Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

ADAMITES

such as persist in the heresy, are about four | sion of Paul, the admission of the Gentiles into
yards high, having a small board towards the top the church, the council of Jerusalem, and the
for the prisoner to be seated on. The negative planting of Christian Churches in the principal
and relapsed being first strangled and burnt, the provinces of the Roman empire. The history is
professed mount their stakes by a ladder, and the written with a tolerably strict attention to chro-
Jesuits, after several repeated exhortations to be nological order, though the author has not affixed
reconciled to the church, part with them; telling a date to any one of the facts recorded by him.
them that they leave them to the devil, who is But as political events, the dates of which are
standing at their elbow, to receive their souls, and known, are frequently introduced or alluded to
carry them with him to the flames of hell. On this in connexion with the ecclesiastical narrative,
a great shout is raised; and the cry is, "Let the the chronology of the whole book is for the most
dogs beards be made !" which is done by thrusting part capable of being pretty definitely settled.
flaming furzes fastened to long poles against their The style of the Acts, which was written in
faces, till their faces are burnt to a coal, which is Greek, is perspicuous and noble. Though tinc-
accompanied with the loudest acclamacions of joy. tured with Hebraisms, it is in general much purer
At last, fire is set to the furze at the bottom of the than that of most other books of the New Testa-
stake, over which the professed are chained so ment, particularly in the speeches delivered by
high, that the top of the flame seldom reaches Paul. The book forms one of the most import-
higher than the seat they sit on; so that they ra- ant parts of sacred history; for without it neither
ther seem roasted than burnt. There cannot be a the Gospels nor Epistles could have been so
more lamentable spectacle: the sufferers continu- clearly understood; and by the correspondence of
ally cry out while they are able, "Pity for the incidental circumstances mentioned in this history
love of God!" Yet it is beheld by all sexes and and in the Epistles, of such a nature as to show
ages with transports of joy and satisfaction. that neither the one nor the other could have been
O inerciful God! is this the benign, humane re-forged, an irrefragable evidence of the truth of
ligion thou hast given to men? Surely not. If Christianity is afforded. Among the most im-
uch were the genius of Christianity, then it portant works expository or illustrative of the
would be no honour to be a Christian. Let us, Acts of the Apostles are Cradock's Apostolical
however, rejoice that the time is coming when History; Benson's First Planting of Christian-
the demon of Persecution shall be banished out ity; Paley's Hora Paulina; Heinrich's Acta
this our world, and the true spirit of benevolence Apostolorum; Buddeus Ecclesia Apostolica.—B.
and candour pervade the universe; when none
shall hurt or destroy, but the earth be filled with
the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover
the sea! See INQUISITION.

ACTION FOR THE PULPIT. See DE

CLAMATION.

There have been several acts of the apostles, such as the acts of Abdias, of Peter, of Paul, St. John the Evangelist, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Philip, and St. Matthias; but they have been all proved to be spurious.

