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The Pagans devoted to eternal punishment
Were often converted by their fears
III. THE THIRD CAUSE. Miraculous powers of the primitive
church
Their truth contested
Our perplexity in defining the miraculous period
96
98
ib.
101
Union of the church
IV. THE FOURTH CAUSE.
Effects of their repentance
Care of their reputation
Morality of the fathers
Principles of human nature
The primitive Christians condemn pleasure and luxury
Their sentiments concerning marriage and chastity
Their aversion to the business of war and government
V. THE FIFTH CAUSE. The Christians active in the government
of the church
Its primitive freedom and equality
Institutions of bishops as presidents of the college of presbyters
Provincial councils
Progress of episcopal authority
Pre-eminence of the metropolitan churches
108
110
Ambition of the Roman pontiff
Laity and clergy
Oblations and revenue of the church
122
124
The scepticism of the Pagan world proved favourable to the new re-
And to the peace and union of the Roman empire
133
134
135
Some exceptions with regard to learning
with regard to rank and fortune
Christianity most favourably received by the poor and simple
A.D.
Rejected by some eminent men of the first and second centuries
Their neglect of prophecy
of miracles
General silence concerning the darkness of the passion
CHAPTER XVI.
The conduct of the Roman government towards the Christians, from the reign
of Nero to that of Constantine.
Christianity persecuted by the Roman emperors
Inquiry into their motives
Rebellious spirit of the Jews
Toleration of the Jewish religion
The Jews were a people which followed, the Christians a sect which
deserted, the religion of their fathers
Christianity accused of atheism, and mistaken by the people and
philosophers
The union and assemblies of the Christians considered as a dangerous
conspiracy
Their manners calumniated
Their imprudent defence
Idea of the conduct of the emperors towards the Christians
They neglected the Christians as a sect of Jews
The fire of Rome under the reign of Nero
Cruel punishment of the Christians as the incendiaries of the city
Remarks on the passage of Tacitus relative to the persecution of the
Christians by Nero
Oppression of the Jews and Christians by Domitian
Execution of Clemens the consul
Ignorance of Pliny concerning the Christians
Trajan and his successors establish a legal mode of proceeding against
them
Supposed edicts of Tiberius and Marcus Antoninus
180. State of the Christians in the reigns of Commodus and Severus
211-249. Of the successors of Severus
244. Of Maximin, Philip, and Decius
161
253-260. Of Valerian, Gallienus, and his successors
260. Paul of Samosata, his manners
270. He is degraded from the see of Antioch
274. The sentence is executed by Aurelian
284-303. Peace and prosperity of the church under Diocletian
Progress of zeal and superstition among the Pagans
Maximian and Galerius punish a few Christian soldiers
Galerius prevails on Diocletian to begin a general persecution
303. Demolition of the church of Nicomedia
The first edict against the Christians
Zeal and punishment of a Christian
Fire of the palace of Nicomedia imputed to the Christians
Execution of the first edict
Demolition of the churches
Subsequent edicts
231
233, 234
235
237
238
240
303-311. General idea of the persecution
In the western provinces, under Constantius and Constantine
In Italy and Africa, under Maximian and Severus; and under
Maxentius
In Illyricum and the East, under Galerius and Maximin
311. Galerius publishes an edict of toleration
Peace of the church
Maximin prepares to renew the persecution
313. End of the persecutions
Probable account of the sufferings of the martyrs and confessors
Number of martyrs
Conclusion
CHAPTER XVII.
Foundation of Constantinople.-Political system of Constantine, and his successes.
Character of Constantine.-Gothic war.-Death of Constantine.-Division of
the empire among his three sons.—Persian war.—Tragic death of Constantine
the younger,and Constans.-Usurpation of Magnentius.—Civil war.—Victory
of Constantius.
Constantius sole emperor.-Elevation and death of Gallus.-Danger and elevation
of Julian.-Sarmatian and Persian wars.—
-Victories of Julian in Gaul.