their attack upon him; but instead of answering them, he retired into solitude, where he lived a life of prayer, fasting, &c., until the year 1088, when he died, leaving a high reputation for sanctity and many followers.

The pope found much difficulty in establishing the use of the Romish liturgy in several countries, particularly in Spain, where they had long used the Gothic. This contest in Castile, was submitted to a decision by single combat. Accordingly, two champions were selected, one to fight for the Roman, the other for the Gothic liturgy. The champion for the Gothic conquered. It was then submitted to the decision by fire. Both liturgies were thrown into a fire; and the Roman was consumed, but the Gothic remained unhurt. This seemed to be a fair decision in favour of the Gothic; yet the power and authority of the pontiff, backed by the queen, prevailed. In this age, they were much employed in repairing and ornamenting their churches, which, in the preceding century, had been suffered to go very much to ruins, under the apprehension that the day of judgment was at hand.

The heretics of this century, so called, were the Manichæans, or Paulicians, who inhabited Bulgaria and Thrace; and were in almost continued conflict with the Greeks. "From Bulgaria and Thrace, some of this sect, either from zeal to extend their religion, or from weariness of Grecian persecutions, removed first into Italy, and then into other countries of Europe: and there they gradually collected numerous congregations, with which the Roman pontiffs afterwards waged bloody wars. At what time the migration of the Paulicians into Europe commenced, it is difficult to

ascertain. But this is well attested, that as early as the middle of this century, they were numerous in Lombardy, Insubria, and especially Milan: nor is it less certain, that persons of this sect strolled about in France, Germany, and other countries; and by their great appearance of sanctity, captivated no small number of the common people." They were called by different names, in different places; as Paterini, Cathari, Albigenses, Publicani, Boni Homines, &c. It is difficult to know what these people held, as their history is involved in much obscurity. Their enemies, from whom we chiefly derive our knowledge of them, accuse them of very great errors; but generally bear testimony to their blameless life. We have before spoken of the Paulicians, as pious and excellent witnesses of the truth. It is probable that most of the people spoken of under the above mentioned names, were of a similar character, and by no means deserved the name of heretics. It is probable that they differed very much in the different countries in which they were found; and that sects very different from one another, were often blended together without distinction. There is no doubt that many of those who were denominated heretics in this age, and persecuted as such, because they refused to conform to the established church, were the humble followers of Christ, and constituted his witnesses for the truth, in a dark age, and perverse generation.

A congregation of this kind, is said to have been first discovered at Orleans, in France, A. D. 1017, in the reign of king Robert. They were charged with grievous errors and shameful practices, for which their leaders, to the number of thirteen, were burnt to death. Still they are extolled for

their piety, even by their enemies. They were probably a kind of mystics, who rejected the external worship of God, ascribed no efficacy to religious rites, the sacraments, &c. somewhat similar to the Quakers of after times. Persons of this description proceeded from Italy in the following centuries, and spread over nearly all Europe, and were called in Germany, brethren of the free spirit, and in some other countries, Beghards.

CENTURY XII.

Efforts still made to convert the barbarous tribes of the West.-Prester John. - Crusades. Learning.-Arrogancy of the Popes, and profligacy of all Orders.-Superstition.-Indulgences.-Sects.-the Messalians.-Petrobrussians.-Henricians.-Waldenses.

EFFORTS were still kept up in this century to induce the barbarous tribes inhabiting the north of Europe, the Pomeranians, the Finns, the Livonians, &c. to embrace Christianity. Fierce wars were frequently waged, and carried on for this purpose. In these, Waldeman I. king of Denmark, Eric IX. king of Sweden, called after his death St. Eric, prince Henry, the Lion, and others, distinguished themselves. The precepts enjoined by these propagators of Christianity, will show what were regarded as the essentials of religion at that day, as well as some of the practices of these barbarians, viz:-They must observe Sundays, and the feast days; they must fast; must bring their children to be baptized, with certain formalities at Whitsuntide; must not murder their daughters as

formerly; must refrain from polygamy; must not marry their god-mothers; and in general must refrain from marrying their kindred within the sixth and seventh degrees; they must not bury the bodies of Christians among those of pagans; must build no idle temples; consult no soothsayer; eat nothing that is unclean; do penance often, &c.

It was in this century lived the famous Prester John, who, from being a presbyter, became a very powerful king over the eastern regions of Asia; and hence was called Prester [Presbyter] John. "The exalted opinion of the power and riches of this Prester John, entertained by the Greeks and Latins, arose from this, that being elated with his prosperity and the success of his wars with the neighbouring nations, he sent ambassadors and letters to the Roman emperor Frederic I. to the Greek emperor Manuel, and to other sovereigns, in which he extravagantly proclaimed his own majesty and wealth and power, exalting himself above all the kings of the earth; and this boasting of the vainglorious man, the Nestorians laboured with all their power to confirm. He was succeeded by his son or brother, whose proper name was David, but who was also generally called Prester John. This prince was vanquished and slain, near the close of this century, by that mighty Tartar emperor, Gengiskhan."

The new kingdom of Jerusalem, established by the French in the last century, seemed to flourish for a time, but as soon as the Mohammedans recovered from their sudden terror and consternation, they began to collect their forces, and harass the Christians with continual wars. They therefore implored the succour of the Christian kings of Europe. The Roman pontiff favoured their cause,

and left no means untried, to induce the emperor and other sovereigns of Europe to undertake another expedition to Palestine. This new crusade was long a subject of debate, but was at length brought to an issue by St. Bernard, a man of immense influence, who in the year 1146, preached the cross, as it was called, in France and Germany, but especially at a public assembly at Vezelay, and promised in the name of God, great victories, and a most prosperous issue to the enterprise. Lewis XII. king of France, his queen, and a vast number of nobles who were present, devoted themselves to the sacred war. Conrad III. emperor of the Germans, at first resisted the admonitions of St. Bernard, but after some delay yielded, and followed the example of the French king. They both therefore the following year, (1147,) with numerous armies, set out by different routes for the Holy Land. But the greater part of both armies perished miserably on the road, either by famine, or by shipwreck, or by the sword of the Mohammedans. When the remains of these armies had arrived in Palestine, they could effect nothing, owing to a disagreement between the two leaders. The few soldiers that remained, therefore, being not more than one-tenth part, they led back again to Europe; A. D. 1149. The only effect of this second crusade was, to drain Europe of a great portion of its wealth, and of a vast number of its inhabitants. The number of men lost in this fruitless expedition was about 180,000.

The third crusade was commenced by the emperor Frederic I. surnamed Barbarossa, who passed with a large army into Asia in the year 1189. He lost his life the following year while bathing, and a large part of his army returned to