Eloquence,whenatitshighestpitch,leaveslittleroomforreasonorreflection;butaddressingitselfentirelytothefancyortheaffections,captivatesthewillinghearers,andsubduestheirunderstanding。Happily,thispitchitseldomattains。ButwhataT/ULLY\oraD/EMOSTHENES\couldscarcelyeffectoveraR/OMAN\orA/THENIAN\audience,every,everyitinerantorstationaryteachercanperformoverthegeneralityofmankind,andinahigherdegree,bytouchingsuchgrossandvulgarpassions。
Themanyinstancesofforgedmiracles,andprophecies,andsupernaturalevents,which,inallages,haveeitherbeendetectedbycontraryevidence,orwhichdetectthemselvesbytheirabsurdity,provesufficientlythestrongpropensityofmankindtotheextraordinaryandthemarvellous,andoughtreasonablytobegetasuspicionagainstallrelationsofthiskind。Thisisournaturalwayofthinking,evenwithregardtothemostcommonandmostcredibleevents。Forinstance:Thereisnokindofreportwhichrisessoeasily,andspreadssoquickly,especiallyincountryplacesandprovincialtowns,asthoseconcerningmarriages;insomuchthattwoyoungpersonsofequalconditionneverseeeachothertwice,butthewholeneighbourhoodimmediatelyjointhemtogether。
Thepleasureoftellingapieceofnewssointeresting,ofpropagatingit,andofbeingthefirstreportersofit,spreadstheintelligence。Andthisissowellknown,thatnomanofsensegivesattentiontothesereports,tillhefindthemconfirmedbysomegreaterevidence。Donotthesamepassions,andothersstillstronger,inclinethegeneralityofmankindtobelieveandreport,withthegreatestvehemenceandassurance,allreligiousmiracles?
。Itformsastrongpresumptionagainstallsupernaturalandmiraculousrelations,thattheyareobservedchieflytoaboundamongignorantandbarbarousnations;orifacivilizedpeoplehasevergivenadmissiontoanyofthem,thatpeoplewillbefoundtohavereceivedthemfromignorantandbarbarousancestors,whotransmittedthemwiththatinviolablesanctionandauthority,whichalwaysattendreceivedopinions。Whenweperusethefirsthistoriesofallnations,weareapttoimagineourselvestransportedintosomenewworld;wherethewholeframeofnatureisdisjointed,andeveryelementperformsitsoperationsinadifferentmanner,from
whatitdoesatpresent。Battles,revolutions,pestilence,famineanddeath,arenevertheeffectofthosenaturalcauses,whichweexperience。Prodigies,omens,oracles,judgements,quiteobscurethefewnaturalevents,thatareintermingledwiththem。Butastheformergrowthinnereverypage,inproportionasweadvancenearertheenlightenedages,wesoonlearn,thatthereisnothingmysteriousorsupernaturalinthecase,butthatallproceedsfromtheusualpropensityofmankindtowardsthemarvellous,andthat,thoughthisinclinationmayatintervalsreceiveacheckfromsenseandlearning,itcanneverbethoroughlyextirpatedfromhumannature。
,ajudiciousreaderisapttosay,upontheperusalofthesewonderfulhistorians,。Butitisnothingstrange,Ihope,thatmenshouldlieinallages。
Youmustsurelyhaveseeninstancesenoughofthatfrailty。
Youhaveyourselfheardmanysuchmarvellousrelationsstarted,which,beingtreatedwithscornbyallthewiseandjudicious,haveatlastbeenabandonedevenbythevulgar。
Beassured,thatthoserenownedlies,whichhavespreadandflourishedtosuchamonstrousheight,arosefromlikebeginnings;butbeingsowninamorepropersoil,shotupatlastintoprodigiesalmostequaltothosewhichtheyrelate。
Itwasawisepolicyinthatfalseprophet,A/LEXANDER\,whothoughnowforgotten,wasoncesofamous,tolaythefirstsceneofhisimposturesinP/APHLAGONIA\,where,asL/UCIAN\tellsus,thepeoplewereextremelyignorantandstupid,andreadytoswalloweventhegrossestdelusion。Peopleatadistance,whoareweakenoughtothinkthematteratallworthenquiry,havenoopportunityofreceivingbetterinformation。Thestoriescomemagnifiedtothembyahundredcircumstances。Foolsareindustriousinpropagatingtheimposture;whilethewiseandlearnedarecontented,ingeneral,toderideitsabsurdity,withoutinformingthemselvesoftheparticularfacts,bywhichitmaybedistinctlyrefuted。Andthustheimpostorabovementionedwasenabledtoproceed,
fromhisignorantP/APHLAGONIANS\,totheenlistingofvotaries,evenamongtheG/RECIAN\philosophers,andmenofthemosteminentrankanddistinctioninR/OME\;nay,couldengagetheattentionofthatsageemperorM/ARCUS\A/URELIUS\;sofarastomakehimtrustthesuccessofamilitaryexpeditiontohisdelusiveprophecies。
Theadvantagesaresogreat,ofstartinganimpostureamonganignorantpeople,that,eventhoughthedelusionshouldbetoogrosstoimposeonthegeneralityofthemithasamuchbetterchanceforsucceedinginremotecountries,thanifthefirstscenehadbeenlaidinacityrenownedforartsandknowledge。Themostignorantandbarbarousofthesebarbarianscarrythereportabroad。Noneoftheircountrymenhavealargecorrespondence,orsufficientcreditandauthoritytocontradictandbeatdownthedelusion。Men'sinclinationtothemarvelloushasfullopportunitytodisplayitself。
Andthusastory,whichisuniversallyexplodedintheplacewhereitwasfirststarted,shallpassforcertainatathousandmilesdistance。ButhadA/LEXANDER\fixedhisresidenceatA/THENS\,thephilosophersofthatrenownedmartoflearninghadimmediatelyspread,throughoutthewholeR/OMAN\empire,theirsenseofthematter;which,beingsupportedbysogreatauthority,anddisplayedbyalltheforceofreasonandeloquence,hadentirelyopenedtheeyesofmankind。Itistrue;L/UCIAN\,passingbychancethroughP/APHLAGONIA\,hadanopportunityofperformingthisgoodoffice。But,thoughmuchtobewished,itdoesnotalwayshappen,thateveryA/LEXANDER\meetswithaL/UCIAN\,readytoexposeanddetecthisimpostures。[28]
Imayaddasareason,whichdiminishestheauthorityofprodigies,thatthereisnotestimonyforany,eventhosewhichhavenotbeenexpresslydetected,thatisnotopposedbyaninfinitenumberofwitnesses;sothatnotonlythemiracledestroysthecreditoftestimony,butthetestimonydestroysitself。Tomakethisthebetterunderstood,letusconsider,that,inmattersofreligion,whateverisdifferentiscontrary;andthatitisimpossiblethereligionsofancientR/OME\,ofT/URKEY\,ofS/IAM\,andofC/HINA\should,allofthem,beestablishedonanysolidfoundation。
