risen to Life again more poor have received the Gospel in the later Ages of the Church than before while our Saviour was upon earth and this is undeniable unlesse S. Austin's Authority and all humane Faith be banished the world Hence I often Paralled Miracles wrought in the Church with those done by the Apostles ever giving Preheminence to our Saviours glorious Wonders and withal yeilded as you may see above à singular Prerogative granted the Apostles in working Miracles by Ordinary Commission which none known to me in the Church ever had since or if any had it the favour was singular and not common 5. The Dr goes on It s true indeed S. Austin saith there were some Miracles still left in the Church and he produces several Instances else where but in the same place he Denies the
there cited Nec quidquam opsonii intra admisit He eate no meat which is not to Say he eate nothing for he might well feed upon bread Fruit and such like things Now if as some Criticks note Opsonium properly signifies Piscis assus broyled Fish there needed no Miracle to refrain from that à whole hundred years For as much as concern's the long lives of many not only mentioned in Scripture but in known History also see Colganus his large Notes where Colgan in vita S. Kieran 5. Mart. page 466. num 42. you have his Authors Quoted and here he meets with à Dr who repeats much of what he Writes and thinks to refute all by à simple Narration or barely telling us He writes so and so VVas there ever such à way of impugning Authors found out before this new Invention of Mr Dr Yet thus he hold's on Page after Page now he makes sport with the raising of à dead Robin-redbreast to life now with S. Juo's boots Now he brings in à Story of à Bull giving Still page 527. as much milk as any Cow And which I casually omitted Ask's whether any thing was ever done by Christ and his Apostles like the turning of Butter into à Bell as S. Oudoceus Capgrave in vita S. Oudocei page 258. Bishop is said to have done VVitness Capgrave Yes Mr Dr both you and I have heard of as great Changes Viz. Of Lot's wife turned into à Pillar of Salt and water changed into wine In case these Examples satisfy not you shall have more Authentically recorded 6. Here methinks being quite wearied in following the Dr thus far it is high time to An Atheist may reject the Miracle in Scripture upon the Dr's Principles leave the remainder of his Collections to the Judgement of every prudent Reader with this true Observation upon them that if Jeers and Derisions can do it the Dr has behaved himselfe manfully and taught every Atheist by his Procedure to slight all the Miracles God hath done upon this principle Miracles seem wonderful to his short Knowledge ergo ought to be vilifyed If he has any better Argument blame me boldly Hence proceeds his frequent and no lesse impertinent Interrogatories where speaking of S. Mochteus long Abstinence he Ask's whether it be not à pretty reasonable Fast for à man Mentioning some that speak in their Mothers wombe he would know whether the Baptist Leaping in his Mothers belly was comparable to this And in recounting other Miracles he wisely Demand ' s are not these now pregnant Instances how such Saints exceeded Christ and his Apostles And this Question comes over and over Did Christ and his Apostles any thing like to these Miracles Pitiful Impertinent neither he John 20 30. John 21. 25. nor I know what Signs and Miracles Christ wrought Witnesse S. John Nay more were the many other things saith the Apostle Christ did Written in particular the whole world would not contain the Books that might be Written notwithstanding the Dr remit's us to what Christ and his Apostles did 7. For an upshot of this whole matter the Still p. 565 Dr leaves the Reader to Judge whether the Testimony on which these Miracles have been received ought to be compared in point of Credibility with that Testimony on which the Christian Church hath believed the Miracles of Christ and his Apostles I Answer the Dr cheats the Reader For the true Christian Church believes the Miracles of Christ and his Apostles upon Divine Testimony by How the Dr cheat's his Reader à certain act of Faith These other Miracles mentioned by Colganus and Capgrave rely at most upon humane Authority And If they force from us à probable Assent wherein there is à great Latitude That 's all and aboundantly enough because I am apt to think that when Cronology and other main Circumstances come to the Test chiefly about the long Lives of some Saints and other strange Wonders much may occurr to à diligent Searcher not too well grounded But to Decry all as the Dr doth whilst he Examins none is foul play and above measure blamable For it seem's morally Impossible that after so great pains taken by Authors who carefully remit you to Their Manuscripts and other Testimonies all should prove Forgeries though some Perhaps may be doubtful or in à mean Degree propable If evinced False we utterly reject them 8. The Dr in the Close of his Discourse to gain credit for his pains Tell 's us he has not raked the Kennels of Iacobus de Voragine of Cantipratanus and such like Writers of no Account