Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

him the justice to own, that he hath put it out of our power to retort the charge. No intelligent person, who hath carefully perused the Essay on Miracles, will impute to the author either of those ignominious cha

racters.

My primary intention in undertaking an answer to the aforesaid essay, hath invariably been, to contribute all in my power, to the defence of a religion, which I esteem the greatest blessing conferred by Heaven on the sons of men. It is at the same time a secondary motive of considerable weight, to vindicate philosophy, at least that most important branch of it which ascertains the rules of reasoning, from those absurd consequences, which this author's theory naturally leads us to. The theme is arduous. The adversary is both subtle and powerful. With such an adversary, I should on very unequal terms enter the lists, had I not the advantage of being on the side of truth. And an eminent advantage this doubtless is. It requires but moderate abilities to speak in defence of a

good cause. A good cause demands but a distinct exposition and a fair hearing; and we may say with great propriety, it will speak for itself. But to adorn error with the semblance of truth, and make the worse appear the better reason, requires all the arts of ingenuity and invention; arts in which few or none have been more expert than Mr. Hume. It is much to be regretted, that on some occasions he hath so ill applied them.

[ocr errors]

DISSERTATION

ON

MIRACLES.

PART I.

MIRACLES ARE CAPABLE OF PROOF FROM TESTIMONY, AND RELIGIOUS MIRACLES ARE NOT LESS CAPABLE OF THIS EVIDENCE THAN OTHERS.

SECT. I.

Mr. Hume's favourite argument is founded on a falfe bypothefis.

It is not the aim of this author to evince, that miracles, if admitted to be true, would not be a sufficient evidence of a divine mission. His design is solely to prove, that miracles which have not been the objects of our own senses, at least such as are said to have been performed in attestation of any religious system, cannot reasonably be admitted by us, or believed on the teftimony of others. " A

46

"miracle," says he, "supported by any human testimony, is more properly a subject "of derision than of argument."

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Again, in the conclusion of his essay, "Upon the whole, it appears, that no testimony for any kind of miracle, can ever possibly amount to a probability, much less to a proof." + Here he concludes against all miracles. "Any kind of miracle" are his ex

[ocr errors]

66

press words.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

He seems, however, immediately sensible, that in asserting this, he hath gone too far; and therefore, in the end of the same paragraph, retracts part of what he had advanced in the beginning. "We may esta"blish it as a maxim, that no human testimony can have such force, as to prove a miracle, and make it a just foundation for any system of religion." In the note on this passage, he has these words: "I beg "the limitation here made, may be remark❝ed, when I say, that a miracle can never "be proved, so as to be the foundation of a "system of religion: for I own that other"wise, there may possibly be miracles, or "violations of the usual course of nature, of "such a kind, as to admit of proof from human testimony."

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

So much for that cardinal point, which the essayist labours so strenuously to evince; and which, if true, will not only be subversive of revelation, as received by us, on the testimony of the apostles, and prophets, and martyrs; but will directly lead to this general conclusion:" That it is impossible for God "Almighty to give a revelation, attended "with such evidence, that it can be reasonably believed in after ages, or even in the "same age, by any person who hath not "been an eye witness of the miracles, by "which it is supported."

[ocr errors]

Now by what wonderful process of reasoning is this strange conclusion made out? Several topics have been employed for the purpose by this subtle disputant. Among these there is one principal argument, which he is at great pains to set off to the best advantage. Here indeed he claims a particular concern, having discovered it himself. His title to the honour of the discovery, it is not my business to controvert; I confine myself entirely to the consideration of its importance. To this end I shall now lay before the reader, the unanswerable argument, as he flatters himself it will be found; taking the freedom,

« AnteriorContinuar »