The imagination, which had been raised by a painful effort to the contemplation and worship of the Universal Cause, eagerly embraced such inferior objects of adoration as were more proportioned to its gross conceptions and imperfect faculties.

The sublime and simple theology of the primitive Christians was gradually corrupted; and the Monarchy of heaven, already clouded by metaphysical subtleties, was degraded by the introduction of a popular mythology, which tended to restore the reign of polytheism.

[85] [Footnote 81: Burnet (de Statu Mortuorum, p.

56-84) collects the opinions of the Fathers, as far as they assert the sleep, or repose, of human souls till the day of judgment.

He afterwards exposes (p.