Re: [VDS][84000][AVIGNON][Appart P2 65.50 M²]

Solomon, etc., have never said, "There is no void, therefore there is a
God." They must have had more knowledge than the most learned people who
came after them, and who have all made use of this argument. This is worthy
of attention.

244. "Why! Do you not say yourself that the heavens and birds prove God?"
No. "And does your religion not say so"? No. For although it is true in a
sense for some souls to whom God gives this light, yet it is false with
respect to the majority of men.

245. There are three sources of belief: reason, custom, inspiration. The
Christian religion, which alone has reason, does not acknowledge as her true
children those who believe without inspiration. It is not that she excludes
reason and custom. On the contrary, the mind must be opened to proofs, must
be confirmed by custom and offer itself in humbleness to inspirations, which
alone can produce a true and saving effect. Ne evacuetur crux Christi.32

246. Order.--After the letter That we ought to seek God, to write the letter
On removing obstacles, which is the discourse on "the machine," on preparing
the machine, on seeking by reason.

247. Order.--A letter of exhortation to a friend to induce him to seek. And
he will reply, "But what is the use of seeking? Nothing is seen." Then to
reply to him, "Do not despair." And he will answer that he would be glad to
find some light, but that, according to this very religion, if he believed
in it, it will be of no use to him, and that therefore he prefers not to
seek. And to answer to that: The machine.

248. A letter which ind