PREFACE
THESEtwoEssaysonSuicideandtheImmortalityoftheSoul，thoughnotpublishedinanyeditionofhisworks，aregenerallyattributedtothelateingeniousMr。Hume。
Thewell-knowncontemptofthiseminentphilosopherforthecommonconvictionsofmankind，raisedanapprehensionofthecontentsfromtheverytitleofthesepieces。Butthecelebrityoftheauthor’sname，rendersthem，notwithstanding，insomedegreeobjectsofgreatcuriosity。
Owingtothiscircumstance，afewcopieshavebeenclandestinelycirculated，atalargeprice，forsometime，butwithoutanycomment。Theverymysteryattendingthismodeofsellingthem，madethemmoreanobjectofrequestthantheywouldotherwisehavebeen。{iv}
Thepresentpublicationcomesabroadundernosuchrestraint，andpossessesverysuperioradvantages。TheNotesannexedareintendedtoexposethesophistrycontainedintheoriginalEssays，andmayshewhowlittlewehavetofearfromtheadversariesofthesegreattruths，fromthepitifulfigurewhichevenMr。Humemakesinthusviolentlyexhaustinghislaststrengthinanabortiveattempttotraduceordiscreditthem。
ThetwoverymatterlyLettersfromtheEloisaofRosseauonthesubjectofSuicide，havebeenmuchcelebrated，andwehopewillbeconsideredasmateriallyincreasingthevalueofthiscuriouscollection。
TheadmirersofMr。Humewillbepleasedwithseeingtheremainsofafavouriteauthorrescuedinthismannerfromthatobliviontowhichtheprejudicesofhiscountrymenhad，inallappearance，consignedthem；andeventhereligiouspartofmankindhavesomereasonoftriumphfromthestrikinginstanceheregivenoftruth’ssuperioritytoerror，evenwhenerrorhasalltheadvantageofanelegantgenius，andagreatliteraryreputationtorecommendit。
{1}
ESSAYI。
ONSUICIDE。
ONEconsiderableadvantagethatarisesfromPhilosophy，consistsinthesovereignantidotewhichitaffordstosuperstitionandfalsereligion。Allotherremediesagainstthatpestilentdistemperarevain，oratleastuncertain。
Plaingoodsenseandthepracticeoftheworld，whichaloneservemostpurposesoflife，areherefoundineffectual：
Historyaswellasdailyexperiencefurnishinstancesofmenendowedwiththe{2}strongestcapacityforbusinessandaffairs，whohavealltheirlivescrouchedunderslaverytothegrossestsuperstition。Evengaietyandsweetnessoftemper，whichinfuseabalmintoeveryotherwound，affordnoremedytosovirulentapoison；aswemayparticularlyobserveofthefairsex，whotho’commonlypossestoftheirrichpresentsofnature，feelmanyoftheirjoysblastedbythisimportunateintruder。ButwhenfoundPhilosophyhasoncegainedpossessionofthemind，superstitioniseffectuallyexcluded，andonemayfairlyaffirmthathertriumphoverthisenemyismorecompletethanovermostofthevicesandimperfectionsincidenttohumannature。Loveoranger，ambitionoravarice，havetheirrootinthetemperandaffection，whichthesoundestreasonisscarceeverablefullytocorrect，butsuperstitionbeingfoundedonfalseopinion，mustimmediatelyvanishwhentruephilosophyhasinspiredjustersentimentsofsuperiorpowers。
Thecontestisheremoreequalbetweenthedistemperandthemedicine，{3}andnothingcanhinderthelatterfromprovingeffectualbutitsbeingfalseandsophisticated。
ITwillherebesuperfluoustomagnifythemeritsofPhilosophybydisplayingthepernicioustendencyofthatviceofwhichitcuresthehumanmind。（[editor’snote]1）ThesuperstitiousmansaysTully2ismiserableineveryscene，ineveryincidentinlife；evensleepitself，whichbanishesallothercaresofunhappymortals，affordstohimmatterofnewterror；whileheexamineshisdreams，andfindsinthosevisionsofthenightprognosticationsoffuturecalamities。Imayaddthattho’deathalonecanputafullperiodtohismisery，hedaresnotflytothisrefuge，butstillprolongsamiserableexistencefromavainfearleftheoffendhisMaker，byusingthepower，withwhichthatbeneficentbeinghasendowedhim。ThepresentsofGodandnatureareravishedfromusbythis{4}cruelenemy，andnotwithstandingthatonestepwouldremoveusfromtheregionsofpainandsorrow，hermenacesstillchainusdowntoahatedbeingwhichsheherselfchieflycontributestorendermiserable。
’TISobservedbysuchashavebeenreducedbythecalamitiesoflifetothenecessityofemployingthisfatalremedy，thatiftheunseasonablecareoftheirfriendsdeprivethemofthatspeciesofDeathwhichtheyproposedtothemselves，theyseldomventureuponanyother，orcansummonupsomuchresolutionasecondtimeastoexecutetheirpurpose。Sogreatisourhorrorofdeath，thatwhenitpresentsitselfunderanyform，besidesthattowhichamanhasendeavouredtoreconcilehisimagination，itacquiresnewterrorsandovercomeshisfeeblecourage：Butwhenthemenacesofsuperstitionarejoinedtothisnaturaltimidity，nowonderitquitedeprivesmenofallpowerovertheirlives，sinceevenmanypleasuresandenjoyments，{5}towhichwearecarriedbyastrongpropensity，aretornfromusbythisinhumantyrant。Letushereendeavourtorestorementotheirnativeliberty，byexaminingallthecommonargumentsagainstSuicide，andshewingthatthatactionmaybefreefromeveryimputationofguiltorblame，accordingtothesentimentsofalltheantientphilosophers。
