The Institution of Christian Religion

Now these so many and so notable miracles that he recounteth, are §5even as many establishments of the law that he delivered, and the doctrine that he published.¹ For, this that he was carried in a cloud up into the mountain: that there even to the fortieth day he continued without company of men: that in the very publishing of the law his face did shine as it were beset with sunbeams:² that lightnings flashed round about: that thunders and noises were heard each where in the air: that a trumpet sounded being not blown with any mouth of man: that the entry of the tabernacle by a cloud set between was kept from the sight of the people: that his authority was so miraculously revenged with the horrible destruction of Chore, Dathan and Abiron,³ and all that wicked faction: that the rock stricken with a rod did by and by pour forth a river: that at his prayer it rained Manna from heaven: did not God herein commend him from heaven as an undoubted prophet? If any man object against me, that I take these things as confessed, which are not out of controversy, it is easy to answer this cavillation. For seeing that Moses in open assembly published all these things, what place was there to feign before those witnesses that had themselves seen the things done? It is likely forsooth that he would come among them, & rebuking the people of infidelity, stubbornness, unthankfulness, & other sins, would have boasted that his ⟨image 26⟩doctrine was established in their own sight with such miracles, which in deed they never saw.

Nowe these so many and so notable myracles that he recompteth, ar §5euen as many establishementes of the lawe that he deliuered, and the doctrine that he published.¹ For, this that he was caried in a clowde vp into the mountayne: that there euen to the fortyeth daye he continued without company of menne: that in the very publishing of the lawe his face dydde shyne as it were besette with sonnebeames: