,attribut$ to ,mat!w ,turn] 7d4 #aghh87 
& ,william ,hammon4    ,,note3          
,irregul>ities 9 or?ography &           
punctuation h be5 reproduc$ )\t         
em5dation f ! fir/ edition ( #aghb4     
,,answ] ,,to ,,dr4 ,,prie/ley',s        
,,lett]s ,,to ,a ,,philosophical        
,,unbeliev]4  ,,"p ,i4    ,,london4     
,,mdcclxxxii      ,,adv]tisem5t4   ,!   
,editor ( ?is publication has m 9 object
 to answ] ,dr4 ,prie/ley ?an to deliv] 8
 own s5tim5ts ^u ,natural ,religion1 :i*
 h[ev] he has no incl9ation to disguise3
 b he does n mean to be answ]able = !m  
f>!r1 ?an z by reason & nature he is at 
pres5t in/ruct$4 ,! "q "h h&l$ is n s   
mu*1 :e!r a ,deity & 8 attribut$        
excell5ces exi/1 z :e!r !re is any      
,natural or ,moral pro( ( 8 exi/5ce & ( 
^? attributes4 ,reveal$ k is n descant$ 
^u2 !re=e ,*ri/ians at lea/ ne$ take no 
(f5ce4 ,d\bts ^u ,natural ,religion h n 
hi!rto be5 look$ ^u z attacks ^u        
,revelation1 b r z corroborations ( x4  
,:at ! ,editor believes z a ,*ri/ian 7if

 he is "o is !re=e ano!r affair1 nor    
does he reckon himself s infallible or  
incapable ( alt]ation 9 8 s5tim5ts1 z n 
at ano!r "t to adopt diff]5t ones ^u m  
reflexion & bett] in=mation2 !re=e1 ?\gh
 he has at pres5t little or no d\bt (   
:at he ass]ts 7tak5 ^u ! pr9ciples laid 
d[n7 he %all hold himself totally fre$ f
 any necessity ( def5d+ ! cont5ts ( ?is 
publication if br\ght into controv]sy2 &
 z he has no desire ( mak+ conv]ts1     
hopes he %all n himself be m>k$ out z an
 object ( p]secution4  ,speculative     
po9ts h always be5 e/eem$ fair matt]s = 
a free discussion4 ,! religion e/abli%$ 
9 ?is c\ntry is n ! religion ( ,nature1 
b ! religion ( ,moses & ,jesus1 ) :om ! 
writ] has no?+ to d4 ,he tru/s !re=e he 
%all n be receiv$ z a malevol5t di/urb] 
( su* common op9ions z are e/eem$ to    
keep 9 ord] a set ( l[ wret*es s        
incl9able to be lawless4 ,at lea/1 if he
 attempts to sub/itute bett] f\ndations 
= morality1 malevol5ce c be no j *>ge4  
,tru? is 8 aim2 & no pr(essors (        

religion w all[ _! sy/em to be false4   
,or if he %\ld be ?\ght too bold a      
speculator1 su* ( ! ecclesia/ics z w be 
8 oppon5ts may r laugh at him ?an fe>   
him4 ,!y h a ?\s& ways ( mak+ _!        
s5tim5ts g d[n ) ! bulk ( mank9d1 to "o 
?is poor writ] has4 ,!y are an army     
ready m>%all$ = ! support ( _! own !sis2
 !y are 9 ! habit ( controv]sy2 pulpits 
are op5 to !m z well z ! press2 & :ile !
 pres5t au?or w be look$ ^u z a miracle 
( h>d9ess = d>+ to put 8 "n to :at he   
publi%es1 !y c )\t fe> or imputation    
lift up _! heads2 & %\ld !y ev5 be kn[n 
to transgress ! b\nds ( good s5se or    
polit5ess1 !y w only be e/eem$ z m      
zeal\s lab\r]s 9 _! own vocation4       
,,prefatory ,,address4   ,dr4 ,prie/ley1
  ,y\r ,lett]s address$ to a            
,philosophical ,unbeliev] ,i p]us$1 n   
because ,i 0 a ,philosoph] or an        
,unbeliev]2 x 7 presumption to give     
myself ! =m] title1 & at t "t ,i c]ta9ly
 did n des]ve ! latt]2 b z ,i 0 acqua9t$
 ) ano!r1 :o 9 reality1 z f> z ,i & o!rs

 :o "k him c judge1 des]ves ! title ( a 
,philosoph] & is nei!r a%am$ nor afraid 
( t ( an ,unbeliev]1 ,i conceiv$ !m apt 
to be s5t to my fri5d1 & :5 ,i pres5t$  
!m to him1 he said he 0 ! p]son :om he  
%\ld suppose y meant to address1 if y _h
 a p>ticul> p]son 9 view2 b he _h too   
mu* und]/&+ ( ! _w1 ?\gh mu* ab/ract$ f 
! dregs ( x1 n to conceive x m probable 
t y meant y\r ,lett]s to be p]us$ by    
?9k+ m5 9 g5]al1 ,believ]s &            
,unbeliev]s1 to confirm ! =m] 9 _! cre$1
 & to conv]t ! latt] f _! error4 ,y %all
 spe$ily "k ! effect !y h _h 9 bo? ways4
 ,= myself ,i mu/ in=m y t ,i 0 br\ght  
up a ,believ] f my infancy2 a ,!i/1 if a
 ,*ri/ian is su*2 = ,i suppose ! ^w w be
 all[$1 ?\gh ! equival5t t]m ( ,dei/ is 
s g5]ally reprobat$ by ,*ri/ians2 ,i _h 
be=e my eyes ! example ( a mo/ amiable  
p>5t2 a moral man1 a ,*ri/ian und\bt$ly2
 :o1 :5 ,i h be5 att5d+ ^u him1 z mu* f 
affection z f duty ^u a sick & ne>ly dy+
 b$1 has pray$ ,i might be /$fa/ 9 !    
fai? he held1 9 acc5ts /ill s\nd+ 9 my  

intellectual e>2 a p>5t1 :om = 8 virtues
 & love ( 8 (fspr+1 l a ,*9ese1 ,i am   
tempt$ to wor%ip1 & ,i c\ld exclaim ) ! 
fir/ ( poets1            ,erit ille mihi
 semp] ,deus4  ,) su* habits ( education
 !n1 su* f]v5t advice & su* rev]5ce = my
 in/ructor1 :at c h turn$ me f my       
belief2 = ,i confess ,i am turn$8       
,immorallity x is n2 t ,i ass]t has n   
prec$$ my unbelief1 & ,i tru/ nev] w    
foll[ x2 !re has n inde$ yet be5 "t = x 
to foll[2 :e!r x is a probable          
consequ5ce w pres5tly be discuss$2 b x  
is ?\ght1 free ?\ght ^u ! subject2 :5 ,i
 began freely to ?9k ,i proce$$ boldly  
to d\bt2 y\r ,lett]s gave me ! cause =  
?9k+1 & my scepticism 0 ex*ang$ =       
conviction2 n entirely by ! p]usal ( y\r
 ,lett]s2 = ,i d n ?9k !y w\ld q h made 
me an ,a!i/6 b by att5tion to t answ] f 
my fri5d1 :i* ,i h 8 p]mission to       
subjo94  ,9 m5tion+ t d\bts arose by    
read+ y\r v ,lett]s1 :i* 7 writt5 to    
eradicate all d\bts1 let me n accuse y (
 be+ unequal to ! task assum$4 ,i mean  

no su* *>ge4 ,y h 9 my op9ion be5 fully 
equal to ! discussion1 & h b&i$ !       
argum5t ably1 pleas+ly & politely4 ,i am
 c]ta9 f ! extracts y h made f ,dr4     
,cl>ke1 ! fir/ ( o!r ,div9es1 ,i %\ld h 
be5 conv]t$ f my sup]/ition by 8        
reason+1 ev5 )\t p]usal ( an answ]3 ,i  
pay y h[ev] ! complim5t ( hav+ only     
br\ght me to d\bt1 & ,i f9d ,i am n !   
only p]son :o h be5 l$ to disbelieve by 
read+ books expressly writt5 to confirm 
! ,believ]4 ,/ackh\se's ,comm5t ^u !    
,bible1 & ,lel&'s ,view ( ,dei/ical     
,writ]s h p]haps made z _m r5egado's 9  
?is c\ntry z all ! allurem5ts (         
,mahometanism has 9 o!rs4 ,:at c be said
 to ?is8 ,!y 7 bo? und\bt$ly m5 (       
abilities1 & meant well to ! cause !y _h
 to support4 ,all t ,i %all obs]ve ^u ! 
matt] is1 t :at _c be> discussion _c be 
true4 ,reason+ 9 o!r sci5ces is ! way to
 arrive at tru?3 ! le>n$ = a :ile may   
diff]1 b argum5t at la/ f9ds its =ce1 & 
! controv]sy usually ends 9 g5]al       
conviction4 ,reason+ ^u ! sci5ce (      

div9ity w equally h its weight1 & all m5
 ( lett]s w\ld long ago h got rid ( all 
sup]/iti\s notions ( a ,deity1 b t m5 ( 
lett]s are frequ5tly m5 ( weak n]ves2   
su* z ,dr4 ,johnson is well kn[n to be1 
t great triumph to religioni/s2 x       
requires c\rage z well z s5se to break !
 %ackles ( a pi\s education2 b if m]ely 
a resolve to reason ^u _! =ce c break   
!m1 :at c we obs]ve 9 conclusion b      
,magnus e/ v]itas et prevalebit4  ,t    
religion or belief ( a ,deity _c be> !  
=ce ( argum5t is well kn[n by ,div9es 9 
g5]al1 is manife/ by _! annex+ an idea (
 reproa* to ! v t]m ( argu+ ^u !        
subject4 ,^! argu]s !y call ,free-?9k]s1
 & ?is appellation has obta9$1 9 !      
und]/&+ ( pi\s believ]s1 ! mo/ odi\s    
disgrace4 ,yet we _c argue )\t ?9k+2 nor
 c we ei!r ?9k or argue to any purpose  
)\t fre$om4 ,!re=e free-?9k+1 s f> f be+
 a disgrace1 is a virtue1 a mo/         
comm5dable quality4 ,h[ absurd1 & h[    
cruel x is 9 ! pr(essors ( div9ity1 to  
address ! und]/&+ ( m5 on ! subject ( _!

 belief1 & to upbraid ^? v m5 :o %all   
ex]cise _! und]/&+ 9 att5d+ to _!       
argum5ts6 ,no tyranny is great] ?an t ( 
ecclesia/ics4 ,^! *a9 d[n our v ideas1  
o!r tyrants only conf9e our limbs4 ,!y  
invite u to ! argum5t1 yet damn u to    
et]nal puni%m5t = ! use ( reason on !   
subject4 ,!y give to man an ess5ce      
di/9ct f 8 corporeal appe>ance & ?is !y 
call 8 s\l1 a v ray & p>ticle ( ! ,div9e
 ,be+2 ! pr9cipal faculty ( ?is s\l !y  
all[ to be t ( reason+1 & yet !y call   
reason a d>k lan?orn1 an errone\s vap\r1
 a false m$ium1 & at la/ ! v in/rum5t ( 
ano!r fanci$ ,be+ ( _! own to lead m5   
into _! own de/ruction4 ,9 ! image (    
himself made he man4 ,a fav\rite text ) 
!ologians2 b surely !y d n mean t ?is   
,god ,almighty ( !irs has got a face &  
p]son l a man4 ,no2 t !y exclaim aga9/1 
&1 :5 we pu% !m = ! resemblance1 !y     
confess x is 9 ! use ( reason2 x is 9 ! 
s\l4  ,i am aw>e t ,i am n "h to mix    
que/ions ( ,*ri/ianity ) ! g5]al "q ( a 
,div9ity2 subjects ( a v di/9ct enquiry1

 & :i* 9 ! ,lett]s to a ,philosophical  
,unbeliev] are v c>efully sep>at$4 ,!   
subject ( revelation is inde$ promis$   
aft]w>ds to be tak5 up1 provid$ !       
argum5t 9 fav\r ( ,natural ,religion    
meets ) a good reception4 ,h[1 ,dr4     
,prie/ley1 y c judge ( t reception ,i am
 at a loss to "k1 o!rwise ?an by ! numb]
 ( editions y publi%4 ,x is !n 9 ! sum  
total j z mu* z if y _h said1 provid$   
?is book sells well ,i w write ano!r4   
,yet x may be sold to _m su* read]s z ,i
 h be51 ?\gh y w h>dly call su*         
reception good4 ,y t h wrote s mu*1 to  
:om x is s easy to write m1 :o pr(ess a 
belief ( revelation1 su* a labori\s     
enquir]1 & s great a ma/] ( ! art (     
reason+1 %\ld r h engag$ at once to     
prove 9 a subsequ5t publication ! tru? (
 reveal$ religion 9 argum5ts1 z c&id & z
 fairly drawn z ^? y h us$ 9 pro( ( a   
,deity indep5d5t ( revelation4 ,diff]5t 
z ,i am 9 qualifications f y1 n v le>n$1
 f> f indu/ri\s1 unus$ to publi%1 ,i d  
n[ promise t :5 y %all h br\ght into    

light y\r int5d$ lett]s 9 behalf (      
revelation ,i w answ] !m4 ,i hope y w   
take x z an enc\ragem5t to write t y are
 sure y %all h an answ]4 ,i mean y %\ld1
 & ,i am sure ,i %all ?9k myself greatly
 hon\r$ if y w desc5d s f> z to reply to
 my pres5t answ]4 ,i "k y h be5 us$ 9   
controv]sies to h ! la/ ^w1 & 9 ?is ,i  
%all n baulk y\r ambition2 = not)/&+ any
 defect ( my plea 9 fav\r ( a!ism ,i    
mean to jo9 issue ^u y\r replication1 & 
by no means1 accord+ to ! practice &    
language ( ! lawy]s1 to put 9 a rejo9d]4
 ,%\ld y\r argum5ts be defectively      
answ]$ by me1 %\ld y\r le>n+ & y\r      
reason+ be m conspicu\s ?an m9e1 ,i %all
 be> y\r triumph )\t rep9+4  ,i decl>e  
,i am r pleas$ !re are s few a!i/s ?an  
at all anxi\s to make m4 ,i triumph 9 my
 sup]ior light4 ,i am l ! ,jew or !     
,bram9 :o equally ?9k !mselves privileg$
 9 _! sup]ior k ( ! ,deity4 ,) me & ) my
 fri5d ! comp>ison holds by way (       
contra/1 = we are s pr\d 9 our s+ul>ity 
( be+ a!i/s t we w h>dly op5 our lips 9 

company1 :5 ! "q is />t$ = fe> ( mak+   
conv]ts1 & s less5+ our own enjoym5t by 
a num]\s division ( our privilege )     
o!rs4 ,x has inde$ (t5 be5 disput$1 :e!r
 !re is or ev] 0 su* a "* 9 ! _w z an   
a!i/4 ,t x %\ld be disput$ is to me no  
wond]4 ,e ?+ may be1 & almo/ e ?+ has   
be5 disput$4 ,!re are few or none :o w  
v5ture op5ly to ackn[l$ge !mselves to be
 a!i/s4 ,i "k none among my acqua9tance1
 except t "o fri5d1 to :om z a          
,philosophical ,unbeliev] ,i pres5t$ y\r
 ,lett]s1 & to ^: answ] ,i only mean ?is
 address z an introduction4 ,i %all     
!re=e n ent] "h into ! ma9 argum5t (    
,deity or no ,deity4 ,my address is only
 prelim9>y to ! subject2 b ,i d n !re=e 
?9k myself preclud$ f ent]+ into "s     
consid]ations t may be ?\ght incid5tal  
to x4 ,i mean su* consid]ations z :e!r  
immorality1 unhapp9ess or timidity      
necess>ily d or naturally ought to ensue
 f a sy/em ( a!ism4 ,b z to ! "q :e!r   
!re is su* an exi/5t ,be+ z an a!i/1 to 
put t out ( all mann] ( d\bt1 ,i d      

decl>e ^u my hon\r t ,i am "o4 ,be x    
!re=e = ! future rememb]$1 t 9 ,london 9
 ! k+dom ( ,engl&1 9 ! ye> ( our ,"l "o 
?\s& sev5 hundr$ & eighty-"o1 a man has 
publickly decl>$ himself an a!i/4 ,:5 my
 fri5d return$ me y\r ,lett]s1 address+ 
me ) a grave face he said1 ,i hope1 if y
 h any d\bts1 ^! ,lett]s w h z good     
effect ^u y z !y h _h ^u me4 ,my        
c\nt5ance bright5$ up & ,i repli$1 ,y   
are !n1 my fri5d1 conv9c$ 8 ,yes1 he    
said1 ,i am conv9c$2 t is1 ,i am mo/    
?or\ghly conv9c$ !re is no su* ?+ z a   
,god4 ,behold !n1 if we are to be       
believ$1 two a!i/s in/ead ( "o4  ,ano!r 
"q has be5 rais$ :e!r a society ( a!i/s 
c exi/8 ,9 o!r words :e!r hone/y        
suffici5t = ! purposes ( civil society c
 be insur$ by o!r motives ?an ! belief (
 a ,deity8 ,bayle has h&l$ t "q well4   
,footnote3 ,p5sees sur la ,comete4 ,few 
:o "k h[ to reason 7& x is 9 va9 to     
speak or ?9k ( ^? :o lay reason out ( ! 
case7 c fail to be conv9c$ by ! argum5ts
 ( ,bayle4 ,i %all discuss ! "q no f>!r 

