LETTER I. On EVIL in general. ŞIR, AVING enjoy'd the pleasure of HA many accidental conferences with you on metaphyfical, moral, political, and religious fubjects; on which you ever seemed to converse with more fagacity, as well as moré candor, than is usual on the like occafions; I imagin'd it might not be unentertaining either to you, or myself, to put together my fentiments on these important topics, and communicate them to you from time to time as the abfence of business, or of more agreeB able able amusements may afford me opportunity. This I propofe to do under the general title of an Inquiry into the Nature, and Origin of Evil; an Inquiry, which will comprehend them all, and which, I think, has never been attended to with that diligence it deferves, nor with that fuccefs, which might have been hoped for from that little that has been bestow'd upon it. The right understanding of this abftrufe fpeculation, I look upon to be the only folid foundation, on which any rational system of Ethicks can be built; for it seems im poffible, that men should ever arrive at any just ideas of their Creator, or his Attributes, any proper notions of their relation to him, or their duty to each other, without first fettling in their minds fome fatisfactory folution of this impor tant tant queftion, Whence came Evil? Whilft we find ourfelves liable to innumerable miferies in this life; apprehenfive of still greater in another, and can give no probable account of this our wretched fituation, what sentiments must we entertain of the juftice and benevolence of our Creator, who placed us in it, without our follicitations, or confent? The works of the Creation fufficiently demonstrate his existence, their beauty, perfection, and magnifience his infinite power, and wisdom; but it is the Happiness only, which we enjoy, or hope for, which can convince us of his Good nefs. It is the folution therefore of this important queftion alone, that can ascertain the moral Characteristic of God, and upon B 2 |