There is a striking absence of the puerility and
inconsequence of similar narratives, appearing
for instance, in the Apocryphal Gospels. This
contrast has been emphasised so often that it
is needless to particularise; but the triteness of
the illustration should not blind us to the ex-
traordinary impressiveness of the fact. The
Gospel miracles fall as naturally into their place
in the narrative, as do the parables or the
ordinary words and acts of Jesus. They are
perfectly in accord with what we should expect
Him to do, if once it be granted that such events
are in themselves conceivable.
