GENERAL VIEW OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION PREVIOUS ΤΟ THE

BIRTH OF CHRIST.

Two systems of religion prevalent from the early ages-Origin of paganism-Mis-

takes concerning the ancient traditions-Worship of the heavenly bodies-Applying the

titles of the gods to the early monarchs-Local deities-Idolatry-Nature of the

Jewish religion-State of the world at the birth of Christ-Social genius of Polytheism-

Grecian philosophy-Epicurean-Peripatetics-Stoics-Platonics-Oriental philoso-

phy-Religious state of Judea-Pharisees-Sadducees-Essenes-Civil state-

Herod-Profligacy of the nations....

Page 9

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

Character of the evangelists-Miraculous powers-Inspiration-Fates of the

apostles-Time and circumstances in which the evangelical writings were com-

posed-Destruction of Jerusalem-First persecutions-Under Nero and Domi-

tian.....

CHAPTER III.

19

DOCTRINE, GOVERNMENT, AND DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH.

Faith of the primitive Christians-Ecclesiastical government necessary to the support

of a visible Church-Bishops, presbyters, deacons, deaconesses-Forms of worship-

Sacraments-Excommunication..

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE SECTS WHICH EXISTED IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

24

Jewish Christians-Gnostics-Cerinthus-Simon Magus and Menander..... 28

CHAPTER V.

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED MEN IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

Little use made of human learning in this century-Clemens-Barnabas-Papias-
Ignatius-Public schools..

30

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CENTURY.

Causes assigned for the rapid progress of Christianity-Translation of the Scriptures
into Latin-Trajan-Platonism-Alexandrian Christians-Origin of Monkery-Perse-
cutions-Adrian-Antoninus-Rebellion of the Jews-Martyrs-Inquiry concerning

the ceasing of miraculous powers...

33

CHAPTER II.

OF DOCTRINE, GOVERNMENT, RITES, AND CEREMONIES.

Creed of the Church in this century-Corruptions-Simple structure of the apostolic

Churches-Functions of the bishops-Metropolitans-Mode of admir istering the sacra-

ment-Baptism-Festival of Easter-Christmas-Fast-Marriage-Ecclesiastical cen-

sures-Controversy concerning Easter.....

CHAPTER III.

Page 39

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE SECOND CENTURY.

Gnostic Christians-Marcionites-Encratites-Carpocrates-Valentinian heresy―

Montanus-Praxeas-Jewish Christians-Nazarenes or Ebionites..

CHAPTER IV.

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED MEN.

44

Accession of learned persons to the Church-Justin Martyr-Polycarp-Irenæus-

Clement of Alexandria-Hegesippus-Aquila-Theodotion-Symmachus-Dionysius

-Theophilus-Tertullian-Pagan writers-Plutarch, Epictetus, Antoninus, Lu-

cian....

47

THE THIRD CENTURY.

CHAPTER 1.

GENERAL

STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CENTURY.

Rapid succession of the Roman emperors-State of Christianity under Severus--

Persecution-Alexander Severus-Maximin-Philip and Decius-Decian persecu-

tion-Gallus and Gallienus-Valerian persecution...

CHAPTER II.

49

DOCTRINE, GOVERNMENT, AND DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH DURING

THE THIRD CENTURY.

Doctrines-Creed of Tertullian-Platonic Christians-Monkery-St. Anthony-

Opinions concerning the state of the soul-Public edifices erected for the Christian

worship-Encroachments of the clergy-New orders of clergy-Copiate-Parabo-

lani-Acolythists-Exorcists-Notaries-Catechumens-Baptism, confirmation, &c.--

Penitential discipline-Fasts-Accommodation of Christianity to the prejudices of the

people-Mysteries.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE THIRD CENTURY.

Manichæans-Notians and Sabellians-Paul of Samosata-Novatians..

CHAPTER IV.

51

57

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED MEN IN THE THIRD CENTURY.
Origen Cyprian, bishop of Carthage-Gregory Thaumaturgus-Dionysius of Alex-
andria-Methodius of Tyre-Porphyry-Serapion-Minucius Felix-Julius Africanus
-Hesychius-Lucian-Pamphilus, &c.-Apostolical constitutions-Longinus-Dion

Cassius...

60

THE FOURTH CENTURY.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CENTURY.

Diocletian-Gallerius Cesar, his hatred to the Christians-Persecution-Fire in the

imperial palace-Christians protected in Gaul, under Constantius-Death of Gallerius

-Constantine the Great-Luminous cross- -Constantinople-Devotion of Constantine

-Sons of Constantine divided in their religious sentiments-Julian-His bigotry-Jovian

-Valentinian-Gratian-Theodosius-Divisions in the Church-Conversion of Ar-

menia-Ethiopia-Georgia-Goths-Laws of Constantine....

