arose in Armenia in the seventh century. They are so called from the Armenian word chazus, which signifies a cross, because they were charged with adoring the cross.

CHEATS are deceitful practices, in defrauding, or endeavouring to defraud, another of his known right, by means of some artful device contrary to honesty. See HONESTY, JUSTICE.

CHEERFULNESS, a disposition of mind free from dejection. Opposed to gloominess. If we consider cheerfulness, says Addison, in three lights, with regard to ourselves, to those we converse with, and to the Great Author of our being, it will not a little recommend itself on each of these accounts. The man who is possessed of this excellent frame of mind is not only easy in his thoughts, but a perfect master of all the powers and faculties of his soul; his imagination is always clear, and his judgment undisturbed; his temper is even and unruffled, whether in action or in solitude. He comes with a relish to all those goods which Nature has provided for him, tastes all the pleasures of the creation which are poured about him, and does not feel the full weight of those evils which may befall him. See HAPPINESS, Joy.

come to want, children should take care to furnish them with the necessaries of life, and, so far as their ability will permit, with the conveniences of it." Doddridge's Lectures, p. 241. vol. i. Paley's Mor. Phil. p. 372. vol. i.

CHOREPISCOPI (rns_xwę as ETISHONOL, bishops of the country.) In the ancient church, when the dioceses became enlarged by the conversions of pagans in the country, and villages at a great distance from the city church, the bishops appointed themselves certain assistants, whom they called Chorepiscopi, because by their office they were bishops of the country. There have been great disputes among the learned concerning this order, some thinking that they were mere presbyters; others that there were two sorts, some that had received episcopal ordination, and some that were presbyters only; others think that they were all bishops.

CHRISM, oil consecrated by the bishop, and used in the Romish and Greck churches in the administration of baptism, confirmation, ordination, and extreme unction.

CHRIST, the Lord and Saviour of mankind. He is called Christ, or Messiah, because he is anointed, sent, and furnished by God to execute his mediatorial office. See JESUS CHRIST.

CHRISTIAN, by Dr. Johnson, is defined, "a professor of the religion of Christ;" but in reality a Christian is more than a professor of Christianity. He is one who imbibes the spirit, participates the grace, and is obedient to the

will of Christ.

CHILDREN, duties of, to parents. Dr. Doddridge observes, "1. That as children have received important favours from their parents, gratitude, and therefore virtue, requires that they should love them.-2. Considering the superiority of age, and the probable superiority of wisdom, which there is on the side of parents, and also how much The disciples and followers of Christ the satisfaction and comfort of a parent were first denominated Christians at depend on the respect shown him by his Antioch, A. D. 42. The first Christians children, it is fit that children should distinguished themselves in the most reverence their parents.-3. It is fit that, remarkable manner, by their conduct while the parents are living, and the use and their virtues. The faithful, whom of their understanding continued, their the preaching of St. Peter had convertchildren should not ordinarily under- || ed, hearkened attentively to the exhortake any matter of great importance, tations of the apostles, who failed not without advising with them, or without carefully to instruct them as persons very cogent reasons pursue it contrary who were entering upon an entire new to their consent.-4. As young people life. They attended the temple daily, need some guidance and government in doing nothing different from the other their minority, and as there is some pe- Jews, because it was yet not time to seculiar reason to trust the prudence, care,parate from them. But they made a still and affection of a parent, preferable to greater regress in virtue; for they sold any other person, it is reasonable that all that they possessed, and distributed children, especially while in their mino- their goods to the wants of their brethrity, should obey their parents; without ren. The primitive Christians were not which neither the order of families, nor only remarkable for the consistency of the happiness of the rising generation their conduct, but were also very emicould be secured: nevertheless, still sup-nently distinguished by the many miraposing that the commands of the parent culous gifts and graces bestowed by are not inconsistent with the will of God upon them. God.-5. Virtue requires that, if parents

