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the incredulity of Pharaoh and the
Pharisees is the effect of a supernatural obduracy.
When, therefore, we see miracles and a doctrine not suspicious, both on one
side, there is no difficulty. But when we see miracles and suspicious
doctrine on the same side, we must then see which is the clearest. Jesus
Christ was suspected.
Bar-jesus blinded. The power of God surpasses that of His enemies.
The Jewish exorcists beaten by the devils, saying, "Jesus I know, and Paul I
know; but who are ye"?
Miracles are for doctrine, and not doctrine for miracles.
If the miracles are true, shall we be able to persuade men of all doctrine?
No; for this will not come to pass. Si angelus...[208]
Rule: we must judge of doctrine by miracles; we must judge of miracles by
doctrine. All this is true, but contains no contradiction.
For we must distinguish the times.
How glad you are to know the general rules, thinking thereby to set up
dissension and render all useless! We shall prevent you, my father; truth is
one and constant.
It is impossible, from the duty of God to men, that a man, hiding his evil
teaching, and only showing the good, saying that he conforms to God and the
Church, should do miracles so as to instil insensibly a false and subtle
doctrine. This cannot happen.
And still less that God, who knows the heart should perform miracles in
favour of such a one.
844. The three marks of religion: perpetuity, a good life, miracles. They
destroy perpetuity by their doctrine of probability; a good life by their
morals, miracles by destroying either their truth or the conclusions to be
drawn from them.
If we believe them, the Church will have nothing to do with perpetuity,
holiness, and m
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