?an z x is necess>ily includ$ 9 !       
discussion ( "s ( ^? suppos$ results (  
a!ism1 su* z ,i h be=e m5tion$ 9 !      
in/ances ( immorality1 unhapp9ess &     
timidity4 ,9 my argum5t ^u ?is subject  
,i %all c>efully avoid all abuse &      
ridicule4 ,controv]sies are apt to be   
acrimoni\s4 ,y1 ,sir1 h c]ta9ly %ewn    
in/ances to ! contr>y4 ,y h *>ity beyond
 y\r fell[s 9 ! ecclesia/ical l9e1 & y\r
 answ]]s seem n to me to h a "r 9 fair  
argum5t to /ep out ( ! limits y h       
prescrib$ y\rself4 ,to dispute ) y is a 
pleasure equal almo/ to t ( agree+ )    
ano!r p]son4 ,y h c&\r en\gh to all[ x  
possible t an a!i/ may be a moral man4  
,:]e is t o!r ecclesia/ic :o w all[ !   
same8 ,y\r answ]]s ought also to hold   
!mselves preclud$ f us+ ridicule 9 h&l+ 
?is subject4 ,i am no great support] (  
,"l ,%aftesbury's doctr9e t ridicule is 
! te/ ( tru?4 ,i own tru? c nev] be     
ridicul\s1 t is1 x c nev] be wor?y (    
laught]1 b /ill x may be laugh$ at4 ,to 
use ! o!r t]m1 ,i may say1 tru? c nev]  

be wor?y ( ridicule1 b /ill x may be    
ridicul$4 ,j ridicule is a suffici5t te/
 ( tru?2 b aft] all we %\ld be driv5 to 
an inquiry1 ^u ! pr9ciples ( reason+1   
:e!r ! ridicule 7 j or n4 ,boldness1 :i*
 is n incompatible ) dec5cy & c&\r1 ,i d
 hold to be an absolute requisite 9 all 
spee* & argum5t1 :]e tru? is ! object ( 
inquiry4 ,!re=e :5 ,i am ask$1 :e!r !re 
is a ,god or no ,god1 ,i d n m9ce !     
matt]1 b ,i boldly answ] !re is none1 & 
give my reason = my disbelief2 = ,i     
adopt my fri5d's answ] by ! publication 
( x4  ,t mis*ief may ensue to society by
 su* fre$om ( discussion is also ano!r  
argum5t = me to consid]2 ,i d n say to  
combat1 = ?\gh ,i 7 conv9c$ or c\ld n   
resi/ ! argum5t t mis*ief w\ld ensue to 
society by su* a discussion1 yet ,i %\ld
 ?9k myself intitl$ to ent] into x4 ,i h
 a "r to tru?1 & to publi% tru?1 let    
society suff] or n suff] by x4 ,t       
society :i* suff]s by tru? %\ld be      
o!rwise con/itut$2 & z ,i _c well ?9k t 
tru? w hurt any society rightly         

con/itut$1 s ,i %\ld r be incl9$ to d\bt
 ! =ce ( ! argum5t 9 case a!ism be+ f\nd
 to be tru? %\ld app>5tly be prov$      
prejudicial to su* a society4  ,i come  
unprejudic$ to ! "q1 & :5 ,i h promis$ y
 an answ] to y\r future ,lett]s 9       
support ( revelation1 ,i h nei!r        
anticipat$ y\r argum5t nor prejudg$ !   
cause4 ,i hold myself op5 to be conv9c$1
 & if ,i am conv9c$ ,i %all say s1 :i*  
is equally answ]+ z if ,i d5i$ ! =ce (  
y\r obs]vations4 ,9 t s5se only ,i      
promise an answ]4 ,if ,i believe ,i %all
 say1 ,i d2 b ,i %all n believe &       
tremble1 confid5t z ,i am1 t if ,i act  
an hone/ "p 9 life1 :e!r !re be a ,deity
 & a future exi/5ce or n1 :atev] reason 
,i may h to rejoice 9 case su* ideas be 
realis$1 ,i c ^u su* an issue h none to 
tremble4 ,i look ^u myself to h m reason
 to be temporally afraid ?an et]nally s4
 ,dr4 ,prie/ley or any o!r ,doctor c put
 8 "n boldly to a book 9 fav\r ( ,!ism1 
l\dly call ! support]s ( a contr>y      
doctr9e to ! argum5t1 & if no answ] is  

produc$1 ass]t _! own reason+ to be     
unansw]able4 ,9 t s5se _! sort ( reason+
 has be5 frequ5tly unansw]able4 ,"h     
h[ev] is an in/ance ( a poor unkn[n     
individual1 mak+ exp]i5ce ( ! c&\r ( !  
ecclesia/ics & ! equity ( ! laws (      
,engl&1 = he v5tures to subscribe 8     
publication ) 8 "n z well z ,dr4        
,prie/ley does 8 ,lett]s1 to :i* ?is    
publication is an answ]4 ,p]haps he may 
h cause to rep5t ( 8 h>d9ess1 b if he   
has1 he is equally resolv$ to glory 9 8 
m>tyrdom1 z to suff] x4 ,:atev]         
advantage religion has _h 9 ! enum]ation
 ( x's m>tyrs1 ! cause ( a!ism may boa/ 
! same4 ,z to ! in/ances ( ! pr(essors (
 any p>ticul> =m ( religion1 or         
modification ( t =m1 su* z ,*ri/ians or 
sects ( ,*ri/ians1 suff]+ m>tyrdom = _! 
belief1 ,i %all no m all[ !m to be      
m>tyrs = !ism ?an ,pagans simil>ly      
suff]+ = _! belief1 %all ,i call m>tyrs 
= a!ism4 ,!ism v likely has _h x's      
m>tyrs4 ,i c in/ance "o ,i ?9k 9        
,socrates1 & ,i %all m5tion ,van9i z a  

m>tyr = a!ism4 ,! conduct ( ^? two great
 m5 9 _! la/ mom5ts may be wor? att5d+  
to4 ,! v>iety ( o!r poor h]etical       
wret*es1 :o h be5 immolat$ at ! %r9e (  
absurdity = all ! possible errors (     
human cr$5ce1 let !m h _! leg5d>y fame4 
,i put !m out ( ! scale 9 ?is important 
inquiry4  ,n t ,i really ?9k ! argum5t  
to be mu* advanc$ by nam+ ! great       
support]s ( "o op9ion or ( ano!r4 ,9    
ma!matics1 me*anics1 natural philosophy1
 9 lit]ature1 ta/e1 & politics !        
s5tim5ts ( great m5 ( great g5ius are   
c]ta9ly ( weight4 ,!re are "s subjects  
capable ( demon/ration1 _m inde$ :i* !  
+5uity ( "o man c g f>!r to illu/rate   
?an t ( ano!r4 ,! =ce ( high au?ority is
 great] 9 ! ?ree =m] sci5ces ?an 9 !    
latt]4 ,!ism & ,a!ism ,i hold to be     
nei!r ( !m /rictly demon/rable4 ,y1 ,dr4
 ,prie/ley1 agree ) me 9 t4 ,/ill ,i    
hold ! "q capable ( be+ illu/rat$ by    
argum5t1 & ,i %\ld hold ! au?ority (    
great m5's names to be ( m weight 9 ?is 
subject1 7 ,i n necess>ily =c$ to       

consid] t all education is /rongly      
calculat$ to support ! idea ( a ,deity2 
by ?is education prejudice is introduc$1
 & prejudice is no?+ else ?an a         
corruption ( ! und]/&+4 ,c]ta9          
pr9ciples1 call !m1 if y please1 data1  
mu/ be agre$ ^u be=e any reason+ c take 
place4 ,disputants mu/ at lea/ agree 9 !
 ideas :i* !y annex to ! language !y    
use4 ,b :5 prejudice has made a /&1     
argum5tation is set at s wide a di/ance1
 ?r\gh a want ( fixt data to proce$ ^u1 
t att5tion is 9 va9 appli$ to ! dispute4
 ,besides1 ! nature ( ! subject ^u :i*  
?is prejudice takes place1 is su*1 t !  
f9e/ g5ius is ne>ly equally liable to an
 undue bias ) ! mo/ vulg>4 ,to "q )     
boldness & indiff]5ce1 :e!r an          
individual1 all-=m+1 all-see+ &         
all-gov]n+ ,be+ exi/s1 to :om1 if he    
exi/s1 we may possibly be responsible = 
our actions1 ^: intellig5ce & p[] mu/ be
 inf9itely sup]ior to our own1 requires 
a great conque/ ( =m] habitude1 a       
firmness ( n]ves1 z well z ( und]/&+2 x 

w !re=e be no great wond]1 if su* m5 z  
,locke & ,newton c be nam$ among !      
believ]s 9 a ,deity4 ,!y 7 *ri/ians z   
well z !i/s1 s t _! au?ority goes z f> 9
 "o respect z 9 ! o!r4 ,b if ! op9ions (
 m5 ( great g5ius are to h weight1 :at  
is to be said ( mod]n m5 ( g5ius8 ,y1   
,sir1 are ( op9ion t ! _w is gett+ wis] 
z well z bett]4 ,!re is all ! reason 9 !
 _w x %\ld get wis] at lea/1 s9ce wisdom
 is only a collection ( exp]i5ce1 & !re 
mu/ be m exp]i5ce z ! _w is old]4 ,mod]n
 ,philosoph]s are ne>ly all a!i/s4 ,i   
take ! t]m a!i/ "h 9 ! popul> s5se4     
,hume1 ,helvetius1 ,did]ot1 ,d',alemb]t4
 ,c !y n weigh aga9/ ,locke & ,newton1 &
 ev5 m ?an ,locke & ,newton1 s9ce _!    
/ore ( k & le>n+ 0 at h& to be add$ to  
_! own1 & among !m are ^? :o s+ly       
possess$ equal sci5ce 9 ma!matics z 9   
metaphysics8 ,x is n impossible1 p]haps 
n improbable1 f 8 c\rse ( le>n+ &       
inquiries1 t if ,dr4 ,prie/ley _h n f 8 
fir/ initiation into sci5ce be5 d$icat$ 
= :at is call$ ! imm$iate s]vice ( ,god1

 he himself might h be5 "o ( ! greate/  
disprov]s ( 8 pret5d$ div9ity4  ,9      
,engl& y ?9k1 ,sir1 t a!ism is n        
preval5t among m5 ( free reason+1 ?\gh y
 ackn[l$ge x to be mu* s 9 o!r c\ntries4
 ,x is n ! fir/ "t x has be5 obs]v$ t ! 
great] ! sup]/ition ( ! common p ! less 
is t ( m5 ( lett]s4 ,9 ! he>t ( ! ,papal
 t]ritories p]haps is ! greate/ numb] ( 
a!i/s1 & 9 ! re=m$ c\ntries ! greate/   
numb] ( dei/s4 ,yet x is a common       
obs]vation1 especially by div9es1 t     
deism leads to a!ism1 & ,i believe !    
obs]vation is well f\nd$4 ,i h>dly ne$  
expla9 "h1 t by deism 9 ?is s5se is     
meant a belief 9 ! exi/5ce ( a ,deity f 
natural & philosophical pr9ciples1 & a  
disbelief 9 all imm$iate revelation by !
 ,deity ( 8 own exi/5ce4 ,su* is ! =ce (
 habit1 t x is by degrees only1 t ev5 m5
 ( s5se & firmness %ake (f "o prejudice 
aft] ano!r4 ,!y beg9 by gett+ rid ( !   
absurdities ( all popul> religions4 ,?is
 leaves !m simple dei/s1 b ! =ce (      
reason+ next c>ries !m a /ep f>!r1 &    

:oev] tru/s to ?is reason+1 devoid ( all
 fe> & prejudice1 is v likely to end at 
la/ 9 be+ an a!i/4 ,nor d ,i admit x to 
be an argum5t ei!r = ,revelation or     
,natural ,religion1 t ! same turn =     
speculation t w\ld conv]t a *ri/ian into
 a !i/1 w c>ry him on to be an a!i/1    
?\gh ,i "k ! argum5t has be5 (t5 us$4   
,if ^u sick b$s or 9 dy+ mom5ts m5 rev]t
 to _! old weakness & sup]/itions1 _!   
fall+ (f may af=d triumph to            
religioni/s2 = my "p ,i c>e n s mu* = ! 
op9ions ( sick & dy+ m51 z ( ^? :o at ! 
"t are /rong & heal?y4 ,b 9 ! op9ion ( !
 "o or ! o!r ,i put no great /ress4 ,my 
fai? is 9 reason+1 = ?\gh ridicule is n 
a complete te/ ( tru?1 reason+ ,i hold  
c]ta9ly to be s4 ,i own belief may be   
impre/ on ! m9d o!rwise ?an by ! =ce (  
reason4 ,! m9d may be diseas$4 ,all ,i  
%all say is t ?\gh ,i h =m]ly believ$ _m
 ?+s )\t reason1 & ev5 _m aga9/ x1 z is 
v common1 ,i hope ,i %all nev] m4 ,my   
m9d 7,i 0 go+ to say1 ?ank ,god7 is sane
 at pres5t1 & ,i int5d to keep x s4 ,i  

am aw>e t at ! expression j us$ "s w    
exclaim 9 triumph1 t ! poor wret* c\ld n
 help ?9k+ ( 8 ,god at ! same "t he 0   
d5y+ him4 ,! obs]vation w\ld hold good1 
if x 7 n t we (t5 speak & write         
unprem$itately & ?\gh :at is 9 ?is mann]
 unprem$itately express$ ^u a revision  
%\ld be c]ta9ly expung$1 yet ,i *use to 
leave ! expression to %ew ! =ce ( habit4
  ,9 fe> lies ! orig9 ( all fanci$      
deities1 :e!r sole or numb]less4        
,primus 9 orbe ,deos fecit ,timor4  ,b !
 great debasem5t ( ! human m9d is       
evid5c$ 9 ! in/ance ( attribut+ a m]it  
to belief1 :i* has come at la/ to be    
/il$ a virtue1 & is dignifi$ by ! "n (  
fai?1 t mo/ pitiful ( all human         
qualities4 ,:5 ! apo/le spoke ( fai?1   
hope & *>ity1 he might z well h exclaim$
 ! lea/ ( ! ?ree is fai?1 z ! greate/ is
 *>ity4  ,"o en?usia/ cries out un ,roi 
& ano!r un ,dieu4 ,! reality ( ! k+ ,i  
admit1 because ,i feel 8 p[]4 ,aga9/ my 
feel+ & my exp]i5ce ,i _c argue1 = ^u ^!
 s5sations is built all argum5t4 ,b n   

