And will any man tell me with a serious countenance, that an orderly universe must arise from some thought and art like the human, because we have experience of it?
To ascertain this reasoning, it were requisite that we had experience of the origin of worlds; and it is not sufficient, surely, that we have seen ships and cities arise from human art and contrivance...
PHILO was proceeding in this vehement manner, somewhat between jest and earnest, as it appeared to me, when he observed some signs of impatience in CLEANTHES, and then immediately stopped short.

What I had to suggest, said CLEANTHES, is only that you would not abuse terms, or make use of popular expressions to subvert philosophical reasonings.

You know, that the vulgar often distinguish reason from experience, even where the question relates only to matter of fact and existence; though it is found, where that reason is properly analysed, that it is nothing but a species of experience.

To prove by experience the origin of the universe from mind, is not more contrary to common speech, than to prove the motion of the earth from the same principle.

And a caviller might raise all the same objections to the Copernican system, which you have urged against my reasonings.