Publisher's Synopsis
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 Excerpt: ...of that see, which shows the interest already begun to be taken in all matters relating to the History of the Church. CHAPTER XI. Accession of M. Aurelius.---Persecution.--Death of Justin Martyr.--Tatian tho Assyrian.--Sect of the Encratites.--Church of Athens.--Apology of Athenagoras.--Charity of the Christians.--Martyrdom of Papias.--Belief in a Millennium.--Martyrdom of Polycarp.--Learning of the Christians.--Montanism.--Miraculous Shower of Rain.--Persecution at Lyons.--Irenaeus.--Death of M. Aurelius. The second of the Antonines, who is better known by his other name of Marcus Aurelius, began his reign in 161. Uniting the character of a Stoic philosopher to that of a statesman and a soldier, he was more likely to notice Christianity, and perhaps we should add, that he waa more likely to view it with contempt, if not with stronger feelings. It is undoubtedly true that the condition of the Christians became much worse in all parts of the empire during the present reign than it had been before; and it is difficult to acquit the emperor of being in some measure the cause of it. It has been stated that a letter was written, either by his predecessor or himself, to the cities of Asia Minor, which was decidedly favourable to the Christians; and if it is to be ascribed to M. Aurelius, it was probably written at the very beginning of his reign, before he had imbibed any feelings of prejudice against them. The cities of Asia Minor had applied to the emperor for leave to punish the Christians; and one of their pleas was the alarming succession of earthquakes, by which the gods were showing their dislike to the new religion. It was argued that the extinction of Christianity would appease the wrath of heaven; but the emperor saw through the cruelty and injustice of...