all ! wondr\s works ( ! creation1 z ,i  
he> ! visible op]ations ( nature call$1 
conv9ce me 9 ! lea/ ( ! exi/5ce ( a     
,deity4 ,by nature ,i mean to express ! 
:ole ( :at ,i see & feel1 t :ole1 ,i    
call self-exi/5t f all et]nity2 ,i admit
 a pr9ciple ( intellig5ce & design1 b ,i
 d5y t pr9ciple to be extrane\s f       
itself4 ,my cre$ 9 f9e is ! same ) t ( !
 ,roman poet2            ,deus e/       
ubicunque movemur4  ,if !n ,i am admitt$
 to expla9 my deity 9 ?is s5se1 ,i am n 
an a!i/1 nor c any "o else 9 ! _w be    
su*4 ,! vis naturae1 ! p]petual indu/ry1
 intellig5ce & provision ( nature mu/ be
 app>5t to all :o see1 feel or ?9k4 ,i  
mean to di/+ui% ?is active1 intellig5t &
 design+ pr9ciple1 inh]5t z mu* 9 matt] 
z ! prop]ties ( gravity or any ela/ic1  
attractive or repulsive p[]1 f any      
extrane\s =eign =ce & design 9 an       
invisible ag5t1 supreme ?\gh hidd5 "l & 
mak] ov] all effects & appe>ances t     
pres5t !mselves to u 9 ! c\rse ( nature4
 ,! la/ supposition makes ! univ]se &   

all o!r organis$ matt] a ma*9e made or  
contriv$ by ! arbitr>y w ( ano!r ,be+1  
:i* o!r ,be+ is call$ ,god2 & my !ory   
makes a ,god ( ?is univ]se1 or admits no
 o!r ,god or design+ pr9ciple ?an matt] 
itself & its v>i\s organisations4  ,!   
inquiry is said to be important4 ,b :y  
is x s6 ,all tru? is important4 ,x is a 
"q ( little importance1 m]ely :e!r a man
 _h a mak] or no1 al?\gh x is ( great   
importance to disprove ! exi/5ce ( su* a
 ,deity z !ologians wi% to e/abli%1     
because appe>ances 9 ! _w g aga9/ x4    
,suppos+ h[ev] t x 0 grant$1 t ! "q1    
:e!r !re is a ,deity or n1 0 z little   
important z o!r tru?s1 yet ! "q becomes 
important ) ?is reflexion1 t o!r ev5ts  
may foll[ z d$uctions2 su* z a p>ticul> 
provid5ce1 or a future /ate ( rew>ds &  
puni%m5ts2 b :e!r su* d$uctions or ei!r 
( !m necess>ily foll[ may well be qu]i$4
 ,z to a p>ticul> provid5ce y give up ! 
reality ( x1 & ,i give x up too4 ,b ,i  
_c give up ! argum5t1 t if !re 7 a ,god 
) all 8 all[$ attributes ( wisdom1 p[] &

 ju/ice1 !re ought to be a p>ticul>     
provid5ce to c\nt]act ! g5]al laws (    
nature1 9 fav\r ( ^? :o def5d !         
int]position4 ,?\gh ! ,deity %\ld n     
int]f]e unless !re be a wor?y cause1    
agreeable to ! ,horation rule1          
,nec ,deus int]fuit nisi v9dice nodus2  
,yet surely f ! same pr9ciples x %\ld   
foll[ t ! ,deity ought to int]f]e :]e   
!re is a wor?y cause4 ,"h h[ev] arises  
ano!r dilemma1 = if ! ,deity has really 
^? attributes ( p[] & ju/ice1 !re w\ld  
nev] h be5 occasion = su* temp]ane\s    
int]positions4 ,a p>ticul> provid5ce mu/
 inde$ prove "o ( ^! two pr9ciples1 ei!r
 t ,god 0 imp]fect 9 8 design1 or t in]t
 matt] is inimical to ! prop]ties (     
,god4 ,if t wi%$ = int]position ( !     
,deity is put (f to a future exi/5ce1 ,i
 _c help obs]v+1 t future day has be5   
already a long :ile wait$ = 9 va91 & any
 delay de/roys "s "o attribute or o!r ( 
! ,deity4 ,he wants ju/ice1 or he wants 
! p[]1 or ! w to d good & be j4 ,t a    
future /ate ( rew>ds & puni%m5ts may    

h[ev] exi/ )\t a ,deity1 y1 ,dr4        
,prie/ley1 all[ to be no impossibility4 
,x may inde$ be argu$ ) app>5t ju/ness1 
t a pr9ciple ( revivisc5ce may z well be
 admitt$ z a pr9ciple ( production 9 !  
fir/ in/ance3 & z to rew>ds & puni%m5ts1
 judgem5t may be r5d]$1 z well z n[1 by 
,be+s less ?an ,deities4 ,= my "p ,i    
firmly wi% = su* a future /ate1 & ?\gh  
,i _c firmly believe x1 ,i am resolv$ to
 live z if su* a /ate 7 to ensue4 ,?is  
seems1 ,i own1 l d\bt+1 & d\bt+ may be  
said to be a mis]able /ate ( anxiety4   
,bett] be confid5t ?an unh+$2 bett]     
confide 9 ignorance ?an h no fix$ sy/em4
 ,s x may be argu$2 b ,i ?9k ! result w 
be z p feel4 ,^? :o d n feel bold en\gh1
 to be satisfi$ ) _! own ?\ghts1 may    
ab&on !m & adopt ! ?\ghts ( o!rs4 ,= my 
"p ,i am cont5t ) my own2 & n ! less s  
because !y d n end 9 c]ta9ty ^u matt]s1 
f ! nature ( !m1 beyond ! complete rea* 
( human intellig5ce4  ,!re is no?+ 9    
fact important to human nature b        
happ9ess1 :i* is or ought to be ! end or

 aim ( our be+4 ,i mean self-happ9ess2 b
 =tunately = mank9d1 su* is by nature   
our con/ruction1 t we _c individually be
 happy unless we jo9 also 9 promot+ !   
happ9ess ( o!rs4 ,%\ld immorality1      
timidity or o!r base pr9ciples arise f  
a!ism x t5ds imm$iately1 ,i w own1 to ! 
unhapp9ess ( mank9d4 ,if x is ask$ me1  
:y am ,i hone/ & hon\rable8 ,i answ]1   
because ( ! satisfaction ,i h 9 be+ s4  
,d all p receive t satisfaction8 ,no1 _m
 :o are ill educat$1 ill-exampl$ &      
p]v]t$1 d n4 ,i d1 t is en\gh = me4 ,9  
%ort1 ,i am well con/ruct$1 & ,i feel ,i
 c !re=e act an hone/ & hon\rable "p )\t
 any religi\s motive4 ,did ,i p]ceive1 t
 belief 9 a ,deity produc$ morality or  
inspir$ c\rage1 ,i might be prompt$ to  
confess1 t ! contr>y w\ld ensue f a!ism4
 ,b ! bulk ( ! _w has long believ$1 or  
long pret5d$ to believe 9 a ,deity1 yet 
morality & e comm5dable quality seem at 
a /&4 ,! believ] & ! unbeliev] we (t5   
see equally base1 equally immoral4      
,sup]/ition is c]ta9ly only ! excess (  

religion4 ,t evid5tly is att5d$ (t5 )   
immorality & c[>dice4 ,i am tempt$ to   
say1 f obs]vation1 t ! belief ( a ,deity
 is apt to drive mank9d into vice &     
bas5ess2 b ,i *eck myself 9 ! ass]tion1 
^u consid]+ t v few inde$ are ^? :o     
really believe 9 a ,deity out ( su* z   
pret5d to d s4 ,x is impossible = an    
intellectual be+ to believe firmly 9 t (
 :i* he c give no acc\nt1 or ( :i* he c 
=m no conception4 ,i hold ! ,deity1 !   
fanci$ ,deity1 at lea/1 ( :om ) all 8   
attributes su* pomp\s descriptions are  
set =? to ! great t]ror ( old wom5 & !  
amusem5t ( "y *ildr51 to be an object ( 
:i* we =m 7z appe>s :5 we scrut9ise into
 our ideas7 no conception & !re=e c give
 no acc\nt4 ,x is said1 aft] all ?is1 t 
m5 d /ill believe 9 su* a ,deity1 ,i !n 
d say 9 return1 !y d n make use ( _!    
intellects4 ,! mom5t we g into a belief 
beyond :at we feel1 see & und]/&1 we    
might z well believe 9 w-)-a-:isp z 9   
,god4 ,b ,i w\ld fix morality ^u a bett]
 basis ?an belief 9 a ,deity4 ,if x has 

inde$ at pres5t no o!r basis1 x is n    
morality1 x is selfi%ness1 x is         
timidity2 x is ! hope ( rew>d1 x is !   
dread ( puni%m5t4 ,= a great & good man1
 %ew me "o :o loves virtue because he   
f9ds a pleasure 9 x1 :o has acquir$ a   
ta/e = t pleasure by consid]+ :at & :]e 
happ9ess is1 :o is n su* a fool z to    
seek mis]y 9 pref]5ce to happ9ess1 ^:   
hon\r is 8 ,deity1 ^: consci5ce is 8    
judge4 ,put su* a man 9 combat aga9/ !  
sup]/iti\s son ( ,spa9 or ,portugal1 x 7
 easy to say :o w\ld %ew ! true/ c\rage4
 ,! "q might be m volum9\sly discuss$1 b
 ,i feel already pro( ( conviction2 if  
y1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley1 d n1 p]haps "s o!r   
read]s may4 ,i h no?+ to d ) m5 ( l[    
m9ds4 ,!y w always h _! religion or     
pret5ce ( x1 b ,i am mi/ak5 if x is n ! 
gall[s or ! pillory t m gov]n _! morals 
?an ! gospel or ! pulpit4  ,aft] all1   
a!ism may be a sy/em only = ! le>n$4 ,! 
ignorant ( all ages h believ$ 9 ,god4 ,!
 answ] ( a ,philosophical ,unbeliev]    
?\gh writt5 9 ! vulg> tongue may        

probably n rea* ! vulg>4 ,if argum5t _h 
prevail$ !y 7 long conv]t$ f _!         
sup]/iti\s belief4 ,! s5tim5ts (        
a!i/ical philosoph]s h long be5 publi%$4
 ,if mis*ief !re=e c\ld ensue to society
 f su* free discussions1 t mis*ief      
society mu/ long h felt4 ,i ?9k tru?    
%\ld nev] be hid1 b few are ^? :o m9d x4
 ,i w !re=e take ^u myself b little     
importance ?\gh ,i h presum$ to preface 
an answ] f a ,philosophical ,unbeliev]  
to ,lett]s :i* y1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley h      
writt54 ,if y deem t answ] detrim5tal to
 ! int]e/s ( society1 y w recollect t y 
invite ! proposal ( objections & promise
 to answ] all z well z y c4 ,if y %\ld  
happ5 to be exasp]at$ by ! fre$om ( !   
language or ! contr>iety ( ! s5tim5t1   
?is answ] w ga9 weight 9 proportion z y 
lose 9 ! cr$it ( a tol]ant ,div9e4      
,!re=e if y reply at all1 reply ) c&\r &
 ) coolness2 he$ ! matt] & n ! man1 ?\gh
 ,i subscribe my "n1 & am       ,rev]5d 
,sir1      ,y\r fri5d1 admir]1 & humble 
s]vant1      ,,william ,,hammon4        

,ox=d-,/reet1 ,no4 #dah4 ,jan4 #a1      
#aghb4                      ,,answ] ,,f 
,a ,,philosophical ,,unbeliev]4   ,x is 
! g5]al fa%ion to believe 9 a ,god1 !   
mak] ( all ?+s1 or at lea/ to pret5d to 
su* a belief1 to def9e ! nature ( ?is   
exi/+ ,deity by ! attributes :i* are    
giv5 to him1 to place ! f\ndation (     
morality on ?is belief1 & 9 idea at     
lea/1 to connect ! welf>e ( civil       
society ) ! ackn[l$gem5t ( su* a ,be+4  
,few h[ev] are ^?1 :o be+ que/ion$ c    
give any tol]able gr\nds = _! ass]tions 
^u ?is subject1 & h>dly any two among ! 
le>n$ agree 9 _! mann] ( prov+ :at ea* w
 sep>ately hold to be indisputably cle>4
 ,! attributes ( a ,deity are m g5]ally 
agre$ ^u1 ?\gh less ! subject ( pro(1   
?an 8 exi/5ce4 ,z to morality1 ^? v p :o
 are moral w n d5y1 !y w\ld be s ?\gh   
!re 7 n a ,god1 & !re nev] yet has be5 a
 civil lawgiv]1 :o left crimes to be    
puni%$ by ! au?or ( ! univ]se2 n ev5 !  
pr(anation ( oa?s ^u ! sacr$ness ( :i* s
 mu* is built 9 society1 & :i* yet is   

said to be a m imm$iate (f5ce aga9/ !   
,deity ?an any o!r t c be nam$4  ,!     
me?od :i* ,dr4 ,prie/ley has tak5 to    
prove ! exi/5ce ( a ,god1 is by argu+ f 
effect to cause4 ,he explodes t o!r     
pret5d$ pro( a priori :i* has s mu*     
rais$ ! fame ( ,dr4 ,cl>ke among o!r    
!ologians4 ,z to ! attributes ( !       
,deity1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley is n q s confid5t
 9 8 pro(s !re2 & ! mo/ amiable "o1 !   
mo/ by mortals to be wi%$ =1 ! b5evol5ce
 ( ,god he almo/ gives up1 or owns at   
lea/ !re is n s mu* pro( ( x z ( 8 o!r  
attributes4 ,8 obs]vations are divid$   
into sev]al ,lett]s1 ?is is "o answ]    
giv5 to ! :ole2 = x w\ld be to no       
purpose to reply to topics ^u :i* !     
writ]s are agre$4 ,:at !re=e is n       
contradict$ "h1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley may 9    
g5]al take to be all[$2 b to obviate    
d\bts & to all[ 8 argum5t e =ce1 x may  
be fair] p]haps to recite at full l5g?  
:at 9 ?is answ] is all[$ to be true1 :at
 is d5i$ z false1 :at meant to be expos$
 z absurd1 & :at reject$ z ass]tions )\t

 pro(1 inadmissible or inconclusive4 ,! 
conclusion w conta9 "s obs]vations ^u ! 
:ole4       ,,truisms4      #a4 ,effects
 h _! adequate causes4      #b4 ,no?+   
beg9s to exi/ )\t a cause =eign to      
itself4      #c4 ,no be+ c\ld make      
himself1 = t w\ld imply t he     exi/$ &
 did n exi/ at ! same "t4      #d4 ,if  
"o horse1 or "o tree1 _h a cause1 all   
_h4      #e4 ,some?+ mu/ h exi/$ f all  
et]nity4      #f4 ,atoms _c be arrang$1 
9 a mann] expressive ( ! mo/            
exquisite design1 )\t compet5t          
intellig5ce hav+ exi/$     some:]e4     
#g4 ,! idea ( a supreme au?or is m      
pleas+ to a virtu\s     m9d1 ?an t ( a  
bl9d fate & fa!rless des]t$ _w4      #h4
 ,! condition ( mank9d is 9 a /ate (    
melioration1 z f> z     mis]y arises f  
ignorance1 = z ! _w gr[s old] x mu/     
gr[ wis]1 if wisdom arises f exp]i5ce4  
#i4 ,all moral virtue is only a         
modification ( b5evol5ce4      #aj4     
,virtue gives a bett] *ance = happ9ess  
?an vice4      #aa4 ,no in/ance ( any   

