I doubt not but that all
who have well observed mankind will readily grant this, that it is not all
those who by their natural constitution or temper are most disposed to dejection, that are the persons who are the
most susceptive of lively and strong impressions on their imagination, or the
most subject to those vehement impetuous affections, which are the fruits of
such impressions;
but that many who are of a very gay and sanguine natural
temper are vastly more so, and if their affections are turned into a religious
channel, are much more exposed to enthusiasm than many of the former.
And as to
Mr. Brainerd in particular, notwithstanding his inclination to despondency, he
was evidently one of that sort of persons who usually are the furthest from a
teeming imagination;
being one of a penetrating genius, of clear thought, of
close reasoning, and a very exact judgment and knowledge of things in divinity,
but especially in things appertaining to inward experimental religion;
most
accurately distinguishing between real solid piety and enthusiasm, between
those affections that are rational and scriptural, having their foundation in
light and judgment, and those that are founded in whimsical conceits, strong
impressions on the imagination, and those vehement emotions of the animal
spirits that arise from them.