The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

Having thus shown the irreconcileable inconsistencies between the real word of God existing in the universe, and that which is called "the word of God," as shown to us in a printed book that any man might make, I proceed to speak of the three principal means that have been employed in all ages, and perhaps in all countries, to impose upon mankind.

Those three means are Mystery, Miracle, and Prophecy. The first two are incompatible with true religion, and the third ought always to be suspected.