PART4
　　Itseemsstrangetome，saidCLEANTHES，thatyou，DEMEA，whoaresosincereinthecauseofreligion，shouldstillmaintainthemysterious，incomprehensiblenatureoftheDeity，andshouldinsistsostrenuouslythathehasnomanneroflikenessorresemblancetohumancreatures。TheDeity，I
　　canreadilyallow，possessesmanypowersandattributesofwhichwecanhavenocomprehension：Butifourideas，sofarastheygo，benotjust，andadequate，andcorrespondenttohisrealnature，Iknownotwhatthereisinthissubjectworthinsistingon。Isthename，withoutanymeaning，ofsuchmightyimportance？Orhowdoyoumystics，whomaintaintheabsoluteincomprehensibilityoftheDeity，differfromScepticsorAtheists，whoassert，thatthefirstcauseofallisunknownandunintelligible？Theirtemeritymustbeverygreat，if，afterrejectingtheproductionbyamind，Imeanamindresemblingthehuman，（forI
　　knowofnoother，）theypretendtoassign，withcertainty，anyotherspecificintelligiblecause：Andtheirconsciencemustbeveryscrupulousindeed，iftheyrefusetocalltheuniversalunknowncauseaGodorDeity;andtobestowonhimasmanysublimeeulogiesandunmeaningepithetsasyoushallpleasetorequireofthem。
　　Whocouldimagine，repliedDEMEA，thatCLEANTHES，thecalmphilosophicalCLEANTHES，wouldattempttorefutehisantagonistsbyaffixinganicknametothem;and，likethecommonbigotsandinquisitorsoftheage，haverecoursetoinvectiveanddeclamation，insteadofreasoning？Ordoeshenotperceive，thatthesetopicsareeasilyretorted，andthatAnthropomorphiteisanappellationasinvidious，andimpliesasdangerousconsequences，astheepithetofMystic，withwhichhehashonouredus？Inreality，CLEANTHES，considerwhatitisyouassertwhenyourepresenttheDeityassimilartoahumanmindandunderstanding。Whatisthesoulofman？Acompositionofvariousfaculties，passions，sentiments，ideas;united，indeed，intooneselforperson，butstilldistinctfromeachother。Whenitreasons，theideas，whicharethepartsofitsdiscourse，arrangethemselvesinacertainformororder;
　　whichisnotpreservedentireforamoment，butimmediatelygivesplacetoanotherarrangement。Newopinions，newpassions，newaffections，newfeelingsarise，whichcontinuallydiversifythementalscene，andproduceinitthegreatestvarietyandmostrapidsuccessionimaginable。HowisthiscompatiblewiththatperfectimmutabilityandsimplicitywhichalltrueTheistsascribetotheDeity？Bythesameact，saythey，heseespast，present，andfuture：
　　Hisloveandhatred，hismercyandjustice，areoneindividualoperation：
　　Heisentireineverypointofspace;andcompleteineveryinstantofduration。Nosuccession，nochange，noacquisition，nodiminution。Whatheisimpliesnotinitanyshadowofdistinctionordiversity。Andwhatheisthismomentheeverhasbeen，andeverwillbe，withoutanynewjudgement，sentiment，oroperation。Hestandsfixedinonesimple，perfectstate：norcanyoueversay，withanypropriety，thatthisactofhisisdifferentfromthatother;orthatthisjudgementorideahasbeenlatelyformed，andwillgiveplace，bysuccession，toanydifferentjudgementoridea。
　　Icanreadilyallow，saidCLEANTHES，thatthosewhomaintaintheperfectsimplicityoftheSupremeBeing，totheextentinwhichyouhaveexplainedit，arecompleteMystics，andchargeablewithalltheconsequenceswhichI
　　havedrawnfromtheiropinion。Theyare，inaword，Atheists，withoutknowingit。Forthoughitbeallowed，thattheDeitypossessesattributesofwhichwehavenocomprehension，yetoughtwenevertoascribetohimanyattributeswhichareabsolutelyincompatiblewiththatintelligentnatureessentialtohim。Amind，whoseactsandsentimentsandideasarenotdistinctandsuccessive;one，thatiswhollysimple，andtotallyimmutable，isamindwhichhasnothought，noreason，nowill，nosentiment，nolove，nohatred;or，inaword，isnomindatall。Itisanabuseoftermstogiveitthatappellation;andwemayaswellspeakoflimitedextensionwithoutfigure，orofnumberwithoutcomposition。
　　Prayconsider，saidPHILO，whomyouareatpresentinveighingagainst。YouarehonouringwiththeappellationofAtheistallthesound，orthodoxdivines，almost，whohavetreatedofthissubject;andyouwillatlastbe，yourself，found，accordingtoyourreckoning，theonlysoundTheistintheworld。
　　ButifidolatersbeAtheists，as，Ithink，mayjustlybeasserted，andChristianTheologiansthesame，whatbecomesoftheargument，somuchcelebrated，derivedfromtheuniversalconsentofmankind？
　　ButbecauseIknowyouarenotmuchswayedbynamesandauthorities，Ishallendeavourtoshowyou，alittlemoredistinctly，theinconveniencesofthatAnthropomorphism，whichyouhaveembraced;andshallprove，thatthereisnogroundtosupposeaplanoftheworldtobeformedintheDivinemind，consistingofdistinctideas，differentlyarranged，inthesamemannerasanarchitectformsinhisheadtheplanofahousewhichheintendstoexecute。
　　Itisnoteasy，Iown，toseewhatisgainedbythissupposition，whetherwejudgeofthematterbyReasonorbyExperience。Wearestillobligedtomounthigher，inordertofindthecauseofthiscause，whichyouhadassignedassatisfactoryandconclusive。
　　IfReason（Imeanabstractreason，derivedfrominquiriesapriori）benotalikemutewithregardtoallquestionsconcerningcauseandeffect，thissentenceatleastitwillventuretopronounce，Thatamentalworld，oruniverseofideas，requiresacauseasmuch，asdoesamaterialworld，oruniverseofobjects;and，ifsimilarinitsarrangement，mustrequireasimilarcause。Forwhatisthereinthissubject，whichshouldoccasionadifferentconclusionorinference？Inanabstractview，theyareentirelyalike;
　　andnodifficultyattendstheonesupposition，whichisnotcommontobothofthem。
