narrow field they were confined-how feebly they touched even That resistance occasioned the Reformation, since which event many 11. Many attempts have been made to trace the continuity of the Protestant principles to the Apostolical times, principally through the Vaudois; yet the existence of these cannot be ascer- tained with any historical confidence before the twelfth century 705-6 7 If any connexion with the earliest times could be made out through the Albigeois, or through the Mystics, still this would not be a connexion with the Apostolical Church The third Canon of the fourth Lateran Council received the sanc- tion of the Civil Authorities, and thus united them in the same conspiracy. On the principle of the necessary Unity of the Church, persecution could not be avoided; the Laity co-operated; and the spirit was never more decided than in the fifteenth age 709-10 IV. Some individual reformers of the fifteenth century. John of Wesalia was condemned and imprisoned. John Wesselus of John Laillier published at Paris some opinions which were cen- sured by the Faculty. He was condemned, and subsequently re- tracted. Jerome Savonarola obtained extraordinary influence as a prophet and a demagogue at Florence. His interview with Charles VIII. of France, and address to that Monarch. The circum- stances of his overthrow, condemnation and execution 713-14-15-16 John Reuchlin and his admirer Erasmus V. The abuses of the Church were particularly felt and detested in Germany. The political interests of the Empire and Popedom had been almost always at variance. The Concordats had been violated or eluded by the Popes. The people of Germany had become more generally enlightened, and thirsted for the Scriptures. The Church reposed in indolent security. Leo X. had not the cha- racter which the exigencies of his establishment required; and the A C SITY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. INTRODUCTION. AN attempt to compress into a few of these numbers the ecclesiastical history of fifteen centuries, requires some previous explanation, lest any should imagine that this undertaking has been entered upon rashly, and without due consideration of its difficulty. This is not the case; I am not blind to the various and even opposite dangers which beset it; and least of all am I insensible to the peculiar and most solemn importance of the subject. But I approach it with deliberation as well as reverence, willing to consecrate to God's service the fruits of an insufficient, but not careless diligence, and also trusting, by His divine aid, to preserve the straight path which leads through truth unto wisdom. The principles by which I have been guided require no preface; they will readily develop themselves, as they are the simplest in human nature. But, respecting the general plan which has been followed in the conduct of this work, a few words appear to be necessary. In the first place I have abandoned the method of division by centuries, which has too long perplexed ecclesiastical history, and have endeavoured to regulate the partition by the dependence of connected events, and the momentous revolutions which have arisen from it. It is one advantage in this plan, that it has very frequently enabled me to collect under one head, to digest by a single effort, and present, in one uninterrupted view, materials bearing in reality upon the same point, but which, by the more usual method, are separated and distracted. It is impossible to ascertain the proportions or to estimate the real weight of any single subject amidst the events which surround it—it is impossible to draw from it those sober and applicable conclusions which alone distinguish history from romance, unless we bring the corresponding portions into contact, in spite of the interval which time may have thrown between them: for time has scattered his lessons over the records of humanity with a profuse but careless hand, and both the diligence and the judgment of man must be exercised to collect and arrange them, so as to extract from their combined qualities the true odour of wisdom. It is another advantage in the method which I have adopted, that it affords greater facility to bring into relief and illustrate matters which are really important and have had lasting effects; since it is chiefly by fixing attention and awakening reflexion on those great phenomena which have not only stamped a character on the age to which they belong, but have influenced the conduct and happiness of after ages, that history asserts her prerogative above a journal or an index, not permitting thought to be dispersed nor memory wasted upon a minute narration of detached incidents and transient and inconsequential details. And, in this matter, I admit that my judgment has been very freely exercised in proportioning the degree of notice to the permanent weight and magnitude of events. B As regards the treatment of particular branches of this subject, all readers are aware how zealously the facts of ecclesiastical history have been disputed, and how frequently those differences have been occasioned or widened by the peculiar opinions of the disputants. Respecting the former, it is sufficient to say that the limits of this work obviously prevent the author from pursuing and unfolding all the intricate perplexities of critical controversy. I have, therefore, generally contented myself, in questions of ordinary moment, with following, sometimes even without comment, what has appeared to me to be the more probable conclusion, and of signifying it as probable only. Respecting the latter, I have found it the most difficult, as it is certainly among the weightiest of my duties, to trace the opinions which have divided Christians in every age regarding matters of high import both in doctrine and discipline. But it seems needless to say that I have scarcely, in any case, entered into the