An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

But these miracles were no miracles at all. They were devised by subtle varlets, and lazy lordaines for a purpose, to get money. Oftentimes the spirit hath been taken and laid in the stocks: the Angel hath been stripped: good Lady hath been caught: the conveyance and the miracle hath appeared: the engines, and sleights, and the cause, and the manner of the working hath been confessed. In those days, Idols could go on foot: Roods could speak: Belles could ring alone, Images could come down and light their own candles. Dead stocks could sweat and bestir themselves: they could turn their •ies: they could move their hands: they could open their mouths: they could set bones, and knit sine•es: they could heal the sick, and raise up the dead.

But these myracles were no miracles at al. They were deuised by suttle varlets, and lazie lordaines for a purpose, to get money. Oftentimes the spirite hath béene taken and laide in the stockes: the Angel hath béene stript: good Ladie hath béene caught: the conueyance and the miracle hath appeared: the engines, and sleights, and the cause, and the manner of the working hath béene confessed. In those daies, Idols could goe on foote: Roodes could speake: Belles coulde ring alone, Images could come downe and light their owne candles. Dead stockes coulde sweat and bestirre themselues: they could turne their •ies: they coulde mooue their hands: they coulde open their mouths: they could set bones, and knit sine•es: they coulde heale the sicke, and raise vp the dead.

These miracles were conveyances and ⟨p. 346⟩subtleties and indeed no miracles. The trunks by which they did speak, the strings and wi•rs, with which they moved their faces and bands: all the rest of their treachery hath been disclosed. These be the miracles of which Paul speaketh. Miracles in sight, but indeed no miracles. The other sort of false miracles, is, when such things as be in deed wrought and done, are untruly applied by Antichrist to maintain his falsehood. God giveth recovery to the diseased: the deaf receive their hearing: the blind receive their sight. He assuageth the tempests, and stayeth the rage of fire, that it continue not. These things are done by the finger of God. Antichrist draweth us from so thinking of the mercy of God, and telleth us we have other friends to whom we are beholding, which have done so and so for us. It was this Saint, saith he, it was that Saint, that took pity of your case, and wrought the remedy for you. It was Apollonia, it was Genovefa, it was Sitha, it was our Lady. Such a Saint is able to do much: such a Saint can work miracles.