xoS DIALOGUES CONCERNING
PART j n g a city, in framing a commonwealth : why may not several deities combine in contriving and framing a world ? This is only so much greater similarity to human affairs. By iharing the work among feveral, we may fo much far ther limit the attributes of each, and get rid of that extenfive power and know ledge, which muft be fuppofed in one deity, and which, according to you, can only ferve to weaken the proof of his exiftence. And if fuch foolilh, fuch vi cious creatures as man can yet often unite in framing and executing one plan ; how much more thofe deities or daemons, whom we may fuppofe feveral degrees more perfect ?
To multiply caufes, without necef- fity, is indeed contrary to true philofo- phy: but this principle applies not to the prefent cafe. Were one deity ante cedently proved by your theory, who vere poflefled of every attribute requi-
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