it seems with him But made choise of latter Authors praysed and highly approved by learned men Capgrave saith he was esteemed one of such excellent parts that he had scarce any equal none Superiour to him in England in his time Colganus his first Tome containing the Acts of the Irish Saints was published with great Approbations from the General of his Order the Professors at Lovain from the Ordinary Censor Librorum and four Jesuits having besides the commendatory Epistles of Vernulaus and Erycius Puteanus Now saith he the Jesuits collections at Antwerp begun by Bollandus and continued by Henschenius and Papebrochius were Published with as much Ostentation of care and Judgement as any thing can be set forth in that kind Thus the Dr. 9. Reader I would willingly know what harme is done to these Authors by Mr Dr wherein I beseech you has he lessened rheir credit Has he clearly shown the Original copies from whence they took Miracles Forged Has he disparaged in the least Degree the Authenticalness The Dr disparages none of these Records but is apt to think something may be à misse in them of those Records Has he upon any good Authority proved so much as one of these Miracles false or improbable No he never fall's upon this solid way of reasoning What then dos he I told you he barely relates what Authors write and there forces in à Jest or an impertinent Question leaving every matter of Fact unexamined just as it was before If true then it is true still if doubtful t' is yet doubtsul if probable still probable Here is all you have from our Doughty Dr who confesses his own lost labour plainly enough So that what ever judgement saith Still page 567. he be passed upon the Miracles they cannot deny the Books I have made use of to be of greatest Authority of any extant in this kind and yet after all I am apt to think they will meet with à great deal of Infidelity from all that have not captivated their understanding to the Obedience of the Roman Faith I am apt to think Mr Dr What à faint Expression is this Who holds himselfe obliged to captivate his understanding to your Thoughts Had you truly told us that these Miracles upon due Examination have been proved false or improbable had you shown their Original Records unauthentick you
the End they may be publickly read before the People Now S. Austin relates these Miracles to the End they might be publickly known Reader observe well S. Austins ensuing words Id namque fieri volumus for it was my express will that they should be publickly read mark his reason Cum videremus c. Because when we saw the Signs and Miracles wrought frequently in our time just like those which God anciently manifested to the vvorld He means when the Apostles Preached I endeavorred that the Memory of them should not Perish Here S. Austin plainly Assert's Miracles to have been wrought in his Dayes in true worth Answerable to the Apostles Signs For if the raysing of Eutichus from death effected by S. Paul justly deserved the name of à true real Miracle I see no reason why the Resuscitation of three or four Persons wrought at S. Stephens Relicks may not also be called works truly Miraculous I wish the Dr would give any Disparity if we precisely attend to the wonders in Themselves and moreover desire he would not so slightly One grand Miracle highly esteemed by S. Austin passe over as he doth that Grand Miracle whereof S. Austin makes an high Account at those words Vnum est One Miracle more vvrought among us vvas so clear and illustrious Saith S. Austin that there is none at Hippo who have not either seen or heard of it It cannot be forgotten The Substance is thus 28. There were seven Brothers and three Daughters born in Capadocia of honest Parents who cursed by their Mother then à widow for some great wrong She Conceived done her by these Children It pleased God after the Mothers curse to add his severe Punishment also A horrible fearful shaking Seized on all the members of their Bodies whereby their Eyes and countenance appeared so gastly that none could endure their deformed Looks In this sad Condition they wandred from â—o place place and at last two of them à Brother called Paulus and his Sister by name Paladia came to us à little before Easter and dayly frequented the Church where the Memory of the glorious Martyr S Stephen is celebrated humbly praying that God would take off that Punishment and restore their former health Young Paulus entring the Church on Easter Sunday when many People were present praying at the Lattices of the Holy Place on à suddain fell flat down and lay there without Trembling like one fast à sleep Some would have lifted his Body up others desirous to see the Event said No. Soon after he stood up of himselfe free from Trembling because saith S. Austin he was perfectly cured The joy Paulus and his sister Paladia Miraculously cured the Clamours the Gratulations the Thanks given to God upon the Miracle resounded the whole Church over no man held his peace all praised God and I saith S. Austin giving thanks also rejoyced with them This done the recovered Patient came to me fell on his Knees and then all again cryed out with à lowder voice