A Body of Doctrinal Divinity

Having undertaken to write a System of Theology, or a Body of Doctrinal
Divinity; and Theology being nothing else than a speaking of God, or a
discoursing concerning him; his nature, names, perfections, and
persons; his purposes, providences, ways, works, and word: I shall
begin with the Being of God, and the proof and evidence of it; which is
the foundation of all religion; for if there is no God, religion is a
vain thing; and it matters not neither what we believe, nor what we do;
since there is no superior Being to whom we are accountable for either
faith or practice. Some, because the being of God is a first principle,
which is not to be disputed; and because that there is one is a
self-evident proposition, not to be disproved; have thought it should
not be admitted as a matter of debate: but since such is the malice of
Satan, as to suggest the contrary to the minds of men; and such the
badness of some wicked men as to listen to it, and imbibe it; and such
the weakness of some good men as to be harassed and distressed with
doubts about it at times; it cannot be improper to endeavour to fortify
our minds with reasons and arguments against such suggestions and
insinuations.