have attempted to have turned Duft into Lice, (as it is plain they did attempt) if they had thought the finger of God more neceffary to performing that Miracle, than the three foregoing ones? 4thly. Whether therefore, upon the whole matter, when they acknowledged the finger of God in the Works of Mofes, they did not also effectually acknowledge that the fame Power had wrought by themselves, those three great Works, altho' they knew it not, nor own'd it, till they were disappointed in their laft Attempt? These Queftions will take in the whole of what we have been talking

con

concerning the Enchanters. And now I come again to you, to ask you concerning the Power of the Devil, by which you say the World has hitherto fuppos'd that these Enchanters wrought their Miracles. Do you fo underftand it, that the Devil has an inherent Power of his own to work Miracles independently on God, and can commit that Power to other Agents? if you do, you must fhew me, what Difference there is betwixt God and the Devil, in refpect to Miracles : and how I fhall know which of them acts; or if this cannot be fhewn, (as I doubt it much) then we must be to

feek

feek of what Ufe Miracles can be; and I think you will find them to be of none at all.

A. No; But God may permit the Devil to communicate his Power to wicked Agents, who fhall work Miracles.

B. Pray what need we go fo much about, when the way is fo ftrait to the fame Place? Is it not much easier, and much more reasonable to say, that God may fee fit to make wicked Men his own Inftruments, in working Miracles; then that he permits the Devil to make them his? I affirm pofitively, that if the Devil has any Power to work Miracles,

racles, he has it from God, and can only exercise it, when God permits him; and I affirm moreover, that if, at any time, the Devil can give Commiffion to Men to work Miracles, he can never do it, but when God permits him, and for Purpofes permitted by God. And pray then is it not as fit, and as likely, that God should give the Magicians Power to work Miracles, as that he should give the fame Power to the Devil, and let the Devil give it to the Magicians? For my own part, I think God's Honour, Juftice, and Goodness, are all as fafe, when Men are his Inftruments, as when he uses the Devil. A. But

A. But is it not as bad, that God should permit wicked Men to work Miracles, for wicked Purposes of their own?

B. Not quite fo bad, because the World is not fo ready to believe wicked Men act by their own Power, as that the Devil does, nor confequently fo liable to be feduced by one of their own fellow Creatures, as by that powerful fubtile Spirit. But, be that as it will, I would have you, henceforwards, make but little reckoning of the Inftruments God ufes in working Miracles, whether good or bad Men, for he has fometimes used both; and affure