historicalgeogra00psal

248 The Grounds of
Ijgions in this point of Evidence, if thefe
Miracles were wrought by the power of evil
Spirits. If Chrift learn'd his Magical Art in
Egypr, and taught it to his Difciples, whereby
they were enabled to work Miracles, as many
both Jews and Heathens have ailedg'd, how comes
it to pafs that others who have been there could
never atrain to the fame Art, or teach it to
others? Or, why do not the Egyptians xhtmfelves,
who are the great Matters of that Magical
Art, fhew their skill in it, by doing fo many
and fo great Miracles as they taught Chrift to
do ? But fince neither they have ever done, nor
any other from them could ever learn the Art of
doing fuch inigbty Works, fo far as has hitherto
appeared to the World, we may fafely conclude
that this pretence is a groundlefs and incredible
furmift. Befides, if Chrift inftrufted his Apoftlesin
thefe Magical Arts, they muft believe and
know him to be an Impoftor : And who then
can imagine that ever any Men in their found
Senfes fnould be willing to facrifice their Lives
and Fortunes for the fake of a vile Forgery, as
the Apoftles did, when they might have laved
them by detefting the Impoftor ?
2. There are feveral Miracles attributed to
Chrift and his Apoftles, which feem to be above
the power of evil Spirits. But fuppofing it were
poflible for them to do all thefe Miracles 5
yet
being fubjeft to the Government of God , the
great Ciearor and Governour of all
and invifible,
things vifible
they could not do them without his
leave and permiilion, which we cannot believe
that he would grant, becaufe it appears to be inconliftent
with his infinite Goodnefs to permit
evil Spirits to work fo many and great Miracles
on purpofe to delude the World with a Lye, and
thereby