Ivi. / PROLEGOMENA. 



the value of human testimony, and render the 

 most solemn asseverations of men on oath of no 

 moment. From any one insulated case of a 

 miracle, whether wrought at the time of Christ 

 or now, no solid argument for miraculous inter- 

 position could be drawn, but from the whole 

 aggregate of miracles taken collectively, having 

 in all their variety of particulars, certain features 

 in common and an object in common, establishing 

 and supporting the one foith, an argument of 

 so powerful a nature is drawn in their favour, that 

 no mean sophistry of modern philosophy could 

 shake it in a reasonable mind, if the passions and 

 prejudices, and sordid interests of an eifeminate 

 age, did not interfere with the exercise of the 

 understanding. This will aj)pear more clearly 

 to be the case, if we reflect on the inconsistency 

 of protestants, in choosing to reject some miracles, 

 as for example, our great miracle of the Real 

 Presence, and yet admitting things equally un- 

 intelligible lo the senses, as the Trinity in Unity, 

 the eternity of hell, and other articles of faith. 

 The whole world is in fact a miracle of perpetual 

 changes, performed perpetually before our eyes, 

 but in a manner of which we are ignorant. We 

 have only five senses or inlets to knowledge, 

 and the addition of a sixth, by its powerful 

 multiplication of combinations, might let us into 

 many mysteries hid. Transubstantiation, like 



