4 The Caufes and Cure Opinions of Pe.rfons have at all Times been too much influenced by the Philofophk Hy~ fothefes in Vogue, infomuch that it is a 1 molt an endlefs as well as an unprofitable Task, to examine into them all : And as fuch an En- quiry is not confiftent with the intended Brevity of thefe Pages, I mall pals them by, only juft taking Notice of the moil coniider- able Opinions, under which, mofl: that has been advanced to any Purpole may be reduced, ALL Authors upon this Subject, may be reduced under thefe two Sorts : Such as af bribe them to the immediate Wrath of Heaven, and account them as Puniahments inflicted by the immediate Exertion of a Supernatural Power ^ and fiich as ailign for their Origin fome natural Caufe, ALTHOUGH too great a Regard cannot be had to the Author of our Beings, yet Care fhould likewife be taken, not to afcdbe every Calamity to the immediate Exertion of the Almighty Power ^ for it feems much more worthy of the Divine Being fo to order it, that from the Courfe of iecond or natural Caufes, Fumihments shall purfue Offenders, than to imagine the frequent Exertion of his Power in a Way fuper-
