Defensive Armor Against Four of Satans Most Fiery Darts, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
From whence Atheiſtical and Blaſphemous Thoughts may proceed; ſometimes from Luſt, ſometimes from the World; but theſe are uſually imbraced and nurſed up in the Soul. Thoſe that are the Subject of the preſent Diſcourſe, ordinarily proceed from the Devil, as a Tempter and a Blaſphemous Spirit.
THE Adverſaries of a Chriſtian, with whom the good fight is to be managed, are uſually reckoned to be, The Fleſh, the World, and the Devil, their Oppoſition to us, is by moving, inticing, and perſwading us to ſin, to the ruin of our Souls. Hence Divines diſtinguiſhing Temptations, from their Efficient Cauſe or Cauſes, ſay, There is Tentatio a Carne, a Temptation from the Fleſh; which agreeth with St. James, Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own LUST and inticed: but that muſt be underſtood of ſuch Temptations by which a man is conquered.
2. There is Tentatio ab hoſte, a Temptation from the Enemy without, and this is either from the World, that is the Things or Men of the World: Or from the Devil. Any of theſe may be Tempters in this Caſe.
1. Luſt may be a Tempter to Atheiſtical and Blaſphemous Thoughts, though I muſt confeſs I cannot underſtand how that ſhould be a tempter to ſuch Thoughts as theſe, not by us choſen, ſtudied, or delighted in by them. Debaucht Wretches, that give up themſelves to Drunkenneſs, Whoredom, Lying, Curſing, Swearing, Neglect of all Duty to God and Man, are concern'd, if they can, to perſwade themſelves, That there is no God that ſeeth them or d…approveth them, or that hath a ſuperiour power to them, or will judge or condemn them; for did they believe this, their Conſciences would never let them be quiet. Now that luſt [that Sinful deſire] which is in them to keep their luſts without regrets of Conſcience or any ſowre Reflections, after their Debaucheries, may be a Tempter to them to ſay in their hearts, yea, and to imbrace a perſwaſion in their hearts, That there is no God; but this doth not properly concern our preſent Caſe.
2. The World alſo, [the men of the world] may be Tempters to ſuch thoughts as theſe. The diſcourſes of others you know offer matter for our thoughts to run upon, and as in other cauſes, ſo in this, there may be ſome who may argue Atheiſm and Blaſphemy with us, and who may endeavour to perſwade us to ſuch Sentiments. Atheiſtical and Blaſphemous Books may ſet our thoughts on work, but theſe can have no great cauſation in ſuch thoughts as are permanent, afflictive, and troubleſome to us. It is in the power of Chriſtians to avoid Atheiſtical and Blaſphemous company; and to abſtain from reading of ſuch Books: Though therefore men of the world may be Tempters to Atheiſm, yet they can hardly be charged as Tempters in this Caſe.
3. The Devil (whom you know the Scriptures call the Tempter) the Enemy, the Envious one) is doubtleſs the principal Efficient cauſe. He goeth about, like a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may devour; and he hath many Arts, and Wiles, and Depths, and Methods, which he uſeth to deſtroy Souls with; amongſt which this is one, to make impreſſions of Atheiſm and Blaſphemy upon perſons; by ſome they are imbraced as Notions that are ſuited to their Senſual Appetite, and which will very well fit their Carnal Deſires: By others they are diſguſted, as contrary to thoſe Impreſſions which the Holy Spirit of God hath made upon their Souls, and their former Notions, Apprehenſions, and Belief in God. Yea, ſo far diſguſted, that their Souls are frighted at the ſight of theſe Strangers comming to their Houſe; and are amazed which way they ſhould ever come in, having to their knowledg never opened the leaſt Window or Door to them, nor any way invited them ſo much as for an hour or a moment; their Souls loath and abhorthem, and yet they revive upon them. Temptations of this nature thus circumſtanced, can be from no other Tempter than the Devil.