In proportion as men's fears
or distresses become more urgent, they still invent new strains of
adulation; and even he who outdoes his predecessor in swelling the
titles of his divinity, is sure to be outdone by his successor in
newer and more pompous epithets of praise. Thus they proceed, till
at last they arrive at infinity itself, beyond which there is no
further progress; And it is well if, in striving to get further,
and to represent a magnificent simplicity, they run not into
inexplicable mystery, and destroy the intelligent nature of their
deity, on which alone any rational worship or adoration can be
founded. While they confine themselves to the notion of a perfect
being, the Creator of the world, they coincide, by chance, with the
principles of reason and true philosophy; though they are guided to
that notion, not by reason, of which they are in a great measure
incapable, but by the adulation and fears of the most vulgar
superstition."--(IV. pp. 463-6.)
"Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a popular
religion were found, in which it was expressly declared, that
nothing but morality could gain the divine favour; if an order of
priests were instituted to inculcate this opinion, in daily
sermons, and with all the arts of persuasion; yet so inveterate are
the people's prejudices, that, for want of some other superstition,
they would make the very attendance on these sermons the essentials
of religion, rather than place them in virtue and good morals.
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