Nor did Hume affect to consider Christianity less repugnant to reason than any other theory or system of supernaturalism.  Though confessedly fast in friendship, generous in disposition, and blameless in all the relations of life, few sincere Divines can forgive his hostility to their faith.  And without doubt it was hostility eminently calculated to exhaust their stock of patience, because eminently calculated to damage their religion, which has nothing to fear from the assaults of ignorant and immoral opponents; but when assailed by men of unblemished reputation, who know well how to wield the weapons of wit, sarcasm, and solid argumentation, its priests are not without reason alarmed lest their house should be set out of order.

It would be difficult to name a philosopher at once so subtle, so profound, so bold, and so good as Hume.  Notwithstanding his heterodox reputation, many learned and excellent Christians openly enjoyed his friendship.  A contemporary critic recently presented the public with ’a curious instance of contrast and of parallel,’ between Robertson and Hume.  ’Flourishing (says he) in the same walk of literature, living in the same society at the same time; similar in their habits and generous dispositions; equally pure in their morals, and blameless in all the relations of private life:  the one was a devout believer, the other a most absolute atheist, and both from deep conviction, founded upon inquiries, carefully and anxiously conducted.  The close and warm friendship which subsisted between these two men, may, after what we have said, be a matter of surprise to some; but Robertson’s Christianity was enlarged and tolerant, and David Hume’s principles were liberal and philosophical in a remarkable degree.’ [12:1]

This testimony needs no comment.  It clearly tells its own tale, and ought to have the effect of throwing discredit upon the vulgar notion that disgust of all religion is incompatible with talents and virtues of the highest order; for, in the person of David Hume, the world saw absolute Atheism co-existent with genius, learning, and moral excellence, rarely, if ever, surpassed.

The unpopularity of that creed it would be vain to deny.  A vast majority of mankind associate with the idea of disbelief in their Gods every thing stupid, monstrous, absurd, and atrocious.  Absolute Atheism is thought by them the inseparable ally of most shocking wickedness, involving as it manifestly does that ‘blasphemy against the Holy Ghost’ which we are assured shall not be forgiven unto men ’neither in this world nor in that which is to come.’  Educated to consider it ’an inhuman, bloody, ferocious system, equally hostile to every restraint and to every virtuous affection,’ the majority of all countries detest and shun its apostles.  Their horror of them may be likened to that it is presumed the horse feels towards the camel, upon whom (so travellers tell us) he cannot look without shuddering.