ACTS OF PILATE, a relation sent by Pilate to the Emperor Tiberius, concerning Jesus Christ, his death, resurrection, ascension, and the crimes of which he was convicted before him. It was a custom among the Romans, that the proconsuls and governors of provinces should draw up acts or memoirs of what happened in the course of their government, and send them to the emperor and senate. The genuine acts of Pilate were sent by him to Tiberius, who reported them to the senate; but they were rejected by that assembly, because not immediately ad dressed to them; as is testified by Tertullian, in his Apol. cap. 5, and 20, 21. The heretics forged acts in imitation of them; but both the genuine and the spurious are now lost.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, the fifth and last of the historical books of the New Testament, containing a great part of the lives and transactions of Peter and Paul, and of the history of the infant church for the space of twenty-nine or thirty years from the ascension of our Lord to the time of Paul's arrival at Rome after his appeal to Ca, A. D. 65. That Luke was the author of the Acts of the Apostles is evident both from the introduction, and from the unanimous testimonies of the early Christians. This book, as well as the Gospel bearing his name, is inscribed to Theophilus, and in the very first verse of the Acts there is a reference made to his Gospel, which he calls the former treatise. From the frequent use of the first person plural it is clear ADAMITES, a sect that sprang up in the that he was present at most of the transactions second century. Epiphanius tells us that they he relates. The design of the author does not were called Adamites from their pretending to appear to have been to give a complete ecclesias-be re-established in the state of innocence, such tical history of the Christian church during the as Adam was at the moment of his creation, period embraced in the work; for he has almost whence they ought to imitate him in going naked. wholly omitted what passed among the Jews af- They detested marriage; maintaining that the ter the conversion of Paul, and is totally silent conjugal union would never have taken place concerning the spread of Christianity in the East upon earth, had sin been unknown. This ob and in Egypt, as well as the foundation of the scure and ridiculous sect did not last long. It church of Christ at Rome, as also concerning the was, however, revived with additional absurdities hours and sufferings of inost of the other Apos- in the twelfth century. About the beginning of ta besides Peter and Paul; but to relate the the fifteenth century, these errors spread in Ger that prominent events connected with the esta- many and Bohemia: it found also some partisans bent of Christianity, and such as may be in Poland, Holland, and England. They as considered to have had the most important bear- sembled in the night; and, it is said, one of the is upon its subsequent prosperity; among fundamental maxims of their society was conWach may be reckoned the effusion of the Holy tained in the following verse: Sparit on the day of Pentecost, the persecutions and dispersions of the early disciples, the conver

Jura, perjura, secretum prodere noll.
Swear, forswear, and reveal not the secret.

1

ADOPTION

ADMIRATION is that passion of the mind which is excited by the discovery of any great excellence in an object. It has by some writers been used as synonymous with surprise and wonder; but it is evident they are not the same. Surprise refers to something unexpected; wonder, to something great or strange; but admiration includes the idea of high esteem or respect. Thus, we say we admire a man's excellencies; but we do not say that we are surprised at them. We wonder at an extraordinary object or event, but we do not always admire it.

ADOPTION

ADIAPHORISTS, a name given in the six-adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby teenth century to the moderate Lutherans who we are received into the number, and have a adhered to the sentiments of Melancthon; and right to all the privileges of the sons of God. 3. afterwards to those who subscribed the Interim Glorious, is that in which the saints, being raised of Charles V. [See INTERIM.] The word is of from the dead, are at the last day solemnly owned Greek origin (popos,) and signifies indiffer- to be the children of God, and enter into the full ence or lukewarmness. possession of that inheritance provided for them. Rom. viii. 19, 23. Adoption is a word taken from the civil law, and was much in use among the Romans in the Apostles' time; when it was a custom for persons who had no children of their own, and were possessed of an estate, to prevent its being divided or descending to strangers, to make choice of such as were agreeable to them, and beloved by them, whom they took into this political relation of children; obliging them to take their name upon them, and to pay respect to them as though they were their natural parents, and engaging to deal with them as though they had been so; and accordingly to give them a right to their estates, as an inheritance. This new relation, founded in a mutual consent, is a bond of affection; and the privilege arising from thence is, that he, who is in this sense a father, takes care of and provides for the person whom he adopts, as though he were his son by nature; and therefore civilians call it an act of legitima tion, imitating nature, or supplying the place of it.

ADMONITION denotes a hint or advice given to another, whereby we reprove him for his fault, or remind him of his duty. Admonition was a part of the discipline much used in the ancient church; it was the first act or step towards the punishment or expulsion of delinquents. In case of private offences, it was performed according to evangelical rule, privately, in case of public offence, openly before the church. If either of these sufficed for the recovery of the fallen person, all further proceedings, in a way of censure, ceased; if they did not, recourse was had to excommunication.-Tit. iii. 10. 1 Thess. v. 14. Eph. vi. 4.

