fn Canttiíbíng gr; an't neaemptíolr: 4o 7 infamous Impurities, that at the firIt reading, Verterunt chap :a pupillas Virgin inMeretrices; They loft the Virginity of their Eyes, then oftheir Souls, and then oftheir Bo-. dies. Now the Gofpel is a holy Difcipline that for- bids all exceffes, that enjoyns univerfal Purity and Chaftity ; fo that when it was firlf preach'd to the Hea- thens, they thought it impoffible to be obeyed, un- lefs Men were Angels without Bodies, or Statues with- out Souls. I thall add further, That theaverfion of the Heathens from Chriftianity was much ftrengthened by thofe who were in Veneration among them,and vehemently op- pofed it. And they were the Philofophers greatly efteem'd for .Wifdom, their Priefts that had dominion over their Confciences, and theirPrinces that had pow- er overtheir ftates and lives. z . Philofophers vehemently oppofed the receivingof the Gofpel. At the firft view it may be juff matter of wonder that they Ihoul'd be enemies to it, whether we confider the objets ofFaith, or the rules of Life laid down in it. The objects ofFaith were new and noble, of infinite beauty and profit,and molt worthyof a rational Contemplation to be exercifedupon them : Now that the Phllopehers who were fo diligent to improve their minds,who receiv'd with complacency truths ofa lower defcent, and of infinitely lefs importance, should reject_ Evangelical Truths, fublime in their Nature, Caving in their Efficacy,and reveal'd from Heaven, what account can be givenofit Tertulian reproaches them with rea- fon, That the Chriftian Faith was theonly thing,which Curiofitydid not tempt them to fearch into : Hicfo- n2oLc o um curiofitas human torpefcit. Befides, whereas the Gofpel is a plain and perfect Inftitution for the govern mentof Life,wholl y converfant about theSouls of men, andaffures a Bleffednefs infinitely more excellent than was
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