– – – – -David Hume
Every virtue, every excellence, must be ascribed to the divinity, and no exaggeration will be deemed sufficient to reach those perfections with which he is endowed. Whatever strains of panegyric can be invented, are immediately embraced, without consulting any arguments of phenomena: It is esteemed a sufficient confirmation of them, that they give us more magnificent ideas of the divine objects of our worship and adoration.
…their terrors naturally augment; while they believe, that no secrecy can conceal them from his scrutiny, and that even the inmost recesses of their breast lie open before him. They must then be careful not to form expressly any sentiment of blame or disapprobation. All must be applause, ravishment, extacy.
And while their gloomy aprehensions make them ascribe to him measures of conduct, which in human creatures would be highly blamed, they must still affect to praise and admire that conduct in the object of their devotional addresses.