The antiquities of the Christian church

Front matter

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Preface

In preparing the following summary of the rites and institutions of Ancient Christianity, the author has sought to make it intelligible to the English reader ; and, at the same time, to present to the theological student a convenient book of reference, and to the scholar and antiquary a guide in his more extended and original investigations.

German authors, with a provoking reliance upon the scholarship of those who may consult their pages, are accustomed to overspread them with original quotations from the dead languages, and references to writers in every tongue, so that even the practised scholar but darkly threads his way through the endless mazes of their works. Much therefore remains for humbler minds in selecting, arranging, translating and condensing, before the researches of these great men can be made available to the mass of the reading public. This task, in the absence of a better work, has been attempted in the preparation of the following pages ; and in the execution of it the author has endeavored to perform the service only of a translator and compiler.

In the fulfilment of this duty, the original authorities, when introduced into the text, are followed by a translation ; but more frequently they are transferred to the margin in the form of notes, or dismissed with a reference to the works from which they were taken, according as their importance seemed to require ; and all for the purpose of presenting to the eye of the reader a fair English page.

For the same general reasons, the references are all brought together in an index at the end. These references, in the original, are accumulated to an excess even for German scholarship and scholastic affectation. Of these very many have been omitted, but enough, it is believed, are retained, not only to direct to sufficient

4 PREFACE.

original authorities, but to satisfy the largest desires even of the antiquary or the scholar.

From the rich and abundant materials which Augusti has furnished, it has been a difficult task to decide what to select, and what to omit ; and from the parts selected, it has been one of equal difficulty so to abridge as to preserve a just medium between a tedious detail and a barren abstract. In the progress of this work, however, other writers on the same and kindred subjects have been freely consulted, to supply, in some instances, the omissions and deficiencies of Augusti, and in others, to enrich the following pages with the combined results of different authors. Compilations have been freely gathered from many sources, and incorporated with the work in hand. The works especially of Rheinwald, and Siegel, together with those of Neander, Gieseler, and others, have been laid under contribution to a greater or less extent. With the two first mentioned, the several subjects in their order have been compared with more or less care, and numerous compilations from them are embodied in the work.

In making these compilations, the course pursued has been to go through with an abridgm&it of a given article from Augusti, and then to compare it with these authorities, such additions and corrections being made as the subject seemed to require. These additions, when of any considerable extent, are distinguished as quotations with appropriate references, or introduced with preliminary remarks indicating the source from whence they are derived. In other instances, additional or qualifying words and sentences have been silently entered without any formal acknowledgment. In all this the compiler has considerably increased the labor and responsibility which devolved upon him ; but the work, it is believed, has by this means been rendered more complete and valuable. It is important farther to remark that the larger work of Augusti has been freely consulted, and in several instances entire articles have been translated or abridged directly from it. At other times the order of the

PREFACE. D

sentences and paragraphs has been transposed as occasion required. It is hardly necessary to add that the above explanations should be borne in mind in making a comparison of this abridgement and compilation with the originals.

The reader will not expect in this volume a close or literal translation ; the work, however, has been executed with a constant endeavor to give a fair and faithful interpretation of the author, and, on important or disputed points, to give it in terms as literal as the idioms of our language would admit. In other instances merely the results of the author are given with references, to the original sources from which he has derived his authorities. And at other times, the substance of his researches and conclusions is presented in language appropriately our own.

After having advanced far towards the completion of his task, the compiler obtained a copy of Riddle's Manual of Christian Antiquities. This work is an abridged translation from Augusti, with occasional compilations from Siegel, and copious extracts from Bingham. The work, though executed with candor and ability, is unsuited for the American public, and too expensive for general circulation. The compiler however acknowledges himself under many obligations to this author in the revision and correction of his own translations. The translation from Siegel on the Agapae, or love-feasts of the primitive church, in the following pages, is transferred entire from that work. The article on Prayers for the Dead is also from his hand, together with various extracts, in different parts of the following work, of which the most important are acknowledged in their proper place.

Jamieson on the Manners and Trials of the primitive Christians came to hand just as this work was going to the press. From this work various extracts have been made by way of recapitulation, though at the hazard of being occasionally repetitious. These extracts give a brief and popular view of the topics which have been previously treated of in a manner more methodical and minute.

