54 AMONG THE GREEKS. 



tain constitution or being are far more obvious in 

 celestial natures than in us ; but an uncertain, in- 

 constant, and fortuitous condition is rather the prop- 

 erty of the mortal race. . . . Chance and 

 fortune are sequels (secondary) to both Intellect and 

 Nature. Hence if chance were in an eminent degree 

 the cause of the heavens, it would nevertheless be 

 necessary that Intellect and Nature should be prior 

 causes of many other things as well as of this Uni- 

 verse itself. 



c. Of Necessity (Law) and Design in Nature. 



We must show first, why Nature is a cause which 

 subsists for some purpose, and second, how necessity 

 (Natural law) subsists in physical concerns, for all 

 natural causes are referred to this. But some may 

 question what hinders Nature from operating for 

 some purpose rather than from necessity ; for exam- 

 ple, that rain falls for the benefit of the corn rather 

 than because that ascending vapour must be cooled 

 and cooling it must descend as water. But Jupiter 

 rains not that corn may be increased, but from 

 necessity. Similarly, if some one's corn is destroyed 

 by rain, it does not rain for this purpose, but as an 

 accidental circumstance. It does not appear to be 

 from fortune or chance that it frequently rains in 

 winder, but from necessity (law). 



