A church history of the first three centuries ...

Front matter

*3

| LIBRARY OR CONGRESS. I

to ■ — M

Preface

The following History is intended chiefly for the use of the general reader ; with a view to whom, results are given rather than learned disquisitions, and the references are made as far as possible to authorities easily accessible.

It is hoped that it will also be found a help to young students and candidates for Holy Orders. In the case of such, however, it is taken for granted that Eusebius is close at hand ; and at least one good text-book such as Gieseler's Church History, which, especially as arranged in Smith's American Edition, is invaluable for its exact and copious citations, and for its excellent bibliographical apparatus. Its principal defect is one incidental to all textbooks; namely, that it anatomizes the body of Church History to the prejudice of its life — giving an aggregation of facts nicely arranged and labelled, instead of that living flow of events in their natural order by which (according to the maxim, solvitur ambulando) history explains and justifies itself. It is hoped that the present volume, by following as far as possible the narrative form, and by distinguishing the development of Church life in individuals, in Schools, and finally in the great Provincial Churches, will help to supply this deficiency, and facilitate the profoundly interesting and comprehensive study to which it is offered as an humble contribution.

The author's obligations to the innumerable laborers who have preceded him in this field it would be only tedious to express. As Dr. Schaff, however, is one of the most recent among these,

VI PREFACE.

and is sometimes referred to in this volume with expressions of dissent from his opinions, it seems but just to bear witness to the high merits of his two admirable and learned works, as presenting some of the best results of modern German criticism in a form quite intelligible to the English reader.

To those who understand what Church History is, no apology is needed for a new work on the subject. The narrative of the three years of the Ministry of our Lord required four men, four minds, and four different points of view to do justice to it, though written under the guidance of an infallible Inspiration. Much more is there room for many men, many minds, and many different points of view, in a subject which covers all time, and in dealing with which no sort of infallibility can be decently laid claim to. No one book can pretend to be a History in the full sense of the word. The best effort, like the worst, is merely a History according to this man or that, according to one bias or another ; — as a general rule, the worst bias being that which makes the loudest professions of being free from bias. The following work claims nothing on that score. It is written, however, according to the best judgment and best intentions of the author, with a sincere effort to state facts as they have come down to us from antiquity ; and as such is commended to the kind indulgence of the charitable reader.

General Theological Seminary, New York, April 5, 1860.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

Vll

EMPERORS AND CHURCH TEACHERS.

A. D.

AFFAIRS IX CHURCH AND STATE.

Tiberius. 33 S. Stephen. f

33 Church in Jerusalem.

35 James (J).

Persecution — Dispersion.

Gospel preached in Samaria,

37 Caligula.

Csesarea, Cyprus, Phenice.

The Twelve in

(Simon Magus.)

41 Claudius. Palestine.

44 Herod Agrippa dies.

45 Church in Antioch.

45 S. James the

46 Claudius expels the Jews

Greater, f from Rome.

Barnabas,

50 Council in Jerusalem.

54 Nero. Paul,

Church centres established in

Silas and others.

Alexandria, Corinth, Ephesus,

Linus. 62 S. James the Just.f

Rome — (Judaizing teachers

Cletus. 63 Symeon (J).

and Gnostics in Asia Minor,

Clemens. S. Peter, f Anianus(A).

Parties in Corinth, etc.)

and S. Paul.f

64 First Persecution.

Euodius, ) , . v 68 Galba. Ignatius, [ lAn) '

69 Otho.

69 Vitelline.

Destruction of Jerusalem.

69 Vespasian.

71 S. Thomas, f

Seven Churches of Asia, each

73 S. Bartholomew.!

with its Angel or Bishop.

79 Titus.

81 Domitian.

(Nicolaitans, Docetfe, Cerinthus,

85 Avilius (A).

Menander.)

Anacletus? no A ,. , Evaristus? 93 ^ntipas.f

Second Persecution.

98 Nerva. 98 Cerdo (A).

Nerva forbids accusations of

99Tra J- ISent^t slaves against their masters.

Edict against secret societies.

Justus (J).

S. Polycarp fl.

Third Persecution.

117 S. Ignatius, f

Correspondence between Pliny

117 Hadrian.

and Trajan.

119 Alexander. Ammias.

Insurrections of the Jews in

Quadratus.

Egypt and Cyrene.

Aristides.

Papias.

Fourth Persecution.

130 Sixtus I.

Bar Cochba's Insurrection.