revival4      #ab4 ,a!i/s are n to ?9k  
!mselves q secure ) respect     to a    
future life4      #ac4 ,?\ght might z   
well dep5d ^u ! con/ruction ( !         
bra91 z ^u any invisible sub/ance       
extrane\s to ! bra94      #ad4 ,if !    
works ( ,god _h a beg9n+1 !re mu/ h be5 
a     "t :5 he 0 inactive4      #ae4    
,:]e happ9ess is want+ 9 ! creation ,i  
w\ld r     conclude ! au?or _h mi/ ( 8  
design ?an t he want$     b5evol5ce4    
,,false ,,ass]tions4      #a4 ,a cause  
ne$s n be prior to an effect4      #b4  
,if ! species ( man _h no beg9n+1 x w\ld
 n foll[ t     x _h no cause4      #c4  
,a cause may be cotempor>y ) ! effect4  
#d4 ,an a!i/ mu/ believe he 0 introduc$ 
into ! _w )\t     design4               
,,absurdities4      #a4 ,a g5]al mass ( 
s5sation consi/+ ( v>i\s elem5ts        
borr[$ f ! pa/ & ! future4      #b4     
,s9ce s5sation is made up ( pa/1 pres5t1
 & future1 !     infant feel+ = ! mom5t 
only1 ! man recollect+ :at is     pa/ & 
anticipat+ ! future1 & z ! pres5t       

s5sation mu/     !re=e 9 "t be> a less  
proportion to ! g5]al mass (            
s5sation ?an x did1 s at la/ all        
tempor>y affections1 :e!r     ( pa9 or  
pleasure become :olly inconsid]able4    
#c4 ,! great book ( nature & ! book (   
revelation bo? lie     op5 be=e u4      
#d4 ,a conclusion above our             
compreh5sion4      #e4 ,a :ole et]nity  
already pa/4      #f4 ,s9ce a f9ite ,be+
 _c be inf9itely happy1 because he mu/  
!n be inf9ite 9 k & p[]2 & z all        
limitation (     happ9ess mu/ consi/ 9  
degree ( happ9ess or mixture ( mis]y1   
! ,deity c alone det]m9e :i* mode (     
limitation is be/4      #g4 ,we h reason
 to be ?ankful = our pa9s & di/ress4    
#h4 ,if ! div9e ,be+ _h made man at fir/
 z happy z he c be     aft] all ! feel+s
 & ideas ( a pa9ful & labori\s life1 x  
mu/ h be5 9 violation ( all g5]al laws &
 by a con/ant     & mom5t>y int]f]5ce ( 
! ,deity4      #i4 ,x is bett] ! div9e  
ag5cy %\ld n be v conspicu\s4      #aj4 
,if good prevails on ! :ole1 creation   

be+ inf9ite1     happ9ess mu/ be        
inf9ite1 & ,god compreh5d+ ! :ole1 w    
only p]ceive ! balance ( good1 & t w be 
happ9ess     unmix$ ) mis]y4      #aa4  
,if a man is happy 9 ! :ole he is       
inf9itely happy 9 !     :ole ( 8        
exi/5ce4      #ab4 ,al?\gh all ?+s fall 
alike to all m5 & no di/9ction is       
made betwe5 ! righte\s & ! wick$1 & ev5 
?\gh !     wick$ d]ive an advantage f _!
 vices1 yet ?is is consi/5t     ) a /ate
 ( moral gov]nm5t by a ,be+ ( inf9ite   
wisdom &     p[]4      #ac4 ,z pl\gh+ is
 ! means ( hav+ a h>ve/1 ?\gh ,god has  
pr$et]m9$ :e!r !re %\ld be a h>ve/ or n1
 s pray] is     ! means ( obta9+ good f 
,god1 al?\gh t good is     pr$et]m9$ ^u2
 x is !re=e no m absurd to pray ?an to  
pl\gh4      #ad4 ,not)/&+ happ9ess is ! 
necess>y consequ5ce (     heal?1 yet    
man's happ9ess is m f intellectual ?an  
corporeal     feel+s4      #ae4 ,evil is
 necess>ily connect$ ) & subs]vi5t to   
good1     al?\gh 9 ! next _w !re w be   
all good & no evil4      #af4 ,by reason

 we c discov] ! necess>y exi/5ce ( a    
,deity1     yet to be a sceptic on t    
subject is ! fir/ /ep to be a           
,*ri/ian1 because reason n suffici5tly  
prov+ x we fly to     reveal$ tru?4     
#ag4 ,! p[]1 :i* a man has by !         
compreh5siv5ess ( 8 m9d     to enjoy !  
future1 has no app>5t limits4      #ah4 
,x is ( no avail 9 ! argum5t conc]n+ !  
exi/5ce ( a     ,deity1 t we h no       
conception ( him1 s9ce x does n imply   
impossibility ( 8 exi/5ce t we h no idea
 at all ^u !     subject4               
,,inadmissible ,,or ,,inconclusive4     
#a4 ,! "q ( ! exi/5ce ( a ,deity is     
important4      #b4 ,a ,!i/ has a high] 
s5se ( p]sonal dignity ?an an     a!i/4 
#c4 ,! conduct ( an a!i/ mu/ give conc]n
 to ^? :o are n     s4      #d4 ,an a!i/
 believes himself to be1 at 8 dea?1 =   
ev]     exclud$ f return+ life4      #e4
 ,!re are m a!i/s ?an unbeliev]s 9      
revelation4      #f4 ,m5 ( lett]s may h 
! same bias to incr$ulity z o!rs     to 
cr$ulity1 because !y are subject to a   

wrong association (     ideas1 z well z 
o!r p]sons ?\gh 9 a less degree4        
#g4 ,:oev] fir/ made a ?+1 = example a  
*air or a table1 mu/     h _h an        
adequate idea ( x's nature & use4       
#h4 ,if a table _h a design+ cause1 !   
tree f :5ce ! wood     came1 & ! man :o 
made ! table mu/ h _h a design+         
cause1 :i* compreh5d$ all ! p[]s &      
prop]ties ( trees &     m54      #i4    
,all ! visible univ]se1 z f> z we c     
judge1 be>s !     m>ks ( be+ "o "w1 &   
!re=e mu/ h _h a cause (     inf9ite p[]
 & intellig5ce4      #aj4 ,we might z   
well say a table _h no cause1 z t ! _w  
_h none4      #aa4 ,a ,be+ orig9ally &  
necess>ily capable ( compreh5d+         
itself1 x is n improp] to call inf9ite1 
= we c h no idea     ( any b\nds to x's 
k or p[]4      #ab4 ,a s]ies ( f9ite    
causes _c possibly be c>ri$ back     ad 
inf9itum4      #ac4 ,our imag9ation     
revolts at ! idea ( an intellectual s\l 
(     ! univ]se1 t is1 ( an intellig5ce 
result+ f     arrangem5t4      #ad4 ,!  

actual exi/5ce ( ! univ]se compels u to 
come at la/     to an orig9ally exi/5t &
 intellectual ,be+1 because if !        
imm$iate mak] ( ! univ]se has n exi/$ f 
all et]nity1     he mu/ h d]iv$ 8 be+ & 
s5ses f "o :o has1 & t     be+ we call  
,god4      #ae4 ,god mu/ be pres5t to   
all 8 works1 if we admit no p[] c       
act b :]e x is1 he mu/ !re=e exi/ e :]e1
 because     8 works are e :]e4         
#af4 ,z no be+ c unmake or mat]ially    
*ange himself 7at lea/     none c       
annihilate himself7 s ,god is           
un*angeable1 = no ,be+     ,god made c  
*ange him & no o!r ,be+ c exi/ b :at    
,god     made4      #ag4 ,two inf9ite   
intellig5t be+s ( ! same k9d w\ld       
co9cide1 !re=e !re c only be "o ,god4   
#ah4 ,no?+ c be m evid5t1 ?an t plants &
 animals c\ld     n h proce$$ f ea* o!r 
f all et]nity4      #ai4 ,t happ9ess is 
! design ( ! creation because heal? is  
design$ & sickness is only an exception1
 n a g5]al rule is z     evid5t z t !   
design ( ! ,mill-wright mu/ h be51 t    

8 ma*9e %\ld n be ob/ruct$4      #bj4 ,z
 a /ate ( sickness is comp>atively r>e )
 a /ate (     heal?1 happ9ess ! result (
 heal?1 & ! end ( ! creation            
happ9ess1 s ! end ( ! creation is       
already 9 a great measure     answ]$4   
#ba4 ,pleasure t5ds to cont9ue &        
propagate itself1 pa9 to *eck     &     
ext]m9ate itself4      #bb4 ,z our k &  
p[] 9 respect to %unn+ pa9s &           
procur+ pleasures advance ) our         
exp]i5ce1 no?+ is want+     to enable u 
to ext]m9ate all pa9s1 b a cont9uance ( 
be+4      #bc4 ,our enjoym5ts cont9ually
 increase 9 real value f infancy     to 
old age4      #bd4 ,a future moral      
di/ribution is probable1 because ,god is
     inf9itely p[]ful & wise4      #be4 
,s9ce rev]5ce1 gratitude1 ob$i5ce1      
confid5ce are duties to     m51 s !y are
 to ,god2 & z we pray to m51 s we %\ld  
pray to     ,god4      #bf4 ,presci5ce1 
pr$et]m9ation & inf9ite b5evol5ce are no
     argum5t aga9/ pray] to ! ,deity4   
#bg4 ,a wi% produc$ by nature is evid5ce

 ( ! ?+ wi%$ =1     b a future /ate is  
wi%$ =1 !re=e !re is evid5ce ( a        
future /ate4      #bh4 ,z we h no idea  
h[ we came orig9ally to be produc$1 =   
:at we "k to ! contr>y our reproduction 
may be z mu* !     c\rse ( nature z our 
orig9al production44      #bi4 ,a gloom 
& melan*oly belong m to a!i/s ?an to    
dev\t     p4      ,,obs]vations4   ,dr4 
,prie/ley w h>dly d\bt1 aft] ?is        
collection f 8 "w t x has at lea/ be5   
read be=e x is attempt$ to be answ]$4 ,x
 is 9 ! writ]'s p[] to quote ! page &   
l9e = ea* ass]tion1 b x w\ld be /uff+   
?is publication ) unnecess>y ref]5ces4  
,dr4 ,prie/ley w be able to "k :at are 8
 own s5tim5ts & :at n )\t recurr+ to 8  
pr9t$ ,lett]s4 ,!re has be5 also ano!r  
difficulty 9 class+ ! sev]al exceptions 
"u ! diff]5t heads2 :at is false1 :at is
 absurd1 & :at is inadmissible bord]+ s 
ne>ly on ea* o!r4 ,nice di/9ctions _c 9 
su* respect be made1 b ! :ole toge!r =m 
! ma9 argum5t :i* is to be answ]$4  ,!  
fir/ & pr9cipal ass]tion is1 t effects h

 _! adequate cause2 x is !n add$1 t !   
univ]se is an effect1 t x !re=e mu/ h a 
cause1 & to ?is cause 9 ! ,engli%       
language is giv5 ! "n ( ,god4 ,?is      
proposition is true1 provid$ ! univ]se  
is an effect1 b t is a po/ulatum )\t    
concession & )\t a pro(4 ,?is orig9al   
,be+ he advances 9 ano!r place to be t  
only some?+ :i* exi/$ uncaus$ f all     
et]nity1 & :i* c\ld n h be5 a ,be+1 l a 
man or a table1 incapable ( compreh5d+1 
itself1 = su* exi/5ces w\ld require     
ano!r sup]ior ,be+4 ,b if ! univ]se is n
 adopt$ z an effect1 if x is tak5 z     
exi/+ f all et]nity1 ! univ]se becomes  
an intellig5t ,be+1 & !re or no :]e is !
 ,deity s\ght aft]4 ,su* a ,be+ we may  
prop]ly speak ( & reason ^u4 ,! :ole is 
subject$ to our s5sations & our         
exp]i5ce4 ,b ( 8 own uncaus$ ,be+ ,dr4  
,p4 says we _c prop]ly speak4 ,is n t   
alone an argum5t ( !re be+ no su* ?+8 ,8
 fri5d ,dr4 ,cl>ke says1 we _c h an idea
 ( an impossible ?+4 ,n[ ?is discov]$   
,deity is all[$ to be t ( :i* we c h no 

idea4 ,s f> at lea/ x is alli$ to !     
impossible4  ,z to ! argum5t ( cause &  
effect1 ! latt] c]ta9ly implies ! =m]2 b
 :5 we give ! "n ( effect to any ?+1 we 
mu/ be c]ta9 x is an effect1 = we may be
 s f> mi/ak5 p]haps z to call t an      
effect :i* is a cause1 at lea/ :at is an
 effect to-day may be a cause to-morr[1 
z 9 ! in/ance ( g5]ation2 = ?\gh a son  
does n beget 8 fa!r1 he too has 8 (fspr+
 9 :i* he may be said to live ov] aga91 
& if we are to argue only f exp]i5ce1   
mo/ probably t alone is ! resurrection &
 ! life to come4 ,b if x is cont5d$ t   
our exp]i5ce relates only to f9ite      
causes1 or causes incapable ( compreh5d+
 !mselves1 x mu/ at ! same "t be all[$1 
t all our reason+ is f\nd$ only on      
exp]i5ce4 ,?is ,dr4 ,p4 at lea/ all[s   
ev5 :ile he keeps reason+ ab\t a ,deity1
 :i* he calls an inf9ite cause capable (
 compreh5d+ itself1 ?\gh nobody is      
capable ( compreh5d+ x1 & ( :i* we !re=e
 c h no exp]i5ce4 ,yet he w ass]t1 t    
?9k+ p]sons seldom are conv9c$ by ?9k+4 

,?is is odd language = a reason]4 ,:5   
ano!r philosoph] or div9e attempts to   
prove a ,god 9 _! own way1 ,dr4         
,prie/ley c readily see 8 fallacies &   
absurdities4 ,dr4 ,cl>ke1 ! =m] great   
*ampion ( ,god ,almighty1 is made v     
light (4 ,he ?\ght1 fooli% man1 to prove
 ! exi/5ce ( a ,deity m]ely by our hav+ 
an idea ( t exi/5ce1 :i* w\ld g to prove
 ! tru? ( e unnatural conceit t ev]     
ent]$ into ! he>t ( man2 & cont5d$ f>!r 
t x w\ld be equally absurd to suppose no
 ,deity z two & two did n make f\r4 ,x  
w\ld inde$ be absurd1 says ,dr4         
,prie/ley provid$ we agre$ t ! univ]se  
is a caus$ exi/5ce1 = ,god is ! "n we   
give = ! cause ( ! univ]se1 :i* 9 su*   
case mu/ exi/4 ,x is only d5y+ t !      
univ]se is a caus$ exi/5ce1 & !n !      
absurdity is tak5 away4 ,dr4 ,prie/ley1 
= ! sake ( mak+ ,dr4 ,cl>ke absurd1 w   
readily all[ ! d5ial capable ( be+ made2
 & = ! same purpose he seems gravely to 
h tak5 ^u himself to prove t s*ool-boy's
 difficulty1 t two & two d make f\r1 =  

he says1 t f\r is ! t]m agre$ ^u 9      
language to be giv5 to ! sum total ( two
 & two1 & t to d5y ! ,deity is at lea/ n
 s absurd z to say t two & two d n make 
f\r4  ,dr4 ,prie/ley says he f9ds no    
difficulty 9 exclud+ e ?+ f ! m9d except
 space & duration4 ,he all[s !n at lea/1
 t !re is no manife/ absurdity 9 suppos+
 !re is no ,deity1 = no?+ c be prov$ by 
reason+ if ! conclusion c be d5i$ )\t   
absurdity1 nor c !re be a manife/       
absurdity 9 d5y+ ! exi/5ce ( :at !re is 
no difficulty 9 exclud+ f ! m9d4 ,yet   
aft] all he adds 7some:at inconsi/5tly7 
t we _c exclude ! idea ( a ,deity1 if we
 d n exclude an exi/5t univ]se4 ,?is    
,deity he def9es to be a mo/ simple     
,be+2 simple & inf9ite2 t]ms :i* b ill  
agree toge!r4  ,! inf9ite or b\ndless   
exi/5ce ( ?is pret5d$ ,deity is a       
prop]ty m insi/$ ^u ?an any o!r1 &      
:atev] o!r prop]ties are giv5 to him !y 
are all 9 ! inf9ite degree4 ,! prop]ties
 all$g$ to be prov$ are1 et]nity1       
inf9ite k & p[]1 un*angeabl5ess1 unity1 

omnipot5ce1 action f all et]nity1 &     
indep5d5ce4 ,b5evol5ce & moral gov]nm5t 
are also ascrib$ to him b confess$ly ) a
 less degree ( c]ta9ty1 ?\gh ! mo/      
desireable ( all 8 giv5 prop]ties4 ,^u !
 subject ( b5evol5ce1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley    
only advances1 t :]e x is n prov$ by !  
happ9ess ( 8 creatures to exi/1 he w\ld 
r *use to conclude he mi/ ( 8 design1 t 
is1 he want$ p[] or k1 ?an t he want$   
b5evol5ce4 ,if he means to argue t x is 
m rational to conclude ?is ,deity want$ 
p[] & k ?an t he want$ b5evol5ce1 &     
because ,dr4 ,prie/ley fancies himself  
to h prov$ ! ,deity _c want ! two =m]1  
he concludes ! ,deity _c want ! latt]1 z
 ! less probable = him to be defici5t 91
 8 argum5t is no m a truism4 ,z a wi%1 t
 ! ,deity may n want b5evol5ce1 9 t s5se
 let him take x z agre$ ^u4 ,he all[s t 
mis]y 9 ! human species proves          
malevol5ce 9 ! ,deity1 & happ9ess !     
contr>y4 ,all ! pro( adduc$ 9 fav\r (   
b5evol5ce is 9 ass]t+ t ?r\gh\t !       
univ]se1 good is m pr$om9ant ?an evil4  

