Chapter XXVIII

THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

1. Judea became a Roman province some years before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the Jews, who had hitherto been conspicuous for their attachment to their native land, were induced, by the spirit of trade, to spread themselves over the empire. 2. The exclusive nature of their religion kept them in a marked state of separation from their fellow subjects; the worshipper of Osi'ris scrupled not to offer sacrifices to Jupiter; the Persian, the Indian, and the German, bowed before the Roman altars; but the sons of Abraham refused to give the glory of their God to graven images, and were regarded by their idolatrous neighbours at first with surprise, and afterwards with contempt. 3. The appearance of the Messiah in Palestine, and the miraculous circumstances of his life, death, and resurrection, did not fill the world with their fame, because his preaching was principally addressed to his countrymen, the first object of his mission being "the lost sheep of the house of Israel."[Pg. 392]

4. The disciples, after their Divine Master was taken from them, proceeded to fulfil his last commandments, by preaching the gospel "to every nation," and an opportunity of spreading its blessings was afforded by Jewish synagogues having been previously established in most of the great cities through the empire. Independent of the sustaining providence of its Almighty Author, there were many circumstances that facilitated the progress and prepared the way for the final triumph of Christianity. 5. In the first place, Paganism had lost its influence; men secretly laughed at the fabulous legends about Jupiter and Rom'ulus, the sacrifices had become idle forms, and the processions a useless mockery. Philosophers had not scrupled to cover with ridicule the whole system of Heathenism, and there were not a few who professed themselves Atheists. 6. Without some system of religion society cannot exist; for a sanction stronger than human laws is necessary to restrain the violence of passion and ardent desires. The innate feeling that our existence is not dependent on our mortal frame, disposes men to search for some information respecting a future state; the heathen system was at once obscure and absurd; the philosophers avowedly spoke from conjecture; but by the Gospel, "life and immortality were brought to light." 7. The influence of a purer faith was discernible in the lives and actions of the first Christians; they lived in an age of unparalleled iniquity and debauchery, yet they kept themselves "unspotted from the world;" those who were once conspicuous for violence, licentiousness, and crime, became, when they joined the new sect, humble, temperate, chaste, and virtuous; the persons who witnessed such instances of reformation were naturally anxious to learn something of the means by which so great a change had been effected. 8. A fourth cause was, that Christianity offered the blessings of salvation to men of every class; it was its most marked feature, that "to the poor the gospel was preached," and the wretch who dared not come into the pagan temple, because he had no rich offering to lay upon the altar, was ready to obey the call of him who offered pardon and love "without money and without price."

9. In the course of the first century of the Christian era churches were established in the principal cities of the empire, but more especially in Asia Minor; and the progress of Christianity, which had been at first disregarded, began to attract the notice of the ruling powers. Too indolent[Pg. 393] to investigate the claims of Christianity, and by no means pleased with a system which condemned their vices, the Roman rulers viewed the rapid progress of the new religion with undisguised alarm. The union of the sacerdotal and magisterial character in the Roman policy, added personal interest to the motives that urged them to crush this rising sect; and the relentless Ne'ro at length kindled the torch of persecution. 10. But "the blood of the martyrs proved the seed of the Church;" the constancy with which they supported the most inhuman tortures, their devotion and firm reliance on their God in the moments of mortal agony, increased the number of converts to a religion which could work such a moral miracle. Persecution also united the Christians more closely together, and when the reign of terror ended with the death of Nero, it was found that Christianity had derived additional strength from the means taken to insure its destruction.

11. The successive persecutions inflicted by the policy or the bigotry of the following emperors had precisely the same results; and at length the Christians had acquired such strength, that their aid, as a body, became a matter of importance in contests for the empire.

