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

And thirdly the contempt of them that put their trust in God, is rise among us: for who is so much scorned and reproached, as he that maketh profession of religion? Now may that complaint be justly taken up by the servants of God, Isai. 8. 18. Behold, I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me, are as signs and wonders. And, He that refrains from evil, makes himself a pray to the evil tongue. Isa. 59. 15. Yet let these scoffers know, what ever they be, that seeds of Atheism do possess their souls.

And thirdly the contempt of them that put their trust in God, is rise among vs: for who is so much scorned and reproched, as he that maketh profession of religion? Now may that complaint be iustly taken vp by the seruants of God, Isai. 8. 18. Behold, I, and the children whome the Lord hath giuen me, are as signes and wonders. And, He that refraines from euill, makes himselfe a pray to the euill tongue. Isa. 59. 15. Yet let these scoffers know, what euer they be, that seedes of Atheisme doe possesse their soules.

To come yet more particularly to the trial of this thought in our selves: Whosoever ⟨p. 58⟩denieth the presence of God denieth God. Now let the conscience answer, whether we be not afraid to sin in the presence of many mortal men, and yet in the presence of God do make no bones thereof, so the eyes of men be turned from us. Now what is this but either flatly to deny the presence of God, or at least to yield more fear and reverence to men, then we do unto God? Again what is the cause why men use oppression, and injustice, deceit, and lying in their worldly affairs? Is it not because this thought of Atheism doth possess their hearts, that God regardeth not these outward things? Durst men directly sin against God in seeking these