Life eternalLife eternall

Now, whence comes this uneven walking, this exorbitance of the wheels, but from the weakness of the main spring, that sets all on motion? because these are the first springs, that set all the rest on work. For, could a man be carried away by the praise of men, by the voice and breath of man, on the one side; or could he be discouraged by the scoffs of men on the other ⟨p. 67⟩side, if he did fully believe this principle? it is impossible he should, as Isaiah 52.¹ As if he should say, It is impossible that men should shrink so, at the face of man, if they did not forget the Lord their Maker. Hence it is, (although you do not observe from whence it comes) yet hence do come all those fruits of Atheism in the lives of men; all that unthankfulness, that men can take blessings at GODS hands, and never give him thanks, nay rather, they render evil for good; hence it is, that men trust in means more than in God; hence it is, that men are so unholy when they come into his presence, they are not struck with fear and reverence of his Majesty, when they come before him; hence also comes that carelessness in the lives of men that fear not his Word, but walk on in a careless and remiss manner; and hence also is that hasting after honours and profits, with the neglect of better things; they all arise from hence, even the weakness of the assent to these main principles: for there is a double kind of Atheism in the heart; there is a direct thought of Atheism, when a man doubts of the truth of these principles, and knows he doth so. Secondly, when a man doubts, and knows not that he doubts.

Now, whence comes this uneven walking, this exorbitance of the wheeles, but from the weaknesse of the maine spring, that sets all on motion? because these are the first springs, that set all the rest on worke. For, could a man be carried away by the praise of men, by the voice and breath of man, on the one side; or could he be discouraged by the scoffes of men on the other ⟨p. 67⟩side, if he did fully beleeve this principle? it is impossible he should, as Esay 52.¹ As if he should say, It is impossible that men should shrinke so, at the face of man, if they did not forget the Lord their Maker. Hence it is, (although you doe not observe from whence it comes) yet hence doe come all those fruits of Atheisme in the lives of men; all that unthankfulnesse, that men can take blessings at GODS hands, and never give him thankes, nay rather, they render evill for good; hence it is, that men trust in meanes more than in God; hence it is, that men are so unholy when they come into his presence, they are not strucke with feare and reverence of his Majestie, when they come before him; hence also comes that carelessenesse in the lives of men that feare not his Word, but walke on in a carelesse and remisse manner; and hence also is that hasting after honours and profits, with the neglect of better things; they all arise from hence, even the weaknesse of the assent to these maine principles: for there is a double kinde of Atheisme in the heart; there is a direct thought of Atheisme, when a man doubts of the truth of these principles, and knows he doth so. Secondly, when a man doubts, and knowes not that he doubts.