A collection of several philosophical writings

...to be neither under the Gospel, nor yet the people (as far as is possible) whom he presents to God.

Therefore, to take away reason—under whatever fanatic pretense—is to disrobe the priest and strip him of his breastplate. Worst of all, it robs Christianity of the special privilege original: "Prerogative" it has over all other religions in the world: namely, that it dares to appeal to reason. Those who understand the true interests of our religion will cling closely to this; to do otherwise betrays it to the unjust suspicion of being false and makes it equal to every empty imposture. For if you take away reason, all religions appear equally true, just as when light is removed, all things appear to be the same color. In fact, worst of all, the religion that is most true will seem the most false in this imposed darkness original: "superinduced Darkness", especially if it strictly and positively declares itself to be the only truth. Such a claim will not be accepted, nor can it be proven in that "region of midnight" where everything looks the same.

His defense original: "Apologie" for frequently interweaving Platonism and Cartesianism into his writings.

4. These serious and weighty considerations urged me to search to the very bottom of things with all possible care and vigor, so that my heart might not fail me in the day of trial. Much of the result of that investigation is contained in this present volume. Just as I have gained significant satisfaction from clarifying these major points, I am equally desirous that nothing found here causes the least dissatisfaction to others. And I think it impossible that anything should, if readers will only notice my design: which is not to turn philosophy into theology, but to build an external fence original: "Exoterick Fence" or outer fortification around theology.

By defending these "outworks" against the assaults of the confident atheist and his massive original: "Gigantick" artillery batteries—raised against the belief in God and a reward in the afterlife—I might show him what a vain and reckless original: "temerity" man he is. He imagines it a simple task to overrun the Holy City and Sanctuary, yet he is easily driven back from its outer walls. This is the true and genuine reason why I so frequently interweave Platonism The philosophy of Plato, which emphasizes the existence of abstract forms and the immortality of the soul. and Cartesianism The philosophy of René Descartes, which emphasizes the use of reason and the distinction between mind and matter. into these writings; I use these hypotheses as invincible bulwarks defensive walls against the most cunning and harmful efforts of atheism. For I am certain that if the suppositions I have selected from those two philosophies are taken as true (and let our adversaries prove them false if they can), there is no objection atheism can make against the doctrines mentioned above that I cannot answer fully and irrefutably.

Thus, it is not hopeless to think that while we put many to flight, others might voluntarily surrender as prisoners, being carried captive by the power of reason into a true belief regarding the most important matters. Having all hope of escaping punishment in the afterlife original: "After-Impunity" cut off by such a clear conviction of the soul’s immortality, they may be persuaded to become real Christians in the basic points of faith. They might be willingly detained in the "Outer Court" In the Temple of Jerusalem, the Outer Court was accessible to those not yet fully admitted to the inner sanctum; here, a metaphor for those who accept the rational basis of faith but not yet its deeper mysteries., even if, due to their current weak spiritual sight, they are not yet fit to enter the more sacred smoke of the Temple A metaphor for the deeper, more mystical or revelatory aspects of religious life.. Therefore, since I am so faithfully and (I believe) usefully occupied in managing these "outworks," I will not attribute any criticism to over-hasty zeal, but...