a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n at_o newmarket_n on_o sunday_n the_o 16_o day_n of_o april_n 1699._o by_o john_n leng_n b.d._n and_o fellow_n of_o st._n katherines-hall_n in_o cambridge_n publish_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n cambridge_z print_v at_o the_o university_n press_n for_o r._n clavel_n at_o the_o peacock_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n london_n and_o edmund_n jeffery_n in_o cambridge_n 1699._o mr._n leng_n sermon_n before_o the_o king_n at_o newmarket_n eccles_n viij_o ver_fw-la xi_o because_o sentence_n against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v speedy_o therefore_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v full_o set_v in_o they_o to_o do_v evil_a the_o prodigious_a wickedness_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n in_o almost_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v a_o thing_n with_o great_a grief_n of_o heart_n take_v notice_n of_o by_o good_a man_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n neither_o have_v those_o alone_o who_o labour_v to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o other_o be_v the_o only_a complainer_n of_o this_o general_a defection_n from_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n but_o even_o those_o also_o who_o have_v mighty_o increase_v the_o public_a stock_n of_o sin_n and_o impiety_n have_v often_o be_v as_o forward_o to_o declaim_v against_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o age_n they_o live_v in_o as_o other_o people_n in_o so_o much_o that_o there_o be_v frequent_a complaint_n of_o this_o kind_a to_o be_v find_v in_o lucretius_n and_o other_o such_o heathen_a writer_n who_o very_a principle_n incline_v they_o to_o sensuality_n as_o well_o as_o avow_a atheism_n though_o according_a to_o the_o different_a principle_n they_o go_v upon_o they_o have_v give_v different_a account_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o matter_n but_o as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o depravedness_n of_o human_a nature_n in_o general_a so_o it_o likewise_o best_o inform_v we_o of_o those_o reason_n which_o wicked_a man_n frame_v to_o themselves_o to_o defend_v their_o own_o wicked_a practice_n withal_o and_o among_o other_o this_o place_n which_o i_o have_v choose_v for_o the_o subject_a of_o my_o present_a discourse_n show_v we_o the_o pretend_a ground_n that_o they_o go_v upon_o when_o they_o resolve_v to_o do_v wicked_o and_o those_o be_v their_o doubt_n about_o or_o disbelief_n of_o a_o divine_a providence_n arise_v from_o their_o observation_n of_o the_o slowness_n of_o divine_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v these_o two_o thing_n i._o that_o all_o the_o impiety_n and_o profaneness_n of_o man_n usual_o either_o proceed_v from_o or_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o disbelief_n or_o at_o least_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n or_o doubt_v about_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n ii_o that_o disbelief_n or_o doubt_v about_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v chief_o occasion_v by_o the_o seem_a slowness_n of_o divine_a justice_n or_o rather_o by_o man_n over_o hasty_a judge_v about_o such_o matter_n 1._o that_o all_o the_o impiety_n and_o profaneness_n of_o man_n usual_o either_o proceed_v from_o or_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o disbelief_n or_o at_o least_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n or_o doubt_v about_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o will_v appear_v from_o reason_n experience_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n first_o from_o reason_n that_o man_n outward_a action_n shall_v general_o be_v such_o as_o their_o inward_a belief_n be_v though_o they_o happen_v sometime_o to_o profess_v contrary_a be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o conceive_v for_o though_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o man_n do_v not_o always_o practice_v according_a to_o their_o profession_n yet_o it_o be_v likewise_o as_o plain_a that_o their_o outward_a profession_n oftentimes_o proceed_v not_o from_o any_o real_a inward_a and_o hearty_a belief_n of_o what_o they_o outward_o profess_v but_o from_o education_n or_o custom_n or_o because_o they_o can_v well_o tell_v what_o to_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_n but_o as_o for_o the_o real_a sentiment_n of_o a_o man_n heart_n they_o be_v better_o discover_v by_o the_o general_a tenor_n of_o his_o action_n that_o by_o any_o verbal_a