（[editor’snote]2）
IFSuicidebecriminal，itmustbeatransgressionofourdutyeithertoGod，ourneighbour，orourselves。——ToprovethatsuicideisnotransgressionofourdutytoGod，thefollowingconsiderationsmayperhapssuffice。Inordertogovernthematerialworld，thealmightyCreatorhasestablishedgeneralandimmutablelaws，bywhichallbodies，fromthegreatestplanettothesmallestparticleofmatter，aremaintainedintheirpropersphereandfunction。Togoverntheanimalworld，hehasendowedalllivingcreatureswithbodilyandmentalpowers；withsenses，passions，{6}appetites，memory，andjudgement，bywhichtheyareimpelledorregulatedinthatcourseoflifetowhichtheyaredestined。Thesetwodistinctprinciplesofthematerialandanimalworld，continuallyencroachuponeachother，andmutuallyretardorforwardeachothersoperation。Thepowersofmenandofallotheranimalsarerestrainedanddirectedbythenatureandqualitiesofthesurroundingbodies，andthemodificationsandactionsofthesebodiesareincessantlyalteredbytheoperationofallanimals。Manisstoptbyriversinhispassageoverthesurfaceoftheearth；
andrivers，whenproperlydirected，lendtheirforcetothemotionofmachines，whichservetotheuseofman。Buttho’theprovincesofthematerialandanimalpowersarenotkeptentirelyseparate，thereresultsfromthencenodiscordordisorderinthecreation；onthecontrary，fromthemixture，union，andcontrastofallthevariouspowersofinanimatebodiesandlivingcreatures，arisesthatsympathy，harmony，{7}andproportion，whichaffordsthesurestargumentofsupremewisdom。TheprovidenceoftheDeityappearsnotimmediatelyinanyoperation，butgovernseverythingbythosegeneralandimmutablelaws，whichhavebeenestablishedfromthebeginningoftime。Allevents，inonesense，maybepronouncedtheactionoftheAlmighty，theyallproceedfromthosepowerswithwhichhehasendowedhiscreatures。Ahousewhichfallsbyitsownweight，isnotbroughttoruinbyhisprovidence，morethanonedestroyedbythehandsofmen；norarethehumanfacultieslesshisworkmanship，thanthelawsofmotionandgravitation。Whenthepassionsplay，whenthejudgmentdictates，whenthelimbsobey；thisisalltheoperationofGod，andupontheseanimateprinciples，aswellasupontheinanimate，hasheestablishedthegovernmentoftheuniverse。Everyeventisalikeimportantintheeyesofthatinfinitebeing，whotakesinatoneglancethemostdistantregionsofspace，and{8}remotestperiodsoftime。Thereisnoevent，howeverimportanttous，whichhehasexemptedfromthegenerallawsthatgoverntheuniverse，orwhichhehaspeculiarlyreservedforhisownimmediateactionandoperation。Therevolutionofstatesandempiresdependsuponthesmallestcapriceorpassionofsinglemen；andthelivesofmenareshortenedorextendedbythesmallestaccidentofairordies，sunshineortempest。
Naturestillcontinuesherprogressandoperation；andifgenerallawsbeeverbrokebyparticularvolitionsoftheDeity，’tisafteramannerwhichentirelyescapeshumanobservation。
Asontheonehand，theelementsandotherinanimatepartsofthecreationcarryontheiractionwithoutregardtotheparticularinterestandsituationofmen；somenareentrustedtotheirownjudgmentanddiscretioninthevariousshocksofmatter，andmayemployeveryfacultywithwhichtheyareendowed，inordertoprovidefortheirease，happiness，or{9}preservation。Whatisthemeaningthenofthatprinciple，thatamanwhotiredoflife，andhuntedbypainandmisery，bravelyovercomesallthenaturalterrorsofdeath，andmakeshisescapefromthiscruelscene：
thatsuchamanIsay，hasincurredtheindignationofhisCreatorbyencroachingontheofficeofdivineprovidence，anddisturbingtheorderoftheuniverse？ShallweassertthattheAlmightyhasreservedtohimselfinanypeculiarmannerthedisposalofthelivesofmen，andhasnotsubmittedthatevent，incommonwithothers，tothegenerallawsbywhichtheuniverseisgoverned？Thisisplainlyfalse；thelivesofmendependuponthesamelawsasthelivesofallotheranimals；andthesearesubjectedtothegenerallawsofmatterandmotion。Thefallofatower，ortheinfusionofapoison，willdestroyamanequallywiththemeanestcreature；aninundationsweepsawayeverythingwithoutdistinctionthatcomeswithinthereachofitsfury。Sincethereforethelivesofmen{10}areforeverdependantonthegenerallawsofmatterandmotion，isaman’sdisposingofhislifecriminal，becauseineverycaseitiscriminaltoencroachupontheselaws，ordisturbtheiroperation？Butthisseemsabsurd；allanimalsareentrustedtotheirownprudenceandskillfortheirconductintheworld，andhavefullauthorityasfarastheirpowerextends，toalteralltheoperationsofnature。Withouttheexcerciseofthisauthoritytheycouldnotsubsistamoment；everyaction，everymotionofaman，innovatesontheorderofsomepartsofmatter，anddivertsfromtheirordinarycoursethegenerallawsofmotion。
