YII ORDER OF NATURE: MIRACLES 155 



as an uniform experience amounts to a proof, there is here 

 a direct and full proof, from the nature of the fact, against 

 the existence of any miracle ; nor can such a proof be de- 

 stroyed or the miracle rendered credible but by an opposite 

 proof which is superior." (IV. p. 134.) 



Every one of these dicta appears to be open to 

 serious objection. 



The word " miracle " miraculum, in its 

 primitive and legitimate sense, simply means some- 

 thing wonderful. 



Cicero applies it as readily to the fancies of 

 philosophers, " Portenta et miracula philosopho- 

 rum somniantium," as we do to the prodigies of 

 priests. And the source of the wonder which a 

 miracle excites is the belief, on the part of those 

 who witness it, that it transcends, or contradicts, 

 ordinary experience. 



The definition of a miracle as a " violation of 

 the laws of nature " is, in reality, an employment 

 of language which, on the face of the matter, 

 cannot be justified. For " nature " means neither 

 more nor less than that which is; the sum of 

 phenomena presented to our experience; the 

 totality of events past, present, and to come. 

 Every event must be taken to be a part of nature 

 until proof to the contrary is supplied. And 

 such proof is, from the nature of the case, im- 

 possible. 



Hume asks: 



" Why is it more than probable that all men must die : 

 that lead cannot of itself remain suspended in the air : 



