l6 THE REIGN OF LAW. 



miracles — how we understand them? what we 

 would define them to be ? The common idea of 

 a miracle is, a suspension or violation of the laws 

 of Nature. This is a definition which places the 

 essence of a miracle in a particular method of 

 operation. But there is another definition which 

 passes this by altogether, and dwells only on 

 the agency by which, and the purpose for which, 

 a wonderful work is wrought. "We would con- 

 fine the word miracle," says Dr M'Cosh, * " to ► 

 those events which were wrought in our world 

 as a sign or proof of God making a supernatu- 

 ral interposition, or a revelation to Man." This 

 definition is defective in so far as it uses the 

 word " supernatural," which, as we have seen, 

 itself requires definition as much as miracle. 

 But from the general context and many indi- 

 vidual passages in his treatise, it is sufficiently 

 clear that the two conditions essential in Dr 



is ever assigned to them is an "evidential purpose " — that is, a pur- 

 pose that they might serve as signs of the presence of superhuman 

 knowledge, and of the working of superhuman power. They were 

 performed — in short — to assist faith, and not to confound reason. 



* The Supernatural in relation to the Natural. By the Rev. 

 James M'Cosh, LL.D. Macmillan, Cambridge, 1861. 



