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the nature and properties of the gift。 （119） But in the case of miracles； as
our inquiry is a question purely philosophical （namely； whether anything
can happen which contravenes or does not follow from the laws of nature）；
I was not under any such necessity： I therefore thought it wiser to unravel
the difficulty through premises ascertained and thoroughly known by
could also easily have solved the problem merely from the doctrines and
fundamental principles of Scripture： in order that everyone may
acknowledge this； I will briefly show how it could be done。
（120） Scripture makes the general assertion in several passages that
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nature's course is fixed and unchangeable。 （121） In Ps。 cxlviii：6； for
instance； and Jer。 xxxi：35。 （122） The wise man also； in Eccles。 i：10；
distinctly teaches that 〃there is nothing new under the sun；〃 and in verses
11； 12； illustrating the same idea； he adds that although something
occasionally happens which seems new； it is not really new； but 〃hath been
already of old time； which was before us； whereof there is no
remembrance； neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to
come with those that come after。〃 （123） Again in chap。 iii：11； he says；
〃God hath made everything beautiful in his time；〃 and immediately
afterwards adds； 〃I know that whatsoever God doeth； it shall be for ever；
nothing can be put to it； nor anything taken from it。〃
（124） Now all these texts teach most distinctly that nature preserves a
fixed and unchangeable order； and that God in all ages； known and
unknown； has been the same； further； that the laws of nature are so perfect；
that nothing can be added thereto nor taken therefrom； and； lastly； that
miracles only appear as something new because of man's ignorance。
（125） Such is the express teaching of Scripture： nowhere does
Scripture assert that anything happens which contradicts； or cannot follow
from the laws of nature； and； therefore； we should not attribute to it such a
doctrine。
（126） To these considerations we must add； that miracles require
causes and attendant circumstances； and that they follow； not from some
mysterious royal power which the masses attribute to God； but from the
Divine rule and decree； that is （as we have shown from Scripture itself）
from the laws and order of nature； lastly； that miracles can be wrought
even by false prophets； as is proved from Deut。 xiii。 and Matt。 xxiv：24。
（127） The conclusion； then； that is most plainly put before us is； that
miracles were natural occurrences； and must therefore be so explained as
to appear neither new （in the words of Solomon） nor contrary to nature；
but； as far as possible； in complete agreement with ordinary events。 （128）
This can easily be done by anyone； now that I have set forth the rules
drawn from Scripture。 （129） Nevertheless； though I maintain that Scripture
teaches this doctrine； I do not assert that it teaches it as a truth necessary to
salvation； but only that the prophets were in agreement with ourselves on
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the point； therefore everyone is free to think on the subject as he likes；
according as he thinks it best for himself； and most likely to conduce to
the worship of God and to singlehearted religion。
（130） This is also the opinion of Josephus； for at the conclusion of the
second book of his 〃Antiquities；〃 he writes： Let no man think this story
incredible of the sea's dividing to save these people； for we find it in
ancient records that this hath been seen before； whether by God's
extraordinary will or by the course of nature it is indifferent。 （131） The
same thing happened one time to the Macedonians； under the command of
Alexander； when for want of another passage the Pamphylian Sea divided
to make them way； God's Providence making use of Alexander at that time
as His instrument for destroying the Persian Empire。 （132） This is attested
by all the historians who have pretended to write the Life of that Prince。
（133） But people are at liberty to think what they please。〃
（134） Such are the words of Josephus； and such is his opinion on faith
in miracles。
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CHAPTER VII。 … OF THE
INTERPRETATION OF
SCRIPTURE
（1） When people declare； as all are ready； to do； that the Bible is the
Word of God teaching man true blessedness and the way of salvation； they
evidently do not mean what they； say； for the masses take no pains at all to
live according to Scripture； and we see most people endeavouring to hawk
about their own commentaries as the word of God； and giving their best
efforts； under the guise of religion； to compelling others to think as they
do： we generally see； I say； theologians anxious to learn how to wring their
inventions and sayings out of the sacred text； and to fortify； them with
Divine authority。 （2） Such persons never display； less scruple or more zeal
than when they； are interpreting Scripture or the mind of the Holy Ghost；
if we ever see them perturbed； it is not that they fear to attribute some
error to the Holy Spirit； and to stray from the right path； but that they are
afraid to be convicted of error by； others； and thus to overthrow and bring
into contempt their own authority。 （3） But if men really believed what they
verbally testify of Scripture； they would adopt quite a different plan of life：
their minds would not be agitated by so many contentions； nor so many
hatreds； and they would cease to be excited by such a blind and rash
passion for interpreting the sacred writings； and excogitating novelties in
religion。 （4） On the contrary； they would not dare to adopt； as the teaching
of Scripture； anything which they could not plainly deduce therefrom：
lastly； those sacrilegious persons who have dared； in several passages； to
interpolate the Bible； would have shrunk from so great a