their various stages of development and of moral disorder. When, therefore, man perverts the highest truths, and extinguishes in himself their light and life, then truths of a lower order are given him—truths better suited to his lower and perverse state; and Infinite Love seeks to secure his obedience to these. And when, through the perversion of these, he sinks to a still lower or more external state, then truths of a yet lower degree are mercifully vouchsafed him.
Thus the Lord, in the plenitude of his wisdom and love, forever adapts his truth to the states of all finite minds. Evermore does He impart to all his human offspring as much and as pure truth as they are able to receive. And when they fall into states to profane the highest truths, then these are mercifully taken from them; or what is equivalent, their eyes are veiled, as it were, so that they may not see or acknowledge them to be truths. As it is written: "He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." (John xii. 40.)
This Is as true of nations as it is of individuals. Hence no nation has ever been left without a religion of some sort, nor without some religious truth. And the form which religion takes in any age or country, and the character and amount of religious truth which is acknowledged, will depend on the general state of the people, and be suited to their state. And more and higher truth will be given them so soon as they are prepared to receive it.
None of the heathen nations, therefore, are left wholly
