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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