Forthesearetwowayswherebytruthcomesintothemind，whollydistinct，sothatoneisnottheother。WhatIsee，Iknowtobeso，bytheevidenceofthethingitself:whatIbelieve，Itaketobesouponthetestimonyofanother。ButthistestimonyImustknowtobegiven，orelsewhatgroundhaveIofbelieving？ImustseethatitisGodthatrevealsthistome，orelseIseenothing。Thequestionthenhereis:HowdoIknowthatGodistherevealerofthistome；
thatthisimpressionismadeuponmymindbyhisHolySpirit；andthatthereforeIoughttoobeyit？IfIknownotthis，howgreatsoevertheassuranceisthatIampossessedwith，itisgroundless；whateverlightIpretendto，itisbutenthusiasm。For，whetherthepropositionsupposedtoberevealedbeinitselfevidentlytrue，orvisiblyprobable，or，bythenaturalwaysofknowledge，uncertain，thepropositionthatmustbewellgroundedandmanifestedtobetrue，isthis，ThatGodistherevealerofit，andthatwhatItaketobearevelationiscertainlyputintomymindbyHim，andisnotanillusiondroppedinbysomeotherspirit，orraisedbymyownfancy。
For，ifImistakenot，thesemenreceiveitfortrue，becausetheypresumeGodrevealedit。Doesitnot，then，standthemupontoexamineuponwhatgroundstheypresumeittobearevelationfromGod？orelsealltheirconfidenceismerepresumption:andthislighttheyaresodazzledwithisnothingbutanignisfatuus，thatleadsthemconstantlyroundinthiscircle；Itisarevelation，becausetheyfirmlybelieveit；andtheybelieveit，becauseitisarevelation。
11。Enthusiasmfailsofevidence，thatthepropositionisfromGod。Inallthatisofdivinerevelation，thereisneedofnootherproofbutthatitisaninspirationfromGod:forhecanneitherdeceivenorbedeceived。ButhowshallitbeknownthatanypropositioninourmindsisatruthinfusedbyGod；atruththatisrevealedtousbyhim，whichhedeclarestous，andthereforeweoughttobelieve？Hereitisthatenthusiasmfailsoftheevidenceitpretendsto。Formenthuspossessed，boastofalightwherebytheysaytheyareenlightened，andbroughtintotheknowledgeofthisorthattruth。Butiftheyknowittobeatruth，theymustknowittobeso，eitherbyitsownself-evidencetonaturalreason，orbytherationalproofsthatmakeitouttobeso。Iftheyseeandknowittobeatruth，eitherofthesetwoways，theyinvainsupposeittobearevelation。Fortheyknowittobetruethesamewaythatanyothermannaturallymayknowthatitisso，withoutthehelpofrevelation。Forthus，allthetruths，ofwhatkindsoever，thatmenuninspiredareenlightenedwith，cameintotheirminds，andareestablishedthere。Iftheysaytheyknowittobetrue，becauseitisarevelationfromGod，thereasonisgood:butthenitwillbedemandedhowtheyknowittobearevelationfromGod。Iftheysay，bythelightitbringswithit，whichshinesbrightintheirminds，andtheycannotresist:Ibeseechthemtoconsiderwhetherthisbeanymorethanwhatwehavetakennoticeofalready，viz。thatitisarevelation，becausetheystronglybelieveittobetrue。Forallthelighttheyspeakofisbutastrong，thoughungroundedpersuasionoftheirownminds，thatitisatruth。Forrationalgroundsfromproofsthatitisatruth，theymustacknowledgetohavenone；forthenitisnotreceivedasarevelation，butupontheordinarygroundsthatothertruthsarereceived:andiftheybelieveittobetruebecauseitisarevelation，andhavenootherreasonforitsbeingarevelation，butbecausetheyarefullypersuaded，withoutanyotherreason，thatitistrue，thentheybelieveittobearevelationonlybecausetheystronglybelieveittobearevelation；whichisaveryunsafegroundtoproceedon，eitherinourtenetsoractions。Andwhatreadierwaycantherebetorunourselvesintothemostextravaganterrorsandmiscarriages，thanthustosetupfancyforoursupremeandsoleguide，andtobelieveanypropositiontobetrue，anyactiontoberight，onlybecausewebelieveittobeso？Thestrengthofourpersuasionsisnoevidenceatalloftheirownrectitude:crookedthingsmaybeasstiffandinflexibleasstraight:andmenmaybeaspositiveandperemptoryinerrorasintruth。Howcomeelsetheuntractablezealotsindifferentandoppositeparties？Forifthelight，whicheveryonethinkshehasinhismind，whichinthiscaseisnothingbutthestrengthofhisownpersuasion，beanevidencethatitisfromGod，contraryopinionshavethesametitletobeinspirations；andGodwillbenotonlytheFatheroflights，butofoppositeandcontradictorylights，leadingmencontraryways；andcontradictorypropositionswillbedivinetruths，ifanungroundedstrengthofassurancebeanevidencethatanypropositionisaDivineRevelation。
12。FirmnessofpersuasionnoProofthatanypropositionisfromGod。Thiscannotbeotherwise，whilstfirmnessofpersuasionismadethecauseofbelieving，andconfidenceofbeingintherightismadeanargumentoftruth。St。Paulhimselfbelievedhedidwell，andthathehadacalltoit，whenhepersecutedtheChristians，whomheconfidentlythoughtinthewrong:butyetitwashe，andnotthey，whoweremistaken。Goodmenaremenstillliabletomistakes，andaresometimeswarmlyengagedinerrors，whichtheytakefordivinetruths，shiningintheirmindswiththeclearestlight。
13。Lightinthemind，what。Light，truelight，inthemindis，orcanbe，nothingelsebuttheevidenceofthetruthofanyproposition；
