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property, and tliat of government is a reftrlclion of abfolute 

 liberty. But though moral rules are not pofTefled of that ftridl 

 and abfolute certainty which feems to be the pre-eminent dif- 

 tindlion of mathematical fpeculation, they are yet founded on 

 an aflurance fo flrong that their proofs have been fometimes 

 miftaken for demonftrations. If there be any other part of 

 human knowledge befides the mathematical fciences which can 

 claim the privilege of demonftration, it muft be logic. The 

 relations of abftracfl reafoning may be of fuch a kind as that 

 the mind may be certain of their truth, fince no conlideration 

 of caufe and efFedl is involved. Metaphyfics however mufl be 

 excluded ; they are really a branch of natural philofophy 

 confidered in an extended fenfe ; they are the natural philo- 

 fophy of the mind. 



Agxeeably to the plan already mentioned, the third clafs of 

 inquiries fhall now be confidered. This clafs, which confifts of 

 inquiries into the nature of caufes or their manner of operation, 

 is moft flattering to the pride of the underftanding ; but whether 

 we confult reafon or experience wc fhall have little inducement to 

 hope that this pride could be gratified by the refult of fuch in- 

 quiries. Thofe who think that all the operations of nature are 

 performed immediately in confequence of the determination of 

 the Divine V/ill, and that God literally tipholdeth all things by the 

 word of his power, will not make an inquiry which fuppofes a 

 communicated efficiency. Thofe, on the other hand, who think 

 that he has communicated efficiency to the created world, will 



perceive, 



