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11 Miracles, and Sufferings of its Founder, and his Apostles. But after their Deaths, when Christianity began to spread into the farthest Nations, and when the Power of working Wonders had ceas'd: It was thought necessary for its Increase, that its Professors should be able to defend it, against the Subtilities of the Heathens; by those same ways of Arguing, which were then in use, among the Heathen Philosophers. It was therefore on this Account, that the Fathers, and chief Doctors of our Church, apply'd themselves to the Peripatetick, and Platonick Sects; but chiefly to the Platonick: Because that seem'd to speak plainer about the Divine Nature; and also, because the Sweetness, and Powerfulness of Plato's Writings, did serve as well to make them popular Speakers, as Disputers. Having thus provided themselves against their Adversaries, they easily got the Victory over them: And though the idolatrous Gentiles had kept the Instruments of disputing, in their own Hands, Ib many hundred Years; yet they soon convinced them of the Ridiculousness of their Worship, and the Purity, and the Reasonableness of ours.

But now the Christians having had so good Success, against the Religions of the Heathens, by their own Weapons; instead of laying them down when they had done, unfortunately fell to manage them one against another. So many subtle Brains having been set on work, and warm'd against a foreign Enemy: When that was over, and they had nothing else to do (like an Army that returns victorious, and is not presently disbanded) they began to spoil, and quarrel amongst themselves. Hence that Religion, which at full appeared so innocent, and peaceable, Rh