The Jews were the first and the most

inveterate enemies the Christians had. | whom, in regard to their quality, I have They put them to death as often as they set apart from the rest, in order to send had it in their power; and when they them to Rome. These persons declare revolted against the Romans, in the time that their whole crime, if they are guilof the emperor Adrian, Barchochebas, ty, consists in this: That on certain days who was at the head of that revelt, em- they assemble before sun-rise, to sing ployed against the Christians the most alternately the praises of Christ, as of rigorous punishments to compel them | God; and to oblige themselves, by the to blaspheme and renounce Jesus Christ. performance of their religious rites, not And we find that even in the third cen- to be guilty of theft or adultery, to obtury they endeavoured to get into their serve inviolably their word, and to be hands Christian women, in order to true to their trust. This disposition has scourge and stone them in their syna- obliged me to endeavour to inform mygogues. They cursed the Christians self still farther of this matter, by putthree times a day in their synagogues; ting to the torture two of their women and their rabbins would not suffer them servants, whom they called deaconesses; to converse with Christians upon any but I could learn nothing more from occasion; nor were they contented to them than that the superstition of these hate and detest them, but they dispatch-people is as ridiculous as their attached emissaries all over the world to de- ment to it is astonishing." fame the Christians and spread all sorts It is easy to discover the cause of the of calumnies against them. They ac- many persecutions to which the Chriscused them among other things, of wor- tians were exposed during the first three shipping the sun, and the head of an centuries. The purity of the Christian ass; they reproached them with idle- morality, directly opposite to the corness, and being a useless set of people. ruption of the pagans, was doubtless one They charged them with treason, and of the most powerful motives of the pubendeavouring to erect a new monarchy lic aversion. To this may be added the against that of the Romans. They af- many calumnies unjustly spread about firmed that in celebrating their myste- concerning them by their enemies, parries, they used to kill a child, and cat ticularly the Jews; and this occasioned his flesh. They accused them of the so strong a prejudice against them, that most shocking incests, and of intempe- the pagans condemned them without enrance in their feasts of charity. But the quiring into their doctrine, or permitting lives and behaviour of the first Chris- them to defend themselves. Besides, tians were sufficient to refute all that their worshipping Jesus Christ as God, was said against them, and evidently de- was contrary to one of the most ancient monstrated that these accusations were laws of the Roman empire, which exmere calumny, and the effect of invete-pressly forbade the acknowledging of rate malice. Pliny the Younger, whoany God which had not been approved was governor of Pontus and Bithynia of by the senate. But, notwithstanding between the years 103 and 105, gives a the violent opposition made to the cstavery particular account of the Chris-blishment of the Christian religion, it tians in that province, in a letter which gained ground daily and very soon made he wrote to the emperor Trajan, of surprising progress in the Roman emwhich the following is an extract: "Ipire. In the third century there were take the liberty, Sir, to give you an ac- Christians in the senate, in the camp, in count of every difficulty which arises to the palace; in short every where but in me: I had never been present at the the temple and the theatres; they filled examinations of the Christians; for the towns, the country, the islands. Men which reason I know not what questions and women of all ages and conditions, and have been put to them, nor in what even those of the first dignities, embramanner they have been punished. My ced the faith; insomuch that the pagans behaviour towards those who have been complained that the revenues of their accused to me has been this; I have temples were ruined. They were in such interrogated them, in order to know great numbers in the empire, that (as whether they were really Christians. Tertullian expresses it) were they to When they have confessed it, I have re- have retired into another country, they peated the same question two or three would have left the Romans only a frighttimes, threatening them with death if ful solitude. For persecutions of the they did not renounce this religion. Christians, see article PERSECUTION. Those who have persisted in their conChristians may be considered as nomifession have been by my order led tonal and real. There are vast numbers punishment. I have even met with some who are called Christians, not because Roman citizens guilty of this phrenzy, they possess any love for Christ, but