6 PREFACE.

His reputation as a distinguished preacher in Edinburgh entitles thi3 treatise to the confidence of the reader, especially when informed by the author himself that he " has with minute and patient industry tested almost every statement contained in his book with the original authorities." The chapter on the Domestic and Social Character of the Primitive Christians is compiled chiefly from this work.

The Plan of churches and the Chronological Index are from Rheinwald. The reader will here find a valuable compend of the historical events connected with the antiquities of the church, in which the successive stages of departure from the simplicity and purity of primitive worship are distinctly stated, in connection with the contemporary authors and rulers in church and state, who were instrumental either in introducing or opposing these innovations.

The critical observer will notice some confusion in the accentuation of oxytone words in the Greek language. The accents were incautiously copied as found on the pages of Augusti, and the printing had advanced some distance before the more approved mode of the accentuation of such individual words was adopted.

The chapter on the Sacred Seasons of the Puritans supplies an obvious deficiency in the history of our forefathers, and will, no doubt, be received as a valuable addition to this work, and an important contribution to our own ecclesiastical history.

The account of the religious rites of the Armenian church from Rev. H. G. O. Dwight, missionary at Constantinople, cannot fail to interest the christian reader, while it reveals to him, through the dimness of a high antiquity, the customs of the primitive church.

This work was undertaken with the hope that it would, in some measure, supply a great deficiency in our ecclesiastical literature, and serve to direct the attention of the public to this neglected branch of study. Many topics of great interest relating to the rites, institutions and authority of the ancient church, are now the subject of earnest controversy in England, and of eager inquiry in this country. Ancient Christianity is destined, in both countries, to be severely

PREFACE. 7

scrutinized anew, and its merits sharply contested. And this consideration presents one reason among many for offering this publication, at the present time, to the service of the public. But the various reasons, which recommend the study of Christian Antiquities to the attention of the public, are clearly exhibited by the Rev. Prof. Sears, in the Introduction which he has very kindly prepared for this work. The reader is there presented with the views of an eminent scholar, thoroughly familiar with the researches of German authors on this subject, and fully qualified to speak of their comparative merits, and of the importance of this department of sacred literature. • It only remains to render my grateful acknowledgments to this gentleman not only for his valuable contributions to this work, but for his advice and assistance which in the progress of it have been as kindly given as it has been freely sought. Similar acknowledgments are also due to the Rev. Prof. Edwards, of this place, for like offices of kindness and assistance, in these protracted labors which are now drawing to a close.

Conscious of having labored diligently to prepare a compend of this interesting branch of the history of the church, that shall be at once acceptable and useful in disclosing the sources from which the venerable institutions of our religion are derived, and in delineating the virtues of those holy men from whom they have been transmitted down to us, I now commit it, with all its deficiencies, to the charitable consideration of the public, and await in submission the result of their decision.

Andover, April, 1841.

NOTE.

The Print upon the back of this volume is a copy of an ancient christian coin. The monogram at the top, is formed by blending the Greek capitals X, P, the initial letters of the word Xqiotoq, Christ; which, with the primitive Christians, was the most sacred name of our Lord. This device is of very ancient date. It was their favorite emblem of our Saviour's name, which they not only engraved upon their tombs, and upon the walls of their cemeteries, but they caused it to be impressed upon coins and medals which they wore upon their breasts as sacred memorials of their Lord. Constantine adopted it as the emblem of his victorious banner under which he led on the conquests of the cross.

This banner, called the labarum, is described as a long pike intersected by a transverse beam in the form of a cross. The silken veil which hung down from this beam, was curiously inwrought with the images of the monarch and his sons. The summit of the pike supported a crown of gold which enclosed this mysterious monogram. In the print before us, it rests upon a cross from which is suspended the veil of the labarum. At the foot lies a dead serpent, emblem of the great deceiver crushed by the cross of Christ. The whole, therefore, combines the expressive emblems both of the fall and recovery of man. The motto, Spes Pdblica, points to the cross as the hope of a lost world. Constantine caused this device to be painted upon the vestibule of his palace and to be imprinted on the coin of his kingdom. These coins are now extremely rare ; but they continued in common use through the reigns of several succeeding emperors. — Aringhi, Roma Subterranea, torn, ii. pp. 566, 705 ; Eckhel, Doctrina Num. Vet. 4. torn. viii. p. 88,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

