f this love of God, knowledge, faith,
fear, hope, &c. are such as err both in doctrine and manners, Sadducees,
Herodians, libertines, politicians: all manner of atheists, epicures,
infidels, that are secure, in a reprobate sense, fear not God at all, and
such are too distrustful and timorous, as desperate persons be. That grand
sin of atheism or impiety, [6617]Melancthon calls it _monstrosam
melancholiam_, monstrous melancholy; or _venenatam melancholiam_, poisoned
melancholy. A company of Cyclops or giants, that war with the gods, as the
poets feigned, antipodes to Christians, that scoff at all religion, at God
himself, deny him and all his attributes, his wisdom, power, providence,
his mercy and judgment.

[6618] "Esse aliquos manes, et subterranea regna,
Et contum, et Stygio ranas in gurgite nigras,
Atque una transire vadum tot millia cymba,
Nec pueri credunt, nisi qui nondum aere lavantur."

That there is either heaven or hell, resurrection of the dead, pain,
happiness, or world to come, _credat Judaeus Apella_; for their parts they
esteem them as so many poet's tales, bugbears, Lucian's Alexander; Moses,
Mahomet, and Christ are all as one in their creed. When those bloody wars
in France for matters of religion (saith [6619]Richard Dinoth) were so
violently pursued between Huguenots and Papists, there was a company of
good fellows laughed them all to scorn, for being such superstitious fools,
to lose their wives and fortunes, accounting faith, religion, immortality
of the soul, mere fopperies and illusions. Such loose [6620]atheistical
spirits are too predominant in all kingdoms. Let them contend, pray,
tremble, trouble themselves that will, for their parts, they fear neither
God nor devil; but with that Cyclops in Euripides,

"Haud ulla numina expavescunt caelitum,
Sed victimas uni deorum maximo,
Ventri offerunt, deos ignorant caeteros."

"They fear no God but one,
They sacrifice to none.
But belly, and him adore,
For gods they know no more."

"Their God is their belly," as Paul saith, _Sancta mater saturitas;--quibus
in solo vivendi causa palato est._ The idol, which they worship and adore,
is their mistress; with him in Plautus, _mallem haec mulier me amet quam
dii_, they had rather have her favour than the gods'. Satan is their guide,
the flesh is their instructor, hypocrisy their counsellor, vanity their
fellow-soldier, their w