224 REV. H. C. M. WATSON 



Still, a mig-lity mystery remains unexplained, and it is the 

 order of the phenomena, and not their cause, which we are 

 able to refer to the usual course of nature." That the opera- 

 tions of nature have never varied is a proposition that cannot 

 be maintained. A process of necessary reasoning compels us 

 to believe that they have varied in the past history of our 

 world. The science of geology witnesses to the truth of this 

 position. The history of the material, as of the human world, 

 teaches us that " there are more things in heaven and earth 

 than are dreamt of in " the philosophy of materialism. 



Conclusion. 



No one is in a position to declare that there is no power 

 adequate to the production of miracles ; neither can he afl&rm 

 them, to be inconsistent with Divine wisdom and Almighty 

 power. The phenomena usually denominated miraculous fall 

 within the scope of testimony. There is no conflict between the 

 testimony which deposes to the occurrence of a miracle, and 

 that which deposes to the operation of nature. Therefore 

 miracles may be subjects of testimony. Whether miracles 

 have occurred, or whether we can accept their occurrence as 

 a fact, depends upon the character of the testimony produced 

 in proof of the alleged occurrence, — the testimony of eye- 

 witnesses, qualified to observe correctly, and to report faith- 

 fully, — competent testimony. If such witnesses can be pro- 

 duced, bearing clear unmistakable testimony to miraculous 

 occurrences, miracles are a fact that must be accepted. 



But, after all, the case of miracles in relation to testimony 

 will not be decided by the vast majority of nien, by abstruse 

 philosophical arguments, but by common-sense tests. Paley 

 states the case in this way, in the " Introductory Remarks " 

 to his Evidences : — 



" If twelve men, whose probity and good sense I had 

 long known, should seriously and circumstantially relate 

 to me an account of a miracle wrought before their eyes, 

 and in which it was impossible that they should be 

 deceived ; if the governor of the countiy, hearing a rumour 

 of the account, should call these men into his presence, and 

 offer them a short proposal, either to confess their imposture, 

 or submit to be tied up to a gibbet ; if they should refuse with 

 one voice to acknowledge that there existed any falsehood or 

 imposture in the case ; if the threat were communicated to 

 them separately, yet with no diflerent effect ; if it was at last 

 executed; if I myself saw them, one after another, consenting 