　　Again，whenwewillneedsforceExperiencetopronouncesomesentence，evenonthesesubjectswhichliebeyondhersphere，neithercansheperceiveanymaterialdifferenceinthisparticular，betweenthesetwokindsofworlds;butfindsthemtobegovernedbysimilarprinciples，andtodependuponanequalvarietyofcausesintheiroperations。Wehavespecimensinminiatureofbothofthem。Ourownmindresemblestheone;avegetableoranimalbodytheother。Letexperience，therefore，judgefromthesesamples。Nothingseemsmoredelicate，withregardtoitscauses，thanthought;andasthesecausesneveroperateintwopersonsafterthesamemanner，soweneverfindtwopersonswhothinkexactlyalike。Norindeeddoesthesamepersonthinkexactlyalikeatanytwodifferentperiodsoftime。Adifferenceofage，ofthedispositionofhisbody，ofweather，offood，ofcompany，ofbooks，ofpassions;anyoftheseparticulars，orothersmoreminute，aresufficienttoalterthecuriousmachineryofthought，andcommunicatetoitverydifferentmovementsandoperations。Asfaraswecanjudge，vegetablesandanimalbodiesarenotmoredelicateintheirmotions，nordependuponagreatervarietyormorecuriousadjustmentofspringsandprinciples。
　　How，therefore，shallwesatisfyourselvesconcerningthecauseofthatBeingwhomyousupposetheAuthorofNature，or，accordingtoyoursystemofAnthropomorphism，theidealworld，intowhichyoutracethematerial？Havewenotthesamereasontotracethatidealworldintoanotheridealworld，ornewintelligentprinciple？Butifwestop，andgonofurther;whygosofar？whynotstopatthematerialworld？
　　Howcanwesatisfyourselveswithoutgoingonininfinitum？And，afterall，whatsatisfactionisthereinthatinfiniteprogression？LetusrememberthestoryoftheIndianphilosopherandhiselephant。Itwasnevermoreapplicablethantothepresentsubject。Ifthematerialworldrestsuponasimilaridealworld，thisidealworldmustrestuponsomeother;andsoon，withoutend。Itwerebetter，therefore，nevertolookbeyondthepresentmaterialworld。Bysupposingittocontaintheprincipleofitsorderwithinitself，wereallyassertittobeGod;andthesoonerwearriveatthatDivineBeing，somuchthebetter。Whenyougoonestepbeyondthemundanesystem，youonlyexciteaninquisitivehumourwhichitisimpossibleevertosatisfy。
　　Tosay，thatthedifferentideaswhichcomposethereasonoftheSupremeBeing，fallintoorderofthemselves，andbytheirownnature，isreallytotalkwithoutanyprecisemeaning。
　　Ifithasameaning，Iwouldfainknow，whyitisnotasgoodsensetosay，thatthepartsofthematerialworldfallintoorderofthemselvesandbytheirownnature。
　　Cantheoneopinionbeintelligible，whiletheotherisnotso？
　　Wehave，indeed，experienceofideaswhichfallintoorderofthemselves，andwithoutanyknowncause。But，I
　　amsure，wehaveamuchlargerexperienceofmatterwhichdoesthesame;as，inallinstancesofgenerationandvegetation，wheretheaccurateanalysisofthecauseexceedsallhumancomprehension。Wehavealsoexperienceofparticularsystemsofthoughtandofmatterwhichhavenoorder;ofthefirstinmadness，ofthesecondincorruption。
　　Why，then，shouldwethink，thatorderismoreessentialtoonethantheother？Andifitrequiresacauseinboth，whatdowegainbyyoursystem，intracingtheuniverseofobjectsintoasimilaruniverseofideas？Thefirststepwhichwemakeleadsusonforever。Itwere，therefore，wiseinustolimitallourinquiriestothepresentworld，withoutlookingfurther。Nosatisfactioncaneverbeattainedbythesespeculations，whichsofarexceedthenarrowboundsofhumanunderstanding。
　　ItwasusualwiththePERIPATETICS，youknow，CLEANTHES，whenthecauseofanyphenomenonwasdemanded，tohaverecoursetotheirfacultiesoroccultqualities;andtosay，forinstance，thatbreadnourishedbyitsnutritivefaculty，andsenna19purgedbyitspurgative。Butithasbeendiscovered，thatthissubterfugewasnothingbutthedisguiseofignorance;andthatthesephilosophers，thoughlessingenuous，reallysaidthesamethingwiththescepticsorthevulgar，whofairlyconfessedthattheyknewnotthecauseofthesephenomena。Inlikemanner，whenitisasked，whatcauseproducesorderintheideasoftheSupremeBeing;cananyotherreasonbeassignedbyyou，Anthropomorphites，thanthatitisarationalfaculty，andthatsuchisthenatureoftheDeity？Butwhyasimilaranswerwillnotbeequallysatisfactoryinaccountingfortheorderoftheworld，withouthavingrecoursetoanysuchintelligentcreatorasyouinsiston，maybedifficulttodetermine。
　　Itisonlytosay，thatsuchisthenatureofmaterialobjects，andthattheyarealloriginallypossessedofafacultyoforderandproportion。Theseareonlymorelearnedandelaboratewaysofconfessingourignorance;norhastheonehypothesisanyrealadvantageabovetheother，exceptinitsgreaterconformitytovulgarprejudices。
　　Youhavedisplayedthisargumentwithgreatemphasis，repliedCLEANTHES：Youseemnotsensiblehoweasyitistoanswerit。Evenincommonlife，ifIassignacauseforanyevent，isitanyobjection，PHILO，thatIcannotassignthecauseofthatcause，andanswereverynewquestionwhichmayincessantlybestarted？Andwhatphilosopherscouldpossiblysubmittosorigidarule？philosophers，whoconfessultimatecausestobetotallyunknown;andaresensible，thatthemostrefinedprinciplesintowhichtheytracethephenomena，arestilltothemasinexplicableasthesephenomenathemselvesaretothevulgar。Theorderandarrangementofnature，thecuriousadjustmentoffinalcauses，theplainuseandintentionofeverypartandorgan;allthesebespeakintheclearestlanguageanintelligentcauseorauthor。Theheavensandtheearthjoininthesametestimony：
　　ThewholechorusofNatureraisesonehymntothepraisesofitsCreator。Youalone，oralmostalone，disturbthisgeneralharmony。Youstartabstrusedoubts，cavils，andobjections：Youaskme，whatisthecauseofthiscause？
　　Iknownot;Icarenot;thatconcernsnotme。I
　　havefoundaDeity;andhereIstopmyinquiry。Letthosegofurther，whoarewiserormoreenterprising。
　　Ipretendtobeneither，repliedPHILO：Andforthatveryreason，Ishouldneverperhapshaveattemptedtogosofar;especiallywhenIamsensible，thatImustatlastbecontentedtositdownwiththesameanswer，which，withoutfurthertrouble，mighthavesatisfiedmefromthebeginning。
