they shall be baffled and discredited; as we know it was in the case of Moses and the Eygptian Magicians.
These things I count sufficient to be said to this last and shrewdest Objection; though some, I understand, except, that I have made it stronger than the Answer I have applied. That I have urged the Argument of Unbelievers home, and represented it in its full strength, I suppose can be no matter of just Reproof: For to triumph over the weakness of a Cause, and to overlook its strength, is the trick of shallow and interessed Disputers, and the worst way to defend a good Cause, or confute a bad one. I have therefore all along urged the most cogent things I could think of for the Interest of the Objectors, because I would not impose upon my Reader or my self; and the stronger I make their Premises, the more shall I weaken their Conclusion if I answer them; which whether I have done or not, I refer my self to the Judgments of the ingenious and considerate; from whom I should be very glad to be inform'd in what particular Points my discourse is defective. General Charges are no Proofs, nor are they easily capable of an answer. Yet, to the mention'd exception I say,
That the strength of the Objection is not my fault, for the reasons alledg'd; and for the supposed incompetency of my return, I propose, that if the circumstances of the Persons, Ends and Issues be the best Notes of Distinction between true Miracles and Forgeries, Divine and Diabolical ones, I have then said enough to secure the Miracles of our Saviour, and the holy Men of ancient times. But if these Objectors think they can give us any better, or more infallible Criteria, I desire them to weigh what I have offer'd about Miracles in some of the following Leaves, before they enter that thought among their Certainties. And if their other marks of difference will hold, notwithstanding those Allegations, I suppose the inquisitive believing World would be glad to know them, and I shall have particular obligations to the discoverer, for the strength with which he will thereby assist my Answer.
But till I see that, I can say nothing stronger; or if I say it, which I shall not in haste expect, I should not be convinced but that the circumstances of difference, which I have noted, are abundantly sufficient to disarm the Objection; and to shew, that though Apparitions, Witchcraft and Diabolical Wonders are admitted, yet none of these can fasten any slurr, or grounds of dangerous doubt upon the miraculous performances of the Lord JESUS and his Apostles. If the dissatisfied can shew it, I shall yield my self an humble Proselyte to their Reasons; but till I know them, the general suggestions will not convince me.