andifitbenotaself-evidentproposition，allthelightithas，orcanhave，isfromtheclearnessandvalidityofthoseproofsuponwhichitisreceived。Totalkofanyotherlightintheunderstandingistoputourselvesinthedark，orinthepowerofthePrinceofDarkness，and，byourownconsent，togiveourselvesuptodelusiontobelievealie。For，ifstrengthofpersuasionbethelightwhichmustguideus；IaskhowshallanyonedistinguishbetweenthedelusionsofSatan，andtheinspirationsoftheHolyGhost？Hecantransformhimselfintoanangeloflight。AndtheywhoareledbythisSonoftheMorningareasfullysatisfiedoftheillumination，i。e。
areasstronglypersuadedthattheyareenlightenedbytheSpiritofGodasanyonewhoisso:theyacquiesceandrejoiceinit，areactuatedbyit:andnobodycanbemoresure，normoreintherightiftheirownbeliefmaybejudgethanthey。
14。Revelationmustbejudgedofbyreason。He，therefore，thatwillnotgivehimselfuptoalltheextravagancesofdelusionanderrormustbringthisguideofhislightwithintothetrial。Godwhenhemakestheprophetdoesnotunmaketheman。Heleavesallhisfacultiesinthenaturalstate，toenablehimtojudgeofhisinspirations，whethertheybeofdivineoriginalorno。Whenheilluminatesthemindwithsupernaturallight，hedoesnotextinguishthatwhichisnatural。
Ifhewouldhaveusassenttothetruthofanyproposition，heeitherevidencesthattruthbytheusualmethodsofnaturalreason，orelsemakesitknowntobeatruthwhichhewouldhaveusassenttobyhisauthority，andconvincesusthatitisfromhim，bysomemarkswhichreasoncannotbemistakenin。Reasonmustbeourlastjudgeandguideineverything。Idonotmeanthatwemustconsultreason，andexaminewhetherapropositionrevealedfromGodcanbemadeoutbynaturalprinciples，andifitcannot，thatthenwemayrejectit:butconsultitwemust，andbyitexaminewhetheritbearevelationfromGodorno:andifreasonfindsittoberevealedfromGod，reasonthendeclaresforitasmuchasforanyothertruth，andmakesitoneofherdictates。Everyconceitthatthoroughlywarmsourfanciesmustpassforaninspiration，iftherebenothingbutthestrengthofourpersuasions，wherebytojudgeofourpersuasions:ifreasonmustnotexaminetheirtruthbysomethingextrinsicaltothepersuasionsthemselves，inspirationsanddelusions，truthandfalsehood，willhavethesamemeasure，andwillnotbepossibletobedistinguished。
15。Beliefnoproofofrevelation。Ifthisinternallight，oranypropositionwhichunderthattitlewetakeforinspired，beconformabletotheprinciplesofreason，ortothewordofGod，whichisattestedrevelation，reasonwarrantsit，andwemaysafelyreceiveitfortrue，andbeguidedbyitinourbeliefandactions:ifitreceivenotestimonynorevidencefromeitheroftheserules，wecannottakeitforarevelation，orsomuchasfortrue，tillwehavesomeothermarkthatitisarevelation，besidesourbelievingthatitisso。Thusweseetheholymenofold，whohadrevelationsfromGod，hadsomethingelsebesidesthatinternallightofassuranceintheirownminds，totestifytothemthatitwasfromGod。
Theywerenotlefttotheirownpersuasionsalone，thatthosepersuasionswerefromGod，buthadoutwardsignstoconvincethemoftheAuthorofthoserevelations。Andwhentheyweretoconvinceothers，theyhadapowergiventhemtojustifythetruthoftheircommissionfromheaven，andbyvisiblesignstoassertthedivineauthorityofamessagetheyweresentwith。Mosessawthebushburnwithoutbeingconsumed，andheardavoiceoutofit:thiswassomethingbesidesfindinganimpulseuponhismindtogotoPharaoh，thathemightbringhisbrethrenoutofEgypt:andyethethoughtnotthisenoughtoauthorizehimtogowiththatmessage，tillGod，byanothermiracleofhisrodturnedintoaserpent，hadassuredhimofapowertotestifyhismission，bythesamemiraclerepeatedbeforethemwhomhewassentto。GideonwassentbyanangeltodeliverIsraelfromtheMidianites，andyethedesiredasigntoconvincehimthatthiscommissionwasfromGod。These，andseveralthelikeinstancestobefoundamongtheprophetsofold，areenoughtoshowthattheythoughtnotaninwardseeingorpersuasionoftheirownminds，withoutanyotherproof，asufficientevidencethatitwasfromGod；thoughtheScripturedoesnoteverywherementiontheirdemandingorhavingsuchproofs。
16。Criteriaofadivinerevelation。InwhatIhavesaidIamfarfromdenying，thatGodcan，ordothsometimesenlightenmen’smindsintheapprehendingofcertaintruthsorexcitethemtogoodactions，bytheimmediateinfluenceandassistanceoftheHolySpirit，withoutanyextraordinarysignsaccompanyingit。ButinsuchcasestoowehavereasonandScripture；unerringrulestoknowwhetheritbefromGodorno。WherethetruthembracedisconsonanttotherevelationinthewrittenwordofGod，ortheactionconformabletothedictatesofrightreasonorholywrit，wemaybeassuredthatwerunnoriskinentertainingitassuch:because，thoughperhapsitbenotanimmediaterevelationfromGod，extraordinarilyoperatingonourminds，yetwearesureitiswarrantedbythatrevelationwhichhehasgivenusoftruth。Butitisnotthestrengthofourprivatepersuasionwithinourselves，thatcanwarrantittobealightormotionfromheaven:nothingcandothatbutthewrittenWordofGodwithoutus，orthatstandardofreasonwhichiscommontouswithallmen。WherereasonorScriptureisexpressforanyopinionoraction，wemayreceiveitasofdivineauthority:butitisnotthestrengthofourownpersuasionswhichcanbyitselfgiveitthatstamp。Thebentofourownmindsmayfavouritasmuchasweplease:
thatmayshowittobeafondlingofourown，butwillbynomeansproveittobeanoffspringofheaven，andofdivineoriginal。
ChapterXX