profession_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o upon_o due_a consideration_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o man_n virtue_n and_o vice_n will_v natural_o hold_v proportion_n to_o their_o right_n or_o wrong_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o providence_n if_o we_o do_v but_o observe_v either_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n or_o the_o great_a tendency_n which_o a_o true_a and_o sincere_a belief_n of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n have_v to_o promote_v virtue_n and_o consequent_o the_o close_a union_n that_o be_v between_o vice_n and_o atheism_n 1._o if_o we_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o general_n how_o apt_a his_o action_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o his_o principle_n i_o will_v not_o be_v hereby_o understand_v as_o if_o i_o think_v that_o man_n always_o act_v according_a to_o what_o their_o own_o mind_n dictate_v to_o they_o as_o best_o to_o be_v do_v for_o doubtless_o man_n oftentimes_o through_o inconsideration_n or_o violence_n of_o temptation_n or_o sudden_a surprise_n do_v what_o they_o be_v hearty_o ashamed_a of_o and_o sincere_o repent_v for_o afterward_o but_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o course_n which_o man_n deliberate_o take_v and_o resolve_v to_o continue_v in_o be_v usual_o such_o as_o their_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o providence_n either_o prompt_v they_o to_o or_o allow_v they_o in_o or_o else_o that_o they_o endeavour_v to_o form_v to_o themselves_o such_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n as_o shall_v best_o suit_v with_o the_o course_n they_o design_v to_o persist_v in_o for_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o live_v at_o ease_n and_o quiet_a with_o themselves_o and_o do_v not_o love_v to_o raise_v tumult_n in_o their_o own_o mind_n and_o therefore_o if_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n do_v disagree_v they_o will_v be_v sure_a as_o soon_o as_o they_o can_v to_o reconcile_v they_o because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a uncomfortable_a state_n to_o live_v in_o opposition_n to_o themselves_o and_o to_o be_v constant_o do_v of_o that_o which_o they_o do_v as_o constant_o condemn_v in_o their_o own_o mind_n and_o if_o to_o this_o consideration_n we_o add_v 2._o the_o strong_a tendency_n which_o a_o true_a belief_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n and_o the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n have_v to_o produce_v a_o practice_n answerable_a it_o will_v convince_v we_o that_o affect_a atheism_n and_o infidelity_n be_v close_o link_v with_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o natural_o work_v so_o strong_o upon_o our_o mind_n as_o hope_n and_o fear_n now_o the_o due_a 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go_v on_o secure_o in_o a_o deliberate_a course_n of_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n either_o have_v no_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n at_o all_o or_o else_o have_v very_o imperfect_a notion_n of_o the_o holiness_n and_o justice_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o last_o do_v not_o real_o believe_v those_o promise_n and_o threaten_n which_o he_o have_v declare_v to_o mankind_n in_o holy_a scripture_n for_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v retain_v a_o quick_a and_o powerful_a sense_n of_o these_o thing_n in_o his_o mind_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n go_v on_o still_o in_o a_o course_n of_o wickedness_n be_v next_o to_o impossible_a we_o see_v that_o in_o all_o other_o case_n man_n be_v move_v to_o action_n by_o argument_n of_o infinite_o less_o weight_n and_o moment_n hope_n and_o fear_n of_o very_o small_a consideration_n in_o respect_n of_o these_o will_v determine_v they_o to_o undertake_v thing_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o hazard_n and_o to_o avoid_v thing_n otherwise_o
