That students of the Analogy need help, is confessed; and all attempts to furnish it have been kindly received. As is remarked by Bishop Wilson, “His argument, clear and convincing as it is to a prepared mind, is not obvious to the young reader, whose experience of life being small, and his habits of reflection feeble, has not the furniture necessary for comprehending, at first, the thoughts and conclusions of such a mind. The style is too close, too negligent, too obscure, to be suitable for the young.”
If it be asked why, with several existing helps to the study of the Analogy, I offer another, I frankly reply, because I have found none of them satisfactory, either to the public or to myself.
Some teachers prefer their text-books to be accompanied by a set of questions. Such will find in this edition all they desire. They have only to enunciate each sentence of the Conspectus in the interrogative form, and they will have every possible question prepared to their hand.
Conspectus of the Author’s Introduction.
I. What is probable evidence?
- 1. It differs from demonstration in that it admits of degrees; of all degrees.
- 1.) One probability does not beget assurance.
- 2.) But the slightest presumption makes a probability.
- 3.) The repetition of it may make certainty.
- 2. What constitutes probability is likeness; in regard to the event itself, or its
kind of evidences, or its circumstances.
- 1.) This daily affords presumptions, evidence, or conviction: according as it is occasional, common, or constant.
- 2.) Measures our hopes and fears.
- 3.) Regulates our expectations as to men’s conduct.
- 4.) Enables us to judge of character from conduct.
- 3. It is an imperfect mode of judging, and adapted to beings of limited capacities.
- 4. Where better evidence cannot be had, it constitutes moral obligation, even
though great doubts remain.
- 1.) We are as much bound to do what, on the whole, appears to be best, as if we knew it to be so.
- 2.) In questions of great moment, it is reasonable to act when the favorable chances are no greater than the unfavorable.
- 3.) There are numberless cases in which a man would be thought distracted if he did not act, and that earnestly, where the chances of success were greatly against him.