12. The mild administration of Constantino, while he was only prefect of Gaul, the protection which he afforded to the Christians, and the favour that he showed to their religion, induced them to aid him with all their might in his struggle for the throne. Brought thus into contact with the professors of the new doctrine, Constantine was induced to examine the foundations of its high claims—perfect conviction was the result, and on his accession to the imperial purple, the Christian church was legally established. 13. During the reign of the apostate Julian, Christianity was discouraged, but not persecuted; his premature death, however, removed the last impediment to its final triumph, which was consummated in the reign of the great Theodo'sius. 14. Under that emperor the last vestiges of the pagan worship were destroyed, its idols overthrown, its altars demolished, and its temples closed. The world had become ripe for such a revolution, as the temples had been long before almost universally abandoned.

15. Since that period Christianity has prevailed in Europe, and formed the great bond of the social happiness and the great source of the intellectual eminence enjoyed in that quarter of the globe. Let us hope that the exertions now[Pg. 394] made to diffuse its blessings over the benighted portions of the earth will prove successful, and that "peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety" will prevail from pole to pole.

Questions for Examination.

1. What was the state of the Jews at the coming of Christ?

2. How were the Jews preserved separate from other nations?

3. What probable cause may be assigned for the neglect of the Christian miracles?

4. How did the dispersion of the Jews afford an opportunity for the propagation of Christianity?

5. What was the state of paganism when Christianity was first preached?

6. What great mystery is brought to light by the gospel?

7. How did the lives of the first Christians contribute to the rapid progress of Christianity?

8. To what class of people was the gospel more particularly addressed?

9. What induced the rulers of the Roman empire to persecute Christianity?

10. Was Christianity crushed by persecution?

11. What proves the great strength early acquired by Christians?

12. By whom was Christianity legally established?

13. Under whose government did it receive a slight check?

14. When were the last vestiges of paganism abolished?

15. What have been the political effects of the establishment of Christianity?[Pg. 395]

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

B.C. PAGE

1230(Supposed) Pelasgic migration to Italy, 14

1184(Supposed) Arrival of Æneas in Latium, 19, 63

753(Supposed) foundation of the city of Rome, 23, 65

750Union of the Romans and Sabines, 69

716Death of Romulus, 70

714Virtuous Administration of Numa, 71

671Accession of Tullus Hostilius, 73

665Duel between the Horatii and Curiatii—Destruction of Alba, ib.

639Accession of Ancus Martius, 75

616{—— —— Tarquinius Priscus,77

The Augurs acquire importance in the state,78

578{Death of Tarquinius Priscus,79

Accession of Servius Tullius,80

The establishment of the Centuries,32, 80

534{Murder of Servius Tullius,82

Accession of Tarquinius Superbus,83

Gabii taken by stratagem,84

509{Expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus, 87

Establishment of Consuls, 88

508{Conspiracy for the restoration of the Tarquinii,ib.

Death of Brutus, 89

507War with Porsenna, 90

498Lartius the first Dictator created, 92

493{The Roman populace retire "to Mons Sacer, 94

Tribunes of the people appointed, 36, 95

487{Exile of Coriolanus, 97

Rome besieged by Coriolanus, 98

His retreat and death, 100

484 Condemnation and death of Cassius,ib.

459 First Dictatorship of Cincinnatus, 101

457 Second ditto, 102

454 The Romans send to Athens for Solon's laws, 35, 106

451 The laws of the Twelve Tables—The Decemviri, 107

449 The expulsion of the Decemviri, 114

443 Military Tribunes chosen instead of Consuls, 116

442 The Censorship instituted,ib.

439 Mælius murdered by Ahala, 118

406 The siege of Veii begun, 119

396 Veii taken by Camillus, 120

391 The Gauls invade Italy, 122

390{The battle of Allia. Rome sacked by the Gauls, 124

The Gauls defeated by Camillus, 127

383 Manlius put to death on a charge of treason, 129

361 Curtius devotes himself in the Forum, 129

342 Beginning of the Samnite war, 131

339{Manlius puts his son to death for disobedience, 133

Decius devotes himself for his country, 134

320 A Roman army forced to surrender to the Samnites in the Caudine Forks, 136

280 Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, invades Italy, 137

272 —— finally defeated by Curius Dentatus, 142

270 Tarentum surrendered to the Romans, 143

264 Commencement of the first Punic war, 144

260 The Carthaginian fleet defeated by Duilius, 145

256 Regulus defeated by Xantippus, 147

252 Regulus sent to negociate peace. His death, 149

241 End of the first Punic war, 150

234{The temple of Janus shut, and Rome at peace, for the first time since the death of Numa, 151

Literature cultivated at Rome, 152

229 War with the Illyrians,ib.

225{The Gauls invade Italy a second time,ib.

