But the Sorbonne... but the bull...
It is impossible that those who love God with all their heart should fail to
recognise the Church; so evident is she. It is impossible that those who do
not love God should be convinced of the Church.
Miracles have such influence that it was necessary that God should warn men
not to believe in them in opposition to Him, all clear as it is that there
is a God. Without this they would have been able to disturb men.
And thus so far from these passages, Deut. 13, making against the authority
of the miracles, nothing more indicates their influence. And the same in
respect of Antichrist. "To seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."
851. The history of the man born blind.
What says Saint Paul? Does he continually speak of the evidence of the
prophecies? No, but of his own miracle. What says Jesus Christ? Does He
speak of the evidence of the prophecies? No; His death had not fulfilled
them. But he says, Si non fecissem.213 Believe the works.
Two supernatural foundations of our wholly supernatural religion; one
visible, the other invisible; miracles with grace, miracles without grace.
The synagogue, which had been treated with love as a type of the Church, and
with hatred, because it was only the type, has been restored, being on the
point of falling when it was well with God, and thus a type.
Miracles prove the power which God has over hearts, by that which He
exercises over bodies.
The Church has never approved a miracle among heretics.
Miracles a support of religion: they have been the test of Jews; they have
been the test of Christians, saints, innocents, and true believers.
A miracle among schismatics is not so much to be feared; for schism, which
is more obvious than a miracle, visibly indicates their error. But, when
there is no schism and error is in question, miracle decides.