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CAP. 25.
Of the impediments which have been in the state of
heathen religion and other superstitions and errors of religion. And that
in the true religion there hath not nor is any impediment, except it be by
accident or intermixture of humour. That a religion which consisteth in
rites and forms of adoration, and not in confessions and beliefs, is
adverse to knowledge; because men having liberty to inquire and discourse
of Theology at pleasure, it cometh to pass that all inquisition of nature
endeth and limiteth itself in such metaphysical or theological discourse;
whereas if men's wits be shut out of that port, it turneth them again to
discover, and so to seek reason of reason more deeply. And that such was
the religion of the Heathen. That a religion that is jealous of the variety
of learning, discourse, opinions, and sects, (as misdoubting it may shake
the foundations,) or that cherisheth devotion upon simplicity and
ignorance, as ascribing ordinary effects to the immediate working of God,
is adverse to knowledge. That such is the religion of the Turk, and such
hath been the abuse of Christian religion at some several times, and in
some several factions. And of the singular advantage which the Christian
religion hath towards the furtherance of true knowledge, in that it
excludeth and interdicteth human reason, whether by interpretation or
anticipation,
from examining or discussing of the mysteries and principles of faith.
[@ Works III, 251]
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