CHAPTER II. Concerning the Doctors and Ministers of the ment. I. SEVERAL causes contributed to bring about a change in the external form of ecclesiastical government. The power of the bishops, particularly those of the first order, was sometimes augmented, and sometimes diminished, according as the times and the occasions offered; and in all these changes the intrigues of the court and the political state of the empire had much more influence, than the rules of équity and wisdom. of Phoenicia and Arabia, and confirming the former in the spiritual possession of all Palestine,† and in the high rank which he had assumed in the church. Thus were created, in the fifth century, five superior rulers of the church, who were distinguished from the rest by the title of Patriarchs.§ The oriental historians mention a sixth, viz. the bishop of Seleucia and Ctesiphon, to whom, according to their account, the bishop of Antioch voluntarily ceded a part of his jurisdiction. But this addition to the number of the patriarchs is unworthy of credit, as the only proof of it is drawn from the Arabic laws of the council of Nice, which are notoriously destitute of all authority. from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Casarea, and aspired to a place among the first prelates of the Christian world. The high degree of veneration and esteem, in which the church of Jerusalem was holden among all other Christian societies (on account of its rank among the apostolical churches, and its title to the appellation of mother-church, as having succeeded the first Christian assembly founded by the apostles,) was extremely favourable to the ambition of Juvenal, and rendered his project much more practicable than it would otherwise have been. Encouraged by this, and animated by the favour and protection of the younger Theodosius, the aspiring prelate not only assumed the dignity of patriarch of all Palestine,* These alterations were, indeed, matters of a rank that rendered him supreme and indeEmall moment. But an affair of much greater pendent of all spiritual authority, but also inconsequence now drew the general attention; vaded the rights of the bishop of Antioch, and and this was the vast augmentation of honours usurped his jurisdiction over the provinces of and rank, accumulated upon the bishops of Phoenicia and Arabia. Hence arose a warm Constantinople, in opposition to the most vigour-contest between Juvenal and Maximus, bishop ous efforts of the Roman pontiff. In the pre-of Antioch, which the council of Chalcedon ceding century, the council of Constantinople decided, by restoring to the latter the provinces had, on account of the dignity and privileges of that imperial city, conferred on its bishops a place among the first rulers of the Christian church. This new dignity added fuel to their ambition, they extended their views of authority and dominion; and, encouraged, no doubt, by the consent of the emperor, reduced the provinces of Asia Minor, Thrace, and Pontus, under their spiritual jurisdiction. In this century, they grasped at still farther accessions of power; so that not only the whole eastern part of Illyricum was added to their former acquisitions, but they were also exalted to the highest summit of ecclesiastical authority; for, by the 28th canon of the council holden at Chalcedon in 451, it was resolved, that the same rights III. The patriarchs were distinguished by and honours, which had been conferred upon considerable and extensive rights and privilethe bishop of Rome, were due to the bishop of ges, that were annexed to their high station. Constantinople, on account of the equal digni- They alone consecrated the bishops, who lived ty and lustre of the two cities, in which these in the provinces that belonged to their jurisdicprelates exercised their authority. The same tion. They assembled yearly in council the council confirmed also, by a solemn act, the clergy of their respective districts, in order to bishop of Constantinople in the spiritual gov-regulate the affairs of the church. The cogernment of those provinces over which he had ambitiously usurped the jurisdiction. Pope Leo the Great, bishop of Rome, opposed with vehemence the passing of these decrees; and his opposition was seconded by that of several other prelates. But their efforts were vain, as the emperors threw their weight into the balance, and thus supported the decisions of the Grecian bishops.* In consequence then of the decrees of this famous council, the prelate of Constantinople began to contend obstinately for the supremacy with the Roman pontiff, and to crush the bishops of Alexandria and Antioch, so as to make them feel the oppressive effects of his pretended superiority; and no one distinguished himself more by his ambition and arrogance in this affair, than Acacius.