Everymiracle,therefore,pretendedtohavebeenwroughtinanyofthesereligionsandallofthemaboundinmiracles,asitsdirectscopeistoestablishtheparticularsystemtowhichitisattributed;sohasitthesameforce,thoughmoreindirectly,tooverthroweveryothersystem。Indestroyingarivalsystem,itlikewisedestroysthecreditofthosemiracles,onwhichthatsystemwasestablished;sothatalltheprodigiesofdifferentreligionsaretoberegardedascontraryfacts,andtheevidencesoftheseprodigies,whetherweakorstrong,asoppositetoeachother。Accordingtothismethodofreasoning,whenwebelieveanymiracleofM/AHOMET\orhissuccessors,wehaveforourwarrantthetestimonyofafewbarbarousA/RABIANS\:Andontheotherhand,wearetoregardtheauthorityofT/ITUS\L/IVIUS\,P/LUTARCH\,T/ACITUS\,and,inshort,ofalltheauthorsandwitnesses,G/RECIAN\,C/HINESE\,andR/OMAN\C/ATHOLIC\,whohaverelatedanymiracleintheirparticularreligion;
Isay,wearetoregardtheirtestimonyinthesamelightasiftheyhadmentionedthatM/AHOMETAN\miracle,andhadinexpresstermscontradictedit,withthesamecertaintyastheyhaveforthemiracletheyrelate。Thisargumentmayappearoversubtileandrefined;butisnotinrealitydifferentfromthereasoningofajudge,whosupposes,thatthecreditoftwowitnesses,maintainingacrimeagainstanyone,isdestroyedbythetestimonyoftwoothers,whoaffirmhimtohavebeentwohundredleaguesdistant,atthesameinstantwhenthecrimeissaidtohavebeencommitted。
Oneofthebestattestedmiraclesinallprofanehistory,isthatwhichT/ACITUS\reportsofV/ESPASIAN\,whocuredablindmaninAlexandria,bymeansofhisspittle,andalamemanbythemeretouchofhisfoot;inobediencetoavisionofthegodS/ERAPIS\,whohadenjoinedthemtohaverecoursetotheEmperor,forthesemiraculouscures。
Thestorymaybeseeninthatfinehistorian[29];whereeverycircumstanceseemstoaddweighttothetestimony,andmightbedisplayedatlargewithalltheforceofargumentandeloquence,ifanyonewerenowconcernedtoenforcetheevidenceofthatexplodedandidolatroussuperstition。Thegravity,solidity,age,andprobityofsogreatanemperor,who,throughthewholecourseofhislife,conversedinafamiliarmannerwithhisfriendsandcourtiers,andneveraffectedthoseextraordinaryairsofdivinityassumedbyA/LEXANDER\andD/EMETRIUS\。Thehistorian,acontemporarywriter,notedforcandourandveracity,andwithal,thegreatestandmostpenetratinggenius,perhaps,ofallantiquity;andsofreefromanytendencytocredulity,thatheevenliesunderthecontraryimputation,ofatheismandprofaneness:Thepersons,fromwhoseauthorityherelatedthemiracle,ofestablishedcharacterforjudgementandveracity,aswemaywellpresume;eye-witnessesofthefact,andconfirmingtheirtestimony,aftertheF/LAVIAN\
familywasdespoiledoftheempire,andcouldnolongergiveanyreward,asthepriceofalie。。Towhichifweaddthepublicnatureofthefacts,asrelated,itwillappear,thatnoevidencecanwellbesupposedstrongerforsogrossandsopalpableafalsehood。
ThereisalsoamemorablestoryrelatedbyCardinal/DE\R/ETZ\,whichmaywelldeserveourconsideration。WhenthatintriguingpoliticianfledintoS/PAIN\,toavoidthepersecutionofhisenemies,hepassedthroughS/ARAGOSSA\,thecapitalofA/RRAGON\,wherehewasshewn,inthecathedral,aman,whohadservedsevenyearsasadoorkeeper,andwaswellknowntoeverybodyintown,thathadeverpaidhisdevotionsatthatchurch。Hehadbeenseen,forsolongatime,wantingaleg;butrecoveredthatlimbbytherubbingofholyoiluponthestump;andthecardinalassuresusthathesawhimwithtwolegs。Thismiraclewasvouchedbyallthecanonsofthechurch;andthewholecompanyintownwereappealedtoforaconfirmationofthefact;whomthecardinalfound,bytheirzealousdevotion,tobethoroughbelieversofthemiracle。Heretherelaterwasalsocontemporarytothesupposedprodigy,ofanincredulousandlibertinecharacter,aswellasofgreatgenius;themiracleofsoanatureascouldscarcelyadmitofacounterfeit,andthewitnessesverynumerous,andallofthem,inamanner,spectatorsofthefact,towhichtheygavetheirtestimony。
Andwhataddsmightilytotheforceoftheevidence,andmaydoubleoursurpriseonthisoccasion,is,thatthecardinalhimself,whorelatesthestory,seemsnottogiveanycredittoit,andconsequentlycannotbesuspectedofanyconcurrenceintheholyfraud。Heconsideredjustly,thatitwasnotrequisite,inordertorejectafactofthisnature,tobeableaccuratelytodisprovethetestimony,andtotraceitsfalsehood,throughallthecircumstancesofknaveryandcredulitywhichproducedit。Heknew,that,asthiswascommonlyaltogetherimpossibleatanysmalldistanceoftimeandplace;sowasitextremelydifficult,evenwhereonewasimmediatelypresent,byreasonofthebigotry,ignorance,cunning,androgueryofagreatpartofmankind。
Hethereforeconcluded,likeajustreasoner,thatsuchanevidencecarriedfalsehoodupontheveryfaceofit,andthatamiracle,supportedbyanyhumantestimony,wasmoreproperlyasubjectofderisionthanofargument。
Theresurelyneverwasagreaternumberofmiraclesascribedtooneperson,thanthose,whichwerelatelysaidtohavebeenwroughtinFranceuponthetombofAbbeP/ARIS\,thefamousJ/ANSENIST\,withwhosesanctitythepeopleweresolongdeluded。Thecuringofthesick,givinghearingtothedeaf,andsighttotheblind,wereeverywheretalkedofastheusualeffectsofthatholysepulchre。
Butwhatismoreextraordinary;manyofthemiracleswereimmediatelyproveduponthespot,beforejudgesofunquestionedintegrity,attestedbywitnessesofcreditanddistinction,inalearnedage,andonthemosteminenttheatrethatisnowintheworld。Noristhisall:A
