178 HUME vni 



Cleanthes, in replying to Philo's discourse, says 

 that it is very easy to answer his arguments ; but, 

 as not unfrequently happens with controversialists, 

 he mistakes a reply for an answer, when he 

 declares that 



' ' The order and arrangement of nature, the curious adjust- 

 ment of final causes, the plain use and intention of every part 

 and organ ; all these bespeak in the clearest language one 

 intelligent cause or author. The heavens and the earth 

 join in the same testimony. The whole chorus of nature 

 raises one hymn to the praises of its Creator." (II. p. 

 465.) 



Though the rhetoric of Cleanthes may be 

 admired, its irrelevancy to the point at issue 

 must be admitted. Wandering still further into 

 the region of declamation, he works himself into 

 a passion : 



" You alone, or almost alone, disturb this general harmony. 

 You start abstruse doubts, cavils, and objections : You ask me 

 what is the cause of this cause ? I know not : I care not : 

 that concerns not me. I have found a Deity ; and here I 

 stop my inquiry. Let those go further who are wiser or 

 more enterprising." (II. p. 466.) 



In other words, O Cleanthes, reasoning having 

 taken you as far as you want to go, you decline 

 to advance any further; even though you fully 

 admit that the very same reasoning forbids you 

 to stop where you are pleased to cry halt ! But 

 this is simply forcing your reason to abdicate in 

 favour of your caprice. It is impossible to 

 imagine that Hume, of all men in the world, 