J. Church of St. Sophia, Constantinople,

1. A Font of water, where the worshippers wash before r entering**the church. — 2. The Great Porch, probably having a portico or vestibule in front. — 3. Entrance into the Narthex. — 4. The Narthex. — 5. Entrance into the church. — 6. The Inner Porch. — 7. Entrance into the Nave. — 8. Entrance to court surrounding the Nave.— 9. The Court.— 10. The Nave.— 10. a) The Solea. — 10. b) Probable site of the Ambo.— 11. Pillars supporting the Gallery. — 12. — The Chancel surrounding the Choir, or Sanctuary. — 13. Entrance to the Sanctuary. — 14. The Sanctuary. — 15. The Altar. — 16. The Canopy of the Altar. — 17. The bishop's Throne. — 18. The Seats of the presbyters. — 19. The emperor's Throne. — 20. Apartments for the Utensils of the church. — 21. Passage from the churcb.

II. St. Paul's Church at Rome.

1. Entrance to the Porch, or the Vestibule.— 2. The Porch.— 3. The Nave divided into five parts by rows of pillars. — 4. The Choir, Bema, or Sanctuary.— 5. The Altar.— 6. The bishop's Throne.

III. Church at Tyre.

1. Entrance to the Porch, or the Vestibule.— 2. The Porch.— 3. Pillars of the porch. — 4. Font of water. — 5. Doors of the church. — 6. The Nave. — 7. Probable site of the Ambo. — 8. Ascent to the sanctuary. — 9. Chancel of

the sanctuary. — 10. The Sanctuary. 11. The Altar. 12. The bishop's

Throne, — 13. The Seats of the presbyters. — 14 a. Supposed to be the Baptistery. — 14. The Oixoi, or Ante-chambers. — 15. — The Exedrae.

IV. Church of St. Clement at Rome.

1. Entrance, with four pillars supporting the piazza. — 2. The Portico, or Vestibule. — 3. The Porch. — 4. Entrance to the church. — 5. The Nave in three divisions. — 6,7. Two Ambos within one enclosure, surrounded by the

nave. — 8. The Altar with pillars.— 9. Bishop's Throne. 10. Presbyters'

Seats.

V. The Baptistery of St. Sophia.

1. Stairway leading to the entrance. — 2. Front Porch, or Vestibule. — 3. The Basement-room of the baptistery. — 4. The First Story. — 5. Pillars in the basement. — 6. Ascent to the font. — 7. The baptismal Font. — 8. The Court of the baptistery.

Chapter I

A General View of the Organization and Worship of the Primitive Church.

