EPITOME OF CHURCH SOCIETY

JULY 8.

197

But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

MEANWHILE, amidst every discouragement, the religion of Jesus grew and prevailed. Persons of all ranks and professions acceded. The zeal of the christians was great; their only weapon, persuasion and argument, unaided by art or learning. At length, the more efficaciously to defend the truth and combat its opponents, they began to cultivate eloquence and philosophy—and the school of Plato being most congenial with that of christianity, some of his lofty speculations were adopted, and gave a tinge to the simplicity of the gospel, which in the minds of great numbers it still retains. From this philosopher, St. Austin tells us that he himself first became acquainted with the doctrine of the trinity, which had never entered into his thoughts before. Thus introduced, and by other collateral currents of opinion confirmed, this doctrine, involving the incarnation and crucifixion of the second person of the Godhead, was followed by the mystery of transubstantiation, and the calvinistic doctrine of atonement. Besides these speculative innovations, a double rule of morals was adopted, and spread widely from Egypt, where it chiefly originated-those who aspired to perfect sanctity, were to lead a single life, to abstain from wine, and, as much as possible from the society of their fellow creatures-to macerate the body, and to mortify the soul-as if the best mode of training men for immortal felicity in another world, was to render them miserable and useless in this.

As the simplicity of the religion of Jesus was violated by the reveries of the philosophers, on the one hand; so it was encumbered, on the other hand, by a multiplicity of outward observances, in accommodation to the taste of Jews and Heathens.

Tithes and first fruits were instituted; gold and silver vessels used in the sanctuary; crowns and white raiment and the sign of the cross accompanied the rite of baptism; splendid robes and ensigns of temporal majesty, and a numerous train of attendants, were assumed by the ministers of religion-who, as they grew rich, became ambitious and voluptuous; and among other means of encreasing their power and revenue, practised exorcism upon the bodies of the living, and incantations for departed souls in purgatory.

All these ill suited ornaments of simple christianity, arose in the second and third centuries, during the intervals of severe and bloody persecutions. So rapid was the growth of those tares which appeared faint and feeble in the days of the apostles themselves, but which at length almost overpowered the fruits of the good seed which Jesus Christ had sown upon the earth.

From this confused mass of christianity, philosophy, judaism and paganism, sprang up the sect of eclectics-led by Ammon us, countenanced and adorned by Origen-maintaining that the great principles of truth were to be found among all sects, originating in the east; and when degenerated, revived by Plato forming the basis of all the religions in the world,-which however were universally disguised by allegory, and debased by superstition. Thus we see the little cloud of errour in the east beginning to overspread the whole firmament of truth.

198

EPITOME OF CHURCH HISTORY.

JULY 9.

But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

WHILE the christians were thus compounding and decompounding their religion, the most furious persecution they had ever experienced, was preparing to overwhelm them. The palace of the emperour Dioclesian having been set on fire, this act was ascribed, by their enemies, to the christians; in consequence of which great numbers of them suffered the punishment of incendiaries. Immediately an imperial edict was issued-that all the bishops and ministers of the church, should be cast into prison. Then it was commanded that, by all sorts of tortures, the rulers of the church should be compelled to renounce their religion. Lastly, every rank and sex was ordered to sacrifice to the heathen gods and goddesses, on pain of the most horrible punishments. Many were the martyrs ; many the apostates; and great the consternation of that period. But when the storm was rising to the highest madness, Constantine became master of the world; and embracing the christian religion, devoted all his power to its aggrandizement and a succession of emperours, except during the short reign of Julian, trod in his steps.

By such seasonable relief did this holy religion, which had already spread its roots in secret throughout the Roman empire, soon overshadow its vast extent, and stood unconquered by the subsequent irruptions of the Saracens from the east, and the Barbarians of the north, which threatened the extinction of christianity and civilization together; but, having subdued the imperial armies, were themselves subdued by the more powerful doctrine of Jesus Christ.

Thus we have seen under what circumstances the leaven of christianity began to diffuse itself. The christian doctrine was disseminated early through the remoter parts of Judea and the adjacent provinces. The extensive conquests of the Romans, and the general peace which prevailed under the reign of Augustus, contributed likewise to its more easy and rapid diffusion. The apostles ever availed themselves of every communication which was thus opened between different countries subject to the same empire; and their success was so great, that before the destruction of Jerusalem, in a period of less than forty years, the gospel was not only preached in the lesser Asia, and Greece and Italy, which were then the principal theatres of action in the world; but, it was likewise propagated as far northward as Scythia, to the south as far as Ethiopia, on the east to Parthia and India, and to the west as remotely as Spain and even Britain.

