230 
is infinitely extended one. Similar remarks are applicable to the multipli- 
cation of the loaves and fishes. I entirely disclaim the intention of making 
any a rmation as to how this miracle was accomplished ; but to affirm that 
it involves the creation of matter which was not previously in existence is 
only to involve the subject in needless difficulties. I have fully pointed this 
out in my answer to Supernatural Religion. The constituents of the 
seven loaves and the two fishes had been built up into their existing forms 
by God through the ordinary forces and laws of nature. Who will 
affirm that He could not have effectuated the same result by means of some 
combination of these forces different from that which He usually employs ? 
The ingredients necessary for multiplying the loaves and fishes were all 
present, either in the earth, the water, or the air. In the ordinary processes 
of nature He bu.lds these up into loaves and fishes in one way ; in the 
miracle in another. Of the mode of the divine operation we are ignorant, 
u i is simply to encumber the entire question with needless difficulties to 
affirm that a miracle must involve either a suspension of the forces of nature, 
or a violation of its laws or order, or the creation of matter not previously 
““ “f °™T the 7 ati011 of a ne w forc e ; for God is everywhere present in 
j ureandffs forces. The question of miracles has been already sufficiently con- 
sed through the ever-varying senses in which both theologians and scientists 
h ve used the terms, nature, law, force, natural, supernatural, miracle, and 
ineamnf "I °l r " ^ ** h “ d one cIear consistent and invariable 
j . '. Uch C ° nfl 7 n f0 !' lnS the Very storoh °use from which unbelievers 
T ‘ 11 " ea P ons ‘ * or instance, do we mean by the word “ nature ” ? 
Does it include all things that exist ? or is it confined to the regions of 
necessary law? or does it include man, his voluntary actions, and self- 
originating power ? According as our use of it includes one or the other 
we apply it to wholly different classes of phenomena; and the ideas 
intended to be conveyed by the terms “natural and supernatural” must 
undergo a corresponding variation. Thus the whole question about mimcS 
has be^ allowed t° drift into a mass of confusion, through the amyous 
definitions' 51 It T / ^ llltroductlon of unnecessary terms into our 
, „ , a deep SGUSe of the conf usion into which we have thus 
m acle 'that ttne ^ *7"^ againSt introducin S into o«r definition of a 
“ creat ’ve Iwer > tT 1 7 " T CXerti ° n ° f is popula ^ called 
cr ativJ a ? 7 W 1 ^ ° Wn “ ’ t0 Speak of a Power in God which is 
creative a. a thing which is distinct and separate from that which He 
tic, I holder a m J^cirt3eo“ h7* ” ?" ” — * 
God , so does the ^ of ^ 
call nature ; but what kind of power we know not. The essence of a miracle 
7 \ Splay 0/ /7 Cr ’ l>Ut ° f pUr P° se - The power displayed in many of 
he miracles recorded m the Bible is quite on a small scale compared with 
that which God exerts m His providence every day. The evil is, we live got 