These Clamours ceasing the Divine Scripture was read and I spake upon one Passage à few words not many for I thought it best in so Publick à Joy that all should rather consider the Wonder God had wrought than hear me speak Paulus dined with me that day and related the whole Story of his own and his Brothers Calamity Much after the same manner his Sister Palladia within à few dayes falling down at the Cancels by Gods great mercy recovered perfect health 29. See more of these Miracles in S. Austin the few here mentioned I purposely set down to unbeguile the ignorant whom our Dr plainly cheat's when he produces this learned Father as one that Opposes latter Miracles or at least such as the Apostles did I appeal to the Judgement of all learned men and Ask whether the restoring sight to the blind raising the dead and curing incurable Infirmities may not be parralleld with the Apostolical Miracles I Ask again whether S. Austin after so ample á Relation of God's wonders done in his dayes filthily forged Stories told lyes to deceive the world or contrarywise Spake Truths well known to himselfe and innumerable others then living It is horrid to Judge nor dare any man in his Wits avouch it That all the Miracles recounted in this one eighth Chapter are lowd lyes or forged Tales what then can be said but that they Must â—â— be owned Truths sincerely set down upon as great humane Authority as may seem Satisfactory to the most prudent and Judicious Yeild this and the Dr must admit Miracles of the first Magnitude to have been done in the Church distinct from those the Apostles wrought 30. To producc other Testimonies out of S Austin de utilit cred c. 17. contra Epist fund cap. 4. S. Austin most home and pregnant for Miracles would be too large à Task These few quoted in the Margent which stedfastly held that great Doctor in the Catholick Church afford light enough Viz. The fulfilling of Prophesies the laborious Travels of the Apostles the Reproaches and blessed death of Martyrs and besides great Vniversal and puissant Signs glorious Miracles Pro opportunitate temporum when it best pleased God to work them And shall we then fear saith S. Austin to hide our selves in the Lap or Bosom of this Church after so special Divine Assistance shown us and great Fruit done by it Shall we doubt to do so when we se the Church raised to the height of Authority while all Generally acknowledge it descended to us by Miracles held S. Austin in the Catholick Church à continued Succession of Bishops from the See Apostolick Hereticks who in vain snarle at this Oracle are condemned by the common Iudgement of men by the wisdom of Councils as also by its glorious Miracles I say add's the Saint not to give supream Authority to this Church is in Good earnest Notorious impiety à headlong Pride and Arrogancy Judge Reader and I wonder Dr Still trembled not when he reads these words whether S. Austin owned not Miracles vvrought in the Church as à main Motive to believe in it Twice over he recurr's to Miracles as his Proof in the Passage now cited and repeats the same in his Book against the Epistle which Manichaeus called his Foundation Yet forsooth our Dr would perswade us that S. Austin opposed all signal and remarkable Miracles Those only excepted which Christ and his Apostles manifested to the world Most untrue Doctrine We now proceed to the Dr ' s ill Account given of S. Austins Opinion in this matter CHAP. X. Of Dr Stillingfleet's shuffling and unworthy dealing with S. Augustine Not one Testimony produced by the Dr makes so much as probably against great Miracles wrought in the Church The like Account we give of other Authors falsifyed by the Dr. 1. TO proceed clearly I say first No No Catholick Author denyed great Miracles wrought in the Church Catholick Author ever yet
Miracles to have been the greatest Miracle of all Thus S. Augustin Argues and 't is à convincing Dilemma 16. You Ask next what were the stronge Arguments of Christian Religion before it was Propagated Those seemed convincing or not if not convincing it was Propagated by weak and unconcluding Arguments and we are not bound to believe it If convincing we know them or if we know them not how can we Judge they were convincing I Answer this whole discourse built upon two false Suppositions fall's to nothing One is that Miracles either seen or heard of preceded not the first conversions of Christians The other That there were some other rational Arguments as strong and convincing for Christian Religion before its Propagation as Miracles were 17. I say contrary and prove that Miracles preceded all great conversions made to true Christian Miracles were ever previous to all great conversions Religion Those Signal Wonders wrought by our Saviour sensible and visible as rational Arguments first induced the blessed Apostles and some few more to believe in him T is true Christ's Holy life and amiable conversation had great Influence upon minds to say nothing now of the attraction of Divine Grace working inwardly But the Lustre of his glorious Miracles Gods own powerful Language made the deepest Impression on men who were first led on by reason And