vi

CONTENTS.

CHAP.

PAGE

VIII. The Door of Faith opened to the Gentiles-Claudius,

Emperor-Reign of Herod Agrippa-Weakness of

Claudius-Conquest of Britain-Murder of Claudius 45

IX. Reign of Nero-His Character and Conduct-Death of

Seneca-Burning of Rome-Persecution of the Chris-

tians-Close of Nero's Reign...

X. History of the Church during the Reign of Nero-Pro-

gress of the Gospel-The Law not binding on the

Gentiles-Epistle of James-Epistle to the Hebrews

-Churches in the Heathen Cities-The Close of

Paul's Labours-Martyrdom of Paul and Peter.......

XI. History of the Jews during the Reign of Nero-Govern-

ment of Felix-Porcius Festus-Martyrdom of James

-Government of Albinus-Florus-State of Jeru-

salem and of Judea-Overthrow of Cestius-Escape

of the Christians from Jerusalem.....

XII. Vespasian-Josephus-The Romans in Galilee-Jotapata

-Tarichea-Gamala-John of Gischala-Progress of

the Romans in Judea till the Death of Nero.......

XIII. Galba, Emperor-Otho, Emperor-Vitellius, Emperor-

Vespasian, Emperor-Vespasian's Character-State of

Rome...

XIV. Presages of Evil in Jerusalem-State of Jerusalem-John,

Eleazar, and Simon-Commencement of the Siege-

Fortifications of Jerusalem......

XV. Siege of Jerusalem-The Horrors of Famine-The Curses

threatened by the Law-Sufferings of the Jews-

Siege of the Temple-Its Destruction by Fire........

XVI. Taking of Jerusalem-Treatment of the Jews-Behaviour

of Titus-Works of Josephus...

XVII. Reign of Vespasian-Titus, Emperor-Eruption of Mount

Vesuvius-Agricola-Death of Titus.....

XVIII. The Present Dispensation-Contrast between the Jewish

and Christian Dispensations-The Books of the New

Testament-Outlines of the Epistle to the Thessa-

lonians, to the Corinthians, to the Romans, and to the

Ephesians-Last Epistles of Peter, Paul, and Jude....

101

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CHAP.

PAGE

XIX. Domitian, Emperor-His Character-His Cruelty-Per-

secutions of the Christians-Murder of Domitian-

Nerva, Emperor-His Character-Death of Nerva.... 108

XX. First Epistle of John-Heresies of the First Century-

Church Government-Second and Third Epistles of

John-The Book of Revelation-Failure of the Church

at large-Meanings of the word Church-Last Days

of the Apostle John.......

XXI. Trajan, Emperor-His Character-Conquest of Dacia-

Correspondence between Trajan and Pliny-Trajan's

Eastern Expedition-Intercourse with Ignatius-The

Jews in Egypt and Cyprus........

112

118

XXII. State of the Church-Epistles of Ignatius-Martyrdom

of Ignatius-Death of Trajan......................

123

XXIII. Adrian, Emperor-Adrian's Character and Travels-His

Treatment of the Christians and of the Jews-Bar-

chochab-Second Jewish War-Elia Capitolina-

Illness and Death of Adrian...

XXIV. Position of the Church on Earth-Exaltation of the

Clergy-Observance of Days-Leaven of Philosophy

-Justin Martyr...

XXV. Antoninus Pius, Emperor-Character of his Reign-Pro-

tection of the Christians-Marcus Antoninus, Em-

peror-Public Calamities-The Parthian War-The

Plague- Persecution of the Christians-Conduct and

Death of Verus-Literature and Learned Men-State

of the Jews-Death of Marcus-His Character and

Writings

XXVI. Causes of Error-Jewish Priesthood and Christian Minis-

try-Worship-Liturgies -Accommodations to Pa-

ganism-Public Services-The Meaning, Subjects, and

Form of Baptism

Error

Infant Baptism — Influx of

-

XXVII. Commodus, Emperor-His Character and Amusements

-Death of Commodus-Pertinax, Emperor-Murder

of Pertinax-Sale of the Empire-History of Septi-

mus Severus

127

134

139

147

156

XXVIII. Rome-The Capitol-The Amphitheatre of Titus-Tem-

PAGE

Romans- Meals - Marriages - Funerals - Mode of

Administering Justice-The Public Ways

XXIX. Caracalla and Geta-Murder of Geta-Cruelty of Cara-

calla-Murder of Caracalla-Macrinus and his Son-

Heliogabalus-His Follies and violent Death-Pro-

tection of the Christians

XXX. The Church in the World-Heresy of Montanus-The

Eclectics-Origen-Remarks on Fasting-New Mode

of interpreting Scripture.....

