Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/176

 out such undeniable tokens of veracity; he then shifts his ground, artfully expatiating on the inefficacy of miracles, and pretends to adduce instances from Scripture in proof that they had been slighted, and failed to produce conviction; and he also reminds them of Saleh, and other reputed Prophets of their own country, whose miracles had been treated with contempt and derision. Indeed so vehemently was he pressed on this head, that it required the utmost exertion of sophistry, the whole of his skill and tact, to weaken the injurious impressions and unfavourable conclusions likely to arise from noncompliance with their demands.

The doctrine of predestination was his grand resort here, as in other desperate cases, by which they were taught to believe, that those whom God from all eternity had ordained would be converted without miracles, whilst those respecting whom he had other-