194

Manumiffion of Slaves.

[CENT. 4. fucceeding emperors. Private perfons alfo em

braced the occafion which this feafon afforded to evince their beneficence and charity, particularly by granting manumiffion to faves, as a proper expreffion of that mercy commemorated by this fef tival, which brought freedom to the captive, and happiness to all mankind *.

Bingham, lib. xx. c. 5.

CHAP.

[ 195 ]

CHAP. III.

OF THE SECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE FOURTH

CENTURY,

Abufe of Myfticifm-Euftathians and Meffalians-Donatifts -Difputes concerning the Succeffion to the See of Carthage —Donatus-Violence of the Parties-Rogatians—AriusPrinciples of the Arians- Arius condemned and exiled-Council of Nice-Arianism condemned there-Arius recalled from Banishment by Conftantine-Death of Arius -Arianifm protected by Conftantius-Semi-Arians-Eunomians-Contests between the different Branches of Arians -Semi-Arians divided-Macedonians-Meletians-Pho

tinus-Apollinarians-Prifcillianifts-Antidicomaranites -Collyridians-Luciferians-Audeus-Etius, &c.

TH

HE doctrines of the myftics, who affumed a degree of fanctity and perfection unknown to vulgar minds, and affected 'to elevate the foul by rejecting the gratifications of sense, were adopted by the most confiderable part of the Chriftian world, as the dictates of pure religion, imbibed from the fountain of truth. Amongst those who carried thefe doctrines to the greateft excefs, the fects of the Euftathians and Meffalians were peculiarly diftinguished. The followers of Euftathius contended ftrongly for the exercife of the greatest aufterities, and not only prohibited the enjoyments

O 2

196 enjoyments of wine, flesh, and a connubial state; but prescribed immediate divorce to all who had already entered into a married life. This fanaticifm was, however, inferior to that of the Meffalians, who profeffed to believe that the foul, by fpiritual exercises, was enabled to expel the dæmon by which they conceived it to be inhabited, and might then be perfectly united with the Divine Effence. The Meffalians affected an air of uncommon devotion; and maintained their ground in the Eastern empire during a confiderable time, in defiance of the decrees of councils, and the profcriptions of the emperor,

Meffalians. Donatifts. [CENT. 4.

Amongst the contefts which difturbed the peace of the Church in the fourth century, the fchifm of the Donatifts demands, if not the principal, at least a diftinguished place. The doctrines of this body were, however, ftrictly conformable to those of the Church from which they feparated. Cæcilianus, the archdeacon of Carthage, had, on the demife of the bishop, been confecrated to the vacant see by fome of the African bishops, without waiting for the affent of the bishops of Numidia. Thefe offended prelates cited Cæcilianus to account to them for this omiffion; and on his refufal to fub

* It is more than once neceffary to caution the reader, to receive all these accounts of the fectaries with great allow ance. —In all probability many parts of their creed bordered upon abfurdity; but as we have our accounts only from their adverfaries, candour muft induce us to believe them exaggera ted.

Schifm in Africa.

197

CENT. 4.] mit to their authority, a council was convened, confifting of feventy bifhops, in which the refractory Cæcilianus was depofed, and his deacon, Majorinus, declared his fucceffor. This fentence, which divided into factions the Carthaginian church, and in fact gave it two bishops at the fame crifis, was occafioned by a variety of causes, independent of the irregularity attending the confecration of Cæcilianus. There were feveral competitors for the vacant fee, who eagerly feized the opportunity of removing their fortunate rival; and all the influence of Lucilla, a rich and fuperftitious female, was exerted against Cæcilianus, who had reprimanded her for her folly. Nor was this all. Felix of Aptungus, the principal bishop who had affifted at his confecration, was accused of being a traditor, or one, who, during the Diocletian perfecution, had delivered up the facred books to be burned; and who therefore was fuppofed not competent to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. To thefe it was added, that Cæcilianus himfelf had, during the perfecution, behaved towards the Chriftians with inhumanity. Conftantine appointed this controverly to be examined by the bithop of Rome, affifted by three others; and the refult of their deliberations was favourable to Cæcilianus. Felix of Aptungus was not lefs fortunate; his caufe was examined by the proconful of Africa, and by his decifion he was abfolved.

But the restoration of the degraded bishop was

198

Donatifts perfecuted.

[CENT. 4. not calculated to fatisfy the minds of his adverfaries; who headed by Donatus, an African bishop, fomented fresh difcontents, and occafioned the emperor to convene a council at Arles, where they were again condemned. Their diffatisfaction ftill continued; and two years afterwards, Conftantine, to whom the different parties had confented to refer their caufe, approved the confecration of Cæcilianus. The refentment and contumely with which the Donatifts received this decifion, added to their former behaviour, fo much exafperated the emperor, that he deprived them of their churches, banished the feditious bishops, and even condemned to death fome of the party. This violent, and perhaps imprudent, refentment was not calculated to produce peace. The Donatifts afferted, that the apoftolical fucceffion had been interrupted; that the whole ecclefiaftical body in Europe and Asia was infected with guilt and fchifm, fince they held communion with the depraved African Church; that the preservation of the Catholic Church was confined to thofe African believers, who had preferved their faith and difcipline inviolate; and that all communion with other churches ought to be avoided, left they fhould be contaminated by their impurity. This rigid theory was accompanied by conduct equally auftere. Every profelyte was * At this council 200 bishops attended, and amongst the reft Reftitutus bishop of London. Priestley's Chriftian Church.

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