One of the greatest hindrances of correct
judgment is inordinate excitement of emotion and passion. Whatever may
be the cause of it, it is well known, that, when the passions are
excited in a considerable degree, the mind finds it difficult to
perceive the relations in propositions, particularly those which are of
an abstract nature, and to combine them together so as to deduce the
true result. And accordingly if a person has before him some difficult
subject for examination, one requiring either by its results or its
nature a careful and strong mental effort, we generally find him very
solicitous to be freed, during the process in which he is engaged, from
all exciting and passionate influences. It is hardly necessary to say
here, after the remarks which have been made at various times, that
faith in God tends to subdue and calm every thing of this kind. And I
think it may be said with truth, that it is a matter of common Christian
consciousness, which Christians will verify by their testimony, that
when they are in their best religious state by strong faith and by
consequent freedom from worldly passions, they are in the best condition
to decide promptly and correctly upon all questions, whether moral or
prudential, which require their attention.
— From The Life of Faith, Part 2, Chapter 10.
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