† II. It was much about this time that Juvenal, bishop of Jerusalem, or rather of Elia, attempted to withdraw himself and his church p. 36. nisance of all important causes, and the determination of the more weighty controversies, were referred to the patriarch of the province where they arose. They also pronounced a decisive judgment in those cases, where accusations were brought against bishops; and, last * By all Palestine, the reader is desired to understand three distinct provinces, of which each bore the name of Palestine; and accordingly the original is thus expressed, Trium Palæstinarum Episcopum seu Patr archam. After the destruction of Jerusalem, the face of Palestine was almost totally changed; and it was so parcelled out and wasted by a succession of wars and in vasions, that it scarcely preserved any trace of its former condition. Under the Christian emperors there were three Palestines formed out of the ancient country of that name, each of which was an episcopal see; and it was of these three dioceses that Juvenal usurped and maintained the jurisdiction. See, for a farther account of the three Palestines, Spanhemii Geographia Sacra. † See also, for an account of the Three Palestines, Caroli a S. Paulo Geographia Sacra, p. 307. See Mich. Le Quien, Oriens Christianus, tom. iii. See the authors who have written of the patriarchs, mentioned and recommended by the learned Fabricius, in *Le Quien, Oriens Christ. tom. i. Acacius. VOL. I.-19 Assemani Biblioth. Orient. Vatican. tom. i ly, they appointed vicars,* or deputies, clothed || the power and prerogatives of their insolen with their authority, for the preservation of and ambitious patrons. order and tranquillity in the remoter provinces. Such were the great and distinguishing privileges of the patriarchs; and they were accompanied with others of less moment, which it is needless to mention. V. To these lamentable evils, were added the ambitious quarrels, and the bitter animosi ties, that rose among the patriarchs themselves, and which produced the most bloody wars, and the most detestable and horrid crimes. The patriarch of Constantinople distinguished himself in these odious contests. Elate with the cast a haughty eye on all sides, where any objects were to be found on which he might exercise his lordly ambition. On one hand, he reduced under his jurisdiction the patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch, as prelates only of the It must, however, be carefully observed, that the authority of the patriarchs was not acknowedged through all the provinces without ex-favour and proximity of the imperial court, he ception. Several districts, both in the eastern and western empires, were exempted from their jurisdiction. The emperors, who reserved to themselves the supreme power in the Christian hierarchy, and received, with great facility and readiness, the complaints of those who consid-second order; and, on the other, he invaded the ered themselves as injured by the patriarchs; and the councils also, in which the majesty and legislative power of the church immediately resided; were obstacles to the arbitrary proceedings of the patriarchal order. diocese of the Roman pontiff, and despoiled him of several provinces. The two former prelates, though they struggled with vehemence, and raised considerable tumults by their opposition, laboured ineffectually, both for want of strength, and likewise on account of a variety of unfavourable circumstances. But the pope, far superior to them in wealth and power, contended also with more vigour and obstinacy, and, in his turn, gave a deadly wound to the usurped supremacy of the Byzantine patriarch. premacy, which reigned among those who set themselves up for the fathers and defenders of the church. IV. This constitution of ecclesiastical government was so far from contributing to the peace and prosperity of the Christian church, that it proved, on the contrary, a perpetual source of dissensions and animosities, and was productive of various inconveniences and grievances. The patriarchs, who, by their exalted The attentive inquirer into the affairs of the rank and extensive authority, were equally able church, from this period, will find, in the events to do much good and much mischief, began to now mentioned, the principal source of those encroach upon the rights, and trample upon most scandalous and deplorable dissensions, the prerogatives of their bishops, and