arguments by which those opinions have been contested. It is no easy task, through hostile misrepresentation, and the more dangerous distortions of friendly enthusiasm, to penetrate their real character, and delineate their true history. For the demonstration of their reasonableness or absurdity I must refer to the voluminous writings consecrated to their explanation. This history, extending to the beginning of the Reformation, will be divided into five Parts or Periods. The first will terminate with the accession of Constantine. It will trace the propagation of Christianity; it will comprehend the persecutions which afflicted, the heresies which disturbed, the abuses which stained the early Church, and describe its final triumph over external hostility. The second will carry us through the age of Charlemagne. We shall watch the fall of the Polytheistic system of Greece and Rome; we shall examine with painful interest the controversies which distracted the Church, and which were not suspended even while the scourge from Arabia was hanging over it, and that especially by which the East was finally alienated from Rome. In the West, we shall observe the influx of the Northern barbarians, and the gradual conquest accomplished by our religion over a second form of Paganism. We shall notice the influence of feudal institutions on the character of that Church, the commencement of its temporal authority, and its increasing corruption. Our third period will conduct us to the death of Gregory VII. And here' I must observe, that, from the eighth century downwards, our attention will, for the most part, be occupied by the Church of Rome, and follow the fluctuations of its history. About 270 years compose this periodthe most curious, though by no means the most celebrated, in the papal annals. From the foundations established by Charlemagne, the amazing pretensions of that See gradually grew up; in despite of the crimes and disasters of the tenth century, they made progress during those gloomy ages, and finally received development and consistency from the extraordinary genius of Gregory. Charlemagne left behind him the rudiments of the system, without any foresight of the strange character which it was destined to assume; Gregory grasped the materials which he found lying before him, and put them together with a giant's hand, and bequeathed the mighty spiritual edifice, to be enlarged and defended by his successors. The fourth part will describe the conduct of those successors, as far as the death of Boniface VIII., and the removal of the seat of government to Avignon. This is the era of papal extravagance and exultation. It was during this space (of about 220 years) that all the energies of the system were in full action, and exhibited the extent of good and of evil of which it was capable. It was then especially that the spirit of Monachism burst its ancient boundaries, and threatened to quench the reviving sparks of knowledge, and to repel the advancing tide of reason. The concussion was indeed fearful; the face of the Church was again darkened by the blood of her martyrs, and the rage of bigotry was found to be more destructive than the malice of Paganism. The last division will follow the decline of papal power, and the general decay of papal principles; and in this more grateful office, it will be my most diligent, perhaps most profitable, task, to examine the various attempts which were made by the Roman Church to reform and regenerate itself, and to observe the perverse infatuation by which they were thwarted; until the motives and habits which attached men to their ancestral superstitions at length gave way, and the banners of reason were openly unfurled in holy allegiance to the Gospel of Christ. There is a sober disposition to religious moderation and warm but dispassionate piety, with which the book of Ecclesiastical History must ever inspire the minds of those who approach it without prejudice, and meditate on it calmly and thoughtfully. May some portion of that spirit be communicated to the readers of the following pages! May they learn to distinguish the substance of Christianity from its corruptions-to perceive that the religion is not contaminated by the errors or crimes of its professors and ministers, and that all the evils which have ever been inflicted upon the world in the name of Christ, have invariably proceeded from its abuse! The vain appendages which man has superadded to the truth of God, as they are human so are they perishable; some have fallen, and all will gradually fall, by their own weight and weakness. This reflexion will serve, perhaps, to allay certain apprehensions. From the multitude of others which suggest themselves, I shall select one only. The readers of this work will observe, from the experience of every age of Christianity, that, through the failings and variety of our nature, diversity in religious opinion is inseparable from religious belief; they will observe the fruitlessness of every forcible attempt to repress it; and they will also remark, that it has seldom proved dangerous to the happiness of society, unless when civil authority has interfered to restrain it. The moral effect of this great historical lesson can be one only-uncontentious, unlimited moderation—a temperate zeal to soften the diversities which we cannot possibly prevent—a fervent disposition to conciliate the passions where we fail to convince the reason; to exercise that forbearance which we surely require ourselves, and constantly to bear in mind that in our common pursuit of the same eternal object, we are alike impeded by the same human and irremediable imperfections. Trinity College, Cambridge. GEORGE WADDINGTON. FROM THE TIMES OF THE APOSTLES TO THE ACCESSION OF CONSTANTINE. CHAPTER I.