154 HUME 



VII 



"be an uniform experience against every miraculous event, 

 otherwise the event would not merit that appellation. And 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 destroyed 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 primi- 

 tive and legitimate sense, simply means something 

 wonderful. 



Cicero applies it as readily to the fancies of 

 philosophers, " Portenta et miracula philosophorum 

 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 : 



