CIL fir rt v. 473 'flan sorcerers 'contended with`ilMoses. But the Wonders Which Moses wrought did so far transcend the power of the Magicians, as made them confess, It was the finger of God. 3. These divine appearances ór attestations to revelation must be either known to ourselves, by our Own personal observa- tion of them, or they must be su¡fciently attested by others, ac- Cording to the principles and rules by which matters of humdn ;pith are to be judged in the foregoing section. Some of those who lived in the :nations and-ages where mi- 'racles were wrotìght, were eye and ear - witnesses of the truth and divinity of the revelation ; but we, who live in these'distant ages must have them derived down to ns by just and incontestible history and tradition. We also, even in these distant times,,may see the accomplishment of some ancient- predictions, and therelty obtain that advantage toward the confirmation ofourfaith.in -di- vine revelation, beyond what these persons enjoyed .whodived when the predictions were pronounced. 6. There is another very oonsiderableremfirmation of divine testimony ; and that 'is, when :the doctrines themselves, either on the publication or the belief of them, produce supernattuval effects. Such were the miraculous powers which were'communi- cated to believers in the firstages of Christianity, the conversion of Jews or Gentiles, the amazing success of the,, gospel of Christ, without human aid, and in opposition to adlwusand -im- pediments ; its power in changing the hearts and lives of igno- rant and vicious heathens, and wicked and profane creatures-in all nations, and filling them with- a- ;spirit of .virtue, piety sad goodness. Wheresoever, persons have found this effect in their own hearts, wrought by a belief of the gospel 'of Christ, they have a witness in themselves of 'the truth of it, and "abundant reason to believe it divine. Of the difference between reason and revelation, and n. what sense the latter is superior, see -more in Chap. -IL Sect.. 9.- and Chap. IV. Direct: 6. SECT. 1.TII.-- Principles es and -Rides of judging, e'oncerning Things- past, present, cenci''to come, by'tise- -mere Use rof 'Reason. THOUGH we attain the greatest assurance of things past, and future by divine faith, and learn many matters of fact, both pasts and' present; by 'human ficith, yet reason'also' may in a good degree assist' us to judge of matters of -fact, both past, present, and to tome, 'by the following principles: 1.`There is a system Of beings roundabout us, Of which we ourselves are a part, which we call the world; and in this world there is á course of nature, -'or a settled order of causes, effects, antecedents, concomitants, consequences, &c. from Which
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=