intellectual and moral System, as they are sup|posed to happen in the natural System on the Epicurean Scheme, by Chance, Casualty, Fits and Starts, or fatal Necessity; which is absolutely to deny the first Being to be a rational, intel|ligent and free Agent; for infinite Wisdom can do nothing, but for wise Ends and Pur|poses; and must contrive Means, which have a natural and necessary Tendency and Fitness for these Ends. If these Means be not seen by us, or being in some measure seen, may seem not to attain their Ends, it is because, being finite lapsed Creatures, our narrow Capacities can|not reach them, or because all the Conditions requisite to make them effectual, were not pre|sent in a particular Case; for infinite Wisdom must act uniformly, with Order, Number, Weight and Measure; all which, nothing but general Laws and Canons can effect, as is well known to Geometers, and plainly exemplified in the universal Canons of Algebra. If these general Laws be duly investigated, cautiously guarded, and all the necessary Conditions be taken in, they can never fail of obtaining their End and Effect; unless infinite Wisdom and Power suspend them for a limited Time, to manifest his Power, or for moral Ends and Pur|poses; or unless they are kept from attaining their natural Ends directly, by the voluntary and free Agency of imperfect human Intelligences.0