Page:A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Johnson (1775).djvu/266

 prevailed in all ages and all nations; that particular instances have been given, with such evidence, as neither nor  has been able to resist; that sudden impressions, which the event has verified, have been felt by more than own or publish them; that the  of the  implies only the local frequency of a power, which is nowhere totally unknown; and that where we are unable to decide by antecedent reason, we must be content to yield to the force of testimony.

By pretension to, no profit was ever sought or gained. It is an involuntary affection, in which neither hope nor fear are known to have any part. Those who profess to feel it, do not boast of it as a privilege, nor are considered by others as advantageously distinguished. They have no temptation to feign; and their hearers have no motive to encourage the imposture.