relationofthemwaspublishedanddispersedeverywhere;norwerethe,thoughalearnedbodysupportedbythecivilmagistrate,anddeterminedenemiestothoseopinions,inwhosefavourthemiraclesweresaidtohavebeenwrought,everabledistinctlytorefuteordetectthem。[30]Whereshallwefindsuchanumberofcircumstances,agreeingtothecorroborationofonefact?Andwhathavewetoopposetosuchacloudofwitnesses,buttheabsoluteimpossibilityormiraculousnatureoftheevents,whichtheyrelate?Andthissurely,intheeyesofallreasonablepeople,willaloneberegardedasasufficientrefutation。
Istheconsequencejust,becausesomehumantestimonyhastheutmostforceandauthorityinsomecases,whenitrelatesthebattleofP/HILIPPI\orP/HARSALIA\forinstance;thatthereforeallkindsoftestimonymust,inallcases,haveequalforceandauthority?SupposethattheC/AESAREAN\andP/OMPEIAN\factionshad,eachofthem,claimedthevictoryinthesebattles,andthatthehistoriansofeachpartyhaduniformlyascribedtheadvantagetotheirownside;howcouldmankind,atthisdistance,havebeenabletodeterminebetweenthem?ThecontrarietyisequallystrongbetweenthemiraclesrelatedbyH/ERODOTUS\orP/LUTARCH\,andthosedeliveredbyM/ARIANA\,B/EDE\,oranymonkishhistorian。
Thewiselendaveryacademicfaithtoeveryreportwhichfavoursthepassionofthereporter;whetheritmagnifieshiscountry,hisfamily,orhimself,orinanyotherwaystrikesinwithhisnaturalinclinationsandpropensities。Butwhatgreatertemptationthantoappearamissionary,aprophet,anambassadorfromheaven?Whowouldnotencountermanydangersanddifficulties,inordertoattainsosublimeacharacter?Orif,bythehelpofvanityandaheatedimagination,amanhasfirstmadeaconvertofhimself,andenteredseriouslyintothedelusion;whoeverscruplestomakeuseofpiousfrauds,insupportofsoholyandmeritoriousacause?
Thesmallestsparkmayherekindleintothegreatestflame;becausethematerialsarealwayspreparedforit。The,[31]thegazingpopulace,receivegreedily,withoutexamination,whateversoothssuperstition,andpromoteswonder。
Howmanystoriesofthisnaturehave,inallages,beendetectedandexplodedintheirinfancy?Howmanymorehavebeencelebratedforatime,andhaveafterwardssunkintoneglectandoblivion?Wheresuchreports,therefore,flyabout,thesolutionofthephenomenonisobvious;andwejudgeinconformitytoregularexperienceandobservation,whenweaccountforitbytheknownandnaturalprinciplesofcredulityanddelusion。Andshallwe,ratherthanhavearecoursetosonaturalasolution,allowofamiraculousviolationofthemostestablishedlawsofnature?
Ineednotmentionthedifficultyofdetectingafalsehoodinanyprivateorevenpublichistory,attheplace,whereitissaidtohappen;muchmorewhenthesceneisremovedtoeversosmalladistance。Evenacourtofjudicature,withalltheauthority,accuracy,andjudgement,whichtheycanemploy,findthemselvesoftenatalosstodistinguishbetweentruthandfalsehoodinthemostrecentactions。Butthematternevercomestoanyissue,iftrustedtothecommonmethodofaltercationsanddebateandflyingrumours;especiallywhenmen'spassionshavetakenpartoneitherside。
Intheinfancyofnewreligions,thewiseandlearnedcommonlyesteemthemattertooinconsiderabletodeservetheirattentionorregard。Andwhenafterwardstheywouldwillinglydetectthecheatinordertoundeceivethedeludedmultitude,theseasonisnowpast,andtherecordsandwitnesses,whichmightclearupthematter,haveperishedbeyondrecovery。
Nomeansofdetectionremain,butthosewhichmustbedrawnfromtheverytestimonyitselfofthereporters:Andthese,thoughalwayssufficientwiththejudiciousandknowing,arecommonlytoofinetofallunderthecomprehensionofthevulgar。
Uponthewhole,then,itappears,thatnotestimonyforanykindofmiraclehaseveramountedtoaprobability,muchlesstoaproof;andthat,evensupposingitamountedtoaproof,itwouldbeopposedbyanotherproof;derivedfromtheverynatureofthefact,whichitwouldendeavourtoestablish。Itisexperienceonly,whichgivesauthoritytohumantestimony;anditisthesameexperience,whichassuresusofthelawsofnature。When,therefore,thesetwokindsofexperiencearecontrary,wehavenothingtodobutsubtracttheonefromtheother,andembraceanopinion,eitherononesideortheother,withthatassurancewhicharisesfromtheremainder。Butaccordingtotheprinciplehereexplained,thissubtraction,withregardtoallpopularreligions,amountstoanentireannihilation;andthereforewemayestablishitasamaxim,thatnohumantestimonycanhavesuchforceastoproveamiracle,andmakeitajustfoundationforanysuchsystemofreligion。
Ibegthelimitationsheremademayberemarked,whenI
say,thatamiraclecanneverbeproved,soastobethefoundationofasystemofreligion。ForIown,thatotherwise,theremaypossiblybemiracles,orviolationsoftheusualcourseofnature,ofsuchakindastoadmitofprooffromhumantestimony;though,perhaps,itwillbeimpossibletofindanysuchinalltherecordsofhistory。
Thus,suppose,allauthors,inalllanguages,agree,that,fromthefirstofJ/ANUARY\,1600,therewasatotaldarknessoverthewholeearthforeightdays:Supposethatthetraditionofthisextraordinaryeventisstillstrongandlivelyamongthepeople:Thatalltravellers,whoreturnfromforeigncountries,bringusaccountsofthesametradition,withouttheleastvariationorcontradiction:Itisevident,thatourpresentphilosophers,insteadofdoubtingthefact,oughttoreceiveitascertain,andoughttosearchforthecauseswhenceitmightbederived。Thedecay,corruption,anddissolutionofnature,isaneventrenderedprobablebysomanyanalogies,thatanyphenomenon,whichseemstohaveatendencytowardsthatcatastrophe,comeswithinthereachofhumantestimony,ifthattestimonybeveryextensiveanduniform。
