ROUSSEAU ON MIRACLES. 



IOI 



happened on our account. If, however, continues 

 RouiTeau, a mortal # mould boldly allure us that he had 

 feen a miracle, he cuts the grand queftion fhort. We 

 muft judge for ourfelves whether he is to be believed 

 on his word. 



A thoufand perfons might come and teftify it to me, 

 here exclaims Jean Jacques, and yet I would not be- 

 lieve them. 



According to RoufTeau's philofophy, which in this 

 point really appears to be the moft natural, it is a grofs 

 fophifm, to employ moral evidence for eftablifhing 

 facts that are naturally impoffible. Why ? Becaufe 

 the principle of credibility, which refts on the natural 

 poffibility, in that cafe forfakes us. 



RoufTeau, undoubtedly, would fay ; The reafon where- 

 on we can believe that which is related to us is moftly 

 to be fought for in the natural poffibility of the attend- 

 ed fact, that is, in its agreement with the known and 

 Hated laws of nature, or from the courfe of nature 

 known by univerfal experience. If, however, the re- 

 lated fact be naturally impoffible, i. e. in oppolition 

 to fuch laws of nature, in behalf of the uniformity and 

 ftatednefs whereof, and their foundation in the nature 

 pf things, the univerfal experience of all times and re- 

 gions of the world bears witnefs : then we may always 

 niuch fooner admit that the relator has lyed, or been 

 miftaken, than that fo improbable an event has hap- 

 pened. 



* That is, of a being who may lye, may err, and be deceived 

 by others. 



h 3 Metaphyiically 



