OR,

THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANS

IN THE

FIRST AGES OF THE GOSPEL.

TO WHICH IS ADDED

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF PAGANISM UNDER THE
FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPERORS, &c. &c.

BY

WILLIAM CAVE, D.D.

Chaplain to King Charles II.

IN TWO VOLS.-VOL. II.

Ουκ ἐν λόγοις, ἀλλ ̓ ἐν ἔργοις τὰ τῆς ἡμετέρας

Θεοσεβείας πράγματα.

Nos non habitu Sapientiam, sed mente præferimus;

Just. Mart. Parænes. ad. Græc. p. 33.

Minuc. Fel. Dial. pag. 31.

Non eloquimur magna, sed vivimus.

WITH AN

INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, AND NOTES,

BY THE

REV. WILLIAM TROLLOPE, M. A.

A NEW EDITION.

MDCCCXXXIX.

LONDON:

JOSEPH RICKERBY, SHERBOURN LANE,

KING WILLIAM STREET, CITY.

#15412

C1966.72.12

HARVARD COLLEGE

APR 25 1888

LIBRARY

John Kearney Treat,

LONDON:
PRINTED BY JOSEPH RICKERBY,

SHERBOURN LANE.

CONTENTS.

PART II.

CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VI.-Page 1.

Of their Readiness and Constancy in professing their Religion.

CHAPTER VII.-Page 15.

Of their exemplary Patience under sufferings.

PART III.

OF THEIR RELIGION AS RESPECTING OTHER MEN.

CHAPTER I.-Page 49.

Of their Justice and Honesty.

CHAPTER II.-Page 65.

Of their admirable Love and Charity.

CHAPTER III.—Page 95.

Of their Unity and Peaceableness.

CHAPTER IV.-Page 110.

Of their Obedience and Subjection to Civil Government.

CHAPTER V.-Page 125.

Of their Penance, and the Discipline of the ancient Church.

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE STATE OF

PAGANISM UNDER THE FIRST CHRISTIAN

EMPERORS.

SECTION 1.-—Page 151.

The State of Paganism under the reign of Constantine the Great.

SECTION II - Page 176.

The Condition of the Gentiles under the reign of Constantine

Junior, Constantius, and Constans.

SECTION III.- Page 185.

The State of Paganism under the reign of Julian.

SECTION IV.-Page 219.

In what case Gentilism stood under the reigns of Jovian,

Valentinian, and Valens.

SECTION V.-Page 231.

The State of Religion under the reigns of Gratian, Theodosius

the Great, and his Successors.

PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY.

PART II.

CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VI.

Of their Readiness and Constancy in professing their Religion.

WHEN our blessed Saviour sent out his disciples to preach the Gospel, he acquainted them with the difficulties that were like to attend their message, but withal bad them arm themselves with constancy and resolution, and not to regard the scoffs and reproaches, the miseries and sufferings that might fall upon them: 'not to fear them that could only kill the body,' but to make a free and bold confession of his name before the world, and cheerfully to take up their cross and follow him." St. Paul, though himself then in chains at Rome, exhorts the Christians to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel, being in nothing terrified by their adversaries, it being given them on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,'

1

'Matt. x. 28, 38; xvi. 24; Luke, ix. 23; xii. 4.
2 Phil. i. 27-29.

VOL. 11.

B

2