FINAL CAUSES. 23 



expressed. When, on the other hand, the objects 

 contemplated are more within the range of our 

 mental vision ; when, for instance, they are pheno- 

 mena that we can assimilate to our own voluntary 

 acts, and in which we can clearly trace the con- 

 nexion between means and end, then does our 

 recognition of the agency of intellect become most 

 distinct, and our conviction of its real and indepen- 

 dent existence become most intimate and assured. 



Such is the kind of evidence on which rests our 

 belief of the existence of our fellow men. Such, 

 also, is the foundation of our assurance that there 

 exists a Mighty Intellect, who has planned and 

 executed the stupendous works of creation, with a 

 skill surpassing our utmost conceptions ; by powers 

 to which we can assign no limit, and the object of 

 whose will is universal good.* 



It will argue no undue presumption, therefore, if, 

 in our earnest endeavours to form just ideas of the 

 attributes of the Deity from the examination of 

 nature, we are led to institute comparisons between 

 His works and those of man ; and strive to gather 

 some faint notions of the divine intelligence by 

 applying the only standard of admeasurement 

 which we possess, and are permitted to employ, 

 namely, that derived from the operations of human 

 intellect. Our interpretations of the designs of the 

 Creator must here be obtained through the medium 

 of human views ; and our judgment of His benevo- 

 lence can be formed only by reference to our own 

 affections, and by their accordance with those fer- 



* The view here taken is, of course, limited to Natural Theology ; 

 that being the express and exclusive object of these Treatises. 



