Wesley Corpus

Yea, though ever so many miracles were wrought to confirm it. For let ever so much “light come into the world,” it will have no effect (such is the wise and just will of God) on those who “love darkness rather than light.” It will not convince those who do not simply desire to do the will of their Father which is in heaven; those who mind earthly things; who (if they do not continue in any gross outward sin, yet) love pleasure or ease; yet seek profit or power, preferment or reputation. Nothing will ever be an effectual proof to these of the holy and acceptable will of God, unless first their proud hearts be humbled, their stubborn wills bowed down, and their desires brought, at least in some degree, into obedience to the law of Christ. Hence, although it should please God to work anew all the wonders that ever were wrought on the earth, still these men, however “wise and prudent” they may be in things relating to the present world, would fight against God and all his messen gers, and that in spite of all these miracles. Meanwhile, God will reveal his truth unto babes, unto those who are meek and lowly, whose desires are in heaven, who want to “know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified.” These need no outward miracle to show them his will; they have a plain rule,--the written word. And “the anointing which they have received of him abideth in them, and teacheth them of all things.” (1 John ii. 27.) Through this they are enabled to bring all doctrines “to the law and to the testimony:” And whatsoever is agreeable to this they receive, without waiting to see it at tested by miracles; as, on the other hand, whatever is contrary to this they reject; nor can any miracles move them to receive it. 5. Yet I do not know that God hath anyway precluded him self from thus exerting his sovereign power, from working mira cles in any kind or degree, in any age, to the end of the world. I do not recollect any scripture wherein we are taught, that miracles were to be confined within the limits either of the apos tolic or the Cyprianic age; or of any period of time, longer or shorter, even till the restitution of all things.