58 



be remembered that thefe are not different flaades or degrees of the fame 

 operation ; but operations of the mind totally diftinft, it will be advifea- 

 ble when we fpeak or write concerning them to employ terms peculiarly 

 appropriate ; and to call the rational the induftive or comparative ground 

 of affent to a propofition fatth, while we exclufively term the inftinftive 

 or implicit principle of belief credulity. It is the principle of credulity 

 which I mean to confider, in the progrefs of this effay. Plutarch has re- 

 marked that credulity is an innate principle in man ; and to confirm this 

 pofition, he obferves, that all men are fond of dreams and omens, that 

 is to fay of divination. On the fame principle it is, that we find old and 

 youno-, greedily fwallowing fuperflitious legends, and tales of fairies and 

 enchanters. On the ftme principle it is, that rigid, gloomy and myfleri- 

 ous forms of religion, where much is unexplained, and much is required 

 to be implicitly received, as matter of faith, have ever taken a faft hold 

 on the imagination, and to this caufe, too, may wc afcribe the love of 

 quacks, of charlatans, and impoftors, which prevails and manifefts itfelf 

 in the populace of every country. 



It may be faid, that credulity cannot be fuppofed to be an innate or 

 Tiniverfal principle ; or at lead that diftruft is a principle equally general 

 and equally innate ; fmce we find that the vulgar and favages are com- 

 monly fufpicious and diflruftful ; and what is yet ftranger, that even in 

 thofe people coilcftively, and individuals feperately, where credulity pre- 

 vails we find it joined in many inftances with a diflruftful fufpicious temper. 

 It is obferved by fome traveller refpefting the inhabitants of Paris, that, 

 while, from time immemorial, they have fwallowed, and feemed nearly 

 to live upon an eternal fucceffion of the moft abfurd and improbable tales, 

 plain undifguifed truth has been received by them with caution and doubt, 

 and fuppofed to conceal fome guile, deception, or difguife. Something 

 of the fame kind is obfervable in the Englijh nation, a people, at once 

 •flow and impetuous, diftruftful and credulous, ever on its guard againft 

 deceit, yet for ever the prey of falfe pretentions, frauds, and impofitions. 

 The faft cannot be denied, it is perhaps among the paradoxes and incon- 



fiftencics of our nature. Yet, I think the feeming inconfiilencies, I have 



ftated, 



