"But we were blind," say they, "in mind; too dim was Nature's Light, Our only guide, as hath been tried, to bring us to the sight Of our estate degenerate, and curs'd by Adam's Fall; How we were born and lay forlorn in bondage and in thrall. CLX. [Sidenote: Mat. 11:22.] "We did not know a Christ till now, nor how fall'n men be savéd, Else would we not, right well we wot, have so ourselves behavéd. We should have mourn'd, we should have turn'd from sin at thy Reproof, And been more wise through thy advice, for our own soul's behoof. CLXI. [Sidenote: They are answered.] "But Nature's light shin'd not so bright, to teach us the right way: We might have lov'd it and well improv'd it, and yet have gone astray." The Judge most High makes this Reply: "You ignorance pretend, Dimness of sight, and want of light, your course Heav'nward to bend. CLXII. [Sidenote: Gen. 1:27. Eccl. 7:29. Hos. 13:9.] "How came your mind to be so blind? I once you knowledge gave, Clearness of sight and judgment right: who did the same deprave? If to your cost you have it lost, and quite defac'd the same, Your own desert hath caus'd the smart; you ought not me to blame. CLXIII. [Sidenote: Mat. 11:25, compared with 20:15.] "Yourselves into a pit of woe, your own transgression led; If I to none my Grace had shown, who had been injuréd? If to a few, and not to you, I shew'd a way of life, My Grace so free, you clearly see, gives you no ground of strife. CLXIV. [Sidenote: Rom. 1:20, 21, 22.] "'Tis vain to tell, you wot full well, if you in time had known Your misery and remedy, your actions had it shown: You, sinful Crew, have not been true unto the Light of Nature, Nor done the good you understood, nor ownéd your Creator. CLXV. [Sidenote: Rom. 2:12, 15, and 1:32. Mat. 12:41.] "He that the Light, because 'tis slight, hath uséd to despise, Would not the Light shining more bright, be likely for to prize. If you had lov'd, and well improv'd your knowledge and dim sight, Herein your pain had not been vain, your plagues had been more light." CLXVI. [Sidenote: Reprobate Infants plead for themselves. Rev. 20:12, 15, compared with Rom. 5:12, 14, and 9:11, 13. Ezek. 18:2.] Then to the Bar all they drew near Who died in infancy, And never had or good or bad effected pers'nally; But from the womb unto the tomb were straightway carriéd, (Or at the least ere they transgress'd) who thus began to plead: CLXVII. "If for our own transgressi-on, or disobedience, We here did stand at thy left hand, just were the Recompense; But Adam's guilt our souls hath spilt, his fault is charg'd upon us; And that alone hath overthrown and utterly undone us. CLXVIII.