　　IfIamstilltoremaininutterignoranceofcauses，andcanabsolutelygiveanexplicationofnothing，Ishallneveresteemitanyadvantagetoshoveoffforamomentadifficulty，which，youacknowledge，mustimmediately，initsfullforce，recuruponme。Naturalistsindeedveryjustlyexplainparticulareffectsbymoregeneralcauses，thoughthesegeneralcausesthemselvesshouldremainintheendtotallyinexplicable;buttheyneversurelythoughtitsatisfactorytoexplainaparticulareffectbyaparticularcause，whichwasnomoretobeaccountedforthantheeffectitself。Anidealsystem，arrangedofitself，withoutaprecedentdesign，isnotawhitmoreexplicablethanamaterialone，whichattainsitsorderinalikemanner;noristhereanymoredifficultyinthelattersuppositionthanintheformer。
　　PART5
　　Buttoshowyoustillmoreinconveniences，continuedPHILO，inyourAnthropomorphism，pleasetotakeanewsurveyofyourprinciples。Likeeffectsprovelikecauses。Thisistheexperimentalargument;andthis，yousaytoo，isthesoletheologicalargument。Now，itiscertain，thatthelikertheeffectsarewhichareseen，andthelikerthecauseswhichareinferred，thestrongeristheargument。Everydepartureoneithersidediminishestheprobability，andrenderstheexperimentlessconclusive。Youcannotdoubtoftheprinciple;neitheroughtyoutorejectitsconsequences。
　　Allthenewdiscoveriesinastronomy，whichprovetheimmensegrandeurandmagnificenceoftheworksofNature，aresomanyadditionalargumentsforaDeity，accordingtothetruesystemofTheism;but，accordingtoyourhypothesisofexperimentalTheism，theybecomesomanyobjections，byremovingtheeffectstillfurtherfromallresemblancetotheeffectsofhumanartandcontrivance。For，ifLUCRETIUS，evenfollowingtheoldsystemoftheworld，couldexclaim，Quisregereimmensisummam，quishabereprofundiIndumanuvalidaspotisestmoderanterhabenas？
　　Quisparitercoelosomnesconvertere？etomnesIgnibusaetheriisterrassuffireferaces？
　　Omnibusinquelocisesseomnitemporepraesto？20
　　IfTULLYesteemedthisreasoningsonatural，astoputitintothemouthofhisEPICUREAN：
　　"QuibusenimoculisanimiintueripotuitvesterPlatofabricamillamtantioperis，quaconstruiaDeoatqueaedificarimundumfacit？quaemolitio？quaeferramenta？quivectes？quaemachinae？quiministritantimunerisfuerunt？quemadmodumautemobedireetparerevoluntatiarchitectiaer，ignis，aqua，terrapotuerunt？"21
　　Ifthisargument，Isay，hadanyforceinformerages，howmuchgreatermustithaveatpresent，whentheboundsofNaturearesoinfinitelyenlarged，andsuchamagnificentsceneisopenedtous？Itisstillmoreunreasonabletoformourideaofsounlimitedacausefromourexperienceofthenarrowproductionsofhumandesignandinvention。
　　Thediscoveriesbymicroscopes，astheyopenanewuniverseinminiature，arestillobjections，accordingtoyou，arguments，accordingtome。Thefurtherwepushourresearchesofthiskind，wearestillledtoinfertheuniversalcauseofalltobevastlydifferentfrommankind，orfromanyobjectofhumanexperienceandobservation。
　　Andwhatsayyoutothediscoveriesinanatomy，chemistry，botany？Thesesurelyarenoobjections，repliedCLEANTHES;theyonlydiscovernewinstancesofartandcontrivance。
　　Itisstilltheimageofmindreflectedonusfrominnumerableobjects。Add，amindlikethehuman，saidPHILO。Iknowofnoother，repliedCLEANTHES。Andthelikerthebetter，insistedPHILO。Tobesure，saidCLEANTHES。
　　Now，CLEANTHES，saidPHILO，withanairofalacrityandtriumph，marktheconsequences。First，Bythismethodofreasoning，yourenounceallclaimtoinfinityinanyoftheattributesoftheDeity。For，asthecauseoughtonlytobeproportionedtotheeffect，andtheeffect，sofarasitfallsunderourcognisance，isnotinfinite;whatpretensionshavewe，uponyoursuppositions，toascribethatattributetotheDivineBeing？Youwillstillinsist，that，byremovinghimsomuchfromallsimilaritytohumancreatures，wegiveintothemostarbitraryhypothesis，andatthesametimeweakenallproofsofhisexistence。
　　Secondly，Youhavenoreason，onyourtheory，forascribingperfectiontotheDeity，eveninhisfinitecapacity，orforsupposinghimfreefromeveryerror，mistake，orincoherence，inhisundertakings。TherearemanyinexplicabledifficultiesintheworksofNature，which，ifweallowaperfectauthortobeprovedapriori，areeasilysolved，andbecomeonlyseemingdifficulties，fromthenarrowcapacityofman，whocannottraceinfiniterelations。
　　Butaccordingtoyourmethodofreasoning，thesedifficultiesbecomeallreal;andperhapswillbeinsistedon，asnewinstancesoflikenesstohumanartandcontrivance。Atleast，youmustacknowledge，thatitisimpossibleforustotell，fromourlimitedviews，whetherthissystemcontainsanygreatfaults，ordeservesanyconsiderablepraise，ifcomparedtootherpossible，andevenrealsystems。Couldapeasant，iftheAeneidwerereadtohim，pronouncethatpoemtobeabsolutelyfaultless，orevenassigntoititsproperrankamongtheproductionsofhumanwit，he，whohadneverseenanyotherproduction？
　　Butwerethisworldeversoperfectaproduction，itmuststillremainuncertain，whetheralltheexcellencesoftheworkcanjustlybeascribedtotheworkman。Ifwesurveyaship，whatanexaltedideamustweformoftheingenuityofthecarpenterwhoframedsocomplicated，useful，andbeautifulamachine？Andwhatsurprisemustwefeel，whenwefindhimastupidmechanic，whoimitatedothers，andcopiedanart，which，throughalongsuccessionofages，aftermultipliedtrials，mistakes，corrections，deliberations，andcontroversies，hadbeengraduallyimproving？
　　Manyworldsmighthavebeenbotchedandbungled，throughoutaneternity，erethissystemwasstruckout;muchlabourlost，manyfruitlesstrialsmade;andaslow，butcontinuedimprovementcarriedonduringinfiniteagesintheartofworld-making。Insuchsubjects，whocandetermine，wherethetruth;nay，whocanconjecturewheretheprobabilitylies，amidstagreatnumberofhypotheseswhichmaybeproposed，andastillgreaterwhichmaybeimagined？
　　Andwhatshadowofanargument，continuedPHILO，canyouproduce，fromyourhypothesis，toprovetheunityoftheDeity？Agreatnumberofmenjoininbuildingahouseorship，inrearingacity，inframingacommonwealth;
　　whymaynotseveraldeitiescombineincontrivingandframingaworld？