Puttingtogether，therefore，theseconclusion，wefindthathumanlifedependsuponthegenerallawsofmatterandmotion，andthatitisnoencroachmentontheofficeofprovidencetodisturboralterthesegenerallaws：Hasnoteveryone，ofconsequence，thefreedisposalofhisownlife？Andmayhenotlawfullyemploythatpowerwithwhichnaturehasendowedhim？Inorder{11}todestroytheevidenceofthisconclusion，wemustshewareasonwhythisparticularcaseisexcepted；isitbecausehumanlifeisofsuchgreatimportance，that’tisapresumptionforhumanprudencetodisposeofit？Butthelifeofamanisofnogreaterimportancetotheuniversethanthatofanoyster。
Andwereitofeversogreatimportance，theorderofhumannaturehasactuallysubmittedittohumanprudence，andreducedustoanecessity，ineveryincident，ofdeterminingconcerningit。——WerethedisposalofhumanlifesomuchreservedasthepeculiarprovinceoftheAlmighty，thatitwereanencroachmentonhisright，formentodisposeoftheirownlives；itwouldbeequallycriminaltoactforthepreservationoflifeasforitsdestruction。IfIturnasideastonewhichisfallinguponmyhead，Idisturbthecourseofnature，andIinvadethepeculiarprovinceoftheAlmighty，bylengtheningoutmylifebeyondtheperiodwhichbythegenerallawsofmatterandmotionhehadassignedit。（[editor’snote]3）{12}
Ahair，afly，aninsectisabletodestroythismightybeingwhoselifeisofsuchimportance。Isitanabsurditytosupposethathumanprudencemaylawfullydisposeofwhatdependsonsuchinsignificantcauses？ItwouldbenocrimeinmetodiverttheNileorDanubefromitscourse，wereIabletoeffectsuchpurposes。Wherethenisthecrimeofturningafewouncesofbloodfromtheirnaturalchannel？
——DoyouimaginethatIrepineatProvidenceorcursemycreation，becauseIgooutoflife，andputaperiodtoabeing，which，wereittocontinue，wouldrendermemiserable？Farbesuchsentimentsfromme；Iamonlyconvincedofamatteroffact，whichyouyourselfacknowledgepossible，thathumanlifemaybeunhappy，andthatmyexistence，iffurtherprolonged，wouldbecomeineligible；butI
thankProvidence，bothforthegoodwhichIhavealreadyenjoyed，andforthepowerwithwhichIamendowedofescapingtheillthat{13}threatensme。3Toyouitbelongstorepineatprovidence，whofoolishlyimaginethatyouhavenosuchpower，andwhomuststillprolongahatedlife，tho’loadedwithpainandsickness，withshameandpoverty——Donotyouteach，thatwhenanyillbefalsme，tho’bythemaliceofmyenemies，Ioughttoberesignedtoprovidence，andthattheactionsofmenaretheoperationsoftheAlmightyasmuchastheactionsofinanimatebeings？WhenIfalluponmyownsword，therefore，IreceivemydeathequallyfromthehandsoftheDeityasifithadproceededfromalion，aprecipice，orafever。Thesubmissionwhichyourequiretoprovidence，ineverycalamitythatbefalsme，excludesnothumanskillandindustry，ifpossiblebytheirmeansIcanavoidorescapethecalamity：
AndwhymayInotemployoneremedyaswellasanother？——Ifmylifebenotmyown，itwerecriminalformetoputitindanger，as{14}wellastodisposeofit；norcouldonemandeservetheappellationofhero，whomgloryorfriendshiptransportsintothegreatestdangers，andanothermeritthereproachofwretchormisereantwhoputsaperiodtohislife，fromthesameorlikemotives。——Thereisnobeing，whichpossessesanypowerorfaculty，thatitreceivesnotfromitsCreator，noristhereanyone，whichbyeversoirregularanactioncanencroachupontheplanofhisprovidence，ordisordertheuniverse。Itsoperationsarehisworksequallywiththatchainofeventswhichitinvades，andwhicheverprincipleprevails，wemayforthatveryreasonconcludeittobemostfavouredbyhim。Beitanimate，orinanimate，rational，orirrational，’tisallacase：itspowerisstillderivedfromthesupremeCreator，andisalikecomprehendedintheorderofhisprovidence。Whenthehorrorofpainprevailsovertheloveoflife；whenavoluntaryactionanticipatestheeffectsofblindcauses，’tisonlyinconsequenceofthose{15}powersandprincipleswhichhehasimplantedinhiscreatures。Divineprovidenceisstillinviolate，andplacedfarbeyondthereachofhumaninjuries。’TisimpioussaystheoldRomansuperstition4todivertriversfromtheircourse，orinvadetheprerogativesofnature。’TisimpioussaystheFrenchsuperstitiontoinoculateforthesmall-pox，orusurpthebusinessofprovidencebyvoluntarilyproducingdistempersandmaladies。