Butsuppose,thatallthehistorianswhotreatofE/NGLAND\,shouldagree,that,onthefirstofJ/ANUARY\,1600,QueenE/LIZABETH\died;thatbothbeforeandafterherdeathshewasseenbyherphysiciansandthewholecourt,asisusualwithpersonsofherrank;thathersuccessorwasacknowledgedandproclaimedbytheparliament;andthat,afterbeinginterredamonth,sheagainappeared,resumedthethrone,andgovernedE/NGLAND\forthreeyears:ImustconfessthatIshouldbesurprisedattheconcurrenceofsomanyoddcircumstances,butshouldnothavetheleastinclinationtobelievesomiraculousanevent。Ishouldnotdoubtofherpretendeddeath,andofthoseotherpubliccircumstancesthatfollowedit:Ishouldonlyassertittohavebeenpretended,andthatitneitherwas,norpossiblycouldbereal。Youwouldinvainobjecttomethedifficulty,andalmostimpossibilityofdeceivingtheworldinanaffairofsuchconsequence;thewisdomandsolidjudgmentofthatrenownedqueen;withthelittleornoadvantagewhichshecouldreapfromsopooranartifice:Allthismightastonishme;butIwouldstillreply,thattheknaveryandfollyofmenaresuchcommonphenomena,thatI
shouldratherbelievethemostextraordinaryeventstoarisefromtheirconcurrence,thanadmitofsosignalaviolationofthelawsofnature。
Butshouldthismiraclebeascribedtoanynewsystemofreligion;men,inallages,havebeensomuchimposedonbyridiculousstoriesofthatkind,thatthisverycircumstancewouldbeafullproofofacheat,andsufficient,withallmenofsense,notonlytomakethemrejectthefact,butevenrejectitwithoutfartherexamination。ThoughtheBeingtowhomthemiracleisascribed,be,inthiscase,Almighty,itdoesnot,uponthataccount,becomeawhitmoreprobable;sinceitisimpossibleforustoknowtheattributesoractionsofsuchaBeing,otherwisethanfromtheexperiencewhichwehaveofhisproductions,intheusualcourseofnature。Thisstillreducesustopastobservation,andobligesustocomparetheinstancesoftheviolationoftruthinthetestimonyofmen,withthoseoftheviolationofthelawsofnaturebymiracles,inordertojudgewhichofthemismostlikelyandprobable。Astheviolationsoftrutharemorecommoninthetestimonyconcerningreligiousmiracles,thaninthatconcerninganyothermatteroffact;thismustdiminishverymuchtheauthorityoftheformertestimony,andmakeusformageneralresolution,nevertolendanyattentiontoit,withwhateverspeciouspretenceitmaybecovered。
LordB/ACON\seemstohaveembracedthesameprinciplesofreasoning。"Weought,"sayshe,"tomakeacollectionorparticularhistoryofallmonstersandprodigiousbirthsorproductions,andinawordofeverythingnew,rare,andextraordinaryinnature。Butthismustbedonewiththemostseverescrutiny,lestwedepartfromtruth。Aboveall,everyrelationmustbeconsideredassuspicious,whichdependsinanydegreeuponreligion,astheprodigiesofL/IVY\:Andnolessso,everythingthatistobefoundinthewritersofnaturalmagicoralchimy,orsuchauthors,whoseem,allofthem,tohaveanunconquerableappetiteforfalsehoodandfable。"[32]
Iamthebetterpleasedwiththemethodofreasoningheredelivered,asIthinkitmayservetoconfoundthosedangerousfriendsordisguisedenemiestothe,whohaveundertakentodefenditbytheprinciplesofhumanreason。Ourmostholyreligionisfoundedon,notonreason;anditisasuremethodofexposingittoputittosuchatrialasitis,bynomeans,fittedtoendure。Tomakethismoreevident,letusexaminethosemiracles,relatedinscripture;andnottoloseourselvesintoowideafield,letusconfineourselvestosuchaswefindinthe,whichweshallexamine,accordingtotheprinciplesofthesepretended
Christians,notasthewordortestimonyofGodhimself,butastheproductionofamerehumanwriterandhistorian。Herethenwearefirsttoconsiderabook,presentedtousbyabarbarousandignorantpeople,writteninanagewhentheywerestillmorebarbarous,andinallprobabilitylongafterthefactswhichitrelates,corroboratedbynoconcurringtestimony,andresemblingthosefabulousaccounts,whicheverynationgivesofitsorigin。Uponreadingthisbook,wefinditfullofprodigiesandmiracles。Itgivesanaccountofastateoftheworldandofhumannatureentirelydifferentfromthepresent:Ofourfallfromthatstate:Oftheageofman,extendedtonearathousandyears:Ofthedestructionoftheworldbyadeluge:Ofthearbitrarychoiceofonepeople,asthefavouritesofheaven;andthatpeoplethecountrymenoftheauthor:Oftheirdeliverancefrombondagebyprodigiesthemostastonishingimaginable:I
desireanyonetolayhishanduponhisheart,andafteraseriousconsiderationdeclare,whetherhethinksthatthefalsehoodofsuchabook,supportedbysuchatestimony,wouldbemoreextraordinaryandmiraculousthanallthemiraclesitrelates;whichis,however,necessarytomakeitbereceived,accordingtothemeasuresofprobabilityaboveestablished。
Whatwehavesaidofmiraclesmaybeapplied,withoutanyvariation,toprophecies;andindeed,allpropheciesarerealmiracles,andassuchonly,canbeadmitted
asproofsofanyrevelation。ifitdidnotexceedthecapacityofhumannaturetoforetellfutureevents,itwouldbeabsurdtoemployanyprophecyasanargumentforadivinemissionorauthorityfromheaven。Sothat,uponthewhole,wemayconclude,thatthenotonlywasatfirstattendedwithmiracles,butevenatthisdaycannotbebelievedbyanyreasonablepersonwithoutone。Merereasonisinsufficienttoconvinceusofitsveracity:Andwhoeverismovedbytoassenttoit,isconsciousofacontinuedmiracleinhisownperson,whichsubvertsalltheprinciplesofhisunderstanding,andgiveshimadeterminationtobelievewhatismostcontrarytocustomandexperience。
SECTIONXI。
OfaParticularProvidenceandofaFutureState。
IW/AS\latelyengagedinconversationwithafriendwholovesscepticalparadoxes;where,thoughheadvancedmanyprinciples,ofwhichIcanbynomeansapprove,yetastheyseemtobecurious,andtobearsomerelationtothechainofreasoningcarriedonthroughoutthisenquiry,I
shallherecopythemfrommymemoryasaccuratelyasIcan,inordertosubmitthemtothejudgementofthereader。
Ourconversationbeganwithmyadmiringthesingulargoodfortuneofphilosophy,which,asitrequiresentirelibertyaboveallotherprivileges,andchieflyflourishesfromthefreeoppositionofsentimentsandargumentation,receiveditsfirstbirthinanageandcountryoffreedomandtoleration,andwasnevercramped,eveninitsmostextravagantprinciples,byanycreeds,concessions,orpenalstatutes。For,exceptthebanishmentofP/ROTAGORAS\,andthedeathofS/OCRATES\,whichlasteventproceededpartlyfromothermotives,therearescarcelyanyinstancestobemetwith,inancienthistory,ofthisbigotedjealousy,withwhichthepresentageissomuchinfested。E/PICURUS\livedatA/THENS\toanadvancedage,inpeaceandtranquillity:
