CHAPTER VIII 



THEISM; EVOLUTION OF THEOLOGY 



HUME seems to have had but two hearty dislikes : 

 the one to the English nation, and the other to all 

 the professors of dogmatic theology. The one 

 aversion he vented only privately to his friends ; 

 but, if he is ever bitter in his public utterances, 

 it is against priests 1 in general and theological 

 enthusiasts and fanatics in particular ; if he ever 

 seems insincere, it is when he wishes to insult 

 theologians by a parade of sarcastic respect. One 

 need go no further than the peroration of the 

 " Essay on Miracles " for a characteristic illustra- 

 tion. 



1 In a note to the Essay on Superstition and Enthusiasm, 

 Hume is careful to define what he means by this term. " By 

 priests I understand only the pretenders to power and dominion, 

 and to a superior sanctity of character, distinct from virtue and 

 good morals. These are very different from clergymen, who are 

 set apart to the care of sacred matters, and the conducting our 

 public devotions with greater decency and order. There is 

 no rank of men more to be respected than the latter." (III. p. 

 83.) 



