In this work the question is also waived as to the number of truths which are to be included in this class. In regard to certain of them there can be no dispute. Of those involving any discussion, there probably will be no occasion to speak in this work. The writer does not claim that the common people, or that metaphysicians, when they speak of "common sense," always refer to what is here designated by this term.
All that the writer claims is that there are certain truths, the belief of which is _common_ to all minds, either as the result of constitutional organization or of acquired knowledge; and that these can be classified by this _test_, viz., that men universally talk and act as if they believed them, and when they cease to do so, are regarded as more or less insane.
Moreover, it is claimed that it is proper to call them _principles of common sense_, because they are that kind of sense which is _common_ to the whole race, and also they are _often_ referred to, both by metaphysicians and by the common people, by this term.
In the following chapters it will be shown that by the application of these principles, a system of natural religion can be gained from the works of the Creator by the same methods that men employ in all the ordinary concerns of life, and that thus we are as fully qualified to gain religious knowledge and peace as we are to secure temporal comfort and prosperity.
CHAPTER X. COMMON SENSE APPLIED TO GAIN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.
Having explained what is intended by the principles of common sense, the next attempt will be to apply certain of these principles to gain a system of _natural religion_; meaning by this term that religion which may be gained from the _works_ of the Creator independently of any revealed Word.
In all systems of religion the first article relates to the existence and character of the Deity to be worshiped and obeyed. The first principle of common sense to guide us in this inquiry is this:
In the widest sense of the word, _cause_ signifies something as an antecedent, without which a given change will not occur, and with which it will occur. This is the leading idea in every use of this word.
Then there are two classes of causes; the first are _necessary_ or _producing causes_, and the second _occasional causes_.