therefore could not but Discover à mighty weight and efficacy in this one Motive of our Christian Faith Now if we speak of that ample and large Propagation which ensued upon the Apostles Preaching in several parts of the world or of those â— other great Conversions wrought by the Catholick Church in after Ages none can deny but that most Signal glorious Miracles not done to be gazed on ever preceded as à chief Cause and effected that great Work of God among most Barbarous Nations Finally that no other convincing rational Arguments greater or comparable with Miracles can be produced as previous to its Miraculous Propagation appear's by your silence Mr Burnet you alledge none neither are there any alledgeable of so great poise as Miracles were 18. You Say 4. There was good reason to believe the Gospel when our Saviour wrought his Miracles in the Sight of the Iewes and this great Argument the Apostles urged but that reason remain's yet good and still proves it true whether the world had embraced it or not I Answer the reasons were then good because Miraâ—les rationally prove à Doctrin good when an Infallible Oracle tells us what its meaning is the Apostles in those Dayes were living infallible Oracles and could not only ascertain every one of the Gospels Divine inspiration but also when Difficulties arose among the faithful declare its genuine Sence But now yee Protestants Say matters are much changed for there is no certain Oracle no Church taught by the Holy Ghost that can Infallibly avouch these Writings were from God that such and such in the more difficult Passages is their true Sence and meaning So that every man left to his private Judgement may draw what Religion he pleases out of Scripture And this we se done before our eyes by men called Christians yet differ in the Fundamentals of Christian Faith 19. Upon this ground your Question next proposed signifies little What say you if the Gentils had rejected the Testimony of the Apostles as the Iewes did Had we not been bound to believe the Gospel if those sacred Writings had been with à most religious care conveyed down to us Sr Methinks you goe too farr in your Supposition Saying if the world had not embraced the Gospel and both Iewes and Gentils rejected it we are yet bound to believe it Why so I beseech you Upon what Principle are we If all had rejected the Gospel how are we obliged to receive it obliged to admit à Gospel which the whole world all Iewes and Gentils rejected S. Austin you know teaches and I am wholly of his Judgement That he would not believe the Gospel unlesse moved thereunto by the Authority of the Catholick Church which Church I am sure embraces à great part of the world And had in it many who once were Iewes and Gentils Hence you see Sr it is very hard to Suppose the Gospel universally set at naught and that à strict obligation lies on us to receive it But let this passe 20. Suppose we receive the bare Word of the Gospel what Sence shall we make of it in à hundred abstruse Passages what Religion shall we suck out of it Arianism or Pelagianism Nestorianism or worse It is impossible to clear this Difficulty without recourse to an Infallible living Oracle upon whose Judgement all in this present State must rely or can believe nothing You put much force in those who carefully conveyed the Gospel The false Conveyers of the Gospel not found in the Principles of Protestants down to us Very good could such men be found But here we are at à stand The blessed Apostles who lived not alwaies left those Writings in the hands of the Church But this Church saies Dr Still above à thousand years since altered Christ's revealed Doctrin changed the Apostolical Faith and became as Idolatrous as Those who worshiped the Sun or à Red cloath All others out of this Church named Christians were known condemned Hereticks Were all this true no more would I take the Gospel from this supposed Idolatrous Church or these false condemned Hereticks than believe the word of à known Perjured Person or credit one esteemed à common Lyar. And thus in the Principles of Protestants the careful conveyance of the Gospel failing all Faith in Scripture fail's with it But enough of this Digression VVe return to Dr Stillingfleet CHAP. XV. How Miracles are to be examined Christ wrought not his Miracles by natural Magick or Necromancie by stronge Imagination or the different Aspects of Stars VVhatever rational Argument proves Christ to have wrought true Miracles by Divine Virtue as forcibly proves Church Miracles to proceed from the very same cause Though Divels may work some strange wonders they cannot raise the Dead or cure desperate Infirmities Of the Aegyptian Magicians Feates A word of the witch at Endorâ— Other matters handled 1. DR Still thinks it very reasonable for page 668. and 669. us he means Protestants after so many forewarnings in Scripture of false Wonders to Examin all pretences of Miracles by trying whether they can be distinguished from deceiptful appearances which may be wrought by à Povver lesse than Divine Answ I think it also Very reasonable and wish Mr Dr that you who yet never went about to examin one Miracle would undergoe the pains you hold so reasonable Take courage therefore examin with greatest rigour either all or some of those you have in the 3. Chap. above And if you find à flaw in any shame me boldly But I tell you before hand you will have à hard Task For no sooner shall you discredit those by