Sec. 1. Accounts from Jewish and profane authors, ... 25

2. Origin of the christian church, ...... 32

3. Peculiarities of the christian system, 34

4. Of the secret discipline, the disciplina arcani, of the ancient

church, apostolical constitutions, etc. .... 35

CHAPTER II. Names and Classes of Christians

Sec 1. Scriptural appellations and names assumed by Christians, . 39

2. Names of reproach and derision conferred on Christians by

their enem' 43

3. Division ana ,.assiflcation of Christians, .... 45

4. Of the christian church, 47

5. Of catechumens, 49

6. Of believers, or the faithful, 57

7. Of Penitents, . 61

8. Of energumens, or demoniacs, 61

9. Ascetics, coenobites, monks, and fraternities, ... 62

CHAPTER III. Of the Ministers of the Church

Sec.1, Of the clergy and the laity, 66

2. General remarks upon the different orders and classes of the

clergy, 69

3. Of the episcopal form of religion, 74

4. Official duties of the bishop, 77

5. Of the insignia of the bishop, 82

6. Of the several orders of bishops, 84

I. Superior order, 84

II. Inferior order, 90

7. Of presbyters, their equality and identity with bishops, . 94

8. Official duties of presbyters, . . . . . . 103

9. Different orders or classes of presbyters, .... 106

10. Of the rank and duties of deacons, 107

11. Of the archdeacons, 113

CHAPTER IV. Of the Inferior Officers of the Church

2. Ofreaders, 120

3. Of acolyths, . . . 121

5. Of singers, or precentors, ...... 123

6. Of ostiarii, or door-keepers, 125

7. Of the subordinate officers of the church and of the clergy, 125

a) Copiatae, sextons, ....... 125

b) Parabolani, 126

c) Sacrista, 126

d) The custos, or aedituus, 126

e) The campanarii, bell-ringers, ..... 126

f) The matricularii, 126

g) The parafrenarii, . 126

8. Of the occasional officers of the church, who ranked with the

clergy, 127 b) Cappellani, . 127

c) Hermaneutae, interpreters, 128

9. Officers not belonging to the clergy, .... 128

a) Mansionarii, 128

b) OiKovojuoij stewards, 128

c) Cimeliarchs, treasurers, 129

d) Notarii, scribes, 129

e) Apocrisiarii, responsales, 130

g) Syncelli, . . 130

h) Syndici, 130

i) Patroni, 130

CHAPTER V. Appointment to Ecclesiastical Offices

Sec. 1. Of election by lot, . 131

2. Of election by the church collectively, .... 131

3. Of election by representatives, or interveners, . . 135

4. Of unusual forms of election, 137

5. Of church patronage, . . . . . . . . 138

Chapter VI

Of the Rank, Rights, Privileges, and Costume of the Clergy.

Sec. 1. Of the rank of the clergy, . . . . . , 140

2. Of the immunities, rights, and privileges of the priesthood, 142

3. Of the costume of the clergy, 144

CHAPTER VIII. Of Ordination

Sec 1. Remarks, . 152

2. Disqualifications and qualifications for ordination, . . J 53

4. Remarks of Chrysostom, Jerome, and Gregory Nazianzen rela-

ting to the character and duties of christian ministers, . 161

5. Punishment of delinquents, . . . . . . 173

CHAPTER IX. Of Churches and Sacred Places

Sec. 1. History of Churches, . 176

2. Form, site, and position of churches, . . . . 180

3. Arrangement, and constituent parts, .... 181

4. Of the bema, or sanctuary, ." 182

5. Of the nave, 183

6. Of the narthex, or ante-temple, 185

7. Of the outer buildings, or exedrae, . . . . . 188

8. Of towers, bells, and organs, 190

9. Of the altar, 192

10. Of the doors of the church, ...... 194

11. Of the pavements and walls, 195

12. Of the windows of the church, 195

13. Veneration in which churches were held, and the privileges at-

tached to them, 197

14. Churches as a place of refuge, . . . . . . 199

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X. Of the Prayers and Psalmody of the Church

Sec. 1. Preliminary remarks,

2. The Unity and the Trinity of the Godhead,

tions of the ancient church,

3. Divine worship paid to Christ, .

4. Worship of martyrs, saints, and angels,

5. Filial spirit of the prayers of the church,

6. Simplicity and brevity of their devotions,

7. Catholic spirit of their worship,

8. Audible and silent prayer, .

9. Of the Lord's prayer,

10. Of the responses, Amen, Hallelujah, etc.

11. Of the psalmody of the church,

12. Attitude and gesture in singing, and in prayer, implied in the devo-

CHAPTER XL Use of the Holy Scriptures in religious worship.

Sec 1. Preliminary remarks, 228

2. Of the order in which the Scriptures were read, . . . 230

3. Mode of designating the divisions and lessons, . . . 231

4. Of the manner in which the Scriptures were read, and other ex-

ercises in connection, 232

5. Of the Psalter, 234

6. Of the Pericopae, 234

CHAPTER Xll.

Of Homilies.

Sec. 1. General remarks, names, etc. 237

2. By whom the homilies were delivered, . . . ; 239

3. Of the frequency of sermons, 241

4. Time allotted for the delivery of the sermon, . . . 242

5. Of the position of the speaker, . . . . . . 242

6. Attitude of the speaker, mode of delivery, deportment of the

audience, etc „ 243

7. Of the construction of the sermon, 244

8. Of the subjects of discourse, 246

CHAPTER X11I.

Of Catechetical Instructions,

CHAPTER XIV.

Of Baptism.

Sec. 1. Names by which the ordinance is designated, . . . 255

2. Historical sketch, 256

4. Ministers of baptism, 269

5. Times of baptism, . . . . » . . • 271

6. Place of baptism, 273

7. Element for baptism, 274

8. Mode and form of baptism, 275 a) Ceremonies before baptism, . . . . • 278

b) Ceremonies after baptism, 281

10. Of sponsors, 284

11. Of names given at baptism, 287

CHAPTER XV.

Of Confirmation.

