Dr. Barnes on the Influence of the Imagination 3 &c. 375 
On the Influence of the Imagination, and 
the Passions, upon the Understanding. By 
the Rev. Thomas Barnes, D. D. Read 
Feb. 12, 17 83. 
SENTIMENT was advanced in con- 
verfation fcveral evenings ago, in this place, 
which, to fome Gentlemen, appeared ftrange, 
or rather, falfe. The refpe£t I owe to this 
Society and above all, to Truth, obliges me 
to endeavour to defend a point, which appears 
to me, to be, not only juft, but very important. 
In the converlation before alluded to, it had 
been aflerted, “ That an energy, imparted to 
“ one power of the human mind, will often com- 
“ municate a degree of energy to the reft , and 
“ thus affift and quicken their operation.” 
In proof of this, it was maintained, “That 
“ in many cafes, the vigour of imagination will 
“ give correfpondent vigour to the judgment,” 
and “That a degree of warmth and sensibility, 
“ will be greatly favourable to the clearnefi , as 
“ well as to the celerity , of the perceptions of the 
“ understanding.” 
This fentiment will, probably, alarm thofe 
who have implicitly received what is fo generally 
afterted, “ That pure and fimple truth has nothing 
B b 4 
“ to 
