22. How men commonly come by their principles.
This, however strange it may seem, is that which every day's
experience confirms; and will not, perhaps, appear so wonderful, if we consider the ways and steps by which it is
brought about; and how really it may come to pass, that doctrines that have been derived from no better original
than the superstition of a nurse, or the authority of an old woman, may, by length of time and consent of
neighbours, grow up to the dignity of principles in religion or morality. For such, who are careful (as they call it)
to principle children well, (and few there be who have not a set of those principles for them, which they believe
in,) instil into the unwary, and as yet unprejudiced, understanding, (for white paper receives any characters,) those
doctrines they would have them retain and profess. These being taught them as soon as they have any
apprehension; and still as they grow up confirmed to them, either by the open profession or tacit consent of all
they have to do with; or at least by those of whose wisdom, knowledge, and piety they have an opinion, who
never suffer those propositions to be otherwise mentioned but as the basis and foundation on which they build
their religion and manners, come, by these means, to have the reputation of unquestionable, self-evident, and
innate truths.