’TisimpioussaysthemodernEuropeansuperstition，toputaperiodtoourownlife，andtherebyrebelagainstourCreator；andwhynotimpious，sayI，tobuildhouses，cultivatetheground，orfailupontheocean？Inalltheseactionsweemployourpowersofmindandbody，toproducesomeinnovationinthecourseofnature；andinnoneofthemdoweanymore。Theyareallofthemthereforeequallyinnocent，orequallycriminal。Butyouareplacedbyprovidence，likeacentinal，inaparticularstation，{16}andwhenyoudesertitwithoutbeingrecalled，youareequallyguiltyofrebellionagainstyouralmightysovereign，andhaveincurredhisdispleasure。——Iask，whydoyouconcludethatprovidencehasplacedmeinthisstation？FormypartIfindthatIowemybirthtoalongchainofcauses，ofwhichmanydependeduponvoluntaryactionsofmen。
Butprovidenceguidedallthesecauses，andnothinghappensintheuniversewithoutitsconsentandco-operation。Ifso，thenneitherdoesmydeath，howevervoluntary，happenwithoutitsconsent；
andwheneverpainorsorrowsofarovercomemypatience，astomakemetiredoflife，ImayconcludethatIamrecalledfrommystationintheclearestandmostexpressterms。’Tisprovidencesurelythathasplacedmeatthispresentinthischamber：ButmayInotleaveitwhenIthinkproper，withoutbeingliabletotheimputationofhavingdesertedmypostorstation？WhenI
shallbedead，theprinciplesof{17}whichIamcomposedwillstillperformtheirpartintheuniverse，andwillbeequallyusefulinthegrandfabrick，aswhentheycomposedthisindividualcreature。Thedifferencetothewholewillbenogreaterthanbetwixtmybeinginachamberandintheopenair。
Theonechangeisofmoreimportancetomethantheother；butnotmoresototheuniverse。
——’TISakindofblasphemytoimaginethatanycreatedbeingcandisturbtheorderoftheworld，orinvadethebusinessofProvidence！Itsupposes，thatthatbeingpossessespowersandfaculties，whichitreceivednotfromitscreator，andwhicharenotsubordinatetohisgovernmentandauthority。
Amanmaydisturbsocietynodoubt，andtherebyincurthedispleasureoftheAlmighty：Butthegovernmentoftheworldisplacedfarbeyondhisreachandviolence。AndhowdoesitappearthattheAlmightyisdispleasedwiththoseactionsthatdisturbsociety？Bytheprinciples{18}whichhehasimplantedinhumannature，andwhichinspireuswithasentimentofremorseifweourselveshavebeenguiltyofsuchactions，andwiththatofblameanddisapprobation，ifweeverobservetheminothers：——Letusnowexamine，accordingtothemethodproposed，whetherSuicidebeofthiskindofactions，andbeabreachofourdutytoourneighbourandtosociety。
AMANwhoretiresfromlifedoesnoharmtosociety：Heonlyceasestodogood；which，ifitisaninjury，isofthelowestkind。——Allourobligationstodogoodtosocietyseemtoimplysomethingreciprocal。Ireceivethebenefitsofsociety，andthereforeoughttopromoteitsinterests；
butwhenIwithdrawmyselfaltogetherfromsociety，canIbeboundanylonger？Butallowingthatourobligationstodogoodwereperpetual，theyhavecertainlysomebounds；Iamnotobligedtodoasmallgoodtosocietyattheexpenceofa{19}greatharmtomyself；whythenshouldIprolongamiserableexistence，becauseofsomefrivolousadvantagewhichthepublicmayperhapsreceivefromme？Ifuponaccountofageandinfirmities，Imaylawfullyresignanyoffice，andemploymytimealtogetherinfencingagainstthesecalamities，andalleviating，asmuchaspossible，themiseriesofmyfuturelife：whymayInotcutshortthesemiseriesatoncebyanactionwhichisnomoreprejudicialtosociety？——Butsupposethatitisnolongerinmypowertopromotetheinterestofsociety，supposethatIamaburdentoit，supposethatmylifehinderssomepersonfrombeingmuchmoreusefultosociety。Insuchcases，myresignationoflifemustnotonlybeinnocent，butlaudable。
Andmostpeoplewholieunderanytemptationtoabandonexistence，areinsomesuchsituation；thosewhohavehealth，orpower，orauthority，havecommonlybetterreasontobeinhumourwiththeworld。（[editor’snote]4）{20}
AMANisengagedinaconspiracyforthepublicinterest；isseizeduponsuspicion；isthreatenedwiththerack；
andknowsfromhisownweaknessthatthesecretwillbeextortedfromhim：Couldsuchaoneconsultthepublicinterestbetterthanbyputtingaquickperiodtoamiserablelife？
ThiswasthecaseofthefamousandbraveStroziofFlorence。——Again，supposeamalefactorisjustlycondemnedtoashamefuldeath，cananyreasonbeimagined，whyhemaynotanticipatehispunishment，andsavehimselfalltheanguishofthinkingonitsdreadfulapproaches？Heinvadesthebusinessofprovidencenomorethanthemagistratedid，whoorderedhisexecution；andhisvoluntarydeathisequallyadvantageoustosociety，byriddingitofaperniciousmember。
