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A miracle is a rare event that has no natural cause. What one person considers a miracle is not always a miracle to the next person. For instance, early human beings thought rainbows and eclipses were miracles, but those with special knowledge of the natural causes of things do not see such natural phenomena as miracles. By definition, a miracle is the work of God, often done through the hand of another known as a prophet. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt on God’s command and parted the Red Sea, this was a miracle; however, Hobbes is dubious of modern miracles claimed by Christianity, such as statues that weep blood or people who claim the ability to heal with the laying on of hands.
Miracle Quotes in Leviathan
The Leviathan quotes below are all either spoken by Miracle or refer to Miracle. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 47
Quotes
To this, and such like resemblances between the Papacy, and the Kingdome of Fairies, may be added this, that as the Fairies have no existence, but in the Fancies of ignorant people, rising from the Traditions of old Wives, or old Poets: so the Spirituall Power of the Pope (without the bounds of his own Civil Dominion) consisteth onely in the Fear that Seduced people stand in, of the Excommunication; upon hearing of false Miracles, false Traditions, and false Interpretations of the Scripture.
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Miracle Term Timeline in Leviathan
The timeline below shows where the term Miracle appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12: Of Religion
For something to be religious, it must also include a miracle. Wise people of sound judgement require signs to believe in any one argument, and in...
(full context)
Chapter 31: OF the KINGDOME OF GOD by NATURE
...“Naturall Reason,” by “Revelation,” and by the voice of another through the manifestation of a miracle. In other words, Hobbes explains, God’s laws are declared through “Right Reason, Sense Supernaturall, and...
(full context)
Chapter 32: Of the Principles of CHRISTIAN POLITTIQUES
...two marks that together indicate a “true Prophet.” One mark is the performing of a miracle, and the other is the teaching of only the established religion and no other. Both...
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Chapter 36: Of the WORD of GOD, and of PROPHETS
...to decide if any given prophecy is true or false. In the absence of a miracle, each individual person must decide exactly who is a “Soveraign Prophet”—that is, who is “Gods...
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Chapter 37: Of MIRACLES, and their Use
A miracle, also called a wonder, is some action prompted by God that causes admiration in others....
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What one person considers a miracle is not always a miracle to the next person. Consider a solar or lunar eclipse,...
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According to this definition, a miracle is not performed by way of the prophet’s virtue but by God through the prophet....
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According to Hobbes, people are prone to deception when it comes to miracles and are likely to believe in “false Miracles.” Hobbes again points out what God says...
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