On his way to the latter place, from the fatigue of travelling, and the hard usage he met with from the soldiers, he fell into a violent fever, and died in a few hours. His death occurred in the year 407.

Chrysostom was one of the most able preachers that have adorned the Christian Church. To strong powers of mind, and a lively imagination, he added fine powers of elocution, and hence commanded immense audiences. He was an able commentator on Paul's epistles. He was constitutionally ardent; prompted by a zeal, which perhaps was not sufficiently guided by judgment, he met with bitter persecution, which brought him to his grave.

13. Pelagius. Sec. 36.

8

THE PERIOD OF THE RISE OF THE MAHOMETAN IMPOSTURE WILL EXTEND FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SUPREMACY OF THE ROMAN

PONTIFFS, A. D. 606, TO THE FIRST CRUSADE, A. D. 1095.

1. The establishment of the supremacy of the Roman pontiffs, in the year 606, with an account of which our last period concluded, forms an important era in the history of the Church, and indeed of the world; as it laid the foundation of a power, which, in its exercise, was more commanding, and more extensive than any temporal prince ever enjoyed.

For the space of five centuries, this power was gradually rising to the point at which we now contemplate it. For a time following the days of the apostles, the ministers of the Gospel as is maintained by some, although denied by others, especially by the Church of Rome, and the Episcopal Church of England, were considered on an equality. The first departure from this simplicity, according to the former, consisted in giving to the ministers of the distinguished cities, a kind of pre-eminence, by appointing them to be presidents, or moderators of the clergy, in the surrounding districts.

This pre-eminence continued to increase, and the authority of these particular ministers to extend, till the third century; when, as already noticed, (Period 4, Sec. 24,) the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople, were by Constantine placed at the head of all their brethren. At a later period, (Sec. 30,) this pre-eminence centered chiefly in the bishop of Rome, although the point was warmly contested by the bishop of Constantinople. At length, however, (Sec. 46,) the Roman pontiff accomplished his purpose, and at the hands of Phocas received the title of universal bishop.

This is the date of the establishment of the papal power. But this was not the period of its full growth. From this time, this power continued to acquire strength, and to extend its influence, until, in temporal dominion, the pope of Rome held an enviable rank among the potentates of the earth; and, as a spiritual power, received the homage of nearly the whole world.

The rise of such a power was the subject of prophecy, centuries before. Daniel, who flourished about the year 606, B. C., clearly predicted (Chap. vii.) the downfall and division of the Roman empire into ten kingdoms, which occurred about the year 476. (Period IV. Sec. 41.) These ten kingdoms were represented by ten horns. (Chap. vii. 24.) After the ten horns, another horn should arise, diverse from the rest. This is the papal power. And, says the prophet, "he shall speak great words against the Most High, and think to change times and laws." Paul, also, describes this power, which he calls, the "man of sin," (2 Thess. ii.) "the mystery of iniquity," "the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." Under the figure of a beast, John describes this power, (Rev. xiii.) which should, "open his mouth in blasphemies against God; make war against the saints, and overcome them; and exercise power over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." In another chapter (xvii.) he represents the same power, under the figure of a woman, upon whose forehead was written "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH.'

Observation. For the purpose of giving to the student a connected view of the subject, we shall briefly notice, in this place, the facilities presented to the Roman pontiff for extending his authority, and the means employed, by which that authority came to be exercised over nearly the whole world.

2. Three circumstances existing at this time, and continuing for several centuries, contributed to the increase and establishment of the papal power. These were the ignorance, the superstition, and the corruption of the world.

1. Ignorance. The incursions of the northern barbarians spread an intellectual famine throughout all Europe. The only men of learning were the monks, who seldom left their cloisters; and the only books were manuscripts, concealed in the libraries of the monasteries. Not only were the common people ignorant of the art of reading, but this ignorance extensively pertained to the clergy. Many of the latter could scarcely spell out the apostles' creed; and even some of the bishops were unable to compose a sermon.

2. Superstition. The universal reign of superstition contributed to the same results. The spiritual views of religion of primitive times, the simplicity which had marked the order of the ancient worship, were no more. In their room, an unmeaning round of rites, ceremonies and festivals, were introduced; and in the observance of these, the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, and the religion of the heart, were effectually lost sight of. The common people were taught to revere the clergy with idolatrous veneration. More was thought of an image of the virgin Mary, than of the Son of God; and greater virtue was attributed to a finger, or a bone of an apostle, than to the sincerest prayer of faith. Upon this superstition the popes fastened; they increased it by every means in their power, and made it instrumental of extending their lordly power.

3. Corruption. But the universal corruption of the world accelerated the triumphs of the papal throne more than all other means. If piety existed, it was confined to few, and to nations remote from Rome. The influences of the Spirit were unheard of. Even a cold morality was scarcely inculcated. Holiness of heart, and the practice of the Christian virtues, were seldom named. Vice and falsehood characterized the times. The worship of images, the possession of relics, the contribution of money to the treasuries of the Roman pontiff, were urged, as insuring a passport to heavenly felicity.

3. We shall next speak of the means employed by the papal power to extend its influence. We notice, first, the preference given to human compositions over the Bible.

The art of printing was for a long time yet unknown. Copies of the Scriptures were scarce, and so valuable that a single copy was worth the price of a house. The ignorance of the common people was, therefore, in a measure unavoidable. The popes and the clergy were willing it should be so. Taking advantage of this ignorance, they palmed upon the people such opinions of the fathers, and such decrees

of councils, as suited their purpose, and stamped them with the authority of God. In this way, the Bible was neglected; its voice was unheard; and, upon the strength of human opinions and human decrees, the papal power extended its ghostly authority.