THATSuicidemayoftenbeconsistentwithinterestandwithourdutytoourselves，noonecanquestion，whoallowsthatage，{21}sickness，ormisfortune，mayrenderlifeaburthen，andmakeitworseeventhanannihilation。I
believethatnomaneverthrewawaylife，whileitwasworthkeeping。
Forsuchisournaturalhorrorofdeath，thatsmallmotiveswillneverbeabletoreconcileustoit；andthoughperhapsthesituationofaman’shealthorfortunedidnotseemtorequirethisremedy，wemayatleastbeassuredthatanyonewho，withoutapparentreason，hashadrecoursetoit，wascurstwithsuchanincurabledepravityorgloominessoftemperasmustpoisonallenjoyment，andrenderhimequallymiserableasifhehadbeenloadedwiththemostgrievousmisfortunes。——Ifsuicidebesupposedacrime，’tisonlycowardicecanimpelustoit。Ifitbenocrime，bothprudenceandcourageshouldengageustoridourselvesatonceofexistence，whenitbecomesaburthen。’Tistheonlywaythatwecanthenbeusefultosociety，bysettinganexample，whichifimitated，wouldpreservetoeveryonehischanceforhappinessinlife，{22}andwouldeffectuallyfreehimfromalldangerofmisery。5{23}
ESSAYII。ONTHEIMMORTALITYOFTHESOUL。
BYthemerelightofreasonitseemsdifficulttoprovetheImmortalityoftheSoul；theargumentsforitarecommonlyderivedeitherfrommetaphysicaltopics，ormoralorphysical。
Butinreality’tistheGospelandtheGospelalone，thathasbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolight。
I。METAPHYSICALtopicssupposethatthesoulisimmaterial，andthat’tisimpossible{24}forthoughttobelongtoamaterialsubstance。——（[editor’snote]1）Butjustmetaphysicsteachusthatthenotionofsubstanceiswhollyconfusedandimperfect，andthatwehavenootherideaofanysubstance，thanasanaggregateofparticularqualities，inheringinanunknownsomething。Matter，therefore，andspirit，areatbottomequallyunknown，andwecannotdeterminewhatqualitiesinhereintheoneorintheother。（[editor’snote]2）Theylikewiseteachusthatnothingcanbedecidedaprioriconcerninganycauseoreffect，andthatexperiencebeingtheonlysourceofourjudgementsofthisnature，wecannotknowfromanyotherprinciple，whethermatter，byitsstructureorarrangement，maynotbethecauseofthought。Abstractreasoningscannotdecideanyquestionoffactorexistence。——Butadmittingaspiritualsubstancetobedispersedthroughouttheuniverse，liketheetherialfireoftheStoics，andtobetheonlyinherentsubjectofthought，wehavereasontoconclude{25}fromanalogythatnatureusesitafterthemannershedoestheothersubstance，matter。Sheemploysitasakindofpasteorclay；
modifiesitintoavarietyofformsandexistences；
dissolvesafteratimeeachmodification，andfromitssubstanceerectsanewform。Asthesamematerialsubstancemaysuccessivelycomposethebodiesofallanimals，thesamespiritualsubstancemaycomposetheirminds：Theirconsciousness，orthatsystemofthoughtwhichtheyformedduringlife，maybecontinuallydissolvedbydeath。Andnothingintereststheminthenewmodification。Themostpositiveassertersofthemortalityofthesoul，neverdeniedtheimmortalityofitssubstance。Andthatanimmaterialsubstance，aswellasamaterial，mayloseitsmemoryorconsciousness，appearsinpartfromexperience，ifthesoulbeimmaterial。
——Reasoningfromthecommoncourseofnature，andwithoutsupposinganynewinterpositionofthesupremecause，whichoughtalwaystobeexcludedfromphilosophy，{26}whatisincorruptiblemustalsobeingenerable。TheSoulthereforeifimmortal，existedbeforeourbirth；andiftheformerexistencenowaysconcernedus，neitherwillthelatter。——Animalsundoubtedlyfeel，think，love，hate，will，andevenreason，tho’inamoreimperfectmannerthanmen；aretheirsoulsalsoimmaterialandimmortal？（[editor’snote]3）
II。LETusnowconsiderthemoralarguments，chieflythosederivedfromthejusticeofGod，whichissupposedtobefartherinterestedinthefartherpunishmentoftheviciousandrewardofthevirtuous。——ButtheseargumentsaregroundedonthesuppositionthatGodhasattributesbeyondwhathehasexertedinthisuniverse，withwhichaloneweareacquainted。Whencedoweinfertheexistenceoftheseattributes？——’Tisverysafeforustoaffirm，thatwhateverweknowtheDeitytohaveactuallydone，isbest；but’tisverydangeroustoaffirm，thathemustalwaysdo{27}whattousseemsbest。Inhowmanyinstanceswouldthisreasoningfailuswithregardtothepresentworld？——
