The Truth and Consistency of Divine Revelation, 8 Discourses, at the Lecture Founded by J Bampton

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1811. Excerpt: ... LECTURE V. AdTS ii. 22. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you j by miracles, and wonders, and signs. 1J.AVING considered the consistency of the Mosaic and Christian revelations, I now propose to offer a few remarks on the miracles and prophecies which connect the two dispensations. To begin with the subject of miracles? a species of evidence, in which it must be allowed that there is no analogy to a general providence; for these are deviations from that ordinary course, by which he is pleased to conduct the works of nature. This evidence is much disputed, and reluctantly received, not only by those who possess an evil heart of unbelief, but by those who can comprehend that only which immediately operates on the external senses. As St. Paul asked, when pleading before Agrippaa, Whyjhould it be thought a thing incredible with you that God Jhould raise the deadP the same mode of interrogation may be applied to those who deny this extraordinary interposition in his moral government. Why should it be thought incredible that God should work a miracle for any special purpose? In both cases it must obviously strike us, that the cause is more than equal to the effect. In the mechanism of nature, as well as of art, we can always suppose an effect, to which an adequate cause can be assigned. This will apply to miracles. There are none affirmed in the Scriptures to have been performed which are beyond the power, or inconsistent with the attributes of God. To cause a temporary suspension, or derangement, or inversion of the laws of nature, is a less effort of Omnipotence than creation, or the appointment of those laws. He who gave life, and contrived so exquisitely all its functions, may, if he please, arrest their operation, or restore it when destroyed....