135 Marcus (J).

135 xElia Capitolina.

U.B.— The Bishops of Rome Italics ; of Jerusalem (J) ; of Alexandria (A) ; of Antioch (An) ; Martyrs are distinguished by an f.

Vlll

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

EMPERORS AND CHURCH TEACHERS.

A. D.

AFFAIRS IN CHURCH AND STATE.

138 Antoninus Justin M. fl.

(Gnostic Sects and Schools.)

Pius.

(Basilides, Valentinus, Marcion.)

140 Telesphorus Hegesippus fl.

(Montanus.)

152 Hyginus. pius 2

(Paschal Controversy.)

154 Anicetus.

Polycarp confers with Anicetus.

Athenagoras.

161 Marcus An- Melito of Sar-

Fifth Persecution.

relius. dis. Apolli-

Synods respecting Easter and

173 Soter. naris.

Montanism.

S. Poly carp, f

The thundering Legion.

S. Pothinus.f

(Tatian, Bardesanes.)

177 Meutherus. Dionysius of

Persecutions at Lyons and

Corinth fl.

Vienne. Preachers sent to

180 Commodus.

Britain. Commodus favors

Irenseus fl.

the Christians.

Theophilus(An).

189 Demetrius (A).

Pantrenus fl.

Pantaenus goes to India.

192 Victor. Apollonius.f

192 Helvius Per-

(Victor excommunicates the tinax. Clemens fl.

Asiatic Churches.)

193 DidiusJuli- 195 Narcissus(J)

Several Synods holden.

anus.

197 Jews and Samaritans rebel

194 Septimius Tertullian fl.

and are subdued.

Severus. 202 S. Irenseusf

197 Zcphyrinus. Origenfl.

Minucius Felix

202 Sixth Persecution.

fl.

Libelli pads.

211 Caracalla.

212 Alexander (J).

(Patripassian and Monarchian

217 Callistus.

Heretics.)

Hippolytus fl.

217 Macrinus.

Ulpian the lawyer collects all the

219 Heliogabalus.

edicts against Christians

222 Urbanus. Julius Afriand incites to persecution canus fl.

in Rome.

222 Alexander

(Sabellius fl.) ,

Seyerus.

(New Platonic School, Plotinus.)

230 Pontianus.

235 Anterus.

236 Fabiamcs.

235 Maximums

235 Seventh Persecution.

Thrax. Babylas (An).

Synod of Iconium.

237 Gordianus — Firmilianus. fl.

238 Pupienus—

(Origen converts Beryllus.)

Balbinus.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

IX

EMPERORS AND CHURCH TEACHERS.

A. D.

AFFAIRS IN CHURCH AND STATE.

244 Philippus Arabs.

Church in Numidia and Mauritania.

249 Decius. Fabianus.\

249 Eighth Persecution.

Trajanus. Cyprian fl.

Development of Discipline. War,

251 Cornelius.^ Greg. Thaumat.

Pestilence, Famine.

252 Lucius.\ Dionysius (A).

252 Gallus and Volusianus.

Goths overrun Asia Minor and

253 Stephen.^ (Novatianus.)

Greece — Christian captives

254 Valerianus. 257 Cyprian. f preach the Gospel.

257 Sixtus II.\

(Baptismal Controversy.)

259 Gallienus. (Nepos.)

257 Ninth Persecution.

259 Dionysius.

Valerian taken prisoner by the Persians.

268 Claudius II.

(Sabellian Controversy in Pen-

tapolis.) (Three Councils of Antioch —

269 Felix. Paul, )(\ \

270 Aurelian. Domnus, J ^ ^

Paul condemned.)

275 Tacitus. S. Antony.

Edict of Persecution — Aurelian

275 Futycliianus.

slain.

276 Florianus Methodius of

Porphyry writes against the

Probus. Tyre.

Christians.

282 Carus.

283 Cams. Lucian the M.

284 Diocletian.

Peace and prosperity of the

(Era of the Martyrs.)

Church. Splendor of

Pamphilas of Caesarea.

Church buildings.

287 D. and Maximian.

294 (Constantius and Galerius.)

Hierocles opposes Christianity.

296 Marcellinus. Eusebius the

303 Edict of persecution — de-

Ch. Historian.

struction of the Churches.

(Meletius.)

Tenth Persecution.

308 Marcellus. (Arius.)

305 (Council of Elvira.)

308 Maxhnin.

, 309 Martyrs of Palestine.