Butifanypurposeofnaturebeclear，wemayaffirm，thatthewholescopeandintentionofman’screation，sofaraswecanjudgebynaturalreason，islimitedtothepresentlife。Withhowweakaconcernfromtheoriginalinherentstructureofthemindandpassions，doesheeverlookfarther？Whatcomparisoneitherforsteadinessorefficacy，betwixtsofloatinganidea，andthemostdoubtfulpersuasionofanymatteroffactthatoccursincommonlife。Thereariseindeedinsomemindssomeunaccountableterrorswithregardtofuturity；butthesewouldquicklyvanishweretheynotartificiallyfosteredbypreceptandeducation。Andthosewhofosterthem，whatistheirmotive？Onlytogainalivelihood，andtoacquirepowerandrichesinthisworld。Theirveryzealandindustrythereforeisanargumentagainstthem。{28}
WHATcruelty，whatiniquity，whatinjusticeinnature，toconfineallourconcern，aswellasallourknowledge，tothepresentlife，iftherebeanotherscenestillwaitingus，ofinfinitelygreaterconsequence？Oughtthisbarbarousdeceittobeascribedtoabeneficentandwisebeing？——Observewithwhatexactproportionthetasktobeperformedandtheperformingpowersareadjustedthroughoutallnature。Ifthereasonofmangiveshimgreatsuperiorityaboveotheranimals，hisnecessitiesareproportionablymultiplieduponhim；
hiswholetime，hiswholecapacity，activity，courage，andpassion，findsufficientemploymentinfencingagainstthemiseriesofhispresentcondition，andfrequently，nayalmostalwaysaretooslenderforthebusinessassignedthem。——Apairofshoesperhapswasneveryetwroughttothehighestdegreeofperfectionwhichthatcommodityiscapableofattaining。Yetitisnecessary，atleastveryuseful，thatthereshouldbesomepoliticiansandmoralists，{29}evensomegeometers，poets，andphilosophersamongmankind。Thepowersofmenarenomoresuperiortotheirwants，consideredmerelyinthislife，thanthoseoffoxesandharesare，comparedtotheirwantsandtotheirperiodofexistence。Theinferencefromparityofreasonisthereforeobvious。——
ONthetheoryoftheSoul’smortality，theinferiorityofwomen’scapacityiseasilyaccountedfor。Theirdomesticliferequiresnohigherfaculties，eitherofmindorbody。
Thiscircumstancevanishesandbecomesabsolutelyinsignificant，onthereligioustheory：theonesexhasanequaltasktoperformastheother；theirpowersofreasonandresolutionoughtalsotohavebeenequal，andbothoftheminfinitelygreaterthanatpresent。Aseveryeffectimpliesacause，andthatanother，tillwereachthefirstcauseofall，whichistheDeity；everythingthathappensisordainedbyhim，andnothingcanbetheobjectofhispunishmentorvengeance。——Bywhatrulearepunishments{30}andrewardsdistributed？Whatisthedivinestandardofmeritanddemerit？shallwesupposethathumansentimentshaveplaceintheDeity？Howboldthathypothesis。
Wehavenoconceptionofanyothersentiments。——Accordingtohumansentiments，sense，courage，goodmanners，industry，prudence，genius，&；c。areessentialpartsofpersonalmerits。Shallwethereforeerectanelysiumforpoetsandheroeslikethatoftheantientmythology？Whyconfineallrewardstoonespeciesofvirtue？Punishment，withoutanyproperendorpurpose，isinconsistentwithourideasofgoodnessandjustice，andnoendcanbeservedbyitafterthewholesceneisclosed。
Punishment，accordingtoourconception，shouldbearsomeproportiontotheoffence。Whytheneternalpunishmentforthetemporaryoffencesofsofrailacreatureasman？CananyoneapproveofAlexander’srage，whointendedtoextirminateawholenationbecausetheyhadseizedhisfavoritehorseBucephalus？6{31}
HEAVENandHellsupposetwodistinctspeciesofmen，thegoodandthebad；butthegreatestpartofmankindfloatbetwixtviceandvirtue。——Wereonetogoroundtheworldwithanintentionofgivingagoodsuppertotherighteous，andasounddrubbingtothewicked，hewouldfrequentlybeembarrassedinhischoice，andwouldfindthatthemeritsandthedemeritsofmostmenandwomenscarcelyamounttothevalueofeither。——Tosupposemeasuresofapprobationandblamedifferentfromthehumanconfoundseverything。
Whencedowelearnthatthereissuchathingasmoraldistinctions，butfromourownsentiments？——Whatmanwhohasnotmetwithpersonalprovocation（orwhatgood-naturedmanwhohas）couldinflictoncrimes，fromthesenseofblamealone，eventhecommon，legal，frivolouspunishments？Anddoesanythingsteelthebreastofjudgesandjuriesagainstthesentimentsofhumanitybutreflectiononnecessityandpublicinterest？{32}BytheRomanlawthosewhohadbeenguiltyofparricideandconfessedtheircrime，wereputintoasackalonewithanape，adog，andaserpent，andthrownintotheriver。Deathalonewasthepunishmentofthosewhosewhodeniedtheirguilt，howeverfullyproved。AcriminalwastriedbeforeAugustus，andcondemnedafterafullconviction，butthehumaneemperor，whenheputthelastinterrogatory，gaveitsuchaturnastoleadthewretchintoadenialofhisguilt。\"Yousurely（saidthe\"prince）didnotkillyourfather。\"7
