_Use_ 1. This may serve to informe us, not to be too much troubled in mind, when we see as it were an inundation of iniquity and impiety, flowing every where; because such things were foretold us before, _Iohn 16.4._ 2. Not to fashion our selves to those courses, that are common in this age, but to prepare and arme our selves rather against their contagion. Doctrine 3. _Amongst wicked men they are the worst of all, that scoffe at godlinesse._ This is gathered from this word, _scoffers_. _Reason_ 1. Because they are not only unbelievers, but despisers of the faith also. For scoffing is from contempt. 2. Because their consciences are seared as it were with a hot iron, that can be wrought upon by no instruction, and therefore they are quite desperate. For they have quenched and choaked even those naturall sparks, which are wont to break out in all mens hearts. 3. Because they are the chosen instruments of the devill to turne aside others from godlinesse, and to make the faithfull servants of God ashamed of it, if it were possible. For the proper effect of scoffing is shame. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us, to shun such scoffers as the monsters and pests of mankind. Doctrine 4. _They that maintaine wicked opinions in their minde, are given to impurity in their life._ This is gathered therehence, that the same men are called _scoffers, and such as walk after their own lusts_. _Reason_ 1. Because the proper cause, why such men do labour so much to cast off all sense of religion, is no other, then that they may with all licentiousnesse, give themselves wholy over to their most filthy lusts. 2. Because such wicked opinions or imaginations do let loose the raines to all concupiscence, and therefore are the cause of increasing that wickednesse, whereof at the first they were the effect. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to informe us, not to think that wicked and profane and Atheisticall men do speak from any reason or judgement, when they scoffe at religion. For they are beasts in their life, and therefore they have also beastly imaginations, which they are wont to bring forth under a shew of reason. 2. To admonish us, in shunning profane and blasphemous opinions and imaginations, to beware especially of a wicked life, because it makes way for all wicked opinions. Doctrine ♦5. _That is proper to wicked and prophane men, in some sort to deny the comming of the Lord, and his judgement._ ♦ “V” replaced with “5” for consistency. This is gathered from verse 4. at the beginning. _Reason._ Because the expectation of judgement is a strong bridle to restraine and keep in the wickednesse of men, which ungodly and profane men do most of all desire to shake off.