11. If the boundaries be not set between faith and reason, no enthusiasm or extravagancy in religion can be
contradicted.
If the provinces of faith and reason are not kept distinct by these boundaries, there will, in matters of
religion, be no room for reason at all; and those extravagant opinions and ceremonies that are to be found in the
several religions of the world will not deserve to be blamed. For, to this crying up of faith in opposition to reason,
we may, I think, in good measure ascribe those absurdities that fill almost all the religions which possess and
divide mankind. For men having been principled with an opinion that they must not consult reason in the things of
religion, however apparently contradictory to common sense and the very principles of all their knowledge, have
let loose their fancies and natural superstition; and have been by them led into so strange opinions, and
extravagant practices in religion, that a considerate man cannot but stand amazed at their follies, and judge them
so far from being acceptable to the great and wise God, that he cannot avoid thinking them ridiculous and
offensive to a sober good man. So that, in effect, religion, which should most distinguish us from beasts, and
ought most peculiarly to elevate us, as rational creatures, above brutes, is that wherein men often appear most
irrational, and more senseless than beasts themselves. Credo, quia impossibile est: I believe, because it is
impossible, might, in a good man, pass for a sally of zeal; but would prove a very ill rule for men to choose their
opinions or religion by.