　　Thisisonlysomuchgreatersimilaritytohumanaffairs。Bysharingtheworkamongseveral，wemaysomuchfurtherlimittheattributesofeach，andgetridofthatextensivepowerandknowledge，whichmustbesupposedinonedeity，andwhich，accordingtoyou，canonlyservetoweakentheproofofhisexistence。Andifsuchfoolish，suchviciouscreaturesasman，canyetoftenuniteinframingandexecutingoneplan，howmuchmorethosedeitiesordemons，whomwemaysupposeseveraldegreesmoreperfect！
　　Tomultiplycauseswithoutnecessity，isindeedcontrarytotruephilosophy：butthisprincipleappliesnottothepresentcase。Wereonedeityantecedentlyprovedbyyourtheory，whowerepossessedofeveryattributerequisitetotheproductionoftheuniverse;itwouldbeneedless，Iown，（thoughnotabsurd，）tosupposeanyotherdeityexistent。Butwhileitisstillaquestion，Whetheralltheseattributesareunitedinonesubject，ordispersedamongseveralindependentbeings，bywhatphenomenainnaturecanwepretendtodecidethecontroversy？Whereweseeabodyraisedinascale，wearesurethatthereisintheoppositescale，howeverconcealedfromsight，somecounterpoisingweightequaltoit;butitisstillallowedtodoubt，whetherthatweightbeanaggregateofseveraldistinctbodies，oroneuniformunitedmass。Andiftheweightrequisiteverymuchexceedsanythingwhichwehaveeverseenconjoinedinanysinglebody，theformersuppositionbecomesstillmoreprobableandnatural。Anintelligentbeingofsuchvastpowerandcapacityasisnecessarytoproducetheuniverse，or，tospeakinthelanguageofancientphilosophy，soprodigiousananimalexceedsallanalogy，andevencomprehension。
　　Butfurther，CLEANTHES：menaremortal，andrenewtheirspeciesbygeneration;andthisiscommontoalllivingcreatures。Thetwogreatsexesofmaleandfemale，saysMILTON，animatetheworld。Whymustthiscircumstance，souniversal，soessential，beexcludedfromthosenumerousandlimiteddeities？Behold，then，thetheogonyofancienttimesbroughtbackuponus。
　　AndwhynotbecomeaperfectAnthropomorphite？
　　Whynotassertthedeityordeitiestobecorporeal，andtohaveeyes，anose，mouth，ears，&c。？EPICURUSmaintained，thatnomanhadeverseenreasonbutinahumanfigure;
　　thereforethegodsmusthaveahumanfigure。Andthisargument，whichisdeservedlysomuchridiculedbyCICERO，becomes，accordingtoyou，solidandphilosophical。
　　Inaword，CLEANTHES，amanwhofollowsyourhypothesisisableperhapstoassert，orconjecture，thattheuniverse，sometime，arosefromsomethinglikedesign：butbeyondthatpositionhecannotascertainonesinglecircumstance;andisleftafterwardstofixeverypointofhistheologybytheutmostlicenseoffancyandhypothesis。
　　Thisworld，foraughtheknows，isveryfaultyandimperfect，comparedtoasuperiorstandard;andwasonlythefirstrudeessayofsomeinfantdeity，whoafterwardsabandonedit，ashamedofhislameperformance：itistheworkonlyofsomedependent，inferiordeity;andistheobjectofderisiontohissuperiors：itistheproductionofoldageanddotageinsomesuperannuateddeity;andeversincehisdeath，hasrunonatadventures，fromthefirstimpulseandactiveforcewhichitreceivedfromhim。Youjustlygivesignsofhorror，DEMEA，atthesestrangesuppositions;butthese，andathousandmoreofthesamekind，areCLEANTHES’ssuppositions，notmine。FromthemomenttheattributesoftheDeityaresupposedfinite，allthesehaveplace。
　　AndIcannot，formypart，thinkthatsowildandunsettledasystemoftheologyis，inanyrespect，preferabletononeatall。
　　ThesesuppositionsIabsolutelydisown，criedCLEANTHES：theystrikeme，however，withnohorror，especiallywhenproposedinthatramblingwayinwhichtheydropfromyou。Onthecontrary，theygivemepleasure，whenI
　　see，that，bytheutmostindulgenceofyourimagination，younevergetridofthehypothesisofdesignintheuniverse，butareobligedateveryturntohaverecoursetoit。TothisconcessionIadheresteadily;andthisIregardasasufficientfoundationforreligion。
　　PART6
　　Itmustbeaslightfabric，indeed，saidDEMEA，whichcanbeerectedonsototteringafoundation。Whileweareuncertainwhetherthereisonedeityormany;whetherthedeityordeities，towhomweoweourexistence，beperfectorimperfect，subordinateorsupreme，deadoralive，whattrustorconfidencecanwereposeinthem？Whatdevotionorworshipaddresstothem？Whatvenerationorobediencepaythem？Toallthepurposesoflifethetheoryofreligionbecomesaltogetheruseless：andevenwithregardtospeculativeconsequences，itsuncertainty，accordingtoyou，mustrenderittotallyprecariousandunsatisfactory。
　　Torenderitstillmoreunsatisfactory，saidPHILO，thereoccurstomeanotherhypothesis，whichmustacquireanairofprobabilityfromthemethodofreasoningsomuchinsistedonbyCLEANTHES。Thatlikeeffectsarisefromlikecauses：thisprinciplehesupposesthefoundationofallreligion。
　　Butthereisanotherprincipleofthesamekind，nolesscertain，andderivedfromthesamesourceofexperience;thatwhereseveralknowncircumstancesareobservedtobesimilar，theunknownwillalsobefoundsimilar。Thus，ifweseethelimbsofahumanbody，weconcludethatitisalsoattendedwithahumanhead，thoughhidfromus。Thus，ifwesee，throughachinkinawall，asmallpartofthesun，weconclude，that，werethewallremoved，weshouldseethewholebody。Inshort，thismethodofreasoningissoobviousandfamiliar，thatnoscruplecaneverbemadewithregardtoitssolidity。
　　Now，ifwesurveytheuniverse，sofarasitfallsunderourknowledge，itbearsagreatresemblancetoananimalororganisedbody，andseemsactuatedwithalikeprincipleoflifeandmotion。Acontinualcirculationofmatterinitproducesnodisorder：acontinualwasteineverypartisincessantlyrepaired：theclosestsympathyisperceivedthroughouttheentiresystem：andeachpartormember，inperformingitsproperoffices，operatesbothtoitsownpreservationandtothatofthewhole。Theworld，therefore，Iinfer，isananimal;andtheDeityistheSOULoftheworld，actuatingit，andactuatedbyit。
　　Youhavetoomuchlearning，CLEANTHES，tobeatallsurprisedatthisopinion，which，youknow，wasmaintainedbyalmostalltheTheistsofantiquity，andchieflyprevailsintheirdiscoursesandreasonings。Forthough，sometimes，theancientphilosophersreasonfromfinalcauses，asiftheythoughttheworldtheworkmanshipofGod;
