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as nearly fixing the true period Sturm's Reflections on the Works of the creation of the earth." Un-of God. certain, however, as we may be

CREDULITY, the belief, of as to the exact time of the crea-any proposition without sufficient tion, we may profitably apply our-evidence of its truth.

selves to the contemplation of CREED, a form of words in this immense fabric. Indeed, the which the articles of faith are combeautiful and multiform works prehended. See CONFESSION. around us must strike the mind of The most ancient form of creeds every beholder with wonder and is that which goes under the name admiration, unless he be enve of the Apostles' Creed (see beloped in ignorance, and chained low); besides this, there are sedown to the earth with sensuality. veral other ancient forms and These works every way proclaim scattered remains of creeds to be the wisdom, the power, and the met with in the primitive records goodness of the Creator. Crea-of the church; as, 1. The form tion is a book which the nicest of apostolical doctrine collected by philosopher may study with the||Origen.-2. A fragment of a creed deepest attention. Unlike the preserved by Tertullian.-3. A works of art, the more it is examin-remnant of a creed in the works ed, the more it opens to us sources of Cyprian.-4. A creed comof admiration of its great Author; posed by Gregory Thaumaturgus the more it calls for our inspec-for the use of his own church.-5. tion, and the more it demands The creed of Lucian, the martyr. our praise. Here every thing is-6. The creed of the apostolical adjusted in the exactest order; all constitutions. Besides these scatanswering the wisest ends, and act-tered remains of the ancient creeds, ing according to the appointed there are extant some perfect laws of Deity. Here the christian forms, as those of Jerusalem, Ceis led into the most delightful sarea, Antioch, &c. field of contemplation. To him CREED, APOSTLES', is a every pebble becomes a preacher, formula or summary of the chrisand every atom a step by which tian faith, drawn up, according he ascends to his Creator. Placed to Ruffinus, by the apostles themin this beautiful temple, and look-selves; who, during their stay at ing around on all its various parts, Jerusalem, soon after our Lord's he cannot help joining with the ascension, agreed upon this creed Psalmist in saying, "O Lord, how as a rule of faith. Baronius and manifold are thy works; in wis-others conjecture that they did dom hast thou made them all!" not compose it till the second year See Ray and Blackmore on of Claudius, a little before their Creation; art. CREATION, Enc. dispersion; but there are many Brit.; Derham's Astro and Physico-reasons which induce us to questheology; Hervey's Meditations;tion whether the apostles comLa Pluche's Nature displayed; posed any such creed. For, 1. VOL. I.

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Neither St. Luke, nor any other it now stands in the English liwriter before the fifth century, turgy, is to be found in the works make any mention of an assembly of St. Ambrose and Ruffinus; the of the apostles for composing a former of whom flourished in the creed.-2. The fathers of the three third and the latter in the fourth first centuries, in disputing against century. The primitive christhe heretics, endeavour to prove tians did not publicly recite the that the doctrine contained in this creed, except at baptisms, which, creed was the same which the unless in cases of necessity, were apostles taught; but they never only at Easter and Whitsuntide. pretend that the apostles com- The constant repeating of it was posed it.-3. If the apostles had not introduced into the church till made this creed, it would have the end of the fifth century; about been the same in all churches and which time Peter Gnaphius, bishop in all ages; and all authors would of Antioch, prescribed the recital have cited it after the same man-of it every time divine service was ner. But the case is quite other-performed. See King's History of wise. In the second and third the Apostles' Creed; and Barrow's ages of the church there were as Exposition of it in his Works, vol. ii. many creeds as authors; and the CREED, ATHANASIAN, a same author sets down the creed formulary or confession of faith, after a different manner in several long supposed to have been drawn places of his works; which is an up by Athanasius, bishop of Alexevidence that there was not, at andria, in the fourth century, to that time, any creed reputed to justify himself against the calumbe the apostles. In the fourth nies of his Arian enemies; but it century, Ruffinus compares to-is now generally allowed not to gether the three ancient creeds of have been his. Dr. Waterland the churches of Aquileia, Rome, ascribes it to Hilary, bishop of and the East, which differ very Arles. This creed obtained in considerably. Besides, these creeds France about A. D. 850, and was differed not only in the terms and received in Spain and Germany expressions, but even in the arti-about 180 years later. As to our cles, some of which were omitted own country, we have clear proofs in one or other of them, such as of its being sung alternately in those of the descent into hell, the our churches in the tenth century. communion of the saints, and the It was in common use in some life everlasting. From all which it parts of Italy in 960, and was remay be gathered, that, though this ceived at Rome about 1014. As to creed may be said to be that of the Greek and Oriental churches, the apostles, in regard to the it has been questioned whether they doctrines contained therein, yet it have ever received it, though some cannot be referred to them as the writers are of a contrary persuaauthors of it. Its great antiquity, sion. The episcopal churches of however, may be inferred from America have rejected it. As to hence, that the whole form, as the matter of it, it is given as a

