Though
the reproach of heresy may, for some time, be bandied about among
the disputants, it always rests at last on the side of reason. Any
one, it is pretended, that has but learning enough of this kind to
know the definition of A/RIAN\, P/ELAGIAN\, E/RASTIAN\, S/OCINIAN\,
S/ABELLIAN\, E/UTYCHIAN\, N/ESTORIAN\, M/ONOTHELITE\, etc. not to
mention P/ROTESTANT\, whose fate is yet uncertain, will be convinced
of the truth of this observation. It is thus a system becomes more
absurd in the end, merely from its being reasonable and
philosophical in the beginning.
To oppose the torrent of scholastic religion by such feeble
maxims as these, that
and not to be>, that three make five>; is pretending to stop the ocean with a bull-rush.
Will you set up profane reason against sacred mystery? No punishment
is great enough for your impiety. And the same fires, which were
kindled for heretics, will serve also for the destruction of
philosophers.
S/ECT\. XII. .
We meet every day with people so sceptical with regard to
history, that they assert it impossible for any nation ever to
believe such absurd principles as those of G/REEK\ and E/GYPTIAN\
paganism; and at the same time so dogmatical with regard to
religion, that they think the same absurdities are to be found in no
other communion.
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