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]