NATURAL THEOLOGY TRACED IN LITERATURE, ANCIENT

AND MODERN, TO THE TIME OF BISHOP BUTLER.

WITH

A CLOSING CHAPTER ON THE MORAL SYSTEM, AND AN ENGLISH
BIBLIOGRAPHY, FROM SPENSER TO BUTLER.

Hall

By E H GILLETT,

PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK,
AUTHOR OF "LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN HUSS," ETC.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

NEW YORK:

SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO.

1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1874, by

E. H. GILLETT,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.

PREFACE.

THE attempt to prepare a historical and critical introduction to Bishop Butler's "Analogy," to be delivered in the form of lectures to students in the University, has resulted in the production of this work. That class of literature of Butler's age, to which his "Analogy" belongs, is very extensive, and it is very directly connected with the great controversy which Hobbes originated, and in which the "Platonic. School" of Cambridge took so conspicuous a part. But the "Platonic School" consisted largely of those who were diligent and admiring students of classic literature and ancient philosophy, while the speculations of the Christian Fathers and of medieval writers are often manifestly, and sometimes avowedly, shaped or modified by the great masters of heathen learning. In order, therefore, to present connectedly the lines of thought to which Butler was either directly or indirectly indebted in what he assumed, or attempted to prove, it was necessary to go back to the earliest periods of which we possess any record, and trace the successive phases of human thought concerning the subjects which Butler has discussed.

On the importance of the topics that are thus brought in review before us, it is unnecessary to dwell. They are those which, in successive ages, have engaged the attention of the most serious and earnest minds. They are those which, from their very nature, and their relation to the fears and hopes of men, have ever possessed, and must continue to possess, an undying interest. It is, indeed, impossible that they should ever become obsolete. Whatever views may be taken of revealed religion, whether those of the sceptic or the believer, there are certain facts of human experience or observation, continually recurring, that challenge attention, and the bearing of which upon human duty and destiny is too obvious to be disputed. They lie at the foundation of all religion, natural and revealed, and they demand of all thoughtful minds calm and deliberate consideration.

How they have been viewed by others-what different phases they have presented to different observers-how the interpretation of one has been confirmed or invalidated by the interpretation of another-on what points there has been

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