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I AM in all opinions to believe according to my own impartial reason; which I am bound to inform and improve, as far as my capacities and opportunities will permit.
It may be prudent in me to act sometimes by other men's reason; but I can think only by my own.
If another man's reason fully convinces me, it becomes my own reason.
To say a man is bound to believe, is neither truth nor sense.
You may force men, by interest or punishment to say or swear they believe, and to act as if they believed; you can go no farther.
Every man, as a member of the commonwealth, ought to be content with the possession of his own opinion in private, without perplexing his neighbour, or disturbing the publick.
Violent zeal for truth, has a hundred to one odds, to be either petulancy, ambition, or pride.
There is a degree of corruption, wherein some nations, as bad as the world is, will proceed to an
- ↑ See remarks on this treatise, Gent. Mag. vol. xxxv, P- 372.
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