but when he is awakened by the Law, then the viciousness of nature being sensible of an Invasion of its Empire, arms it self against the Divine Law, and the more the Command is urged, the more vigorously it bends its strength, and more insolently lifts up it self against it] he perceives more and more Atheistical Lusts than before; all manner of Concupiscence, more leprous and contagious than before: When there are any motions to turn to God, a reluctancy is presently perceived; Atheistical thoughts bluster in the mind like the wind, they know not whence they come, nor whether they go: So unapt is the heart to any acknowledgement of God as his Ruler, and any re-union with him. Hence men are said to resist the Holy Ghost, Acts 7.51. to fall against it, as the word signifies, as a stone or any ponderous body falls against that which lies in its way: They would dash to pieces or grind to powder that very motion which is made for their instruction, and the Spirit too which makes it, and that not from a fit of passion, but an habitual repugnance. Ye always resist, &c. (2.) External, 'tis a fruit of Atheism in the fourth verse of this Psalm; Who eat up my people as they eat bread. How do the revelations of the Mind of God meet with opposition? And the Carnal World like dogs bark against the shining of the Moon? So much men hate the Light, that they spurn at the Lanterns that bear it: And because they cannot endure the Treasure, often fling the earthen vessels against the ground wherein it is held. If the entrance of Truth render the Market worse for Diana's Shrines, the whole City will be in an uproar. *When Socrates upon natural Principles confuted the Heathen Idolatry, and asserted the unity of God, the whole cry of Athens, a learned University, is against him; and because he opposed the public received Religion, though with an undoubted Truth, he must end his Life by Violence: How hath every Corner of the World steamed with the blood of those, that would maintain the Authority of God in the World! The Devils Children will follow the steps of their Father, and endeavour to bruise the Heel of Divine Truth, that would endeavour to break the Head of corrupt Lust.
but when he is awakened by the Law, then the vitiousness of nature being sensible of an Invasion of its Empire, arms it self against the Divine Law, and the more the Command is urged, the more vigorously it bends its strength, and more insolently lifts up it self against it] he perceives more and more Atheistical Lusts than before; all manner of Concupiscence, more leprous and contagious than before: When there are any motions to turn to God, a reluctancy is presently perceived; Atheistical thoughts bluster in the mind like the wind, they know not whence they come, nor whether they go: So unapt is the heart to any acknowledgement of God as his Ruler, and any re-union with him. Hence men are said to resist the Holy Ghost, Acts 7.51. to fall against it, as the word signifies, as a stone or any ponderous body falls against that which lies in its way: They would dash to pieces or grind to powder that very motion which is made for their instruction, and the Spirit too which makes it, and that not from a fit of passion, but an habitual repugnance. Ye always resist, &c. (2.) External, 'tis a fruit of Atheism in the fourth verse of this Psalm; Who eat up my people as they eat bread. How do the revelations of the Mind of God meet with opposition? And the Carnal World like dogs bark against the shining of the Moon? So much men hate the Light, that they spurn at the Lanthorns that bear it: And because they cannot endure the Treasure, often fling the earthen vessels against the ground wherein it is held. If the entrance of Truth render the Market worse for Diana's Shrines, the whole City will be in an uproar. *When Socrates upon natural Principles confuted the Heathen Idolatry, and asserted the unity of God, the whole cry of Athens, a learned University, is against him; and because he opposed the publick received Religion, though with an undoubted Truth, he must end his Life by Violence: How hath every Corner of the World steam'd with the blood of those, that would maintain the Authority of God in the World! The Devils Children will follow the steps of their Father, and endeavour to bruise the Heel of Divine Truth, that would endeavour to break the Head of corrupt Lust.
- *Act. 19.24.28.29.
