In these essays, John Henry Newman defends biblical and ecclesiastical miracles by providing precise definitions and the necessary evidence. He argues that biblical miracles affirm the divinity of the Bible, while ecclesiastical miracles were initially considered suspect. However, in his second essay, Newman develops a stronger argument demonstrating the continuity of sacred history between biblical times and the early church, rejecting the view that miracles ended after the apostolic era. Newman defines miracles and establishes the standards of evidence necessary to prove miracles. He argues that biblical miracles are evidence of divine revelation and the divinity of Christ. The essays serve as part of an ongoing debate between skeptics of miracles (such as David Hume) and Christian apologists who defend them.