Tenthly, In this we have an open field wherein mans imagination doth act numberless evils, because of its invention, it is continually inventing new sins or occasions of sins; As if the old sins and trespasses which had filled the world were not enough, What new ways of impiety are invented, new fancies in evil ways? For although invention be indeed principally an act of the understanding, yet because (as you heard) the understanding in its operations hath recourse to the imagination, and that is subservient and under-agent to it, therefore we may attribute the same things to both, especially the things of invention, because a mans imagination hath a peculiar influence therein; Now in this respect, if there were no other, the sins of the imagination will increase like the sands upon the sea-shore: It were possible to show, by going over every particular Commandment, that the imagination of man doth constantly invent new sins against them; the Apostasy of man from his first rectitude is emphatically described by the Scripture in this, as the general and sum of all, that he sought out many inventions, Eccles. 7. 29. where the wise man having declared that amongst men and women, though less amongst women, one not so much as good in an ethical and moral sense could be found; for in a spiritual sense there is not one man amongst a thousand, no not in all mankind that is good, but the speaketh of external and moral, enquiring then after the cause, why such an universal corruption should overflow all mankind; insomuch that ⟨p. 363⟩there is not one amongst a thousand that deserveth the name of a man, not such an one as the primitive righteousness did require, but not so much as reason judging rightly by ethical Rules would commend, he doth clear God from being the Author of this; And because this truth is of such great consequence, he useth a word of attention [Lo] Ecce, Consider it diligently; And secondly, he telleth you, how he came to the knowledge of it, I have found it, (viz.) in the Word of God. where you see this Doctrine concerning original corruption is not to be investigated by humane reason, as it is discovered by divine revelation. I have found it after much and diligent study; Oh that those corrupt teachers, who deny this original pravity, could with Solomon say, They have at last after much study found out this truth also!
Tenthly, In this we have an open field wherein mans imagination doth act numberless evils, because of its invention, it is continually inventing new sinnes or occasions of sinnes; As if the old sinnes and trespasses which had filled the world were not enough, What new wayes of impiety are invented, new fancies in evil wayes? For although invention be indeed principally an act of the understanding, yet because (as you heard) the understanding in its operations hath recourse to the imagination, and that is subservient and under-agent to it, therefore we may attribute the same things to both, especailly the things of invention, because a mans imagination hath a peculiar influence therein; Now in this respect, if there were no other, the sinnes of the imagination will encrease like the sands upon the sea-shore: It were possible to shew, by going over every particular Commandment, that the imagination of man doth constantly invent new sinnes against them; the Apostacy of man from his first rectitude is emphatically described by the Scripture in this, as the general and summe of all, that he sought out many inventions, Eccles. 7. 29. where the wise man having declared that amongst men and women, though less amongst women, one not so much as good in an ethical and moral sense could be found; for in a spiritual sence there is not one man amongst a thousand, no not in all mankind that is good, but the speaketh of external and moral, enquiring then after the cause, why such an universal corruption should overflow all mankind; insomuch that ⟨p. 363⟩there is not one amongst a thousand that deserveth the name of a man, not such an one as the primitive righteousness did require, but not so much as reason judging rightly by ethical Rules would commend, he doth clear God from being the Author of this; And because this truth is of such great consequence, he useth a word of attention [Lo] Ecce, Consider it diligently; And secondly, he telleth you, how he came to the knowledge of it, I have found it, (viz.) in the Word of God. where you see this Doctrine concerning original corruption is not to be investigated by humane reason, as it is discovered by divine revelation. I have found it after much and diligent study; Oh that those corrupt teachers, who deny this original pravity, could with Solomon say, They have at last after much study found out this truth also!