　　yetitappearsrathertheirfavouritenotiontoconsideritashisbody，whoseorganisationrendersitsubservienttohim。Anditmustbeconfessed，that，astheuniverseresemblesmoreahumanbodythanitdoestheworksofhumanartandcontrivance，ifourlimitedanalogycouldever，withanypropriety，beextendedtothewholeofnature，theinferenceseemsjusterinfavouroftheancientthanthemoderntheory。
　　Therearemanyotheradvantages，too，intheformertheory，whichrecommendedittotheancienttheologians。
　　Nothingmorerepugnanttoalltheirnotions，becausenothingmorerepugnanttocommonexperience，thanmindwithoutbody;amerespiritualsubstance，whichfellnotundertheirsensesnorcomprehension，andofwhichtheyhadnotobservedonesingleinstancethroughoutallnature。Mindandbodytheyknew，becausetheyfeltboth：anorder，arrangement，organisation，orinternalmachinery，inboth，theylikewiseknew，afterthesamemanner：anditcouldnotbutseemreasonabletotransferthisexperiencetotheuniverse;
　　andtosupposethedivinemindandbodytobealsocoeval，andtohave，bothofthem，orderandarrangementnaturallyinherentinthem，andinseparablefromthem。
　　Here，therefore，isanewspeciesofAnthropomorphism，CLEANTHES，onwhichyoumaydeliberate;andatheorywhichseemsnotliabletoanyconsiderabledifficulties。Youaretoomuchsuperior，surely，tosystematicalprejudices，tofindanymoredifficultyinsupposingananimalbodytobe，originally，ofitself，orfromunknowncauses，possessedoforderandorganisation，thaninsupposingasimilarordertobelongtomind。Butthevulgarprejudice，thatbodyandmindoughtalwaystoaccompanyeachother，oughtnot，oneshouldthink，tobeentirelyneglected;
　　sinceitisfoundedonvulgarexperience，theonlyguidewhichyouprofesstofollowinallthesetheologicalinquiries。
　　Andifyouassert，thatourlimitedexperienceisanunequalstandard，bywhichtojudgeoftheunlimitedextentofnature;youentirelyabandonyourownhypothesis，andmustthenceforwardadoptourMysticism，asyoucallit，andadmitoftheabsoluteincomprehensibilityoftheDivineNature。
　　Thistheory，Iown，repliedCLEANTHES，hasneverbeforeoccurredtome，thoughaprettynaturalone;andI
　　cannotreadily，uponsoshortanexaminationandreflection，deliveranyopinionwithregardtoit。Youareveryscrupulous，indeed，saidPHILO：wereItoexamineanysystemofyours，Ishouldnothaveactedwithhalfthatcautionandreserve，instartingobjectionsanddifficultiestoit。However，ifanythingoccurtoyou，youwillobligeusbyproposingit。
　　Whythen，repliedCLEANTHES，itseemstome，that，thoughtheworlddoes，inmanycircumstances，resembleananimalbody;yetistheanalogyalsodefectiveinmanycircumstancesthemostmaterial：noorgansofsense;noseatofthoughtorreason;noonepreciseoriginofmotionandaction。
　　Inshort，itseemstobearastrongerresemblancetoavegetablethantoananimal，andyourinferencewouldbesofarinconclusiveinfavourofthesouloftheworld。
　　But，inthenextplace，yourtheoryseemstoimplytheeternityoftheworld;andthatisaprinciple，which，I
　　think，canberefutedbythestrongestreasonsandprobabilities。I
　　shallsuggestanargumenttothispurpose，which，I
　　believe，hasnotbeeninsistedonbyanywriter。Those，whoreasonfromthelateoriginofartsandsciences，thoughtheirinferencewantsnotforce，mayperhapsberefutedbyconsiderationsderivedfromthenatureofhumansociety，whichisincontinualrevolution，betweenignoranceandknowledge，libertyandslavery，richesandpoverty;sothatitisimpossibleforus，fromourlimitedexperience，toforetellwithassurancewhateventsmayormaynotbeexpected。
　　Ancientlearningandhistoryseemtohavebeeningreatdangerofentirelyperishingaftertheinundationofthebarbarousnations;andhadtheseconvulsionscontinuedalittlelonger，orbeenalittlemoreviolent，weshouldnotprobablyhavenowknownwhatpassedintheworldafewcenturiesbeforeus。Nay，wereitnotforthesuperstitionofthePopes，whopreservedalittlejargonofLatin，inordertosupporttheappearanceofanancientanduniversalchurch，thattonguemusthavebeenutterlylost;inwhichcase，theWesternworld，beingtotallybarbarous，wouldnothavebeeninafitdispositionforreceivingtheGREEKlanguageandlearning，whichwasconveyedtothemafterthesackingofCONSTANTINOPLE。Whenlearningandbookshadbeenextinguished，eventhemechanicalartswouldhavefallenconsiderablytodecay;anditiseasilyimagined，thatfableortraditionmightascribetothemamuchlateroriginthanthetrueone。Thisvulgarargument，therefore，againsttheeternityoftheworld，seemsalittleprecarious。
　　Buthereappearstobethefoundationofabetterargument。LUCULLUSwasthefirstthatbroughtcherry-treesfromASIAtoEUROPE;thoughthattreethrivessowellinmanyEUROPEAN
　　climates，thatitgrowsinthewoodswithoutanyculture。Isitpossible，thatthroughoutawholeeternity，noEUROPEANhadeverpassedintoASIA，andthoughtoftransplantingsodeliciousafruitintohisowncountry？
　　Orifthetreewasoncetransplantedandpropagated，howcoulditeverafterwardsperish？Empiresmayriseandfall，libertyandslaverysucceedalternately，ignoranceandknowledgegiveplacetoeachother;butthecherry-treewillstillremaininthewoodsofGREECE，SPAIN，andITALY，andwillneverbeaffectedbytherevolutionsofhumansociety。
　　ItisnottwothousandyearssincevinesweretransplantedintoFRANCE，thoughthereisnoclimateintheworldmorefavourabletothem。Itisnotthreecenturiessincehorses，cows，sheep，swine，dogs，corn，wereknowninAMERICA。Isitpossible，thatduringtherevolutionsofawholeeternity，thereneveraroseaCOLUMBUS，whomightopenthecommunicationbetweenEUROPEandthatcontinent？Wemayaswellimagine，thatallmenwouldwearstockingsfortenthousandyears，andneverhavethesensetothinkofgarterstotiethem。Alltheseseemconvincingproofsoftheyouth，orratherinfancy，oftheworld;asbeingfoundedontheoperationofprinciplesmoreconstantandsteadythanthosebywhichhumansocietyisgovernedanddirected。NothinglessthanatotalconvulsionoftheelementswilleverdestroyalltheEUROPEANanimalsandvegetableswhicharenowtobefoundintheWesternworld。