Thislenitysuitsournaturalideasofrighteventowardsthegreatestofallcriminals，andeventhoughitpreventssoinconsiderableasufference。Nayeventhemostbigottedpriestwouldnaturallywithoutreflectionapproveofit，providedthecrimewasnotheresyorinfidelity；forasthesecrimeshurthimselfinhistemporalinterestandadvantages，perhapshemaynotbealtogetherso{33}indulgenttothem。
Thechiefsourceofmoralideasisthereflectionontheinterestofhumansociety。Oughttheseinterests，soshort，sofrivolous，tobeguardedbypunishmentseternalandinfinite？Thedamnationofonemanisaninfinitelygreaterevilintheuniverse，thanthesubversionofathousandmillionsofkingdoms。Naturehasrenderedhumaninfancypeculiarlyfrailandmortal，asitwereonpurposetorefutethenotionofaprobationarystate；thehalfofmankinddiebeforetheyarerationalcreatures。
III。THEPhysicalargumentsfromtheanalogyofnaturearestrongforthemortalityofthesoul，andarereallytheonlyphilosophicalargumentswhichoughttobeadmittedwithregardtothisquestion，orindeedanyquestionoffact。——Whereanytwoobjectsaresocloselyconnectedthatallalterationswhichwehaveeverseenintheone，areattendedwithproportionablealterationsintheother；weoughttoconclude{34}byallrulesofanalogy，that，whentherearestillgreateralterationsproducedintheformer，anditistotallydissolved，therefollowsatotaldissolutionofthelatter。——Sleep，averysmalleffectonthebody，isattendedwithatemporaryextinction，atleastagreatconfusioninthesoul。——Theweaknessofthebodyandthatofthemindininfancyareexactlyproportioned，theirvigourinmanhood，theirsympatheticdisorderinsickness；theircommongradualdecayinoldage。Thestepfurtherseemsunavoidable；theircommondissolutionindeath。Thelastsymptomswhichtheminddiscoversaredisorder，weakness，insensibility，andstupidity，thefore-runnersofitsannihilation。
Thefartherprogressofthesamecausesencreasing，thesameeffectstotallyextinguishit。Judgingbytheusualanalogyofnature，noformcancontinuewhentransferredtoaconditionoflifeverydifferentfromtheoriginalone，inwhichitwasplaced。Treesperishinthewater，fishesintheair，animalsintheearth。Evensosmalladifferenceasthatofclimateisoften{35}fatal。Whatreasonthentoimagine，thatanimmensealteration，suchasismadeonthesoulbythedissolutionofitsbodyandallitsorgansofthoughtandsensation，canbeeffectedwithoutthedissolutionofthewhole？Everythingisincommonbetwixtsoulandbody。Theorgansoftheoneareallofthemtheorgansoftheother。Theexistencethereforeoftheonemustbedependantonthatoftheother。——Thesoulsofanimalsareallowedtobemortal；andthesebearsoneararesemblancetothesoulsofmen，thattheanalogyfromonetotheotherformsaverystrongargument。Theirbodiesarenotmoreresembling；yetnoonerejectstheargumentdrawnfromcomparativeanatomy。TheMetempsychosisisthereforetheonlysystemofthiskindthatphilosophycanharkento。（[editor’snote]4）
NOTHINGinthisworldisperpetual，everythinghoweverseeminglyfirmisincontinualfluxandchange，theworlditselfgivessymptomsoffrailtyanddissolution。Howcontrarytoanalogy，therefore，toimagine{36}thatonesinglefrom，seeminglythefrailestofany，andsubjecttothegreatestdisorders，isimmortalandindissoluble？
（[editor’snote]5）Whatdaringtheoryisthat！howlightly，nottosayhowrashlyentertained！Howtodisposeoftheinfinitenumberofposthumousexistencesoughtalsotoembarrassthereligioustheory。Everyplanetineverysolarsystemweareatlibertytoimaginepeopledwithintelligentmortalbeings，atleastwecanfixonnoothersupposition。
Forthesethenanewuniversemusteverygenerationbecreatedbeyondtheboundsofthepresentuniverse，oronemusthavebeencreatedatfirstsoprodigiouslywiseastoadmitofthiscontinualinfluxofbeings。（[editor’snote]6）
Oughtsuchboldsuppositionstobereceivedbyanyphilosophy，andthatmerelyontherepretextofabarepossibility？WhenitisaskedwhetherAgamemnonThersitesHannibal，Varro，andeverystupidclownthateverexistedinItaly，Scythia，BactriaorGuinea，arenowalive；cananymanthink，thatascrutinyofnaturewillfurnisharguments{37}strongenoughtoanswersostrangeaquestionintheaffirmative？Thewantofargumentwithoutrevelationsufficientlyestablishesthenegative。——\"Quantofacilius（saysPliny8）\"certiusquesibiquemquecredere，acspecimensecuritatisantigenetalisumereexperimento。\"Ourinsensibilitybeforethecompositionofthebody，seemstonaturalreasonaproofofalikestateafterdissolution。Wereourhorrorsofannihilationanoriginalpassion，nottheeffectofourgeneralloveofhappiness，itwouldratherprovethemortalityofthesoul。Forasnaturedoesnothinginvain，shewouldnevergiveusahorroragainstanimpossibleevent。