disgrace upon the Authors 13. Upon this ground also we evidently Nor in those who writh the Gospel clear our sacred Writers of the new Testament from all fraud and forgery in their plain Narration of our Saviours Miracles Reflect I beseech you what man endued with common prudence can work him selfe into this perswasion that the four Evangelists who candidly set down the sufferances the opprobrious death of their Lord and Master wherein as all confesse they speake truth in some strange Frolick or other met together and agree'd to tell à false lye of Lazarus raised to life of infirme restored to health that were never What prejudice fraud would have done the Evangelists sick Had this fraud been invented they had not only notoriously prejudiced their own cause but the Interest also of their great Master nay the very Iewes would have decryed all the Miracles they wrote of as publick impostures and if feigned might justly have pleaded No eyes ever saw them wrought whenas the contrary is manifest for they highly dreaded our Saviours Miracles and held them so attractive that if permitted to go on the whole world would follow him Hence it is that that ungodly People never dared in any Tribunal juridically to call into doubt the truth of his greatest Miracles though some whisperers said he cast out Divels by the help of Divels No all knew they condemned him to death not because the cure of the blind man or raising Lazarus from death were judged Impostures but upon this account that final Sentence was given because he made him selfe the Son of God 14. By all hitherto said we se 1. How and in what manner true Miracles objects of sense gained repute in the world and became credible First witnesses worthy beliefe not suspected of By what means Miracles gained esteem Guile saw them wrought and upon their faithful word communicated with other 's the wonders they had seen as certain and undoubted 2. Those first Hearers finding no reason to question the fidelity of Ey-witnesses justly reputed honest prudently yeilded assent to the Narration and imparted to others what they had received from those who saw the Miracles In Processe of time the Report of those wonders spread far and neer gained more ground till at last à publick Fame owned them certain This Fame held on Age after Age handed down by constant Tradition never as I said rationally contradicted is now general the whole Universe over and every way Comparable with the Fame we have of Alexander the great Julius Caesar and other known Heroes whereof no prudent man ever doubted Observe I beseech you how equally the Parallel run's in both cases Caesar and Pompey plain Objects of sense are proved to have had once being in the world because seen by many But Christ our Lord and his Apostles no lesse objects of sense were as visible the parity therefore hold's good 2. The Gests and noble Acts of Caesar first seen Records afterwards preserved None can force himselfe to deny à truth owned upon Vniversal Fame and as good Records are extant for the admirable works and Wonders of our Saviour 3. The Fame of those Heroes and their Gests taking its first rise from Sense became in time Universal and handed down by Tradition lives yet so vigorously in the minds of all men that no owner of this publick Fame can by any violence force himselfe to judge that Caesar never was in being never fought battle the whole Story of Alexander is à fourb c. Thus also the Fame of Christ of the Apostles and their Wonders once sensible and yet upheld by à perpetuated Tradition still remain's so fixed in all minds that unless this publick Fame perish which is impossible the matters of Fact supported by it are without Contest undeniable Hence I propose this Question whether à Iew or Gentile can by violence force his intellectual Power to judge Such à man as Christ such men as the Apostles were never in the world You will say No because they are Truths Universally received notwithstanding the very most of Unbelievers boldly deny the Miracles we speak of and why should not their Authority as much evince A Negative or prove no such Miracles done as the contrary Testimony of Christians avail for the Affirmative in saying Christ really wrought Miracles 15. To Answer the difficulty you have here an undoubted Principle Clear Positive proofs manifest for an Affirmative quite bear down over-weigh in true worth à contrary Negative bluntly maintained without semblance of Proof Should therefore the greatest part of men now living barely deny without Proof Alexander or Caesar ever to have been or done any memorable Action the contrary Positive Arguments alledged for their being would manifestly Show that ungrounded Denyal to be not only weightless but senseless also and improbable And thus I discourse in our present case Positive Ground 's irrefragable reasons whereof you shall have à few