In considering the rapid and extensive spread of christianity, we ought to keep in mind that our Saviour, by his ministry, which lasted, at the longest computation, but three years, attached a considerable number of persons to his cause, notwithstanding native prejudices, contemptuous treatment and discouraging prospects. These men went forth with their lives in their hands to proclaim what they believed to be the truth of God.

At what a vast expense of toil and suffering, was the integrity of the witnesses of our divine religion manifested-the fruits of which we now enjoy in peace and prosperity! How thankful should we be to God-how candid and charitable to each other-how studious to improve and to adorn so great a blessing.

EPITOME OF CHURCH HISTORY.

JULY 10.

199

But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

ON the accession of Constantine, the sudden transition of the christian world from the deepest temporal distress, to the summit of temporal prosperity, doubtless most wisely and seasonably ordained, proved a more dangerous trial, than all they had suffered in their former adversity. Ambitious men, who filled the chief offices of the church, as well as of the state, neglected no means of exalting their power and emolument. First, the people were excluded from all share of church government. Then, the presbyters were reduced under the absolute power of the bishops. Next the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, and afterwards Constantinople, claimed peculiar preeminence. And the bishop of Rome being the most opulent and the most sumptuous in his palace, table, and attendants, upon every election to the Roman See, cabals and tumults, and a kind of civil war laid waste the city. Hence the other bishops, with their adherents, became involved in various commotions and animosities; the same spirit spreading downwards, from rank to rank, among the presbyters and deacons, all studying, by every device, to elevate themselves one above another. And now they, who, through fear of their persecutors, had been used to assemble in the obscurest dwellings, or even vaults where the dead were buried, took possession of the most splendid temples, and, after purifying them afresh, celebrated in them the christian worship, with all the pomp of pagan processions, illuminations, and ceremonies of every description.

Upon the irruption of the Goths, indeed, into Italy, paganism appeared to revive; and, for a season, the idolatrous festivals, the combats of gladiators, and the images of the ancient deities were restored. At length, the savage nations that overran the Western Empire, after comitting great violences, were converted and civilized. Augustine, with forty benedictine monks, is said to have christianized the inhabitants of the county of Kent; and, by degrees, to have extended his spiritual empire over all the kingdoms of the Saxon Heptarchy.

These, however, and other similar conversions were too much conversions of force and influence-a continuation of the reign of superstition, with a change of objects-the statues of Christ and of the saints were substituted for those of the ancient divinities. Ceremonies were multiplied but manners degenerated. Endless festivals, perpetual acclamations kept up day and night by successive companies of singers, altars and chests of relics, of solid silver, clouds of fragrant incense from golden censers, attested the opulence of the christian priesthood; and displayed the rich spoils of which they had bereaved their pagan predecessors. Meanwhile, as pride and luxury advanced, the clergy continued augmenting their power and their revenue-private confessions made them masters of the secrets of the laity-rhetorical sermons were received, like the exhibitions of the theatre, with clapping of hands-few bishops were capable of composing their discourses-those most admired were recitals of the exploits of pretended saints.-Thus we learn the distortions of those simple forms of worship which originally consisted of meeting to read and explain the scriptures, to sing psalms, to pray, and to administer the Lord's supper.

200

EPITOME OF CHURCH HISTORY.

JULY 11.

But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

DURING this external prosperity of the christian world, the pliant spirit of paganism, by adopting the prevailing forms of religious worship, escaped in general unmolested and the eclectic philosophers, who, before christianity became the religion of the state, enriched their system from the gospel, but ranged themselves under the standard of Plato, still, without any violent change, retaining much of the philosophy of Plato, repaired ostensibly to the standard of Christ. But the rage of persecution thus arrested by general submission, was soon turned, by the triumphant christians upon the supposed heretics of their own persuasion, along with their ancient adversaries the Jews; many of whom, instead of being conciliated by more lenient measures, were dragged into the churches and baptized by violence.

