Sect. 3. vers Abuses began to get footing amongst them. The converted Jews, who continu'd mighty fond of their Levitical Rites and Feafts, would willingly retain them, and be Chriftians too. Thus what at the beginning was but only tolerated in weaker Brethren, became afterwards a part of Chriftianity it felf, under the Pretence of Apoftolick Prefcription or Tradition. 79. But this was nothing compar'd to the Injury done to Religion by the Gentiles; who, as they were profely. ted in greater Numbers than the Jews, fo the Abuses they introduc'd were of more dangerous and univerfal Influence. They were not a little fcandaliz'd at the plain Drefs of the Gospel, with the wonderful Facility of the Doctrines it contain'd, having been accustomed all their Lives to the pompous Worfhip and fecret Myfteries of Deities without Number. The Chriftians on the other hand were careful to remove all Obftacles lying in the way of the Gentiles. They thought the moft effectual way of gaining them over to their fide was by compounding the Matter, which led them to unwar rantą rantable Compliances, till at length Ch. 6. they likewife fet up for Myfteries. Yet V not having the leaft Precedent for any Ceremonies from the Gospel, excepting -Baptifm and the Supper, they ftrangely difguis'd and transform'd these by adIding to them the Pagan Mystick Rites. They adminiftr'd them with the ftricteft Secrecy; and, to be inferiour to their Adverfaries in no Circumftance, they permitted none to affift at them, but fuch as were antecedently prepar'd or initiated. And to infpire their Catechumens with most ardent Defires of Participation, they gave out that what was fo induftriously hid were * tremendous and unutter able Myfteries. 80. Thus left Simplicity, the nobleft Ornament of the Truth, fhould expofe it to the Contempt of Unbelievers, Christianity was put upon an equal Level with the Mysteries of Ceres, or the -Orgies of Bacchus. Foolish and miftaken Care! as if the most impious Superftitions could be fanctifi'd by the Name of Chrift. But fuch is always the Fruit of prudential and condefcending Terms Sect. 3. Terms of Conversion in RELIGION, whereby the Number and not the Sincerity of Profeffors is mainly intended. 81. When once the Philofophers thought it their Intereft to turn Chriftians, Matters grew every Day worse and worfe; for they not only retain'd the Air, the Genius, and sometimes the Garb of their several Sects, but most of their erroneous Opinions too. And while they pretended to imploy their Philofophy in Defence of Chriftianity, they fo confounded them together,that what before was plain to every one, did now become intelligible only to the Learned, who made it ftill lefs evident by their litigious Difputes, and vain Subtilties. We muft not forget that the Philofophers were for making no meaner a Figure among the Chriftians than they did formerly among the Heathens; but this was what they could not poffibly effect, without rendring every thing abftrufe by Terms or otherwife, and fo making themselves fole Masters of the Interpretation. 82. These Abuses became almoft incurable, when the fupreme Magiftrate ftrate did openly countenance the Chri- Ch. 6. ftian Religion. Multitudes then pro fefs'd themfelves of the Emperor's Perfwafion, only to make their Court, and mend their Fortunes by it, or to preferve thofe Places and Preferments whereof they were already poffefs'd. Thefe continu'd Pagans in their Hearts; and it may be easily imagin'd that they carri'd all their old Prejudices along with them into a Religion which they purely embrac'd out of Politick Confiderations: And fo it constantly happens, when the Confcience is forc'd and not perfwaded, which was a while after the Cafe of thefe Heathens. A 83. The zealous Emperors erected ftately Churches, and converted the Heathen Temples, Sanctuaries, Fanes or Chappels, to the Ufe of Chriftians, after a previous Expiation, and placing the Sign of the Cross in them to affure their Poffeffion to Chrift. All their Endowments, with the Benefices of the Priests, Flamens, Augurs, and the whole facred Tribe, were appropriated to the Chriftian Clergy. Nay, their * Sect. 3. their very Habits, as white Linen Stoles, Mitres, and the like, were retain'd to bring thofe, as was pretended, to an imperceptible Change, who could not be reconciled to the Chriftian Simplicity and Poverty. But indeed the Design at bottom was to introduce the Riches, Pomp, and Dignities of the Clergy which immediately fucceeded. 84. Things being in this Condition, and the Rites of Baptifm and the Supper being very fenfibly augmented, it will not be amifs before I pass further to lay down a fhort Parallel of the antient Heathen and new-coin'd Chriftian Myfteries. And I fhall endeavour fo to do it, as to make it evident they Sil. Ital. lib. 3. v. 23. Alba decet Cererem veftis; Cerealibus albam cap. 18. Ἐπὶς δ' αυτέοισι πᾶσα λευκή, και πόλον ότι τα κε pax. Lucian. de Dex Syriæ Sacerdotibus. Linigeri fugiunt Calvi, fiftrataq; Turba. Martial 1. 12. Ep. 29. |