hints rationally prove our Saviour and his An objection answered Apostles to have wrought true Miracles therefore all contrary Opposition without Grounds and proofs appear's frigid senceless and improbable Some Critick may object Had as many from the first rise of Caesar opposed his being and Heroical Acts as have gainsaid the Miracles of Christ and the Apostles from the beginning of Christianity that certainly would have much abated the humane Beliefe all have now of Caesar of Alexander Cicero or who you will I answer no Abatement at all while on the one side and this is ever to be noted the Positive grounds for the Affirmative stand in vigour as they now stand and the Denyal rigidly examined for want of proofs comes to nothing but to this vain empty and Idle Assertion Caesar forsooth never was or did any thing worth à man Christ never wrought true Miracles Positive proofs therefore brought to light in behalfe of these Miracles enervate the contrary unproved Assertion and show it void of Strength futile in à word worth nothing 16. Now if you enquire after these Positive Reas and Relig. Disc 1. cap. 3. proofs all clear and convincing whole Volums might be written Some as I argued Reas and Religs remonstrate the Cause by its real effects and set before us à manifest Truth the known Conversion of the world made by Christ and his Apostles without force of Arms or any earthly Allurement Nay upon the greatest disadvantages imaginable because however poor and despicable in the eyes of all yet They prevailed against the rich and powerful and brought innumerable to believe in à Crucifyed man Was it not now that the greatest Philosophers the most Eloquent Orators were deem'd less wise than twelve unlearned Fishermen and did not God set à mark of folly upon humane wisdom in the noble Conquest made by the Divine Spirit that speake in these very men reputed Idiots This prodigious Work most certainly A Proofe taken from the Miraculous Conversion of Nations done whereof see
may be freed from that bondage That many have been thus possessed and released also out of thraldome is an evident Truth proved by experience and that the ejection or restraint of evil Spirits transcend's all force in nature and consequently done by Gods Omnipotent Power is no lesse certain and therefore à work truly Miraculous 11. Again shall Antichrist sit in Pompe and dazle mens eyes with à false lustre of wonders and shall not the Orthodox Church of Christ think ye be able when that Monster appear's to oppose one true Miracle against the Divel's pride vaunting by Antichrist of great wonders Shall he glory in false Signs and the Church show none that are true So it is saith Dr Stillingfleets your Church Miracles are cheats and no better than what Divels have done and Antichrist will do by his Charms Is it so indeed are all cheats and works of the Divel One word To grant some Miracles wrought in the Church will much abate Antichrists pride Mr Dr. A moderate man in granting some Miracles true would much cheer up the comfortlesse hearts of poor afflicted Christians in those future dayes of Tribulation and teach every one how to withstand Antichrist by setting true approved Miracles against his jugling Tricks Might not one then living though none of the strongest Combatants encounter that false Prophet thus I am assured of undoubted Miracles wrought in the Church wherein we Christians live but have no certainty of the Truth of thy Wonders which I Judge meer Illusions and therefore ought to be accounted most imprudent if I prefer thy suspected Signs before those I hold certain 12. Most I think will Judge this discourse reasonable though Dr Still makes it faint and senceless for if all the Miracles done in the Roman Catholick Church since the Apostles dayes have been Illusions and works of the Divel Antichrist upon our D 〈…〉 concession will so stop the mouths of Christians that none shall then speak à rational word against him for may he not plead and pertinently thus The great wonders I evidently Now Antichrist may plead upon Dr Still Concession set before your Eyes cannot be worse than cheats and works of the Divel Dr Still tell 's you and you must believe him that your Miracles are nothing but cheats and works of the Divel thus far he and I stand upon equal Terms therefore in reason you may as well credit my strange Wonders as your own which are every whit upon the concession of à Dr as jugling and fallacious Hence it followes that you are either obliged to believe me upon the present Sight of my wonders which for ought you yet know may be true and from the highest Power imaginable or which I would have done utterly renounce all claime to your past Miracles so much cryed up and down the world Dr Still may reply Though all Miracles wrought in the Church be truly deemed Cheats yet there have been other most clear ones powerful enough to Curbe Antichrist's Pride and these are the glorious signal Wonders of Christ and his Apostles alone sufficient to discountenance that false Prophet's Sign 's though never so Specious 13. Have at you Mr Dr saith Antichrist Grant me first as you doe that the Miracles wrought in the