...very eftential part of the hiftory of the -,nceofti,' Roman empire. While that great body was inva4ed by open violence , or undermined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion gently infinuated itfelf into the minds of men, grew up in filence and obfcurity , derived new vigour from...

...which " had grown up in silence and obscurity, and derived new vigour from opposition, finally erecting the triumphant banner of the cross on the ruins of the Capitol." Converted, then, into a political engine, it was employed to make concessions where conquests were...

...may be considered as a very essential part of the history of the Roman empire. While that great body was invaded by open violence, or undermined by slow...decay, a pure and humble religion gently insinuated itaelf into the minds of men, grew up in silence and obscurity, derived new vigour from opposition,...

...history of the Roman empire. While that great body was invaded by open violence, or under- the inmined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion gently insinuated itself into the minds of men, y1 grew up in silence and obscurity, derived new vigour from opposition, and finally erected the triumphant...

...violence, or undermined by slow decay, a""16 liure and humble religion gently insinuated itself into17' the minds of men, grew up in silence and obscurity,...triumphant banner of the cross on the ruins of the Capito1. Nor was the influence of Christianity confined to the period or to the limits of the Roman...

...of contradiction and confusion. Speaking ofthe progress of Christianity, vol. ii. p. 265, he says, " a pure and humble religion gently insinuated itself...erected the triumphant banner of the cross on the ruins ofthe capitol." Thus was confirmed what'Jesus told his disciples, Matt. xxiv. 14. and " this gospel...

...universal benevolence." The testimony of Gibbon is remarkable ; " While the Roman empire (says he) was invaded by open violence, or undermined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion greatly insiouated itself into the minds of men, grew up in silence and sobriety, de* wed new vigour...

...the great body was invaded by open violence, or under mined by slowdecay, a pure andhumblereligioa gently insinuated itself into the minds of men, grew up in silence and obscurity, derived ne\v vigour from opposition, and finally erected the triumphant banner of the cross on the ruins of...

...fruit, and, spreading far and wide, received under its shelter a continually increasing multitude. " A pure and humble religion gently insinuated itself...triumphant banner of the Cross on the ruins of the Capitol. Still farther, after a revolution of thirteen or fourteen centuries, that religion is still professed...

...Quadratus, Aristides, Athenagoras, Tertullian, LacUntiu*, Arnobius, and others. body," (the Roman empire) " was invaded by open violence or undermined by slow...the ruins of the capitol. Nor was the influence of Cliristianity confined to the period or to the limits of the Roman empire. After a revolution of thirteen...