There is an essential difference between our true Christian religion and all the other religions, which are false. In Christianity, divine grace inspires virtuous works for the sake of an infinite and eternal good. And since this good lies beyond the senses, the mind must move the senses to virtuous actions. By contrast, false religions have as their goal the finite and transient goods both of this life and the next; and in both they expect to find blessedness in physical pleasures. Hence, their senses must drag the mind to perform virtuous works.
Within the order of civil institutions outlined in my New Science, providence makes itself clearly felt through three feelings: first, wonder, second, veneration, which scholars felt towards the incomparable wisdom of the ancients; and third, ardent desire, with which scholars burned to seek and attain this wisdom. For the three stages of human institutions are in fact three lights of providential divinity, which inspired these three lofty and righteous feelings in people. (Later, these feelings were distorted by the conceit of scholars and the conceit of nations . . .) These feelings are shared by all scholars, who wonder at, venerate, and desire unity with the infinite wisdom of God.
In sum, all the observations contained in this work lead to one conclusion. My New Science is indissolubly linked to the study of piety; and unless one is pious, one cannot be truly wise.