Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. Not for any Moral perfection: Because he converts the most Sinful. The Gentiles steeped in Idolatry and Superstition. He sowed more Faith among the Romans than in Jerusalem, more Faith in a City that was the common Sewer of all the Idolatry of the Nations conquered by them; than in that City which had so signally been owned by him, and had not practised any Idolatry since the Babylonish Captivity. He planted Saintship at Corinth, a place notorious for the infamous Worship of Venus, a Superstition attended with the grossest uncleanness. At Ephesus, that presented the whole World with a Cup of Fornication in their Temple of Diana. Among the Colossians, Votaries to Cybele in a manner of Worship attended with beastly and lascivious Ceremonies. And what character had the Cretans from one of their own Poets, mentioned by the Apostle to Titus, whom he had placed among them, to further the progress of the Gospel, but the vilest and most abominable? Tit. 1.12. Liars, not to be credited, Evil Beasts not to be associated with, Slow Bellies fit for no service. What prerogative was there in the nature of such putrefaction. As much as in that of a Toad to be elevated to the dignity of an Angel. What steam from such Dunghills could be welcome to him, and move him, to cast his eye on them, and sweeten them from Heaven? What treasures of worth were here, to open the treasures of his Grace? Were such filthy snuffs fit of themselves to be kindled by, and become a lodging for a Gospel beam? What invitements could he have from Lying, Beastliness, Gluttony, but only from his own Sovereignty? By this he plucked firebrands out of the fire, while he left straiter and more comely sticks to consume to ashes.

2. Not for any Moral perfection: Because he converts the most Sinful. The Gentiles steept in Idolatry and Superstition. He sow'd more Faith among the Romans than in Jerusalem, more Faith in a City that was the common Sewer of all the Idolatry of the Nations conquered by them; than in that City which had so signally been own'd by him, and had not practised any Idolatry since the Babylonish Captivity. He planted Saintship at Corinth, a place notorious for the infamous Worship of Venus, a Superstition attended with the grossest uncleanness. At Ephesus, that presented the whole World with a Cup of Fornication in their Temple of Diana. Among the Colossians, Votaries to Cybele in a manner of Worship attended with beastly and lascivious Ceremonies. And what character had the Cretians from one of their own Poets, mentioned by the Apostle to Titus, whom he had plac'd among them, to further the progress of the Gospel, but the vilest and most abominable?