ABSTRACT
Hume and others have employed a very subtle reasoning to demonstrate their general incredibility. It is not impossible that a plainer species of reasoning may carry more conviction to the majority of mankind. The first thing that occurs to an impartial and unprejudiced mind, is, that miracles, like witchcraft and the belief in ghosts, have their day, and belong to certain periods in the progress of human illumination. A miracle, therefore, needs no interpreter. In addition to theseconsiderations on miracles in general, it is but reasonable that we should attend to the particular character of the miracles exhibited by Jesus. His favourite miracle appears to have been the casting out of devils. That is one of the infernal host, which of old were driven out of heaven for engaging in rebellion against the Most High, was permitted by God, for purposes best known to Himself, to take possession of the body of a living man, and thus to make him appear frantic and blasphemous.
