STUDY XII. 5 



itfeif, nor in any thing around, an acliial realon 

 for ix's exiiicnce. 



We arc convinced of our exiflence b}' a power 

 greatly fuperior to our mind, which is fentiment, 

 or intelledual feeling. We are going to carry 

 this natural inftind: alono- with us into our re- 

 fearclies refpeâ;ing the exidence of tlie Deity, 

 and the immortality of the foul ; fnbjeds, on 

 which our verfatile reafon has fo frequently en- 

 gaged, fomecimes on this, fometimes on the other 

 fide of the queftion. Though our infufficiency 

 be too great to admit of launching far into this 

 unbounded career, we prefume to hope, that our 

 perceptions, nay, our very miflakes, may encou- 

 rage men of genius to enter upon i,f. Thcfe fu- 

 blime and eternal truths feem to us fo deeply im- 

 printed on the human heart, as to appear them- 

 felves the principles of our intelledual feeling, 

 and to manifefl: themfelves in our m-fh oidinary 

 .affedions, as in the wildeft excelles of our paffions. 



OF THE SENTIMENT OF INNOCENCE. 



The fentiment of innocence exalts us toward the 

 Deity, and prompts us to virtuous deeds. The 

 Greeks and Romans employed litHe children Cb 

 fing in their religious feftivals, and to prefenc 



E 2 their 



