is not to reverence the Power of God, but to make that serve the Passions, and Interests, and Revenges of Men.
It is a dangerous Mistake, into which many good Men fall; that we neglect the Dominion of God over the World, if we do not discover, in every Turn of human Actions, many supernatural Providences and miraculous Events. Whereas it is enough for the Honour of his Government, that he guides the whole Creation, in its wonted Course of Causes and Effects: As it makes as much for the Reputation of a Prince's Wisdom, that he can rule his Subjects peaceably, by his known and standing Laws, as that he is often forc'd to make ufe of extraordinary Justice to punish, or reward.
Let us then imagine our Philosopher to have all slowness of Belief, and rigour of Trial, which by some is miscalled a blindness of Mind, and hardness of Heart. Let us suppose that he is most unwilling to grant that any thing exceeds the Force of Nature, but where a full Evidence convinces him. Let it be allow'd, that he is always alarm'd, and ready on his Guard, at the Noise of any miraculous Event; lest his judgment should be surpriz'd by the Disguises of Faith. But does he by this diminish the Authority of ancient Miracles? Or does he not rather confirm them the more, by confining their Number, and taking care that every Falshood should not mingle with them? Can he by this undermine Christianity, which does not now stand in need of such extraordinary Testimonies from Heaven? or do not they rather indanger it, who still venture all its Truths on so hazardous a Chance? Who requires a Continuance of
