第14章 Indifferency

First,he must not be in love with any opinion or wish it to be true till he knows it to be so,and then he will not need to wish it.For nothing that is false can deserve our good wishes nor a desire that it should have the place and force of truth;and yet nothing is more frequent than this.

Often are fond of certain tenets upon no other evidence but respect and custom,and think they must maintain them or all is gone,though they have never examined the ground they stand on,nor have ever made them out to themselves or can make them out to others.We should contend earnestly for the truth,but we should first be sure that it is truth,or else we fight against God,who is the God of truth,and do the work of the devil,who is the father and propagator of lies;and our zeal,though never so warm,will not excuse us;for this is plainly prejudice.