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Untitled Article
contend that the circumstance of the maximum density of watery being fixed above its freezing point , is as evident a mark of design as any in the whole animal economy ; but if we have recourse to the designing agent for this property of this substance , why not for its other properties ? and if tor all the properties
of water , why not for all the properties of « very other substance whatever ? and if all material properties be derivable from Deity * then did he to all intents and purposes create matter , for I have already shewn that to our judgments , the-existence of matter without its properties > is impossible . This conclusion concerning the power of Deity , is not , " I think , carried * ' farther than his works warrant ,, nor than reason will permit . " I shall now proceed to his examination of the power of Deity ;
which he pronounces is not infinite * He asks , pao ; e 241 , " what father even among men , would send his chifdTen to-Lapland , if he covild provide for them in the fertile fields oF Lombardy V The answer to this question is not difficult : if he were a Lombard he would most probably keep them in Lombardy , but if a Laplander , he would as probably keep them in Lapland ; in fact the diversity of climates , so far from beki < £
an argument against the infinite power of Deity , is an argument in favour of it ; for 5 as if with an intention to manifest that power , he has stocked every climate with animals and vegetables suited to it , whilst to man , his darling , he has given , the power of inhabiting all climates ; in all climates he enjoys health and happiness , and in all climates he offers up to his benevolent Creator the praises of a grateful heart . The Inquirer's arguments , p . * 242—247 , are certainly urged with a ptnver which it is scarcely possible to resist , unless we suppose that alF ) present evils are bvit steps in the process of obtaining the great- / est possible ultimate good , { i . e . that they are not evils abso-y lutely ); and even then wemu 6 t suppose that there is a connexion
between means and ends , independent on the divme rnthd , on which subject so beautiful an essav appeared in your 13 th No , ** But let us see if his theory does account for moral evil ; this consummation so devoutly to be wished ! Whence does moral evil arise ? does it not arise from our passions ? cc Whence come wars and fightings among you ? come they not even of your lusts which war in your members } " How much misery * and vice has Mr . Malthus shewn to be caused by the exuberance of one passion ? Yet this and all other passions the Inquirer derives from Deity , and denies that they are inherent in matter , but if Deity is their author , he , had he pleased , might have }> Q " nicely balanced ttaeitij as to adjnit no iatcrual % var /* It \ s * Vol . It , jj . 14 .
Untitled Article
Strictures on ( * Physical and Metepkysteal Inquiries * " 46 T
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1807, page 467, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2384/page/15/
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