The Analogy of Religion to the Constitution and Course of Nature To which are added two brief dissertations: I. On personal identity. II. On the nature of virtue.

If every one would consider, with such attention as they are bound, even in point of morality, to consider, what they judge and give characters of; the occasion of this chapter...

The presumptions against revelation, and objections against the general scheme of Christianity, and particular things relating to it, being removed, there remains to be consider...

From the consideration of our being in a probation-state, of so much difficulty and hazard, naturally arises the question, how we came to be placed in it? But such a general inq...

As the manifold appearances of design, and of final causes, in the constitution of the world, prove it to be the work of an intelligent mind, so the particular final causes of p...

JOSEPH BUTLER was born at Wantage, England, May 18th, 1692, the youngest of eight children. The biographies of that day were few and meagre; and in few cases is this so much to...

It has been thought by some persons, that if the evidence of revelation appears doubtful, this itself turns into a positive argument against it: because it cannot be supposed, t...

There is not, I think, any thing relating to Christianity, which has been more objected against, than the mediation of Christ, in some or other of its parts. Yet upon thorough c...

Strange difficulties have been raised by some concerning personal identity, or the sameness of living agents, implied in the notion of our existing now and hereafter, or in any...

Some persons, upon pretence of the sufficiency of the light of nature, avowedly reject all revelation, as in its very notion incredible, and what must be fictitious. And indeed...

Though it be acknowledged, as it cannot but be, that the analogy of nature gives a strong credibility to the general doctrine of religion, and to the several particular things c...

Throughout the foregoing treatise it appears, that the condition of mankind, considered as inhabitants of this world only, and under the government of God which we experience, i...

Besides the objections against the _evidence_ for Christianity, many are alleged against the _scheme_ of it; against the whole manner in which it is put and left with the world;...

If all made up their minds with proper care and candor, there would be no need of this chapter. But some do not try to understand what they condemn; and our mode of argument is...

That which makes the question concerning a future life to be of so great importance to us, is our capacity of happiness and misery. And that which makes the consideration of it...

The general doctrine of religion, that our present life is a state of probation for a future one, comprehends under it several particular things, distinct from each other. The f...

As hath been now shown,[188] the analogy of nature renders it highly credible beforehand, that, supposing a revelation to be made, it must contain many things very different fro...

Having shown the importance of the Christian revelation, and the obligations which we are under seriously to attend to it, upon supposition of its truth, or its credibility, the...

Why we should be placed in the condition spoken of in the last chapter, is a question which cannot be answered. It may be that we could not understand, if told. And if we could,...

Having considered the objections both to the general scheme of Christianity, and to particular doctrines in it, it only remains to consider the positive evidence of its truth; _...

Will not discuss the subject of identity; but will consider what analogy suggests from changes which do not destroy; and thus see whether it is not _probable_ that we shall live...

_Ans._ Benevolence, infinite in degree, would dispose him to produce the greatest possible happiness, regardless of behaviour. This would rob God of other attributes; and should...

In arguing as to its truth, analogy could only show it to be credible. But, if a moral government be admitted as a fact, analogy makes it credible that it is a scheme or system,...

Beside the objectors to the _evidences_ of Christianity, there are many who object to its _nature_. They say it is not full enough: has in it foolish things: gives rise to super...

--Necessity does not account for the _existence_ of any thing, but is only a _circumstance_ relating to its origin. Instance the case of a house: the fatalist admits that it had...

=5.= If the consequences of rash and inconsiderate acts, which we scarcely call vicious, are often so serious, we may apprehend that the bad consequences will be greater, in pro...

But the argument amounts to just this, that God would not bestow on us any favor, except in such a mode and degree as we thought best, and did exactly the same for everybody else.

1. The course of nature is but the will of God. We admit that God is the natural governor of the world: and must not turn round and deny it because his government is _uniform_.

=6.= Thus it is evident that we are as little capable of judging as to the whole system of religion, as we are as to the whole system of nature.

Every one must admit that we _need_ a revelation. Few, if any, could reason out a system, even of natural religion. If they could, there is no probability that they would. Such...

The doctrine of probation comprehends several particulars. But the most common notion is that our future interests are _depending_; and depending on _ourselves_. And that we hav...

=4.= Whether the power of forming _stopped_ when man was made; or went on, and formed a religion for him, is merely a question as to the _degree_ or _extent_, to which a power w...