thus in- which divided first the eastern church into va troduced, gradually, a sort of spiritual bondage rious sects, and afterwards separated it entirely into the church; and that they might invade, from that of the west. He will find, that these without opposition, the rights of the bishops, ignominious schisms flowed chiefly from the they permitted the latter, in their turn, to tram-unchristian contentions for dominion and su ple with impunity, upon the ancient rights and privileges of the people; for, in proportion as the bishops multiplied their privileges and extended their usurpations, the patriarchs gained VI. No one of the contending bishops found new accessions of power by the despotism which the occurrences of the times so favourable to they exercised over the episcopal order. They his ambition, as the Roman pontiff. Notwithfomented also divisions among the bishops, and standing the redoubled efforts of the bishop of excited animosities between them and the other Constantinople, a variety of circumstances conministers of the church. They went still far-curred to augment his power and authority, ther, and sowed the seeds of discord between though he had not yet assumed the dignity of the clergy and the people, that all these com- supreme lawgiver and judge of the whole Chrisbustions might furnish them with perpetual tian church. The bishops of Alexandria and matter for the exercise of their authority, and|| Antioch, unable to make head against the lord procure them a multitude of clients and de- ly prelate of Constantinople, often fled to the pendents. They left no artifice unemployed Roman pontiff for succour against his violence, to strengthen their own authority, and to raise and the inferior order of bishops used the same opposition against the prelates from every quar-method, when their rights were invaded by the ter. For this purpose it was that they engaged in their cause by the most alluring promises, and attached to their interests by the most magnificent acts of liberality, whole swarms of inonks, who served as intestine enemies to the bishops, and as a dead weight on the side of patriarchal tyranny. The efforts of these monastic hirelings contributed more than any other means to ruin the ancient ecclesiastical discipLine, to diminish the authority of the bishops, and raise, to an enormous and excessive height, prelates of Alexandria and Antioch: so that the bishop of Rome, by taking all these prelates alternately under his protection, daily added new degrees of nfluence and authority to the Roman see, rendered it every where respected, and was thus imperceptibly establishing its supremacy. Such were the means by which that pontiff extended his dominion in the east. In the west its increase arose from other causes. The declining power and the supine indolence of the emperors, left the authority of the bishop, who presided in their capital, almost without control. The incursions, moreover, and triumphs of the barbarians were so far from being prejudicial to his rising dominion, that they rather contributed to its advancement; for the kings, who penetrated into the empire, were only solicitous about the methods of giving a sufficient degree VIII. The corruption of an order, appointed of stability to their respective governments; to promote, by doctrine and example, the saand when they perceived the subjection of the cred interests of piety and virtue, will appear multitude to the bishops, and the dependence less surprising when we consider, that multiof the latter upon the Roman pontiff, they im-tudes of people were in every country admit mediately resolved to reconcile this ghostly ruler to their interests, by loading him with be nefits and honours of various kinds. ted, without examination or choice, into the body of the clergy, the greatest part of whom had no other view, than the enjoyment of a Among all the prelates who ruled the church || lazy and inglorious repose. Many of these of Rome during this century, there was not ecclesiastics were confined to no fixed places or one who asserted his authority and pretensions assemblies, and had no employment of any with such vigour and success, as Leo, surnam- kind, but sauntered about wherever they ed the Great. It must however be observed, pleased, gaining their maintenance by imposing that neither he, nor the other promoters of the upon the ignorant multitude, and sometimes same claims, were able to overcome all the ob- by mean and dishonest practices. But if any stacles that were laid in their way, or the vari- should ask, how this account is reconcileable ous checks which were given to