-The Propagation of Christianity. Method of treating the subject. (1.) Church of Jerusalem-Its earliest members-Death of St. James-Succession of Symeon-Destruction of the city by Titus-Succession to Pella-Bishops of the Circumcision--Destruction of the city by Adrian-Elia Capitolina-Second succession of Bishops-Conclusion. (2.) Church of Antioch-Its foundation and progress-Ignatius-Theophilus-Mesopotamia-Pretended correspondence between the Saviour and Abgarus, Prince of Edessa. (3.) Church of Ephesus-The Seven Churches of Asia-The latest years of St. JohnPiety and progress of the Church of Ephesus-Polycrates-His opposition to Rome. (4.) Church of Smyrna-Polycarp- His Martyrdom - Sardis Melito- Hierapolis-Papias-ApollinarisBithynia-Testimony of the younger Pliny. (5.) Church of Athens-Character of the peopleQuadratus-Aristides-Athenagoras-Their apologies-Other Grecian Churches. (6.) Church of Corinth-Character of the people-Nature of their dissensions-Clemens Romanus-His Epistle -Form of Government-Dionysius of Corinth-Seven general Epistles-Remarks. (7.) Church of Rome-The persecution of Nero described by Tacitus-Martyrdom of St. Paul and St. PeterProbable effect of this persecution-Extent of Romish superiority over other Churches-Controversy respecting Easter-Conduct of Victor, Bishop of Rome -Irenæus-France-Church of Lyons. (8.) Church of Alexandria-St. Marc-Its increase and importance-Epistle of HadrianRemarks on it-Education of the first Christians-Pantænus-Clemens Alexandrinus-The Church of Carthage. CHAPTER II.-On the Numbers, Discipline, Doctrine, and Morality of the Primitive Church. (1.) General view of the extent of the Church-Facility of intercourse favourable to ChristianityOther circumstances-Miraculous claims of the Church-To what limits tbey ought to be confined. (2.) Government of the Primitive Church-During the time of the Apostles-After their Death-Deacons-Distinction of Clergy and Laity-Earliest form of Episcopal GovernmentIndependence of the first Churches-Institution of Synods-Their character and uses-The evil supposed to have arisen from them-Metropolitans-Excommunication-Supposed community of property-Ceremonies of religion-Feasts and fasts-Schools. (3.) Creeds-The Apostles' Creed-Baptism-The Eucharist-The Agapæ. (4.) Morality of the first Christians-Testimonies of St. Clement-Pliny-Bardeanes-Chastity-Exposure of infants-Charity-The earliest converts among the lower orders-The progress of the faith was upwards-Testimony of Lucian in history of Peregrinus-Suffering courage. CHAPTER III. The progress of Christianity from the year 200 A. D. till the Accession of Constantine, A. D. 313. Incipient corruption of the Church-Reasons for it-Its extent-External progress of religion in Asia and in Europe-Claims, character, and prosperity of the Church of Rome-That of Alexandria.-Origen-his character-Industry-Success-Defect-The Church of Carthage-Tertullian-His character-Heresy-Merits.--Cyprian-Government of the Church-Increase of episcopal power, or, rather, influence-Degeneracy of the Ministers of Religion exaggerated-Institution of inferior orders-Division of the people into Faithful and Catechumens-Corruption of the sacrament of Baptism-Effect of this-The Eucharist-Dæmons-Exorcism-Alliance with philosophy-Its consequences.-Pious frauds-Their origin-Excuses for such corruptionsEclectic philosophy-Ammonius Saccas-Plotinus-Porphyry-Compromise with certain philosophers-The Millennium-The writings of the early Fathers-Apologies. CHAPTER IV. On the Persecutions of several Roman Emperors. Claims of Roman Paganism to the character of tolerance examined-Theory of pure PolytheismRoman policy-Various laws of the Republic-continued under the emperors-Mecanas-Remarks-The ten persecutions-how many general-That of Nero-its character-Of Domitian— The grandsons of St. Jude-The epistle of Pliny to Trajan-His answer-Real object of TrajanLetter of Serenius Granianus to Hadrian-Antoninus Pius.-Marcus Antoninus-Gibbon's par tiality-Real character of this persecution compared with those preceding it-His principles and knowledge, and superstition-His talents and virtues-Connection of his philosophy and his intolerance-Commodus-Decius-His persecution-accounted for-its nature-Valerian-Martyrdom of Cyprian-Persecution of Diocletian-Its origin and motives-Influence of Pagan priesthood-Progress of the persecution-Its mitigation by Constantius, and final cessation at the accession of Constantine. General remarks-Unpopularity of the Christians-accounted forCalumnies by which they suffered-Their contempt of all false gods-Change in the character of their adversaries-Philosophy-Excuses advanced for the persecutors-their futility-General character of persecuting emperors-Absurd opinions on this subject-Effect of the persecutionsupon the whole favourable-For what reasons. CHAPTER V.-On the Heresies of the three first Centuries. Meaning of the word Heresy-Charges of immorality brought against Heretics-Their treatment by early Church-Number of early Heresies-Moderation of the primitive Church-Three classes of Heretics. (1.) Two kinds of Philosophy-Gnosticism-Origin and nature of that doctrine-its association with Christianity-Moral practice of the Gnostics-Their martyrs-Various forms of Gnosticism-Basilides.-Carpocrates-Valentinus-Cerdo and Marcion-Tatian and the Encratites. (2.) The Ebionites-Eusebius's account of them-Conclusions from it-The Heresy of Artemon-revived by Paul of Samosata-his sentence and expulsion-how finally enforced-Heresy of Praseas-Doctrines of the Church stated by Tertullian-Sabellius-his opinions-Patropassians. (3.) Simon Magus-Montanus-his preaching and success-Controversy on the Baptism of Heretics-The Novatians-their schism and opinions-Conclusions respecting the general character of the early Heresies, and the manner of opposing them-On the Fathers of the primitive Church-Real importance of their writings-Shepherd of Hermas-Epistle of St. Barnabas-Ignatius-Polycarp-Clement of Rome-Respecting their doctrine-Irenæus. |