E/PICUREANS\[33]wereevenadmittedtoreceivethesacerdotalcharacter,andtoofficiateatthealtar,inthemostsacredritesoftheestablishedreligion:Andthepublicencouragement[34]ofpensionsandsalarieswasaffordedequally,bythewisestofalltheR/OMAN\
emperors[35],totheprofessorsofeverysectofphilosophy。
Howrequisitesuchkindoftreatmentwastophilosophy,inherearlyyouth,willeasilybeconceived,ifwereflect,that,evenatpresent,whenshemaybesupposedmorehardyandrobust,shebearswithmuchdifficultytheinclemencyoftheseasons,andthoseharshwindsofcalumnyandpersecution,whichblowuponher。
Youadmire,saysmyfriend,asthesingulargoodfortuneofphilosophy,whatseemstoresultfromthenaturalcourseofthings,andtobeunavoidableineveryageandnation。Thispertinaciousbigotry,ofwhichyoucomplain,assofataltophilosophy,isreallyheroffspring,who,afterallyingwithsuperstition,separateshimselfentirelyfromtheinterestofhisparent,andbecomeshermostinveterateenemyandpersecutor。Speculativedogmasofreligion,thepresentoccasionsofsuchfuriousdispute,couldnotpossiblybeconceivedoradmittedintheearlyagesoftheworld;whenmankind,beingwhollyilliterate,formedanideaofreligionmoresuitable
totheirweakapprehension,andcomposedtheirsacredtenetsofsuchtaleschieflyasweretheobjectsoftraditionalbelief,morethanofargumentordisputation。Afterthefirstalarm,therefore,wasover,whicharosefromthenewparadoxesandprinciplesofthephilosophers;theseteachersseemeverafter,duringtheagesofantiquity,tohavelivedingreatharmonywiththeestablishedsuperstition,andtohavemadeafairpartitionofmankindbetweenthem;theformerclaimingallthelearnedandwise,thelatterpossessingallthevulgarandilliterate。
Itseemsthen,sayI,thatyouleavepoliticsentirelyoutofthequestion,andneversuppose,thatawisemagistratecanjustlybejealousofcertaintenetsofphilosophy,suchasthoseofE/PICURUS\,which,denyingadivineexistence,andconsequentlyaprovidenceandafuturestate,seemtoloosen,inagreatmeasurethetiesofmorality,andmaybesupposed,forthatreason,pernicioustothepeaceofcivilsociety。
Iknow,repliedhe,thatinfactthesepersecutionsnever,inanyage,proceededfromcalmreason,orfromexperienceoftheperniciousconsequencesofphilosophy;butaroseentirelyfrompassionandprejudice。ButwhatifI
shouldadvancefarther,andassert,thatifE/PICURUS\hadbeenaccusedbeforethepeople,byanyofthe
orinformersofthosedays,hecouldeasilyhavedefendedhiscause,andprovedhisprinciplesofphilosophytobeassalutaryasthoseofhisadversaries,whoendeavoured,withsuchzeal,toexposehimtothepublichatredandjealousy?
Iwish,saidI,youwouldtryyoureloquenceuponsoextraordinaryatopic,andmakeaspeechforE/PICURUS\,whichmightsatisfy,notthemobofA/THENS\,ifyouwillallowthatancientandpolitecitytohavecontainedanymob,butthemorephilosophicalpartofhisaudience,suchasmightbesupposedcapableofcomprehendinghisarguments。
Thematterwouldnotbedifficult,uponsuchconditions,repliedhe:Andifyouplease,IshallsupposemyselfE/PICURUS\foramoment,andmakeyoustandfortheA/THENIAN\people,andshalldeliveryousuchanharangueaswillfillalltheurnwithwhitebeans,andleavenotablackonetogratifythemaliceofmyadversaries。
Verywell:Prayproceeduponthesesuppositions。
Icomehither,OyeA/THENIANS\,tojustifyinyourassemblywhatImaintaininmyschool,andIfindmyselfimpeachedbyfuriousantagonists,insteadofreasoningwithcalmanddispassionateenquirers。Yourdeliberations,whichofrightshouldbedirectedtoquestionsofpublicgood,andtheinterestofthecommonwealth,aredivertedtothedisquisitionsofspeculativephilosophy;andthesemagnificent,butperhapsfruitlessenquiries,takeplaceofyourmorefamiliarbutmoreusefuloccupations。Butsofarasinmelies,Iwillpreventthisabuse。Weshallnotheredisputeconcerningtheoriginandgovernmentofworlds。Weshallonlyenquirehowfarsuchquestionsconcernthepublicinterest。AndifIcanpersuadeyou,thattheyareentirelyindifferenttothepeaceofsocietyandsecurityofgovernment,Ihopethatyouwillpresentlysendusbacktoourschools,theretoexamine,atleisure,thequestionthemostsublime,but,atthesametime,themostspeculativeofallphilosophy。
Thereligiousphilosophers,notsatisfiedwiththetraditionofyourforefathers,anddoctrineofyourpriestsinwhichIwillinglyacquiesce,indulgearashcuriosity,intryinghowfartheycanestablishreligionupontheprinciplesofreason;andtheytherebyexcite,insteadofsatisfying,thedoubts,whichnaturallyarisefromadiligentandscrutinousenquiry。Theypaint,inthemostmagnificentcolours,theorder,beauty,andwisearrangementoftheuniverse;andthenask,ifsuchagloriousdisplayofintelligencecouldproceedfromthefortuitousconcourseofatoms,orifchancecouldproducewhatthegreatestgeniuscanneversufficientlyadmire。Ishallnotexaminethejustnessofthisargument。Ishallallowittobeassolidasmyantagonistsandaccuserscandesire。Itissufficient,ifIcanprove,fromthisveryreasoning,thatthequestionisentirelyspeculative,andthat,when,inmyphilosophicaldisquisitions,Idenyaprovidenceandafuturestate,I
underminenotthefoundationsofsociety,butadvanceprinciples,whichtheythemselves,upontheirowntopics,iftheyargueconsistently,mustallowtobesolidandsatisfactory。
Youthen,whoaremyaccusers,haveacknowledged,thatthechieforsoleargumentforadivineexistencewhichI
neverquestionedisderivedfromtheorderofnature;wherethereappearsuchmarksofintelligenceanddesign,thatyouthinkitextravaganttoassignforitscause,eitherchance,ortheblindandunguidedforceofmatter。Youallow,thatthisisanargumentdrawnfromeffectstocauses。Fromtheorderofthework,youinfer,thattheremusthavebeenprojectandforethoughtintheworkman。Ifyoucannotmakeoutthispoint,youallow,thatyourconclusionfails;andyoupretendnottoestablishtheconclusioninagreaterlatitudethanthephenomenaofnaturewilljustify。Theseareyourconcessions。Idesireyoutomarktheconsequences。