their ambition. with the number of saints, who, according to Many examples might be alleged in proof of the testimonies both of the eastern and westthis assertion, particularly the case of the Afri-ern writers, are said to have shone forth in this cans, whom no threats or promises could en- century, the answer is obvious; these saints gage to submit the decision of their controver-were canonised by the ignorance of the times; sies, and the determination of their causes, to for, in an age of darkness and corruption, the Roman tribunal * those who distinguished themselves from the VII. The vices of the clergy were now car-multitude, either by their genius, their writings, ried to the most enormous excess; and all the or their eloquence, by their prudence and dexwriters of this century, whose probity and vir- terity in conducting affairs of importance, or tue render them worthy of credit, are unani- by their meekness and moderation, and the asmous in their accounts of the luxury, arro- cendency which they had gained over their regance, avarice, and voluptuousness of the sa-sentments and passions, were esteemed somecerdotal orders. The bishops, and particularly those of the first rank, created various delegates, or ministers, who managed for them the affairs of their dioceses; and courts were gradually formed, where these pompous ecclesiastics gave audience, and received the homage of a cringing multitude. The office of a presbyter was looked upon of such a high and eminent nature, that Martin, bishop of Tours, audaciously maintained, at a public entertainment, that the emperor was inferior, in dignity, to one of that order. As to the deacons, their pride and licentiousness occasioned many and grievous complaints, as appears from the crees of several councils thing more than men; they were reverenced as gods; or, to speak more properly, they appeared to others as men divinely inspired, and fill of the Deity. IX. The monks, who had formerly lived only for themselves in solitary retreats, and had never thought of assuming any rank among the sacerdotal orders, were now gradually distinguished from the populace, and were endowed with such opulence and such honourable privileges, that they found themselves in a condition to claim an eminent station among the supports and pillars of the Christian comde-munity.* The fame of their piety and sanctity was at first so great, that bishops and presbyters were often chosen out of their order;† and the passion of erecting edifices and convents, in which the monks and holy virgins might serve God in the most commodious manner, was at this time carried beyond all bounds.‡ These opprobrious stains, in the characters of the clergy, would never have been endured, had not the greatest part of mankind been sunk in superstition and ignorance, and people in general formed their ideas of the rights and liberties of Christian ministers from the model exhibited by the sacerdotal orders among the Hebrews, during the prevalence of the law of Moses, and among the Greeks and Romans in the darkness of paganism. The barbarous nations also, which, on the ruin of the Romans, divided among themselves the western empire, bore, with the utmost patience and moderation, both the dominion and vices of the bishops ani priests, because, upon their conversion to Christianity, they became naturally subject to their jurisdiction; and still more, because they considered the ministers of Christ as invested with the same rights and privileges, which distinguished the priests of their fictitious deities. *Du-Pin, de Antiqua Ecclesiæ Disciplina, Diss. ii. p. 166. Melch. Leydeck. Historia Eccles. Africanæ, tom. ii. Diss. ii. p. 505. Sulpitius Severus, de Vita Martini, cap. xx. p. 339, compared with Dialog. ii. cap. vi. P. 457. See Dav. Blondel. Apologia pro Sententia Hieronymi de Episcopis et Presbyteris, p. 140. The monastic orders did not all observe the same rule of discipline, or the same manner of living. Some followed the rule of Augustine, others that of Basil, others that of Antony, others that of Athanasius, others that of Pachomius; but they must all have become extremely negligent and remiss in observing the laws of their respective orders, since the licentiousness of the monks, even in this century, was even proverbial,§ and they are said to have excited in various places the most dreadful tumults and seditions. All the monastic orders were under the protection of the bishops in whose provinces they lived; nor did the patr archs claim any authority over them, as ap Epiphanius, Exposit. Fidei, tom. i. op. p. 1094.Mabillon's Reponse aux Chanoines Reguliers. Severus, de Vita Martini, cap. x. p. 320. Dial. i. cap. xxi. p. 426. Severus, Dial. i. p. 419.