The crucifying of the world

There are two Texts of Scripture among many others, of which I have often thought as notable descriptions of a carnal mans life: the one as to the privative part, and the other as to the positive. One is, Ephes. 2. 12. which calleth them [Atheists, or without God in the world.] They see and know somewhat of the world, but God they neither see not know: They converse with the world, but not with God: All their affections are let out upon the world, but God hath none of them: All their business is about the world, but they live as if they had nothing to do with God. As a Scholar, if his Master should stand in a corner of the School to watch what he will do, will behave himself while he seeth him not, as if he were not there; he will play with his fellows and talk to them, as if there were no Master in the School; So do the ungodly live in the world, as if there were no God in the world; they think, and speak, and deal with the world, as if there were nothing but the world for them to converse with. As for God they know him not, but carry themselves as if they had nothing to do with him; and ask in their hearts as Pharaoh once did, Who is the Lord that I should serve him? And perhaps this made David say, Psal. 14. 1. [The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.] Though he speak it not positively, yet there is a privative Atheism, which is interpretatively to say, [There is no God.] For he seeth him not, nor taketh any great notice of him; but liveth as without him in the world: Not without him efficiently considered; for so nothing can subsist without him, but without him objectively considered: For God is not in all his thoughts, Psal. 10. 4, 5. and his judgements are far above, out of his sight. God looketh down upon the children of men, to see if there be any that will understand and seek after God: but they are gone aside, and are become filthy, and observe not him that observeth them, Psal. 14. 2, 3. This is the case of poor worldlings from the highest Prince to the lowest ⟨p. 19⟩beggar: A great deal of business they have in the world, some in seeking what they want, and others in holding and enjoying what they have; but they all live as without God in the world. [Now consider this ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you,