450 LOGIC : OR, TIE RIGHT USE OF REASON. to the general idea of divine attributes or animals, with which I clearly and distinctly perceive them tò be connected. It may be illustrated in this manner. Suppose a long chain lies before me, whose nearest links I see are iron rings, and I see them fastened to a post near me, but the most distant links he beyond the reach of my sight, so that I know not whether they are oval or round, brass or iron : now I may boldly affirm, the whole length of this chain is fastened to the post, for I. have a clear idea that the nearest links are thus fastened, and a clear idea that the distant links are connected with the nearest, if I can draw the whole chain by one link. Or thus : If two known ideas, A and B, are evidently join- ed, or agree, and if C unknown be included in A, and also D unknown be included in B, then I may affirm that C and D are joined and agree : for I have a clear perception of the union of the two known ideas A and B ; and also a clear perception of the connection of the unknown idea with the known. So the clear and distinct ideas must still abide as a general ne- cessary qualification, in order to form a right judgment; and indeed it is upon this foot that all ratiocination is built,' and the conclusions are thus formed, which deduce things unknown from things known. Yet it seems to me, that there is onb just limitation or ex- ception to this general rule of judgment, as built on clear and distinct ideas, and it is this: Exception. " In matters of mere testimony, whether human or divine, there is not always a necessity of clear and distinct ideas of the things which are believed." Though the evidence of propositions, which are entirely formed by ourselves, depends on the clearness and distinctness of those ideas of which they are composed, and on our own clear perception of their agreement or disagreement, yet we may justly assent to propo- sitions formed by others, when we have neither a very clear con- ception' in,ourselves of the two ideas contained in the words, nor hoswthey agree or disagree ; provided always that we have a clear and sufficient evidence, of the credibility of the persons who inform us. Thus when we read in scripture the great doctrines of the Deity of Christ, of the unity of the divine and human natures in him, of the divine agency of the blessed Spirit, that " The Son is the brightness of his Father's glory, that all things were created by him and for him, that the Son shall give up his king- dom to the Father, and that God shall be all in all ;" we may safely believe them : for though our ideas of these ob- jects themselves are not sufficiently clear, distinct, and perfect, for our own minds to form these judgments or propositions con- cerning them, yet we have a. clear and distinct perception of
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