56 



Section i, 



Crcdiilily is an innate principle, and di/iinguiJI^ed from rational belief— 

 Ufe of credulity — it is fometimcs joined ivith diftrujl and fufpicion, and 

 •why — Injlances of fuccefsful impojlure, adduced to Jhew the general pre- 

 valence of Credulity. 



Credulity is a principle inherent in man, and admirably adapted to 

 the limited nature of his faculties, his fituation on earth, and the ends 

 of his being. Deftined to colleft analogies, and govern his conduct, by 

 affenting to probabilities, he feels, that an innate impulfe predifpofes 

 him to credit an afl'ertion or a narrative, on the mere authority of the 

 relator. It requires fome degree of praftice and attention, to make the 

 mind an objeft to itfelf, to catch its fugitive operations, and impulfes 

 to fix and anatomize what is volatile and in motion ; but felf-knowledge 

 demands it. 'We muft be convinced, that credulity is an infliniQive and 

 univerfal propenfity of unfophillicated unadulterated man ; if we will but 

 watch the operations of our own minds, when we yield our belief to 

 any affeveration or flory. Our affent feems .to be independent and in- 

 (lantaneous, without reference and without gradation : belief, in fa<ft, 

 feems to be rather an emotion of feeling, than an operation of intel- 

 leift. This difpofition is prevalent, in proportion as our feelings are 

 'lively, and our paffions ardent. Infancy and youth are the feafons of 

 fond belief, and unfufpe<fting confidence ; age as it chills the bofom, and nips 

 the bloom of hope, reprefles the facility of belief. In the great fchool 

 of the world, we gradually learn diftruft, and fufpicion. Frequently de- 

 ceived, we are, at length, taught, by fatal experience, to fufpeft deceit 

 and falfehood, in our brethren ; and begin to queftion the veracity of 

 an aflirtion, or the credibility of a witnefs. We difcover, to our for- 

 row, that, the native integrity of men, and the inborn propenfity to love 

 and praftife truth are not fufiicient guarantees againll diffimulation, fraud, 

 and falfehood ; and begin to enquire, what fecret motives may pervert 

 snd trouble the pure flream of fincerity. What intereft or advantage 



men 



