st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul
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"<br />
CONCLUSION.<br />
in<strong>st</strong>ances, we read in it <strong>of</strong> the deliverance from Hades<br />
<strong>of</strong> Falconilla by the prayers <strong>of</strong> Thecla, <strong>of</strong> the like<br />
deliverance <strong>of</strong> the Emperor Trajan by the intercession<br />
<strong>of</strong> Pope Gregory, and <strong>of</strong> the oracular skull which<br />
Macanus used to consult.<br />
Now, if even theologians<br />
who accept- the doctrine <strong>of</strong> purgatory/object to such<br />
treatise as this on account <strong>of</strong> its<br />
"enormes fabulse<br />
and on that ground, at lea<strong>st</strong> in part, would refuse its<br />
claim to be genuine, it mu<strong>st</strong> obviously make a great<br />
difference in our opinion <strong>of</strong> Damascenus, whether we<br />
accept works like this as his real production, or not<br />
But when every abatement is made that can fairly be<br />
made on this score, I think enough <strong>st</strong>ill remains to<br />
bear out the charge <strong>of</strong> over-credulity, which is one <strong>of</strong><br />
the fir<strong>st</strong> and mo<strong>st</strong> obvious faults to be found with<br />
him. Admitting this, some considerations arise which<br />
may help in a certain degree to modify our<br />
If we judgment<br />
believe that miraculous powers did once exi<strong>st</strong><br />
in the Church <strong>of</strong> Chri<strong>st</strong>, and were gradually with<br />
drawn as the need <strong>of</strong> them grew less, it will always be<br />
a que<strong>st</strong>ion requiring great caution in the answer at<br />
what period this withdrawal became final. Unless<br />
we are prepared to cut the knot summarily by dis<br />
carding all hi<strong>st</strong>orical evidence which it does not suit<br />
our inclination to receive, we mu<strong>st</strong> admit that when<br />
Ju<strong>st</strong>in Martyr, Irenoeus, Origen, Tertullian, and many<br />
more, di<strong>st</strong>inctly assert the fact <strong>of</strong> such supernatural<br />
power, and point to its effects in healing the sick, and<br />
the like, as an evidence patent to all<br />
they were<br />
affirming what came legitimately within their own<br />
province to decide upon, and knew what their <strong>st</strong>ate-