It is easy, then, to conceive the propriety of the term as used by the apostle, in reference to this act, though it must be confessed there is some difference between civil and spiritual adoption. Civil adoption was allowed of and provided for ADONAI, Hebrew, a title of the Su- the relief and comfort of those who had no chilpreme Being in the Scriptures, rendered in En-dren; but in spiritual adoption this reason does glish by the word Lord. The original comes not appear. The Almighty was under no oblifrom Aden, a base, pillar, or supporter; and it is gation to do this; for he had innumerable spirits not a little remarkable that the etymology of our whom he had created, besides his own Son, who vernacular Lord is precisely similar, it being a had all the perfections of the divine nature, who contraction of the old Saxon laford, or hlafford, was the object of his delight, and who is styled from laef, to support or sustain, the same root the heir of all things, Heb. i. 3. When men from which also comes the English word loaf. adopt, it is on account of some excellency in the The Hebrew JEHOVAH is likewise translated persons who are adopted: thus Pharaoh's daughLord in our Bibles, and this is known by its ter adopted Moses because he was exceeding fair, being printed in capital letters, whereas in the Acts vii. 20, 21; and Mordecai adopted Esther other case the common small character is employ-because she was his uncle's daughter, and exed. The Jews, from excessive reverence, never ceeding fair, Est. ii. 7; but man has nothing in pronounce the name JEHOVAH when they meet him that merits this divine act, Ezek. xvi. 5. In with it in reading the Hebrew Scriptures, but civil adoption, though the name of a son be given, invariably substitute Adonai, which has the same the nature of a son may not: this relation may vowel points. But there is no law forbidding the not necessarily be attended with any change of enunciation of the name JEHOVAH; nor does it disposition or temper. But in the spiritual adopappear to have been scrupled by the ancient tion we are made partakers of the divine nature, Jews.-B. and a temper or disposition given us becoming the relationship we bear. Jer. iii. 19.

ADONISTS, a party among divines and critics, who maintain that the Hebrew points ordinarily annexed to the consonants of the word Jehovah are not the natural points belonging to that word, nor express the true pronounciation of it; but are the vowel points belonging to the words Adonai and Elohim, applied to the consonants of the ineffable name Jehovah, to warn the readers, that instead of the word Jehovah, which the Jews were forbid to pronounce, and the true pronunciation of which had been long unknown to them, they are always to read Adonai. They are opposed to Jehovists, of whom the principal are Drusius, Capellus, Buxtorf, Alting, and Reland,

ADOPTION, an act whereby any person receives another into his family, owns him for his son, and appoints him his heir. 2. Spiritual

"As

Much has been said as to the time of adoption. Some place it before regeneration, because it is supposed we must be in the family before we can be partakers of the blessings of it. But it is diffi cult to conceive of one before the other; for although adoption may seem to precede regeneration in order of nature, yet not of time; they may be distinguished, but cannot be separated. many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John i. 12. There is no adoption, says the great Charnock, without regeneration. "Adoption," says the same author, "is not a mere relation: the privilege and the image of the sons of God go together. A state of adoption is never without a separation from defilement." 2 Cor. vi. 17. 18. The new name

ADULTERY

in adoption is never given till the new creature be formed "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Rom. viii. 14. Yet these are to be distinguished. Regeneration, as a physical act, gives us a likeness to God in our nature; adoption, as a legal act, gives us a right to an inheritance. Regeneration makes us formally his sons, by conveying a principle, 1 Pet. i. 23; adoption makes us relatively his sons, by conveying a power, John i. 12. By the one we are instated in the divine affection; by the other we are partakers of the divine nature."

See Ridgley's and Gill's Body of Div. art. Adoption; Charnock's Works, vol. ii. p. 32-72; Flavel's Works, vol. ii. p. 601; Brown's System of Nat. and Rev. Religion, p. 442; Witsii Econ. Fad. p. 165.

