merous class of heretics were, from their pretence to superior knowledge, called Gnostics; who entertained ridiculous notions of the person of Christ, and the creation of the world. The Montanists, who practised a peculiarly rigid discipline, were rendered famous by Tertullian, who joined them. The Alogi, or deniers of the divine Word, seem to have considered Christ as a mere man, rejecting, of course, the writings of the apostle John. Theodotus is said to have been founder of this sect. Ambitious professors of Christianity, who were disappointed in their schemes for promotion, set themselves up for leaders of new sects. These gave rise to numerous meetings, afterwards magnified by the imposing name of councils. One was held in Asia against the Montanists, and another at Rome against the Gnostics. Smaller assemblies, of the pastors of particular districts, were called synods; of which, one was convened at Alexandria, in the year 230, on account of the opinions of Origen, which began to be controverted, and another in Asia, in 245 in opposition to the heresy of Noetus.

The Jews, though cast out of the church, demand the benevolent notice of those who believe that they will be gathered in again. Having rejected Jesus, who came in his Father's name, they received an impostor, Barcochebas, who came in his own name,

which signifies the son of a star. He was crushed by the emperor Hadrian, who killed fifty-eight thousand Jews, and prohibited the survivors from entering the city built on the ancient site of Jerusalem, now called Elia. The Jews had, in the earliest ages of Christianity, renowned schools at Tiberias and Babylon. Rabbi Judah, called the holy, wrote the Mishna, or second law, consisting of traditionary opinions concerning the signification of the Mosaic laws. The cabalistic books of Jewish mysteries are assigned to this period.

SECT. 3.-The Age of Persecution.

Persecutions were frequent, during the centuries that followed the death of the last of the apostles. Pliny's letter to Trajan, written in the year 111, shows that Christians were then suffering under persecution, though the character of the reigning prince was equitable and mild. Simeon, the son of Cleophas, is mentioned as a pastor of the church at Jerusalem, who obtained the crown of martyrdom, Under Marcus Aurelius, the persecutions raged severely, especially in the west. In Lyons and Vienne, cities of France, great numbers were sacrificed to the enmity of idolaters. The storm was more violent in the reign of Severus, under whom suffered Leonides, the father of Origen, in the year

202. As some fell into idolatry, severe conflicts arose concerning their restoration to the communion of the faithful.

Our attention must now be turned towards a period of great importance in the history of the church-that which terminated the depressions and persecutions of Christians.

Among the Latins, Cyprian, pastor of the church at Carthage, in Africa, was most celebrated. His letters are valuable, and his life and martyrdom are handed down to posterity by Pontius, his faithful deacon. Arnobius, an African rhetorician, wrote several books against the Gentiles. Lanctantius, his disciple, was called the Christian Cicero, though he was more a Cicero than a Christian, as his writings show. Among the Greeks, Gregory, a hearer of Origen, was surnamed Thaumaturgus, or miracleworker, Eusebius, of Laodicea, was succeeded by Anatolius, whose Paschal Canons are given in Latin by Ruffinus. Hesychius, pastor of Alexandria, has furnished us with a valuable Greek lexicon.

The writers of this period introduced, or increased, the use of a pernicious phraseology. The terms, tradition, sacrifice, altar, confession, satisfaction, indulgence, and merit, misled the following ages. Christians began to define minutely, and therefore unscripturally, the doctrine of the Trinity, and to

regard the reception of the Lord's Supper as essential to salvation; while celibacy was exalted as meritorious, and in a minister almost a duty.

The first pastors of the church at Rome had been martyrs; but that diocese became, at length, an object of ambition to wicked and avaricious men. Towards the close of this period, three months elapsed, and a bloody tumult was excited, before a bishop could be settled in the Roman see. For this, Marcellus, the chosen person, was driven into exile, where he died. The dissensions of the clergy were fatal to the church. Novatus, at Carthage, and Novatian, at Rome, were in a state of hostility with their bishops, concerning the conduct that should be adopted towards those who had apostatised during the times of persecution. In Asia and Africa, it was thought that such persons should be re-baptised; but, at Rome, that opinion was so strenuously condemned, that Stephen, the bishop, refused to receive into communion the re-baptisers.

The Greek word papa, father, was now applied to bishops; and as this prevailed at Rome, the title of Pope has been peculiarly appropriated to the bishop of what is called the apostolic see. The bishop's chair, called in Greek cathedra, began to be styled a throne. The modern term cathedral is derived from the bishop's cathedra. Acolytes, or followers,

waited on the bishop, and subdeacons assisted the deacons. Exorcists were supposed to expel evil spirits; chanters, or singers, were made ecclesistical officers, as were even the door-keepers, who, in times of persecution, were of importance, to keep out informers and pursuivants. Basket portions for the support of the clergy are now mentioned, and public acknowledgments of sin were exchanged for private confession to the minister. The kiss of peace was given to the baptised, who were adorned with a crown and white robes; for such efficacy began to be ascribed to this rite, that many deferred it, in hope of entering heaven, clothed with all its full effect. The Lord's Supper began to be celebrated in the morning and fasting, and none but members of the church were allowed even to see the service, which was called a mystery.

Heresies, as well as ceremonies, were now accumulated. Sabellius, an African, taught that Father, Son, and Spirit, were only three names of office for one person; who, in heaven, is called Father, on earth, the Son, and, when operating on creation, the Holy Spirit. Under the emperor Galerius, Paul of Samasata, the proud bishop of Antioch, adopted, in hope, it is thought, of courting the celebrated eastern queen Zenobia, the error of Artemon, who asserted that Christ was a mere man. A Per

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