380 Dr. Barnes on the Influence of the Imagination , 
from the feelings, the imagination, and the 
heart. 
This fa£t will probably not be contefted. 
But it will be faid, “ That thefe paffions are the 
<c fources of all our errors, and that, if we could 
“ entirely lay afide imagination and affe&ion, 
“ we fhould judge upon every fubjedb, more 
impartially, and therefore, more truly.” 
Allowing, that truth is ever one and the fame, 
yet if, as the foregoing fa< 5 ts evince, the fame 
truth will appear very differently to different 
minds, and to the fame mind at different times; 
if the difpofition and frame of the mind be a 
kind of medium , through which the fame objeft 
fhall appear amazingly diverfified, moft amiable 
to one, moft difgufting to another: Then, it 
fhould feem to follow, that what is moft defirable 
to a right judgment, is, not, that the mind be 
diverted of all its affe&ions, that the imagination 
be laid afleep, and that the underftanding alone 
be employed in the contemplation. To me, 
all this appears to be, neither neceffary, nor 
poffible. But, that the whole united mind , con- 
fidered as comprehending all its various powers, 
lhall be in a proper flate for the inveftigation and 
reception of truth, and, that the imagination and 
paffions fhall be of fuch a temperament, as to 
affift the judgment in its determination. This is 
not a ftate of abfolute inaction; but of aflion 
fuited to their proper nature and office, in 
fubordination 
