Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

and had multiplied their idols to such a vast number, that above thirty thousand are reckoned to have been worshipped by those of Europe alone. Whatever wisdom was among their Philosophers, the world by that wisdom knew not God, 1 Cor. 1 21. and all their researches in religion were but groping in the dark, Acts x••. 27. If we look within the enclosure, and, except a few that were groaning and waiting for the Consolation of Israel, we will see a gross darkness on the face of that generation. Tho' to them were committed the oracles of God; yet they were most corrupt in their doctrine Their traditions were multiplied; but the knowledge of these things wherein the life of religion lies, was lost: Masters of Israel knew not the nature and necessity of regeneration, John iii. 10. Their religion was to build on their birth privilege, as children of Abraham, Matth. iii. 9. to glory in their circumcision, and other external ordinances, Philip. iii. 2, 3. And to rest in the law, (Rom. ii. 17.) after they had, by their false glosses, cut it so short, as they might go well near to the fulfilling of it, Matth. v.

and had multiplied their idols to such a vast number, that above thirty thousand are reckoned to have been worshipped by those of Europe alone. Whatever wisdom was among their Philosophers, the world by that wisdom knew not God, 1 Cor. 1 21. and all their researches in religion were but groping in the dark, Acts x••. 27. If we look within the inclosure, and, except a few that were groaning and waiting for the Consolation of Israel, we will see a gross darkness on the face of that generation. Tho' to them were committed the oracles of God; yet they were most corrupt in their doctrine Their traditions were multiplied; but the knowledge of these things wherein the life of religion lies, was lost: Masters of Israel knew not the nature and necessity of regeneration,