ISBN: 9781130504637

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 … More...

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: ...into play, it may fairly be believed that the Council was true to its theory, and that the doctrine set forth in the Nicene Creed represents the general belief of Christendom at the time, grounded upon immemorial tradition. And now, the unity of the faith thus ascertained, Constantine undertook to enforce its reception upon all consciences. The Church believed that unity of faith was essential; and Constantine was ready to support its views by authority. His judicial sentence against recusants was carried out by civil censures and deprivations, and by banishments. The principle of persecution for matters of opinion not only of practice, the principle of enforcing moral belief not merely social discipline, was now avowed and established. Christianity now assumed the weapons of Paganism, and turned them against the weaker brethren in her own communion. While purging herself of all taint of Pagan superstition, she actually adopted the worst principle of Pagan usage. The persecution indeed, in this case, was comparatively mild--so mild that the chief maintainers of the proscribed opinions were able to carry on the war of words, and gradually to recover their position. But it was not the less persecution because it was uncertain and vacillating, and signally failed of its object. The remaining years of Constantine''s life were embittered by a renewal of the controversy, in which he was pledged to take an active and authoritative part as the acknowledged champion of the Church. But before the end of his career his own views were subjected to the influence of the heretics. He who had professed himself a humble disciple of the orthodox teachers, and had lent his hand to enforce their decisions, became at last the patron of the archheretic Arius,... Allan Freer, Books, History, The North British review Volume 52-53 Books>History <