　　Andwhatargumenthaveyouagainstsuchconvulsions？
　　repliedPHILO。Strongandalmostincontestableproofsmaybetracedoverthewholeearth，thateverypartofthisglobehascontinuedformanyagesentirelycoveredwithwater。Andthoughorderweresupposedinseparablefrommatter，andinherentinit;yetmaymatterbesusceptibleofmanyandgreatrevolutions，throughtheendlessperiodsofeternalduration。Theincessantchanges，towhicheverypartofitissubject，seemtointimatesomesuchgeneraltransformations;
　　though，atthesametime，itisobservable，thatallthechangesandcorruptionsofwhichwehaveeverhadexperience，arebutpassagesfromonestateofordertoanother;norcanmattereverrestintotaldeformityandconfusion。
　　Whatweseeintheparts，wemayinferinthewhole;atleast，thatisthemethodofreasoningonwhichyourestyourwholetheory。AndwereIobligedtodefendanyparticularsystemofthisnature，whichIneverwillinglyshoulddo，Iesteemnonemoreplausiblethanthatwhichascribesaneternalinherentprincipleofordertotheworld，thoughattendedwithgreatandcontinualrevolutionsandalterations。Thisatoncesolvesalldifficulties;andifthesolution，bybeingsogeneral，isnotentirelycompleteandsatisfactory，itisatleastatheorythatwemustsoonerorlaterhaverecourseto，whateversystemweembrace。Howcouldthingshavebeenastheyare，weretherenotanoriginalinherentprincipleofordersomewhere，inthoughtorinmatter？Anditisveryindifferenttowhichofthesewegivethepreference。Chancehasnoplace，onanyhypothesis，scepticalorreligious。Everythingissurelygovernedbysteady，inviolablelaws。Andweretheinmostessenceofthingslaidopentous，weshouldthendiscoverascene，ofwhich，atpresent，wecanhavenoidea。Insteadofadmiringtheorderofnaturalbeings，weshouldclearlyseethatitwasabsolutelyimpossibleforthem，inthesmallestarticle，evertoadmitofanyotherdisposition。
　　WereanyoneinclinedtorevivetheancientPaganTheology，whichmaintained，aswelearnfromHESIOD，thatthisglobewasgovernedby30，000deities，whoarosefromtheunknownpowersofnature：youwouldnaturallyobject，CLEANTHES，thatnothingisgainedbythishypothesis;andthatitisaseasytosupposeallmenanimals，beingsmorenumerous，butlessperfect，tohavesprungimmediatelyfromalikeorigin。Pushthesameinferenceastepfurther，andyouwillfindanumeroussocietyofdeitiesasexplicableasoneuniversaldeity，whopossesseswithinhimselfthepowersandperfectionsofthewholesociety。Allthesesystems，then，ofScepticism，Polytheism，andTheism，youmustallow，onyourprinciples，tobeonalikefooting，andthatnooneofthemhasanyadvantageovertheothers。Youmaythencelearnthefallacyofyourprinciples。
　　PART7
　　Buthere，continuedPHILO，inexaminingtheancientsystemofthesouloftheworld，therestrikesme，allonasudden，anewidea，which，ifjust，mustgoneartosubvertallyourreasoning，anddestroyevenyourfirstinferences，onwhichyoureposesuchconfidence。Iftheuniversebearsagreaterlikenesstoanimalbodiesandtovegetables，thantotheworksofhumanart，itismoreprobablethatitscauseresemblesthecauseoftheformerthanthatofthelatter，anditsoriginoughtrathertobeascribedtogenerationorvegetation，thantoreasonordesign。Yourconclusion，evenaccordingtoyourownprinciples，isthereforelameanddefective。
　　Prayopenupthisargumentalittlefurther，saidDEMEA，forIdonotrightlyapprehenditinthatconcisemannerinwhichyouhaveexpressedit。
　　OurfriendCLEANTHES，repliedPHILO，asyouhaveheard，asserts，thatsincenoquestionoffactcanbeprovedotherwisethanbyexperience，theexistenceofaDeityadmitsnotofprooffromanyothermedium。Theworld，sayshe，resemblestheworksofhumancontrivance;thereforeitscausemustalsoresemblethatoftheother。Herewemayremark，thattheoperationofoneverysmallpartofnature，towitman，uponanotherverysmallpart，towitthatinanimatematterlyingwithinhisreach，istherulebywhichCLEANTHES
　　judgesoftheoriginofthewhole;andhemeasuresobjects，sowidelydisproportioned，bythesameindividualstandard。Buttowaiveallobjectionsdrawnfromthistopic，Iaffirm，thatthereareotherpartsoftheuniverse（besidesthemachinesofhumaninvention）whichbearstillagreaterresemblancetothefabricoftheworld，andwhich，therefore，affordabetterconjectureconcerningtheuniversaloriginofthissystem。Thesepartsareanimalsandvegetables。
　　Theworldplainlyresemblesmoreananimaloravegetable，thanitdoesawatchoraknitting-loom。Itscause，therefore，itismoreprobable，resemblesthecauseoftheformer。Thecauseoftheformerisgenerationorvegetation。
　　Thecause，therefore，oftheworld，wemayinfertobesomethingsimilaroranalogoustogenerationorvegetation。
　　Buthowisitconceivable，saidDEMEA，thattheworldcanarisefromanythingsimilartovegetationorgeneration？
　　Veryeasily，repliedPHILO。Inlikemannerasatreeshedsitsseedintotheneighbouringfields，andproducesothertrees;sothegreatvegetable，theworld，orthisplanetarysystem，produceswithinitselfcertainseeds，which，beingscatteredintothesurroundingchaos，vegetateintonewworlds。
　　Acomet，forinstance，istheseedofaworld;
　　andafterithasbeenfullyripened，bypassingfromsuntosun，andstartostar，itisatlasttossedintotheunformedelementswhicheverywheresurroundthisuniverse，andimmediatelysproutsupintoanewsystem。
　　Orif，forthesakeofvariety（forIseenootheradvantage），weshouldsupposethisworldtobeananimal;acometistheeggofthisanimal：andinlikemannerasanostrichlaysitsegginthesand，which，withoutanyfurthercare，hatchestheegg，andproducesanewanimal;so……
　　Iunderstandyou，saysDEMEA：Butwhatwild，arbitrarysuppositionsarethese！Whatdatahaveyouforsuchextraordinaryconclusions？Andistheslight，imaginaryresemblanceoftheworldtoavegetableorananimalsufficienttoestablishthesameinferencewithregardtoboth？Objects，whichareingeneralsowidelydifferent，oughttheytobeastandardforeachother？