because they happen to be born in a Christian country, educated by Christian parents, and sometimes attend Christian worship. There are also many whose minds are well informed respecting the Christian system, who prefer it to every other, and who make an open profession of it; and yet, after all, feel but little of the real power of Christianity. A real Christian is one whose understanding is enlightened by the influences of divine grace, who is convinced of the depravity of his nature, who sees his own inability to help himself, who is taught to behold God as the chief good, the Lord Jesus as the only way to obtain felicity, and that the Holy Spirit is the grand agent in applying the blessings of the Gospel to his soul. His heart is renovated, and inclined to revere, honour, worship, trust in, and live to God. His affections are elevated above the world, and centre in God alone. He embraces him as his portion, loves him supremely, and is zealous in the defence and support of his cause. His temper is regulated, his powers roused to vigorous action, his thoughts spiritual, and his general deportment amiable and uniform. In fine, the true Christian character exceeds all others as much as the blaze of the meridian sun outshines the feeble light of the glow-worm.

a

with an unction composed of oil and walnuts, without any benediction. In the eucharist they consecrate with little cakes made of oil and salt, and instead of wine make use of water in which raisins have been infused.

In the Asiatic Researches of the Society instituted in Bengal, may be found an enlarged account of the Christians of St. Thomas, which was laid before that society by F. Wrede, Esq. See also Monthly Magazine for 1804, p. 60. and Dr. Kerr's Report to Lord Bentick, on the state of the Christians inhabiting the kingdom of Cochin and Travancore. Evang. Mag. 1807. p. 473.

CHRISTIANITY, the religion of Christians.

I. CHRISTIANITY, foundation of. Most, if not all Christians, whatever their particular tenets may be, acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the sole foundation of their faith and practice. But as these books, or at least particular passages in them, have from the ambiguity of language been variously interpreted by different commentators, these diversities have given birth to a multiplicity of different sects. These, however, or at least the greatest number of them, appeal to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the ultimate stanCHRISTIANS OF ST. JOHN, dard, the only infallible rule of faith and sect of Christians very numerous in Bal- manners. If asked by what authority fara, and the neighbouring towns: they these books claim an absolute right to formerly inhabited along the river Jor- determine the consciences and underdan, where St. John baptized, and it was standings of men with regard to what from thence they had their name. They they should believe, and what they hold an anniversary feast of five days, should do, they answer, that all Scripduring which they all go to the bishop, ture, whether for doctrine, correction who baptizes them with the baptism of or reproof, was given by immediate inSt. John. Their baptism is also per-spiration from God. If again interrogaformed in rivers, and that only on Sundays: they have no notion of the third person in the Trinity; nor have they any canonical book, but abundance full of charms, &c. Their bishoprics descend by inheritance as our estates do, though they have the ceremony of an election.

CHRISTIANS OF ST. THOMAS, a sort of Christians in a peninsula of India on this side the gulf; they inhabit chiefly at Cranganor, and the neighbouring country; these admit of no images, and receive only the cross, to which they pay a great veneration. They affirm, that the souls of the saints do not see God till after the day of judgment; they acknowledge but three sacraments, viz. baptism, orders, and the eucharist; they make no use of holy oils in the administration of baptism, but after the ceremony, anoint the infant

ted how those books which they call Scripture are authenticated, they reply, that the Old and New Testaments are proved to be the word of God, by evidences both external and internal. See § 2. and article REVELATION.