AERIANS

affection is inflicted a wound the most painful and incurable that human nature knows. The infidelity of the woman is aggravated by cruelty to her children, who are generally involved in their parent's shame, and always made unhappy by their quarrel. The marriage vow is witnessed before God, and accompanied with circumstances of solemnity and religion which approach to the nature of an oath. The married offender, therefore, incurs a crime little short of perjury, and the seduction of a married woman is little less than subornation of perjury. But the strongest apology for adultery is, the prior transgression of the other party; and so far, indeed, as the bad effects of adultery are anticipated by the conduct of the husband or wife who offends first, the guilt of the second offender is extenuated. But this can never ADORATION, the act of rendering divine amount to a justification, unless it could be shown honours, including in it reverence, esteem, and that the obligation of the marriage vow depends love this is called supreme, or absolute. The upon the condition of reciprocal fidelity: a conword is compounded of ad, "to," and os, oris, struction which appears founded neither in expe"mouth" and literally signifies to apply the diency, nor in the terms of the vow, nor in the hand to the mouth, "to kiss the hand;" this be- design of the legislature, which prescribed the ing, in the eastern countries, one of the great marriage rite. To consider the offence upon the marks of respect and submission. See Job xxxi. footing of provocation, therefore, can by no means 25, 27. The attitude of adoration, however, we vindicate retaliation. "Thou shalt not commit find has not been confined to this mode; standing, adultery," it must ever be remembered, was an kneeling, uncovering the head, prostration, bow-interdict delivered by God himself. This crime ing, lifting up the eyes to heaven, or sometimes fixing them upon the earth with the body bending forward; sitting with the under parts of the thighs resting on the heels, have all been used, as expressive of veneration and esteem. Whatever be the form, however, it must be remembered, that adoration, as an act of worship, is due to God alone, Matt. iv. 10. Acts x. 25, 26. Rev. xix. 10. There is, 2. what may be called adoration human, or paying homage or respect to persons of great rank and dignity. This has been performed by bowing, bending the knee, falling on the face. The practice of adoration may be said to be still subsisting in England, in the ceremony of kiss-over her ashes erected a gibbet, whereon the ing the king's or queen's hand, and in serving them at table, both being performed kneeling on one knee. There is also, 3. adoration relative, which consists in worship paid to an object as belonging to or representative of another. In this sense the Romanists profess to adore the cross, not simply or immediately, but in respect of Jesus Christ, whom they suppose to be on it. This is generally, however, considered by Protestants as coming little short of idolatry. See IDOLATRY. ADULTERY, an unlawful commerce be-edition. tween one married person and another, or between a married and unmarried person.-2. It is also used in Scripture for idolatry, or departing from the true God, Jer. iii. 9.-3. Also for any species of impurity or crime against the virtue of chastity, Matt, v. 28.-4. It is also used in ecclesiastical writers for a person's invading or intruding into a bishopric during the former bishop's life.-5. The word is also used in ancient customs for the punishment or fine imposed for that offence, or the privilege of prosecuting for it. Although adultery is prohibited by the law of God, yet some have endeavoured to explain away the moral turpitude of it; but it is evident, observes Paley, that, on the part of the man who solicits the chastity of a married woman, it certainly includes the crime of seduction, and is attended with mischief still more extensive and complicated: it creates new sufferer, the injured husband, upon whose

has been punished in almost all ages and nations. By the Jewish law it was punished with death in both parties, where either the woman was married, or both. Among the Egyptians, adultery in the man was punished by a thousand lashes with rods, and in the woman by the loss of her nose. The Greeks put out the eyes of the adulterers. Among the Romans, it was punished by banishment, cutting off the ears, noses, and by sewing the adulterers in sacks, and throwing them into the sea; scourging, burning, &c. In Spain and Poland they were almost as severe. The Saxons formerly burnt the adulteress, and

a

adulterer was hanged. King Edmund, in this kingdom, ordered adultery to be punished in the sane manner as homicide. Canute ordered the man to be banished, and the women to have her nose and ears cut off. Modern punishments in different nations, do not seem to be so severe. In Britain it is reckoned a spiritual offence, and is cognizable by the spiritual courts, where it is punished by fine and penance. See Paley's Mora, and Political Philosophy, p. 309. vol. i, 12th

