CHAP. XXIV - OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY

Summary

It is an immenfe conclufion, that there is a God; a perceiving, intelligent, defigning Being; at the head of creation, and from whofe will it proceeded. The attributes of fuch a Being, fuppofe his reality to be proved, muft be adequate to the magnitude, extent, and multiplicity of his operations: which are not only vaft beyond comparifon with thofe performed by any other power, but, fo far as refpects our conceptions of them, infinite, becaufe they are unlimited on all fides.

Yet the contemplation of a nature fo exalted, however furely we arrive at the proof of its exiftence, overwhelms our faculties. The mind feels its power fink under the fubject. One confequence of which is, that from painful abftraction the thoughts feek relief in fenfible images. From whence may be deduced the antient, and almoft univerfal, propenfity to idolatrous fubftitutions. They are the refources of a labouring imagination. Falfe religions ufually fall in with the natural propenfity: true religions, or fuch as have derived themfelves from the true, refift it.

It is one of the advantages of the revelations which we acknowledge, that, whilft they reject idolatry with its many pernicious accompaniments, they introduce the Deity to human apprehenfion, under an idea more perfonal, more determinate, more within its compafs, than the theology of nature can do.