OfWrongAssent，orError1。Causesoferror，orhowmencometogiveassentcontrarytoprobability。Knowledgebeingtobehadonlyofvisibleandcertaintruth，errorisnotafaultofourknowledge，butamistakeofourjudgmentgivingassenttothatwhichisnottrue。
Butifassentbegroundedonlikelihood，iftheproperobjectandmotiveofourassentbeprobability，andthatprobabilityconsistsinwhatislaiddownintheforegoingchapters，itwillbedemandedhowmencometogivetheirassentscontrarytoprobability。Forthereisnothingmorecommonthancontrarietyofopinions；nothingmoreobviousthanthatonemanwhollydisbelieveswhatanotheronlydoubtsof，andathirdstedfastlybelievesandfirmlyadheresto。
Thereasonswhereof，thoughtheymaybeveryvarious，yet，Isupposemayallbereducedtothesefour:
I。Wantofproofs。
II。Wantofabilitytousethem。
III。Wantofwilltoseethem。
IV。Wrongmeasuresofprobability。
2。Firstcauseoferror，wantofproofs。First，Bywantofproofs，I
donotmeanonlythewantofthoseproofswhicharenowhereextant，andsoarenowheretobehad；butthewantevenofthoseproofswhichareinbeing，ormightbeprocured。Andthusmenwantproofs，whohavenottheconvenienceoropportunitytomakeexperimentsandobservationsthemselves，tendingtotheproofofanyproposition；
norlikewisetheconveniencetoinquireintoandcollectthetestimoniesofothers:andinthisstatearethegreatestpartofmankind，whoaregivenuptolabour，andenslavedtothenecessityoftheirmeancondition，whoselivesarewornoutonlyintheprovisionsforliving。Thesemen’sopportunitiesofknowledgeandinquiryarecommonlyasnarrowastheirfortunes；andtheirunderstandingsarebutlittleinstructed，whenalltheirwholetimeandpainsarelaidouttostillthecroakingoftheirownbellies，orthecriesoftheirchildren。Itisnottobeexpectedthatamanwhodrudgesonallhislifeinalaborioustrade，shouldbemoreknowinginthevarietyofthingsdoneintheworldthanapackhorse，whoisdrivenconstantlyforwardsandbackwardsinanarrowlaneanddirtyroad，onlytomarket，shouldbeskilledinthegeographyofthecountry。Norisitatallmorepossiblethathewhowantsleisure，books，andlanguages，andtheopportunityofconversingwithvarietyofmen，shouldbeinaconditiontocollectthosetestimoniesandobservationswhichareinbeing，andarenecessarytomakeoutmany，naymost，ofthepropositionsthat，inthesocietiesofmen，arejudgedofthegreatestmoment；ortofindoutgroundsofassurancesogreatasthebeliefofthepointshewouldbuildonthemisthoughtnecessary。Sothatagreatpartofmankindare，bythenaturalandunalterablestateofthingsinthisworld，andtheconstitutionofhumanaffairs，unavoidablygivenovertoinvincibleignoranceofthoseproofsonwhichothersbuild，andwhicharenecessarytoestablishthoseopinions:thegreatestpartofmen，havingmuchtodotogetthemeansofliving，arenotinaconditiontolookafterthoseoflearnedandlaboriousinquiries。
3。Objection。"Whatshallbecomeofthosewhowantproofs？"
Answered。Whatshallwesay，then？Arethegreatestpartofmankind，bythenecessityoftheircondition，subjectedtounavoidableignoranceinthosethingswhichareofgreatestimportancetothem？
forofthoseitisobvioustoinquire。Havethebulkofmankindnootherguidebutaccidentandblindchancetoconductthemtotheirhappinessormisery？Arethecurrentopinions，andlicensedguidesofeverycountrysufficientevidenceandsecuritytoeverymantoventurehisgreatconcernmentson；nay，hiseverlastinghappinessormisery？Orcanthosebethecertainandinfallibleoraclesandstandardsoftruth，whichteachonethinginChristendomandanotherinTurkey？Orshallapoorcountrymanbeeternallyhappy，forhavingthechancetobeborninItaly；oraday-labourerbeunavoidablylost，becausehehadtheill-lucktobeborninEngland？Howreadysomemenmaybetosaysomeofthesethings，Iwillnothereexamine:butthisIamsure，thatmenmustallowoneorotherofthesetobetrue，letthemchoosewhichtheyplease，orelsegrantthatGodhasfurnishedmenwithfacultiessufficienttodirecttheminthewaytheyshouldtake，iftheywillbutseriouslyemploythemthatway，whentheirordinaryvocationsallowthemtheleisure。Nomanissowhollytakenupwiththeattendanceonthemeansofliving，astohavenosparetimeatalltothinkofhissoul，andinformhimselfinmattersofreligion。Weremenasintentuponthisastheyareonthingsoflowerconcernment，therearenonesoenslavedtothenecessitiesoflifewhomightnotfindmanyvacanciesthatmightbehusbandedtothisadvantageoftheirknowledge。
4。Peoplehinderedfrominquiry。Besidesthosewhoseimprovementsandinformationsarestraitenedbythenarrownessoftheirfortunes，thereareotherswhoselargenessoffortunewouldplentifullyenoughsupplybooks，andotherrequisitesforclearingofdoubts，anddiscoveringoftruth:buttheyarecoopedinclose，bythelawsoftheircountries，andthestrictguardsofthosewhoseinterestitistokeepthemignorant，lest，knowingmore，theyshouldbelievethelessinthem。Theseareasfar，nayfurther，fromthelibertyandopportunitiesofafairinquiry，thanthesepoorandwretchedlabourerswebeforespokeof:andhowevertheymayseemhighandgreat，areconfinedtonarrownessofthought，andenslavedinthatwhichshouldbethefreestpartofman，theirunderstandings。Thisisgenerallythecaseofallthosewholiveinplaceswherecareistakentopropagatetruthwithoutknowledge；wheremenareforced，ataventure，tobeofthereligionofthecountry；andmustthereforeswallowdownopinions，assillypeopledoempiric’spills，withoutknowingwhattheyaremadeof，orhowtheywillwork，andhavingnothingtodobutbelievethattheywilldothecure:butinthisaremuchmoremiserablethanthey，inthattheyarenotatlibertytorefuseswallowingwhatperhapstheyhadratherletalone；ortochoosethephysician，towhoseconducttheywouldtrustthemselves。
