There are many specious
coverings gotten to palliate this wickedness and enmity, and so many
invisible and spiritual wickednesses in the heart, that it is no wonder
that they lurk and dwell without observation. Sin is either covered with
some deceivable pretext of another thing, or altogether escapes the dim
eyes of men, because of its subtile and spiritual nature. Both are in
this business: the enmity of man's heart against God is so subtile a thing
in many, and it is shrouded over with some other pretences in all, that
few get the lively discovery and sense of it. It is true, it is very
gross and palpable in the most part of men,--visible, I mean, upon them,
though not to themselves. Any, whose eyes are opened, may behold the
black visage of rebellion in the most part of the actings and courses of
men, as the apostle, (Gal. v.) speaks "the works of the flesh are
manifest." Truly this enmity against God is too manifest in most part,
the weapons of your warfare against God being so carnal and visible, your
opposition to his holy will and ways being so palpable. There is an
enmity acted by many in the tenor of their conversation, without God in
the world, and against God, as appears in all your inveterate and godless
customs of lying, swearing, cursing, drunkenness, railing, Sabbath
breaking, neglect of prayer, and such like, which carry in their fore brow
this inscription, "against the known God," opposite to that of the
Athenians altar. The God whom you pretend to know and worship,--his name is
every day blasphemed, his word slighted, his will disobeyed, as if you had
proclaimed war against him. But there is in some (and I fear a great many)
not only an acted but an affected enmity too, enmity rising up to the
maturity and ripeness of malignity and hatred of the image of God, in all
his children. Some are not willing to go to heaven, yet they do not
disturb others in their journey, they can let others be religious about
them, and rawly(186) desire to be like them, but others there are, who
will neither enter into heaven themselves, nor let others enter, as Christ
speaks of the Pharisees, Matt. xxiii. 13. They hate the light of
another's conversation, because their own deeds are evil, and are reproved
and condemned by it. It is said, Rev. xi. 10, the witnesses tormented
them that dwelt on the earth. It is strange what a torment it is to the
world that the godly are in it! Piety is an eyesore to many, if they coul