It was foretold in the Word that offenses would come [Matt. 18:7, Luke 17:1], and indeed against the faith, or the truths of religion, which all regard God the Messiah. For [the truth] that He became a human being, spoke as a human being, and many similar ones, the earthly mind can never believe; therefore, even if one professes belief, yet still, on consulting the earthly mind, one falls into doubt and then into unspoken denial. The same process follows in regard to particular matters of belief, with the consequence, that the person's mental life consists of nothing but offenses. Therefore, Only God the Messiah knows whether the life of people who completely deny God the Messiah, even to the point of blaspheming [Him], when they had been taught to do so from childhood, is worse than the life of those who had thought themselves well versed in the doctrine of faith, and had professed it, [and yet entertain such offenses]. 1747, the 14th day of December.