A treatise of mans imaginations Showing his natural evil thoughtsA treatise of mans imaginations Shewing his naturall euill thoughts

III. Point. ¹What is the fruit of this thought: for thereby we shall best judge, what a cursed thing this is, to think there is no God: This thought bringeth forth the most notorious sins that can be, even Atheism it self; which is a sin whereby men sundry ways deny God: And it is two-fold, either in practise, or in judgement.

III. Point. ¹What is the fruite of this thought: for thereby wee shall best iudge, what a cursed thing this is, to thinke there is no God: This thought bringeth forth the most notorious sins that can be, euē Atheisme it selfe; which is a sinne whereby men sundrie waies deny God: And it is two-fold, either in practise, or in iudgement.

1. 1The fruit of this thought.

Atheism in practise is that sin whereby men deny God in their deeds, lives, and conversations; & so declare this thought. This is a most horrible sin, and a huge burden to the whole earth; and yet many that live in the bosom of the Church are foully tainted herewith. This Atheism in practise hath three special branches: Hypocrisy, Epicurism, and Witchcraft. Hypocrisy is a sin whereby men worship the true God, but yet in a false manner, giving unto God the outward action, and hold back from him the true worship of the heart. Epicurism is a sin whereby men contemn God, and give themselves wholly to their pleasures, spending their time in eating, drinking, ⟨p. 42⟩and other delights and not seeking or fearing God: and this is the sin of the richer sort in this age: Witchcraft or Magic is that sin whereby men renounce the true God and betake themselves to the aide, counsel, & help of the devil, either by himself, or in his instruments: This is a large sin, and a great part of Atheism, and many are tainted with this sin, either because they are practitioners of witchcraft, or else do seek help of such.