18. If the idea of God be not innate, no other can be supposed innate.
Since then though the knowledge of a God
be the most natural discovery of human reason, yet the idea of him is not innate, as I think is evident from what
has been said; I imagine there will be scarce any other idea found that can pretend to it. Since if God hath set any
impression, any character, on the understanding of men, it is most reasonable to expect it should have been some
clear and uniform idea of Himself; as far as our weak capacities were capable to receive so incomprehensible and
infinite an object. But our minds being at first void of that idea which we are most concerned to have, it is a strong
presumption against all other innate characters. I must own, as far as I can observe, I can find none, and would be
glad to be informed by any other.
