An imperfectly wise being is one who does not invariably do this. A perfectly benevolent being is one who invariably wills the most good and the least evil _in his power_. An imperfectly benevolent being is one who does not invariably will thus. The _degree_ in which a being is ranked as wise and good is estimated by the extent to which his willing good or evil corresponds with his power. Thus it appears that, in a system where evil exists, the very idea of _perfect_ benevolence and wisdom involves the supposition of a _limitation of power_. To return, then, to the question as proposed at the commencement of the chapter—Is the Creator a being who prefers good to evil invariably, or is he one who only sometimes prefers evil to good, and at other times prefers good to evil, with the varying humors of man; or does he _invariably_ choose what is _best for all_, even in cases where it may cost personal sacrifice and suffering to himself? It will be the object of what follows to prove that the last supposition is the true one. In attempting this, we again take the principle of common sense, that “_the nature_ of any contrivance proves the design and character of the author.” Then we proceed to a review of _the nature_, first of mind, and next of the material world, to prove that the design or _chief end_ of the Creator is, not to make happiness irrespective of the amount, but to produce the _greatest possible_ happiness with the _least possible_ evil. In other words, we are to seek for proof that God has done all things _for the best_, so that he has no power to do better. In still another form, we are to seek for evidence, in _the nature_ of God’s works, that he has ever done _the best he could_, so that the amount of evil that ever was or ever will exist, is not caused by his _willing_ it, but by his want of power to prevent it; so that any change would be an increase of evil and a lessening of good to the universe as a whole. In pursuing this attempt, it will be needful to reproduce two or three chapters of a work by the author, already before the public, entitled, _The Bible and the People; or, Common Sense applied to Religion_. In this work _the nature of mind_ is presented very much more in detail, for the same purpose as that here indicated. What will now follow is a brief review of previous chapters in that work, as a _summary_ of the evidence there presented that the _chief end_ of God in all his works is to produce the greatest possible happiness with the least possible evil.