XXXI. Alexander Severus, Emperor - An Example of Devout

Paganism-Protection of the Jews and Christians-

End of Alexander and his Mother-Second Persian

Empire-The Manichean Heresy-Temporary Pros-

perity of the Jews

XXXII. Maximin, Emperor-The Gordians-Pupienus, Balbinus,

-

and Gordian Philip, the Arabian State of the

Church-Death of Philip-Causes of the Decline

of the Roman Empire

XXXIII. The Nations beyond the Roman World-Independent

Germany-The Goths-Gallus, Emperor-The Decian

Persecution-The Martyrs-Cyprian-Falling away

from the Truth-First Separation of Christians-The

Church at Rome-First Christian Hermit-Penance

-Confession

162

168

172

177

183

187

XXXIV. Valerian, Emperor-Labours of Cyprian-Renewed Per-

secution-Captivity of Valerian-Character of Gal-

lienus-The New Platonists-Ravages of the Franks

and Allemanni-Usurpers of the Provinces-General

Calamities-Story of Odenathus and Zenobia........ 199

XXXV. Claudius, Emperor-War with the Goths-Aurelian,

Emperor Victory over Zenobia-Aurelian's Triumph

-Death of Aurelian-No Emperor for Eight Months 208

XXXVI. Roman Roads-Progress of Civilization-Commerce-

Cities of Asia Minor-Roman Slaves-Remarks on

Slavery Moral and Intellectual Decay - Ancient

CHAP.

CONTENTS.

ix

PAGE

Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Britain-Moral State

of the Romans

XXXVII. Tacitus, Emperor-Probus, Emperor-His labours in

War and Peace-Carus, Emperor-War with Persia

-History of Numerian--Diocletian, Emperor-New

System of Government-Two Emperors and two

Cæsars

XXXVIII. The Difficulties of a Christian under a Heathen Govern-

ment-The Power of the Expectation of the Lord's

Coming-The Loss of the Hope of the Church-The

increasing Worldliness of Professing Christians

General Councils-Metropolitans

XXXIX. Recovery of Britain-The Persian War-Recommence-

ment of Persecution-Edicts against the Christians

-The Triumph of Diocletian-His Resignation of

the Empire

XL. The Emperors and Cæsars-Constantine succeeds to his

Father's Dominions-Maxentius and his Father-

Civil Wars-Persecution of the Christians-Terrible

Death of Galerius...

XLI. Constantine and Licinius-Maximin's Attempts against

Christianity-Story of Constantine's Vision-Real

Power of the Cross-Constantine's Victory -The

Victory of Licinius-Renewal of Civil War-Death

of Licinius

XLII. The Church of Christ-Remarks on the Apostasy-The

Fathers-Books of the New Testament-State of the

Church in the Reign of Constantine-The Edicts of

Constantine-The Donatists-Arius - The Nicene

Council - Helena-Progress of Superstition-Spread

of the Gospel-Dominion of Rabbinism..

XLIII. Seat of Government removed to Byzantium-Churches

—The New City, called Constantinople-Cruelty of

Constantine-Goths and Sarmatians-Death of Arius

-Political and Ecclesiastical Arrangements-Con-

stantine's Appointment of his Successors-Character

of his Religion and Laws.....

213

220

227

234

239

243

250

258

XLIV. Twofold Effect of the Establishment of Christianity—The

Wisdom of Constantine as a Sovereign-Zeal without

Knowledge-Nature of the Present Dispensation—

Extent of a Believer's Power in advancing the Spi-

ritual good of others-Means of Conversion-Igno-

rance of the Pagans-Mystics and Monks-Guilt of

the Church-God over all, blessed for ever

Conclusion

Appendix

Index

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267

273

275

276