,! inf9ite ext5t ( b5evol5ce he w all[  
incapable ( pro(2 b !n x is said t !    
evils :i* mank9d endure are n s great z 
might be inflict$ ^u !m2 t virtue to    
vice1 happ9ess to mis]y1 heal? to       
sickness be> at lea/ equal proportions4 
,t less] evils exi/ in/ead ( great] is  
inde$ b a poor pro( 9 ! fav\r ( !       
b5evol5ce ( an all-p[]ful ,be+4 ,or     
grant1 t good is m pr$om9ant ?an evil1  
?is surely is no pro( nei!r ( !         
b5evol5ce ( a k9d & all-p[]ful ,be+4    
,yet ,dr4 ,prie/ley adds t ! g5]al      
b5evol5ce ( ! ,deity is unque/ionable4  
,h[ unque/ionable8 ,x is que/ion$ by !  
au?or himself1 & he decl>es he _c prove 
x4 ,aft] ?is he asks1 :o w pret5d to    
dictate to su* a ,be+8 ,he might 9 !    
same /ile conclude t no objection des]v$
 a reply4 ,! :ole ( ?is is absurd2 b :5 
! ,doctor beg9s to feel en?usiasm he is 
l ! re/ ( ! ecclesia/ical argu]s4 ,!y   
reason !mselves into imag9>y ,be+s ) m  
imag9>y prop]ties & !n fall d[n & wor%ip
 !m4 ,god is said to h made man 9 !     

image ( himself4 ,if he has done s1 man 
is up ) him1 = he 9 return makes ,god 9 
8 own image4 ,mu* z ! imag9ation ( "o   
man diff]s f ano!r1 s diff]s ! ,god (   
ea* devotee4 ,!y are all idolat]s or    
an?ropomorphites to a man2 !re is none b
 an a!i/ t is n ! "o or ! o!r4  ,!      
admission ( evil into ! _w is an argum5t
 s exce$+ly conclusive aga9/ at lea/ a  
good ,deity1 t x is curi\s to see h[    
,dr4 ,prie/ley /udies to get rid ( t    
difficulty4 ,he p>tly d5ies ! fact1 at  
lea/ he says !re is m good ?an evil 9 ! 
_w4 ,at la/ he ev5 turns evil into good1
 or :at ought to be ! effects ( "o1 into
 :at ought to be ! effects ( ! o!r1 z he
 says pa9 is necess>y = happ9ess4 ,b if 
pa9 is1 z he says1 9 ?is _w necess>y =  
happ9ess1 :y w x n /ill be necess>y     
h]eaft]8 ,he answ]s1 because by t "t we 
%all h exp]i5c$ pa9 en\gh = a future    
supply ( happ9ess4 ,if x is object$1 :y 
h we n _h pa9 en\gh by ! "t ea* ( u are 
tw5ty or ?irty ye>s ( age1 in/ead (     
wait+ 'till our dea?s at s _m diff]5t   

ages8 ,he c only f9i% 8 argum5t by all[+
 t ! ways ( ,god are inscrutable to man1
 t e ?+ is = ! be/ & ref] u to ,c&ide = 
! re/ ( 8 philosophy2 nor w he ev]      
resolve ! "q1 if evil & pa9 are good &  
necess>y n[1 :y w !y n always be s8     
,take a view ( human exi/5ce1 & :o c ev5
 all[1 t !re is m happ9ess ?an mis]y 9 !
 _w8 ,dr4 ,prie/ley ?9ks to give ! turn 
( ! scale to happ9ess1 by mak+ x dep5d  
intirely ^u heal?1 not)/&+ he says 9    
ano!r place t human s5sations are a mass
 collect$ f ! pa/1 pres5t & future1 & z 
a man gr[s up ! pres5t goes on to be> a 
less proportion to ! o!r two4 ,x w\ld   
inde$ be a %ort b lame way ( prov+ t    
happ9ess is ! design ( ! creation       
because heal? is design$1 & sickness is 
only an exception1 n a g5]al rule4 ,_m a
 heal?y man has c]ta9ly be5 unhappy1 or 
else _h a man bett] /udy heal? ?an      
virtue4 ,if ! mill-wright make a poor   
ma*9e he is a poor workman2 ,god 9 l    
mann] design+ heal? & introduc+ sickness
 is b a poor physician4 ,9 ano!r place  

,dr4 ,prie/ley hav+ consid]$1 t he _h   
ass]t$ t human s5sations arise f ideas (
 ! pa/ & future z well z ! pres5t1 f9ds 
himself oblig$ to alt] 8 notions (      
happ9ess1 s f> z to say t happ9ess is m 
intellectual ?an corporeal4 ,b x is r   
extraord9>y to ass]t at ! same "t1 t    
happ9ess is ! necess>y consequ5ce (     
heal?1 & t happ9ess is m f intellectual 
?an corporeal feel+s4 ,surely heal?1 if 
any ?+1 is corporeal4 ,ano!r curi\s     
fancy ab\t pa9 & happ9ess is1 t our     
f9ite nature n admitt+ inf9ite or       
unlimit$ happ9ess we mu/ leave x to !   
wisdom ( ! ,deity to det]m9e :i* is be/ 
= u 7s9ce happ9ess mu/ be dim9i%$7 a    
little pa9 to be add$ to x or some:at ( 
happ9ess to be tak5 away4 ,x h>dly      
requires ! skill ( a b5evol5t ,deity to 
det]m9e :i* is be/ = ! creatures he has 
made 7& :om he wi%es to be z happy z _! 
f9ite nature w admit7 to less5 _! degree
 ( happ9ess or mix !re9 a proportion (  
mis]y4 ,to conclude he asks1 h[ x is    
possible to tea* *ildr5 caution1 b by   

feel+ pa98 ,x is easy to all[ 9 answ]1 t
 x might n p]haps be possible 9 u4 ,b he
 is argu+ ab\t ! b5evol5ce ( a ,deity4  
,x 0 possible1 he w all[1 9 him to h    
giv5 ^! *ildr5 k )\t pa91 at lea/ if he 
cont9ues to him ! attribute he all[s (  
omnipot5ce4  ,next he obs]ves t p>5ts   
susp5d at times _! b5efits to _! (fspr+1
 :5 p]suad$ !y are n = _! good2 s does !
 ,deity4 ,b be=e ?is argum5t holds he   
mu/ !re=e say1 x is n = ! good ( man to 
be made happy n[1 & t ! ,deity c be     
inf9itely b5evol5t )\t will+ ei!r       
inf9ite or univ]sal happ9ess4 ,take !   
argum5t any way1 x mu/ g aga9/ 8        
b5evol5ce or 8 p[]2 & ! same obs]vations
 hold z to 8 love ( ju/ice1 :il/ he is s
 t>dy 9 puni%+ (f5d]s4  ,aft] obs]v+ t  
?+s are 9 an improv+ /ate1 ,dr4         
,prie/ley all[s1 t ! moral gov]nm5t ( ! 
univ]se is n p]fect4 ,f !nce he proce$s 
to ass]t1 t a!i/s may believe x )9 !    
c\rse ( nature1 t m5 z moral ag5ts may  
aft] dea? be re-produc$1 & !re=e t !re  
may be a future /ate ?\gh !re be no     

,god1 because he reasons x may be 9 !   
c\rse ( nature4 ,?is all[s t ! c\rse (  
nature may be z x is )\t a ,god1 & t !re
 is !re=e no natural pro( ( a ,deity4 ,8
 f>!r argum5t on ?is head is1 t ?+s     
usually happ5 9 a /ate ( nature t are   
prop]4 ,a future /ate is prop]4 7,to    
c>ry on ! suppos$ /ate ( melioration &  
complete ! moral gov]nm5t ( ! univ]se47 
,x is !re=e probable4 ,?is is an argum5t
 p]haps m ( wi% ?an probability1 b let x
 h su* =ce z belongs to x4 ,x is n ! wi%
 ( ! answ]] by support+ a!ism to give   
enc\ragem5t to immorality1 b %\ld he    
unw>ily or ) weak m9ds d s1 ! argum5t ( 
! ,deity's exi/5ce is indep5d5t ( su*   
consid]ations4 ,x 7 bett] to seek ano!r 
support = morality ?an a belief 9 ,god2 
= ! moral purpose 9 believ+ a ,deity 7an
 invisible ,be+1 mak] ( all1 our moral  
gov]nor1 :o w h]eaft] take cognizance ( 
our conduct17 is n a little *eck$ by    
consid]+1 t he leaves ! pro( ( 8 v      
exi/5ce s ambigu\s1 t ev5 m5 ) a habit (
 piety ^u !m _c b h _! d\bts1 :il/ on   

?is exi/5ce s mu* ( ! moral purpose     
dep5ds4 ,if ?is is n an argum5t aga9/ ! 
morality ( a ,deity1 x is at all ev5ts  
"o aga9/ 8 inf9ite morality ?\gh moral  
is an attribute to be giv5 to him 9 !   
inf9ite degree z mu* z any o!r4  ,x is  
said1 inf9ite intellig5ce mu/ h procur$ 
a necess>y fitness ( ?+s1 & t ?is =ms   
morality4 ,8 w c\ld n be biass$ by o!r  
influ5ce2 !re=e he mu/ h will$ morality1
 because necess>ily fit4 ,!n comes      
inf9ite p[]1 & yet no morality 9 ! _w or
 a v small portion ( x4 ,we _c to any   
purpose1 d :at we w1 argue aga9/        
exp]i5ce4 ,t x mu/ be1 yet t x is n4    
,:at mu/ be1 w be4 ,if x is n1 !re is no
 mu/ 9 ! case4  ,x is next said1 t      
virtue gives a bett] *ance = happ9ess   
?an vice4 ,?is also is b a weak argum5t 
= ! moral gov]nm5t ( ! univ]se1 unless x
 be = a moral gov]nm5t by *ance4 ,virtue
 ought to be ! c]ta9 & imm$iate p>5t (  
happ9ess1 if a moral gov]nor exi/$ ) an 
uncontr\l$ dom9ion4 ,if virtue t5ds to  
happ9ess1 or has only a bett] *ance (   

do+ s1 x is all[$1 t a s5sible a!i/ %\ld
 hold x "r to be virtu\s4 ,! latt] end (
 a righte\s man is c]ta9ly m likely to  
be happy ?an t ( an unrighte\s "o4 ,b   
let an a!i/ be righte\s1 & he c be z    
c]ta9 ( happ9ess 9 8 latt] end z any    
o!r4 ,let ano!r life be desirable1 z x  
c]ta9ly is1 8 d\bts ^u x w n prev5t x4  
,:o c\ld wi% an end bett] or m happy ?an
 t ( ,mr4 ,hume1 :o mo/ indubitably 0 an
 a!i/4 ,b if an a!i/ be n s good z a    
,!i/1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley p]haps1 w all[ him 
to be bett] ?an a sceptic1 z any        
pr9ciples = sy/ematis+ nature are bett] 
?an none at all4 ,a ,!i/ is n )\t 8     
d\bts z well z ! sceptic2 an a!i/1 once 
firmly becom+ s1 w nev] d\bt m2 = we may
 v5ture to say no miracles or new       
appe>ances w pres5t !mselves to him to  
draw 8 belief aside4  ,/ill e ?+ is z   
,god int5d$ x--s ass]ts ,dr4 ,prie/ley2 
& !re=e x _c by him be d5i$ t crimes &  
vices1 are ( 8 int5tion4 ,! ,!i/        
exclaims 9 triumph1 ,he t made ! eye1   
mu/ he n see8 ,b :o made ! eye8 ,or     

grant t ,god made ! eye1 :i* c only see 
9 ! light1 mu/ he necess>ily see 9 !    
d>k8 ,x is aga9 ass]t$1 ! p[] :i* =m$ an
 eye _h some?+ 9 view z c]ta9ly z he t  
con/ruct$ a telescope4 ,if any ,be+ =m$ 
any eye1 grant x4 ,b if ! eye exi/s     
necess>ily z a "p ( nature2 z mu* z any 
o!r matt]1 or comb9ation ( matt]1       
necess>ily exi/$1 ! result ( ! argum5t  
is intirely diff]5t4  ,x is f> f be+ a  
necess>y "p ( ! a!i/'s cre$ to exclude  
design f ! univ]se4 ,he places t design 
9 ! en]gy ( nature1 :i* ,dr4 ,prie/ley  
gives to "s o!r extrane\s ,be+4 ,x is r 
inconsi/5t also 9 him to say1 t an a!i/ 
rightly judg+ ( 8 own situation ^u 8 own
 pr9ciples1 ought n to hold himself q   
secure f a future /ate ( responsibility 
& exi/5ces1 & yet to say he mu/ 9 8 own 
ideas hold himself soon to be exclud$ = 
ev] f life4  ,z to ! immutability ( !   
,deity1 x is difficult to guess h[ t is 
prov$1 except by ! argum5t ( ,lucus a   
non luc5do1 because e ?+ is *ang+ "h2   
!re=e ! ,deity nev] *anges2 :i* is nei!r

 an argum5t a priori nor po/]iore1 b sui
 g5]is1 m]ely applicable to ! ,deity4   
,f ! imp]ial inf9ite intellig5ce ( !    
,deity an argum5t is =m$ ( 8 unity4 ,dr4
 ,prie/ley says1 t two inf9ite          
intellig5t ,be+s w\ld co9cide1 & !re=e t
 !re c only be "o su* ,be+4 ,two        
p>allels w nev] co9cide4 ,t is "o ( !   
fir/ axioms ( ,euclid1 9 :om ,dr4       
,prie/ley believes z mu* z 9 8 bible4   
,if ! ,be+s are inf9ite 9 ext5t &       
magnitude !y mu/ c]ta9ly co9cide1 b if  
!y are only inf9ite 9 intellig5ce1 x    
does n seem to be necess>y t !y %\ld4   
,! ubiquity ( ,god is prov$ 9 ?is %ort  
way3 ,god made e ?+1 ,god contr\ls e ?+4
 ,no p[] c act b :]e x is4 ,!re=e ,god  
is pres5t e :]e4 ,! workman mu/ c]ta9ly 
be pres5t at 8 "w1 b :5 ! "w is done he 
may g ab\t o!r bus9ess4 ,if all !       
prop]ties ( matt]1 su* z gravity1       
ela/icity & o!r su* exi/$ only by !     
p]petual leave & ag5cy ( ! ,deity1 x may
 be argu$ he is 9 all places :]e matt]  
is4 ,space1 empty space w /ill exi/ )\t 

