Tom Paine on God

"It is only in the creation that all of our ideas....of God can unite. The creation speaketh an universal language;.... and this word of god reveals to man all that is necessary for man to know of god.
Do we want to contemplate his power? We see it in the immensity of the creation. Do we want to contemplate his wisdom? We see it in the unchangeable order by which the incomprehensible whole is governed. Do we want to contemplate his munificence? We see it in the abandon with which he fills the earth. Do we want to contemplate his mercy? We see it in his not withholding that abundance even from the unthankful. In fine, do we want to know what god is? Search not the book called the scripture....but the scripture called the Creation."