Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ... HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH. PART I. CHAPTER I. The beginning and the first age of the Church. The great fact of the Incarnation with all its consequences was present from the begin- The Word ning in the counsels of God. The anaayaiwaaysVe Eternal Son never entirely forsook the DEGREESTMTMEU7B'fc humanity which He had originally created *-'_ in His own image, and of which He was in the fulness of time to partake. The light shined in the darkness, though the darkness oftentimes comprehended it not. Whatever in the religious notions of even the Gentile world we find true and good, should be ascribed to the influence of the uncreated Word. The humanising refinement of the Greek, the household virtues of the Eoman with his innate love of order and law, the Oriental's yearning for inward communion with Deity, the Hebrew's consciousness of personal responsibility and of the importance of prayer, --all these efforts of the human soul in search of truth and holiness proceeded from the Word, and all contributed to lead men to God. Thus the Christ belonged to others besides those who were called his people, and was found by many who never heard the sound of the name of Jesus of Nazareth.1 The Christian apologists of the second century, anxious to conciliate the Pagans and to soften the wrench, which the mind naturally feels in giving up what it has always regarded as truth, laid much stress upon this common inheritance in Him, "whose delights were with the sons of men." Justin Martyr, addressing himself to philosophers, recognises the operation of the Word throughout the whole circle of humanity, on the loftier spirits of ancient Greece and Eome, as well as of Israel and Judah. "Whatever things were rightly said among all men, are the property of us...