summary of the true orthodox|them was a superstitious venerafaith. Uphappily, however, it has tion for those places where our proved a fruitful source of unpro- Saviour performed his miracles, fitable controversy. See Dr. Wa- and accomplished the work of terland's Critical History of it. man's redemption. Jerusalem had CREED, NICENE, a formu-been taken and Palestine conlary of christian faith; so called, quered by Omar. This proved a because it is a paraphrase of that considerable interruption to the creed which was made at the first pilgrims, who flocked from all general council of Nice. This quarters to perform their devolatter was drawn up by the second tions at the holy sepulchre. They general council of Constantinople. had, however, still been allowed A. D. 381; and therefore might be this liberty, on paying a small more properly styled the Constan- tribute to the Saracen caliphs, tinopolitan creed. The creed was who were not much inclined to carried by a majority, and ad-molest them. But, in 1065, this mitted into the church as a bar-city changed its masters. The rier against Arius and his fol- Turks took it from the Saracens ; lowers. and being much more fierce and

The three creeds above-men-barbarous, the pilgrims now found tioned are used in the public of-they could no longer perform their fices of the church of England; devotions with the same safety. and subscription to them is re- An opinion was about this time quired of all the established clergy.also prevalent in Europe, which Subscription to these was also re-made these pilgrimages much more quired of the dissenting teachers frequent than formerly: it was by the toleration act, but from imagined, that the 1000 years which they are now relieved by mentioned in Revel. xx, were ful19 Geo. III. filled; that Christ was soon to

CRIME, a voluntary breach of make his appearance in Palestine any known law. Faults result to judge the world; and consefrom human weakness, being quently that journeys to that transgressions of the rules of duty. country were in the highest degree Crimes proceed from the wicked-meritorious, and even absolutely ness of the heart, being actions necessary. The multitudes of pilagainst the rules of nature. Seegrims who now flocked to PaPUNISHMENT and SIN. lestine meeting with a very rough

CROISADE, or CRUSADE, reception from the Turks, filled may be applied to any war under-all Europe with complaints against taken on pretence of defending the those infidels, who profaned the cause of religion, but has been holy city, and derided the sacred chiefly used for the expeditions of mysteries of christianity even in the christians against the infidels the place where they were fulfilled. for the conquest of Palestine. Pope Gregory VII had formed a These expeditions commenced design of uniting all the princes A. D. 1096. The foundation of of Christendom against the Maho

