be found to have their prototypes in some opinion, or sect of antiquity. How much a correct knowledge of the past history of the Church would be calculated to guard the minds of people from being insnared and led away by such errors, it is easy to see. And hence we discover the importance of this knowledge, to every individual, and especially to every member of the Church.

But there is another reason why the study of church history should be encouraged and promoted in this protestant country, as far as practicable: and that is, to guard against the influence and proselytism of the Roman Catholic Church. Great efforts are making by that body to gain an extensive influence, and establish a permanent footing, in the United States. What can be calculated more effectually to guard our people against the insidious approaches and pretensions of that apostate communion, than to have a general knowledge of the past history of the Church, diffused through society? It is there we learn what have been the spirit and practice of that Church, ever since she first assumed to be the only catholic and infallible church on earth; and claimed the right, as the vicar of Christ,

and the representative of God himself upon earth, to exercise spiritual dominion over every nation. There we learn how the nations of Europe have suffered under her domineering influence-and how she has ever waged a war of extermination against all that are not of her communion, whenever and wherever she has had the power to do so. And in this she is the same that she ever was. She has not given up her claim to infallibility, and therefore cannot change. The history of the Church developes to our view the whole rise, increase, and consummation of this mystery of iniquity. Let our people be well acquainted with the history of the Church, and we shall have but little to fear from Roman Catholic influence.

Finally: The Church is the kingdom of God in this world; and would any one be willingly ignorant of the history of this kingdom? The histories of the kingdoms of this world are eagerly sought and read, although we may have no connexion with them, shall we not then, seek an acquaintance with the kingdom of God in the world, with which we do hold a most important connexion? The history of the Church, as an interesting

branch of general knowledge, ought not to be neglected; but when it is considered as that Church or kingdom of God in the world, in which each individual is regarded as a subject, or a rebel; and in which each one is, finally, to be saved, or lost; surely its history ought to be eagerly sought, and diligently studied.

In these Sketches I have followed the arrangement of Dr. Mosheim; from whose Ecclesiastical History, together with the Notes of his translator, Dr. Murdock, most of the facts and materials are taken: so that this might be called an abridgment, or compend of that valuable work. When I have quoted the language of the author, I have generally employed marks of quotation.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

CENTURY I.

State of the world in the beginning of the Christian era.— Life and Death of Christ.-Extraordinary success of the Gospel.-Form and order of the primitive churches.Errorists in the primitive churches.-Persecution.

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THE history of the Christian church commences with the birth of Christ, who is the head of it. It might be said to be commenced when Christ commissioned his disciples to go forth and baptize in his name; but was not fully organized under the New Testament form until the day of Pentecost, when the promised Spirit was "poured out upon them," to "lead them into all truth." Then the apostles were "endued with power from on high,' and were completely qualified for their work. After this we find them under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, who doubtless directed them in all their public official acts, and in their writings, or at least, superintended and overruled their conduct, so as to preserve them from error. And hence the Christian church is called the "ministration of the Spirit." (2 Cor. iii. 8.) The two sacraments of the Christian church, baptism and the Lord's supper, were instituted by Christ himself; but the particular officers of the church, its forms of worship, and modes of government and discipline, were left to be settled by the apostles, as occasion required under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.