—— are defeated by Marcellus, who gains the spolia opima, 153

218{The second Punic war begins,ib.

Hannibal invades Italy, 154

Battle of the Ticenus, 155

—— of the Trebia,ib.

217 —— of the lake Thrasymene, 156

216 —— of Cannæ, 158

214 The Romans begin an auxiliary war against Philip of Macedon, 164

212 Syracuse taken by Marcellus, 161

207 Asdrubal defeated and slain,ib.

202 Battle of Zama and end of the second Punic war, 162

197 Philip conquered by the Romans, 165

192 The Romans wage war against Antiochus,ib.

189 Death of Hannibal, 166

171 Commencement of the second Macedonian war,ib.

168 Macedon became a Roman province, 167

149 The third Punic war begins,ib.

147 Carthage destroyed by Scipio, and Corinth by Munimius, 169

132 Sedition of Tiberius Gracchus, 170

126 Revolt of the slaves in Sicily, 172

122 Seditions of Caius Gracchus,ib.

121 Murder of Caius Gracchus. Persecution of the popular party, 175

111 The Jugurthine war begins, and lasts five years, 178

91 The social war begins, and lasts three years, 181

89 The Mithridatic war begins, and lasts twenty-six years,ib.

88 The civil war between Marius and Sylla,ib.

86{Cruelties of Marius, 184

Death of Marius, 185

82 Sylla created dictator, 186

78 Death of Sylla, 187

73 The insurrection of the slaves under Spartacus note,ib.

66 Mithridates conquered by Pompey, 189

63 Catiline's conspiracy detected, 190

60 The first Triumvirate. Cæsar, Pompey, and Crassus, 193

55 Cæsar invades Britain, 194

53 Crassus slain in Parthia, 196

50 Civil war between Cæsar and Pompey, 197

48{The battle of Pharsalia, 208

Death of Pompey, 216

47 Alexandria taken by Cæsar, 221

46{The war in Africa, 224

Death of Cato, 225

45{The war in Spain, 226

The battle of Munda,226

44 Cæsar murdered in the senate house, 230

43{Formation of the second Triumvirate—Antony, Octavius (Augustus) and Lepidus, 233

The Proscription. The murder of Cicero, 234

42 The battle of Philippi, 239

32 Octavius (Augustus) and Antony prepare for war,249

31 The battle of Actium, 251

30{The death of Antony, 257

Alexandria surrendered, 258

Death of Cleopatra, 261

27 The title of Augustus given to Octavius, 265

A.D.