-Norisius, Histor. Pelag. lib. i. cap. iii. p. 273. tom. i. op.-Histoire Literaire de la France, tom. ii. p. 35. § Sulp. Severus, Dial. i. cap. viii. p. 399. pears with the utmost evidence from the decrees of the councils holden in this century.* X. Several writers of considerable merit adorned this century. Among the Greeks and Orientals, the first place is due to Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, so famous for his learned productions, and the various controversies in which he was engaged. It would be unjust to derogate from the praises which are due to this eminent man: but it would betray, on the other hand, a criminal partiality, if we should pass uncensured the turbulent spirit, the litigious and contentious temper, and other defects, which are laid to his charge.† Nilus, disciple of Chrysostom, composed se veral treatises of a practical and pious kind, but these performances derive more merit from the worthy and laudable intention of ther cu thor than from any other circumstance. We pass over in silence Basilius of Seleucia, Theodotus of Ancyra, and Gelasius of Cyzicum, for the sake of brevity. XI. A Roman pontiff, Leo I. surnamed the Great, shines forth at the head of the Latin writers of this century. He was a man of uncommon genius and eloquence, which he em ployed however too much in extending his authority; a point in which his ambition was both indefatigable and excessive.* After Cyril, we may place Theodoret, bishop|| of Cyrus (or Cyropolis,) an eloquent, copious, Orosius acquired a considerable degree of reand learned writer, eminent for his acquaint-putation by the History which he wrote to reance with all the branches of sacred erudition, fute the cavils of the Pagans against Christibut unfortunate in his attachment to some ofanity, and by his books against the Pelagians the Nestorian errors.‡ and Priscillianists.† Isidore, of Pelusium, was a man of uncommon learning and sanctity. A great number§ of his epistles are yet extant, and discover more piety, genius, erudition, and wisdom, than are to be found in the voluminous productions of many other writers.|| Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, few of whose writings are now extant, acquired an immortal name, by his violent opposition to Origen and his followers.¶ Palladius deserves a rank among the better sort of authors by his Lausiac History and his Life of Chrysostom. Theodore of Mopsuestia, though accused after his death of the greatest errors, was one of the most learned men of his time. Those who have read, with any attention, the fragments of his writings, which are to be found in Photius, will lament the want of these excellent compositions, which are either entirely lost, or, if any remain,** are only extant among the Nestorians, and in the Syriac language.†† *See Jo. Launoii Inquisitio in Chartam Immunitatis B. Germani, op. tom. iii. part ii. p. 3. In the ancient records, posterior to this century, the monks are frequently called Clerks. (See Mabillon's Præf. ad Sæc. ii. Actor. Sanctor. Ord Benedicti.) And this shows, that they now began to be ranked among the clergy, or ministers of the church. The works of Cyril were published at Paris by Aubert, in six volumes, folio, in 1638. The Jesuit Sirmond gave at Paris, in 1642, a noble edition of the works of this prelate in four volumes; a fifth was added by Garnier, in 1685. We must observe, in favour of this excellent ecclesiastic, so renowned for the sanctity and simplicity of his manners, that he abandoned the doctrines of Nestorius, and thus effaced the stain he had contracted by his personal attachment to that heretic, and to John of Antioch. These epistles amount to 2012, and are divided into five books. They are short, but admirably written, and are equally recommendable for the solidity of the matter, and the purity and elegance of their style. The best edition of Isidore's Epistles, is that which was published by the Jesuit Scott, at Paris, in 1638. ¶ See Euseb. Renaudot, Historia Patriarchar. Alexandrinor. p. 103. **See Assemani Biblioth. Oriental. Clement. Vatic. tom. iii. part ii. p. 227. It appears by this account of the works of Theodore, that Dr. Mosheim had not seen the Disserta tions of the late duke of Orleans, in one of which that earned prince has demonstrated, that the commentary pon the Psalms, which is to be found in the Chain or Collection of Corderius, and which bears the name of Theodore, is the production of Theodore of Mopsuestia. There exists, also, beside the fragments that are to be Cassian, an illiterate and superstitious man, inculcated in Gaul, both by his discourse and his writings, the discipline and manner of living which prevailed among the Syrian and Egyptian monks, and was a sort of teacher to those who were called Semi-Pelagians.