Let. 24. Lord BoLrNGBROKE. 4²⁵

though not properly miraculous, of which there are accounts in the moſt authentic hiſtories, and in which men have been apt to acknowlege a ſpecial interpoſition of divine providence. The moſt important events have been brought about by the ſeemingly ſmalleſt and moſt unlikely means. Things have been often ſtrangely conducted through many intricate turns to pro- duce events contrary to all human expectation. Actions have been over-ruled to effects and iſſues quite oppoſite to the inten- tions of the actors. The moſt artful ſchemes of human policy have been ſtrangely baffled and diſappointed. Surpriſing changes have been wrought upon the ſpirits of men, and re- ſtraints laid upon their paſſions in a manner that can ſcarce be accounted for, and upon which great events have depended. Such things have naturally led mankind to acknowlege a divine hand, and a providence over-ruling human affairs. I am ſen- ſible many of thoſe who honour themſelves with the title of Free-thinkers will be apt to aſcribe this to ſuperſtition or en- thuſiaſm. But what right have they to pronounce againſt the general ſentiments of mankind, and which ſeem to have ariſen from the obſervation of events which argue the over-ruling-in- terpoſition of a ſuperior inviſible agency?

He obſerves with a ſneer, that“ there is many an old woman *who is ready to relate with much ſpiritual pride, the particular *«providences that attended her and hers n.“ As to the charge of ſpiritual pride, it is no more than he hath advanced againſt all that believe a particular providence, intereſting itſelf in the affairs of men; the belief of which he imputeth to high notions human importance. That he himſelf had high notions of his own ſagacity cannot be doubted; but the ſentiments he is pleaſed to aſcribe to the old woman, ſeem to me to be more reaſonable, and would, if generally entertained, have a much better infuence on mankind than his own. Is it not much better, and more agreeable to reaſon and nature, for depend- ent creatures to regard the benefits they receive, and the good events which befall them, as owing to the interpoſition of a moſt wiſe and benign providence, and to acknowlege with thank- fulneſs the condeſcending care and goodneſs of God in ſuch in- ſtances, than to paſs them over with a regardleſs eye, from an apprehenſion that God doth not concern bimſelf with the af- fairs of men; that he is utterly unmindful of individuals, and taketh no notice of their actions, or of the events that relate to them? And this is the goodly ſcheme which this author hath taken ſo much pains to eſtabliſh.

n Vol. v. p. 418. But