4. A second means employed to extend the authority of the papal power consisted in efforts, under the patronage of the Roman pontiffs, to convert the heathen.

Aware of the importance of first raising the standard of the cross, under the auspices of papal authority, the popes were ready to embrace every opportunity to send forth missionaries, attached to their cause. Hence, many heathen nations were visited, and efforts made to spread the knowledge of Christianity;-at the same time, care was exercised to send only such, as were deeply imbued with the spirit of the Roman hierarchy. Never were men more faithful in any cause. They taught the heathen to look upon the Roman pontiff as their spiritual father, and to bow to his authority as the vicegerent of God on earth. Where reason failed to accomplish their purposes, resort was had to force. Many were the instances, and among them may be mentioned the Pomeranians, the Sclavonians, and the Finlanders, in which baptism was administered at the point of the sword.

5. A third means employed, was the introduction of the worship of images.

The introduction of images into places of Christian worship, dates its origin soon after the time of Constantine the Great; but, like many other superstitious practices, it made its way by slow and imperceptible degrees. There were those who strongly remonstrated against the practice; but their opposition was ineffectual. The passion increased, and being fostered by the Roman pontiffs and their servants, it strongly tended to divert the minds of the people from the great objects of faith and worship, presented in the Scriptures; and gave increasing power to the papal throne over the wandering and darkened minds of the multitude.

6. A fourth means employed to increase and strengthen the papal power, was the influence of monkery, which was enlisted in the cause.

The rise and progress of monkery has already been unfolded. (Period IV. Sec. 27.) With scarcely an exception, the institutions of monkery were on the side of the papal power, and with sedulous care did the Roman pontiff's foster these institutions, that they might further the objects of their ambition. The monks were faithful to their master's cause. Every project started by the popes, received their sanction; and the severest denunciations were poured forth from the convents, against those who should call in question the wisdom of the papal throne.

7. A fifth means employed, was the sanction given by the popes to the passion for the relics of saints, which about the ninth century reached an extraordinary height.

Such was the zeal inspired on this subject, that many, even in eminent stations, made long pilgrimages, to obtain some relic of the primitive saints. Judea was ransacked. The bodies of the apostles and martyrs are said to have been dug up, and great quantities of bones were brought into Italy, and sold at enormous prices. Even clothes were exhibited, which were declared to be those in which Christ was wrapped, in infancy; pieces of his manger were carried about; parts of his cross-the spear which pierced his side-the bread which he broke at the last supper-and, to wind up the whole, vials were preserved, which, it was said, contained the milk of the mother of Christ, and even the Savior's blood.

From adoring the relic, the senseless multitude passed to adore the spirit of the saint. Seizing upon this love of idolatry, the Roman pontiffs issued their commands, that no saint should be worshipped, except such as had been canonized by them. This at once invested them with an enormous power. They made saints of whom they pleased, and the people were taught to regard these saints as their protectors-as having power to avert dangers-to heal maladies-to prepare the soul for heaven. By these means, the Son of God was kept from view; and the deluded multitude made to feel, that the power of health, of life, and salvation emanated from Rome.

8. A sixth means employed was the sale of absolution and indulgences. The Roman pontiff, as the vicegerent of God on earth, claimed to have power not only to pardon sins, but also to grant permission to commit sin. A doctrine so accordant with the corrupt state of manners and morals, which for centuries prevailed, was received with implicit faith. The murderer, the assassin, the adulterer, needed now only to pay the prescribed fee, and his sins would be blotted out; those who wished to commit these crimes, in like manner, needed but to open their purses, to receive a plenary indulgence. The consequence of this sale of pardon was a vast increase of the revenues of the Roman pontiffs, and nearly an absolute control over the minds of the millions who adhered to the Roman faith.

9. A seventh means employed was the invention of the doctrine of purgatory, or a state of temporary punishment after death.

This was a powerful engine, and most effectually was it used, for the purpose of enriching and aggrandizing the Roman hierarchy. From this purgatory, and the miseries pertaining to it, the people were taught that souls might be released, if prayers and masses in sufficient number, and from the proper sources, were offered up. Hence, the richest gifts were bestowed upon the Church, by the surviving friends of those for whom the benefit was sought; and the dying transgressor readily parted with his possessions to secure it.

10. An eighth means employed, and, perhaps, by far the most efficient of all, was the establishment of the Inquisition.

The inquisition dates its origin in the thirteenth century. It originated in an attempt to crush some persons in Gaul, (now France,) who had ventured to question the authority of the Roman pontiffs. In the year 1204, Innocent III. sent inquisitors, as they were called, headed by one Dominic, into Gaul, to execute his wrath upon persons who had dared to speak in opposition to the papal throne.

These inquisitors so effectually performed their embassy, that officers with similar power were appointed in every city. Hence rose the inquisition, which in time became a most horrible tribunal-an engine of death; which kept nations in awe, and in subjection to the papal dominion.

11. Such were some of the principal means employed by the papal power, during several centuries, to extend and confirm its authority. Never were means employed more efficiently, and never was a dominion more absolute than that of the Roman pontiffs.

12. The natural and necessary consequence of the system adopted, was the decline of pure religion. For several centuries, indeed, religion can scarcely be said to have existed. Doubtless there were individuals who held the faith in purity; but to idolatrous Rome nearly the whole world paid its humble adorations.

13. But it is time to take a view of the principal subject of this period,