very_o pleasant_a and_o tempt_a and_o can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o in_o this_o case_n only_o they_o shall_v act_n so_o very_o inconsistent_o with_o themselves_o as_o they_o must_v needs_o do_v if_o the_o profession_n which_o they_o make_v of_o the_o belief_n of_o these_o great_a and_o momentous_a truth_n be_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o formal_a and_o superficial_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o there_o be_v but_o few_o people_n in_o the_o world_n that_o pretend_v utter_o to_o disbelieve_v or_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o providence_n and_o there_o be_v very_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o when_o this_o point_n be_v press_v home_o upon_o they_o they_o can_v with_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n maintain_v their_o ground_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o such_o principle_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o certain_a that_o a_o great_a many_o man_n entertain_v such_o false_a and_o unbecoming_a notion_n and_o opinion_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o quite_o destroy_v all_o the_o motive_n either_o to_o religion_n or_o morality_n and_o from_o these_o opinion_n they_o encourage_v themselves_o to_o go_v on_o in_o their_o sin_n with_o security_n but_o second_o not_o only_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n persuade_v we_o that_o a_o resolve_a course_n of_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n proceed_v from_o or_o at_o least_o be_v accompany_v with_o infidelity_n or_o undue_a thought_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n but_o experience_v likewise_o teach_v we_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o several_a way_n as_o well_o as_o the_o several_a step_n and_o degree_n by_o which_o man_n be_v harden_v in_o sin_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o common_o attend_v with_o answerable_a degree_n of_o profane_a thought_n and_o imagination_n concern_v god_n and_o providence_n suppose_v for_o instance_n a_o person_n from_o his_o childhood_n bring_v up_o under_o wicked_a and_o ungodly_a parent_n who_o have_v never_o teach_v he_o any_o sense_n of_o religion_n or_o piety_n if_o you_o come_v to_o examine_v he_o what_o a_o strange_a account_n will_v he_o give_v of_o matter_n relate_v to_o a_o future_a life_n if_o his_o own_o natural_a reason_n be_v not_o very_o quick_a and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n very_o powerful_a over_o he_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o find_v whether_o his_o viciousness_n or_o his_o ignorance_n be_v more_o deplorable_a he_o find_v perhaps_o but_o little_a remorse_n in_o himself_o for_o what_o he_o do_v amiss_o because_o he_o can_v not_o but_o natural_o conclude_v from_o the_o example_n which_o his_o parent_n set_v he_o that_o there_o be_v little_a to_o be_v look_v after_o but_o the_o gratify_n of_o his_o sensual_a appetite_n in_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o if_o ever_o you_o will_v awaken_v such_o a_o one_o to_o a_o last_a sense_n of_o his_o duty_n it_o must_v be_v by_o first_o convince_a he_o of_o the_o reality_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o the_o certain_a and_o inevitable_a ruin_n that_o will_v attend_v all_o impenitent_a sinner_n and_o till_o you_o can_v convince_v he_o of_o the_o necessity_n and_o importance_n of_o some_o of_o those_o great_a and_o fundamental_a truth_n which_o religion_n teach_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o go_v about_o to_o instruct_v he_o to_o any_o purpose_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o vice_n and_o virtue_n or_o to_o advise_v he_o to_o shun_v the_o one_o and_o embrace_v the_o other_o but_o now_o suppose_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n a_o person_n that_o have_v have_v the_o happy_a advantage_n of_o a_o godly_a and_o religious_a education_n that_o have_v be_v well_o instruct_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o teach_v to_o live_v under_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o almighty_a be_v of_o infinite_a justice_n holiness_n and_o power_n as_o well_o as_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n how_o tender_a be_v such_o a_o man_n conscience_n in_o the_o commission_n of_o any_o evil_a and_o with_o what_o reluctance_n be_v he_o draw_v to_o any_o deliberate_a sin_n and_o if_o he_o be_v by_o the_o violence_n of_o temptation_n and_o power_n of_o evil_a company_n carry_v away_o into_o any_o evil_a course_n what_o pang_n of_o conscience_n and_o bitter_a trouble_n of_o mind_n be_v he_o force_v to_o undergo_v before_o he_o can_v be_v thorough_o bring_v over_o to_o a_o entire_a compliance_n with_o his_o wicked_a company_n and_o when_o he_o do_v fall_v off_o from_o virtue_n if_o we_o do_v but_o observe_v the_o gradual_a progress_n which_o he_o make_v in_o wickedness_n we_o shall_v likewise_o see_v how_o his_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o belief_n of_o a_o life_n to_o come_v be_v proportionable_o impait_v and_o decay_v at_o first_o he_o endeavour_v to_o think_v as_o seldom_o of_o god_n and_o religion_n as_o