A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

9. And all this showeth us, that this Disease is much contrary to the very Tenor of the Gospel: Christ came as a Deliverer of the Captives, a Saviour to reconcile us to God, and bring us glad Tidings of pardon and everlasting joy; where the Gospel was received, it was great rejoicing, and so proclaimed by Angels and by men. But all that Christ hath done and purchased and offered and promised seems nothing but matter of doubt and sadness, to this Disease.

9. And all this sheweth us, that this Disease is much contrary to the very Tenor of the Gospel: Christ came as a Deliverer of the Captives, a Saviour to reconcile us to God, and bring us glad Tidings of pardon and everlasting joy; where the Gospel was received, it was great rejoycing, and so proclaimed by Angels and by men. But all that Christ hath done and purchased and offered and promised seems nothing but matter of doubt and sadness, to this Disease.

10. Yea it is a Distemper which greatly advantageth Satan to cast in Blasphemous thoughts of God, as if he were bad, and a hater and destroyer even of such as fain would please him. The Design of the Devil is to describe God to us as like himself, who is a malicious Enemy, and delighteth to do hurt. And if all men hate the Devil for his hurtfulness, would he not draw men to hate and blaspheme God, if he could make men believe that he is more hurtful. The worshipping God, as represented by an Image, is odious to him, because it seems to make him like such a Creature as that Image representeth: How much more blasphemous is it to feign him to be like the malicious Devils, Diminutive low thoughts of his Goodness as well as of his Greatness, is a sin which greatly injureth God. As if you should think that he is no better or trustier than a Father or a Friend; much more to think him such as distempered Souls imagine him. You would wrong his Ministers, if you should describe them as Christ doth the false Prophets, as hurtful Thorns, and Thistles and Wolves: And is it not worse to think far worse than this of God.

10. Yea it is a Distemper which greatly advantageth Satan to cast in Blasphemous thoughts of God, as if he were bad, and a hater and destroyer even of such as fain would please him. The Design of the Devil is to describe God to us as like himself, who is a malitious Enemy, and delighteth to do hurt. And if all men hate the Devil for his hurtfulness, would he not draw men to hate and blaspheme God, if he could make men believe that he is more hurtful. The worshipping God, as represented by an Image, is odious to him, because it seems to make him like such a Creature as that Image representeth: How much more blasphemous is it to feign him to be like the malicious Devils, Diminutive low thoughts of his Goodness as well as of his Greatness, is a sin which greatly injureth God. As if you should think that he is no better or trustier than a Father or a Friend; much more to think him such as distempered Souls imagine him. You would wrong his Ministers, if you should describe them as Christ doth the false Prophets, as hurtful Thorns, and Thistles and Wolves: And is it not worse to think far worse than this of God.