VIII THEISM; EVOLUTION OF THEOLOGY 169 



systems of theology and their professors, Hume, 

 nevertheless, seems to have had a theology of his 

 own; that is to say, he seems to have thought 

 (though, as will appear, it is needful for an expositor 

 of his opinions to speak very guardedly on 

 this point) that the problem of theism is suscept- 

 ible of scientific treatment, with something more 

 than a negative result. His opinions are to be 

 gathered from the eleventh section of the "Inquiry" 

 (1748) ; from the " Dialogues concerning Natural 

 Religion," which were written at least as early as 

 1751, though not published till after his death; 

 and from the " Natural History of Religion," pub- 

 lished in 1757. 



In the first two pieces, the reader is left to judge 

 for himself which interlocutor in the dialogue 

 represents the thoughts of the author ; but for the 

 views put forward in the last, Hume accepts the 

 responsibility. Unfortunately, this essay deals 

 almost wholly with the historical development of 

 theological ideas; and, on the question of the 

 philosophical foundation of theology, does little 

 more than express the writer's contentment with 

 the argument from design. 



" The whole frame of nature bespeaks an Intelligent 

 Author ; and no rational inquirer can, after serious reflection, 

 suspend his belief a moment with regard to the primary prin- 

 ciples of genuine Theism and Religion. (IV. p. 435.) 



" Were men led into the apprehension of invisible, intel- 

 ligent power, by a contemplation of the works of nature, they 

 could never possibly entertain any conception but of one 



