156 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



niences which we do not see, might attend their 

 application in other cases. 



Of sensible interposition, we may be permitted 

 to remark, that a Providence, always and cer- 

 tainly distinguishable, would be neither more nor 

 less than miracles rendered frequent and com- 

 mon. It is difficult to judge of the state into 

 which this would throw us. It is enough to say, 

 that it would cast us upon a quite different dis- 

 pensation from that under which we live. It would 

 be a total and radical change. And the change 

 would deeply affect, or perhaps subvert, the whole 

 conduct of human affairs. I can readily believe, 

 that, other circumstances being adapted to it, such 

 a state might be better than our present state. 

 It may be the state of other beings ; it may be 

 ours hereafter. But the question with which we 

 are now concerned is, how far it would be con- 

 sistent with our condition, supposing it in other 

 respects to remain as it is ? And in this question 

 there seem to be reasons of great moment on the 

 negative side. For instance : so long as bodily 

 labour continues, on so many accounts, to be ne- 

 cessary for the bulk of mankind, any dependency 

 upon supernatural aid, by unfixing those motives 

 which promote exertion, or by relaxing those 

 habits which engender patient industry, might 

 introduce negligence, inactivity, and disorder, 

 into the most useful occupations of human life ; 

 and thereby deteriorate the condition of human 

 life itself. 