Whenweinferanyparticularcausefromaneffect,wemustproportiontheonetotheother,andcanneverbeallowedtoascribetothecauseanyqualities,butwhatareexactlysufficienttoproducetheeffect。Abodyoftenouncesraisedinanyscalemayserveasaproof,thatthecounterbalancingweightexceedstenounces;butcanneveraffordareasonthatitexceedsahundred。Ifthecause,assignedforanyeffect,benotsufficienttoproduceit,wemusteitherrejectthatcause,oraddtoitsuchqualitiesaswillgiveitajustproportiontotheeffect。Butifweascribetoitfartherqualities,oraffirmitcapableofproducingothereffects,wecanonlyindulgethelicenceofconjecture,andarbitrarilysupposetheexistenceofqualitiesandenergies,withoutreasonorauthority。
Thesameruleholds,whetherthecauseassignedbebruteunconsciousmatter,orarationalintelligentbeing。
Ifthecausebeknownonlybytheeffect,weneveroughttoascribetoitanyqualities,beyondwhatarepreciselyrequisitetoproducetheeffect:Norcanwe,byanyrulesofjustreasoning,returnbackfromthecause,andinferothereffectsfromit,beyondthosebywhichaloneitisknowntous。Noone,merelyfromthesightofoneofZ/EUXIS'S\
pictures,couldknow,thathewasalsoastatuaryorarchitect,andwasanartistnolessskilfulinstoneandmarblethanincolours。Thetalentsandtaste,displayedintheparticularworkbeforeus;thesewemaysafelyconcludetheworkmantobepossessedof。Thecausemustbeproportionedtotheeffect;andifweexactlyandpreciselyproportionit,weshallneverfindinitanyqualities,thatpointfarther,oraffordaninferenceconcerninganyotherdesignorperformance。Suchqualitiesmustbesomewhatbeyondwhatismerelyrequisiteforproducingtheeffect,whichweexamine。
Allowing,therefore,thegodstobetheauthorsoftheexistenceororderoftheuniverse;itfollows,thattheypossessthatprecisedegreeofpower,intelligence,andbenevolence,whichappearsintheirworkmanship;butnothingfarthercaneverbeproved,exceptwecallintheassistanceofexaggerationandflatterytosupplythedefectsofargumentandreasoning。Sofarasthetracesofanyattributes,atpresent,appear,sofarmayweconcludetheseattributestoexist。Thesuppositionoffartherattributesismerehypothesis;muchmorethesupposition,that,indistantregionsofspaceorperiodsoftime,therehasbeen,orwillbe,amoremagnificentdisplayoftheseattributes,andaschemeofadministrationmoresuitabletosuchimaginaryvirtues。Wecanneverbeallowedtomountupfromtheuniverse,theeffect,toJ/UPITER\,thecause;andthendescenddownwards,toinferanyneweffectfromthatcause;
asifthepresenteffectsalonewerenotentirelyworthyofthegloriousattributes,whichweascribetothatdeity。Theknowledgeofthecausebeingderivedsolelyfromtheeffect,theymustbeexactlyadjustedtoeachother;andtheonecanneverrefertoanythingfarther,orbethefoundationofanynewinferenceandconclusion。
Youfindcertainphenomenainnature。Youseekacauseorauthor。Youimaginethatyouhavefoundhim。Youafterwardsbecomesoenamouredofthisoffspringofyourbrain,thatyouimagineitimpossible,buthemustproducesomethinggreaterandmoreperfectthanthepresentsceneofthings,whichissofullofillanddisorder。Youforget,thatthissuperlativeintelligenceandbenevolenceareentirelyimaginary,or,atleast,withoutanyfoundationinreason;andthatyouhavenogroundtoascribetohimanyqualities,butwhatyouseehehasactuallyexertedanddisplayedinhisproductions。Letyourgods,therefore,O
philosophers,besuitedtothepresentappearancesofnature:Andpresumenottoaltertheseappearancesbyarbitrarysuppositions,inordertosuitthemtotheattributes,whichyousofondlyascribetoyourdeities。
Whenpriestsandpoets,supportedbyyourauthority,O
A/THENIANS\,talkofagoldenorsilverage,whichprecededthepresentstateofviceandmisery,Ihearthemwithattentionandwithreverence。Butwhenphilosophers,whopretendtoneglectauthority,andtocultivatereason,holdthesamediscourse,Ipaythemnot,Iown,thesameobsequioussubmissionandpiousdeference。Iask;whocarriedthemintothecelestialregions,whoadmittedthemintothecouncilsofthegods,whoopenedtothemthebookoffate,thattheythusrashlyaffirm,thattheirdeitieshaveexecuted,orwillexecute,anypurposebeyondwhathasactuallyappeared?Iftheytellme,thattheyhavemountedonthestepsorbythegradualascentofreason,andbydrawinginferencesfromeffectstocauses,Istillinsist,thattheyhaveaidedtheascentofreasonbythewingsofimagination;otherwisetheycouldnotthuschangetheirmannerofinference,andarguefromcausestoeffects;
presuming,thatamoreperfectproductionthanthepresentworldwouldbemoresuitabletosuchperfectbeingsasthegods,andforgettingthattheyhavenoreasontoascribetothesecelestialbeingsanyperfectionoranyattribute,butwhatcanbefoundinthepresentworld。
Henceallthefruitlessindustrytoaccountfortheillappearancesofnature,andsavethehonourofthegods;
whilewemustacknowledgetherealityofthatevilanddisorder,withwhichtheworldsomuchabounds。Theobstinateandintractablequalitiesofmatter,wearetold,ortheobservanceofgenerallaws,orsomesuchreason,isthesolecause,whichcontrolledthepowerandbenevolenceofJ/UPITER\,andobligedhimtocreatemankindandeverysensiblecreaturesoimperfectandsounhappy。Theseattributesthen,are,itseems,beforehand,takenforgranted,intheirgreatestlatitude。Anduponthatsupposition,Iownthatsuchconjecturesmay,perhaps,beadmittedasplausiblesolutionsoftheillphenomena。ButstillIask;Whytaketheseattributesforgranted,orwhyascribetothecauseanyqualitiesbutwhatactuallyappearintheeffect?Whytortureyourbraintojustifythecourseofnatureuponsuppositions,which,foraughtyouknow,maybeentirelyimaginary,andofwhichtherearetobefoundnotracesinthecourseofnature?