4 Birth of JESUS CHRIST (four years before the vulgar era), 271

14 Death of Augustus, 270

19 Death of Germanicus by poison, 274

26 The retreat of Tiberius to Capreæ, 276

31 Disgrace and downfall of Sejanus, 277

33 The Crucifixion, 279

37 The Accession of Caligula,ib.

41 Caligula murdered by Cherea, 284

43 Claudius invades Britain, 287

51 Caractacus carried captive to Rome, 288

54 Nero succeeds Claudius, 290

59 Nero murders his mother, 291

64 First general persecution of the Christians, 292

65 Seneca, Lucan, and others, executed for conspiracy, 294

68 Suicide of Nero. Accession of Galba, 297

69{Death of Galba, 299

Defeat and death of Otho, 300

Defeat and death of Vitellius. Accession of Vespasian, 304

70 Siege and capture of Jerusalem, 305

79{Death of Vespasian. Accession of Titus, 308

Eruption of Vesuvius: destruction of Herculaneum, 309

81 Death of Titus. Accession of Domitian, 310

88 The Dacian war, 312

96{Assassination of Domitian, 315

Accession of Nerva, 317

98 Death of Nerva. Accession of Trajan, 318

107 Third general persecution of the Christians, 321

117 Death of Trajan. Accession of Adrian, 322

121 A wall to restrain the incursions of the Picts and Scots erected in Britain by Adrian, 323

131 Great rebellion of the Jews, 324

136 Death of Adrian. Accession of Antoninus Pius, 326, 327

161 Accession of Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus, 323

162 The Parthian war,ib.

169 The war with the Marcomanni, 331

180{Death of Marcus Aurelius, 332

Accession of Commodus, 333

192{Commodus murdered by Marcia and Lætus, 334

Assassination of Pertinax, 335

200{Roman empire offered for sale,ib.

Severus subdues the Parthians, 338

211 Death of Severus at York. Accession of Caracalla and Geta, 339

217 Assassination of Caracalla, 340

218 Accession of Heliogabalus, 341

222{His miserable death,ib.

Accession of Alexander Severus, 342

235 Death of Alexander. Maximin elected emperor, 343

236 Assassination of Maximin, 344

238Accession of Gordian, 345

244His murder by Philip,ib.

248 Philip killed by his soldiers: succeeded by Decius, 346

251 Decius slain in an ambuscade: succeeded by Gallus,ib

254 Death of Gallus: a disputed succession, 347

270 Accession of Aurelian, 348

275 Brief reign of Tacitus, 349

282 Assassination of the emperor Probus,ib.

284 Accession of Dioclesian, 351

304 The reign of Constantius and Galerius, 352

312 Victory of Constantino over Maxentius, 353

319 Favour showed to the Christians, 354

324 Defeat of Licinius, 355

325 Legal establishment of Christianity, 355, 393

328 The seat of government removed from Rome to Byzantium, which city from thenceforward takes the name of Constantinople, from the emperor Constantine, 356

337{Death of Constantine, and division of the empire among his sons, 357

(Destruction of the Flavian Family, 359

338 War between Constantius and Sapor, 360

340 Constantine the younger defeated and slain by his brother Constans, 361

350 Constans killed by Magnentius,ib.

351 Magnentius totally defeated at the fatal battle of Mursa, 362

354 Gallas put to death by Constantius, 363

360 The civil war between Constantius and Julian prevented by the death of the former, 364

362 Julian's attempt to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem defeated, 365

363 Death of Julian in the Persian war. Brief reign of Jovian, 366

364 The empire divided between Valenlinian and Valens, 367

376{The Goths permitted to settle in Thrace, 369, 386

First appearance of the Huns in Europe, 369

378 The emperor Valens defeated by the Goths at Adrianople,ib.

379 Theodosius becomes emperor of the East, 370

388 The usurper Maximus defeated and slain, 371

392 Reunion of the Eastern and Western empires, under Theodosius, 372

395 Death of Theodosius, and final separation of the Eastern and Western empires,ib.

398 Revolt of Gildo in Africa, 374

405 Stilicho obtains two victories over the Goths, 375

406 The Vandals and Alans settle in Gaul, 376, 386

408 Alaric, king of the Goths, besieges Rome, 378

410 Rome taken and plundered by the Goths, 379

412 Beginning of the Vandal kingdom in Spain, 386

415 Commencement of the kingdom of the Visigoths, 379, 386

423 Death of Honorius. Accession of Valentinian, 379

430 The Vandals invited to Africa by count Boniface, 370, 385

447 The Huns under the guidance of Attila, ravage Europe, 380

449 The Britons, deserted by the Romans, invite the Sarons and Angles to their assistance, 389

455 Rome taken and plundered by Genseric, the king of the African Vandals, 381

476 Augustulus, the last emperor of the West deposed, Odoacer takes the title of king of Italy, 383

453 Subversion of the Eastern empire, 384, 390

THE END

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