doctrine of theism, still build
it upon irrational and superstitious grounds, they are never led
into that opinion by any process of argument, but by a certain
train of thinking, more suitable to their genius and capacity.

"It may readily happen, in an idolatrous nation, that though men
admit the existence of several limited deities, yet there is some
one God, whom, in a particular manner, they make the object of
their worship and adoration. They may either suppose, that, in the
distribution of power and territory among the Gods, their nation
was subjected to the jurisdiction of that particular deity; or,
reducing heavenly objects to the model of things below, they may
represent one god as the prince or supreme magistrate of the rest,
who, though of the same nature, rules them with an authority like
that which an earthly sovereign exerts over his subjects and
vassals. Whether this god, therefore, be considered as their
peculiar patron, or as the general sovereign of heaven, his
votaries will endeavour, by every art, to insinuate themselves into
his favour; and supposing him to be pleased, like themselves, with
praise and flattery, there is no eulogy or exaggeration which will
be spared in their addresses to him. 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
religio