Primitive Christianity; or, The religion of the ancient Christians in the first ages of the Gospel to which is added an historical account of ... first Christian emperors, etc. etc Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 edition. ...be inflicted, and execution presently done upon him." Received, Marcellinus and Probinus being that is, ann. 341. This was followed by another, concerning the temples at Rome, that, although all idolatrous superstition should be rooted up, yet it was his majesty's pleasure, that the temples that stood in the fields and highways (for of those within the walls there seems to have been no question, they being spared as highly conducing to the splendour and ornament of the city,) should not be pulled down or defaced, many of the solemn sports and games, wherewith the people were wont to be entertained, depending upon, and having taken their rise and original from these temples.1 So the structures were left standing either for delight or ornament, only the abuse and idolatry of them was quite removed. Encouraged with these laws, Julius Firmicus Maternus wrote about this time his book De Errore profanarum Religionum, which he dedicated to the two brother-emperors; wherein after he had run down and exposed the notorious follies and absurdities of paganism, he addresses to those emperors, that they would go on to make a perfect reformation, and by very severe laws cut off what did yet remain, that the Roman world might be no longer infected with such pernicious errors and impieties, and wickedness gain ground by custom and connivance.4 Constantius being about this time informed, that many Gentile masters, to put the greater affront and dishonour upon the Christian profession, used to sell their female slaves that were Christians to be prostituted, restrained it, ordering that none but Christians should have leave to buy them, and that they might pay their ransom, and set them free.3 1 Lib. iii. c. 17, p. 529. 2 Movw. tif Kwvravriv. Gr. L....