Progress, far from appearing as a rival of Providence, was discussed in the interests of Christianity by the Scotch theologian, Turnbull.

[Footnote: The Principles of Modern Philosophy, 1740.] 2.
The theory of the indefinite progress of civilisation left Hume cold.
There is little ground, he argued, to suppose that "the world" is eternal or incorruptible.

It is probably mortal, and must therefore, with all things in it, have its infancy, youth, manhood, and old age; and man will share in these changes of state.

We must then expect that the human species should, when the world is in the age of manhood, possess greater bodily and mental vigour, longer life, and a stronger inclination and power of generation.

But it is impossible to determine when this stage is reached.