but no man did more to corrupt the simplicity of the Gospel, and his vast popularity gives us a low idea of the state of religion at that period.

Cyprian was no less great, but a very different character. He came late in life into the vineyard of Christ, without the learning of Origen, but with great abilities, and a heart devoted to the service of God. He was slain by the law; made to feel himself poor and wretched in the bonds of Paganism, and to inquire with earnestness for light and salvation. His conversion was sudden, but effectual, and he entered deeply into all the doctrines of grace. For twelve years he was bishop of Carthage,-strong in Episcopacy,and, on the subject of miracles, unhappily wild. Thinking. it his duty to save life, he once went into retirement during the persecution of Decius; but was as active when hidden from the view of his enemies; as when in public. He gave the Scriptures a literal interpretation. He maintained strict discipline in the Churches, and, by his firmness and perseverance, gained the victory over a most powerful party who would open wide the door of pardon and reconciliation to all the lapsed. He effectually resisted many heresies; recovered many apostates; and, through his example and influence, the north of Africa, now covered with gross Mahommedan darkness, was, for many years, as the garden of God. He fell a glorious martyr to the cause of truth, A. D. 257, under the persecution of Valerian. He bound the napkin over his own eyes. A presbyter and a deacon tied his hands, and the Christians placed before him handkerchiefs and napkins to receive his blood. His head was then sever

ed from his body by a sword. His writings cannot fail to be read with pleasure and profit.

A letter of his, claims a place in ecclesiastical history, as throwing some light on a much disputed subject. A council of sixty-six bishops was held in Attica, over which Cyprian presided, for regulating the internal affairs of the Churches. A question came before them whether infants should be baptised immediately after their birth, or on the eighth day. In a letter to Fidus, Cyprian says, "As to the case of infants, of whom you said that they ought not to be baptised within the second or third day of their birth, and that the ancient law of circumcision should be so far adhered to, that they ought not to be baptized till the eighth day, we were all of a very different opinion. We all judged that the mercy and grace of God should be denied to none.

Our

sentence, therefore, dearest brother, in the council, was, that none, by us, should be prohibited from baptism and the grace of God who is merciful and kind to all." While it was melancholy to see Christians so early connecting the grace of God with baptism, it is worthy of remark, that in the year 253, it was a question before sixty-six faithful ministers, not whether infants were the proper subjects of baptism, but whether they should be baptised immediately after their birth, or according to the custom of circumcision, on the eighth day.

Two other men, Gregory Thaumaturgus, bishop of Neocesarea, and Firmilian, bishop of Cappadocia, pupils of the famous Origen, were distinguished lights of that period though they were much injured by the Eclectic philosophy. The miracles ascribed to Gregory by subsequent historians, deserve no credit. Many others have left able controversial writings. Indeed the defenders of Christianity were a mighty host.

In this century, a large body of Christians dissented from the main Church, under Novatian, a priest of Rome; and a man of genius, learning, and eloquence; and of unimpeachable moral character; maintaining that the Church of Christ ought to be pure, and that a member, who had fallen into any offence, should never be re-admitted to communion.they obliged such as came to their party to be re-baptized. They were called Novatian, and seem to have walked closely with God.

In this century, also, a number of new sects, the Sabellians, Noetians, and others arose, denying the proper doctrine of the Trinity, and having each some peculiarities, relating to the character of Christ. Paul of Samosata advocated the same cause with the modern Socinians.

A most odious and violent sect was that of the Manicheans. It can hardly be called Christian. It was a motley mixture of Christianity with the old Magianism of Persia. founder, Manes, pretended that he was the Paraclete or comforter who came to perfect the Gospel. His fundamental principle was that there were two original independent principles, one immaterial and supremely good; the other material, and the source of all evil, but actuated by an intelligence. He rejected as false the Old Testament and most of the New; and imposed great severities upon his followers. The Manicheans were headed by a President, who represented Jesus Christ. They were a monstrous

sect, and show to what excesses the religious world were tending.

The heathen philosophers relaxed in this age none of their former zeal against Christianity, and lost none of their bitterness. They were headed by one Porphyry, a Syrian; a writer of much genius and cunning;-but more virulent than formidable. His captious reasonings against the book of Daniel, have been mentioned in a former part of this work. These philosophers wrought much mischief by drawing comparisons between Christ and the sages of antiquity. Thus persuading many that there was no essential difference between philosophy, and Christianity, and that Jesus was only one of the same order with Socrates and Plato, they brought them to feel that they could esteem both, and that it was not inconsistent with Christianity to remain in the religion of their ancestors. But while they and their cause have passed away, and the Lord has had them in derision, their attacks furnish strong evidence of the virtues and graces of the Christians.