5。Secondcauseoferror，wantofskilltouseproofs。Secondly，Thosewhowantskilltousethoseevidencestheyhaveofprobabilities；whocannotcarryatrainofconsequencesintheirheads；norweighexactlythepreponderancyofcontraryproofsandtestimonies，makingeverycircumstanceitsdueallowance；maybeeasilymisledtoassenttopositionsthatarenotprobable。Therearesomemenofone，somebutoftwosyllogisms，andnomore；andothersthatcanbutadvanceonestepfurther。Thesecannotalwaysdiscernthatsideonwhichthestrongestproofslie；cannotconstantlyfollowthatwhichinitselfisthemoreprobableopinion。Nowthatthereissuchadifferencebetweenmen，inrespectoftheirunderstandings，Ithinknobody，whohashadanyconversationwithhisneighbours，willquestion:thoughheneverwasatWestminster-HallortheExchangeontheonehand，noratAlms-housesorBedlamontheother。Whichgreatdifferenceinmen’sintellectuals，whetheritrisesfromanydefectintheorgansofthebodyparticularlyadaptedtothinking；orinthedullnessoruntractablenessofthosefacultiesforwantofuse；or，assomethink，inthenaturaldifferencesofmen’ssoulsthemselves；orsome，orallofthesetogether；itmattersnotheretoexamine:onlythisisevident，thatthereisadifferenceofdegreesinmen’sunderstandings，apprehensions，andreasonings，tosogreatalatitude，thatonemay，withoutdoinginjurytomankind，affirmthatthereisagreaterdistancebetweensomemenandothersinthisrespectthanbetweensomemenandsomebeasts。Buthowthiscomesaboutisaspeculation，thoughofgreatconsequence，yetnotnecessarytoourpresentpurpose。
6。Thirdcauseoferror，wantofwilltousethem。Thirdly，Thereareanothersortofpeoplethatwantproofs，notbecausetheyareoutoftheirreach，butbecausetheywillnotusethem:whothoughtheyhaverichesandleisureenoughandwantneitherpartsnorotherhelps，areyetneverthebetterforthem。Theirhotpursuitofpleasure，orconstantdrudgeryinbusiness，engagessomemen’sthoughtselsewhere:lazinessandoscitancyingeneral，oraparticularaversionforbooks，study，andmeditation，keepothersfromanyseriousthoughtsatall；andsomeoutoffearthatanimpartialinquirywouldnotfavourthoseopinionswhichbestsuittheirprejudices，lives，anddesigns，contentthemselves，withoutexamination，totakeupontrustwhattheyfindconvenientandinfashion。Thus，mostmen，evenofthosethatmightdootherwise，passtheirliveswithoutanacquaintancewith，muchlessarationalassentto，probabilitiestheyareconcernedtoknow，thoughtheyliesomuchwithintheirviewthat，tobeconvincedofthem，theyneedbutturntheireyesthatway。Weknowsomemenwillnotreadaletterwhichissupposedtobringillnews；andmanymenforbeartocastuptheiraccounts，orsomuchasthinkupontheirestates，whohavereasontofeartheiraffairsareinnoverygoodposture。Howmen，whoseplentifulfortunesallowthemleisuretoimprovetheirunderstandings，cansatisfythemselveswithalazyignorance，Icannottell:butmethinkstheyhavealowopinionoftheirsouls，wholayoutalltheirincomesinprovisionsforthebody，andemploynoneofittoprocurethemeansandhelpsofknowledge；whotakegreatcaretoappearalwaysinaneatandsplendidoutside，andwouldthinkthemselvesmiserableincoarseclothes，orapatchedcoat，andyetcontentedlysuffertheirmindstoappearabroadinapiebaldliveryofcoarsepatchesandborrowedshreds，suchasithaspleasedchance，ortheircountrytailorImeanthecommonopinionofthosetheyhaveconversedwithtoclothethemin。Iwillnotherementionhowunreasonablethisisformenthateverthinkofafuturestate，andtheirconcernmentinit，whichnorationalmancanavoidtodosometimes:norshallItakenoticewhatashameandconfusionitistothegreatestcontemnersofknowledge，tobefoundignorantinthingstheyareconcernedtoknow。Butthisatleastisworththeconsiderationofthosewhocallthemselvesgentlemen，That，howevertheymaythinkcredit，respect，power，andauthoritytheconcomitantsoftheirbirthandfortune，yettheywillfindallthesestillcarriedawayfromthembymenoflowercondition，whosurpasstheminknowledge。Theywhoareblindwillalwaysbeledbythosethatsee，orelsefallintotheditch:andheiscertainlythemostsubjected，themostenslaved，whoissoinhisunderstanding。
Intheforegoinginstancessomeofthecauseshavebeenshownofwrongassent，andhowitcomestopassthatprobabledoctrinesarenotalwaysreceivedwithanassentproportionabletothereasonswhicharetobehadfortheirprobability:buthithertowehaveconsideredonlysuchprobabilitieswhoseproofsdoexist，butdonotappeartohimwhoembracestheerror。
7。Fourthcauseoferror，wrongmeasuresofProbability。Fourthly，Thereremainsyetthelastsort，who，evenwheretherealprobabilitiesappear，andareplainlylaidbeforethem，donotadmitoftheconviction，noryielduntomanifestreasons，butdoeitherepechein，suspendtheirassent，orgiveittothelessprobableopinion。Andtothisdangerarethoseexposedwhohavetakenupwrongmeasuresofprobability，whichare:
