142 Eusebius of Cæsarea. Cent. 4. system of that great philosophical believer. And it is equally clear, that he faultered exceedingly on the doctrine of Christ's true and absolute divinity. He man aged matters very cautiously in the debate between the Athanasians and Arians, so much so, that it had the appearance of either a want of decision, or of actual duplicity. Upon the whole, he appears to have been a man exactly suited to the times. Constantine, though a much better man than his predecessors, was yet but man of the world: and from all that we can gather, Eusebius did not possess enough of the genuine spirit of Christianity to correct those deteriorations which the sunshine of princely favour was likely to produce. Indeed prelatical pride had been rising very high for a century before this. The pastors had forgotten their Master's instruction-" Be ye not called rabbi, for ye are brethren." LORD-BISHOPS and ARCH-BISHOPS, and all the spirit of such distinctions, had been long enough upon the advance to congratulate such an emperor as Constantine. The materials for an hierarchy having been prepared, it was no difficult thing for a set of worldly. minded bishops, countenanced by a prince, to put them together. Under all these circumstances, real religion was not likely to be bettered by such a reverse in external affairs, and so the event proved. The ancient con→ test, which was for the faith once delivered to the saints, declined apace, and a strife for worldly honour, fleshly gratification, and spiritual dominion, substituted in its stead. But to do the character of Eusebius justice, we must acknowledge ourselves highly indebted to him for his many faithful, and truly valuable records. His industry in collecting and preserving such a memorial of above three hundred years must have been great. And making some abatement for his credulity and supersti Chap. 4. Contentions, 143' tion, he stands unrivalled, and well deserves the appellation of the FATHER OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CHAPTER IV. Divisions and Contentions-Donatus-Meletius-Arius THE great God has given his church rest from her enemies round about. What ought to be the grand resalt? Gratitude, reason, by-standers-all conspire in directing to a course of zeal, and holy diligence in propagating the truths, and the spirit of the gospel. But alas! the church proved its condition to be both fallible in judgment, and defective in character. Enemies without are silenced, but enemies within are clamorous. The church's enemies now are chiefly those of her own house. During the past ages, we have beheld the church making its own way, through seas and fires, and cloud's and storms. The intrinsic, and native excellence of Christianity was quite sufficient to render it superior to all opposition. Even those evils within, such as schisms and heresies, though potent enemies, were to be vanquished by the all-conquering arms of truth. Hereafter we have to view the church established, and extended by the civil power. Her enemies, whether within or without, are to be amenable to the bar of human authority. Her triumphs therefore we shall see to consist, not so much in the force of truth, as in the achievements of military prowess, and in the intrigues of Courtly polities. Under these eircumstances, we shall 144 State of Religion. Cent. 4. find it necessary to institute a distinction, which must be often made, between what is called the church, and the real church of Christ. Genuine Christianity can derive no real advantage from the sanctions of worldly laws. Princes, as legislators, have nothing to do with the subjects of KING JESUS, but to protect them in all their rights as good citizens, leaving their religion to God and their own consciences. The church, under the sanction of a civil legislation, must be either the creature, or the co-partner of a court; this being the case, points of doctrine, and terms of communion will be determined by the magistrate. At such a bar it will be difficult to say what will be condemned for heresy and schism, and what will be pronounced orthodox and catholic. Christianity thrives best left to its native force; it must prosper in proportion as its ministers and professors are pure in heart, and active in labour: but enwrap it in steel and furnish it with weapons, you only encumber its powers, and impede its exertions. When I see religion thus accoutred, I think of the Shepherd of Bethlehem in Saul's armour. The sling and the stone, in the name of the Lord of hosts, will do wonders. The way in which the church in future proceeds in the treatment of its internal disorders, we shall find greatly different from that which has already passed in review. The first example we have is in the case of the DONATISTS. About the year 811, the see of Carthage became vacant by the death of Mensurius. The church proceeded to the election of Cæcilian the deacon, and called the neighbouring bishops to sanction their choice in ordaining him to the office. The event of this ordination gave considerable offence to Botrus and Celesius, both Chap. 4. Donatus. 145 presbyters of the same church, and who aspired to the prelacy. Being themselves disappointed, they devised measures whereby to render the new bishop uneasy in his office. It seems there was a lady of immense wealth in the church, but of doubtful character, who had been reproved by Cæcilian for her improper conduct, at which she was highly incensed, and sought occasion for revenge. Of this circumstance, the presbyters were aware, and accordingly associated this woman in their interest. Her wealth was employed in bringing together a vast body of the Numidian bishops, who were also a little mortified at not being called to the ordination of Cæcilian. Among these Numidians, was one Donatus of Casnigræ, a man said to be of an unhappy schismatical temper, and who on this occasion distinguished himself by taking the lead in this opposition to the newly elected bishop. This council of prelates proeceded to give sentence against Cæcilian's ordination. They urged as a reason, that neither he, nor the principal bishop who had officiated at his conseeration, had, during the late persecution, preserved the true dignity of the Christian character. Whether this were so or not, would be difficult to ascertain ; but Cæcilian was set aside, and Majorinus ordained in his stead. This act split the church of Carthage into two parties, each of which was determined to abide by its own bishop. At length the dispute was laid before the emperor Constantine, who, after having examined and re-examined the ease, gave his opinion against the Donatists, and sent some of the most factious of them into exile. But after a while Constantine recalled them, and granted toleration to the sect. This schism appears to have been occasioned wholly by the difference of opinion on the subject of Cæcilian's exaltation to the N 146 Meletius. Cent. episcopal office. The Donatists held no heretiçal sentiments, nor pleaded for any defection of manners; but inasmuch as they dwindled away, it should seem that their separation from the general church was a measure not the most justifiable. The Dioclesian persecution, while it lasted, was a time of severe trial, and the consequence was, that many in the time of temptation turned aside. Among these cowards was MELETIUS, an Egyptian bishop, who for his perfidy was deposed by Peter, bishop of Alexandria; but not submitting to the authority of Peter, he became a separatist, and uniting some of his own stamp with him, set up a distinct interest. The sect of the Meletians alone would make but a very inconsiderable figure in history, were it not for its connexion with the Arian heresy, which began about this time to struggle for dominion. By the Arian heresy, we are not to understand a corruption of Christianity which crept in at this period, for the error was in existence even before the elose of scripture canon; but about this time it began to assume an importance not attained before, being espoused and propagated by Arius, a presbyter of the ehurch of Alexandria. The first appearance of Arius in the official circles of the Church, was in the order of a deacon, at Alexandria. At first he was a promising character; by fair professions he gained upon Achillas his bishop, at whose hands he received ordination to the office of presbyter." Understanding and capacity will command respect, and these were undoubtedly possessed by Arius in a great degree. He was by nature formed to deceive in his behaviour and manner of life he was nevere and grave; in his person tall and venerable ; and in his dress almost monastic. He was agreeable and |