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 the most ignorant were not the most violent; for a bee is not a busier animal than a blockhead. However such instruments are necessary to politicians, and perhaps it may be with states as with clocks, which must have some dead weights hanging at them, to keep and regulate the motion of the finer and more useful parts. He knows very little of mankind, who expects by any reasoning or facts whatever, to convince a determined party-man.

4. It is an observation founded on experience, that the best things when corrupted become the worst. This is strictly applicable to religion, which is the best thing for enjoyment, but the worst thing when perverted by party spirit. It is certain that every degree of revealed truth is important, and freedom of inquiry should he encouraged; but when any divide or disturb churches, or hate all but those of their own way of thinking, whatever reason they pretend to give for their conduct, while their motives are bad, they are nothing but partizans in religion; and even if their motives and intentions be good, yet if they persecute, or with anger in their hearts wildly misrepresent the sentiments or conduct of any to do a personal injury, in defending their own tenets, they undoubtedly act in a party spirit.

IN real religion, there is a great tendency to cheerfulness; and such a frame of mind, is not only the most lovely, but strongly recommends it.

2. Those who recommend religion as gloomy, are like spies who brought a false report of