SECT. III. An answer to the objection, that those miracles were done by the help of devils.

BUT some say, that these wonders were done by the help of devils: but this calumny has been already confuted from hence; that as soon as the doctrine of Christ was made known, all the power of the devils was broken. What is added by some, that Jesus learned magical arts in Egypt, carries a much less appearance of truth, than the like objection of the heathen against Moses, which we find in Pliny,⁵⁴⁸⁵⁴⁸   Book xxx. chap. i. and Apuleius.⁵⁴⁹⁵⁴⁹   In his second Apology. For it does not appear, but from the books of his disciples, that Jesus ever was in Egypt; and they add, that he returned from thence a child. But it is certain that Moses spent a great part of his time, when he was grown up, in Egypt, both from his own account,⁵⁵⁰⁵⁵⁰   Exodus ii. iv. and following. and the relation of others.⁵⁵¹⁵⁵¹   Manethon, Chæremon, Lysimachus in Josephus’s firs book against Appion, and Justin, and Tacitus. But the law of each of them strongly clears both Moses and Jesus from this crime, because they expressly forbid such arts as odious in the sight of God.⁵⁵²⁵⁵²   Exod. xxii. 18. Levit. xx. 6, 27. Numb xxiii. 23. Deut. xviii. 10. 1 Sam. xxviii. 9. 2 Kings xvii. 17. xxi. 6. Acts xiii. 8, 9, 10. xvi. 18. xix. 19. And if, in the times of Christ and his disciples, there had been any such magical art any where, either in Egypt, or other places, whereby those things related of Christ could be done; such as dumb men’s being suddenly 184healed, the lame walking, and sight given to the blind; the emperors Tiberius,⁵⁵³⁵⁵³   Tacitus, annal. vi. Suetonius in his life, chap. 63. and 69. Nero,⁵⁵⁴⁵⁵⁴   Concerning whom Pliny, book xxx. chap. 2. in his history of magic, says, “He had not a greater desire after music and tragical singing.” And afterwards; “No man favoured any art with greater cost; for these things he wanted neither riches, abilities, nor disposition to learn,” Presently after he relates how he was initiated into the magical suppers by king Tiridates. and others, who would not have spared any cost in inquiring after such things, would undoubtedly have found it out. And if it be true, what the Jews report,⁵⁵⁵⁵⁵⁵   See the Talmud, entitled, Concerning the council; and that concerning the Sabbath. that the counsellors of the great council were skilled in magical arts, in order to convict the guilty; certainly they who were so great enemies to Jesus, and so much envied his reputation, which continually increased by his miracles, would have done the like works by some art; or have made it plain by undeniable arguments, that his works could proceed from nothing else.