he_o can_v in_o cool_a blood_n he_o begin_v by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o leave_v off_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n and_o all_o religious_a conversation_n by_o and_o by_o he_o think_v such_o thing_n useless_a and_o insignificant_a and_o fit_a entertainment_n only_o for_o old_a man_n and_o child_n afterward_o he_o go_v on_o to_o jest_v upon_o or_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o dispute_v against_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o till_o at_o last_o he_o come_v to_o think_v they_o utter_o inconsistent_a with_o reason_n false_a and_o ridiculous_a and_o so_o discard_n all_o reveal_v religion_n as_o folly_n and_o nonsense_n which_o when_o he_o have_v once_o do_v he_o can_v deal_v more_o free_o with_o that_o which_o we_o call_v natural_a and_o make_v it_o suit_n with_o his_o unruly_a lust_n and_o appetite_n and_o so_o at_o length_n have_v lose_v all_o the_o relish_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n he_o begin_v to_o think_v either_o there_o be_v no_o life_n at_o all_o after_o this_o or_o else_o if_o there_o be_v that_o god_n be_v no_o such_o rigid_a be_v as_o he_o be_v represent_v so_o as_o to_o require_v any_o account_n of_o he_o hereafter_o how_o he_o have_v behave_v himself_o in_o this_o world_n and_o when_o he_o be_v come_v to_o this_o pitch_n he_o can_v sin_v on_o and_o enjoy_v himself_o with_o great_a security_n and_o want_v but_o one_o step_n of_o the_o gross_a atheism_n now_o that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o most_o habitual_a and_o resolve_v sinner_n i_o think_v we_o may_v appeal_v to_o their_o own_o conscience_n if_o they_o will_v but_o speak_v without_o reserve_n and_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v there_o be_v not_o too_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o world_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o otherwise_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o we_o have_v so_o many_o bold_a disputer_n against_o all_o reveal_v religion_n that_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v by_o many_o so_o much_o decry_v and_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n so_o much_o ridicule_v by_o those_o who_o life_n and_o action_n be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v indeed_o but_o too_o much_o in_o earnest_n in_o their_o profane_a discourse_n how_o i_o say_v can_v these_o thing_n be_v if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o very_a close_a connection_n between_o impiety_n and_o infidelity_n and_o this_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o case_n not_o only_o of_o particular_a man_n now_o and_o then_o but_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o history_n of_o whole_a nation_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o according_a as_o the_o sense_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n have_v obtain_v more_o or_o less_o among_o any_o of_o they_o so_o their_o moral_a and_o political_a virtue_n have_v more_o or_o less_o flourish_v insomuch_o that_o even_o among_o heathen_a nation_n those_o who_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n have_v be_v more_o gross_a and_o absurd_a have_v also_o be_v more_o sensual_a and_o brutish_a in_o their_o manner_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o near_a their_o religion_n have_v be_v to_o truth_n and_o the_o bright_a notion_n they_o have_v have_v of_o god_n so_o much_o the_o more_o virtuous_a and_o praiseworthy_a have_v their_o action_n be_v so_o that_o both_o in_o reason_n and_o fact_n we_o see_v that_o wickedness_n of_o life_n proceed_v from_o or_o at_o least_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o religion_n now_o the_o main_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v object_v against_o this_o be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v mighty_a pretender_n to_o piety_n and_o religion_n that_o seem_v very_o devout_a and_o talk_n much_o of_o god_n and_o goodness_n who_o be_v notwithstanding_o very_o deficient_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o moral_a honesty_n and_o have_v not_o so_o much_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n as_o those_o very_a man_n who_o they_o account_v profane_a and_o irreligious_a and_o that_o consequent_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n be_v not_o so_o utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o belief_n