The Church of Christ sustained its high and holy character, but a little period after the age of the Apostles. It however remained very reputable, until after the middle of the third century. From that period it was not the spiritual edifice it had been.

Cyprian says, that even before the Decian persecution, "long peace had corrupted the dicipline. Each had been bent on improving his patrimony, and had forgotten what believers had done under the Apostles, and what they ought always to do. They were brooding over the arts of amassing wealth. The pastors and deacons each forgot their duty. Works of mercy were neglected, and dicipline was at its lowest ebb. Luxury and effeminacy prevailed. Meretricious arts in dress were cultivated. Fraud and deceit were practised among brethren. Christians could unite themselves in matrimony with unbelievers; could swear not only without reverence, but without veracity. Even bishops deserted their places of residence and their flocks. They travelled through distant provinces in quest of pleasure and gain, gave no assistance to the needy brethren at home, but were insatiable in their thirst for money. They possessed estates by fraud and multiplied usury. What have we not deserved to suffer for such conduct?"

One cause of the early declension of knowledge and piety in the church, doubtless was the neglect of education for

the sacred ministry. Theological seminaries were unknown, and what knowledge candidates for the pastoral office gained, was acquired from intercourse with learned bishops and pastors. At Alexandria indeed was a famous school under Pantaenus, Origen, and Cyril, where theology to some extent, but of a very imperfect character, was taught; but we search the records of the first eight centuries in vain, for any proper theological seminaries.

In the latter part of the third century the Church had a long period of rest, and then indeed a great and general declension took place in doctrine and practice; and it is with difficulty that we can find for centuries, many of the genuine fruits of the Spirit. Still she had become embodied, and from many causes operating powerfully on the hopes and fears, the lusts and passions of men, she became a gigantic power in the earth. But forsaking God, she was given once more to the spoiler.

In the beginning of the fourth century, she passed through a furnace seven times heated. For eight years, a persecution raged, which spared neither age nor sex, in any part of the Roman world; which was unparalelled for its tortures and horrors; and which, to all human appearance, would root Christianity from the earth. Satan came down in great wrath. It seemed his last and most vigorous effort to save his cause. The church, lukewarm, engrossed with the world, and distracted with divisions and heresies, was not prepared to meet it, yet she stood the shock with amazing heroism. Some suppose that it was in the days of this persecution that John "saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth."

Dioclesian was at this time clothed with the imperial purple. He had an associate, Maximian, and under him two Cæsars, Galerius and Constantius. Of these, Galerius was the most savage, and did the most to instigate Dioclesian, who was himself averse to bloodshed, to the most cruel extremities. The persecution began at the feast of the Terminalia, in Nicodemia, A. D. 302, by pulling down all the Churches of the Christians; burning their sacred books and writings, taking from them their civil rights and privileges, and rendering them incapable of any civil promotion.

Soon after, a fire broke out in the royal palace. The Christians were accused as the incendiaries, and numbers were put to torture. Some tumults also arose in Armenia and Syria, which were by the heathen priests charged upon them. The clergy were cast into prison, and given up to the most insupportable punishments, the rulers hoping, that if the pastors renounced Christianity, the people would follow them. Vast numbers of learned and excellent men fell a prey to this stratagem. In the year 304, a new edict was published, in which the magistrates, throughout the Roman Empire, were directed to compel all Christians, without distinction of rank or sex, to renounce Christianity and sacrifice to the gods, and were authorized to employ the most cruel torments in their work. The Church was now reduced to the last extremity; for the magistrates were like so many hungry tigers, let loose upon defenceless lambs. In France, less ferocity was exhibited than in other places, from the influence of Constantius, who was favorably inclined to the Christians.

A recital of their sufferings may appear to many almost incredible, but it is delivered to us by faithful eye-witnesses, and confirmed by Pagan historians. It should make us grateful to God for the blessings we enjoy.

Some were thrown to wild beasts, inclosed in vast amphitheatres; for the entertainment of the people on great festal days, and instantly torn to pieces and devoured. Others, with their wives and children, were burned to death in their own houses. Some were beaten with clubs, rods, thongs of leather, and ropes. Nails were driven into their sides, bellies, legs, and cheeks. Some were suspended by one hand from a portico, suffering the most severe distension of all their joints. Others were bound to pillars, face to face, their feet being raised above ground. They were hung about wooden engines, having every limb of their bodies distended by certain machines. Plates of heated brass were applied to their bodies. They were seated in red hot iron chairs. They were slain by the axe and the sword.They were suspended by their feet, with their head downward, over a slow fire. Sharp reeds were thrust under the nails into the fingers. Melted lead was poured down their backs, and into the bowels. Tongues were cut out.Multitudes were deprived of one eye, and cauterized and debilitated in one leg by an hot iron, and sent to the mines. Seventeen thousand, it is said, were slain during one month.