Csecilianus.

310 Eusebius. (Donatus.)

311 Death of Galerius and Edict

Melchiades. Peter (A).f of toleration. 312 Yictory of Constantine.

314 Sylvester.

(Donatist troubles.)

Alexander (A).

313 Victory of Licinius.

Hosius.

Edicts of restitution.

323 Constantine sole Emperor.

(Councils of Aries, Milan, and other places.)

Athanasius.

Council of Nioea.

1*

Book I

I. — The Organization: — John the Baptist — Expectation of the Kingdom

— The Kingdom preached in the Parables and in the Works of Jesus

— Ministry organized — Prophetic, Priestly, Kingly — The Great Forty Days — The Ascension — The "Waiting — Matthias chosen. — Notes. 1. Nativity — 13. Miracles significant — 17. Kingly, Priestly, and Prophetic Ministry — 21. The Church and the Kingdom.

1-8

II. — The Pentecostal Gift : — Number of Disciples — Assemblage of devout Jews — Descent of the Spirit — Judaic Foundation — In Palestine and in the World at large. — Note. 2. Preparation 9-12

III. — The Twelve in Jerusalem : — Twelve years in Jerusalem — Pentecostal Society — Dissensions — Seven Deacons — James Apostle- Bishop — Persecutions — Second Pentecost — Dispersion — Gospel goes forth — S. Peter's Visitation — The other Apostles. — Notes. 4. James of Jerusalem — 5. Presbyters 13-20

IV. — Churches of the Gentiles: — Gentiles admitted — Csesarea — Christians in Antioch — Other Places — Barnabas and Saul sent forth

— Elymas — Course of the two Apostles — Council at Jerusalem — Second Journey, Corinth — Third Journey, Ephesus — S. Paul in Jerusalem, Csesarea, Rome — Persecution under Nero. — Notes. 1. Roman Jews — 2. Therapeutse — 4. Saul's Ordination 21-33

V. — S. Paul and his Company: — The Type of an enlarged Ministry — The Twelve Foundation-stones — The Seventy — S. Paul's peculiar

XU CONTENTS.

Mission — His Companions — Barnabas — Timothy, Titus, Luke, Mark — His Helpers and Successors. — Note. 4. Meaning of the numbers Twelve and Seventy » 33-39

VI. — Mission of the Twelve: — The Twelve — S. James the Greater — S. Andrew and others — Causes of Persecution — Madness of the Jews and Heathen — Calamitous Times — The Jewish War — The Lord's Coming. — Note. 11. The Six great Judgments 39-46

VII. — Jewish Christian Church: — Jerusalem and Christian Israel — James the Just — His relations to S. Paul and to his own People — Spirit of Judaic Christianity — End of Jame3 — Signs of Judgment — Successors of James — Seeds of Heresy — Jerusalem taken — Christians retire to Pella — Sects — Second Overthrow of the sacred City — JElia Capitolina. — Note. 13. The Door of Jesus.

47-55

VIII. — S. Peter and his Company: — S. Peter's position — His use of the Keys — Visits to Rome — Travels — His Gift and Influence — His Strength and Weakness — His Wife — S. Mark — S. Clement — Questions of Church Order. — Notes. 1. Petros and Pctra — 3. More than one Bishop in a City — 9. Peter's Wife 56-01

IX. — S. Joxjn: — S. John the Survivor of the Twelve — In Asia — Rome — Patmos — Ephesus — His Character and Gift — Traditions — His Influence anti-Gnostic — Gospel, Epistles, Revelation — Import of his later Life — A critical Period of Church History — Second General Persecution. — Notes. 5. John's Title of " the Elder" — 6. The Caldron of boiling Oil 61-67

X. — Holy Women : — The Mother of our Lord — Reserve of Holy Scripture — Legends — Other Holy Yfoinen — S. Thecla and S. Doniitilla. — Notes. 4. S. Mary not the Mother of James — 8. Virginity.

