The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

'Tis no wonder that the Heathens gratified the inclinations of Lust or Rage, when their Gods were represented acting in such a manner, as to authorise ⟨p. 409⟩their Vices. Semina pene omnium scelerum, à Diis suis peccantium turba collegit, as Julius Firmicius justly reproaches them. There was no Villainy, how notorious soever, but had some Deity for its Protector. They found in Heaven a Justification of all their crimes, and became vicious by imitation.¹ For 'tis very congruous for men to follow those whom they esteem to be perfect, and to whom they think themselves accountable. If they attribute to their Supreme God, the Judg of the World, Vices as Virtues, What Virtues will there be to reward, or Vices to punish in Men? But for those that name the Name of Christ to continue in iniquity, is the most unbecoming thing in the world. For they live in the perfect contradiction of their Profession. An unholy Christian is a real Apostate from Christ, that retracts by his wickedness the Dedication that was made of him in his Baptism. Although he doth not abjure our Saviour in words, he denies him in his works. A proud person renounces his Humility, the revengeful his Mercy, the luke-warm his Zeal, the unclean his Purity, the covetous his Bounty and Compassion, the hypocrite his Sincerity. And can there be any thing more indecent and absurd, than to pretend the relation and respect of Disciples to such an holy Master, and yet by Disobedience to deny him? When the bloody Spectacles of the Gladiators were first brought to Athens, a Wise man cried out to the Masters of the Prizes, That they should remove the Statue and Altar of Mercy out of the City, there being such an incongruity between the Goddess they pretended to worship, and that cruel Sacrifice of Men for the sport of the People. It were more suitable for those who are not afraid to violate the most Holy Laws, and to ⟨p. 410⟩contradict the Pattern of Christ, to leave their Profession, and to take some other more complying with their Lusts. 'Tis not the Title of a Christian that sanctifies those who pollute and defame it. 'Tis not wearing the Livery of Christ that can honour those who stain it by their filthiness; but 'tis an aggravation of their guilt.

'Tis no wonder that the Heathens gratified the inclinations of Lust or Rage, when their Gods were represented acting in such a manner, as to authorise