IT PREFACE. 



flection, that this is not Ukely to be the case, and that no particular ad- 

 vantage to tlie argument is to be expected from bringing it down, as 

 it is often expressed, to the present state of science. The object of 

 the work is, not to tcacli science in its connexion with Natural Theol- 

 ogy, a plan entirely different, and one upon which distinct works may, 

 and have been written, but to gather materials from the knowledge 

 communicated by science, where with to construct an argument for the 

 existence and attributes of God. The excellence of such a work, 

 then, will not consist in the number of illustrations, or in the copious- 

 ness and completeness of the materials, but in the judgment with 

 which they are selected, and the aptness with which they are made 

 to bear upon the question at issue. 



So far, therefore, as the argument is concerned, no additional 

 strength will be given to it by new discoveries in science. As Dr. 

 Paley has himself admitted, a single case thoroughly made out, proves 

 all that can be proved, and, generally speaking, the most familiar in- 

 stances which can be selected and made intelligible are the best for 

 this purpose, and will have the greatest influence upon men's minds. 

 All the knowledge, therefore, which is necessary for the complete- 

 ness and strength of the argument was possessed long ago. 



Still there is an advantage in selecting and arguing from a variety 

 of examples, arising out of the different constitutions of men's minds, 

 or their different habits of thinking and reasoning. Some are more af- 

 fected by examples of one kind, and some by those of another. In 

 this way much more might be done in the way of illustrating and en- 

 forcing the argument, and holding it up in every possible light, than 

 has been attempted in the present edition. The principal object here 

 had in view, has been to make such additions, as with the help of the 

 engraved views, would bring the argument, as stated by the author, 

 clearly within reach of all readers. 



To give a correct edition, various English and AmenVan copies have 

 been consulted, in which variations have been found ; but those read- 

 ings have been adopted, which appeared best to comport with that 

 familiarity, and originality of expression, which gives its principal 

 charm, and its great force and clearness to Dr. Paley's style. 



J. w. 



Boston, March, 1829. 