67-71

XI. — Church Government : — All Towers given to the Apostles as Brothers, Colleagues, Peers — Apostolic Aids or Fellows — Second Growth of the Apostolate — One College at first, then many — Local Ministry, Presbyters, Deacons, Deaconesses, with a Chief Pastor or Bishop — James an Apostle-Bishop — Charisma or Gifts

CONTENTS. Xlll

— Relations of the Orders — Lay Influence — Legates of the Apostles — Their Successors — The Episcopate self-perpetuating — Three Witnesses — Metropolitan System. — Notes. 2. German Views of Episcopacy — 3. Apostles and Evangelists — 6. James a Bishop — 13. Parity— 14. TheCharisms (Eph. iv. 12-16) — 1*7. S. Ignatius on the three Orders — 18. Deacons — 20. Mutual Benedictions — 25. S. Jerome's Epistle ad Nvangelum — 26. Threefold Episcopate 71-89

XII. — Doctrine and Heresies : — The Gospel, Christ come in the Flesh

— Three Drifts of Heresy — Three Types of Docirine — Harmony of the Apostles — Scope of Doctrinal History — Four Heads — 1. Oral Teaching — 2. Rule of Faith — 3. Sacred Writings — 4. Heresies — Gnostic — Docetae — Simon Magus, Dositheus, Menander, Nicolaitans — Sensuous Heresies, Schisms — Judaic Heresies, Nazarenes, Cerinthus, Ebion — Error combated in first Principles

— The Church admitting many stand-points — Truth in Lore. — Notes. 5. The term " Development" — 9. The term " Rule of Faith" — 14. Allegorical Interpretation — 17. Meaning of Coloss. ii. 23 — 19. Anti-gnostic texts — 21. The term "Knowledge" in 1 Cor. viii. — 23. The Sedition in Corinth — 24. Antijudaic texts.

90-109

XIII. — Rites, Observances, Morals: — In Ritual little Instruction needed — Baptism — Lord's Supper — Agape — Kiss of Peace — Laying on of Hands — Unction — Public Worship — Liturgy — Hours of Prayer — Fasts and Feasts — Asceticism — Morals — Social Problems. — Note. 15. The Therapeutse opposed to slavery. . 109-115

Book II

-Beginning of Second Century: — Seed growing in secret — S. John and other Witnesses — Domitian, Nerva, Trajan — Third General Persecution — Trajan and Pliny — Martyrs — Simeon, Justus — Ignatius of Antioch — His Position, Witness, and Writings. — Notes. 4. Pliny's Questions — 12. Zeal of Ignatius rational — 14. Unfair Censures of S. Ignatius — 15. " Nothing without the Bishop." 116-130

XIV CONTENTS.

II. — Hadrian and the Antonines : — Progress of the Gospel — Fanaticism general — Hadrian in Athens — Quadratus and Aristides — Edict against Informers — Antoninus Pius — Marcus Aurelius — The Stoic Ideal — Three Types of the Age. — Notes. 1. Increase of the Christians — 6. Number of Martyrs — 8. Hadrian's building of Temples to the One God not improbable — 11. Piety of Aurelius 130-139

III. — S. Polycarp: — Church in Smyrna — Polycarp — Visit to Rome — The Amphitheatre — Polycarp called for — His Martyrdom — Honors paid him — His conservative Spirit. — Note. 8. The term "Atheists." 139-147

IV. — The Ltonnese Martyrs : — Gallic Church — Christians mobbed — A true Paraclete — Charity of the Sufferers — Ascetic Party — Sanctus, Maturus, Attilus, Pothinus, Blandina — The New Prophets condemned. — Notes. 1. Foundations in Gaul — 2. The Amphitheatre 147-154

V. — Justin Martyr : — Justin in Search of Truth — His Teachers — A Christian Philosopher — His Conversion — His Gifts, Opinions, Discussions, Creed — His Companions in Martyrdom — His Disciples. — Notes. 5. The Logos — 6. Bread and "Wine in the Mysteries of Mithras — 7. " Creation and Generation" — 8. Lenient Way of judging the Ebionites — 9. Baptism and the Eucharist 154-164

VI. — Apologetic Age : — End of the Century — Melito and other Apologists

— Heathen Opponents — New Platonic School — Apollonius of Tyana — End of the Aurelian Persecution — Commodus — Apollonius a Martyr — Septimius Severus — Sixth general Persecution

— Seventh — Peace of thirty-eight Years — Trials from within. — Notes. 4. Plotinus — 5. Apollonius of Tyana — 6. Legio Fulminea

— 7. Aurelius's Hatred of emotional Religion — 10. Evasions of Persecution 165-172

VII. — Heresies and Schools: — The Church neither Jewish nor Gnostic — i. Judaic Sects — Clementina, Elxaites — ii. Gnosticism — General Account of it — iii. Gnostic Sects — Alexandrian — Syrian — Other Sects — iv. Manichseans — v. Sensuous Heresies — Sect Spirit — Spurious Writings — Chiliasm — Encratites — vi. Montanism — vii.

