Chaos and Order in Cudworth’s Thought

Abstract

And though Epicurus thought to mend the matter, and make the Atheistic Hypothesis more tolerable, by introducing into it (contrary to the Tenour of his Principles) Liberty of Will in Men; yet this being not a Power over things Without us, but our selves only, could alter the case very little. Epicurus himself was in a Panick Fear, lest the frame of Heaven should sometime upon a sudden crack, and tumble about his Ears, and this Fortuitous Compilement of Atoms be dissolved into a Chaos: Tria talia Texta Una dies Dabit exitio; multosque per annos Sustentata met moles et Machina mundi.