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Chances.—­We must live differently in the world, according to these different assumptions:  (1) that we could always remain in it; (2) that it is certain that we shall not remain here long, and uncertain if we shall remain here one hour.  This last assumption is our condition.

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What do you then promise me, in addition to certain troubles, but ten years of self-love (for ten years is the chance), to try hard to please without success?

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Objection.—­Those who hope for salvation are so far happy; but they have as a counterpoise the fear of hell.

Reply.—­Who has most reason to fear hell:  he who is in ignorance whether there is a hell, and who is certain of damnation if there is; or he who certainly believes there is a hell, and hopes to be saved if there is?

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“I would soon have renounced pleasure,” say they, “had I faith.”  For my part I tell you, “You would soon have faith, if you renounced pleasure.”  Now, it is for you to begin.  If I could, I would give you faith.  I cannot do so, nor therefore test the truth of what you say.  But you can well renounce pleasure, and test whether what I say is true.

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Order.—­I would have far more fear of being mistaken, and of finding that the Christian religion was true, than of not being mistaken in believing it true.

SECTION IV

OF THE MEANS OF BELIEF

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Preface to the second part.—­To speak of those who have treated of this matter.

I admire the boldness with which these persons undertake to speak of God.  In addressing their argument to infidels, their first chapter is to prove Divinity from the works of nature.[91] I should not be astonished at their enterprise, if they were addressing their argument to the faithful; for it is certain that those who have the living faith in their heart see at once that all existence is none other than the work of the God whom they adore.  But for those in whom this light is extinguished, and in whom we purpose to rekindle it, persons destitute of faith and grace, who, seeking with all their light whatever they see in nature that can bring them to this knowledge, find only obscurity and darkness; to tell them that they have only to look at the smallest things which surround them, and they will see God openly, to give them, as a complete proof of this great and important matter, the course of the moon and planets, and to claim to have concluded the proof with such an argument, is to give them ground for believing that the proofs of our religion are very weak.  And I see by reason and experience that nothing is more calculated to arouse their contempt.

It is not after this manner that Scripture speaks, which has a better knowledge of the things that are of God.  It says, on the contrary, that God is a hidden God, and that, since the corruption of nature, He has left men in a darkness from which they can escape only through Jesus Christ, without whom all communion with God is cut off. Nemo novit Patrem, nisi Filius, et cui voluerit Filius revelare.[92]