62. But yet there seems somewhat further necessary in this case. Though there were miracles wrought by our Saviour, yet they might be every way inferior unto them wrought by Moses, and so not sufficient to testify unto a doctrine and authority removing and abolishing the laws and customs instituted by Moses. And this the Jews of old seem to have had respect unto, in their endless tu- multuary calling after signs and miracles. And hence, though the Lord Christ sometimes pleaded with them the works that he wrought, leaving them to stand or fall according unto the evidence of them, John x. 37, xv. 24 (as also did the apostles afterwards, Acts ii. 22), unto the astonishment of all, and satisfaction of the less obdurate,
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_ Mark vii. 37, John vii. 31 ;—yet both he himself constantly refused to gratify their curiosity and unbelief, when they required any sign or miracle of him, Matt. xii, 38, 39, xvi. 4, Luke xi. 29; and the apostle Paul expressly condemneth the whole principle in them, as that which, in the preaching of the gospel, was not to be gratified nor much attended unto, 1 Cor.1.22. But yet neither is there any strength wanting unto our argument on this account also; for although it be not at all necessary that he who comes with an after- revelation of the will of God, reversing any thing before established, should be attested unto with more miracles, or those that are more signal, than he or they were who were the instruments of the first revelation of things to be repealed (seeing no more is required but that he be sufficiently evidenced to be sent of God, which may be done by one true, real miracle as well as by a thousand), yet the wisdom of God hath so ordered things, that the miracles wrought by the Lord Jesus did on many accounts exceed those wrought by Moses, as by a comparison in some particular istances will appear.
63. First, the number of them gives them the pre-eminence. The Jews contend that there were seventy-six miracles wrought by Moses, whereas those of all other prophets, as they observe, amount but unto seventy-four; for so do they lay hold on every occasion to exalt him who yet judgeth and condemneth them. To make up this number they reckon up sundry things that happened about his birth and death,—far enough from miracles wrought by him or in the confirmation of his ministry. They add also every extraordi- nary work of God that fell out in his days to the same purpose. Be it so, then, that so many miracles were wrought by Moses, as we are far from diminishing any thing of the glory of his mi- nistry, yet what are these compared unto those wrought by Christ, and his apostles in his name, and by his power and authority ? Those that are recorded of his own are not easily reckoned up, and yet those that are wrztten are far the least part of what he did per- form, and that in the space of three or four years, whereas those of Moses were scattered over the whole course of his life for an hun- dred and twenty years. Thus John assures us that he did many more signs besides those that are written, chap. xx. 30, 31; and that his testimony is equal unto that of Moses we have proved before. He adds, that “the world could not contain the books” that might be written of his miracles, chap. xxi. 25; by which usual hyperbole a great multitude is designed.
Nor did the writers of the story of the gospel agree to give an account of all the miracles that were wrought by the author of it, but only to leave sufficient instances on record of his divine power in the effecting of them. For this end they singled out some works that were occasionally attended with some disputes or preachings,
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tending unto the opening and confirmation of the doctrine of the gospel. Thus, upon the coming of the disciples of John unto him, it is said, Luke vii. 21, “ In that. same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.” The particular stories of none of these are anywhere mentioned; nor had that season been at all remem- bered, but upon occasion of those persons who were sent unto him, the present works which they saw being made the ground of that answer which he returned unto their master, verse 22, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see,” etc. Considering, therefore, what is elsewhere written, of all the regions about bringing in their sick, weak, and impotent, and of the cure of persons by the touching of his garment, it is evident that his personal miracles amounted unto thousands; which might well give occasion to the hyperbole used by John in recounting of them. Hence, some among the Jews were convinced that he was the Messiah, not only by the greatness but also by the number of his works: John vii. 31, “ Many of the people believed on him, and _said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man doeth?” And what are the seventy-six miracles of Moses unto those as to number, which in the first place the Jews glory in? And if we may add those which were wrought by his power by them that preached the gospel on his commission, as they are all of the same efficacy unto the end proposed, or confirmation of his beg the Messiah, they amount not unto thousands only, but probably unto millions; for of this sort were all the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost that were granted unto the church all the world over. So that as to the nwmber of miracles, he was suffi- ciently by them attested to be the Messiah, the great Lawgiver of the people of the new covenant.