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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 16
[introduction]
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For the assistance of those who have not had the opportunity of reading the pamphlet I am about to criticise, I will state, as briefly as possible, the grounds upon which its author contends for a negative answer to the question, "Is a Miracle opposed to Reason."
The reverend author commences the argumentative portion of his pamphlet very appropriately by defining miracles and the more important terms used in his argument, the discussion of which will form the subject of Part I.
The argument itself is prosecuted by admitting that, if miracles are contrary to necessary truths, no rational being can defend them; then, if I understand the author correctly, he argues as follows:—
| 1. | That miracles are not against necessary truths. |
| 2. | That immutability of the order of nature cannot be shown by any "process of reasoning," and so is not a necessary truth. |
| 3. | Therefore the order of nature is not against miracles—a proposition equivalent to saying that a miracle is not opposed to reason. |
This conclusion, with all possible courtesy and respect for the learned author, I shall in Part II. endeavour to refute.