“Not so. The proper way to prove this fact, is, by the testimony of competent witnesses. And these witnesses are ready, whenever required, to give full evidence of them.
“Or would you have us prove by miracles,
“4. That this was not done by our own power or holiness? That God only is able to raise the dead, to quicken those who are dead in trespasses and sins?”
Surely no. Whosoever believes the scriptures, will want no new proof of this.
Where then is the _wisdom_ of those men, who demand miracles in proof of such a proposition? One branch of which, “That such sinners were reformed by the means of these teachers,” being a plain fact, can only be proved by testimony, as all other facts are: and the other, “That this is a _work of God_, and a _great and more than ordinary_ work,” needs no proof, as carrying its own evidence to every thinking man.
* 8. To sum up this. No truly _wise_ or _sober_ man can possibly desire or expect miracles, to prove, either, 1. That these _doctrines_ are true: this must be decided by scripture and reason; or, 2. That these _facts_ are true: this can only be proved by testimony; or, 3. That to _change_ sinners from darkness to light, is the _work of God_ alone; only using what instruments he pleases: this is glaringly self-evident; or, 4. That such a change wrought in so many notorious sinners, within so short a time, is a _great_ and _extraordinary_ work of God. This also carries its own evidence. What then is it which remains to be proved by miracles? Perhaps you will say, it is this: “That God hath _called_ or _sent_ you to do this.” Nay, this is implied in the third of the foregoing propositions. If God has actually _used_ us therein, if _his work_ hath in fact prospered in our hands, then he hath _called_ or _sent_ us to do this. I intreat reasonable men to weigh this throughly, whether the _fact_ does not plainly prove the _call_: whether he who _enables_ us thus to save souls alive, does not _commission_ us so to do? Whether by _giving_ us the _power_ to pluck these brands out of the burning, he does not _authorize_ us to exert it?
O that it were possible for you to consider calmly, whether the _success_ of the gospel of Jesus Christ, even as it is preached by us, the least of his servants, be not itself a _miracle_, never to be forgotten! One which cannot be denied, as being visible at this day, not in one but a hundred places: one which cannot be accounted for, by the ordinary course of any _natural cause_ whatsoever: one which cannot be ascribed with any colour of reason, to _diabolical_ agency; and lastly, one which will bear the infallible test, the trial of the written word.
* * * * *
VI. 1. But here I am aware of abundance of objections. You object, first, that to speak any thing of myself, of what I have done, or am doing now, is mere _boasting_ and _vanity_. This charge you frequently repeat. So, page 102. _The following page is full of_ boasting――――Page 113. _You_ boast _very much of the numbers you have converted_: and again, _As to myself, I hope I shall never be led to imitate you in_ boasting.――――I think therefore it is needful, once for all, to examine this charge throughly; and to shew distinctly, what that _good_ thing is, which you disguise under this _bad_ name.