3. Done for the confirmation of faith.] God will not make his works cheap by
prostituting them meerly for the satisfaction of mans curiosity.
4. On the Mission generally of a new Ministery.] For, although some sprinkling
of Miracles on other occasions; yet their main body was done by Moses,
a new Law-giver to the Jewes; by Elias, and Elisha, two grand Restorers
(adequate almost to a Giver) of the Law, in a generall-visible defection to
Idolatry, by Christ and his Apostles, as the first Preachers of the Gospel.
In this our description, no mention of the rarity of Miracles, because the same resul∣teth
from the premises, frequencie abating from the due wonder thereof.
2. Now that such Miracles long since are ceased, appears by the confession of
antient Fathers, and most ingenious Romanists: S. Chrysost: 23 Hom: on S. John,
thus expresseth himselfe, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
For even now there be Seekers and Sayers, wherefore also
now are not Miracle done? for if thou beest a Believer, as thou oughtest to be, and
dost love Christ as thou oughtest to love him, thou hast no need of Miracles. For Mi∣racles
are given to unbelievers.
3. S. Augustine passing his Censure on the Miracles of his Age, had so low an
opinion of their truth, that he ranked them under two heads:
- 1. Figmenta mendacium hominum, Forgeries of lying men.
- 2. Portenta fallacium spirituum, Prodigies of deceitfull Devils.
4. Bishop Fisher himself writing against Luther, and occasionally treating of
the power of Miracles, Cujus effectum nune nullum cernimus, of which (saith he)
we now see no effect; which addeth to the wonder, that so wise a man should en∣gage
in the foolish wonder of the holy Maid of Kent.
5. The true cause of the ceasing of Miracles is not any want of Divine power
to effect them, as if that infinitenesse could ever, like Naomi, be superannuated and
effoete to have no more true wonders in the womb thereof, but because Miracles
are the swadling cloathes of infant-Churches. And when Doctrines are once esta∣blished
and received in a Church, Miracles are impertinent: yea, it is no better
than a tempting of God, after such assurance given long since to the Truth, still
to expect a miraculous confirmation thereof.
6. Wherefore when the importunity of Papists presseth us to produce Miracles
to atrest our Religion, we return unto them, That ours is an old Faith founded
long since on the Scriptures, and we may justly lay claim to all the Miracles in
the New Testament to be ours, because done in demonstration of that Doctrine,
which we at this day doe defend, and are the Seals of that Instrument, the wri∣ting
wherein we desire and endeavour to maintain and practice.
7. Such forgery must needs be an high and heinous offence. If the counterfeit∣ing
of the Mark, Tokens, and Letters of others, so as to gain any money into their
hands thereby, be punishable by Pillory, Imprisonment, or any other corporall
penalty under death, at the discretion of the Judge; yea, if it be Treason for any
to forge the King's Signe Manual, Privy Signet, or Privy Seale, How great a
guilt doe they contract, who falsifie the Signature of the high God of Heaven?
Miracles being of that nature, whereby he immediately impresseth his own Power
and Presence on that, which is so supernaturally brought to passe.
8. I know what such Forgers plead for themselves, viz: That they have a good
intent therein to beget, continue, or increase a reverence to Religion, and veneration
to the Saints and Servants of God, so to raise up vulgar fancies to the highest pitch
of piety. Wherefore, as Lycurgus made a Law, not that Theft should be death,
but death to be caught in their Thieving; so these conclude, counterfeiting Mi∣racles
no fault, but when done so bunglingly, that it is detected, conceiving other∣wise
the glory accreweth to God by their hypocrisie.
9. But, what saith the Holy Spirit? Will you speak wickedly For God, and