　　Right，criesPHILO：ThisisthetopiconwhichIhaveallalonginsisted。Ihavestillasserted，thatwehavenodatatoestablishanysystemofcosmogony。Ourexperience，soimperfectinitself，andsolimitedbothinextentandduration，canaffordusnoprobableconjectureconcerningthewholeofthings。Butifwemustneedsfixonsomehypothesis;bywhatrule，pray，oughtwetodetermineourchoice？Isthereanyotherrulethanthegreatersimilarityoftheobjectscompared？Anddoesnotaplantorananimal，whichspringsfromvegetationorgeneration，bearastrongerresemblancetotheworld，thandoesanyartificialmachine，whicharisesfromreasonanddesign？
　　Butwhatisthisvegetationandgenerationofwhichyoutalk？saidDEMEA。Canyouexplaintheiroperations，andanatomisethatfineinternalstructureonwhichtheydepend？
　　Asmuch，atleast，repliedPHILO，asCLEANTHES
　　canexplaintheoperationsofreason，oranatomisethatinternalstructureonwhichitdepends。Butwithoutanysuchelaboratedisquisitions，whenIseeananimal，Iinfer，thatitsprangfromgeneration;andthatwithasgreatcertaintyasyouconcludeahousetohavebeenrearedbydesign。Thesewords，generation，reason，markonlycertainpowersandenergiesinnature，whoseeffectsareknown，butwhoseessenceisincomprehensible;andoneoftheseprinciples，morethantheother，hasnoprivilegeforbeingmadeastandardtothewholeofnature。
　　Inreality，DEMEA，itmayreasonablybeexpected，thatthelargertheviewsarewhichwetakeofthings，thebetterwilltheyconductusinourconclusionsconcerningsuchextraordinaryandsuchmagnificentsubjects。Inthislittlecorneroftheworldalone，therearefourprinciples，reason，instinct，generation，vegetation，whicharesimilartoeachother，andarethecausesofsimilareffects。Whatanumberofotherprinciplesmaywenaturallysupposeintheimmenseextentandvarietyoftheuniverse，couldwetravelfromplanettoplanet，andfromsystemtosystem，inordertoexamineeachpartofthismightyfabric？Anyoneofthesefourprinciplesabovementioned，（andahundredotherswhichlieopentoourconjecture，）mayaffordusatheorybywhichtojudgeoftheoriginoftheworld;anditisapalpableandegregiouspartialitytoconfineourviewentirelytothatprinciplebywhichourownmindsoperate。
　　Werethisprinciplemoreintelligibleonthataccount，suchapartialitymightbesomewhatexcusable：Butreason，initsinternalfabricandstructure，isreallyaslittleknowntousasinstinctorvegetation;and，perhaps，eventhatvague，indeterminateword，Nature，towhichthevulgarrefereverything，isnotatthebottommoreinexplicable。Theeffectsoftheseprinciplesareallknowntousfromexperience;buttheprinciplesthemselves，andtheirmannerofoperation，aretotallyunknown;norisitlessintelligible，orlessconformabletoexperience，tosay，thattheworldarosebyvegetation，fromaseedshedbyanotherworld，thantosaythatitarosefromadivinereasonorcontrivance，accordingtothesenseinwhichCLEANTHESunderstandsit。
　　Butmethinks，saidDEMEA，iftheworldhadavegetativequality，andcouldsowtheseedsofnewworldsintotheinfinitechaos，thispowerwouldbestillanadditionalargumentfordesigninitsauthor。Forwhencecouldarisesowonderfulafacultybutfromdesign？Orhowcanorderspringfromanythingwhichperceivesnotthatorderwhichitbestows？
　　Youneedonlylookaroundyou，repliedPHILO，tosatisfyyourselfwithregardtothisquestion。Atreebestowsorderandorganisationonthattreewhichspringsfromit，withoutknowingtheorder;ananimalinthesamemanneronitsoffspring;abirdonitsnest;andinstancesofthiskindareevenmorefrequentintheworldthanthoseoforder，whicharisefromreasonandcontrivance。Tosay，thatallthisorderinanimalsandvegetablesproceedsultimatelyfromdesign，isbeggingthequestion;norcanthatgreatpointbeascertainedotherwisethanbyproving，apriori，boththatorderis，fromitsnature，inseparablyattachedtothought;andthatitcanneverofitself，orfromoriginalunknownprinciples，belongtomatter。
　　Butfurther，DEMEA;thisobjectionwhichyouurgecanneverbemadeuseofbyCLEANTHES，withoutrenouncingadefencewhichhehasalreadymadeagainstoneofmyobjections。
　　WhenIinquiredconcerningthecauseofthatsupremereasonandintelligenceintowhichheresolveseverything;hetoldme，thattheimpossibilityofsatisfyingsuchinquiriescouldneverbeadmittedasanobjectioninanyspeciesofphilosophy。Wemuststopsomewhere，sayshe;norisiteverwithinthereachofhumancapacitytoexplainultimatecauses，orshowthelastconnectionsofanyobjects。Itissufficient，ifanysteps，sofaraswego，aresupportedbyexperienceandobservation。
　　Now，thatvegetationandgeneration，aswellasreason，areexperiencedtobeprinciplesoforderinnature，isundeniable。IfIrestmysystemofcosmogonyontheformer，preferablytothelatter，itisatmychoice。Thematterseemsentirelyarbitrary。AndwhenCLEANTHESasksmewhatisthecauseofmygreatvegetativeorgenerativefaculty，Iamequallyentitledtoaskhimthecauseofhisgreatreasoningprinciple。Thesequestionswehaveagreedtoforbearonbothsides;anditischieflyhisinterestonthepresentoccasiontosticktothisagreement。Judgingbyourlimitedandimperfectexperience，generationhassomeprivilegesabovereason：forweseeeverydaythelatterarisefromtheformer，nevertheformerfromthelatter。
　　Compare，Ibeseechyou，theconsequencesonbothsides。Theworld，sayI，resemblesananimal;thereforeitisananimal，thereforeitarosefromgeneration。Thesteps，Iconfess，arewide;yetthereissomesmallappearanceofanalogyineachstep。Theworld，saysCLEANTHES，resemblesamachine;
　　thereforeitisamachine，thereforeitarosefromdesign。Thestepsarehereequallywide，andtheanalogylessstriking。Andifhepretendstocarryonmyhypothesisastepfurther，andtoinferdesignorreasonfromthegreatprincipleofgeneration，onwhichIinsist;I
　　may，withbetterauthority，usethesamefreedomtopushfurtherhishypothesis，andinferadivinegenerationortheogonyfromhisprincipleofreason。Ihaveatleastsomefaintshadowofexperience，whichistheutmostthatcaneverbeattainedinthepresentsubject。Reason，ininnumerableinstances，isobservedtoarisefromtheprincipleofgeneration，andnevertoarisefromanyotherprinciple。
