It followeth now to see, how many sorts and kinds of miracles there be. I mean not how many sorts there be ⟨image 16⟩in Nature (for so there is but only one true miracle) but in name, and as they are called, for so there may be diverse, and this I gather out of the words of these Pharisees. How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? insinuating thereby, that there be some miracles which sinners may do, yet not such as CHRIST had done: Out of this place then we gather that in name there be two sorts of miracles. One is a true and divine miracle, which is that whereof we have spoken before, which is an undeceivable miracle, for it is not done to deceive any, but to magnify the work thereof, and for the good of them for whom it is wrought, and for the profit of those which behold it, it is called divine because it is wrought by the soul omnipotent power of God. Besides this there is a false vain and deceivable miracle, false I say because it is not this, for whatsoever is not this, is a false Miracle, and vain, because it cannot have any good, Godly, profitable and holy use to the conscience ⟨image 16⟩of man, and deceivable, because it deludeth men that are to discern and judge of it. This is the miracle which the Pharisees here speak of, the which is granted to be done by the wicked. Elsewhere in the scriptures we read, who are the workers of this miracle, as namely Satan himself doth often-times work it. So also his Ministers do often-times work the same, for the holy Ghost teacheth us, Math. 24. 24. That in the latter days there shall come false Christs and false Prophets, and show great signs, and wonders, so that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect. We must not imagine that the false Christs shall work true miracles, but they shall work such strange and wonderful things, that they should carry away many after them: nay if the Lord had not decreed in his secret counsel to save them that they should never fall away, they would also deceive them. Whereby we may be admonished, that seeing we are in the last age of the world, ⟨image 17⟩that fearful times are at hand, wherein false Christs shall arise and deceive many. And is not Satan now strong in the hearts of the reprobates? that they will teach false doctrines.
It followeth now to sée, how many sorts and kinds of miracles there be. I meane not how many sorts there be ⟨image 16⟩in Nature (for so there is but onely one true miracle) but in name, and as they are called, for so there may be diuerse, and this I gather out of the words of these Pharisees. How can a man that is a sinner doe such miracles? insinuating thereby, that there bee some miracles which sinners may doe, yet not such as CHRIST had done: Out of this place then wee gather that in name there bee two sorts of miracles. One is a true and diuine miracle, which is that whereof wee haue spoken before, which is an vnbeceaueable miracle, for it is not done to deceiue any, but to magnifie the worke thereof, and for the good of them for whom it is wrought, and for the profit of those which behold it, it is called diuine because it is wrought by the soule omnipotent power of God. Besides this there is a false vaine and deceiueable miracle, false I say because it is not this, for whatsoeuer is not this, is a false Miracle, and vaine, because it cannot haue any good, Godly, profitable and holy vse to the conscience ⟨image 16⟩of man, and deceiueable, because it deludeth men that are to discerne and iudge of it. This is the miracle which the Pharisees here speake of, the which is granted to bee done by the wicked. Elsewhere in the scriptures wee read, who are the workers of this miracle, as namely Sathan himselfe doth often-times worke it. So also his Ministers do often-times worke the same, for the holy Ghost teacheth vs, Math. 24. 24. That in the latter dayes there shall come false Christs and false Prophets, and shewe great signes, and wonders, so that if it were possible they should deceiue the very Elect. Wée must not imagine that the false Christs shall worke true miracles, but they shall worke such strange and wonderfull things, that they should carry away many after them: nay if the Lord had not decréed in his secret counsell to saue them that they should neuer fall away, they would also deceiue them. Whereby wee may bee admonished, that séeing wee are in the last age of the world, ⟨image 17⟩that fearefull times are at hand, wherein false Christs shall arise and deceiue many. And is not Satan now strong in the hearts of the reprobates? that they will teach false doctrines.