Thereligioushypothesis,therefore,mustbeconsideredonlyasaparticularmethodofaccountingforthevisiblephenomenaoftheuniverse:Butnojustreasonerwilleverpresumetoinferfromitanysinglefact,andalteroraddtothephenomena,inanysingleparticular。Ifyouthink,thattheappearancesofthingsprovesuchcauses,itisallowableforyoutodrawaninferenceconcerningtheexistenceofthesecauses。Insuchcomplicatedandsublimesubjects,everyoneshouldbeindulgedinthelibertyofconjectureandargument。Buthereyououghttorest。Ifyoucomebackward,andarguingfromyourinferredcauses,conclude,thatanyotherfacthasexisted,orwillexist,inthecourseofnature,whichmayserveasafullerdisplayofparticularattributes;Imustadmonishyou,thatyouhavedepartedfromthemethodofreasoning,attachedtothepresentsubject,andhavecertainlyaddedsomethingtotheattributesofthecause,beyondwhatappearsintheeffect;
otherwiseyoucouldnever,withtolerablesenseorpropriety,addanythingtotheeffect,inordertorenderitmoreworthyofthecause。
Where,then,istheodiousnessofthatdoctrine,whichIteachinmyschool,orrather,whichIexamineinmygardens?Orwhatdoyoufindinthiswholequestion,whereinthesecurityofgoodmorals,orthepeaceandorderofsociety,isintheleastconcerned?
Idenyaprovidence,yousay,andsupremegovernoroftheworld,whoguidesthecourseofevents,andpunishestheviciouswithinfamyanddisappointment,andrewardsthevirtuouswithhonourandsuccess,inalltheirundertakings。
Butsurely,Idenynotthecourseitselfofevents,whichliesopentoeveryone'sinquiryandexamination。I
acknowledge,that,inthepresentorderofthings,virtueisattendedwithmorepeaceofmindthanvice,andmeetswithamorefavourablereceptionfromtheworld。Iamsensible,that,accordingtothepastexperienceofmankind,friendshipisthechiefjoyofhumanlife,andmoderationtheonlysourceoftranquillityandhappiness。Ineverbalancebetweenthevirtuousandtheviciouscourseoflife;
butamsensible,that,toawell-disposedmind,everyadvantageisonthesideoftheformer。Andwhatcanyousaymore,allowingallyoursuppositionsandreasonings?Youtellme,indeed,thatthisdispositionofthingsproceedsfromintelligenceanddesign。Butwhateveritproceedsfrom,thedispositionitself,onwhichdependsourhappinessormisery,andconsequentlyourconductanddeportmentinlifeisstillthesame。Itisstillopenforme,aswellasyou,toregulatemybehaviour,bymyexperienceofpastevents。
Andifyouaffirm,that,whileadivineprovidenceisallowedandasupremedistributivejusticeintheuniverse,Ioughttoexpectsomemoreparticularrewardofthegood,andpunishmentofthebad,beyondtheordinarycourseofevents;Iherefindthesamefallacy,whichIhavebeforeendeavouredtodetect。Youpersistinimagining,that,ifwegrantthatdivineexistence,forwhichyousoearnestlycontend,youmaysafelyinferconsequencesfromit,andaddsomethingtotheexperiencedorderofnature,byarguingfromtheattributeswhichyouascribetoyourgods。Youseemnottoremember,thatallyourreasoningsonthissubjectcanonlybedrawnfromeffectstocauses;andthateveryargument,deductedfromcausestoeffects,mustofnecessitybeagrosssophism;sinceitisimpossibleforyoutoknowanythingofthecause,butwhatyouhaveantecedently,notinferred,butdiscoveredtothefull,intheeffect。
Butwhatmustaphilosopherthinkofthosevainreasoners,whoinsteadofregardingthepresentsceneofthingsasthesoleobjectoftheircontemplation,sofarreversethewholecourseofnature,astorenderthislifemerelyapassagetosomethingfarther;aporch,whichleadstoagreater,andvastlydifferentbuilding;aprologue,whichservesonlytointroducethepiece,andgiveitmoregraceandpropriety?Whence,doyouthink,cansuchphilosophersderivetheirideaofthegods?Fromtheirownconceitandimaginationsurely。Foriftheyderiveditfromthepresentphenomena,itwouldneverpointtoanythingfarther,butmustbeexactlyadjustedtothem。Thatthedivinitymaybeendowedwithattributes,whichwehaveneverseenexerted;maybegovernedbyprinciplesofaction,whichwecannotdiscovertobesatisfied:Allthiswillfreelybeallowed。Butstillthisismere
andhypothesis。Wenevercanhavereasontoinferanyattributes,oranyprinciplesofactioninhim,butsofarasweknowthemtohavebeenexertedandsatisfied。
Ifyouanswerintheaffirmative,Iconclude,that,sincejusticehereexertsitself,itissatisfied。Ifyoureplyinthenegative,Iconclude,thatyouhavethennoreasontoascribejustice,inoursenseofit,tothegods。
Ifyouholdamediumbetweenaffirmationandnegation,bysaying,thatthejusticeofthegods,atpresent,exertsitselfinpart,butnotinitsfullextent;Ianswer,thatyouhavenoreasontogiveitanyparticularextent,butonlysofarasyouseeit,,exertitself。
ThusIbringthedispute,OA/THENIANS\,toashortissuewithmyantagonists。Thecourseofnatureliesopentomycontemplationaswellastotheirs。Theexperiencedtrainofeventsisthegreatstandard,bywhichweallregulateourconduct。Nothingelsecanbeappealedtointhefield,orinthesenate。Nothingelseoughtevertobeheardofintheschool,orinthecloset。Invainwouldourlimitedunderstandingbreakthroughthoseboundaries,whicharetoonarrowforourfondimagination。Whilewearguefromthecourseofnature,andinferaparticularintelligentcause,whichfirstbestowed,andstillpreservesorderintheuniverse,weembraceaprinciple,whichisbothuncertainanduseless。Itisuncertain;becausethesubjectliesentirelybeyondthereachofhumanexperience。Itisuseless;becauseourknowledgeofthiscausebeingderivedentirelyfromthecourseofnature,wecannever,accordingtotherulesofjustreasoning,returnbackfromthecausewithanynewinference,ormakingadditionstothecommonandexperiencedcourseofnature,establishanynewprinciplesofconductandbehaviour。
