Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Nor did the Writers of the Story of the Gospel agree to give an account of all the Miracles that were wrought by the Author of it, but only to leave sufficient instances on record of his Divine Power, in the effecting of them. For this end they singled out some works that were occasionally attended with some Disputes or Preachings, tending unto the opening and confirmation of the Doctrine of the Gospel. Thus upon the coming of the Disciples of John unto him, it is said, Luk. 7.21. In ⟨p. 237⟩that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits, and unto many that were blind he gave sight. The particular stories of none of these are any where mentioned; nor had that season been at all remembered, but upon occasion of those Persons who were sent unto him; the present works which they saw, being made the ground of that answer which he returned unto their Master; v. 22. Go tell John the things which ye have seen and heard, how that the blind see, &c. Considering therefore what is elsewhere written, of all the Regions about bringing in their sick, weak, and impotent, and of the cures of Persons by the touching of his garment, it is evident that his Personal Miracles amounted unto thousands, which might well give occasion to the Hyperbole used by John in recounting of them. Hence some among the Jews were convinced that he was the Messiah, not only by the greatness, but also by the number of his works, John 7.31. Many of the People believed on him, and said, when Christ cometh will he do more Miracles then these, which this man doeth? And what are the seventy six Miracles of Moses unto those, as to number, which in the first place the Jews glory in? And if we may add those which were wrought by his power by them that preached the Gospel on his Commission: as they are all of the same efficacy unto the end proposed, or confirmation of his being the Messiah, they amount not unto thousands only, but probably unto millions. For of this sort were all the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, that were granted unto the Church all the world over. So that as to the number of Miracles, he was sufficiently by them attested unto, to be the Messiah, the great Law-giver of the people of the New Covenant.

Nor did the Writers of the Story of the Gospel agree to give an account of all the Miracles that were wrought by the Author of it, but only to leave sufficient instances on record of his Divine Power, in the effecting of them. For this end they singled out some works that were occasionally attended with some Disputes or Preachings, tending unto the opening and confirmation of the Doctrine of the Gospel. Thus upon the coming of the Disciples of John unto him, it is said,