AERIANS, the name of a sect which arose in the fourth century, under the reign of Constantine, so called from Aerius, a presbyter of Sebas tia in Pontus, their founder. The errors laid to the charge of Aerius by Epiphanius are, 1. That a presbyter or elder differs not in order and degree from a bishop, but he who is a presbyter is called a bishop. 2. That there is properly speaking no passover remaining to be observed or celebrated among Christians. 3. That fasts ought not to be fixed to certain and stated annual days and solemnities. 4. That prayers ought not to be offered for the dead. It must be accounted strange, that these doctrines should, with orthodox Christians, ever be adduced as evidence of heresy. And, accordingly, the reader will find in the works of Mr. John Glas, vol. iv, an able attempt to vindicate the character of Aerius from the opprobrium usually cast upon it by ecclesiastical writers.-B.

AFFECTION

AETIANS, those who maintained that the Son and Holy Ghost were in all things dissimilar to the Father. They received their name from Aetius, one of the most zealous defenders of Arianism, who was born in Syria, and flourished about the year 336. Besides the opinions which the Actians held in common with the Arians, they maintained that faith without works was sufficient to salvation; and that no sin, however grievous, would be imputed to the faithful. Aetius, moreover, affirmed, that what God had concealed from the apostles, he had revealed to him.

AFFECTION, in a philosophical sense, refers to the manner in which we are affected by any thing for a continuance, whether painful or pleasant; but in the most common sense, it may be defined to be a settled bent of mind towards a particular being or thing. It holds a middle place between disposition on the one hand, and passion on the other. It is distinguishable from disposition, which, being a branch of one's nature originally, must exist before there can be any opportunity to exert it upon any particular object; whereas affection can never be original, because, having a special relation to a particular object, it cannot exist till the object have once, at least, been presented. It is also distinguishable from passion, which, depending on the real or ideal presence of its object, vanishes with its object; whereas affection is a lasting connexion, and, like other connexions, subsists even when we do not think of the object. [See DISPOSITION and PASSION.] The affections, as they respect religion, deserve in this place a little attention. They may be defined to be the "vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul towards religious objects." Whatever extremes stoics or enthusiasts have run into, it is evident that the exercise of the affections is essential to the existence of true religion. It is true, indeed, "that all affectionate devotion is not wise and rational; but it is no less true, that all wise and rational devotion must be affectionate." The affections are the springs of action: they belong to our nature, so that with the highest perceptions of truth and religion, we should be inactive without them. They have considerable influence on men, in the common concerns of life; how much more, then, should they operate in those important objects that relate to the Divine Being, the immortality of the soul, and the happiness or misery of a future state! The religion of the most eminent saints has always consisted in the exercise of holy affections. Jesus Christ himself affords us an example of the most lively and vigorous affections; and we have every reason to believe that the employment of heaven consists in the exercise of them. In addition to all which, the Scriptures of truth teach us, that religion is nothing, if it occupy not the affections, Deut. vi. 4 and 5. Deut. xxx. 6. Rom. xii. 11. 1 Cor. xiii. 13. Ps. xxvii. 14.

[ocr errors]

AFFLICTION

very zealous in externals; to be always conversing about ourselves, &c. These things are often found in those who are only mere professors of religion, Matt. vii. 21, 22.

Now, in order to ascertain whether our affections are excited in a spiritual manner, we must inquire whether that which moves our affections be truly spiritual; whether our consciences be alarmed, and our hearts impressed; whether the judgment be enlightened, and we have a perception of the moral excellency of divine things; and, lastly, whether our affections have a holy tendency, and produce the happy effects of obedience to God, humility in ourselves, and justice to our fellow-creatures. As this is a subject worthy of close attention, the reader may consult Lord Kaimes's Elements of Criticism, vol. ii. p. 517; Edwards on the Affections; Pike and Hayward's Cases of Conscience; Watts's Use and Abuse of the Passions; M'Laurin's Essays, sect. 5 and 6, where this subject is handled in a masterly man. ner.

