第6章

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，eventhoughthedelusionshouldbetoogrosstoimposeonthegeneralityofthem()ithasamuchbetterchanceforsucceedinginremotecountries，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，pretendedtohavebeenwroughtinanyofthesereligions(andallofthemaboundinmiracles)，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，anddoctrineofyourpriests(inwhichIwillinglyacquiesce)，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，thatthechieforsoleargumentforadivineexistence(whichI

neverquestioned)isderivedfromtheorderofnature；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。

Iobserve(saidI，findinghehadfinishedhisharangue)thatyouneglectnottheartificeofthedemagoguesofold；andasyouwerepleasedtomakemestandforthepeople，youinsinuateyourselfintomyfavourbyembracingthoseprinciples，towhich，youknow，Ihavealwaysexpressedaparticularattachment。Butallowingyoutomakeexperience(asindeedIthinkyouought)theonlystandardofourjudgementconcerningthis，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]