OF

CHAPTER II.

Page 63

CHURCH GOVERNMENT, DOCTRINES, RITES, AND CEREMONIES

THE FOURTH CENTURY.

IN

Emperor declared head of the Church-Constantine assumes the title of bishop-

Bishop of Rome Of Constantinople-Power and revenues of bishops-Commotions

at Rome on the election of a bishop-Popular elections discountenanced on account of

their pernicious effects-Metropolitans-Bishops-Functions of these different orders

-Revenues of the Church-Ecclesiastical councils-Council of Nice-Attempt to

impose celibacy on the clergy-Heresy of Arius condemned-Disputes concerning the

hypostatic union-Council of Constantinople-Provincial councils-Nicene creed--

Corruptions and superstitions-Increased veneration for saints and martyrs-Relics-

Absurd fictions-Discovery of the real cross-Monks-St. Anthony-Their fanaticism

extended to the female sex- -Hilarion-Basil-Ambrose-Martin of Tours-Different

orders--Cœnobites-Eremites--Anchorites-Sabarites-Splendid churches--Lauda-

ble zeal of Constantine-Military chaplains-Antiquity of the right of patronage-

Rights of sanctuary-Liturgies-Discontinuance of the agape-Festivals in honour of

the martyrs-Abuse of the sacraments-Abuse of abstinence-Penance-Confession--

Anecdote concerning the cause of its abolition-Festival of Easter established-Release

of prisoners at Easter-Manumission of slaves...

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE FOURTH CENTURY.

70

Abuse of Mysticism--Eustathians and Messalians-Donatists-Disputes concerning

the succession to the see of Carthage-Donatus-Violence of the parties-Rogations

-Arius-Principles of the Arians-Arius condemned and exiled-Council of Nice-
Arianism condemned there-Arius recalled from banishment by Constantine-Death of

Arius-Arianism protected by Constantius-Semi-Arians-Eunomians-Contests
between the different branches of Arians-Semi-Arians divided-Macedonians-Mele-

tians-Photinus-Apollinarians--Priscillianists—Antidicomaranites--Collyridians—

Luciferians-Audeus-Etius, &c.....

CHAPTER IV.

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED

MEN IN THE FOURTH CENTURY.

79

Constantine not eminent as a patron of literature-Eusebius-Pamphilus-Athana-
sius-Basil-Gregory Nazianzen-Gregory of Nyssa---Ambrose, bishop of Milan-
Lactantius-Jerome Rufinus-St. Augustine--Chrysostom-Marcellus-Eustathius
-Victorinus--Hilary-Apollinaris-Ephraim of Edessa-Didymus--Diodorus of Tar-
-Epiphanius-Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem...

sus-

86

THE FIFTH CENTURY.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CENTURY.

Persecuting edict against heretics-Arcadius and Honorius-Incursions of the barba-

rians-Alaric-Plunder of Rome-Destruction of literature-Respect indicated by the

barbarians for every form of Christianity-Progress of the barbarians-Annihilation of

the western empire-Odoacer-Christianity received in Persia-Christians there involved

by their own imprudence in persecution-Complete conversion of the Goths-Conversion

of Ireland-Of Clovis king of the Franks-Title of Most Christian King-Corruptions

of the clergy-Their arrogance-Encroachments of the bishop of Rome-Prostitution

of holy orders-Impious arrogance of the emperors-Council of Chalcedon-Title of

patriarchs-Rivalship between the bishops of Rome and Constantinople-Their

intrusion into civil affairs-Restrained by an imperial edict-Virtues of some of the

clergy....

Page 94

CHAPTER II.

OF GOVERNMENT, DOCTRINE, RITES, AND

FIFTH CENTURY.

CEREMONIES IN THE

Title and dignity of patriarch conferred on five of the principal sees-Increase of

monks-Exempted from ecclesiastical jurisdiction-Their immense power-Crimes-

Warlike achievements-New order of watches-Absurdities-Savage life-Simeon

Stylites-Pillar saints-Fanaticism of Baradatus and James of Syria-Platonism suc-

ceeded by the philosophy of Aristotle-Increasing respect for the Virgin Mary-Miracles

supposed to be wrought by her-Images of the virgin and the saints-Superstitious

reverence for the sacrament-Change of public to private confession-Incense and ta-

pers used in the church-Rage for accumulating relics-Seven sleepers-Miracle of the

orthodox believers, who spoke after the loss of their tongues-Divination-Feast of the

Ascension-Origin of the pope's tiara..........

