Page:The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe Volume 3.djvu/99



thing is, which is stirred, such scent and savour will proceed from the same." He writeth also upon the beginning of Matthew, "The whole world did marvel and wonder at three things,— that Christ rose again after his death; that flesh ascended into heaven; and that he did convert the whole world by his eleven apostles. There are four causes which wrought the same; that is to say, the contempt of riches or money; the despising of pomp and glory; the separation of themselves from all worldly occupation and business, and the patient suffering of torments." Thus much writeth Chrysostome.

Also St. Isidore, in his first book and twenty-fifth chapter, "De summo bono," writeth thus: "Like as in the apostles, the marvellous effect and power of works was much more commendable than the virtue of their signs; even so now in the church, it is much better to live well, than to work any signs or miracles. And the cause why the church of God doth not at this present work miracles, as it did in the time of the apostles, is this; that it was necessary at that time that the world should believe miracles, and now, at this present, every faithful believer ought to shine with good works, for to this end were signs and miracles then outwardly wrought, that their faith thereby might be inwardly strengthened and established: for whatsoever faithful man he be that seeketh to work miracles, he seeketh vain-glory to be praised of men; for it is written, 'Miracles are signs and tokens unto the infidels and unbelievers, and not unto the faithful.'" Thus much writeth Isidore.

Item, St. Augustine, in his book of confessions, saith thus: "There is no greater miracle amongst men, than to love our enemies." By these words of these holy men a man may easily gather, that, both in our days, and in the time to come, the disciples of Antichrist both do and shall flourish and show themselves more by strange signs and miracles, than did the disciples of Christ, according to the saying of our Saviour Jesus Christ; "There shall rise up amongst you false prophets, which shall work strange miracles." Secondly, it is proved that they are greater and stranger miracles, to confess the truth, and to do justice, than to work any other kind of miracle. Thirdly, it is gathered thereby, that whatsoever minister or deacon loveth his enemies, contemneth riches, despiseth the glory of the world, and flieth from all worldly troubles, and meekly sustaineth and suffereth most terrible and cruel threatenings and strokes for the gospel's sake, he worketh miracles, having thereby a testimony and witness, that he is the true disciple of Jesus Christ. And it is evident by the saying of our Saviour Jesus Christ, [Matt, v.] "Let your good works so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." And likewise, John x. 38, "Believe the works." Whereupon St. Gregory, in his first book of Dialogues, writeth thus: "The estimation of a true life consisteth in the virtue of its works, and not in the showing of signs." Whereby it is fourthly concluded by what is aforesaid, that it is a more effectual testimony and witness for a priest or deacon that he is sent of God to confess the truth, and follow Christ in the aforesaid virtues, than to cast out devils, or to do any other miracles, as it is evident by the saying of Chrysostome before alleged: "Whomsoever thou dost see to cast out devils, if the confession or acknowledging of the truth be not in his mouth, neither righteousness nor justice in his hands, he is not a man of God." This is also confirmed by the words of Christ [Matt, vii.], "Many shall say unto me in that day. Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name; have not we cast out devils in thy name; and have not we also wrought many great wonders and miracles in thy name? Then I will answer and say unto them; Forasmuch as I have not known you at any time, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity." And as touching the second part, Chrysostome saith; "If you see a man confessing and preaching the truth, and working righteousness, although he do not cast out devils, he is a man of God."

Hereby it appeareth, that every deacon, priest, or minister, confessing the truth and working justice, hath a perfect and sure testimony that he is sent of mony God; and that it is not necessary for him to approve this his sending by the working of any miracle, instead of working righteousness; neither by any testimonial, which should plainly declare him by name, that he was sent of the Lord to preach.