of_o god_n and_o another_o life_n as_o they_o have_v be_v here_o represent_v but_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o outward_a pretence_n to_o piety_n nor_o the_o external_a profession_n of_o religion_n though_o never_o so_o plausible_a that_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o true_a and_o real_a belief_n of_o god_n or_o his_o providence_n even_o though_o a_o man_n go_v so_o far_o in_o it_o as_o to_o deceive_v his_o own_o self_n for_o while_o the_o outward_a profession_n of_o religion_n be_v encourage_v man_n that_o be_v much_o concern_v for_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n because_o they_o gain_v by_o it_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o make_v a_o pretence_n of_o believe_v as_o the_o best_a man_n do_v nay_o they_o will_v often_o act_n this_o so_o far_o as_o to_o overdo_v it_o and_o make_v a_o great_a show_n than_o those_o that_o be_v true_o pious_a and_o religious_a insomuch_o that_o they_o will_v not_o only_o deceive_v other_o but_o themselves_o also_o but_o then_o this_o be_v in_o truth_n only_o act_v such_o a_o part_n as_o they_o find_v will_v be_v most_o for_o their_o advantage_n and_o proceed_v not_o from_o any_o solid_a and_o last_a foundation_n for_o if_o it_o shall_v so_o happen_v that_o gain_n and_o reputation_n or_o the_o countenance_n of_o authority_n or_o whatever_o else_o they_o value_v most_o shall_v lie_v with_o prospect_n of_o any_o long_a continuance_n on_o the_o side_n of_o atheism_n and_o contempt_n of_o religion_n these_o very_a man_n will_v then_o be_v as_o great_a pretender_n to_o that_o however_o they_o may_v mistake_v themselves_o while_o the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o so_o that_o in_o truth_n next_o to_o the_o downright_a profession_n of_o atheism_n there_o be_v none_o that_o come_v near_o to_o it_o than_o the_o thorough_a hypocrite_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o without_o very_o great_a reason_n that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n so_o often_o join_v hypocrite_n and_o unbeliever_n together_o in_o the_o gospel_n but_o 3._o not_o only_o reason_n and_o experience_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n be_v close_o link_v with_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n likewise_o in_o many_o place_n testify_v the_o same_o for_o so_o psal_n 14.1_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o fool_n have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n which_o word_n though_o they_o be_v sometime_o bring_v to_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o atheism_n and_o in_o that_o sense_n be_v true_a enough_o yet_o the_o plain_a natural_a and_o direct_a meaning_n of_o they_o be_v that_o the_o wicked_a man_n who_o be_v frequent_o in_o scripture_n language_n call_v a_o fool_n have_v not_o in_o his_o heart_n any_o true_a belief_n of_o god_n and_o providence_n but_o secret_o either_o disbelieve_v or_o question_n his_o be_v and_o attribute_n and_o endeavour_n as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v to_o thrust_v the_o thought_n of_o he_o out_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n be_v full_o make_v out_o by_o what_o follow_v corrupt_a be_v they_o and_o have_v do_v abominable_a iniquity_n there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v good_a god_n look_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o see_v if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o do_v understand_v that_o do_v seek_v god_n they_o be_v all_o go_v aside_o they_o be_v altogether_o become_v filthy_a there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v good_a no_o not_o one_o have_v all_o the_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n no_o knowledge_n who_o eat_v up_o my_o people_n as_o they_o eat_v bread_n and_o call_v not_o upon_o the_o lord_n all_o which_o show_v that_o by_o the_o fool_n be_v mean_v a_o wicked_a person_n and_o the_o wicked_a be_v such_o as_o seek_v not_o after_o god_n nor_o call_v upon_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o in_o the_o 9th_o psalm_n the_o wicked_a and_o those_o that_o forget_v god_n be_v join_v together_o and_o in_o the_o 10_o psalm_n v._n 4._o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o wicked_a through_o the_o pride_n of_o his_o countenance_n will_v not_o seek_v after_o god_n god_n be_v not_o in_o all_o his_o thought_n and_o again_o v._n 11._o he_o have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n god_n have_v forget_v he_o hide_v his_o face_n and_o he_o will_v never_o see_v and_o many_o more_o expression_n there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o like_a manner_n st._n paul_n show_v at_o large_a in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n