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE FIFTH CENTURY.

100

Pelagius and Celestius-Opposed by Augustine and others-Semi-Pelagians-Nes-

torians Opposition of Cyril-Condemnation of Nestorius-Character of Nestorius-

Eutychians Condemnation in the council of Chalcedon-Decree of union called He-

noticon-Monophysites-Peter the Fuller-Theopaschites-Acephali...

CHAPTER IV.

106

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED MEN IN THE FIFTH CENTURY.
Cyril-Theophilis, bishop of Alexandria-Isidore-Theodorus Arnobius-Antiochus,
bishop of Ptolemais-Asterius of Amasia-Peter of Ravenna-Gaudentius of Brescia
-Severian of Gabala-Leo the Great-Gregentius-Evagrius-Basil-Philostorgius
-Philip Sedetes-Evodius-Orosius-Syagrius-Gennadius-Voconius–Eucherius
-Prosper-Diadoculos-Nilus-Maximus of Turin-Cassian-Palladius-Prosper,
bishop of Nola-Sidonius-Apollinaris-Salvian-Spurious productions-Socrates-
Sozomen-Theodoret-Publication of the Talmud........

28*

111

THE SIXTH CENTURY.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CENTURY.

Evil effects of the decisions in the council of Chalcedon-Emperor Anastasius—In-

trigues of the monks-Two of them appointed to the sees of Antioch and Constanti-

nople-Tumults in Constantinople-Vitellianus marches to attack Constantinople-

Deceived by Anastasius-Emperor Justin-Eutychians depressed-Justinian-Theo-

dora-Riots between the factions-Condemnation of Origen-Of Theodore, Theo-

doret, Ibas, &c.-Opposition of the Roman Pontiff Vigilius-General council at Con-

stantinople-Vigilius banished-Retracts and is recalled-Disputes whether one of the

Trinity had suffered-Whether the body of Christ was corruptible or not-Justin II.

favours the Eutychians-Bishops of Rome claim universal supremacy-Contests for the

succession to that see- -Rivalship between the bishops of Rome and Constantinople--

Mutual persecutions between the Arians and orthodox-Change of religion in barbari-

ans-Title of Most Catholic King-England-Saxons converted by Augustine-Arch-

bishopric of Canterbury founded-Spirit of the British clergy...

Page 117

CHAPTER II.

OF GOVERNMENT, DOCTRINE, RITES, AND CEREMONIES IN THE

SIXTH CENTURY.

Evils of popular elections of the clergy-Bishop of Rome appointed by the Gothic

princes-Different modes of appointing to clerical offices in different countries-In

France-In Spain-Increase of superstition-Donations to monasteries, &c., to obtain

the intercession of the saints-Riches of the Church of Rome-Purgatory--Pictures

and images venerated-Increasing respect for the Virgin Mary-Celibacy of the clergy

much insisted on-Absurdities concerning marriage-Spiritual kindred-Flagellation

inflicted in certain female convents-St. Benedict and his order-Pillar monks--Sime-

on Stylites, jun.-Introduced into the west-Convents afford a refuge for literature-

Conformity of liturgies to those of the metropolitan churches--Roman missal composed

by Gregory the Great-Increased veneration for the sacramental elements-Holy water

Tonsure of priests-Controversy concerning the form of the tonsure-Incredible

absurdities respecting relics-Festival of the purification...

CHAPTER III.

124

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.

Decay of several sects-Jacobites-Aphthartodocita-Severians—Agnotæ--The-

odosians-Tritheists-Philoponites, &c.-Damianists..

CHAPTER IV.

OF LEARNING AND LEARNED MEN IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.

130

Decay of learning-Controversial and party writers appropriate the rewards which
ought to be the portion only of useful learning, and true genius-Ruin of Platonism→→
Succeeded by the philosophy of Aristotle-Boethius-Philoponus-Leontius of Nea-
polis-Isidore of Seville-John Scynthopolis-Leontius-Zachary of Mytilene-Fa-
cundus--Fulgentius-Maxentius-Eulogius-Theodore-Cassiodorus-Basil of
Cilicia-Evagrius-Gregory of Tours-Gildas-Procopius-Agethias-Fortunatus-
Arator-Orontius-Columbanus-Justus-Avitus-Primasius-Victor, of Capua-
Procopius of Gaza-Cassiodorus-Gregory the Great-Justinian-Tribonian-Code,
Pandects, and Institutes of Justinian..

131