‡ Maximus of Turin published several Homi lies, which are yet extant, and, though short, are for the most part recommended both by elegance and piety. Eucherius, bishop of Lyons, was one of the most considerable moral writers that flourished among the Latins in this century.§ Pontius of Nola,|| distinguished by his emi nent and fervent piety, is also esteemed for his poems, and other good performances. Peter, bishop of Ravenna, obtained by his eloquence the title of Chrysologus; nor are his discourses entirely des.itute of genius.¶ Salvian was an eloquent, but, at the same time, a melancholy and sour writer, who, in his vehement declamations against the vices of his times, unwarily discovers the defects of his own character.** found in Photius, a manuscript commentary of this illustrious author upon the twelve minor prophets. *All the works of Leo were published at Lyons, in 1700, by the care of the celebrated Quesnel of the Oratory. See Bayle's Dictionary, at the article Orosius. A valuable edition of this author, enriched with ancient coins and medals, was published a Leyden, in 1738, by the learned Havercamp. Histoire Literaire de la France, tom. ii. p. 215.Simon, Critique de la Biblioth. Ecclesiastique par Du Pin, tom. i. p. 156.-The works of Cassian were pub lished at Frankfort, in 1722, with a copious Commentary by Alardus Gazæus. See a satisfactory account of this prelate, in the Histoire Literaire de la France, tom. ii. p. 275. This pious and ingenious ecclesiastic is more generally known by the name of Paulin. See the Histoire Literaire de la France, tom. ii. p. 179._ The best edition of his works is that published by Le Brun, at Paris, in 1685. ¶ Agnelli Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiæ Ravennatis, tom i. p. 321. **Hist. Liter. de la France, tom. ii. p. 517. The authors of the history here referred to, give a different account of Salvian's character. They acknowledge, tha his declamations against the vices of the age, in h Treatise against Avarice, and his Discourse concerning Providence, are warm and vehement; but they represent him, notwithstanding, as one of the most humane and benevolent men of his time. It is, however, beyond al. doubt, that he was extravagantly austere in the rules he prescribed for the conduct of life. For what is more Prosper of Aquitaine, and Marius Mercator, are abundantly known to such as have employed any part of their time and attention in the study of the Pelagian disputes, and the other controversies that were agitated in this century. Vincent of Lerins gained a lasting reputation by his short, but excellent treatise against the sects, entitled Commonitorium.* frequently hurried the contending parties into the most dangerous and disgraceful extremes II. If, before this time, the lustre of religion was clouded with superstition, and its divine precepts were adulterated with a mixture of human inventions, this evil, instead of dimin ishing, increased daily. The happy souls o departed Christians were invoked by numbers, and their aid implored by assiduous and fervent prayers, while none stood up to censure or oppose this preposterous worship. The question, Sidonius Apollinaris, a tumid writer, though not entirely destitute of eloquence; Vigilius of Tapsus; Arnobius the younger, who wrote a commentary on the book of Psalms; Dracon-how the prayers of mortals ascended to the cetius, and others of that class, are of too little consequence to deserve more particular notice. CHAPTER III. Concerning the Doctrine of the Church during this Century. lestial spirits (a question which afterwards produced much wrangling, and many idle fancies,) did not yet occasion any difficulty; for the Christians of this century did not imagine that ed to the celestial mansions, as to be deprived the souls of the saints were so entirely confinof the privilege of visiting mortals, and tra I. MANY points of religion were more largely velling, when they pleased, through various explained, and many of its doctrines determin- countries. They were farther of opinion, that ed with more accuracy and precision, than they the places most frequented by departed spirits had been in the preceding ages. This was one were those where the bodies which they had result of the controversies that were multi- formerly animated were interred; and this opinplied, at this time, throughout the Christian ion, borrowed by the Christians from the Greeks world, concerning the person and nature of and Romans, rendered the sepulchres of the Christ; the innate corruption and depravity of saints the general rendezvous of suppliant mulman; the natural ability of men to live accord- titudes.