Though man cannot arrive, at least in this life, at the actual scene I have described, he can demonstrate it, because he has knowledge of the principles upon which the creation is constructed.We know that the greatest works can be represented in inodel, and that the universe can be represented by the same means.The same principles by which we measure an inch or an acre of ground will measure to millions in extent.A circle of an inch diameter has the same geometrical properties as a circle that would circumscribe the universe.The same properties of a triangle that will demonstrate upon paper the course of a ship, will do it on the ocean; and, when applied to what are called the heavenly bodies, will ascertain to a minute the time of an eclipse, though those bodies are millions of miles distant from us.This knowledge is of divine origin; and it is from the Bible of the creation that man has learned it, and not from the stupid Bible of the church, that teaches man nothing.[The Bible-makers have undertaken to give us, in the first chapter of Genesis, an account of the creation; and in doing this they have demonstrated nothing but their ignorance.They make there to have been three days and three nights, evenings and mornings, before there was any sun; when it is the presence or absence of the sun that is the cause of day and night -- and what is called his rising and setting that of moming and evening.Besides, it is a puerile and pitiful idea, to suppose the Almighty to say, "Let there be light." It is the imperative manner of speaking that a conjuror uses when he says to his cups and balls, Presto, be gone -- and most probably has been taken from it, as Moses and his rod is a conjuror and his wand.Longinus calls this expression the sublime; and by the same rule the conjurer is sublime too; for the manner of speaking is expressively and grammatically the same.When authors and critics talk of the sublime, they see not how nearly it borders on the ridiculous.The sublime of the critics, like some parts of Edmund Burke's sublime and beautiful, is like a windmill just visible in a fog, which imaginanation might distort into a flying mountain, or an archangel, or a flock of wild geese.-- Author.]
All the knowledge man has of science and of machinery, by the aid of which his existence is rendered comfortable upon earth, and without which he would be scarcely distinguishable in appearance and condition from a common animal, comes from the great machine and structure of the universe.
The constant and unwearied observations of our ancestors upon the movements and revolutions of the heavenly bodies, in what are supposed to have been the early ages of the world, have brought this knowledge upon earth.It is not Moses and the prophets, nor Jesus Christ, nor his apostles, that have done it.The Almighty is the great mechanic of the creation, the first philosopher, and original teacher of all science.Let us then learn to reverence our master, and not forget the labours of our ancestors.
Had we, at this day, no knowledge of machinery, and were it possible that man could have a view, as I have before described, of the structure and machinery of the universe, he would soon conceive the idea of constructing some at least of the mechanical works we now have; and the idea so conceived would progressively advance in practice.Or could a model of the universe, such as is called an orrery, be presented before him and put in motion, his mind would arrive at the same idea.Such an object and such a subject would, whilst it improved him in knowledge useful to himself as a man and a member of society, as well as entertaining, afford far better matter for impressing him with a knowledge of, and a belief in the Creator, and of the reverence and gratitude that man owes to him, than the stupid texts of the Bible and the Testament, from which, be the talents of the preacher;what they may, only stupid sermons can be preached.If man must preach, let him preach something that is edifying, and from the texts that are known to be true.
The Bible of the creation is inexhaustible in texts.Every part of science, whether connected with the geometry of the universe, with the systems of animal and vegetable life, or with the properties of inanimate matter, is a text as well for devotion as for philosophy -- for gratitude, as for human improvement.It will perhaps be said, that if such a revolution in the system of religion takes place, every preacher ought to be a philosopher.
Most certainly, and every house of devotion a school of science.
It has been by wandering from the immutable laws of science, and the light of reason, and setting up an invented thing called "revealed religion,"that so many wild and blasphemous conceits have been formed of the Almighty.
The Jews have made him the assassin of the human species, to make room for the religion of the Jews.The Christians have made him the murderer of himself, and the founder of a new religion to supersede and expel the Jewish religion.And to find pretence and admission for these things, they must have supposed his power or his wisdom imperfect, or his will changeable;and the changeableness of the will is the imperfection of the judgement.
The philosopher knows that the laws of the Creator have never changed, with respect either to the principles of science, or the properties of matter.Why then is it to be supposed they have changed with respect to man?
I here close the subject.I have shown in all the foregoing parts of this work that the Bible and Testament are impositions and forgeries; and I leave the evidence I have produced in proof of it to be refuted, if any one can do it; and I leave the ideas that are suggested in the conclusion of the work to rest on the mind of the reader; certain as I am that when opinions are free, either in matters of govemment or religion, truth will finally and powerfully prevail.