t CONTENTS. XV

Rationalist Reaction — Alogi — Monarchians — Patripassians — Sabellius — Beryllus — Paul of Samosata — viii. Schools within the Church — Rome, Alexandria, Antioch. — Notes. 2. "Bishop of Bishops" — 6. Gnostic Terms, Dualism — 11. Communism — 17. Zoroaster — 22. Chiliast Fathers — 29. Anti-encratite passages — 32. Truth the sanctifying Power — 35. Fasts — 36. Lay Priesthood — 50. Theological "Obstetricians" — 52. Scaffolding Theories — 54. Practical Sense of Tradition 1*72-207

VIII. — Heresies, how Met: — Heresies destroyed by Disintegration — Age of Dialectics — Exorcism fails against the Montanists — Reason appealed to — "Wholesome Dread of Novelties — Scriptures studied

— True Prophets and False — Synods — Their Necessity — Their conservative Influence — An Age judged by its own Trials. — Notes. 5. Apostolic Councils — 9. Whole Church present in Councils 207-215

IX. — S. Iren^etts axd his Disciples: — S. Irenseus — His Character and Writings — Troubles in Rome — Blastus and Florinus — The Marcosians — Paschal Controversy — Irenseus counsels Peace — Church Growth and Miracles — Caius — Hippolytus — Parties in Rome. — Notes. 13. Orthodoxy of Hippolytus — 14. The Callistians , .215-226

X. — The Alexaxdrixe School: — Episcopate in Alexandria — Demetrius

— Centre of Learning — New Platonic School — Catechetical School — Pantrenus — Clemens — Origen — Martyrs — Labors and Writings — Quarrel with Demetrius — Origen condemned — Heresy arrested — Influence of Origen — His Disciples and Friends. — Notes. 5. Alexandrine Jews, Philo — 9. Athenagoras — 10. Three Works of Clement — 12. Clement's Orthodoxy — 16. Bodily Blemishes — 22. The threefold Sense — 28. Paradoxes of Origen — 29. Methodius 227-243

XVI CONTENTS.

Book III

I. — North African Church: — North Africa — People, Morals, Religion — Evangelized — Church established — Scillitan Martyrs — Sensuous Bias — SS. Perpetua and Felicitas — Dreams, Visions — Montanism

— Tertullian — Questions of Veils, of Crowns — Party Names — Tertullianists — Influence of Tertullian — A Season of Peace and quiet Growth. — Motes. 3. Character of the Africans — 4. Phrase " sine charta," etc. — 7. Opposition to the Prayer pro mora finis — 9. Prayers for the Bead — 14. Converts among the wealthy Classes

— IT. Tertullian's Paradoxes— 19. Absurd Sects 247-264

II. — Carthage and S. Cyprian: — Cyprian Bishop — State of the Church

— Virgins, Confessors, Clergy — Abuses — Mission of S. Cyprian

— Reform — Working Forces of the Church — Balance of Powers

— Cyprian's Policy — Examples — "Warnings of Judgment — Eighth general Persecution — Fabianus a Martyr — The Lapsed — Bad Conduct of the Confessors — Libelli Pacis — Novatus and his Party — Schism in Carthage — Novatian Schism in Rome — Discipline restored and everywhere established. — Notes. 2. Primates

— 5. Antelucan Meetings offensive — 7 and 18. Power of the Confessors — 13. Taylor's Early Christianity — 20. Mosheim's Treatment of S. Cyprian — 22. The Diptychs — 24. Visions — 25. Persecutions needed — 29. Evasions — 33. Exomologesis — 40. Evil connected with a numerous Episcopate — 43. Novatian — 44. Indulgences 264-287

III. — Decian Times : — A great Crisis — Early Belief of the Nearness of the Lord's Coming justified — Martyrs — Seven Sleepers — Gregory the Wonder-worker — Dionysius of Alexandria — Anchorites — Great Plague — Inroads of Barbarians — Christian Charity — Ninth Persecution — Cornelius, Lucius, Origen, Stephen. — Note. 10. Orthodoxy of Gregory Thaumaturgus 287-299

IV. — Rome anx> the West: — Origin of the Roman Church — First Bishops — Eminent Position — Centre of Good and Evil — Resort of Here-