metans; but his exorbitant en-perform this service, which they croachments upon the civil power believed to be meritorious in the of princes had created him so sight of God. But though Italy many enemies, and rendered his seemed to have embraced the deschemes so suspicious, that he was sign with ardour, Martin thought not able to make great progress in it necessary, in order to ensure his undertaking. The work was perfect success, to engage the reserved for a meaner instrument. greater and more warlike nations Peter, commonly called the Her-in the same enterprise. Having, mit, a native of Amiens in Pi-therefore, exhorted' Peter to visit cardy, had made the pilgrimage the chief cities and sovereigns of to Jerusalem; and being deeply Christendom, he summoned anoaffected with the dangers to which ther council at Clermont in Authat act of piety now exposed the vergne. The fame of this great and pilgrims, as well as with the op-pious design being now universally pression under which the eastern diffused, procured the attendance christians now laboured, formed of the greatest prelates, nobles, the bold, and, in all appearance, and princes; and when the pope impracticable design of leading and the hermit renewed their pa into Asia, from the farthest extre-thetic exhortations, the whole asmities of the West, armies suffi-sembly, as if impelled by immecient to subdue those potent and diate inspiration, exclaimed with warlike nations that now held the one voice, "It is the will of holy land in slavery. He pro-God!" These words were deemed posed his scheme to pope Martin so much the effect of a divine imII, who, prudently resolving not pulse, that they were employed to interpose his authority till he as the signal of rendezvous and saw a probability of success, sum-battle in all future exploits of moned, at Placentia, a council these adventurers. Men of all of 4000 ecclesiastics and 30,000 ranks now flew to arms with the seculars. As no hall could be utmost ardour, and a cross was found large enough to contain affixed to their right shoulder by such a multitude, the assembly all who enlisted in this holy enterwas held in a plain. Here the prise. At this time Europe was pope himself, as well as Peter, sunk in the most profound ignoharangued the people, represent-rance and superstition. The eccleing the dismal situation of their siastics had gained the greatest brethren in the East, and the in-ascendant over the human mind; dignity offered to the christian and the people, who committed name in allowing the holy city to the most horrid crimes and disorremain in the hands of the infidels. ders, knew of no other expiation These speeches were so agreeable than the observances imposed on to those who heard them, that the them by their spiritual pastors. whole multitude suddenly and vio-But amidst the abject superstition lently declared for the war, and which now prevailed, the military solemnly devoted themselves to spirit had also universally diffused

itself; and though not supported their eyes. The infirm and aged by art or discipline, was become contributed to the expedition by the general passion of the nations presents and money, and many governed by the feudal law. All of them attended it in person; the great lords possessed the right being determined, if possible, to of peace and war. They were breathe their last in sight of that engaged in continual hostilities city where their Saviour died for with one another: the open country them. Even women, concealing was become a scene of outrage their sex under the disguise of arand disorder: the cities, still mean mour, attended the camp; and and poor, were neither guarded often forgot their duty still more, by walls nor protected by privi-by prostituting themselves to the leges. Every man was obliged to army. The greatest criminals were depend for safety on his own force, forward in a service which they or his private alliances; and va- considered as an expiation for all lour was the only excellence which crimes; and the most enormous was held in esteem, or gave one disorders were, during the course man the pre-eminence above an- of these expeditions, committed other. When all the particular by men inured to wickedness, ensuperstitions, therefore, were here couraged by example, and imunited in one great object, the ar-pelled by necessity. The advendour for private hostilities took turers were at last so numerous, the same direction; " and all Eu- that their sagacious leaders berope," as the princess Anna Com-came apprehensive lest the greatnena expresses it, "torn from its ness of the armament would be foundations, seemed ready to pre-the cause of its own disappointcipitate itself in one united body ment. For this reason they perupon Asia." mitted an undisciplined multitude, All ranks of men now deeming computed at 300,000 men, to gọ the croisades the only road to before them under the command heaven, were impatient to open of Peter the hermit, and Gautier the way with their swords to the or Walter, surnamed the moneyless, holy city. Nobles, artisans, pea- from his being a soldier of fortune. sants, even priests, enrolled their These took the road towards Connames; and to decline this ser- stantinople through Hungary and vice was branded with the re- Bulgaria; and trusting that heaproach of impiety or cowardice.ven, by supernatural assistance, The nobles were moved, by the would supply all their necessities, romantic spirit of the age, to hope they made no provision for subfor opulent establishments in the sistence in their march. They soon East, the chief seat of arts and found themselves obliged to obcommerce at that time. In pur- tain by plunder what they vainly suit of these chimerical projects, expected from miracles; and the they sold at low prices their enraged inhabitants of the counancient castles and inheritances, tries through which they passed which had now lost all value in attacked the disorderly multitude,

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