him4 ,9 ?is mode ( pro( ,dr4 ,prie/ley  
mu/1 contr>y to ! ,newtonian sy/em argue
 = a ,pl5um1 be=e he proves ! ubiquity4 
,he _c exclude space f 8 m9d1 nor c he  
exclude gravity f matt]4 ,yet c he admit
 matt] z well z space to be et]nal1     
because he w n all[ ! inactivity ( ,god4
 ,if ,god's works _h a beg9n+ he mu/ h  
be5 = a :ole et]nity inactive4 ,he seems
 to h an odd notion ( et]nity1 = he !re 
all[s x c\ld h an end4 ,! argum5t w\ld  
be fair] 9 conclud+ he mu/ h be5        
inactive or do+ some?+ else4  ,! ,deity 
set up1 if n ! creator ( matt]1 is at   
lea/ ! matt] ( x1 nor w 8 advocates by  
any means all[ him to be mat]ial        
himself4 ,!y see "s incongruity 9       
admitt+ "o piece ( matt] to be s        
complete a ma/] ( ano!r4 ,h[ev] ,dr4    
,prie/ley & o!r argu]s = a ,deity w\ld d
 well to consid]1 t :atev] is n matt]1  
is a space t matt] may occupy4 ,!re=e if
 ,god is n matt]1 & also is n space1 he 
is no?+4 ,dr4 ,prie/ley all[s matt]     
et]nal1 & its prop]ties ( gravity1      

ela/icity1 electricity & o!rs equally   
et]nal4 ,he says directly1 t matt] _c   
exi/ )\t x's p]petually correspond+     
p[]s4 ,! adju/m5t ( ^? p[]s he places 9 
! ,deity4 ,b z we nev] see matt] )\t !  
adju/m5t ( ^? prop]ties z well z !      
exi/5ce ( !m1 ?is drives him at la/ to  
say1 ! ,deity mu/ also h creat$ matt]1  
accord+ to 8 sy/em et]nally creat$ x1   
cotempor>ily ) himself4 ,ideas absurd & 
irreconcileable6  ,disc\rs+ ^u !        
hypo!sis ( a =tuit\s conc\rse ( atoms   
,dr4 ,prie/ley asks1 :at reason we h to 
?9k t small masses ( matt] c h p[] )\t  
communication ab extra8 ,let ?is "q be  
return$1 h we n reason to ?9k s f       
attraction ! mo/ common prop]ty 9 matt]4
 ,to get rid ( ?is difficulty he w n    
all[ an atom ( matt] to be possess$     
orig9ally ( ! mo/ simple p[]s1 ?\gh he  
is ready to all[ matt] to h be5 et]nal4 
,a magnet accord+ to ?is sy/em mu/      
sometime h exi/$ )\t its magnetic p[]4  
,he concludes !re mu/ be "s orig9al     
exi/5t ,be+4 ,he %all be all[$ _m       

orig9al exi/5t ,be+s if x pleases him4  
,a man may be an orig9ally exi/5t be+1 z
 well z any o!r4 ,he is sup]ior to o!r  
animals 9 ?is _w4 ,9 l mann] !re may be 
all[$ sup]ior ,be+s to man 7z mo/       
probably !re are7 & yet ^? sup]ior ,be+s
 n h made man4  ,dr4 ,prie/ley w h x1 t 
all bodies are mov$ by ext]nal =ce4 ,t  
does n seem q necess>y4 ,motion may z   
well be ass]t$ to be orig9ally a prop]ty
 ( matt]1 or its true natural /ate & re/
 a deprivation ( t prop]ty1 z t re/ %\ld
 be its natural /ate4 ,hume ?\ght s &   
,hume 0 no great fool1 not)/&+ ,dr4     
,prie/ley makes s light ( him4 ,9 fact  
matt] nev] is1 & !re=e mo/ probably nev]
 0 f\nd to be 9 a /ate ( re/4 ,nor has  
,dr4 ,prie/ley any reason to suppose    
gravity1 ela/icity & electricity to h   
be5 impre/ on bodies by a sup]ior ,be+1 
& n orig9ally inh]5t 9 matt]1 unless to 
fav\r 8 own hypo!sis ( a ,deity4 ,he    
absolutely says matt] c\ld n h _h ^?    
p[]s )\t a communication f a sup]ior &  
intellig5t ,be+4 ,if matt] is p]ceiv$ 9 

regulat$ motion1 x is add$ bluntly1 t x 
mu/ be by a mov] possess$ ( a compet5t  
intellig5ce1 & t a ,be+ !re=e ( su* p[] 
& intellig5ce mu/ exi/4 ,:oev] f9ds no  
difficulty 9 believ+ ! contr>y w f9d z  
little difficulty 9 ,mr4 ,hume's        
hypo!sis1 t motion might z well z o!r   
p[]s & prop]ties h be5 orig9ally inh]5t 
9 matt]1 or at lea/ h be5 a necess>y    
result ( "s matt] act+ ^u ano!r4  ,x has
 always be5 a d\bt ) ,!i/s1 :e!r !y c   
bett] prove _! ,god's exi/5ce by moral  
or physical consid]ations4 ,dr4         
,prie/ley seems to ?9k ! =te ( ! argum5t
 lies 9 ! latt] pro(1 & lays p>ticul>   
/ress ^u 8 obs]vation respect+ cause &  
effect1 :i* !re=e _c "h be s readily    
dismiss$4 ,he makes great ref]5ce to !  
works ( art4 ,!i/s are always = turn+ _!
 ,god into an ov]gr[n man4              
,an?ropomorphites has long be5 a t]m    
appli$ to !m4 ,!y give him h&s & eyes   
nor c !y conceive him o!rwise ?an z a   
corporeal ,be+4 ,9 :i*1 z be=e has be5  
said1 !y are v "r1 = !re c only be 9 !  

_w body & ! space :i* bodies occupy4 ,b 
grant+ ?is great workman to h done s    
mu*1 is x n q an incontrov]tible        
proposition1 t :oev] fir/ made a ?+1 z1 
= example1 a *air or a table1 mu/ h _h  
an adequate idea ( x's nature & use4    
,dr4 ,prie/ley speaks m correctly 9     
ano!r "p1 by say+1 he mu/ h be5 capable 
( compreh5d+ x4 ,! nature & use ( ?+s   
are (t5 f\nd out aft] !y are made & by  
diff]5t p]sons ?an ! mak]s ( !m4 ,nei!r 
is !re any analogy betwe5 ! works ( art1
 z a table or h\se1 & ( nature1 z a man 
or tree4 ,!re=e !re c be no argu+ f "o  
to ano!r by analogy4 ,hume obs]ves t !  
=m] works are done by reason & design1 &
 ! latt] by g5]ation & vegetation1 &    
!re=e argu+ f effect to causes1 x is    
probable1 t ! univ]se is g5]at$ or      
vegetat$4 ,at lea/ aft] all !           
obs]vations ab\t a table1 x may be      
mode/ly ask$1 :e!r !re is n "s diff]5ce 
betwe5 a table & ! _w8 ,! ,doctor w also
 f9d "s difficulty 9 expla9+ ! propriety
 ( any argum5t ( analogy betwe5 m5 &    

metals1 :i* he does n at o!r times      
scruple to make8  ,a gratis ass]tion is 
fir/ made1 t all ?+s we see are effects2
 !n because we see "o ?+ caus$1 e ?+ mu/
 h be5 caus$4 ,8 conclusion ( ! argum5t 
is /ill m curi\s1 because e ?+ 0 caus$  
!re mu/ h be5 some?+ t 0 n caus$4 ,!    
cause ought to be proportion$ to !      
effect4 ,! effect is n inf9ite4 ,:y !n  
attribute inf9ity to ! cause8 ,?is is   
,hume's argum5t4 ,prie/ley calls x      
%ortly unwor?y ( a philosoph]4 ,let o!rs
 judge6 ,b surely1 ) all ?is inf9ity x  
may be ask$1 :y may n !re h be5 an      
inf9ity ( causes8  ,ano!r argum5t is1 t 
be+ unable to acc\nt1 = :at is1 by any  
?+ visible1 we mu/ h rec\rse to some?+  
invisible1 & t invisible p[] is :at he  
calls ,god4 ,apply ?is argum5t to       
gravity1 & ! ext]nal =ce t is said to   
cause e /one to fall is ,god4 ,b if no?+
 visible c to u acc\nt = ! op]ations (  
nature1 :y mu/ we h rec\rse to :at is   
invisible8 ,:y necess>y to acc\nt at all
 = !m8 ,or :y may n visible ?+s acc\nt =

 !m1 al?\gh ?is p]son or ano!r _c tell  
:i*8  ,if no?+ c beg9 to exi/ ( itself  
or by ! en]gy ( mat]ial nature1 x is m  
consi/5t to all[ a plurality ( ,deities1
 ?an "o imm$iate ,deity4 ,an equality 9 
a plurality ( ,deities might be         
objectionable4 ,b t is n at all         
necess>y1 r ! contr>y2 & s 0 ! ,pagan   
!ory1 :i* is n s absurd z ! mod]n "o4   
,?is univ]se or mundane sy/em may be !  
"w ( "o h&1 ano!r ( ano!r1 & s on4 ,:]e 
is ! absurdity ( t8 ,if ! univ]se is    
appli$ to ! sol> sy/em1 !re is an       
appe>ance ( its be+ =m$ by "o design1 & 
9 t /ile x might be said to be ! "w ( "o
 h&4 ,b ?is ,deity is ass]t$ to be      
inf9ite1 & to h made all o!r worlds &   
univ]ses1 ?\gh x does n appe> by any    
unity ( design t all o!r worlds &       
univ]ses are "o "w ) ?is4  ,dr4         
,prie/ley himself all[s t reason w\ld   
drive u to require a cause ( ! ,deity4  
,he is himself oblig$ to conclude1 aft] 
all 8 reason+1 t we mu/ acquiesce 9 our 
inability ( hav+ any idea on ! subject2 

t is1 h[ ,god c\ld exi/ )\t a prior     
cause4 ,at ! same "t he says ! ,deity _c
 h a cause1 & !re=e we _c reason ab\t   
him4 ,:y !n all 8 own reason+8 ,we make 
a ,deity ourselves1 fall d[n & wor%ip   
him4 ,x is ! molt5 calf ov] aga94       
,idolatry is /ill practis$4 ,! only     
diff]5ce is t n[ we wor%ip idols ( our  
imag9ation2 be=e ( our h&s4 ,/ill we mu/
 necess>ily re/ at a ,be+ t is inf9ite2 
t is1 :5 our reason drives u to !       
admission ( an inf9ite cause we mu/     
necess>ily /op f9itely 9 our c>e]4 ,n   
cont5t ) ?is conclusion he adds1 t we _c
 help p]ceiv+ ! exi/5ce ( ?is cause1    
?\gh he owns t x is n an object ( our   
conceptions4 ,b ev5 ! ,!i/'s argum5t    
does n necess>ily drive u to ! admission
 ( an inf9ite cause4 ,! argum5t is1     
because !re is a man1 & man has         
intellig5ce1 we mu/ necess>ily admit ( a
 ,be+ ( inf9itely sup]ior intellig5ce4  
,w\ld x n be ne>ly z well to argue1     
because !re is a goose1 !re=e !re mu/ be
 a man4  ,:at is !re m :i* h9d]s a s]ies

 ( f9ite causes to be c>ri$ back ad     
inf9itum1 ?an t ! reason] or            
contemplator ( ! c\rse ( nature is tir$4
 ,if ?is et]nal s]ies c\ld n exi/1 a    
,deity might ) "s propriety be said to  
foll[4 ,put ! argum5t into a syslogi/ic 
=m4  ,! univ]se %ews design2  ,x is     
absurd to suppose an inf9ite succession 
( f9ite causes2  ,!re=e !re is an       
uncaus$ intellig5t cause ( ?is univ]se4 
,d5y ! second ass]tion & ! problem is   
de/roy$4 ,s f> f its be+ difficult to   
suppose an et]nity1 x is ! mo/ difficult
 ?+ 9 ! _w to suppose any ?+ b an       
et]nity4 ,a m9d1 n afraid to ?9k1 w f9d 
x ! mo/ easy contemplation 9 ! _w to    
dwell ^u4 ,x is at lea/ a bold ass]tion1
 t no?+ c be m evid5t ?an t plants &    
animals c\ld n h proce$$ f ea* o!r by   
succession f all et]nity4 ,surely to ?is
 may be answ]$1 t x is m evid5t t two & 
two make f\r4 ,b ,dr4 ,prie/ley goes on 
to say1 t ! prim>y cause ( a man _c be a
 man1 any m ?an ! cause ( a s\nd c be a 
s\nd4 ,exp]i5ce %ews u all s\nd is an   

effect ( a cause4 ,does exp]i5ce %ew u m
 ( a man ?an t he came f a man & a      
woman8 ,to all[ !re=e t all m5 mu/ h    
come f a man & a woman is z f> z we c   
argue ^u ! subject1 :il/ 9 reason+ we   
tru/ to exp]i5ce4 ,an argum5t is well   
built ^u simil>ity1 !re=e x is probable 
if "o horse _h a cause all horses _h4 ,b
 w n ! argum5t be m consonant to itself1
 9 suppos+ all horses _h ! same cause1 &
 z "o is se5 to be g5]at$ f a horse & a 
m>e s all 7 f all et]nity4 ,x 7 a bett] 
argum5t 9 fav\r ( a ,deity or "s        
invisible ag5t to %ew t a new animal    
came e n[ & !n into life1 )\t any body's
 kn[+ h[ or :]e4  ,x is all[$ by        
,prie/ley & all o!r reason]s1 t ! mo/   
capital argum5t t c be =m$ 9 support (  
any !sis is to be built ^u exp]i5ce1 or 
analogy to exp]i5ce4 ,yet w _m ( ^!     
reason]s1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley at lea/ = "o1  
cont5d at ! same "t = ! probability ( a 
future life1 :5 no in/ance c be giv5 (  
any revival :atsoev]4 ,! same w cont5d1 
t _! ,deity c at pleasure =m new species

