SECT. XIV.
Obj. XII.THE belief of Witches, and the wonderful things they are said to perform by the help of the Confederate Dæmon, weakens our Faith, and exposeth the World to Infidelity in the great matters of our Religion. For if they by Diabolical assistance can inflict and cure Diseases, and do things so much beyond the comprehension of our Philosophy, and activity of common Nature; what assurance can we have, that the Miracles that confirm our Gospel were not the effects of a Compact or like Nature, and that Devils were not cast out by Belzebub? If evil Spirits can assume Bodies, and render themselves visible in humane likeness; What security can we have of the reality of the Resurrection of Christ? And if, by their help, Witches can enter Chambers invisibly through Key-holes and little unperceived Crannies, and transform themselves at pleasure; What Arguments of Divinity are there in our Saviour shewing himself in the midst of his Disciples, when the doors were shut, and his Transfiguration in the Mount? Miracles are the great inducements of Belief; And how shall we distinguish a Miracle from a lying Wonder; a Testimony from Heaven from a Trick of the Angels of Hell, if they can perform things that astonish and confound our Reasons, and are beyond all the Possibilities of Human Nature? This Objection is spightful and mischievous; but I thus endeavour to dispatch it.
(1)THE Wonders done by Confederacy with wicked Spirits, cannot derive a suspicion upon the undoubted Miracles that were wrought by the Author and Promulgers of our Religion, as if they were perform'd by Diabolical Compact, since their Spirit, Endeavours and Designs, were notoriously contrary to all the Tendencies, Aims and Interests of the Kingdoms of Darkness. For as to the Life and Temper of the blessed and adorable JESUS, we know there was an incomparable sweetness in his Nature, Humility in his Manners, Calmness in his Temper, Compassion in his Miracles, Modesty in his Expressions, Holiness in all his Actions, Hatred of Vice and Baseness, and Love to all the World; all which are essentially contrary to the Nature and Constitution of Apostate Spirits, who abound in Pride and Rancour, Insolence and Rudeness, Tyranny and Baseness, universal Malice and Hatred of Men. And their Designs