* The images of those who, during ing to the dictates of the divine law; the ne- their lives, had acquired the reputation of uncessity of the divine grace in order to salvation; common sanctity, were now honoured with a the nature and existence of human liberty; and particular worship in several places; and many other such intricate and perplexing questions. imagined that this worship drew down into the The sacred and venerable simplicity of the images the propitious presence of the saints or primitive times, which required no more than celestial beings they represented; deluded, pera true faith in the word of God, and a sincere haps, into this idle fancy by the crafty fictions obedience to his holy laws, appeared little bet- of the heathen priests, who had published the ter than rusticity and ignorance to the subtile same things concerning the statues of Jupiter doctors of this quibbling age. Yet so it hap- and Mercury.† A singular and irresistible efDened, that many of the over-curious divines, ficacy was also attributed to the bones of marwho attempted to explain the nature, and re- tyrs, and to the figure of the cross, in defeatmove the difficulties of the intricate doctrines, ing the attempts of Satan, removing all sorts succeeded very ill in this matter. Instead of of calamities, and in healing, not only the disleading men into the paths of humble faith and eases of the body, but also those of the mind.‡ genuine piety, they bewildered them in the la- We shall not enter into a particular account of byrinths of controversy and contention, and the public supplications, the holy pilgrimages, rather darkened than illustrated the sacred the superstitious services paid to departed souls, mysteries of religion by a thick cloud of unin- the multiplication of temples, chapels, altars, telligible subtilties, ambiguous terms, and ob- || penitential garments, and a multitude of other scure distinctions. Hence arose new matter circumstances, that showed the decline of genof animosity and dispute, of bigotry and un-uine piety, and the corrupt darkness that was charitableness, which flowed like a torrent eclipsing the lustre of primitive Christianity. through succeeding ages, and which all human || As none in these times forbade the Christians efforts seem unable to vanquish. In these disputes, the heat of passion, and the excessive force of religious antipathy and contradiction, unnatural than to recommend to Christians, as a necessary condition of salvation, their leaving their whole substance to the poor, to the utter ruin of their children and relations? It must, however, be confessed, that his austerity in point of discipline was accompanied with the most amiable moderation toward those who differed from him in articles of faith. There is a most remarkable passage to this purpose, in his Treatise concerning Providence, book v. p. 100. This work of Vincent, which is commended by our author, seems scarcely worthy of such applause. I see nothing in it, but that blind veneration for ancient opinions, which is so fatal to the discovery and progress of truth, and an attempt to prove that nothing but the voice of tradition is to be consulted in fixing the sense of the Scriptures. An ample account of Vincent, Prosper, and Arnobius, is to be found in the Histoire Literaire de la France, tom. ii. p. 305 342, 369. to retain the opinions of their pagan ancestors concerning departed souls, heroes, demons, temples, and other things, or even to transfer them into their religious services; and as, instead of entirely abolishing the rites and institutions of ancient times, these institutions were still observed, with only some slight alterations; all this swelled of necessity the torrent of superstition, and deformed the beauty of the * See the Institutiones Divinæ of Lactantius, lib. i. p. 164, and Hesiod's Op. et Dies, ver. 122.-Compare with these, Sulp. Severus, Epist. ii. p. 371. Dial. ii. cap. xiii. p. 474. Dial. iii. p. 512.-Æneas Gazæus, in Theophrasto.-Macarius in Jac. Tollii Insignibus Itiner Italici, and other writers of this age. † Clementina, Homil. x. p. 697 tom. i. PP. Apostolic. -Arnobius adv. Gentes, lib. vi. p. 254.-Casp. Barthius, ad Rutilium Numantian. p. 250. Prudentius, Hymn xi. de Coronis, p. 150.-Sulp Severus, Ep. i. p. 364.-Æneas Gazæus, in Theophrasto |