mad who laboured
under an 'acyanoblepsia'.

Ib. p. 323.

Did you never read of one who says, in words very like your version of
the Baron's reverie: 'It came to pass, that, as I took my journey, and
was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from
heaven a great light round about me: and I fell on the ground, and
heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?'

In the short space of four years the newspapers contained three several
cases, two of which I cut out, and still have among my ocean of papers,
and which, as stated, were as nearly parallel, in external
accompaniments, to St. Paul's as cases can well be:--struck with
lightning,--heard the thunder as an articulate voice,--blind for a few
days, and suddenly recovered their sight. But then there was no Ananias,
no confirming revelation to another. This it was that justified St. Paul
as a wise man in regarding the incident as supernatural, or as more than
a providential omen. N. B. Not every revelation requires a sensible
miracle as the credential; but every revelation of a new series of
'credenda'. The prophets appealed to records of acknowledged authority,
and to their obvious sense literally interpreted. The Baptist needed no
miracle to attest his right of calling sinners to repentance. See
'Exodus' iv. 10.

Ib. pp. 346, 7.

This sentiment, that miracles are not the proper evidences of
doctrinal truth, is, assuredly, the decision of the Truth itself; as
is obvious from many passages in Scripture. We have seen that the
design of the miracles of Moses, as external performances, was not to
instruct the Israelites in spiritual subjects, but to make them
obedient subjects of a peculiar species of political state. And though
the miracles of Jesus Christ collaterally served as testimonies to his
character, he repeatedly intimates that this was not their main
design. * * * At another time more plainly still, he says, that it is
'a wicked and adulterous generation' (that) 'seeketh after a sign'; on
which occasion, according to Mark, 'he sighed deeply in his spirit'.
How characteristic is that touch of the Apostle, 'The Jews require a
sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom!' (where by wisdom he means the
elegance and refinement of Grecian literature.)

Agreeing, as in the main I do, with the sentiments here expressed by
this eloquent writer, I must notice that he has, however, mistaken t