Sec. 1. Whether derived from apostolic usage, .... 288

2. Confirmation in connection with baptism, .... 289

3. Ministers of confirmation, 290

CHAPTER XVI.

Of the Lord's Supper.

Sec. 1. Names or appellations of the sacrament, . . . . 292

2. Scriptural account of the Lord's supper, .... 298

3. Testimony of pagan writers, . . ... « . . . 300

4. Testimony of apostolical fathers, i 300

5. Times of celebration, . ... . . . 304

6. Place of celebration, 306

7. Ministers of the Lord's supper, ..... 307

9. Of the elements, 314

10. Consecration of the elements, ...... 317

12. Accompanying rites, 323

13. Of the agapae, or feasts of charity, .... 325

14. Sacramental utensils, 329

CHAPTER XVII.

Of the Discipline of the Ancient Church.

Sec. 1. Preliminary remarks, 330

2. Origin of penance, 332

3. Subject of penance, or offences for which it was imposed, 337

4. Different classes of penitents, 338

5. Duties of penitents, and the discipline imposed; or the different

kinds and degrees of penance, ..... 340

6. Re-admission of penitents into the church, . . . 342

7. Private penance, . . . 344

CHAPTER XVIII.

Domestic and Social Character of the Primitive Christians.

Sec. 1. Of their mode of life, 367

2. Of their dress and furniture, 369

3. Of their diet and mode of taking their meals, . . . 371

4. Of their daily devotions, 375

5. Religious education of their children, .... 378

6. Sign of the cross, 379

7. Their deportment in the business and recreations of life, 382

8. Their mutual love and concord, 384

9. Their benevolence, 386

10. Their hospitality and mode of salutation, . . . 394

11. Their patience under injuries, ' 397

CHAPTER XIX.

Of Marriage.

Sec 1. Of christian marriage, ....... 399

2. Of divorce, 401

3. Marriage rites and ceremonies, 402

4. Remarks upon the marriage rites and ceremonies of the ancient

church, 405

CHAPTER XX.

Funeral Rites and Ceremonies.

Sec 1. Treatment of the dead, 408

2. Affection for the dying, 411

3. Funeral solemnities, 412

4. Of mourners, 414

5. Prayers for the dead, . .... . . . 417

6. Cemeteries of the early Christians, 421

CHAPTER XXI.

Sacred Seasons, Festivals and Fasts.

Sec. 1. Preliminary remarks, . .• . . . . . 423

2. Of the sabbath, 428

3. General view of the sacred seasons, and of the period of the

three great festivals, 432

4. Christmas, the festival of Christ's nativity, . . . 434

5. Easter, commemorative of the death and resurrection of our

Lord, 436

6. Pentecost, or Whitsunday, 439

7. Festivals in honor of the virgin Mary, .... 440

8. Festivals in honor of the martyrs, 441

9. St. John's day, 442

10. Of the apostles' days, 442

11. OfFasts, 444

CHAPTER XXII.

Sacred Seasons of the Puritans.

2. Reasons for such days, 447

3. Continuance, 449

4. Mode of their appointment, 452

5. Penalties, 457

6. Periodical observance, . . . . « . . . 459

7. Observance by other States, . 464

CHAPTER XXIII.

Of the Armemian Church.

1. Origin and progress, 466

2. Church officers and government, 468

3. Doctrines, • . 470

4. Forms of worship, festivals, etc. 472

Chronological List of Councils, 527

Introduction

The subject of Christian Anliquities will be variously regarded by different individuals according to their religious creeds and their intellectual habits and tastes. He who regards the church as the source of religious knowledge, and its doctrines and rites as revelations of the will of God, would, of course, study the history of these doctrines and of these rites with as much earnestness and zeal as he would study the Scriptures themselves. This will best account for the fondness which learned men in the Catholic church have always shown for ecclesiastical antiquities.

Protestants have generally contemplated the subject under quite a different aspect. With them the voice of the church has no authority coordinate with that of the Bible. Their interest in the antiquities of the church arises from other considerations. For them the sentiments and practices of the early church have a theological importance only so far as they serve to illustrate the sentiments and practices of the inspired writers. Hence they have been interested to show the gradual departure of the early church from the purity and simplicity of the apostolic age, and to point out the late origin of many things which others had regarded as descending from the primitive apostolical church.

The English church, occupying intermediate ground between the Catholics and Protestants, in this respect, have leaned quite as much to the former as to the latter ; and this is in perfect consistency with the principles of reform originally adopted by that church.

