Attributes of God - Charnock - VII - Chapter 2 (Practical atheism) continued

Required reading
Attributes of God by Charnock (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Chapter 2 (Practical atheism) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'IV Man would make himself the end of God.'

My summary
Today we look at Charnock's second main point about practical atheism: 'As man would be a law to himself, so he would be his own end and happiness in opposition to God.' He gives us four subpoints.  We examine three this week.

Firstly man would make himself his own end and happiness.  This is evident in:
(i) frequent self-applauses and inward overweening reflections;
(ii) ascribing the glory of what we do or have to ourselves, to our own wisdom, power, virtue etc;
(iii) desires to have self-pleasing doctrines;
(iv) being highly concerned for injuries done to ourselves, and little or not at all concerned for injuries done to God;
(v) trusting ourselves - we consult with our own wit and wisdom, more than inquire of God and ask leave of him;
(vi) the power of sinful self, above the efficacy of the notion of God, is evident in our workings for carnal self against the light of our own consciences.

Secondly man would have any thing his end and happiness rather than God.  This is evident in:
(i) the fewer thoughts we have of God than of anything else;
(ii) the greedy pursuit of the world;
(iii) a strong addictedness to sensual pleasures;
(iv) paying a service upon any success in the world to instruments, more than to God the sovereign author;
(v) paying a respect to man more than God.

Thirdly man would make himself the end of all creatures.  This is evident in:
(i) pride;
(ii) using the creatures contrary to the end God has appointed;
(iii) in the devil's behaviour.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the insight of the third point that the atheist makes himself the end of all creatures: 'Since it is the nature of man derived from this root, to desire to be equal with God, it follows that he desires no creature should be equal with him, but subservient to his ends and his glory.  He that would make himself God, would have the honour proper to God; he that thinks himself worthy of his own supreme affection, thinks himself worthy to be the object of the supreme affection of others; whosoever counts himself the chiefest good and last end, would have the same place in the thoughts of others.  Nothing is more natural to man, than a desire to have his own judgement the rule and measure of the judgement and opinions of the rest of mankind.'

When an atheist put himself in God's place, it means everything must worship him as God.  Sinful pride has no limits!

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 2 (Practical atheism) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'IV.  For the use of this.  It serves, 1. For information. (1.) It gives us occasion to admire the wonderful patience and mercy of God.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.