their gods ferocious characters, at which nature revolts? Can we
imagine a conduct more abominable, than that which Moses tells us
his God showed towards the Egyptians, where that assassin proceeds
boldly to declare, in the name and by the order of _his God_, that Egypt
shall be afflicted with the greatest calamities, that can happen to
man? Of all the different ideas, which they give us of a supreme
being, of a God, creator and preserver of mankind, there are none
more horrible, than those of the impostors, who represented themselves
as inspired by a divine spirit, and "Thus saith the Lord."

Why, O theologians! do you presume to inquire into the impenetrable
mysteries of a being, whom you consider inconceivable to the human
mind? You are the blasphemers, when you imagine that a being,
perfect according to you, could be guilty of such cruelty towards
creatures whom he has made out of nothing. Confess, your ignorance
of a creating God; and cease meddling with mysteries, which are
repugnant to _Common Sense_.





TABLE OF CONTENTS

GIVEN IN THE FRENCH EDITION


Section

1. APOLOGUE