I。Propositionsthatarenotinthemselvescertainandevident，butdoubtfulandfalse，takenupforprinciples。
II。Receivedhypotheses。
III。Predominantpassionsorinclinations。
IV。Authority。
8。I。Doubtfulpropositionstakenforprinciples。Thefirstandfirmestgroundofprobabilityistheconformityanythinghastoourownknowledge；especiallythatpartofourknowledgewhichwehaveembraced，andcontinuetolookonasprinciples。Thesehavesogreataninfluenceuponouropinions，thatitisusuallybythemwejudgeoftruth，andmeasureprobability；tothatdegree，thatwhatisinconsistentwithourprinciples，issofarfrompassingforprobablewithus，thatitwillnotbeallowedpossible。Thereverencebornetotheseprinciplesissogreat，andtheirauthoritysoparamounttoallother，thatthetestimony，notonlyofothermen，buttheevidenceofourownsensesareoftenrejected，whentheyoffertovouchanythingcontrarytotheseestablishedrules。
Howmuchthedoctrineofinnateprinciples，andthatprinciplesarenottobeprovedorquestioned，hascontributedtothis，Iwillnothereexamine。ThisIreadilygrant，thatonetruthcannotcontradictanother:butwithalItakeleavealsotosay，thateveryoneoughtverycarefullytobewarewhatheadmitsforaprinciple，toexamineitstrictly，andseewhetherhecertainlyknowsittobetrueofitself，byitsownevidence，orwhetherhedoesonlywithassurancebelieveittobesoupontheauthorityofothers。Forhehathastrongbiasputintohisunderstanding，whichwillunavoidablymisguidehisassent，whohathimbibedwrongprinciples，andhasblindlygivenhimselfuptotheauthorityofanyopinioninitselfnotevidentlytrue。
9。Instilledinchildhood。Thereisnothingmoreordinarythanchildren’sreceivingintotheirmindspropositionsespeciallyaboutmattersofreligionfromtheirparents，nurses，orthoseaboutthem:whichbeinginsinuatedintotheirunwaryaswellasunbiassedunderstandings，andfastenedbydegrees，areatlastequallywhethertrueorfalserivetedtherebylongcustomandeducation，beyondallpossibilityofbeingpulledoutagain。Formen，whentheyaregrownup，reflectingupontheiropinions，andfindingthoseofthissorttobeasancientintheirmindsastheirverymemories，nothavingobservedtheirearlyinsinuation，norbywhatmeanstheygotthem，theyareapttoreverencethemassacredthings，andnottosufferthemtobeprofaned，touched，orquestioned:theylookonthemastheUrimandThummimsetupintheirmindsimmediatelybyGodhimself，tobethegreatandunerringdecidersoftruthandfalsehood，andthejudgestowhichtheyaretoappealinallmannerofcontroversies。
10。Ofirresistibleefficacy。Thisopinionofhisprinciplesletthembewhattheywillbeingonceestablishedinanyone’smind，itiseasytobeimaginedwhatreceptionanypropositionshallfind，howclearlysoeverproved，thatshallinvalidatetheirauthority，oratallthwarttheseinternaloracles；whereasthegrossestabsurditiesandimprobabilities，beingbutagreeabletosuchprinciples，godownglibly，andareeasilydigested。Thegreatobstinacythatistobefoundinmenfirmlybelievingquitecontraryopinions，thoughmanytimesequallyabsurd，inthevariousreligionsofmankind，areasevidentaproofastheyareanunavoidableconsequenceofthiswayofreasoningfromreceivedtraditionalprinciples。Sothatmenwilldisbelievetheirowneyes，renouncetheevidenceoftheirsenses，andgivetheirownexperiencethelie，ratherthanadmitofanythingdisagreeingwiththesesacredtenets。TakeanintelligentRomanistthat，fromthefirstdawningofanynotionsinhisunderstanding，hathhadthisprincipleconstantlyinculcated，viz。thathemustbelieveasthechurchi。e。thoseofhiscommunionbelieves，orthatthepopeisinfallible，andthisheneversomuchasheardquestioned，tillatfortyorfiftyyearsoldhemetwithoneofotherprinciples:howishepreparedeasilytoswallow，notonlyagainstallprobability，buteventheclearevidenceofhissenses，thedoctrineoftransubstantiation？Thisprinciplehassuchaninfluenceonhismind，thathewillbelievethattobefleshwhichheseestobebread。
Andwhatwaywillyoutaketoconvinceamanofanyimprobableopinionheholds，who，withsomephilosophers，hathlaiddownthisasafoundationofreasoning，Thathemustbelievehisreasonforsomenimproperlycallargumentsdrawnfromtheirprinciplesagainsthissenses？Letanenthusiastbeprincipledthatheorhisteacherisinspired，andactedbyanimmediatecommunicationoftheDivineSpirit，andyouinvainbringtheevidenceofclearreasonsagainsthisdoctrine。Whoever，therefore，haveimbibedwrongprinciples，arenot，inthingsinconsistentwiththeseprinciples，tobemovedbythemostapparentandconvincingprobabilities，tilltheyaresocandidandingenuoustothemselves，astobepersuadedtoexamineeventhoseveryprinciples，whichmanyneversufferthemselvestodo。
