CONTENTS
Care of their Reputation 33
Morality of the Fathers 34
Principles of Human Nature 34
The Primitive Christians condemn Pleasure and Luxury 35
Their Sentiments concerning Marriage and Chastity 36
Their Aversion to the Business of War and Government 38
V. THE FIFTH CAUSE. The Christians active in the Government of the Church 39
Its Primitive Freedom and Equality 40
Insititution of Bishops as Presidents of the College of Presbyters 41
Provincial Councils 43
Union of the Church 43
Progress of Episcopal Authority 44
Pre-eminence of the Metropolitan Churches 45
Ambition of the Roman Pontiff 45
Laity and Clergy 46
Oblations and Revenue of the Church 47
Distribution of Revenue 50
Excommunication 51
Public Penance 52
The Dignity of Episcopal Government 53
Recapitulation of the five Causes 54
Weakness of Polytheism 54
The Scepticism of the Pagan World proved favourable to the new Religion 55
And the Peace and Union of the Roman Empire 56
Historical View of the Progress of Christianity 57 In the East 57
The Church of Antioch 59 In Egypt 59
In Rome 60
In Africa and the Western Provinces 62
Beyond the Limits of the Roman Empire 63
General Proportion of Christians and Pagans 65
Whether the first Christians were mean and ignorant 65 Some Exceptions with regard to Learning 66
Some Exceptions with regard to Rank and Fortune 67
Christianity most favourably received by the Poor and Simple 67
Rejected by some eminent Men of the first and second Centuries 68
Their Neglect of Prophecy 68
Their Neglect of Miracles 69
General Silence concerning the Darkness of the Passion 69
CHAPTER XVI
The Conduct of the Roman Government towards Christians, from the Reign of Nero to that of Constantine
Christianity persecuted by the Roman Emperors 71
Inquiry into their Motives 72
Rebellious Spirit of the Jews 72
