Use of human arguments against unbelievers and atheists; philosophical preparation then providence
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XIII.The use of such arguments is properly to convince unbelievers and atheists.Against true Christians who watch for their souls there is no need of them.
1.The unbeliever either denies that God is, that He is one, truthful, just and good, that the soul is immortal, and that there will be another life — or he grants these.2.If he denies them, the theologian can do nothing in the theological habit.3.Therefore convince him in the philosophical habit from nature's principles.4.If he grants them, first show his religion's vanity.5.Second, propose that God of infinite goodness takes greatest care of the human being — and that it would clash with that goodness never to reveal His will concerning salvation.6.Politics makes it plain: providence is credited with kingdoms' preservation; it would be absurd to supply earthly life richly while neglecting eternal life for an immortal soul.7.Third, once God's care for salvation is proved, some divinely revealed doctrine showing the way to eternal life must be given.
Latin
XIII. Usus argumentorum horum talium est proprie ad convincendum infideles & atheos. 1. Infidelis aut negat Deum… aut concedit. 2–3. Si negat, habitu philosophico… 4–7. Si concedit: vanitas suae religionis; Dei cura salutis; providentia terrena absque aeterna absurda; ergo doctrina divinitus revelata dari debet.