11。II。Receivedhypotheses。Nexttothesearemenwhoseunderstandingsarecastintoamould，andfashionedjusttothesizeofareceivedhypothesis。Thedifferencebetweentheseandtheformer，is，thattheywilladmitofmatteroffact，andagreewithdissentersinthat；butdifferonlyinassigningofreasonsandexplainingthemannerofoperation。Thesearenotatthatopendefiancewiththeirsenses，withtheformer:theycanenduretohearkentotheirinformationalittlemorepatiently；butwillbynomeansadmitoftheirreportsintheexplanationofthings；norbeprevailedonbyprobabilities，whichwouldconvincethemthatthingsarenotbroughtaboutjustafterthesamemannerthattheyhavedecreedwithinthemselvesthattheyare。Woulditnotbeaninsufferablethingforalearnedprofessor，andthatwhichhisscarletwouldblushat，tohavehisauthorityoffortyyears，standing，wroughtoutofhardrock，GreekandLatin，withnosmallexpenseoftimeandcandle，andconfirmedbygeneraltraditionandareverendbeard，inaninstantoverturnedbyanupstartnovelist？Cananyoneexpectthatheshouldbemadetoconfess，thatwhathetaughthisscholarsthirtyyearsagowasallerrorandmistake；andthathesoldthemhardwordsandignoranceataverydearrate。Whatprobabilities，Isay，aresufficienttoprevailinsuchacase？Andwhoever，bythemostcogentarguments，willbeprevailedwithtodisrobehimselfatonceofallhisoldopinions，andpretencestoknowledgeandlearning，whichwithhardstudyhehathallthistimebeenlabouringfor；andturnhimselfoutstarknaked，inquestafreshofnewnotions？Alltheargumentsthatcanbeusedwillbeaslittleabletoprevail，asthewinddidwiththetravellertopartwithhiscloak，whichheheldonlythefaster。Tothisofwronghypothesismaybereducedtheerrorsthatmaybeoccasionedbyatruehypothesis，orrightprinciples，butnotrightlyunderstood。
Thereisnothingmorefamiliarthanthis。Theinstancesofmencontendingfordifferentopinions，whichtheyallderivefromtheinfallibletruthoftheScripture，areanundeniableproofofit。
AllthatcallthemselvesChristians，allowthetextthatsays，metanoeite，tocarryinittheobligationtoaveryweightyduty。
Butyethowveryerroneouswilloneoftheirpracticesbe，who，understandingnothingbuttheFrench，takethisrulewithonetranslationtobe，Repentez-vous，repent；orwiththeother，Fatiezpenitence，dopenance。
12。III。Predominantpassions。Probabilitieswhichcrossmen’sappetitesandprevailingpassionsrunthesamefate。Leteversomuchprobabilityhangononesideofacovetousman’sreasoning，andmoneyontheother；itiseasytoforeseewhichwilloutweigh。Earthlyminds，likemudwalls，resistthestrongestbatteries:andthough，perhaps，sometimestheforceofaclearargumentmaymakesomeimpression，yettheyneverthelessstandfirm，andkeepouttheenemy，truth，thatwouldcaptivateordisturbthem。Tellamanpassionatelyinlovethatheisjilted；bringascoreofwitnessesofthefalsehoodofhismistress，itistentoonebutthreekindwordsofhersshallinvalidatealltheirtestimonies。Quodvolumus，facilecredimus；whatsuitsourwishes，isforwardlybelieved，is，I
suppose，whateveryonehathmorethanonceexperimented:andthoughmencannotalwaysopenlygainsayorresisttheforceofmanifestprobabilitiesthatmakeagainstthem，yetyieldtheynottotheargument。Notbutthatitisthenatureoftheunderstandingconstantlytoclosewiththemoreprobableside；butyetamanhathapowertosuspendandrestrainitsinquiries，andnotpermitafullandsatisfactoryexamination，asfarasthematterinquestioniscapable，andwillbearittobemade。Untilthatbedone，therewillbealwaysthesetwowaysleftofevadingthemostapparentprobabilities:
13。Twomeansofevadingprobabilities:I。Supposedfallacylatentinthewordsemployed。First，Thattheargumentsbeingasforthemostparttheyarebroughtinwords，theremaybeafallacylatentinthem:andtheconsequencesbeing，perhaps，manyintrain，theymaybesomeofthemincoherent。Thereareveryfewdiscoursessoshort，clear，andconsistent，towhichmostmenmaynot，withsatisfactionenoughtothemselves，raisethisdoubt；andfromwhoseconvictiontheymaynot，withoutreproachofdisingenuityorunreasonableness，setthemselvesfreewiththeoldreply，Nonpersuadebis，etiamsipersuaseris；thoughIcannotanswer，Iwillnotyield。
14。Supposedunknownargumentsforthecontrary。Secondly，Manifestprobabilitiesmaybeevaded，andtheassentwithheld，uponthissuggestion，ThatIknownotyetallthatmayhesaidonthecontraryside。Andtherefore，thoughIbebeaten，itisnotnecessaryIshouldyield，notknowingwhatforcesthereareinreservebehind。Thisisarefugeagainstconvictionsoopenandsowide，thatitishardtodeterminewhenamanisquiteoutofthevergeofit。
15。Whatprobabilitiesnaturallydeterminetheassent。Butyetthereissomeendofit；andamanhavingcarefullyinquiredintoallthegroundsofprobabilityandunlikeliness；donehisutmosttoinformhimselfinallparticularsfairly，andcastupthesumtotalonbothsides；may，inmostcases，cometoacknowledge，uponthewholematter，onwhichsidetheprobabilityrests:whereinsomeproofsinmatterofreason，beingsuppositionsuponuniversalexperience，aresocogentandclear，andsometestimoniesinmatteroffactsouniversal，thathecannotrefusehisassent。SothatIthinkwemayconclude，that，inpropositions，wherethoughtheproofsinviewareofmostmoment，yettherearesufficientgroundstosuspectthatthereiseitherfallacyinwords，orcertainproofsasconsiderabletobeproducedonthecontraryside；thereassent，suspense，ordissent，areoftenvoluntaryactions。Butwheretheproofsaresuchasmakeithighlyprobable，andthereisnotsufficientgroundtosuspectthatthereiseitherfallacyofwordswhichsoberandseriousconsiderationmaydiscovernorequallyvalidproofsyetundiscovered，latentontheothersidewhichalsothenatureofthethingmay，insomecases，makeplaintoaconsiderateman；there，Ithink，amanwhohasweighedthemcanscarcerefusehisassenttothesideonwhichthegreaterprobabilityappears。Whetheritbeprobablethatapromiscuousjumbleofprintinglettersshouldoftenfallintoamethodandorder，whichshouldstamponpaperacoherentdiscourse；orthatablindfortuitousconcourseofatoms，notguidedbyanunderstandingagent，shouldfrequentlyconstitutethebodiesofanyspeciesofanimals:intheseandthelikecases，Ithink，nobodythatconsidersthemcanbeonejotatastandwhichsidetotake，noratallwaverinhisassent。Lastly，whentherecanbenosuppositionthethinginitsownnatureindifferent，andwhollydependinguponthetestimonyofwitnessesthatthereisasfairtestimonyagainst，asforthematteroffactattested；whichbyinquiryistobelearned，v。g。