Church are forgeries and the Divels works and I 'll soon enervate the strongest Rational proof you have for Christ's Miracles Your only rational ground comes to this that the Gospel where those primative Miracles are recorded is owned upon the humane Testimony of all called Christians à true Story but this common Testimony in your Principles is evidently worth nothing and mark my proof If such vast Multitudes of Christians Christians who have fathered false Miracles upon God deserve not Credit in Saying Christ wrought Miracles have been so shamefully wicked as to make à clamour of Miracles when none were wrought That is to tell the world open Lyes nay more publickly to avouch Forgeriers and works of the Divel to have been done by the Power of Almighty God which God never did but both disclaim's and hates I say upon this Supposition no man in his wits can credit these mens Testimony though they swear à hundred times over that Christ and his Apostles wrought Miracles and that the Gospel truly recount's them for if they have falsely imposed upon mankind Matters of Fact so neer at hand or forged Miracles of à latter date seen aâ— they Say by innumerable that were never seen who can believe these mistaken Multitudes when they talk of Christ's Miracles à far off only seen if yet ever done by some few Ey-witnesses about sixteen Ages past This Discourse stand's upon à certain Principle which is that all the Miracles Christ wrought are not Selfe-Evident Truths or known as Truths ex Terminis though registred in Scripture therefore the first rational knowledge we have of them arises as Dr Still saies from the Universal humane Testimony of all called Christians though fallible which excludes à Possibility of reasonable The reason why their Testimony iâ— weightless doubting or as Catholicks speak from the Infallible Testimony of the Church made evidently Credible by glorious Miracles But neither Testimony is of any weight Nay both are utterly blasted if these Givers in of Evidence â—be proved publick Lyars and constantly cast upon God Iugling cheats and works properly belonging to the Divel 14. Some may reply This Argument seem's indeed to take off much Authority from Papits in their defence of Christ's Miracles because men once proved perjur'd or publick Lyars as they are now supposed in their false attestations given of Church Miracles deserve little credit in any other like publick affaire but Protestants forsooth who on the one side oppose latter Miracles and on the other stifly defend those wrought by Christ and his Apostles An Objection answered cannot but raise all upon their humane Faith to à high rational Credibility A most pitiful Put off which proves if of any force that before Protestants got footing in à few scattered parts of Europe Christ's Miracles could not be owned rationably credible upon the humane Autority of à whole ample learned Church But here is not all I say in à word the humane consent of Protestants in this matter or of any other precedent Sectaries stand's like an insignificant Cypher not worth à rush without the Testimony of our Evidenced Church I prove the Assertion Who ever takes the first Report in matters of fact from others both false and beguiled is as much cheated and beguiled as those Original witnesses are But Protestants the like is of all former Sectaries first received the Report of Christ's Miracles from the ancient witnesses of the Catholick Church here supposed false and grosly beguiled in relating their own Miracles neither God revealed to Sectaries nor did Divel ever truly tell them what Miracles Christ wrought therefore if those Primary witnesses are beguiled Protestants also remain fast in the like Errour O
of his Crucifyed Body And shall we call this into doubt saith Ferrandus when the Queen of Heaven in after Ages gave Assurance of it to S. Brigit Revel 6. S. Briget yet living upon earth The Dr replyes not at all to this Authority but only frigidly Saies it were Good to understand where the Prepuce is It would Sr be likewise Good to understand where your Protestancy was two or three Ages since make you but thus much out upon any Revelation imparted to S. Brigit We will yeild it once à Being in the world yea and more à longer Continuance But never yet could you or any say where or in what place it was The Sacred Prepuce Mr Dr once committed Why the sacred Prepuce cannot be Supposed lost to S. John cannot while so many lay claim to it be supposed lost In case some be mistaken in judgeing they have it and have it not the Errour arising out of invincible Ignorance is pardonable and in Justice not imputable O but Saies our Dr The same worship is given to all those places where its thought to be And as he pleases to Suppose Miracles likewise equally wrought there Answ Where God vouchsafes to work true Miracles by that Relique there I say it is and therefore will sooner grant it multiplyed by Divine Power in many places than unreasonably dare to deny the Miracles I know Ferrandus solves the Difficulty Ferran lib. 1. c. 2. sect 2 another way and thinks those several Prepuces are only so many divided Parts of the Umbelical Reins yet