 ( animals1 ?\gh 9 fact we nev] d see   
new be+s come into exi/5ce4 ,we ought   
only to argue f exp]i5ce2 & exp]i5ce    
w\ld tea* u1 t ! species ( all animals  
has et]nally exi/$4 ,grant t we d n "k1 
:e!r man has be5 et]nal1 or f a "t1 is x
 !re=e because we d n "k1 t we mu/ say  
he came f ,god8 ,t unkn[n ,be+1 z he is 
sometimes pomp\sly & ridicul\sly call$6 
,! ,devil is equally an unkn[n ,be+4 ,! 
admission ( evil "u a good ,deity op5s a
 ready door to ! mani*ean sy/em1 :i*    
seems mu* m rational ?an simple ,deism4 
,! foll[+ *a9 ( reason+1 z us$ by ,dr4  
,prie/ley1 is well l9k$ toge!r to prove 
! weight & =ce ( exp]i5ce 9 reason+1 b x
 proves no?+ m4 ,*airs & tables are made
 by m5 or be+s ( simil> p[]s1 because we
 see !m made by m52 & we _c suppose !m  
made by a tree or come into be+ (       
!mselves1 because t is aga9/ exp]i5ce4  
,no "o w say "o table might make ano!r1 
or t "o man might make ano!r4 ,we see   
no?+ come into be+ )\t an adequate      
cause4 ,yet = ?is adequate cause we are 

at ! same "t ref]r$ to a belief 9 a     
causeless secret invisible ag5t1 & to   
our own exp]i5ce1 = a pro( ( 8 nature4  
,dr4 ,prie/ley all[s1 t :at is visible 9
 man may be ! feat ( all 8 p[]s1 = x is 
7z he says17 a rule 9 philosophy n to   
multiply causes )\t necessity4 ,b he    
affirms t :at is visible 9 ! univ]se _c 
be ! feat ( intellig5ce4 ,?is is break+ 
! v rule ( reason+ :i* he himself has   
*os5 to adopt2 & he gives no o!r reason 
= x1 ?an because we d n see ! univ]se   
?9k z we d man4 ,s5sible ( ?is dilemma1 
soon aft]w>ds he incl9es to all[        
pr9ciple ( ?\ght to ! univ]se1 = he     
adds1 t if we all[ x1 yet ! univ]se has 
s mu* ! appe>ance ( o!r works ( design t
 we mu/ look out = its au?or z mu* z t (
 a man2 & x is all[$ t mo/ probably x _h
 ! same au?or4  ,e difficulty vani%es ) 
! en]gy ( nature1 or at lea/ is z well  
acc\nt$ = z f an indep5d5t ,deity4 ,x is
 an usual "q to ^? philosoph]s1 :o      
ma9ta9 t ! pres5t exi/5ce ( ?+s is !    
result ( ! =ce & en]gy ( nature act+ ^u 

h]self1 :y ?is =ce does n p]petually    
op]ate & produce new appe>ances8        
,besides t ?is "q may be retort$ ^u !   
support]s ( a ,deity1 ,i am ?or\ghly    
p]suad$1 t ?is =ce is con/antly 9       
action1 & t e *ange :i* animals &       
vegetables und]go1 :e!r ( dissolution or
 r5ovation1 is a manife/ & und5iable    
pro( ( x4 ,man1 & ! o!r ,be+s :i* occupy
 ?is t]re/rial globe1 are evid5tly suit$
 to its pres5t /ate1 & an alt]ation 9 _!
 habitation1 su* z t ( extreme or       
excessive heat1 w\ld inevitably de/roy  
!m4 ,?is is s c]ta91 t bones ( animals h
 be5 dug up :i* app]ta9 to no species n[
 exi/+1 & :i* mu/ h p]i%$ f an alt]ation
 9 ! sy/em ( ?+s tak+ place too         
consid]able = x to endure4 ,:5ev] !     
globe %all come to t temp]am5t fit = !  
life ( t lo/ species1 :atev] en]gy 9    
nature produc$ x orig9ally1 if ev5 x _h 
a beg9n+1 w mo/ probably be suffici5t to
 produce x aga94 ,is n ! rep>ation (    
vegitable life ! spr+ equally wond]ful  
n[ z its fir/ production8 ,yet ?is is a 

pla9 effect ( ! influ5ce ( ! sun1 ^:    
abs5ce w\ld occasion dea? by a p]petual 
w9t]4 ,s f> ?is "q f conta9+1 9 my      
op9ion1 a =midable difficulty to !      
,epicurean sy/em1 ,i _c help judg+ !    
cont9ual mutability ( ?+s z an          
irrefragable pro( ( ?is et]nal en]gy (  
nature4 ,^? :o ask1 :y ! great *anges 9 
! /ate ( ?+s are n m frequ5t1 w\ld      
absurdly require !m to ensue )9 ! %ort  
space ( _! exi/5ce1 =gett+ t millions ( 
ages are ( no importance to ! :ole mass 
( matt]1 ?\gh ,be+s ( "s p>ticul> =ms   
may f9d a wi% & an advantage to prolong 
! t]m ( _! duration "u t =m4  ,if x is  
said1 ,nature or ! en]gy ( nature is    
ano!r "n = ! ,deity1 !n may ,dr4        
,prie/ley & 8 answ]] %ake h&s2 ! "o is  
no m an a!i/ ?an ! o!r4 ,& if x is      
obs]v$ t ! ,en]gy ( ,nature hav+ produc$
 m5 may be capable ( re-produc+ !m1 s t 
an a!i/ is n sure to escape puni%m5t = 8
 crimes1 x is easy to say 9 return1     
nei!r is a ,dei/ sure4 ,a good a!i/ has 
no m reason to be afraid to be          

re-produc$ ?an a good ,dei/ or a        
,*ri/ian4 ,x may be useful = bo? ( !m to
 be good4 ,if necess>y let x aga9 be    
repeat$1 t x is n at all meant 9 ?is    
answ] to make a!ism a plea or protection
 = immorality4 ,t is a *>ge long & mo/  
unju/ly put ^u ! poor undef5d$ a!i/4 ,! 
k ( a ,god & ev5 ! belief ( a provid5ce 
are f\nd b too slight a b>ri] aga9/     
human passions1 :i* are apt to fly out z
 lic5ti\sly z !y w\ld o!rwise h done4   
,all1 :i* ?is cre$ c 9 reality produce1 
sc>ce goes beyond "s ext]ior ex]cises1  
:i* are va9ly ?\ght to reconcile man to 
,god4 ,x may make m5 build temples1     
sacrifice victims1 (f] up pray]s1 or    
p]=m some?+ ( ! l nature2 b nev] break a
 crim9al intrigue1 re/ore an ill gott5  
weal?1 or mortify ! lu/ ( man4 ,lu/ be+ 
! s\rce ( e crime1 x is evid5t 7s9ce x  
reigns z mu* among idolat]s &           
an?ropomorphites1 z among a!i/s7        
idolat]s & an?ropomorphites mu/ be z    
susceptible ( all ( crimes z a!i/s1 &   
nei!r ! "o set nor ! o!r c\ld =m        

societies1 did n a curb1 /rong] !n t (  
religion1 namely human laws1 repress _! 
p]v]s5ess4 ,if no o!r rem$y 7 appli$ to 
vice ?an ! remon/rances ( div9es1 a     
great city su* z ,london1 w\ld 9 a      
=tnight's "t1 fall into ! mo/ horrid    
disord]s4 ,:atev] may be ! diff]5ce (   
fai?1 vice pr$om9ates alike ) ! ,*ri/ian
 & ! ,jew1 ) ! ,dei/ & ! a!i/4 ,s l are 
!y 9 _! actions1 t "o w\ld ?9k !y copi$ 
"o ano!r4 ,religion may make m5 foll[   
c]emonies2 little is ! inconv5i5ce f\nd 
9 !m4 ,a great triumph truly = religion 
to make m5 baptise or fa/8 ,:5 did x    
make m5 d virtu\s actions = virtue's    
sake1 or practise few] inv5tions to get 
ri*1 :]e ri*es c\ld n be acquir$ )\t    
pov]ty to o!rs8 ,! true pr9ciple mo/    
commonly se5 9 human actions1 & :i*     
philosophy w cure soon] ?an religion1 is
 ! natural incl9ation ( man = pleasure1 
or a ta/e contract$ = c]ta9 objects by  
prejudice & habit4 ,^! prevail 9        
:atsoev] fai? a man is educat$1 or )    
:atev] k he may /ore 8 m9d4  ,b x w be  

said1 ^? :o commit crimes are a!i/s at !
 "t at lea/ !y d s4 ,b an a!i/ _c be    
sup]/iti\s1 & crim9als are (t5 s at ! v 
mom5t ( _! crimes4 ,religi\s p]suasion  
m5 are n d\bt$ to h :5 !y v5t _! rage ^u
 o!rs ( a diff]5t way ( ?9k+1 :5 !y     
express a dread ( dang] or a zeal =     
c]emonies4 ,^! at lea/ are n virtues2 & 
few inde$ mu/ be ^?1 :o at any "t are   
really ,!i/s1 if _! fai? is lo/ or      
=gott5 e "t !y h a m9d to indulge a     
viti\s passion4 ,to support /ill !      
efficacy ( religion 9 mak+ m5 virtu\s is
 to oppose metaphysical reason+ to !    
tru? ( fact2 x is l ! philosoph] d5y+   
motion1 & be+ refut$ by "o ( 8 s*ol>s   
walk+ across ! room4 ,if !n x is true1 z
 hi/ory & ! :ole c\rse ( human life %ew 
x is1 t m5 c /ill plunge !mselves into  
all sorts ( crimes1 ?\gh !y are p]suad$ 
( ! tru? ( religion1 :i* is made to in=m
 !m t ,god puni%es s9 & rew>ds good     
actions1 x _c b be suspect$ t religion  
ev5 enc\rages crimes1 by ! hopes x gives
 ( p>don ?r\gh ! efficacy ( pray]2 at   

all ev5ts x mu/ be grant$1 t ^? :o hold 
up a belief 9 ,god z a suffici5t pro( & 
"* ( a good life are mo/ egregi\sly     
mi/ak54  ,"s ,!i/s may h light] s5se (  
p]sonal dignity ?an "s a!i/s4 ,if ! ,!i/
 ?9ks himself alli$ to & connect$ ) !   
,deity he may plume himself ^u 8 /ation2
 b h[ apt are ^? wor%ip]s ( a ,god1     
in/ead ( hav+ a high s5se ( p]sonal     
dignity1 to debase !mselves into ! mo/  
abject be+s1 dread+ ev5 ! %ad[ ( _! own 
phantom4 ,an a!i/ feel+ himself to be a 
l9k 9 ! gr& *a9 ( ,nature1 feels 8      
relative importance & dreads no imag9>y 
,be+4 ,an a!i/1 :o is s f inatt5tion &  
)\t intellig5ce1 may inde$ feel himself 
z mu* debas$ z ! meane/ & mo/ humble    
,!i/4  ,ano!r argum5t aga9/ a!i/s is1 t 
:]e m5 are a!i/s x is g5]ally f\nd t _! 
usual turn ( ?9k+ & habits ( life h     
incl9$ to make !m s4 ,is n ?is to be    
turn$ ^u ,!i/s8 ,b grant+ t ! idea ( a  
supreme au?or is m pleas+1 & t ! argum5t
 ) respect to ! exi/5ce or non-exi/5ce (
 a ,god 0 9 equilibrio1 x is n !re=e "r 

to conclude t ! m9d ought to be det]m9$ 
by ?is or any o!r bias4 ,nor is x q cle>
 if !re is no ,god 7by :i* t]m let x    
aga9 be notic$1 is meant a ,be+ (       
supreme intellig5ce1 ! contriv] ( !     
mat]ial univ]se & yet no "p ( ! mat]ial 
sy/em7 t ! _w 9 :i* man inhabits is ei!r
 fa!rless or des]t$4 ,! wisdom ( nature 
supplies 9 reality :at is only hop$ = f 
! protection ( ! ,deity4 ,if ! _w has s 
good a "m1 a fa!r may well be sp>$      
especially su* a haughty jeal\s1 &      
v9dictive "o z ,god is mo/ g5]ally      
repres5t$ to be4 ,dr4 ,prie/ley be+ cle>
 9 8 op9ion2 t ! be+ ( a ,god is capable
 ( be+ prov$ by reason1 is n s weak z "s
 ( 8 fell[-lab\r]s1 :o hold ! p[]s (    
reason 9 s l[ e/imation z to be         
incapable ( !mselves to arrive at almo/ 
any tru?4 ,he mu/ h[ev] all[1 if reason 
proves a ,deity & 8 attributes !re 0    
less use ( revelation to prove !m4 ,b ! 
le>n$ advocates ( a ,deity diff] greatly
 among !mselves1 :e!r 8 exi/5ce is      
capable ( be+ asc]ta9$ by fixt pr9ciples

 ( reason4 ,aft] su* a diff]5ce & !     
in/ance ( s _m great m5 9 all ages1 f   
,democritus d[nw>d1 :o h confid5tly d5i$
 ! be+ ( a ,god1 ^: argum5ts ! le>n$    
,dr4 ,cudwor?1 9 ! la/ c5tury1 only by  
fully & fairly /at+1 ) all ! answ]s 9 8 
p[] to give 7?\gh 8 zeal 9 religion 0   
nev] d\bt$7 0 ?\ght by o!r div9es to h  
giv5 a weight to a!ism n well to be     
ov]turn$1 x is surpris+ t x %\ld be !   
common belief ( ?is day1 t an argum5t 9 
support ( a!ism _c /& a mom5t1 & t ev5  
no man 9 8 s5ses c ev] hold su* a       
doctr9e4 ,all t ,epicurus & ,lucretius h
 s greatly & conv9c+ly said is swept    
away 9 a mom5t by ^! bett] reason]s1 :o 
yet scruple n to decl>e1 ) ,dr4         
,prie/ley1 t :at !y reason ab\t is n !  
subject ( human und]/&+4 ,b let x be    
ask$1 is x n absurd to reason ) a man   
ab\t t ( :i* t same man ass]ts we h no  
idea at all8 ,yet w ,dr4 ,prie/ley      
argue1 & say x is ( no importance1 :e!r 
! p]son ) :om he argues has a conception
 or n ( ! subject4 ,hav+ no ideas       

includes no impossibility1 !re=e he goes
 on ) 8 c>e] ( words to argue ab\t an   
unse5 be+ ) ano!r :om he w all[ to h no 
idea ( ! subject & yet x %all be ( no   
avail 9 ! dispute1 :e!r he has or no1 or
 :e!r he is capable or incapable ( hav+ 
any4 ,reason fail+1 ! passions are call$
 ^u1 & ! imag9$ ,god is repres5t$ at "o 
"t1 ) all ! t]rors ( a rev5geful tyrant1
 at ano!r ) all ! t5d]ness ( an         
affectionate p>5t4 ,%all !n su* a       
trem5d\s ,be+ ) su* a c>e = ! creatures 
he has made1 suff] 8 own exi/5ce to be a
 p]petual d\bt8 ,if ! c\rse ( nature    
does n give suffici5t pro(1 :y does n ! 
h& div9e %ew itself by an extraord9>y   
int]position ( p[]8 ,x is all[$ miracles
 ought n to be *eap or pl5ty4 ,"o or two
 at lea/ e ?\s& ye>s might be admitt$4  
,b ?is is a p]petual /&+ miracle1 t su* 
a ,be+ z ! depict$ ,god1 ! au?or (      
nature & all its works1 %\ld exi/ & yet 
8 exi/5ce be p]petually 9 d\bt1 or      
require a ,jesus1 a ,mahomet or a       
,prie/ley to reveal x4 ,is n ! writ+ (  

?is v answ] to ! la/ ( ^? ?ree great    
lum9>ies ( religion a pro(1 t no ,god1  
or no su* ,god at lea/1 exi/s4 ,he> !   
admirable words ( ! au?or ( ,! ,sy/em ( 
,nature2 ,comm5t p]met il qu'un mortel  
comme moi ose attaqu] ses droits1 ses   
titres1 son exi/5ce meme8  ,dr4 ,cl>ke1 
,mr4 ,hume & ,helvetius1 are writ]s ^:  
argum5ts = & aga9/ a ,godhead ,dr4      
,prie/ley has mu* not$4 ,! =m] says1 !  
,deity mu/ h be5 inf9ite1 if            
self-exi/5t1 because all ?+s 9 ! univ]se
 are made by him4 ,are all ?+s 9 !      
univ]se inf9ite8 ,:y an inf9ite mak] ( a
 f9ite "w8 ,x is ju/] to argue1 t :atev]
 is self-exi/5t mu/ h be5 et]nal4 ,nor  
is !re any great objection to ! conv]se 
( ! proposition prop]ly tak51 t :atev]  
is n self-exi/5t mu/ h be5 creat$ &     
!re=e _c h be5 et]nal4 ,if ?is is fair  
argu+1 matt] _c accord+ to ,dr4         
,prie/ley's sy/em h be5 creat$ & be     
et]nal also4 ,b ,dr4 ,prie/ley has no   
incl9ation to reconcile 8 op9ions ) ^? (
 ,dr4 ,cl>ke4 ,he has *os5 a fair]      

me?od1 & t is1 to refute ! argum5ts (   
=m] ass]t]s ( a ,deity z well z to      
e/abli% 8 own4 ,dr4 ,cl>ke he mo/       
effectually exposes :]e he ent]s ^u !   
subject ( space4 ,x seems z if ,dr4     
,cl>ke1 hav+ ass]t$ t ! ,deity          
necess>ily exi/$1 _h a m9d t no?+ else  
%\ld necess>ily exi/ b ! ,deity2 &      
consci\s t space at lea/ also necess>ily
 exi/$1 he makes univ]sal space an      
attribute ( ! ,deity4 ,) ?is rev]ie 9 8 
head he raises a syllogism ( complete   
nons5se 7vide ,prie/ley's ,lett]s1 ,p4  
#agj47 :]e he supposes space to be no?+ 
?\gh he also supposes x to be an        
attribute ( ! ,deity4 ,mak+ x !re=e an  
attribute ( ! ,deity & kn[+ t space is  
et]nal & unmeasurable he takes ^u       
himself !reby also cle>ly to h prov$ t !
 ,deity is s4 ,exclude ! ,deity1 space w
 /ill exi/ & /ill be et]nal & imm5se4   
,dr4 ,prie/ley knew well t ,dr4 ,cl>ke's
 argum5t 9 ?is respect 0 all a fallacy1 
& !re=e he %ews 8 s5se 9 n adopt+ x4 ,x 
is 9 fact an abuse ( t]ms unwor?y ( a   

sci5tific reason]4  ,! only argum5t     
attempt$ by ,dr4 ,cl>ke1 :y ! ,deity mu/
 h _h no cause1 is1 because x is        
necess>y he %\ld h none4 ,dr4 ,cl>ke    
says r\ndly t necessity is ! cause ( !  
exi/5ce ( ! ,deity4 ,?is is v ne> !     
language ( ! anci5ts1 :o held t ,fate   
contr\l$ ! ,gods4 ,necessity is !re=e ! 
fir/ ,god4 ,:y !n any o!r ,god ?an      
,necessity8 ,:at m has ,helvetius said  
?an t8  ,x is an old & unansw]able      
argum5t t1 grant+ a ,god & 8 p[]        
inf9ite1 :atev] he wills is execut$2 b  
man & o!r animals are unhappy1 !re=e he 
does n w !y %\ld be happy4 ,or take !   
argum5t ! o!r way & x w equally conclude
 aga9/ 8 p[]4 ,) reg>d to ,mr4 ,hume's  
fam\s obs]vations ^u ! evid5ce (        
miracles1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley ?9ks to make a 
%ort havock ( !m by obs]v+ t new1 &     
!re=e miracul\s appe>ances1 are         
cont9ually pres5t+ !mselves2 b al?\gh   
su* new appe>ances may be in/anc$1 !y   
are n contr>y to =m] exp]i5ce1 only 9   
addition to x4 ,) ?is allusion to       