whethertherewasonethousandsevenhundredyearsagosuchamanatRomeasJuliusCaesar:inallsuchcases，Isay，Ithinkitisnotinanyrationalman’spowertorefusehisassent；butthatitnecessarilyfollows，andcloseswithsuchprobabilities。Inotherlessclearcases，Ithinkitisinman’spowertosuspendhisassent；andperhapscontenthimselfwiththeproofshehas，iftheyfavourtheopinionthatsuitswithhisinclinationorinterest，andsostopfromfurthersearch。Butthatamanshouldaffordhisassenttothatsideonwhichthelessprobabilityappearstohim，seemstomeutterlyimpracticable，andasimpossibleasitistobelievethesamethingprobableandimprobableatthesametime。
16。Whereitisinourpowertosuspendourjudgment。Asknowledgeisnomorearbitrarythanperception；so，Ithink，assentisnomoreinourpowerthanknowledge。Whentheagreementofanytwoideasappearstoourminds，whetherimmediatelyorbytheassistanceofreason，Icannomorerefusetoperceive，nomoreavoidknowingit，thanIcanavoidseeingthoseobjectswhichIturnmyeyesto，andlookonindaylight；andwhatuponfullexaminationIfindthemostprobable，Icannotdenymyassentto。But，thoughwecannothinderourknowledge，wheretheagreementisonceperceived；norourassent，wheretheprobabilitymanifestlyappearsupondueconsiderationofallthemeasuresofit:yetwecanhinderbothknowledgeandassent，bystoppingourinquiry，andnotemployingourfacultiesinthesearchofanytruth。Ifitwerenotso，ignorance，error，orinfidelity，couldnotinanycasebeafault。Thus，insomecaseswecanpreventorsuspendourassent:butcanamanversedinmodernorancienthistorydoubtwhetherthereissuchaplaceasRome，orwhethertherewassuchamanasJuliusCaesar？Indeed，therearemillionsoftruthsthatamanisnot，ormaynotthinkhimselfconcernedtoknow；aswhetherourkingRichardtheThirdwascrookedorno；orwhetherRogerBaconwasamathematicianoramagician。Intheseandsuchlikecases，wheretheassentonewayorotherisofnoimportancetotheinterestofanyone；noaction，noconcernmentofhisfollowingordependingthereon，thereitisnotstrangethatthemindshouldgiveitselfuptothecommonopinion，orrenderitselftothefirstcomer。Theseandthelikeopinionsareofsolittleweightandmoment，that，likemotesinthesun，theirtendenciesareveryrarelytakennoticeof。Theyarethere，asitwere，bychance，andthemindletsthemfloatatliberty。Butwherethemindjudgesthatthepropositionhasconcernmentinit:wheretheassentornotassentingisthoughttodrawconsequencesofmomentafterit，andgoodandeviltodependonchoosingorrefusingtherightside，andthemindsetsitselfseriouslytoinquireandexaminetheprobability:thereIthinkitisnotinourchoicetotakewhichsideweplease，ifmanifestoddsappearoneither。Thegreaterprobability，Ithink，inthatcasewilldeterminetheassent:andamancannomoreavoidassenting，ortakingittobetrue，whereheperceivesthegreaterprobability，thanhecanavoidknowingittobetrue，whereheperceivestheagreementordisagreementofanytwoideas。
Ifthisbeso，thefoundationoferrorwilllieinwrongmeasuresofprobability；asthefoundationofviceinwrongmeasuresofgood。
17。IV。Authority。ThefourthandlastwrongmeasureofprobabilityIshalltakenoticeof，andwhichkeepsinignoranceorerrormorepeoplethanalltheothertogether，isthatwhichIhavementionedintheforegoingchapter:Imeanthegivingupourassenttothecommonreceivedopinions，eitherofourfriendsorparty，neighbourhoodorcountry。Howmanymenhavenoothergroundfortheirtenets，thanthesupposedhonesty，orlearning，ornumberofthoseofthesameprofession？Asifhonestorbookishmencouldnoterr；ortruthweretobeestablishedbythevoteofthemultitude:yetthiswithmostmenservestheturn。Thetenethashadtheattestationofreverendantiquity；itcomestomewiththepassportofformerages，andthereforeIamsecureinthereceptionIgiveit:
othermenhavebeenandareofthesameopinion，forthatisallissaid，andthereforeitisreasonableformetoembraceit。Amanmaymorejustifiablythrowupcrossandpileforhisopinions，thantakethemupbysuchmeasures。Allmenareliabletoerror，andmostmenareinmanypoints，bypassionorinterest，undertemptationtoit。Ifwecouldbutseethesecretmotivesthatinfluencedthemenofnameandlearningintheworld，andtheleadersofparties，weshouldnotalwaysfindthatitwastheembracingoftruthforitsownsake，thatmadethemespousethedoctrinestheyownedandmaintained。Thisatleastiscertain，thereisnotanopinionsoabsurd，whichamanmaynotreceiveuponthisground。Thereisnoerrortobenamed，whichhasnothaditsprofessors:andamanshallneverwantcrookedpathstowalkin，ifhethinksthatheisintherightway，whereverhehasthefootstepsofotherstofollow。
