in ContribinqCOatro tlebemptiom 395 when He is pleated to work any, they are his Seal to Chan20 authorife the Perfon and Dotrine to which they are an- next. By themFaith is made vifible.: The Unbelie- ver is convinced by his Senfes, the only witneffes above reproach in his account. From hence Nicodemus ad- dreffes himfelfto Chrift, Matter, we know that thou art John 3 H. a Teacher comefr omGod ; for no man cando thole Mira- cles that thou dolt, except God bewith him : That is, No inferiour Agent can perform them, without the fpecial afliflanceoftheDivine Power. And 'tis not to be fup- pofed, that God will lend his Omnipotency to the De- vil to work a real Miracle, to confirm a falfity; and thereby, neceffdrily induce Men into errour in a mat- terof infinite moment : for fuch is theDoOrineof Sal- vation that Chrift Preached. 2. The working of Miracles was neceffary to con- vince the World, that Jefus Chrift was fent fromGod, whetherwe confider the Jews or the Gentiles. Tocon- vince the Jews, upon a double account. z . Becaufe the performance ofthem was one of the characters of the promifed Meffiah. For this reafon when twoofyohns Difciples came to inquirewhether he were the expected Prophet, he returns this anfwer to thequeftion: Go andthen John thofe things which ye do mar. zr, 4, s: hear and fee, the Blind receive their Sight, and the Lame walk, the Lepers are cleanfed, and the Deafhear, the Dead are raifedup, and thepoor have the Gofpel preached to them. Thushe defcribed his Office, and verified the Efz. 35. s, 9. Commiflion he had from God, by reprefentinghis Mi- racles in the Words of the Prophecy. 2. Our Saviour came to alter the Religion ofthe Jews that hadbeen confirmedby many illuffribus Mira- cles, therefore to affure them that he was Authorifed fromHeaven, he wrought fuch and fo many, that for their greatnefs, cicarnefs and number exceededall that were.
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