,natural ,philosophy1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley    
?9ks himself 9 "o %ort s5t5ce to h      
discuss$ all ,mr4 ,hume's obs]vations ^u
 miracles4 ,:i* is m likely1 t ! relat] 
( a miracle %\ld h li$ or be5 deceiv$1  
or t ! ?+ relat$ %\ld h exi/$ contr>y to
 exp]i5ce prior & subsequ5t8 ,let ! =ce 
( ?is obs]vation be consid]$ & believe 9
 ! hi/ory ( miracles :o c6 ,to give a   
f9i%+ /roke to poor ,mr4 ,hume1 ,dr4    
,prie/ley obs]ves t lit]>y fame 0       
,hume's only motive & consolation1 z he 
said himself1 9 all 8 labori\s enquiries
 & enlight5$ writ+s4 ,at ?is he         
exclaims1 ,:at gloomy prospect & poor   
com=t he mu/ h _h at 8 dea?6 ,if s1 h[  
mu* 0 he ! great] man s well to h gone  
?r\gh t la/ sc5e6  ,! hon\r :i* ,dr4    
,prie/ley gives to ,helvetius1 ! au?or (
 t +5i\s & satisfactory "w intitl$ ,!   
,sy/em ( ,nature1 does cr$it to 8 own   
c&\r4 ,he applauds him = speak+ out1 he 
ought !re=e to applaud ?is answ] = !    
same reason4 ,x is true he seems to h   
discov]$ "o incongruity 9 ! reason+ (   

,helvetius4 ,! words he imputes to him  
are1 t nature has no object1 because    
nature acts necess>ily2 man has an      
object2 yet man also acts necess>ily4 ,9
 ! same way nature might h an object    
?\gh x act$ necess>ily4 ,b ,helvetius   
adds1 t ! object :i* man has is a       
necess>y object4 ,! be/ def5ce (        
,helvetius 7n 9 behalf ( t passage1 b ( 
8 g5]al sy/em7 is to let him speak at   
l>ge = himself2 & ! foll[+ quotation    
,dr4 ,prie/ley & ! read] may accept z a 
specim5 ( ! /r5g? & ju/ice ( 8 argum5t1 
& z ! conclusion ( ?is answ]4           
,!ologians tell u1 t ! disord] & evil1  
:i* is se5 9 ! _w1 is n absolute & real1
 b relatively & app>5tly su*1 & does n  
disprove ! div9e wisdom & goodness4 ,b  
may n "o reply1 t ! goodness & wond]ful 
ord] :i* !y s mu* extol1 & on :i* !y    
f\nd _! notions ( ^? qualities 9 ,god1  
are 9 a simil> way only relative &      
app>5t4 ,if x be only our co-exi/5ce ) !
 causes :i* surr\nd u1 & our mann] (    
p]ceiv+ !m1 t con/itute ! ord] ( nature 

= u1 & au?orise u to attribute wisdom & 
goodness to ! mak] ( :at surr\nd u1 %\ld
 n also our mode ( exi/5ce & p]ception  
au?orise u to call :at is hurtful to u  
disord]1 & to attribute impot5ce1       
ignorance1 or malice1 to t ,be+ :i* we  
w\ld suppose to actuate nature4  ,"s    
pret5d t ! supremely wise ,god c d]ive  
goodness & happ9ess to u f ! mid/ ( ^?  
ills :i* he p]mits u to und]go 9 ?is _w4
 ,are ^! m5 privy c\nsellors ( !        
,div9ity1 or on :at d !y f\nd _!        
romantic hopes8 ,!y w d\btless say1 t !y
 judge ( ,god's conduct by analogy1 & t 
f ! pres5t appe>ance ( 8 wisdom &       
goodness1 !y h a "r to inf] 8 future    
wisdom & goodness4 ,b d n ! pres5t      
appe>ances ( 8 want ( wisdom or goodness
 ju/ify u 9 conclud+1 t he w always want
 !m8 ,if !y are s (t5 manife/ly defici5t
 9 ?is _w1 :at c assure u t !y w ab\nd m
 9 ! next8 ,?is k9d ( language !re=e    
re/s ^u no o!r basis ?an a prejudic$    
imag9ation1 & signifies1 t "s m51 hav+  
)\t exam9ation1 adopt$ an op9ion t ,god 

is good1 _c admit t he w cons5t to let 8
 creatures rema9 con/antly unhappy4 ,yet
 ?is gr& hypo!sis1 ( ! unalt]able       
felicity ( mank9d h]eaft]1 is           
insuffici5t to ju/ify ! ,div9ity 9      
p]mitt+ ! pres5t sleet+ & transitory    
m>ks ( inju/ice & disord]4 ,if ,god c h 
be5 unju/ = a mom5t1 he has d]ogat$1    
dur+ t mom5t at lea/1 f 8 div9e         
p]fection1 & is n un*angeably good2 8   
ju/ice !n is liable to tempor>y         
alt]ation1 &1 if ?is be ! case1 :o c    
give security = 8 ju/ice & goodness     
cont9u+ unalt]able 9 a future life1 !   
notion ( :i* is set up only to exculpate
 8 deviation f ^? qualities 9 ?is8  ,9  
spite ( ! exp]i5ce1 :i* e in/ant gives !
 lie to t b5efic5ce :i* m5 suppose 9    
,god1 !y cont9ue to call him good4 ,:5  
we bewail ! mis]able victims ( ^?       
disord]s & calamities t s (t5 ov]:elm   
our species1 we are confid5tly told t ^!
 ills are b app>5t1 & t if our          
%ort-sight$ m9d c\ld fa?om ! dep?s (    
div9e wisdom1 we %\ld always behold !   

greate/ bless+s result f :at we d5om9ate
 evil4 ,h[ despicable is s frivol\s an  
answ]6 ,if we c f9d no good b 9 su* ?+s 
z affect u 9 a mann] :i* is agreeable & 
pleas+ to our actual exi/5ce1 we %all be
 oblig$ to confess t ^? ?+s :i* affect  
u1 ev5 b = a "t1 9 a pa9ful mann]1 are z
 c]ta9ly evil to u4 ,to v9dicate ,god's 
visit+ mank9d ) ^! evils "s tell u1 t he
 is j1 & t !y are *a/isem5ts inflict$ on
 mank9d to puni% ! wrongs he has receiv$
 f m54 ,?us a feeble mortal has ! p[] to
 irritate & injure ! almighty & et]nal  
,be+ :o creat$ ?is _w4 ,to (f5d any "o  
is1 to afflict him1 to dim9i% 9 "s      
degree 8 happ9ess1 to make him feel a   
pa9ful s5sation4 ,h[ c man possibly     
di/urb ! felicity ( ! all-p[]ful        
sov]eign ( nature6 ,h[ c a frail        
creature1 :o has receiv$ f ,god 8 be+ & 
8 temp]1 act aga9/ ! incl9ations ( an   
irresi/able =ce :i* nev] cons5ts to s9 &
 disord]8 ,besides ju/ice1 accord+ to ! 
only ideas :i* we c h ( x1 supposes a   
fixt desire to r5d] e "o 8 due4 ,b      

!ologians con/antly prea* t ,god owes u 
no?+1 t ! good ?+s he af=ds are !       
volunt>y effects ( 8 b5efic5ce1 & t )\t 
any viol5ce ( 8 equity he c dispose ( 8 
creatures z 8 *oice or caprice may impel
 him4 ,9 ?is doctr9e ,i see n ! smalle/ 
%ad[ ( ju/ice1 b ! mo/ hide\s tyranny & 
%ock+ abuse ( p[]4 ,9 fact d we n see   
virtue & innoc5ce plung$ into an abyss (
 mis]y1 :ile wick$ness re>s its         
triumphant head "u ! empire ( ?is ,god  
^: ju/ice is s mu* extall$8 ,?is mis]y1 
say y1 is b = a "t4 ,v well1 ,sirs1 b   
y\r ,god is unju/ = a "t4 ,he *a/ises   
:om he loves 7y w say7 = _! own b5efit4 
,b if he is p]fectly good1 :y w he let  
!m suff] at all8 ,he does x1 p]haps to  
try !m ,b1 if he kn[s all ?+s1 :at      
occasion is !re = him to try any8 ,if he
 is omnipot5t1 :y ne$ he vex himself    
ab\t ! va9 design any "o may =m aga9/   
him8 ,omnipot5ce ought to be exempt f   
any su* passions1 z hav+ nei!r equals   
nor rivals4 ,b if ?is ,god is jeal\s ( 8
 glory1 8 titles & pr]ogative1 :y does  

he p]mit su* numb]s ( m5 to (f5d him8   
,:y are any f\nd d>+ en\gh to refuse !  
inc5se :i* 8 pride expects8 ,:y am ,i a 
feeble mortal p]mitt$ to attack 8       
titles1 8 attributes1 & ev5 8 exi/5ce8  
,is ?is p]mission ( puni%m5t on me = !  
abuse ( 8 grace & fav\r8 ,he %\ld nev] h
 p]mitt$ me to abuse !m4 ,or ! grace he 
be/[$ %\ld h be5 efficaci\s & h direct$ 
my /eps accord+ to 8 lik+4 ,b1 say y1 he
 makes man free4 ,alas8 :y did he pres5t
 him ) a gift ( :i* he mu/ h =ese5 !    
abuse8 ,is ?is faculty ( free ag5cy1 :i*
 enables me to resi/ 8 p[]1 to corrupt &
 rob him ( 8 wor%ipp]s1 & 9 f9e to br+  
et]nal mis]y on myself1 a pres5t wor?y (
 8 inf9ite goodness8 ,9 consequ5ce ( !  
pret5d$ abuse ( ?is fatal pres5t1 :i* an
 omnisci5t & good ,god ought n to h     
be/[$ on ,be+s capable ( abus+ x1       
ev]la/+1 inexpressible torm5ts are      
res]v$ = ! transitory crimes ( a ,be+   
made liable to commit !m4 ,w\ld t fa!r  
be call$ good1 reasonable1 j & k9d1 :o  
put a %>p-edg$ & dang]\s knife into ! h&

 ( a playful1 & imprud5t *ild1 :om he   
be=e knew to be imprud5t1 & puni%$ him  
dur+ ! rema9d] ( 8 life = cutt+ himself 
) x8 ,w\ld t pr9ce be call$ j & m]ciful1
 :o1 n reg>d+ any proportion betwe5 !   
(f5ce & ! puni%m5t1 %\ld p]petually     
ex]cise 8 p[] ( v5geance1 ov] "o ( 8    
subjects :o1 be+ drunk1 _h ra%ly (f5d$  
aga9/ 8 vanity1 )\t caus+ any real h>m  
to him1 especially1 :5 ! pr9ce _h tak5  
pa9s to make him drunk8 ,%\ld we consid]
 z almighty a mon>*1 ^: dom9ions 7 9 su*
 confusion & disord]1 t1 except a small 
numb] ob$i5t s]vants1 all 8 subjects 7 e
 in/ant despis+ 8 laws1 defeat+ 8 w &   
insult+ 8 p]son8 ,let ecclesia/ics !n   
ackn[l$ge1 t _! ,god is an assemblage ( 
incompatible qualities1 z               
incompreh5sible to _! und]/&+ z to m9e4 
,no3 !y say1 9 reply to ^! difficulties1
 t wisdom & ju/ice 9 ,god1 are qualities
 s mu* above or s unlike ^? qualities 9 
u1 t !y be> no relation or aff9ity t[>ds
 human wisdom & ju/ice4 ,b1 pray h[ am  
,i to =m to myself an idea ( ! div9e    

p]fection1 unless x has "s resemblance  
to ^? virtues :i* ,i obs]ve 9 my fell[  
creatures & feel 9 myself8 ,if ! ju/ice 
( ,god is n ! same ) human ju/ice1 :y   
la/ly d any m5 pret5d to ann\nce x1     
compreh5d & expla9 x to o!rs8           
,,po/script4   ,previ\s to ?is          
publication ! editor s5t ! foll[+ ,lett]
 to ,dr4 ,prie/ley4   ,rev]5d ,sir1  ,_h
 y ?\ght x impossible = man to hold     
diff]5t s5tim5ts respect+ ,natural      
religion & ! pro( ( ! exi/5ce ( a ,god  
?an y d1 ! ,lett]s to a ,philosophical  
,unbeliev] w\ld n h appe>$1 mu* less    
w\ld y h invit$ an answ] by promis+ a   
reply to e objection4 ,diff]+ f y 9     
s5tim5t ,i am ! man :o ent] ) y 9 !     
li/s2 b ,i f9d myself ^u consultation ) 
my fri5ds "u m difficulties ?an y 71 & m
 to /& 9 ne$ ( c\rage 9 tak+ up ! glove1
 ?an y ne$$ to h 9 ?r[+ x d[n4 ,= ?is   
dispute is n l o!rs 9 philosophy1 :]e ! 
vanqui%$ c only dread ridicule1 contempt
 & disappo9tm5t2 "h1 :e!r victor or     
vanqui%$1 y\r oppon5t has to dread1     

beside ecclesia/ical c5sure1 ! sc\rges1 
*a9s & pillories ( ! c\rts ( ,law4  ,i  
accuse y n ( lay+ a trap = an ungu>d$   
au?or1 b ,i ask y\r fri5dly op9ion1 :e!r
 ,i c1 ) temporal safety at lea/1 ma9ta9
 ! contr>y ( y\r argum5ts 9 pro( ( a    
,deity & 8 attributes4 ,if ,i _c1 no    
wond] ! ,!i/ cries ,victoria6 b !n x is 
a little ung5]\s to ask = objections4 ,(
 y1 ,i may c]ta9ly expect1 t y w promise
 to use y\r influ5ce1 z well ) lawy]s z 
ecclesia/ics1 n to /ir up a p]secution  
aga9/ a poor a!i/ 9 case !re %\ld be "o 
f\nd 9 ! k+dom1 :i* p 9 g5]al w n admit 
to be possible2 or1 if a p]secution c\ld
 ensue1 t y & y\r fri5ds1 fav\r]s ( free
 enquiry1 w at lea/ be> ! exp5ces ( x4  
,i am1      ,rev]5d ,sir1      ,y\r mo/ 
humble ob$i5t s]vant1      ,,william    
,,hammon4  ,oct4 #bc4 #agha4  ,to !     
,rev]5d ,dr4 ,prie/ley4   ,to ?is lett] 
,dr4 ,prie/ley s5t no answ]2 or no answ]
 ev] came to h&4   ,,! ,,end4