We have alluded to these circumstances for no other purpose than that of tracing out the causes of the obvious diversity that exists among the older writers in their mode of treating this subject. In respect to the end which they have had in view, they may be divided into three general classes according to their ecclesiastical relations. The different, and often opposite considerations which have inspired their zeal, could not fail to give a peculiar feature to their works. While the individual writers of each of the three classes men- 3

18 INTE0DUCT10>'.

tioned above have bad their individual peculiarities, with an almost endless variety in regard to ability, learning, and candor, they have, in general, been either warm polemics, or laborious apologists for their respective parties. Even where this feature is less obvious, there is a peculiar spirit and manner manifested in the topics selected, and in the relative importance attached to each, betraying the author's ecclesiastical preferences. Hence the solemn awe and tedious minuteness with which the Catholic writer describes the veriest trifles; the belligerent manner in which the Protestant, whether Lutheran or Calvinistic, musters his forces, using the weapons of the antiquary chiefly, perhaps, because others have abused them ; and the pleasure with which the English churchman approaches the subject of the clerical orders and the venerable liturgy.

Far be it from us harshly to censure those great men, and profound scholars, of different parties who lived in the age of theological warfare, or to cast reproach upon any one class of them. Still we must maintain that they have all gone out of the way, some from the violence of their own passions, and more, we would hope, from the agitations of the times on which they were cast.

We are happy in the belief that we live in an age w r hen it need not be argued that the zeal of the partizan is worse than useless to the historian. The antiquities of the church, no less than other subjects, must and will be studied with the calm spirit of philosophic inquiry. The spirit of the Magdeburg Centuriators is passing away, at least in the literary and scientific world, and a purer and nobler order of historians is rising up to adorn and bless the church. Impartiality is now the watch-word through all the higher ranks of scientific historical inquirers.

There is at present, especially in some parts of Europe, a greater interest in the study of christian antiquities than ever existed before. This is owing to a variety of causes, — to the unparalleled zeal with which every branch of history is cultivated ; to the increased and increasing attention bestowed upon the study of the Christian Fathers ; to the critical taste of the age, reviewing with rigid scrutiny all the grounds of historical belief; and to the attention given to the philosophy of history, as illustrative of the nature of man. Nor is it strange that reflecting men should be attracted to this study ; they are influenced by important considerations, a few of which will here be named with as much brevity as possible,

1. This branch of study belongs to the history of man. No indididual, who is desirous of viewing the character and conduct of his species under all its aspects, and particularly of contemplating the human mind under extraordinary moral influences, — of watching the various experiments of Christianity when combined in a social system with other elements, can consent to be excluded from such a source of instruction as is found in the antiquities of the christian church.

2. It is indispensable as a key to many parts of ecclesiastical history. The very same circumstance which renders Greek and Roman antiquities important to the classical student, and Jewish antiquities to the biblical student, renders christian antiquities important to the ecclesiastical historian. He who supposes that he can find all he needs on this subject in certain chapters in general works on church history, has only to make the trial, and then take up such a work as the following, and compare the results, and the difference will be sufficiently perceptible. Church history itself has gained no less by making this a distinct branch of study than by making the history of christian doctrines a distinct branch ; both have contributed immeasurably to the advancement of the historical branch of theology within a few years past. How much broader and clearer the light which now shines on this whole department of study than at the close of the last century !

3. A polemic use of this branch of knowledge cannot be safely and profitably made except by him who has previously studied the subject with no other interest than that of truth, aside from all party aims. One of the most grievous evils which has afflicted the church, is that men have been driven into these dark regions by the violence of theological strife. Facts have been guessed at, or seized, at a venture, out of their connections, and a momentary triumph has been gained only to be surrendered again on maturer investigation. Thus with all the controversies that have agitated the church, there has been but little scientific progress, but little won which could be regarded as an earnest of final union in the truth.

4. Few studies have a more salutary influence in liberalizing the mind than the philosophic study of the religious customs and usages of a christian people. When we perceive how little the common mind is what it makes itself, and how much it is what descent, hereditary customs, political connections, popular literature, the prevailing philosophy and the spirit of the age make it, we find ourselves almost unconsciously cherishing a feeling of humanity instead of an odium theologicum, towards those whose views we regard as erroneous.