164 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



dom of the Deity hath appointed to this part of 

 his moral economy.* 



Now if this supposition be well founded : that 

 is, if it be true that our ultimate, or our most per- 

 manent happiness will depend, not upon the tem- 

 porary condition into which we are cast, but upon 

 our behaviour in it, then is it a much more fit 

 subject of chance than we usually allow or appre- 

 hend it to be, in what manner the variety of ex- 

 ternal circumstances, which subsist in the human 

 world, is distributed amongst the individuals of 

 the species. " This life being a state of proba- 

 tion, it is immaterial," says Rousseau, " what kind 

 of trials we experience in it, provided they pro- 

 duce their effects." Of two agents who stand 

 indifferent to the moral Governor of the universe, 

 one may be exercised by riches, the other by 

 poverty. The treatment of these two shall appear 

 to be very opposite, whilst in truth it is the same ; 

 for though, in many respects, there be great dis- 

 parity between the conditions assigned, in one 

 main article there may be none, viz., in that they 



* The reader will observe that I speak of the revelation of 

 Christianity as distinct from Christianity itself. The dispensation 

 may already be universal. That part of mankind which never 

 heard of Christ's name, may nevertheless be redeemed : that is, 

 be placed in a better cond tion, with respect to their future state, 

 by his intervention ; may be the objects of his benignity and inter- 

 cession, as well as of the propitiatory virtue of his passion. But 

 this is not " natural theology ;" therefore I will not dwell longer 

 upon it. — Ao/f of the Jiuthor. 



