A treatise of the causes of incredulity wherein are examin'd the general motives and occasions which dispose unbelievers to reject the Christian religion : with two letters, containing a direct proof of the truth of Christianity / translated from the French of Monsieur Le Clerc.

The CONCLƲSION of the first Part.

I Have describ'd in the preceding Chap∣ters those Dispositions and Motives contrary to Reason, which might bring Unbelievers to reject the Christian Religion. Altho I have consider'd these different Dispositions one after another, and have distinguish'd them by particular Characters, I am not of opinion however that they act separately upon any, or that there are Unbelievers who may be re∣proach'd only with one of these Faults. There is not any questionless that is not at the same time guilty of several of them;

but there are such as may be more culpa∣ble in one than in another. Immorality makes one an Infidel; in another 'tis Pride that chiefly opposes it self to the Light of Truth: You see some blinded by their Prejudices which they take for undoubted Maxims; there are others who do not reason well, or neglect informing themselves of what they should learn, or whom Laziness keeps from entring upon a Discussion, which to them appears too tedious and painful. And perhaps there be those in whom all these Faults may meet in some degree, tho but one of them may be their predominant Passion. There is likewise infinite Variety in Mens Genius and Understandings with respect to their good or bad Qualities, and their different Conjunctions.

Did we meet with Unbelievers who could say, that they renounc'd the Truths of the Gospel for no other end, but to follow the most conformable Principles to sound Reason, and to live in a more regu∣lar manner, or more useful to Society; and could we meet with any of them ex∣empted from the Faults I have describ'd, it might then be justly said, that my Enu∣meration of the internal Motives of In∣credulity was not sufficient, but I take it for granted that there is not one Unbe∣liever, in whom several of these Defects are not remarkable, and I take their own

Consciences to witness. They are herein to do Justice to themselves: for such as exhort them, as I do, get nothing by it, but only the Satisfaction of performing their Duty; nor can the Unbelievers lose any thing by examining, if they are not in some of those Conditions by me de∣scrib'd. If they are oblig'd to own them∣selves in the wrong, what risk can they run by reforming? and if after a serious Discussion they find me deceiv'd, they'l have Reason to be more satisfy'd with their own Conduct. The Time they shall lay out upon this Disquisition cannot be counted lost or vainly spent, seeing the Matter in Debate is the most important thing in the World, and that the Disco∣very of Truth must at all times necessarily produce Joy, Satisfaction and Tranquilli∣ty; or augment them, if enjoy'd alrea∣dy.