Yet one more illustration for the last.  Few things in nature appear more unlikely to the illiterate, than that a living toad should be found prisoned in a block of limestone; nevertheless, evidence goes to prove that such cases are not uncommon.  Now, if, instead of limestone, which is a water-product, the creature had been found embedded in granite, which is a fire-product; although the fact might have been from eye-sight equally unimpeachable, how much more unlikely such a circumstance would have appeared in the judgment of science.  To the rustic, the limestone case is as stout a puzzle as the granite one; but a priori, the philosopher—­taking into account the aqueous fluidity of such a matrix at a period when reptiles were abundant, the torpid qualities of the toad itself, and the fact that time is scarcely an element in the absence of air—­arrives at an antecedent probability, which comforts his acceptance of the fact.  The granite would have staggered his reason, even though his own experience or the testimony of others were sufficient, nay, imperative, to assure his faith:  but in the case of limestone, Reason even helps Faith; nay, anticipates and leads it in, by suggesting the wonder to be previously probable.  How truly, and how strongly this bears upon our theme, let any such philosophizing mind consider.

But enough of illustrations:  although these, multipliable to any amount, might bring, each in its own case, some specific tendency to throw light upon the path we mean to tread:  it is wiser perhaps, as implying more confidence in the reader’s intellectual powers, to leave other analogous cases to the suggestion of his own mind; also, not to vex him in every instance with the intrusive finger of an obvious application.  Meanwhile, it is a just opportunity to clear the way at once of some obstructions, by disposing of a few matters personal to the writer; and by touching upon sundry other preliminary considerations.

1.  The line of thought proposed is intended to show it probable that any thing which has been or is, might, viewed antecedently to its existence, by an exercise of pure reason, have by possibility been guessed:  and on the hypothesis of sufficient keenness and experience, that this idea may be carried even to the future.  Any thing, meaning every thing, is a word not used unadvisedly; for this is merely a suggestive treatise, starting a rule capable of infinite application:  and, notwithstanding that we have here and now confined its elucidation to some matters of religious moment only, as occupying a priority of importance, and at all times deserving the lead; still, if knowledge availed, and time and space permitted, I scarcely doubt that a vigorous and illuminated intellect might so far enlarge on the idea, as to show the antecedent probability of every event which has happened in the kingdoms of nature, providence, and grace:  nay, of directing his guess at coming matters with no uncertain