CONTENTS. XV11

SAPTER

tics — Zephyrinus and Callistus according to Hippolytus — Battle- Ground of two Elements — Question of the Day — Cyprian and Cornelius — Via media — Cyprian and Stephen — Baptismal Question — Case of Martialis and Basilides — of Marcianus — Valerian Persecution — Martyrdom of Stephen, Sixtus, Cyprian — Dionysius of Rome — Case of Dionysius of Alexandria — Question of Church property in Antioch referred to the Italian Bishops — Centralizing Tendency — State of the Roman Church in numbers, etc. — Triumph of the Cross — Donatist Schism — Its Influence upon the position of the Roman Church. — Notes. 1. S. Peter at Rome — 3-8. Expressions Relating to the Dignity of Rome — 16. All Sinners received after Penance — 18. Three Views in the Early Church on irregular Baptism — 21. The term "Papa" — 29. Dionysius as a Theologian — 33. Calculations from the Catacombs — 34. The Christians not "a mere refuse" — 39. Heathen Catholicity — 41. Catacombs — 43. Cemetery "Worship — 46. Episcopal Martyrs — 53. Arnobius — 55. The Trophy of the Cross — 61. Council of Elvira — 62. Stratagem of Mensurius — 64. Donatist Succession 299-327

V. — The Church and School of Antioch: — The East theological — Theophilus — Babylas — Fabius — Paul of Samosata — His Faults and Errors — Councils — Death of Firmilianus — Paul condemned

— Catholic Unity — School of Antioch — Lucian and his Disciples

— Last Persecution — Martyrdom of Lucian and others. — Note. 13. The term " Consubstantial." 328-336

VI. — The Egyptian Church: — Origen's Disciples — Dionysius — Question of the Lapsed, of Baptism — Chiliasm, Nepos — Charity victorious

— SabeUian Controversy — Era of the Martyrs — Meletian Schism

— Anchorites, Hermits — S. Antony and Monachism — Martyrdom of Peter — Arius and Alexander. — Notes. 9-12. Orthodoxy of Dionysius — 15-24. S. Antony and Monasticism 337-350

VII. — The Churches in General: — The Great Epic a Type of Church History — Belt of the Mediterranean — Africa — Libya — Pentapolis — Egypt — Arabia — Palestine — Syria — The Farther East

— Asia Minor — Macedonia and Achaia — Italy — Spain — Gaul — Britain. — Notes. 3. Epochs — 14. S. James in Spain 350-363

Xviii ' CONTENTS.

VIII. — Church Life and Growth: — Season of Peace — Gibbon's Five Causes of Church Growth — The Progress of Christianity considered under the following heads — i. The Conflict between Truth and Error — ii. The "Witness of the Martyrs — iii. Signs and Wonders

— iv. Discipline — v. Strength in Numbers — vi. Catholic Unity and Church Polity — vii. Church life, domestic, public — Eites — Customs — Heathen Point of View — Aversion to the Arts — Austerity — Charity — Widows, Orphans, Slaves, Captives, etc.

— Sources of Eevenue — Simple Faith and patient Waiting. — Notes. 6. Reverence for Martyrs — 9. Miracles not wrought at random* — 19. Ignatian and Cyprianic Theories of the Episcopate

— 22. Representative Idea in Synods — 23. Development Theory of Papal Supremacy — 25. Minor Orders — 27, 28. Children not desired — 33. Diptychs and Commemoration of the Departed — 42. Military Service — 45. Pictures — 46. Flowers — 53-55. Tithes, etc. — 57. Non-resistance 364-397

IX. — Times of Diocletian: — Prosperity of the Church — Corruptions — Diocletian resolves on Persecution — Destruction of the Church in Nicomedia — Plan of the War — Edicts — Cruelties and Atrocities

— Number of Martyrs — Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian

— Fate of the Persecutors — Severus — Galerius — Edict of Toleration — Maximin — Edict of Restitution — Maxentius — Maximian — Diocletian and his Family. — Notes. 2. Lactantius — 5. Hierocles — 25. Diocletian's Madness 397-416

X. — Victory of Const antine: — Boldness of Constantine's Decision — Causes of his Conversion — His Vision — Trophy of the Cross in Rome — Real Nature of the Victory — Signs of a new Era — * Licinius and Constantine — Edict from Milan — War between the two Emperors — Persecution recommenced — Second War — Constantine sole Emperor — His Character and Nature of his Faith — Type of a new Age of Christianity. — Notes. 3. Constantine's Vision — 6. Eusebius 416-428