188
In every dialogue and discourse, we must be able to say to those who take offence, "Of what do you complain?"
189
To begin by pitying unbelievers; they are wretched enough by their condition. We ought only to revile them where it is beneficial; but this does them harm.
190
To pity atheists who seek, for are they not unhappy enough? To inveigh against those who make a boast of it.
191
And will this one scoff at the other? Who ought to scoff? And yet, the latter does not scoff at the other, but pities him.
192
To reproach Miton with not being troubled, since God will reproach him.
193
Quid fiet hominibus qui minima contemnunt, majora non credunt.[1]
194
…Let them at least learn what is the religion they attack, before attacking it. If this religion boasted of having a clear view of God, and of possessing it open and unveiled, it would be attacking it to say that we see nothing in the world which shows it with this clearness. But since, on the contrary, it says that men are in darkness and estranged from God, that He has hidden Himself from their knowledge, that this is in fact the name which He gives Himself in the Scriptures, Deus absconditus;[2] and finally, if it endeavours equally
