Het regt gebruik der werelt beschouwingen, ter overtuiginge van ongodisten en ongelovigen

—texts quoted in these Contemplations not make you reject all this unread, as many of you have the habit of doing when encountering them in a writing: because their Divinity is not assumed in this, but proven; and some serve to show the wisdom and penetrating Natuur-kenniffe knowledge of nature/physics of their Inspirer; but others also to let you see that no man, however wise, no deceiver, however cunning he may have been, whether for reasons of Politie governance/statecraft or others, was ever powerful enough in those times to produce such things as one finds described in the same. So that you may deduce from that yourself from whom it must have come.

Let this book also not appear hateful to you, because not only does the title show you, but I can also assure you with all sincerity, that it was written for your conviction alone, not with the least hatred and contempt against you, but with a heart-touching pity over your unfortunate condition. And this is the reason why I have mostly made you yourselves the judges in all the conclusions made. And I therefore only request here that you, without that pitiable intention of many Esprits Forts freethinkers not wanting to recognize a God, pass this judgment each time it is put to you.

One of two things, without anyone being able to pose a third, is indeed undeniably true: either that according to your sentiment everything in the world happens by chance, or governed by no understanding and necessary laws, and that the Christians' Bible is a collection from deceivers who only aimed for their own advantages: or otherwise,

that this Holy Word is inspired by a God who governs the world, and will one day demand an account from those creatures whom He has endowed with understanding of how they have used the same. Think then what it matters to you not to be deceived in this, upon which your happiness or misery in all eternities depends. And judge for yourself, if it is only as true that a wise God made the world and you, as it is true that a Horologie watch/clockwork or other well-made work of art proves its intelligent Maker: whether you, thinking seriously on all this, must not tremble for your own sentiments. And because it is factual, and not merely ideal, what stands in dispute and must be investigated here; whether it is not necessary for you to investigate the things themselves, and not only your bare ideas, formed only to advocate for Atheiſterye atheism. To this end these Contemplations are written. May the Almighty God who alone can persuade, make these and other factual proofs, of which the whole world is full, powerful upon your understandings and minds.

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