One sees in it the most
striking marks of divinity. The Christians, who followed, were
incapable of imagining any thing so beautiful. Add to this, that
the Christian religion is so excellently calculated for the good of
society, that, if we did not derive so great a present from heaven,
the good and safety of men would absolutely demand from them an
equivalent."
Throughout the conversation, M. Le Clerc reproached the Deists strongly,
for the hatred, which they shewed to Christianity. He proved, that, by
banishing it from the world,
"they would overturn whatever was most holy and respectable among
men; break asunder the surest bonds of humanity; teach men to shake
off the yoke of law; deprive them of their strongest incitement to
virtue, and bereave them of their best comfort. What," (he asked
them) "do you substitute in its place? Can you flatter yourself,
that you will discover something better? You expect, no doubt, that
men will erect statues to you, for your exertions to deprive them
of their religion! Permit me to tell you, that the part you act
makes you odious and despicable in the eyes of all honest men.
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