Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/155

62 could not possibly have been written in the fourth century. Be it as it may, the fact remains that by the Edict of Milan Constantine raised Christianity to equality with the public pagan cults; the final act was the seizure of the power of the state and the baming of other competing cults.

Constantine insisted upon unity within the Church and hence was drawn into the problems of sectarian strife. In this sphere he undertook to uphold the opinion of the majority of bishops and exercised the right to summon and preside over councils and to validate and enforce their decisions. This exercise of imperial authority in religious matters was the initial step in the development of caesaro-papism.

Chelc̄icky̍ did not possess the phenomenal historic knowledge of Lorenzo Valla, and he never heard of the latter’s discoveries. He did not doubt the authenticity of the Donation A.D.313. Again, legend has it that Constantine granted the Edict of Toleration to the Christians after his miraculous victory at the Milvian Bridge.

Lewis Mumford,, New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1944, p.70.