IobservesaidI,findinghehadfinishedhisharanguethatyouneglectnottheartificeofthedemagoguesofold;andasyouwerepleasedtomakemestandforthepeople,youinsinuateyourselfintomyfavourbyembracingthoseprinciples,towhich,youknow,Ihavealwaysexpressedaparticularattachment。ButallowingyoutomakeexperienceasindeedIthinkyououghttheonlystandardofourjudgementconcerningthis,andallotherquestionsoffact;Idoubtnotbut,fromtheverysameexperience,towhichyouappeal,itmaybepossibletorefute
thisreasoning,whichyouhaveputintothemouthofE/PICURUS\。Ifyousaw,forinstance,ahalf-finishedbuilding,surroundedwithheapsofbrickandstoneandmortar,andalltheinstrumentsofmasonry;couldyounotfromtheeffect,thatitwasaworkofdesignandcontrivance?Andcouldyounotreturnagain,fromthisinferredcause,toinfernewadditionstotheeffect,andconclude,thatthebuildingwouldsoonbefinished,andreceiveallthefurtherimprovements,whichartcouldbestowuponit?Ifyousawuponthesea-shoretheprintofonehumanfoot,youwouldconclude,thatamanhadpassedthatway,andthathehadalsoleftthetracesoftheotherfoot,thougheffacedbytherollingofthesandsorinundationofthewaters。Whythendoyourefusetoadmitthesamemethodofreasoningwithregardtotheorderofnature?Considertheworldandthepresentlifeonlyasanimperfect
building,fromwhichyoucaninferasuperiorintelligence;
andarguingfromthatsuperiorintelligence,whichcanleavenothingimperfect;whymayyounotinferamorefinishedschemeorplan,whichwillreceiveitscompletioninsomedistantpointofspaceortime?Arenotthesemethodsofreasoningexactlysimilar?Andunderwhatpretencecanyouembracetheone,whileyourejecttheother?
Theinfinitedifferenceofthesubjects,repliedhe,isasufficientfoundationforthisdifferenceinmyconclusions。Inworksofartandcontrivance,itisallowabletoadvancefromtheeffecttothecause,andreturningbackfromthecause,toformnewinferencesconcerningtheeffect,andexaminethealterations,whichithasprobablyundergone,ormaystillundergo。Butwhatisthefoundationofthismethodofreasoning?Plainlythis;
thatmanisabeing,whomweknowbyexperience,whosemotivesanddesignsweareacquaintedwith,andwhoseprojectsandinclinationshaveacertainconnexionandcoherence,accordingtothelawswhichnaturehasestablishedforthegovernmentofsuchacreature。When,therefore,wefind,thatanyworkhasproceededfromtheskillandindustryofman;asweareotherwiseacquaintedwiththenatureoftheanimal,wecandrawahundredinferencesconcerningwhatmaybeexpectedfromhim;andtheseinferenceswillallbefoundedinexperienceandobservation。Butdidweknowmanonlyfromthesingleworkorproductionwhichweexamine,itwereimpossibleforustoargueinthismanner;becauseourknowledgeofallthequalities,whichweascribetohim,beinginthatcasederivedfromtheproduction,itisimpossibletheycouldpointtoanythingfarther,orbethefoundationofanynewinference。Theprintofafootinthesand
canonlyprove,whenconsideredalone,thattherewassomefigureadaptedtoit,bywhichitwasproduced:Buttheprintofahumanfootproveslikewise,fromourotherexperience,thattherewasprobablyanotherfoot,whichalsoleftitsimpression,thougheffacedbytimeorotheraccidents。Herewemountfromtheeffecttothecause;anddescendingagainfromthecause,inferalterationsintheeffect;butthisisnotacontinuationofthesamesimplechainofreasoning。Wecomprehendinthiscaseahundredotherexperiencesandobservations,concerningthefigureandmembersofthatspeciesofanimal,withoutwhichthismethodofargumentmustbeconsideredasfallaciousandsophistical。
Thecaseisnotthesamewithourreasoningsfromtheworksofnature。TheDeityisknowntousonlybyhisproductions,andisasinglebeingintheuniverse,notcomprehendedunderanyspeciesorgenus,fromwhoseexperiencedattributesorqualities,wecan,byanalogy,inferanyattributeorqualityinhim。Astheuniverseshewswisdomandgoodness,weinferwisdomandgoodness。Asitshewsaparticulardegreeoftheseperfections,weinferaparticulardegreeofthem,preciselyadaptedtotheeffectwhichweexamine。Butfartherattributesorfartherdegreesofthesameattributes,wecanneverbeauthorisedtoinferorsuppose,byanyrulesofjustreasoning。Now,withoutsomesuchlicenceofsupposition,itisimpossibleforustoarguefromthecause,orinferanyalterationintheeffect,beyondwhathasimmediatelyfallenunderourobservation。
GreatergoodproducedbythisBeingmuststillproveagreaterdegreeofgoodness:Amoreimpartialdistributionofrewardsandpunishmentsmustproceedfromagreaterregardtojusticeandequity。EverysupposedadditiontotheworksofnaturemakesanadditiontotheattributesoftheAuthorofnature;andconsequently,beingentirelyunsupportedbyanyreasonorargument,canneverbeadmittedbutasmereconjectureandhypothesis。[36]