preserved in Italy and other Countries But I willingly wave this Authors long discourse and in lieu of it Propose à second Objection 19. S. Athanasius cited in the 2. Nicene Synode Athanas lib de Passione Imaginis Domini seem's to assert that no other Flesh or blood of our Saviour remain's now on earth besides that in the Holy Eucharist I wonder the Dr makes use of these words because as Quoted by him they necessarily prove the Blood in the Blessed Sacrament to be truly and really Christ's Sacred Blood For if none really remain on earth but that in the Holy Eucharist that most certainly is Supposed to be the true real Blood of our Saviour So if any truly say none is in the house but Peter the Assertion necessarily implies Peter to be there Briefly Cardinal Bellar. de Ecc Scrip. Anno 340. S. Athan. Bellarmine Answer 's that the Book cited is not held the Work of the Ancient Athanasius but of some other Author much later Again Saith he the late Quoted words are not all extant in the Greek Copy of the Nicene Council nor recorded in the Version of Anastasius Bibliothecarius Therefore seem an Addition foisted in by some after the debate had before Pope Pius the second concerning the Sacred Blood of Christ Moreover saith Bellarmine to Assert that none of our Saviours Blood remain's on earth besides that in the Holy Eucharist contradict's the Tradition of the Church of Mantua which glories in preserving part of the Blood which truly issued out of our Saviours Side and Pope Leo the third then eight hundred year's past declared it to be so who as many French Writers recount went at the Instance of Charles the Great to Mantua with Intention to be informed of the Truth as likewise of the Miracles wrought there by Virtue of that precious Treasure where the Pope receiving full Satisfaction approved all by à special Bull as Baronius cited by Bellar. witnesses For à Baron tom 9 ann 804 Parisiens in Henrico 3. Rege Angliae p. 717. Conclusion of this whole matter Bellar. quotes Matthew Paris who Saies that the Patriarch of Hierusalem sent to Henry the third King of England à little Vial containing à rich Present the Very true Blood of our Saviour which was received with great joy and Veneration all England over Our Catholick Bishops then preaching in their several Districts highly esteemed the Gift and shewed of what worth it was with much Zeal and fervour 20. Ferrandus Quots these words out of Pope Ferran sect 1. Pius his Bull. Veritati fidei c. It is no way against Faith to affirm that our Saviour in memory of his Sacred Passion left here on earth some parts of his own precious Blood whereunto besides Leo the third two other Popes Sixtus the Fourth and Julius the Second accord with à whole Legion of Catholick Divines saith Ferrandus The Testimony also of Euthymius Euth Monachus Zigabemus in coufut Sectae Saracenicae in his Confutation of the Ismaëlits or Saracens is here most memorable Non umbram Christi c. The Blood saith he which ran down from the Body of our Crucified Saviour proves that we have not à bare Shadow or Semblance of Christ but Christ really Crucified in mortal Flesh This Blood is yet kept amongst Christians and visibly boyling up cures many Diseases and that it is our Redeemers Blood most clear and uncontestable Miracles make manifest I hope These few Authorities and many more alledgeable may happily teach the Dr to rule his Tongue better and to Surcease from his roaring out against our abusing Mankind with Vials and turning the most Holy Religion in the vvorld into à meer Shevv and Ceremony Meer empty and peevish words void of weight and all shadow of Reason 21. A third Objection All the Blood of our Saviour Shed in his Sacred Passion vvas as many hold reassumed at his Resurrection Answerable to an old Maxim Quod semel assumpsit non demisit The Dr to his shame blindly stumbles upon the Difficulty after he had as it seem's read Ferrandus his clear Solutions but was willing to Ferran cited sect 7. conceal what he would not have à Reader know Briefly None Saith Ferrandus can Assert that our Saviour reassumed all the Parts of matter added to his Sacred Body by continual Nutrition without making it of à monstrous Bignesse yet those particles once were united to his Divine Person though never reassumed Why Therefore may we not Say that as our Redeemer left on the one side great Quantity of his Blood as à Testimony of his dear Affection to Mortals who reverently preserve it so on the other when he rose from death He resumed so much Vital Blood perhaps saith Ferrandus taken from some other matter as was sufficient to constitute his Glorious Body in à perfect State of Immortality Again were it needful Why might we not assert that that copious torrent The Dr may think this Doctrin Strange But that 's no matter Let him read Divines of Blood which fell from Christ in his bitter Passion remain's yet Hypostatically Vnited to the Divine Person His dead Body lying in the Grave retained still all confess the Hypostatical union and so did his glorious Soul in Lymbo Though all that time far distant from the Body In like manner that precious Blood which plentifully gushed out of his Veins