Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…

4. The Miracles of Christ were excellently suited to the Evangelical design. Miracles in their general Nature are excesses of Nature, and therefore things very congruous to seal up those super-natural Truths, which are above our Reason. Evangelical Mysteries are such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have they entered into mans heart. They are above the line of Reason, and so very aptly ratified by those miraculous Works, which are above the line of Nature. We are in all Reason to conclude, that God, who acts above Nature, is to be believed, even when he speaks above Reason; which, being but a part of Nature, may be as well exceeded by Mysteries, as other parts of Nature are by Miracles. But further, his Miracles had a special aptitude in them to confirm the Gospel; they were not destructive, as the wonders in Egypt were, nor merely ⟨p. 112⟩to raise an admiration, as Simon Magus's were, who would present himself flying in the air,¹ frame walking-statues, and make bread out of stones, that he might be esteemed a great one, a kind of Deity among men: No, our Saviours Miracles were for the good of mankind; he went up and down doing of good, he healed the distempers of men, and cast Devils out of their bodies. And what works could be more admirably fitted to the Gospel, which was ordained to heal inward distempers, and cast Satan out of the Souls of men? What can better accord together than healing Miracles, and healing Doctrines? It is very reasonable to believe, that he, who did such wonders on the bodies of men, can do as much and more upon their souls. He, who cast Satan out of the outward man, can eject him and all his furniture out of the inward. Moreover it is to be observed, that his Miracles were ordinarily wrought upon Faith. Thus he said to the Centurion, As thou hast believed, so be it done to thee, Matth. 8.13. Thus to the blind men, According to your faith be it unto you, Matth. 9.29. Thus to the Father of the possessed Child, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9.23, as if the Divine Power were made over to Faith. We see here, how our Saviour in doing his Miracles, did put an honour upon Faith, which is the Condition of the Gospel; and withal, what great reason we have to go to him for Spiritual Miracles, who hath done so many Corporal.