II. CHRISTIANITY, evidences of the truth of. The external evidences of the authenticity and divine authority of the Scriptures have been divided into direct and collateral. The direct evidences are such as arise from the nature, consistency, and probability of the facts; and from the simplicity, uniformity, competency, and fidelity of the testimonies by which they are supported. The collateral evidences are either the same occurrences supported by heathen testimonies, or others which concur with and corroborate the history of Christianity. Its internal evidences arise either from its exact conformity with

the character of God, from its aptitude to the frame and circumstances of man, or from those supernatural convictions and assistances which are impressed on the mind by the immediate operation of the Divine Spirit. We shall here chiefly follow Dr. Doddridge, and endeavour to give some of the chief evidences which have been brought forward, and which every unprejudiced mind must confess are unanswerable.

writers of the New Testament certainly knew whether the facts were true or false. John i. 3. John xix. 27, 35. Acts xxvii. 7, 9.-2. That the character of these writers, so far as we can judge by their works, seems to render them worthy of regard, and leaves no room to imagine they intended to deceive us. The manner in which they tell their story is most happily adapted to gain our belief. There is no air of declama

First. Taking the matter merely intion and harangue; nothing that looks theory, it will appear highly probable that such a system as the Gospel should be, indeed, a divine revelation.

like artifice and design: no apologies, no encomiums, no characters, no reflections, no digressions; but the facts are recounted with great simplicity, just as they seem to have happened; and those facts are left to speak for themselves.-Their integrity likewise evidently appears in the freedom with which they mention those circumstances which might have exposed their Master

1. The case of mankind is naturally such as to need a divine revelation, 1 John v. 19. Rom. i. Eph. iv.-2. There is from the light of nature considerable encouragement to hope that God would favour his creatures with so needful a blessing as a revelation appears.-3. We may easily conclude, that if a re-and themselves to the greatest contempt velation were given, it would be introduced and transmitted in such a manner as Christianity is said to have been. 4. That the main doctrines of the Gospel are of such a nature as we might in general suppose those of a divine revelation would be; rational, practical, and sublime, Heb. xi. 6. Mark xii. 20. 1 Tim. ii. 5. Matt. v. 48. Matt. x. 29, 30. Philippians iv. 8. Romans ii. 6, 40.

amongst prejudiced and inconsiderate men, such as they knew they must generally expect to meet with. John i. 45, 46. John vii. 52. Luke ii. 4, 7. Mark vi. 3. Matt. viii. 20. John vii. 48. It is certain that there are in their writings the most genuine traces not only of a plain and honest, but a most pious and devout, a most benevolent and generous disposition, as every one must acknowSecondly. It is, in fact, certain that ledge who reads their writings.—3. The Christianity is indeed, a divine revela- apostles were under no temptation to tion; for, I. The books of the New Tes- forge a story of this kind, or to publish tament, now in our hands, were written it to the world knowing it to be false.by the first preachers and publishers of 4. Had they done so, humanly speaking, Christianity. In proof of this, observe, they must quickly have perished in it, 1. That it is certain that Christianity is and their foolish cause must have died not a new religion, but that it was main-with them, without ever gaining any tained by great multitudes quickly after the time in which Jesus is said to have appeared.-2. That there was certainly such a person as Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified at Jerusalem, when Pontius Pilate was governor there.-3. The first publishers of this religion wrote books which contained an account of the life and doctrine of Jesus, their master, and which went by the name of those that now make up our New Testament. -4. That the books of the New Testament have been preserved, in the main, uncorrupted to the present time, in the original language in which they were written.-5. That the translation of them now in our hands may be depended upon as, in all things most material, agreeable to the original. Now, II. From allowing the New Testament to be genuine, according to the above proof, it will certainly follow that Christianity is a divine revelation; for, in the first place, it is exceedingly evident that the

credit in the world. Reflect more particularly on the nature of those grand facts, the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, which formed the great foundation of the Christian scheme, as first exhibited by the apostles. The resurrection of a dead man, and his ascension into an abode in the upper world, were such strange things, that a thousand objections would immediately have been raised against them; and some extraordinary proof would have been justly required as a balance to them. Consider the manner in which the apostles undertook to prove the truth of their testimony to these facts; and it will evidently appear, that, instead of confirming their scheme, it must have been sufficient utterly to have overthrown it, had it been itself the most probable imposture that the wit of man could ever have contrived. See Acts iii. ix. xiv. xix. &c. They did not merely assert that they had seen mira

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