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defcriptions, and falling in with the general fenfe and perfualion 

 of thofe with whom we converfe. Clarke proves firfl that God 

 has given all the intrinfic evidence from the nature of the 

 thing itfelf that it is poffible to be conceived, with all the 

 external proof from unqueftionablc teflimony that was ever 

 given to any matter of facfl in the world — and fccondJy he 

 proves that fuch as will not be perfuaded by that evidence 

 would not, by reafon of the wickednefs of their hearts, be 

 perfuaded by any other evidence which their own fancy could 

 fnggeft. 



Attxrbury concludes with feveral inferences direiSlly pointed 

 againft pra(5lical errors or received prejudices — againfl the un- 

 reafonablenefs of expedling miracles on occafions of little impor- 

 tance — againfl the belief of fuch frivolous miracles — againft 

 pretended ftipulated appearances from the dead — againfl our 

 obje(fting to the degree of evidence vouchfafed to us becaufe 

 others have had fuch as we deem irrefiftible — and he con- 

 cludes his' inferences (which take up a third part of his whole 

 difcourfe) with an exhortation to magnify the divine wifdom, 

 which hath fo ordered the firfl proofs of our faith that they 

 will be equally fatisfacflory to the end of time, his conduct in 

 the moral world being fimilar to that in the natural, and 

 reafonable motives being preferable as inftruments of convic- 

 tion to aflonifliing by immediate miracles. Clarke's inference 

 is in one page — that if we free ourfelves from thofe unrea- 

 fonable prejudices with which careleffnefs, and want of con- 



( K 2 ) fideratlon, 



