DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47334#0030
4
ixni.oovei'ion.
Dbus, wbetber tbe sanguinary demon 8uperstition immolates bis victims at tbe
altars of Noloeb, of Diana, or of Motion,—of tbe idols of lire 8outb 8eas, or tire
monsters of Indian m^tbolog^,—wbetber lie condemns tbe wretebed oriental
ascetic to brutalizing penances, or debars tbe Doman Oatbolic votary from tbe
enjoyment of natural aikeetions, and tbe endearing relations of bumanit^,—tire
e^e of pbilosopb^ detects in all tbese variou8 disguises tbe same irrational and
absurd principles; and tbe benevolent beart eannot but lament tbeir intluenee over
tbe great ma88 of manbind.
8ueb are tbe 8entiment8 witb wbicb tbe autbor undertake a cursory view of
tbe 68tabli8bment, progress, and intluenee of religion in tbi8 country. De will
tberefore evince little veneration for in8titution8 founded in tbe name, and not
in tbe spirit of Obristianit^; little respect for tbe ignorant credulity, mi8called
faitb, of savages; and 8till le88 for tbe a88umed sanctity of tbo86 ancient devotees
wbose useless and disgusting penances, absurd mortibcations and impudent
impostures, occupy so considerable a part of our old legends. Lut wbile, in
endeavouring- to elicit trutb, we are obliged to censure systems and establisbments,
let us remember tbat tbe conscientious adberents to faults institutions are not
always to be included in tbe censure due to tbeir autbors. It is necessary to
distinguisb between tbe profession and its votaries. Nonacbism is not calculated
to increase genuine piet^, ^et man^ monbs bave been pious. Dver^ ordinance of
superstition is baneful to tbe buman mind, as calculated to cramp its energies, and
pervert its powers; ^et superstitious persons often perform benevolent and
bonourable actions. Our Doman Oatbolie bretbren, it is generally believed, enter-
tain erroneous opinions of tbe bead of tbeir eburcb, and of bis attributes; and
tbese errors produce a multitude of otbers: ^et tbe^ agree witb tbe Drotestants
in man^ essential practical points of religion, and it is probable, tbat if eccle-
siastical interests, of a temporal nature, were not involved in sucb errors, tbeir
doctrines would not long continue to ditker from tbose of tbe Obureb of Dngland.
It is not proposed in tbe present inquiry to investigate tbe Druidical superstition
of our Dritisb ancestors, or tbe fabulous m^tbolog^ of tbeir Doman conquerors;
botb gradually yielded to tbe mild intluenee of Obristianit^ in tbe course of
tbe century succeeding tbe termination of our 8aviour's mission. ^Vbetber tbe
Dritons originally received tbe gospel from 8t. Deter, 8t. Daul, dosepb ot
^.rimatbea, or from tbe family of Oaractacus, we sball not attempt to ascertain;
since tbe best evidence is unsatisfactory, and tbe decision unimportant. It is
ixni.oovei'ion.
Dbus, wbetber tbe sanguinary demon 8uperstition immolates bis victims at tbe
altars of Noloeb, of Diana, or of Motion,—of tbe idols of lire 8outb 8eas, or tire
monsters of Indian m^tbolog^,—wbetber lie condemns tbe wretebed oriental
ascetic to brutalizing penances, or debars tbe Doman Oatbolic votary from tbe
enjoyment of natural aikeetions, and tbe endearing relations of bumanit^,—tire
e^e of pbilosopb^ detects in all tbese variou8 disguises tbe same irrational and
absurd principles; and tbe benevolent beart eannot but lament tbeir intluenee over
tbe great ma88 of manbind.
8ueb are tbe 8entiment8 witb wbicb tbe autbor undertake a cursory view of
tbe 68tabli8bment, progress, and intluenee of religion in tbi8 country. De will
tberefore evince little veneration for in8titution8 founded in tbe name, and not
in tbe spirit of Obristianit^; little respect for tbe ignorant credulity, mi8called
faitb, of savages; and 8till le88 for tbe a88umed sanctity of tbo86 ancient devotees
wbose useless and disgusting penances, absurd mortibcations and impudent
impostures, occupy so considerable a part of our old legends. Lut wbile, in
endeavouring- to elicit trutb, we are obliged to censure systems and establisbments,
let us remember tbat tbe conscientious adberents to faults institutions are not
always to be included in tbe censure due to tbeir autbors. It is necessary to
distinguisb between tbe profession and its votaries. Nonacbism is not calculated
to increase genuine piet^, ^et man^ monbs bave been pious. Dver^ ordinance of
superstition is baneful to tbe buman mind, as calculated to cramp its energies, and
pervert its powers; ^et superstitious persons often perform benevolent and
bonourable actions. Our Doman Oatbolie bretbren, it is generally believed, enter-
tain erroneous opinions of tbe bead of tbeir eburcb, and of bis attributes; and
tbese errors produce a multitude of otbers: ^et tbe^ agree witb tbe Drotestants
in man^ essential practical points of religion, and it is probable, tbat if eccle-
siastical interests, of a temporal nature, were not involved in sucb errors, tbeir
doctrines would not long continue to ditker from tbose of tbe Obureb of Dngland.
It is not proposed in tbe present inquiry to investigate tbe Druidical superstition
of our Dritisb ancestors, or tbe fabulous m^tbolog^ of tbeir Doman conquerors;
botb gradually yielded to tbe mild intluenee of Obristianit^ in tbe course of
tbe century succeeding tbe termination of our 8aviour's mission. ^Vbetber tbe
Dritons originally received tbe gospel from 8t. Deter, 8t. Daul, dosepb ot
^.rimatbea, or from tbe family of Oaractacus, we sball not attempt to ascertain;
since tbe best evidence is unsatisfactory, and tbe decision unimportant. It is