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with a contempt for the common rules of reason； morality； and
prudence。
It is thus enthusiasm produces the most cruel disorders in
human society； but its fury is like that of thunder and tempest；
which exhaust themselves in a little time； and leave the air more
calm and pure than before。 When the first fire of enthusiasm is
spent； men naturally； in all fanatical sects； sink into the
greatest remissness and coolness in sacred matters； there being
no body of men among them； endowed with sufficient authority；
whose interest is concerned to support the religious spirit： No
rites； no ceremonies； no holy observances； which may enter into
the common train of life； and preserve the sacred principles from
oblivion。 Superstition； on the contrary； steals in gradually and
insensibly； renders men tame and submissive； is acceptable to the
magistrate； and seems inoffensive to the people： Till at last the
priest； having firmly established his authority； becomes the
tyrant and disturber of human society； by his endless
contentions； persecutions； and religious wars。 How smoothly did
the Romish church advance in her acquisition of power ？ But into
what dismal convulsions did she throw all Europe； in order to
maintain it ？ On the other hand； our sectaries； who were formerly
such dangerous bigots； are now become very free reasoners； and
the seem to approach nearly the only regular body of
in the universe； the l； or the disciples of
Confucius in China。＇4＇
My observation on this head is； 。 As
superstition groans under the dominion of priests； and enthusiasm
is destructive of all ecclesiastical power； this sufficiently
accounts for the present observation。 Not to mention； that
enthusiasm； being the infirmity of bold and ambitious tempers； is
naturally accompanied with a spirit of liberty； as superstition；
on the contrary； renders men tame and abject； and fits them for
slavery。 We learn from English history； that； during the civil
wars； the and ； though the most opposite
in their religious principles； yet were united in their political
ones； and were alike passionate for a commonwealth。 And since the
origin of and ； the leaders of the have
either been or profest in their
principles； that is； friends to toleration； and indifferent to
any particular sect of ： While the sectaries； who
have all a strong tincture of enthusiasm； have always； without
exception； concurred with that party； in defence of civil
liberty。 The resemblance in their superstitions long united the
high church ； and the ； in support of
prerogative and kingly power； though experience of the tolerating
spirit of the seems of late to have reconciled the
to that party。
The and in France have a thousand
unintelligible disputes； which are not worthy the reflection of a
man of sense： But what principally distinguishes these two sects；
and alone merits attention； is the different spirit of their
religion。 The conducted by the ； are great
friends to superstition； rigid observers of external forms and
ceremonies； and devoted to the authority of the priests； and to
tradition。 The are enthusiasts； and zealous
promoters of the passionate devotion； and of the inward life；
little influenced by authority； and； in a word； but half
catholics。 The consequences are exactly conformable to the
foregoing reasoning。 The are the tyrants of the people；
and the slaves of the court： And the preserve alive
the small sparks of the love of liberty； which are to be found in
the French nation。