18。Notsomanymeninerrorsasiscommonlysupposed。But，notwithstandingthegreatnoiseismadeintheworldabouterrorsandopinions，Imustdomankindthatrightastosay，Therearenotsomanymeninerrorsandwrongopinionsasiscommonlysupposed。NotthatIthinktheyembracethetruth；butindeed，becauseconcerningthosedoctrinestheykeepsuchastirabout，theyhavenothought，noopinionatall。Forifanyoneshouldalittlecatechisethegreatestpartofthepartizansofmostofthesectsintheworld，hewouldnotfind，concerningthosematterstheyaresozealousfor，thattheyhaveanyopinionsoftheirown:muchlesswouldhehavereasontothinkthattheytookthemupontheexaminationofargumentsandappearanceofprobability。Theyareresolvedtosticktoapartythateducationorinteresthasengagedthemin；andthere，likethecommonsoldiersofanarmy，showtheircourageandwarmthastheirleadersdirect，withouteverexamining，orsomuchasknowing，thecausetheycontendfor。Ifaman’slifeshowsthathehasnoseriousregardforreligion；forwhatreasonshouldwethinkthathebeatshisheadabouttheopinionsofhischurch，andtroubleshimselftoexaminethegroundsofthisorthatdoctrine？Itisenoughforhimtoobeyhisleaders，tohavehishandandhistonguereadyforthesupportofthecommoncause，andtherebyapprovehimselftothosewhocangivehimcredit，preferment，orprotectioninthatsociety。Thusmenbecomeprofessorsof，andcombatantsfor，thoseopinionstheywereneverconvincedofnorproselytesto；no，noreverhadsomuchasfloatingintheirheads:andthoughonecannotsaytherearefewerimprobableorerroneousopinionsintheworldthanthereare，yetthisiscertain；therearefewerthatactuallyassenttothem，andmistakethemfortruths，thanisimagined。
ChapterXXI
OftheDivisionoftheSciences1。Sciencemaybedividedintothreesorts。Allthatcanfallwithinthecompassofhumanunderstanding，beingeither，First，thenatureofthings，astheyareinthemselves，theirrelations，andtheirmannerofoperation:or，Secondly，thatwhichmanhimselfoughttodo，asarationalandvoluntaryagent，fortheattainmentofanyend，especiallyhappiness:or，Thirdly，thewaysandmeanswherebytheknowledgeofboththeoneandtheotheroftheseisattainedandcommunicated；Ithinksciencemaybedividedproperlyintothesethreesorts:-
2。Physica。First，Theknowledgeofthings，astheyareintheirownproperbeings，theirconstitution，properties，andoperations；wherebyImeannotonlymatterandbody，butspiritsalso，whichhavetheirpropernatures，constitutions，andoperations，aswellasbodies。
This，inalittlemoreenlargedsenseoftheword，IcallPhusike，ornaturalphilosophy。Theendofthisisbarespeculativetruth:
andwhatsoevercanaffordthemindofmananysuch，fallsunderthisbranch，whetheritbeGodhimself，angels，spirits，bodies；oranyoftheiraffections，asnumber，andfigure，&c。
3。Practica。Secondly，Praktike，Theskillofrightapplyingourownpowersandactions，fortheattainmentofthingsgoodanduseful。
Themostconsiderableunderthisheadisethics，whichistheseekingoutthoserulesandmeasuresofhumanactions，whichleadtohappiness，andthemeanstopractisethem。Theendofthisisnotbarespeculationandtheknowledgeoftruth；butright，andaconductsuitabletoit。
4。Semeiotike。Thirdly，thethirdbranchmaybecalledSemeiotike，orthedoctrineofsigns；themostusualwhereofbeingwords，itisaptlyenoughtermedalsoLogike，logic:thebusinesswhereofistoconsiderthenatureofsigns，themindmakesuseoffortheunderstandingofthings，orconveyingitsknowledgetoothers。For，sincethethingsthemindcontemplatesarenoneofthem，besidesitself，presenttotheunderstanding，itisnecessarythatsomethingelse，asasignorrepresentationofthethingitconsiders，shouldbepresenttoit:andtheseareideas。Andbecausethesceneofideasthatmakesoneman’sthoughtscannotbelaidopentotheimmediateviewofanother，norlaidupanywherebutinthememory，anoverysurerepository:thereforetocommunicateourthoughtstooneanother，aswellasrecordthemforourownuse，signsofourideasarealsonecessary:thosewhichmenhavefoundmostconvenient，andthereforegenerallymakeuseof，arearticulatesounds。Theconsideration，then，ofideasandwordsasthegreatinstrumentsofknowledge，makesnodespicablepartoftheircontemplationwhowouldtakeaviewofhumanknowledgeinthewholeextentofit。Andperhapsiftheyweredistinctlyweighed，anddulyconsidered，theywouldaffordusanothersortoflogicandcritic，thanwhatwehavebeenhithertoacquaintedwith。
5。Thisisthefirstandmostgeneraldivisionoftheobjectsofourunderstanding。Thisseemstomethefirstandmostgeneral，aswellasnaturaldivisionoftheobjectsofourunderstanding。Foramancanemployhisthoughtsaboutnothing，buteither，thecontemplationofthingsthemselves，forthediscoveryoftruth；oraboutthethingsinhisownpower，whicharehisownactions，fortheattainmentofhisownends；orthesignsthemindmakesuseofbothintheoneandtheother，andtherightorderingofthem，foritsclearerinformation。
Allwhichthree，viz，things，astheyareinthemselvesknowable；
actionsastheydependonus，inordertohappiness；andtherightuseofsignsinordertoknowledge，beingtotocoelodifferent，theyseemedtometobethethreegreatprovincesoftheintellectualworld，whollyseparateanddistinctonefromanother。
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