AFFLICTION, that which causes a sensa tion of pain. Calamity or distress of any kind. The afflictions of the saints are represented, in the Scripture, as appointed, 1 Thess. iii. 3. Job v. 6, 7; numerous, Ps. xxxiv. 19; transient, 2 Cor. iv. 17. Heb. x. 37; and, when sanctified, beneficial, 1 Pet. i. 6. Ps. cxix. 67, 71. They wean from the world; work submission; produce humility; excite to diligence; stir up to prayer; and conform us to the divine image. To bear them with patience, we should consider our own unworthiness; the design of God in sending them; the promises of support under them; and the real good they are productive of. The afflictions of a good man, says an elegant writer, never befal without a cause, nor are sent but upon a proper errand. These storms are never allowed to rise but in order to dispel some noxious vapours, and restore salubrity to the moral atmosphere. Who that for the first time beheld the earth in the midst of winter, bound up with frost, or drenched in floods of rain, or covered with snow, would have imagined that nature, in this dreary and torpid state, was working towards its own renovation in the spring? Yet we by experience know that those vicissitudes of winter are necessary for fertilising the earth; and that under wintry rains and snows lie concealed the seeds of those roses that are to blossom in the spring; of those fruits that are to ripen in the summer; and of the corn and wine which are, in harvest, to make glad the heart of man. It would be more agreeable to us to be always entertained with a fair and clear atmosphere, with cloudless skies, and perpetual sunshine; yet in such climates as we have most knowledge of, the earth, were it always to remain in such a state, would refuse to yield its fruits; and, in the midst of our imagined scenes of beauty, the starved inhabitants would perish for want of food. Let us, therefore, quietly submit to Providence. Let us conceive this life to be the winter of our existence. Now the rains must fall, and the winds must roar around us; but, sheltering ourselves under Him who is the "covert from the tempest," let us wait with patience till the storms of life shall terminate in an everlasting calm. Blair's Ser. vol. v. ser. 5; Vincent, Case, and Addington, on Affliction; Willison's Afflicted

A distinction, however, must be made between what may be merely natural, and what is truly spiritual. The affections may be excited in a natural way under ordinances by a natural impression, Ezek. xxxiii. 32; by a natural sympathy, or by the natural temperament of our constitution. It is no sign that our affections are spiritual because they are raised very high; pro-Man's Companion. duce great eflects on the body; excite us to be AGAPE, or LOVE-FEASTS, (from y

AGNOETE

ALBIGENSES

"love") feasts of charity among the ancient Christians, when liberal contributions were made by the rich to the poor. St. Chrysostom gives the following account of this feast, which he derives from the apostolic practice. He says, "The first Christians had all things in common, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles; but when that equality of possessions ceased, as it did even in the apostles' time, the Agape or love-feast was substituted in the room of it. Upon certain days, after partaking of the Lord's Supper, they met at a common feast; the rich bringing provisions, and the poor, who had nothing, being invited." It was always attended with receiving the holy sacrament; but there is some difference between the ancient and modern interpreters as to the circumstance of time; viz. whether this feast was held before or after the communion. St. Chrysostom is of the latter opinion; the learned Dr. Cave of the former. These love-feasts, during the first three centuries, were held in the church without scandal or offence; but in after-times the heathens began to tax them with impurity. This gave occasion to a reformation of these Agape. The kiss of charity, with which the ceremony used to end, was no longer given between different sexes; and it was expressly forbidden to have any beds or couches for the conveniency of those who should be disposed to eat more at their ease. Notwithstanding these pre- ALASCANI, a sect of Anti-lutherans in the cautions, the abuses committed in them became sixteenth century, whose distinguishing tenet, so notorious, that the holding them (in churches besides their denying baptism, is said to have at least) was solemnly condemned at the council been this, that the words, "This is my body," in of Carthage in the year 397. Attempts have been the institution of the eucharist, are not to be un made, of late years, to revive these feasts: but inderstood of the bread, but of the whole action or a different manner from the primitive custom, and, celebration of the supper. perhaps, with little edification. They are, however, not very general.

nature, or by virtue of his unction, as any part of the mysteries he was to reveal; for, considering him as God, he could not be ignorant of any thing.

