18. Not so many men in errors as is commonly supposed.
But, notwithstanding the great noise is made in the
world about errors and opinions, I must do mankind that right as to say, There are not so many men in errors and
wrong opinions as is commonly supposed. Not that I think they embrace the truth; but indeed, because concerning
those doctrines they keep such a stir about, they have no thought, no opinion at all. For if any one should a little
catechise the greatest part of the partizans of most of the sects in the world, he would not find, concerning those
matters they are so zealous for, that they have any opinions of their own: much less would he have reason to think
that they took them upon the examination of arguments and appearance of probability. They are resolved to stick
to a party that education or interest has engaged them in; and there, like the common soldiers of an army, show
their courage and warmth as their leaders direct, without ever examining, or so much as knowing, the cause they
contend for. If a man's life shows that he has no serious regard for religion; for what reason should we think that
he beats his head about the opinions of his church, and troubles himself to examine the grounds of this or that
doctrine? It is enough for him to obey his leaders, to have his hand and his tongue ready for the support of the
common cause, and thereby approve himself to those who can give him credit, preferment, or protection in that
society. Thus men become professors of, and combatants for, those opinions they were never convinced of nor
proselytes to; no, nor ever had so much as floating in their heads: and though one cannot say there are fewer
improbable or erroneous opinions in the world than there are, yet this is certain; there are fewer that actually
assent to them, and mistake them for truths, than is imagined.
