evil fpirit, ib. 5. The expulfion of demons, literally understood, no public fpecimen of Chrift's power over the devil; both becaufe poffeffions were not re- ferred to the devil, and because there is no evidence of difpoffeffions, arifing from the facts themselves, even fuppofing them to be real, p. 390. Revela- tion improperly appealed to in proof of their reality, p. 392. 6. The bare ejection of demons cannot be pronounced a greater miracle than the cure of na- tural disorders, nor any miracle at all with regard to mankind, p. 396. 7. The doctrine of demoniacal poffeffion, a great prejudice to Christianity, p. 399; a fource of much fuperftition, ib. fets reafon and revelation at variance, p. 402, difcredits the miracu- lous infliction and cure of diseases, p. 403, and de- stroys the evidence of miracles in general, p. 406. 8. The true explication of the Gospel demoniacs ef- tablishes the certainty, and displays the full glory, of the miracles performed upon them, which are spoken of in the New Teftament with fingular emphasis, made a very powerful impreffion upon the spectators, and deserve to be ranked amongst the most illuftrious ADDEND A. P. 46, at the end of the note, add, For a full account of all the occafions on which demon occurs in the New Testament, fee below, p. 208. P. 61, at the end of note, add, p. 115. P. 67, note p, I, 6, after child, add. See below, p. 352. P. 119, 1. 13, add. See below, p. 358. P. 278, in the note, l. 11, after for, add his. DEL END A. P. 101, 1. 5, dele of P. 154, 1. 21, dele even CORRIGEND A... P. 38, 1. 7, for men, read men's. P. 186, note a 1. 3, for nutmine read & numine. Published by the fame Author, (Price Two Shillings and Six Pence.) AN I. N INQUIRY into the Nature and in the WILDERNESS. The Second Edition, enlarged. To which is added an APPENDIX, containing fome farther Obfervations on this Subject, and an Answer to Objections. II. A DISSERTATION on MIRACLES, defigned to fhew, that they are Arguments of a Divine Interpofition, and abfolute Proofs of the Miffion and Doctrine of a Prophet. Pr. 7s. III. An EXAMINATION of Mr. LEMOINE'S TREATISE On MIRACLES. Pr. 18. THE INTRODUCTION. I N a late Differtation on Miracles, the author attempted to fhew, that all effects produced in the fyftem of nature, contrary to the general laws by which it is governed, are proper miracles; and that all miracles are works appropriate to God. But the cafe of the gofpel demoniacs, is by many confidered as an objection against the general principle of that Differtation, as well as against what is there advanced with respect to demons in particular. Supernatural poffeffions, it may be truly faid, fuppofe the power of evil fpirits to inflict diseases, and to deprive men of their B their reafon; and, being effects produced in the fyftem of nature contrary to the general laws by which it is governed, are therefore proper miracles; provided the account of these works here referred to, be just. In order to folve this objection, it is neceffary to fhew, that the diforders imputed to fupernatural poffeffions, proceed from natural caufes, not from the agency of any evil fpirits. This, indeed, hath been already attempted by feveral very eminent writers; and, to my apprehen-` fion, not without confiderable fuccefsa But, great as their merit may be, they do not seem to have placed every part of the argument in its proper light, or to have cleared it from every difficulty. Many think it neceffary, that fome farther attempts fhould be made to do it juf a Particularly, Mr. Jofeph Mede, Difc. vi. p. 28; Dr. Sykes, in his Inquiry, and Farther Inquiry; Dr. Lardner, in his Cafe of the Demoiacs; and Dr. Mead, in his Medica Sacra, c. ix. |