26. A worship of idols.
It is easy to imagine how, by these means, it comes to pass than men worship the idols that
have been set up in their minds; grow fond of the notions they have been long acquainted with there; and stamp
the characters of divinity upon absurdities and errors; become zealous votaries to bulls and monkeys, and contend
too, fight, and die in defence of their opinions. Dum solos credit habendos esse deos, quos ipse colit. For, since
the reasoning faculties of the soul, which are almost constantly, though not always warily nor wisely employed,
would not know how to move, for want of a foundation and footing, in most men, who through laziness or
avocation do not, or for want of time, or true helps, or for other causes, cannot penetrate into the principles of
knowledge, and trace truth to its fountain and original, it is natural for them, and almost unavoidable, to take up
with some borrowed principles; which being reputed and presumed to be the evident proofs of other things, are
thought not to need any other proof themselves. Whoever shall receive any of these into his mind, and entertain
them there with the reverence usually paid to principles, never venturing to examine them, but accustoming
himself to believe them, because they are to be believed, may take up, from his education and the fashions of his
country, any absurdity for innate principles; and by long poring on the same objects, so dim his sight as to take
monsters lodged in his own brain for the images of the Deity, and the workmanship of his hands.
