For the second, why they are? Many Reasons are given, of which I hinted before, but in reference to Scriptures, (which is the great controversy) this is the main and the only true Reason; Miracles are wrought for the grounding or confirming of some divine truth or doctrine at its first settling. To this purpose Miracles were as the Trumpets or Heralds, by which the Gospel was first commended unto us; as the Law of Moses was first authorized by manifold Miracles wrought in Sinai, and in the Desert, which afterward ceased when they came to, and were settled in the promised Land; so the Gospel of Christ was first authorized by manifold Miracles, but the sound thereof having now gone through all the world, these Miracles cease: if new additions of Miracles for the confirmation of Scriptures should be expected in every Age, the former Miracles of Christ and his Apostles would be slighted of all; indeed, Christ tells us of great signs and wonders that shall be in the last days; 1but withal, he tells us of false Christs, and false Prophets, that must work them; it may be disputed, whether those are true miracles, or mere deceptions and magical pretences, but because they are such as the People cannot discern them from miracles really such, therefore it is all one as to them; here then is Christ's Rule, Believe them not,—behold I have told you before; he that foretold us of the man,2 foretold us also of the imposture, and commanded us not to trust him; in this respect it had been more likely for Antichrist to have prevailed upon Christians by doing no miracles, than by doing any; for if he had done none, he might have escaped without discovery; but by doing miracles, or wonders, he both verified the Wisdom and prescience of Christ, and he declared to the Elect that he was the very enemy of Christ. As all the Prophets that speak of Christ, bade us believe him for his Miracles; so all that foretold of Antichrist, bade us disbelieve him for his Miracles; which occasioned Augustine to say,3 Against such Miracle-mongers God hath armed me to take heed. Go not forth unto such, saith Christ, Matth. 24.26. and therefore Brethren stand fast, saith Paul, 2 Thes. 2.15. The great Beast deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by means of miracles; these are the words of John, Rev. 13.14. but if any man have an ear let him hear (i.e.) let him beware, Rev. 13.9.
For the second, why they are? Many Reasons are given, of which I hinted before, but in reference to Scriptures, (which is the great controversie) this is the main and the only true Reason; Miracles are wrought for the grounding or confirming of some divine truth or doctrine at its first setling. To this purpose Miracles were as the Trumpets or Heralds, by which the Gospel was first commended unto us; as the Law of Moses was first authorized by manifold Miracles wrought in Sinai, and in the Desert, which afterward ceased when they came to, and were setled in the promised Land; so the Gospel of Christ was first authorized by manifold Miracles, but the sound thereof having now gone through all the world, these Miracles cease: if new additions of Miracles for the confirmation of Scriptures should be expected in every Age, the former Miracles of Christ and his Apostles would be slighted of all; indeed, Christ tells us of great signs and wonders that shall be in the last dayes; 1but withall, he tells us of false Christs, and false Prophets, that must work them; it may be disputed, whether those are true miracles, or meer deceptions and magical pretences, but because they are such as the People cannot discern them from miracles really such, therefore it is all one as to them; here then is Christ's Rule, Believe them not,—behold I have told you before; he that foretold us of the man,2 foretold us also of the imposture, and commanded us not to trust him; in this respect it had been more likely for Antichrist to have prevailed upon Christians by doing no miracles, than by doing any; for if he had done none, he might have escaped without discovery; but by doing miracles, or wonders, he both verified the Wisdom and prescience of Christ, and he declared to the Elect that he was the very enemy of Christ. As all the Prophets that speak of Christ, bade us believe him for his Miracles; so all that foretold of Antichrist, bade us disbelieve him for his Miracles; which occasioned Augustine to say,3 Against such Miracle-mongers God hath armed me to take heed. Go not forth unto such, saith Christ, Matth. 24.26. and therefore Brethren stand fast, saith Paul, 2 Thes. 2.15. The great Beast deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by means of miracles; these are the words of John, Rev. 13.14. but if any man have an ear let him hear (i.e.) let him beware,
- 1Matth 24.24.
- 2Ver. 23, 25.
- 3Contra mirabularios istos cautum me fecit Deus meus, Aug. in Johan. tract. 3.
