53. But how could he be blind, who was made by God himself, and after his own Image?
54. Adam was certainly blind, and his blindness proceeded from his Pride, because he aspired to be like to God; he was not blind as to his outward Eyes, but his heart was blinded, which is by far the worst blindness of the two: For all sin and wickedness blinds the hearts of men, that they cannot percieve the folly of their doings.
55. Thus Adam also by means of his disobedience to God, became so blind, as not to percieve, or be sensible of the Love that God had for him before his Fall, and how richly he had endowed him.
56. Whence also his Children were so wicked and blind, that the one Brother slew the other; which wickedness hath still encreased in their Posterity, as appears by the deluge, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
57. And thus the World from day to day still grows worse and worse, notwithstanding the Examples of God’s Vengeance against Sinners.
58. And all this proceeds because men are so generally blinded by the Devil in sin and wickedness.
59. But to leave this, it may be further question’d; that seeing all mankind is become so blinded through Adam’s fall, as not to discern the Jewel they carry about them; who then was the Person that first discovered, that man was the Possessour of so great a Treasure?
60. Ans. Who was the first discoverer of this Treasure I cannot tell, but thus much is certain, that it was an honest man and fearing God; because God doth not reveal his secrets to the wicked; wherefore Tho. Aquinas saith, Our Holy Art, either finds a man holy, or makes him so.
61. But some will say, don’t we reade of Heathens that have been Possessours of the Philosophers stone; and how can we imagine that those who have no knowledge of God, and are blinded with sin, should ever be able to find out So great a Mystery?
62. Ans. Those Heathens that have been Possessours of this great secret, were not without the knowledge of God; for they lived according to the Law of Nature, honouring God and loving their Neighbour; wherefore also God accepted of them. They learnt to know God from his Works of Wonder, and according to their knowledge, loved, honoured and feared him; and so were made Partakers of his grace, light, and the knowledge of his secrets.