Shemaygiveusahorroragainstanunavoidable；
yetthehumanspeciescouldnotbepreservedhadnotnatureinspireduswithandaversiontowardit。Alldoctrinesaretobesuspectedwhicharefavouredby{38}ourpassions，andthehopesandfearswhichgaverisetothisdoctrineareveryobvious。
’TISaninfiniteadvantageineverycontroversytodefendthenegative。Ifthequestionbeoutofthecommonexperiencedcourseofnature，thiscircumstanceisalmostifnotaltogetherdecisive。Bywhatargumentsoranalogiescanweproveanystateofexistence，whichnooneeversaw，andwhichnowayresemblesanythateverwasseen？
Whowillreposesuchtrustinanypretendedphilosophyastoadmituponitstestimonytherealityofsomarvellousascene？Somenewspeciesoflogicisrequisiteforthatpurpose，andsomenewfacultiesofthemind，thatmayenableustocomprehendthatlogic。
NOTHINGcouldsetinafullerlighttheinfiniteobligationswhichmankindhavetodivinerevelation，sincewefindthatnoothermediumcouldascertainthisgreatandimportanttruth。{39}
ANTISUICIDE。
（1）THISelaborateeulogiumonphilosophypointsobliquelyatreligion，whichwechristiansconsiderastheonlysovereignantidotetoeverydiseaseincidenttothemindofman。Itisindeedhardtosaywhatreasonmightdowereitfreedfromallrestraints，especiallyifasuccessionofphilosopherswereincessantlyimprovingononeanotherastheywenton，avoidingandcorrectingthemistakesofthosewhoprecededtheminthesamepursuit，tillatlastonecompleteandrationalsystemwaseffected。Greatthingsmightprobablybeaccomplishedinthismanner。Butnosuchplaninfacteverwasorislikelytobefinished。Neitherpriestcraft，normagisterialpowers，however，crampedtheprogressofimprovingreason，orbaffledthegeniusofenquiringman。
Theprinciplesofreligionandvirtuewerefreelycanvassedbytheboldestspiritsofantiquity。Intruth，thesuperioradvantageandnecessityofthechristianreligionseemsmanifestfromthisparticularcircumstance，{40}thatithastakenawayeverypossiblerestraintfromnaturalreligion，allowingittoexertitselftotheutmostinfindingoutthefundamentaltruthsofvirtue，andinacquiescinginthem，inopenlyavowingandacknowledgingthemwhenrevealed，inextendingtheviewsandexpectationsofmen，ingivingthemmorejustandliberalsentiments，andinpublicklyanduniformlydisclaiminganyintentionofestablishingakingdomforitsvotariesorbelieversinthisworld。
THEdoctrinesofthegospelarenotintendedtoinstructusintheknowledgeofeverythingwhichmaybereallyusefulinthepresentlife，farlessofeverything，which，fromcuriosityalone，wemayhaveamightydesiretoknow。
Revelationconsidersmankindintheirhighestcapacity，astherationalandaccountablesubjectsofGod，andascapablebothofpresentandfuturehappinessormisery，accordingtotheirbehaviour。Itschief，ifnotitssoledesign，istogiveusthoseviewsandimpressionsofournature，ofourstate，oftheperfections，thecounsels，thelaws，andthegovernmentofGod，which，undertheinfluenceofprovidence，aretheimmediateandinfalliblemeansofthepurity，ofthecomfort，andofthemoralorder，rectitude，andexcellenceofourimmortalsouls。Ascorruptedanddisordered，weareincapableoftruehappiness，tillpurifiedandrestoredtoorder。Asguiltyand{41}mortalcreatures，wecanhavenotrueconsolationwithoutthehopesofpardoninafutureandseperatestateofexistence。
Assurroundedwithdangers，andobnoxioustoeverydismalapprehension，wecanpossessnosolid，orpermanentcontent，butinthesincereandwellgroundedconvictionsofthatgraciousandrighteousadministrationsominutelyandexplicitlydelineatedinthescriptures。Itisevident，therefore，thattheprincipalexcellenceandutilityofrevealedtruthsuponthesanctificationandconsolationofourhearts。Theytallyexactlywiththepresentcircumstancesofmankind，andareadmirablyadaptedtocureeverydisease，everydisorderofthehumanmind，tobeget，tocherish，andconfirmeverypure，everyvirtuous，everypiousdisposition。
MANKINDarecertainlyatpresentinastateofthedeepestcorruptionanddepravity，andatthesametimeapttocontinuestrangelyinsensibleofthemiseryanddangertowhich，underthegovernmentofinfinitewisdom，itnecessarilyrendersthem。Nothingcanbeconceivedmorefittorousethemfromtheirlethargy，andtoawakenthemtoajustsenseoftheircondition，thanamessengerfromHeaven，clothedwithdivineauthority，settingbeforethemtheintrinsic{42}baseness，malignity，andwretchednessofvice，togetherwiththecertain，thedreadful，theeternalconsequencesofcontinuinginit。