4 Aug 1815

Jug True

Miracles

(5)

The conclusion is that it is not in the nature of man and things that to any body either of imperative law or of moral counsel or any system of eventual threats and promises, miracles, be they ever so extraordinary miracles which by the supposition are real ones—should afford any perpetually superior ground. Yes: if a limited number of years say 1800, or 1900, or 2,000 would answer the purpose: not if the purpose required that it should be of any large continuance: and therefore ss to us who live at this time of day, so to all after ages, miracles real or imaginary are incapable of constituting or helping to constitute, in favour of any assertion whatsoever constituting in the way of propriety either a proper and a just ground for credence, or one that in part will beyond a limited time continue to have the effect of producing and preserving credence.