Attributes of God by Charnock (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Chapter 2 (Practical atheism).
Today we finish the chapter on practical atheism by looking at the fourth point about the use of knowing about practical atheism.
Firstly practical atheism serves as information:
(i) it gives us occasion to admire the wonderful patience and mercy of God;
(ii) it brings in a justification of the exercise of his justice;
(iii) hence ariseth a necessity of a new state and frame of soul, to alter an atheistic nature;
(iv) we may gather from hence the difficulty of conversion, and mortification to follow thereupon;
(v) here we see the reason of unbelief;
(vi) it informs us, consequently, who can be the author of grace and conversion, and every other good work;
(vii) we may here see the reason why there can be no justification by the best and strongest works of nature;
(viii) we see here the cause of all the apostasy of the world.
Then Charnock finishes the chapter with some exhortations:
(i) Let us labour to be sensible of this atheism in our nature, and be humbled for it;
(ii) let us be sensible of it in others.
Particularly enjoyed point one about the information that practical atheism serves: 'It gives us occasion to admire the wonderful patience and mercy of God. How many millions of practical atheists breathe every day in his air, and live upon his bounty, who deserve to be inhabitants in hell, rather than possessors of the earth! An infinite holiness is offended, an infinite justice is provoked; yet an infinite patience forbears the punishment, and an infinite goodness relieves our wants. The more we had merited his justice and forefeited his favour, the more is his affection enhanced, which makes his hand and so liberal to us.'
Oh the mercy of God towards practical atheists!
Commence Chapter 3
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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