An idol of metal or stone, differs from an idol of the
imagination, in being more permanent and comprehensible;
and its worshipper possesses an inestimable advantage over
the worshipper of an idol of the imagination, in being able
to convert it into an emblem of any object of adoration he
pleases. Dogma, more cunning than wooden gods, deprives
the conscience of this resource. The Pagan mythology
was ingeniously rendered a complete liberty of conscience,
by considering each idol as emblematical of some divine at
tribute;
and he who worshipped all, only paid his adorations to all these attributes. Neptune was an emblem of the Deity's power over the ocean; Minerva, of his justice; Ceres, of his bounty.
Hence arose the difference in temporal consequences. produced by solid and imaginary images; namely, festivity and mildness; bloodshed and persecution. The fancy is unable to adorn hideous tenets, with the agreeable illusions inspired by the Venus of Praxiteles, nor can the mind evade their recognitions by mental substitutions. We can substitute a supernatural being for a solid image, but we cannot substitute an abstract proposition, for a different abstract proposition; therefore the moderns have endured death in every form, rather than render homage to the idols of the imagination; whilst the ancients yielded to the illusions of art; or exercised the resource of converting the idols of the hand, into types of whatever supernatural beings they chose. Hence the ancient solid images or idols. were easily admitted and adopted, without embroiling nations or exciting malevolence among individuals; whilst metaphysical images or idols, engender remorseless hatreds, incessant persecutions, and sprinkle the earth with human blood.
Ancient atheism, or God as by law established, required only an external or ceremonious worship of a visible idol; modern atheism, or God as by law established, requires an internal or conscientious worship of an invisible idol. "Bend your body," said one tyrant; "bend your mind," says the other. "I will punish you," said one. "if
