A20180:39
Christs miracles delivered in a sermon. By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of…Christes miracles deliuered in a sermon. By Arthvr Dent, preacher of the word of…
Christs miracles delivered in a sermon. By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God, at South-Shoobery in Essex.Christes miracles deliuered in a sermon. By Arthvr Dent, preacher of the word of God, at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by G. Eld for John Wright, 1608London: printed by G. Eld for Iohn Wright, 1608
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, the second sort of means that the Lord useth, is to teach us, that it is he alone that worketh miracles, and not the creature which is used, his sole omnipotent power doth work it: Let the means do or be ⟨image 14⟩what it will, whether it be any creature what-so-ever, or no creature, as was the shadow of Peter which was nothing, but the absence of light. Let us acknowledge the LORD to be the only cause and worker of the miracle.
Secondly, the second sort of meanes that the Lord vseth, is to teache vs, that it is he alone that worketh miracles, and not the creature which is vsed, his sole omnipotent power doth worke it: Let the meanes doe or bee ⟨image 14⟩what it will, whether it be any creature what-so-euer, or no creature, as was the shadowe of Peter which was nothing, but the absence of light. Let vs acknowledge the LORD to bee the onely cause and worker of the miracle.
Thirdly the third sort of means, teacheth us to give nothing to the creature it self which is used, which is contrary to the opinion of many superstitious people, and contrary to all Conjurers, Sorcerers, or casters of Figures: Satan maketh them to think that the miracle is brought to pass by him, or the means which he appointeth, and not by the power of GOD. But we must acknowledge that all Creatures what-so-ever, that albeit the power of Angels be great, yet if all these were joined together, yet they were not able to work the least miracle that could be. This doctrine hath singular use. First it teacheth us what a miracle is. Secondly, what a miracle is not: as all manner of appearances are no miracles, whether ⟨image 15⟩they be illusions of Satan, or proceed from the deceit, subtlety, and agility of man, none of them are miracles. So the preservation of mankind, albeit it be a true work wrought by God only, yet because it is a true usual and ordinary work, it is no miracle, for every miracle is a rare work of God.