MOCKING, Mocker, Illusor. This Word answers to the Hebrew Word Lez, which signifies a Railer, a Mocker, a Man that makes Sport with Religion, and turns holy Things into Ridicule1. The Author of the Vulgate often translates the Hebrew Word Lez by Pestilent2, a pestilent and dangerous Fellow, whose Manners and Conversation are only fit to infuse a Spirit of Licentiousness. With us such Persons are generally called Libertines or Free-thinkers.
Psal. ii. 4. Psal. xxxvi. 13. Wisd. iv. 18.It is said in some Places of Scripture, that God will mock at such wicked People as despise his Mercy. He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in Derision. And elsewhere, The Lord shall laugh at him, [the Wicked] for he seeth that his Day is coming. And in the Book of Wisdom, God shall laugh them to scorn. These are figurative and humane Ways of speaking. God treats them as a provoked Father would do, who insults the Folly of a 1 Macc. ii. 1, 15. ix. 19.wicked and insolent Son.
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