Pious

These evils, however, began to abate, on the appearance of Mahomet, at the beginning of the seventh century. Uniting against their common enemy, the christians became more tolerant to each other; but corruption was still at work, in another form. frauds and lying prodigies were multiplied: fragments of the cross, bones and images of martyrs, frequently fictitious relics were collected and adored monastic solitude was deemed an atonement for every crime: a great and general relaxation of morals prevailed; but the outward aspect of the world was christian; and the ardour of proselytism was unabated. Those who fled from the victorious Saracens became missionaries, scattered over the face of Europe. Though, alas! wherever christianity penetrated, its corruptions followed; yet, even thus adulterated and deformed, so prevalent and powerful did it become; that, towards the close of the tenth century, a severe retaliation was prepared against the conquering disciples of Mahomet. No sooner was the bloody signal raised by the pontiff, Sylvester II. for invading Palestine, which was in the hands of the Mahometans, than Europe and Asia were in arms against each other. It cannot be doubted, that amidst the confusion and havoc of the crusading ages, deplorable ignorance reigned. The monks were almost the only school masters: and, by a priesthood, that encouraged trial by ordeal and single combat, and taught little besides the lying wonders of superstition, the darkness of the times could be but faintly illuminated. In fact, history had degenerated into fable-philosophy, into frivolous subtilty-and the stores of the learned consisted chiefly of thorny and perplexing controversies and captious sophisms.

Here we see how power seizes with avidity the means of aggrandisement; and from what trifling springs the whole human race may be set in motion. A red cross was believed to procure a dispensation from all penance; while at the same time the wearers of it felt compelled to breast the greatest hazards through fear of excommunication. The delivery of the holy sepulchre was deemed more pleasing to God than a life of sustained piety.

Let us, also, learn a salutary lesson concerning the corrupting influence of misused wealth, political ambition, and ecclesiastical tyranny. Where the soul is not swayed by fixed principle, there corruption and oppression may find a home.

EPITOME OF CHURCH HISTORY.

JULY 12.

201

But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

THUS the great lights of the world, seemed to be almost extinguished. In the beginning of the thirteenth century, the odious and tremendous tribunal of the Inquisition began to unfold its horrours and all Christendom was bound apparently in eternal chains of darkness. But, in the midst of this moral and intellectual night; the effort which had been made, in behalf of sound learning and piety, by Charlemagne, in France and Germany; by the Caliph Abdallah, in Arabia; and by Alfred in England-had left somewhat of a kindred spirit, breathing in their successors. Moreover, the Saracens, who had taken possession of Spain, instructed the European youth in all the liberal sciences; and diffused an extensive ardour for intellectual improvement. Both in the east and in the west, the spirit of inquiry began to grow. The energies of mankind were awakened; the learned treasures of the monasteries were explored the Roman and Greek languages were cultivated: the most eminent scholars, driven into the west by the downfall of the Greek Empire, and nobly patronized by the Medici, contributed to feed the taste and emulation, which had been called forth by the unfading beauties of the classic authors; while the holy scriptures, which had been buried along with those authors, in the conventslike lamps in sepulchres-broke forth, displaying on their simple front, a mighty contrast to all that the benighted world had been taught concerning them.

Finally, in the midst of the fifteenth century, the art of printing aided all these causes; pouring a flood of light over the western world; which, by degrees, dispelled the mist of superstition, now risen to the blackest darkness-licenses and pardons for every enormity, being sold publicly, by order of the Pope, to defray the expense of building St. Peter's, at Rome. Thus was brought on that great revolution in the minds of men, accomplished by Luther and his followers.

This rapid sketch of the more prominent and conspicuous scenes which the history of christianity presents, sufficiently exemplifies the maxim-that those things which are in themselves most sublimely excellent, are capable of being most dreadfully corrupted, and of sinking into the most barbarous degeneracy. To inquire for what reason divine Providence permitted, through so long a succession of ages, tares to choke the good seed of knowledge, piety and virtue-while all those great causes were in existence, though in a dormant and inactive state, which have since illuminated and emancipated a considerable part of mankind-seems to be a branch of the general question, "whence all the evil that overspreads the earth?" If we cannot hope for a solution entirely satisfactory, let us still rejoice in the evidently progressive happiness of our species -let us hail the conspicuous dawn of knowledge, civilization, and pure religion-let us be thankful for the gradual diminution of noxious plants, and noxious animals, and noxious superstitions, and still more noxious depravity-let us learn justly and gratefully to estimate the blessings of that period of the world in which we live ; inasmuch as, with all its faults and errours, it presents the means, the hope, and the aspect of improvement.