10. Of irresistible efficacy.
This opinion of his principles (let them be what they will) being once established in
any one's mind, it is easy to be imagined what reception any proposition shall find, how clearly soever proved,
that shall invalidate their authority, or at all thwart these internal oracles; whereas the grossest absurdities and
improbabilities, being but agreeable to such principles, go down glibly, and are easily digested. The great
obstinacy that is to be found in men firmly believing quite contrary opinions, though many times equally absurd,
in the various religions of mankind, are as evident a proof as they are an unavoidable consequence of this way of
reasoning from received traditional principles. So that men will disbelieve their own eyes, renounce the evidence
of their senses, and give their own experience the lie, rather than admit of anything disagreeing with these sacred
tenets. Take an intelligent Romanist that, from the first dawning of any notions in his understanding, hath had this
principle constantly inculcated, viz., that he must believe as the church (i.e., those of his communion) believes, or
that the pope is infallible, and this he never so much as heard questioned, till at forty or fifty years old he met with
one of other principles: how is he prepared easily to swallow, not only against all probability, but even the clear
evidence of his senses, the doctrine of transubstantiation? This principle has such an influence on his mind, that he
will believe that to be flesh which he sees to be bread. And what way will you take to convince a man of any
improbable opinion he holds, who, with some philosophers, hath laid down this as a foundation of reasoning, That
he must believe his reason (for so men improperly call arguments drawn from their principles) against his senses?
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired, and acted by an immediate communication of the
Divine Spirit, and you in vain bring the evidence of clear reasons against his doctrine. Whoever, therefore, have
imbibed wrong principles, are not, in things inconsistent with these principles, to be moved by the most apparent
and convincing probabilities, till they are so candid and ingenuous to themselves, as to be persuaded to examine
even those very principles, which many never suffer themselves to do.
