FINAL CAUSES. 347 



fantasies, when we consider how impossible it is 

 for men in general not to attribute personality, 

 purpose, thought, will to each other, in virtue of 

 certain combinations of appearances and actions, 

 we must deem them most consistent and reason- 

 able in attributing also personality and purpose 

 to God, in virtue of the whole assemblage of 

 appearances and actions which constitute the 

 universe, full as it is of combinations from which 

 such a suggestion springs. The vividness, the 

 constancy of the belief of a wise and good Being, 

 thus governing the world, may be different in 

 different men, according to their habit of direct- 

 ing their thoughts to the subject ; but such a 

 belief is undoubtedly capable of becoming lively 

 and steadfast in the highest degree. It has been 

 entertained and cherished by enlightened and 

 well-regulated minds in all ages ; and has been r 

 at least since the rise of Christianity, not only the 

 belief, but a pervading and ruling principle of 

 action of many men, and of whole communities. 

 The idea may be rendered more faint by turning 

 the mind away from it, and, perhaps by indulg- 

 ing too exclusively in abstract and general specu- 

 lations. It grows stronger by an actual study of 

 the details of the creation; and, as regards 

 the practical consequences of such a belief, by a 

 habit of referring our actions and hopes to such 

 a Governor. In this way it is capable of becom- 

 ing as real and fixed an impression as that of a 



