vm THEISM; EVOLUTION OF THEOLOGY 179 



material world. By supposing it to contain the principle 

 of its order within itself, we really assert it to be God ; and 

 the sooner we arrive at that Divine Being, so much the bet- 

 ter. When you go one step beyond the mundane system 

 you only excite an inquisitive humour, which it is impossible 

 ever to satisfy. 



" To say, that the different ideas which compose the 

 reason of the Supreme Being, fall into order of themselves 

 and by their own natures, is really to talk without any pre- 

 cise meaning. If it has a meaning, I would fain know why 

 it is not as good sense to say, that the parts of the material 

 world fall into order of themselves, and by their own na- 

 ture. Can the one opinion be intelligible while the other is 

 not so? "(II. pp. 461-4.) 



Cleanthes, in replying to Philo's discourse, says 

 that it is very easy to answer his arguments; but, 

 as not unfrequently happens with controversialists, 

 he mistakes a reply for an answer, when he de- 

 clares that 



" The order and arrangement of nature, the curious ad- 

 justment of final causes, the plain use and intention of every 

 part and organ ; all these bespeak in the clearest language 

 one intelligent cause or author. The heavens and the earth 

 join in the same testimony. The whole chorus of nature 

 raises one hymn to the praises of its Creator." (II. p. 465.) 



Though the rhetoric of Cleanthes may be 

 admired, its irrelevancy to the point at issue 

 must be admitted. Wandering still further into 

 the region of declamation, he works himself into 

 a passion: 



" You alone, or almost alone, disturb this general har- 

 mony. You start abstruse doubts, cavils, and objections : 

 155 



