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Physical and Metaphysical Inquiries . 27 f
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are evidences of his being improvable ; these are ^ the contrivance and variety exhibited in the works of nature . With regard to the latter of these he observes ,
The varieties which prevail throughput the -works of nature can only be accounted for upon the idea of improvement . It has in all ages puzzjkd the Wits of men to assign a reason for the numerous varieties of animals and vegetables which exist . The solution , however , is natural and easy upon rny hypothesis . Do not all these gradations , all these varieties appear like the work of a careful experimentalist , proceeding from the more simple to the more complex forms—from the smallest insect up to rational man ? If -we contemplate through this medium the planets and the
solar systems wnicn probably exist , what large provision for the improvement and the pleasure of their glorious Maker shall we not behold i If we suppose that every planet and every solar system differs from another , whac a range for discovery is here ! What new lights must from these have shon c forth ! What a fund of pleasure and enjoyment has he not here prepared for himself , in the contemplation of these studies , and
Jn making comparative judgments concerning them ! If we carry our ideas further , and suppose that the Deity , by these varieties and comparisons , is improving himself so as to di * cover the best systems , and that if ever he changes any , it is with the view of improving and rendering it more perfect ; this will afford a still more pleasing : view of his character .
This view of things is much more ra * tional than the idea of an almighty being , voluntarily permitting evils which he can prevent , and wickedness ; which he can restrain ; while at the same tmie , he could , by virtue of his infinite power , have communicated all the good without any mixture of evil . It reconciles the character of the Deity to the principles of reason , and thus strikes at the root of atheism , by removing the great . stumbling-block to the belief of his existence . Jt indeed makes the Deity appear less powerful , but it clothes him with a
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character much more amiable and res * peccable . We can look upon him with zeal , admiration , approbation and love , instead of that terror and dismay which opposite views of his character must ; always produce . It affords strong ; reasons to believe , that the JDeity is con ? stantlyerpployed in perfecting his works ,
and in promoting the good of ihose beings he has made . And if the systems be formed upon an improvab ' e plan , there is ground to hope , that in the progress of time the evils which prevaiji will , in a great degree , be remedied . Infinite power is a boundless ocean , in
which we can find no pole to regulate our compass ; and if we attempt to navigate it , we must infallibly lose our course . But -when we adopt the idea of limited power , we launch out into a placid yet capacious sea , in which we have the poles of reason and common sense to direct our course ; we shall find it everywhere interspersed with beautiful islands , planted with trees which
produce the richest fruits , and ornamented with the most delightful scenery . We may feed upon the fruits ; we may perambulate amidst the scenery , and even gambol' in the waters : though tome parts are undoubtedly unfathomable , there are others in which we may safely wade , where we shall find abundance of pearls to reward our research .
This last extract reminds us of a beautiful passage in the u Conclusion" to Hume ' s Ci Inquiry into the Principles of Mo-, rals , " where we have a description of Virtue , as clothed with the hypothesis of Utility .
We do not know whether the author may be fully aware of the consequences that naturall y follow these doctrines ; but they certainly rob the Deity , not only of omnipotence , but of omnu science , omnipresence , and of irvt > ry attribute except his good - ness .
The last chapter , which occupies 44 pages , is " Of Freewill . " it is a well written paper
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1807, page 277, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2380/page/53/
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