It was never more applicable than to
the present subject. If the material world rests upon a similar
ideal world, this ideal world must rest upon some other; and so on
without end. It were better, therefore, never to look beyond the
present material world. By supposing it to contain the principle of
its order within itself, we really assert it to be God; and the
sooner we arrive at that Divine Being, so much the better. When you
go one step beyond the mundane system you only excite an
inquisitive humour, which it is impossible ever to satisfy.
"To say, that the different ideas which compose the reason of the
Supreme Being, fall into order of themselves and by their own
natures, is really to talk without any precise meaning. If it has a
meaning, I would fain know why it is not as good sense to say,
that the parts of the material world fall into order of themselves,
and by their own nature. Can the one opinion be intelligible while
the other is not so?"--(II. pp. 461-4.)
Cleanthes, in replying to Philo's discourse, says that it is very easy
to answer his arguments; but, as not unfrequently happens with
controversialists, he mistakes a reply for an answer, when he declares
that--
"The order and arrangement of nature, the curious adjustment of
final causes, the plain use and intention of every part and organ;
all these bespeak in the clearest language one intelligent cause or
author.
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