　　HESIOD，andalltheancientmythologists，weresostruckwiththisanalogy，thattheyuniversallyexplainedtheoriginofnaturefromananimalbirth，andcopulation。PLATOtoo，sofarasheisintelligible，seemstohaveadoptedsomesuchnotioninhisTIMAEUS。
　　TheBRAHMINSassert，thattheworldarosefromaninfinitespider，whospunthiswholecomplicatedmassfromhisbowels，andannihilatesafterwardsthewholeoranypartofit，byabsorbingitagain，andresolvingitintohisownessence。Hereisaspeciesofcosmogony，whichappearstousridiculous;
　　becauseaspiderisalittlecontemptibleanimal，whoseoperationsweareneverlikelytotakeforamodelofthewholeuniverse。Butstillhereisanewspeciesofanalogy，eveninourglobe。Andwerethereaplanetwhollyinhabitedbyspiders，（whichisverypossible，）
　　thisinferencewouldthereappearasnaturalandirrefragableasthatwhichinourplanetascribestheoriginofallthingstodesignandintelligence，asexplainedbyCLEANTHES。Whyanorderlysystemmaynotbespunfromthebellyaswellasfromthebrain，itwillbedifficultforhimtogiveasatisfactoryreason。
　　Imustconfess，PHILO，repliedCLEANTHES，thatofallmenliving，thetaskwhichyouhaveundertaken，ofraisingdoubtsandobjections，suitsyoubest，andseems，inamanner，naturalandunavoidabletoyou。Sogreatisyourfertilityofinvention，thatIamnotashamedtoacknowledgemyselfunable，onasudden，tosolveregularlysuchout-of-the-waydifficultiesasyouincessantlystartuponme：thoughIclearlysee，ingeneral，theirfallacyanderror。
　　AndIquestionnot，butyouareyourself，atpresent，inthesamecase，andhavenotthesolutionsoreadyastheobjection：whileyoumustbesensible，thatcommonsenseandreasonareentirelyagainstyou;andthatsuchwhimsiesasyouhavedelivered，maypuzzle，butnevercanconvinceus。
　　PART8
　　Whatyouascribetothefertilityofmyinvention，repliedPHILO，isentirelyowingtothenatureofthesubject。
　　Insubjectsadaptedtothenarrowcompassofhumanreason，thereiscommonlybutonedetermination，whichcarriesprobabilityorconvictionwithit;andtoamanofsoundjudgement，allothersuppositions，butthatone，appearentirelyabsurdandchimerical。Butinsuchquestionsasthepresent，ahundredcontradictoryviewsmaypreserveakindofimperfectanalogy;andinventionhasherefullscopetoexertitself。Withoutanygreateffortofthought，I
　　believethatIcould，inaninstant，proposeothersystemsofcosmogony，whichwouldhavesomefaintappearanceoftruth，thoughitisathousand，amilliontoone，ifeitheryoursoranyoneofminebethetruesystem。
　　Forinstance，whatifIshouldrevivetheoldEPICUREANhypothesis？Thisiscommonly，andIbelievejustly，esteemedthemostabsurdsystemthathasyetbeenproposed;yetIknownotwhether，withafewalterations，itmightnotbebroughttobearafaintappearanceofprobability。Insteadofsupposingmatterinfinite，asEPICURUSdid，letussupposeitfinite。Afinitenumberofparticlesisonlysusceptibleoffinitetranspositions：anditmusthappen，inaneternalduration，thateverypossibleorderorpositionmustbetriedaninfinitenumberoftimes。Thisworld，therefore，withallitsevents，eventhemostminute，hasbeforebeenproducedanddestroyed，andwillagainbeproducedanddestroyed，withoutanyboundsandlimitations。Noone，whohasaconceptionofthepowersofinfinite，incomparisonoffinite，willeverscruplethisdetermination。
　　Butthissupposes，saidDEMEA，thatmattercanacquiremotion，withoutanyvoluntaryagentorfirstmover。
　　Andwhereisthedifficulty，repliedPHILO，ofthatsupposition？Everyevent，beforeexperience，isequallydifficultandincomprehensible;andeveryevent，afterexperience，isequallyeasyandintelligible。Motion，inmanyinstances，fromgravity，fromelasticity，fromelectricity，beginsinmatter，withoutanyknownvoluntaryagent：andtosupposealways，inthesecases，anunknownvoluntaryagent，ismerehypothesis;andhypothesisattendedwithnoadvantages。Thebeginningofmotioninmatteritselfisasconceivableaprioriasitscommunicationfrommindandintelligence。
　　Besides，whymaynotmotionhavebeenpropagatedbyimpulsethroughalleternity，andthesamestockofit，ornearlythesame，bestillupheldintheuniverse？Asmuchislostbythecompositionofmotion，asmuchisgainedbyitsresolution。Andwhateverthecausesare，thefactiscertain，thatmatteris，andalwayshasbeen，incontinualagitation，asfarashumanexperienceortraditionreaches。Thereisnotprobably，atpresent，inthewholeuniverse，oneparticleofmatteratabsoluterest。
　　Andthisveryconsiderationtoo，continuedPHILO，whichwehavestumbledoninthecourseoftheargument，suggestsanewhypothesisofcosmogony，thatisnotabsolutelyabsurdandimprobable。Isthereasystem，anorder，aneconomyofthings，bywhichmattercanpreservethatperpetualagitationwhichseemsessentialtoit，andyetmaintainaconstancyintheformswhichitproduces？Therecertainlyissuchaneconomy;forthisisactuallythecasewiththepresentworld。Thecontinualmotionofmatter，therefore，inlessthaninfinitetranspositions，mustproducethiseconomyororder;andbyitsverynature，thatorder，whenonceestablished，supportsitself，formanyages，ifnottoeternity。Butwherevermatterissopoised，arranged，andadjusted，astocontinueinperpetualmotion，andyetpreserveaconstancyintheforms，itssituationmust，ofnecessity，haveallthesameappearanceofartandcontrivancewhichweobserveatpresent。Allthepartsofeachformmusthavearelationtoeachother，andtothewhole;andthewholeitselfmusthavearelationtotheotherpartsoftheuniverse;totheelementinwhichtheformsubsists;tothematerialswithwhichitrepairsitswasteanddecay;
　　andtoeveryotherformwhichishostileorfriendly。Adefectinanyoftheseparticularsdestroystheform;andthematterofwhichitiscomposedisagainsetloose，andisthrownintoirregularmotionsandfermentations，tillituniteitselftosomeotherregularform。Ifnosuchformbepreparedtoreceiveit，andiftherebeagreatquantityofthiscorruptedmatterintheuniverse，theuniverseitselfisentirelydisordered;whetheritbethefeebleembryoofaworldinitsfirstbeginningsthatisthusdestroyed，ortherottencarcassofonelanguishinginoldageandinfirmity。