SECT. VI. Christ's Miracles were not from an Evil Spirit.
THat Rational Answer which our Saviour gave to those that envied his Mighty Power; That Satan doth not cast out Satan, for then his Kingdom must (forthwith) come to nought; doth clearly acquit his Works from such impious Imputations, which yet are further cleared. Because the the Doctrine of Christ, for Confirmation whereof the Works were done, Heb. 2. 3, 4. is the greatest overthrow of Evil Spirits, whom it forbids us to worship; under the severest Penalties, even that of Eternal Death, and draws us away from all Pollutions, wherewith the Evil Spirits are delighted. * 1.1 As is abundantly shewed by Aug. De Civitate Dei, Lib. 8. & 9. In the account he there gives of the most obscene and abominable Sacrifices and Services, which were offered by the Heathens to Bacchus, and Priapis. And by blessed Experience we see, where once that Doctrine of Christi∣anity, is received in the Love and Power of it, the worship of Devils and Magick Arts, do forthwith vanish; and the one True God is served with detestation of the Devils, whose power and force was broken by the coming of Christ. * 1.2 As Porphiry (a subtile and bitter Enemy to Chri∣stianity) himself acknowledgeth: That Jesus his Ascension to Heaven, caused the publick service of the Gods [that is the Daemons] to cease. Neither is it Credible, that any Evil Spirit would be so imprudent to effect such things, and that very often, whereby no Honour, or Profit, could redound to himself, (nor loss but gain to Mankind, which we know they labour to obstruct in all they may) but on the contrary, great incom∣modity and disgrace must thereupon accrue to him. But grant that the De∣vil should play the fool for once, as oft-times he doth, in taking ways to ob∣struct, which yet turns to the furtherance of Christian Vertue; yet it no way becomes the Wisdom, and Goodness of God, to permit the Infernal Spirits to deceive Men, in whom was no guile, or design of Evil, and who were devoted to his Fear and Service; such as were the first Disciples of Christ, as both the unblamableness of their Conversation, and the many Cala∣mities endured by them for Conscience sake, in attesting what the Word of God did plainly hold forth, do evidently declare.