46 OF MI it A CLE S» 



monftrable ; and has even combated them with no fmall 

 degree of fuccefs. 



Here, too, may be applied the xxviiith axiom in the 

 :Brft part of the ethics of Spinoza ; which Spinoza, if 

 I miftake not, has very jiiftly demonftrated. 



In confequence of this theorem, thoroughly deter- 

 minate things of a finite nature — therefore alfo finite* 

 occurrences- — cannot be without a caufe which is like- 

 wife finite and determinate ; and this caufe requires — < 

 as that is again finite — in like manner a caufe propor- 

 tionate to it, therefore, finite ; fo that there necefTa-* 

 rily is in the world, a regreffus in infinitum. 



Accordingly, we fee, that the nearefl caufe of a fi- 

 nite, is always another finite ; and as now every oc- 

 currence which may be the objeft of our obfervation^ 

 is fomething finite, fo none can juftly be regarded as 

 immediate effect of omnipotence. 



Otherwife that law of nature mufl be violated : .that 

 whatever happens mufl have a caufe, and that the 

 aftion of this caufe, mufr. have its caufe in the fuc- 

 ceffion of phenomena, by which it is determined 

 throughout, without exception. 



Therefore, when we fpeak of the effective caufe of 

 any particular occurrence, it is an aft of folly that mi- 

 litates againfr, the fpirit of genuine philofophy, to tran- 

 fcend the fenlible world — the field of poflible — leap 

 beyond the intelligible univerfe, and there call to help 

 an invifible power # . 



* Whether the queltion be concerning Mohammed's journey 

 on horfeback into heaven, or the metamorphofis of the Milefian 

 peafants into frogs. 



Hence 