concern_v the_o gentile_a world_n that_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o great_a corruption_n of_o manner_n among_o they_o be_v their_o false_a and_o corrupt_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o this_o not_o only_o by_o way_n of_o natural_a consequence_n but_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o such_o perverse_a and_o deprave_a opinion_n and_o that_o because_o they_o do_v not_o like_a to_o retain_v god_n in_o their_o knowledge_n therefore_o god_n give_v they_o over_o to_o a_o reprobate_a mind_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o convenient_a and_o ephes_n 4.18_o he_o say_v that_o the_o gentile_n be_v alienate_v from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n through_o the_o ignorance_n that_o be_v in_o they_o through_o the_o blindness_n of_o their_o heart_n have_v give_v themselves_o over_o unto_o lasciviousness_n to_o work_v all_o uncleanness_n with_o greediness_n from_o all_o which_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n manner_n spring_v from_o the_o want_n of_o a_o true_a and_o sincere_a belief_n of_o the_o be_v and_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o that_o man_n may_v be_v true_o account_v so_o far_o atheist_n in_o their_o heart_n as_o they_o be_v resolute_o profligate_v and_o debauch_v in_o their_o practice_n proceed_v we_o therefore_o to_o consider_v ii_o in_o the_o second_o place_n whence_o this_o infidelity_n or_o doubt_v arise_v which_o thus_o harden_v man_n in_o sin_n and_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v because_o sentence_n against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v speedy_o i._n e._n man_n take_v occasion_n to_o doubt_n about_o providence_n and_o so_o full_o to_o set_v their_o heart_n to_o do_v evil_a from_o the_o seem_a slowness_n of_o divine_a justice_n in_o dispense_n reward_n and_o punishment_n or_o rather_o from_o their_o overhasty_a judge_v about_o these_o matter_n i_o mention_v reward_n as_o well_o as_o punishment_n though_o the_o text_n speak_v express_o of_o the_o latter_a only_o because_o sentence_v against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v speedy_o and_o perhaps_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v express_v more_o particular_o on_o that_o side_n may_v be_v this_o because_o there_o be_v so_o much_o ill_a nature_n general_o in_o the_o world_n that_o man_n be_v much_o more_o offend_v to_o see_v any_o man_n escape_v that_o deserve_v punishment_n than_o they_o be_v concern_v for_o a_o good_a man_n that_o miss_v of_o his_o due_a reward_n and_o more_o apt_a to_o observe_v the_o evil_a action_n of_o man_n than_o the_o good_a just_a as_o in_o the_o disposal_n of_o temporal_a greatness_n it_o usual_o raise_v a_o great_a indignation_n to_o see_v a_o unworthy_a and_o vile_a person_n prefer_v than_o to_o see_v a_o deserve_a man_n neglect_v or_o at_o least_o much_o more_o than_o it_o raise_v our_o joy_n and_o gratitude_n to_o see_v a_o worthy_a person_n raise_v to_o a_o deserve_a dignity_n and_o beside_o base_a and_o unworthy_a mind_n such_o as_o be_v most_o wont_a to_o tax_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v general_o more_o move_v by_o principle_n of_o fear_n than_o by_o hope_n or_o love_n and_o therefore_o when_o punishment_n do_v not_o present_o overtake_v their_o fault_n be_v soon_o persuade_v to_o disbelieve_v that_o providence_n which_o they_o think_v shall_v present_o punish_v if_o he_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o what_o they_o do_v but_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o slowness_n of_o divine_a punishment_n only_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o text_n and_o perhaps_o for_o the_o reason_n now_o assign_v yet_o the_o slowness_n of_o reward_n also_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n doubt_v of_o or_o disbelieve_v a_o providence_n now_o that_o this_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n be_v general_o the_o occasion_n of_o most_o man_n disbelief_n or_o perverse_a opinion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n and_o consequent_o of_o their_o harden_v themselves_o in_o wickedness_n appear_v not_o only_o from_o this_o expression_n of_o the_o royal_a preacher_n in_o the_o text_n but_o likewise_o from_o many_o other_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o common_a observation_n of_o man_n practice_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o wicked_a man_n themselves_o thus_o job_n chap._n 21._o describe_v the_o prosperous_a estate_n of_o the_o wicked_a how_o they_o live_v and_o become_v