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entertained concerning the probability of concurrence or oppofi- 

 tion. When, on the other hand, we would determine whether 

 a witnefs has been himfelf deceived, we confider the flate of his 

 mind at the time when he fuppofed the fad, of which he has 

 given teflimony, to have happened. This again is a confideration 

 of the influence of moral caufes. I cannot give a fuller illuftra- 

 tion of what I have faid than by referring to Lord Lyttleton's 

 celebrated Obfervations on the Converfion of Saint Paul, from 

 which indeed this divifion of the enquiry into the credibility of 

 a witnefs has been taken. It is not at all neceflary to my pur- 

 pofe that the queflion of human liberty fhould be examined. 

 That motives have fome influence on the mind will not be 

 denied by thofe who maintain its freedom, and the deficiency 

 of their influence mufl be fupplied by the felf determining power 

 of the mind, which is a caufe whofe manner of operating is 

 equally remote from our comprehenfion. 



Doctor. Campbell, in his very able Examination of Mr. 

 Hume's Efl^iy on Miracles, has contended " that teflimony hath 

 " a natural and original influence on belief antecedent to ex- 

 " perience," and in the fenfe in which he has aflferted this 

 propofition it appears to be true. Teflimony has an influence 

 on belief antecedent to inferences from the conduB of others^ but 

 this influence is founded on the confcioufnefs which a child has 

 of his own veracity. When he does not fpeak for enquiry, he 

 fpeaks to communicate his own ideas. Subfequent experience 

 of the condud of others may teach him that the noble gift of 

 fpeech is fometimes abufed, or he may learn the fame leflbn of 

 diftruft from the artifices which he himfelf is fometimes induced 

 to adopt ; but the original and genuine ufe of fpeech he feels 



is 



