COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



fore effort in each case of causation, is much 

 like identifying gravitative force with the sensa- 

 tion of weight by which the attempt to over- 

 come it is always accompanied.^ 



The last of the a priori arguments which it is 

 necessary to notice in this connection is that 

 which infers the existence of an intelligent Law- 

 giver from the omnipresence of Law. "The 

 proofs of necessary law and of an intelHgent will 

 . . . remain undeniable," says Mr. Adam, " and 

 no hardihood of assertion can annul them ; and 

 when an attempt is made to bring both into 

 logical connection, the mind, not only without 

 violence to its powers, but on the contrary with 

 a clear perception of necessary congruity, be- 

 lieves that law must proceed from a lawgiver, 

 beneficent laws from a moral ruler. To disjoin 

 an intelh'gent will from necessary law is to shake 

 our confidence in the perpetuity and salutary 

 operation of law itself The conception of law 

 without will is that of agency without an agent : 

 the conception of will without law is that of an 

 agent without agency. Necessary law is the 

 constant expression of the divine will." Upon 

 this point Mr. Adam repeatedly insists in the 

 course of his work,^ asserting again and again 



^ See above, vol. i. p. 231. 



^ Adam, Theories of History^ pp. 92, 130, 180, 189, 

 209, 222, 281, 284, 404. The passage just cited is to be 

 found on p. 192. 



202 



