Atheism and Irreligion was ever od• ous even among the Heathen themselves: insomuch as that Protagoras for that he doubted whether there were any God or no, was by the Athenians vanished out of their Country. Diagoras was such a notorious Infidel that he held there was no God; him and all such like Atheists the very Heathens have abhorred and detested, as being more like rude beasts than reasonable men: For Cicero the Heathen Philosopher doth condemn them all, and further saith,1 that there was never any Nation so savage, or people so barbarous, but always confessed there was a God: whereunto they were led even by the light of Nature, and natural instinct. For the very same is confirmed by the common use of all Heathens,2 in lifting up their eyes and hands to heaven, in any sudden distress that cometh upon them. Yea, by experience of all ages it hath been proved that Atheists themselves, that is, such as in their health and prosperity ⟨image 5⟩for more liberty of sinning, would strive against the being of a God, when they came to die or fall into any great misery, they of all other would show themselves most fearful of this God,3 as Seneca himself declareth: Insomuch as Zeno the Philosopher was wont to say, that it see•ned to him a more substantial proof of this matter, to hear an Atheist at his dying day, preach God (when he asked God & all the world forgiveness) then to hear all the Philosophers in the world dispute the point: For that at this instant of death and misery, it is like that such do speak in earnest and sobriety of spirit, who before in the wantonness impugned God. It is remembered of Caius Caligula, (that wicked and incestuous Emperor) that he was a notable scorner and contemner of God,4 & made no reckoning of any other to be God but himself, yet this abominable and wicked Atheist, as God left him not unpunished (for by his just judgement he was slain by some of his own officers) so whilst he lived he was wont (as the Historiographers report of him) at the terrible thundering and lightning, not only to cover his head, but also to get himself under his bed, and there to hide himself for fear. Whence I pray •ame this fear upon him?
ATheisme and Irreligion was euer od• ous euen amonge the Heathen themselues: insomuch as that Protagoras for that he doubted whether there were any God or no, was by the Athenians vanished out of their Country. Diagoras was such a notorious Infidell that he helde there was no God; him and all such like Atheists the very Heathens haue abhorred and detested, as being more like rude beastes than reasonable men: For Cicero the Heathen Philosopher doth condemne them all, and further saith,1 that there was neuer any Nation so sauadge, or people so barbarous, but alwaies confessed there was a God: whereunto they were led euen by the light of Nature, and naturall instinct. For the very same is confirmed by the common vse of all Heathens,2 in lifting vp their eyes and handes to heauen, in any sodaine distresse that commeth vpon them. Yea, by experience of all ages it hath beene prooued that Atheists themselues, that is, such as in their health and prosperitie ⟨image 5⟩for more libertie of sinning, would striue against the being of a God, when they came to die or fall into any great miserie, they of all other would shew themselues most fearefull of this God,3 as Seneca himselfe declareth: Insomuch as Zeno the Philosopher was woont to say, that it see•ned to him a more substantiall proofe of this matter, to heare an Atheist at his dying day, preach God (when he asked God & all the world forgiuenes) then to heare all the Philosophers in the worlde dispute the point: For that at this instant of death and miserie, it is like that such doe speake in earnest and sobrietie of spirite, who before in the wantonnes impugned God. It is remembred of Caius Caligula, (that wicked and incestuous Emperour) that he was a notable scorner and contemner of God,4 & made no reckoning of any other to be God but himselfe, yet this abhominable and wicked Atheist, as God left him not vnpunished (for by his iust iudgement hee was slaine by some of his owne officers) so whilest he liued he was woont (as the Historiographers report of him) at the terrible thundering and lightning, not onely to couer his head, but also to get himselfe vnder his bed, and there to hide himselfe for feare. Whence I praie •ame this feare vpon him?
- 1Cice. […] de natur.Cice. 〈…〉 de natur.
- 2Tertull in Apolog.
- 3Seneca lib. 1, de ira.
- 4Sueton in calig. 1.51▪ Dion in caligula.