AGNUS DEI, in the church of Rome, a cake of wax, stamped with the figure of a lamb supporting the banner of the cross. The name literally signifies "Lamb of God." These cakes, being consecrated by the pope with great solemnity, and distributed among the people, are supposed to have great virtues. They cover them with a piece of stuff cut in the form of a heart, and carry them very devoutly in their processions. The Romish priests and religious derive considerable pecuniary advantage from selling them to some, and presenting them to others.

AGONISTICI, a name given by Donatus to such of his disciples as he sent to fairs, markets, and other public places, to propagate his doctrine. They were called Agonistici from the Greek yv, "combat," because they were sent, as it were, to fight and subdue the people to their opinions. See DONATIST.

AGAPETE, a name given to certain virgins and widows, who in the ancient church associated themselves with and attended on ecclesiasties, out of a motive of piety and charity. See DEACON

ESSES.

AGENDA, among divines and philosophers, signify the duties which a man lies under an obligation to perform: thus we meet with the agenda of a Christian, or the duties he ought to perform, in opposition to the credenda, or things he is to believe. It is also applied to the service or office of the church, and to church books compiled by public authority, prescribing the order to be observed; and amounts to the same as ritual, formulary, directory, missal, &e. AGENT, that which acts; opposed to patient, or that which is acted upon.

AGONYCLITÆ, a sect of Christians in the seventh century, who prayed always standing, as thinking it unlawful to kneel.

AGYNIANI, a sect which appeared about 694. They condemned all use of flesh and marriage as not instituted by God, but introduced at the instigation of the devil.

ALBANENSES, a denomination which commenced about the year 796. They held, with the Gnostics and Manicheans, two principles, the one of good, and the other of evil. They denied the divinity and even the humanity of Jesus Christ; asserting that he was not truly man, did not suller on the cross, die, rise again, nor really ascend into heaven. They rejected the doctrine of the resurrection, affirmed that the general judgment was past, and that hell torments were no other than the evils we feel and suffer in this life. They denied free-will, did not admit original sin, and never administered baptism to infants. They held that a man can give the Holy Spirit of himself, and that it is unlawful for a Christian to take

an oath.

This denomination derived their name from the place where their spiritual ruler resided. See MANICHEANS and CATHERIST.

AGENTS, moral. See MORAL AGENT. AGNOETE, (from yv, "to be ignorant of) a sect which appeared about 370. They called in question the omniscience of God; alleging that he knew things past only by memory, and things future only by an uncertain prescience. ALBIGENSES, a party of reformers about There arose another sect of the same name in the Tonlouse and the Albigeois, in Languedoc, who sixth century, who followed Themistius, deacon sprung up in the twelfth century, and distinguishof Alexandria. They maintained that Christed themselves by their opposition to the church of was ignorant of certain things, and particularly of the time of the day of judgment. It is supposed they built their hypothesis on that passage in Mark xiii. 32.-"Of that day and that hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." The meaning of which, most probably, is, that this was not known to the Messiah himself in his human

ALBANOIS, a denomination which sprung up in the eighth century, and renewed the greatest part of the Manichean principles. They also maintained that the world was from eternity. See MANICHEANS,

Rome. They were charged with many errors by the monks of those days; but from these charges they are generally acquitted by the Protestants, who consider them only as the inventions of the Rounish church to blacken their character. The Albigenses grew so formidable, that the Catholics agreed upon a holy league or crusade against them. Pope Innocent III. desirous to put a

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »