354 ceased; and the year of the reigning emperor was introduced, and continued to be used: though, fome years previous to this, Dionyûus Exiguus, in his Cyclus Pafchalis, had introduced the mode of computation now generally used in the Chriftian world, from the birth of Chrift.

Change in the Mode of Dating. [CENT. 6.

THE

THE SEVENTH CENTURY.

CHAP. I.

GENERAL STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THIS
CENTURY.

Reigns of Juftin, Tiberius, and Maurice-Phocas-Heraclius-Monothelite Controverfy-Vain Attempts for reconciling Theological Differences-Conftantine and HeracleonConftans-Silence enjoined concerning Theological Speculations-Controverfy continued, notwithstanding the Imperial Edict-Perfecution of Pope Martin I.-Conftantine Pogonatus-Sixth General Council-Condemnation of the Monothelites-Attempt to raise a dead Man, as a Proof in favour of Monothelifm-Roman Pontiffs-Boniface III.— Agatho-Pope's Claim to Infallibility-Controverfies in the West-Inflexible Rancour of the Jews-Conquest of Jerufalemby Chofroes-Generofity of Heraclius-Jews baptized -Perfecution of the Jews in Spain-Laudable and tolerant Spirit of the Spanish Clergy-Conversion of Pagan Nations-Mahomet-His Origin-Doctrines-Flight-Af fumption of Regal and Sacerdotal Power-ConqueftsCauses of his Success-Deftruction of the Alexandrian Library-Vices of the Clergy-Superior Clergy whip the inferior Ministers-Assume temporal Power-Confufions a

A a 2

Rome

a

[CENT. 7.

356 Rome, occafioned by the Election of a Pope-Destruction of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, &c. by the Mufful

mans.

HE reigns of Juftin, Tiberius, and Mau

TH

rice, the immediate fucceffors of Juftinian, were distinguished by a rare but happy chafm in the ecclefiaftical affairs of the eaft: nor did the imperial interference occafion any alteration during the reign of the ambitious Phocas, the murderer and fucceffor of the amiable and unfortunate Maurice. On his acceffion to the throne, he made a folemn promise to the Byzantine patriarch, to defend and to preferve inviolate the orthodox faith of the councils of Nice and Chalcedon; and in this folitary inftance the perfidious' prince was firm to his engagement: nor did he concern himself more with the doctrines than with the practice of religion. The enormities of his conduct foon deprived him of a fceptre which he fo unworthily retained. Exafperated by injuries, the people of Conftantinople were eafily induced to forget their allegiance to a cruel and infidious prince; and Heraclius, the African Prætor, had little difficulty in obtaining poffeffion of the imperial throne.

The orthodox zeal of the new emperor did not permit him to be an indifferent fpectator of religious affairs. He engaged with warmth in the nice decifions of theology; and his ardour for religion was rewarded by the gratitude of the people

and

RENT. 7.]

Monophyfite Controversy.

357

and clergy, who, in his war against the Perfians, recruited his exhausted treasury with a confiderable fum, derived from the fale of the magnificent gold, and filver veffels, which had been appropriated to the decoration or to the uses of the church*. On his victorious return from the Perfian war, Heraclius entered into the theological queftion, which for fome years had been much agitated, concerning the existence of two wills in Chrift. The orthodox belief confifted in his poffeffing the wills and operations peculiar both to his divinity and humanity. The doctrine of one will was, however, ftrongly infifted upon by many of the clergy, and was adopted by the emperor, who conceived that the profeffion of a doctrine, certainly harmless, and poffibly not quite without foundation, might reconcile the Jacobites of Egypt and Syria (whofe opinions it approached) to the orthodox faith. Heraclius, therefore, indulged the laudable but impracticable defign of effecting ecclefiaftical union. Zeal for religion might perhaps inftigate him to this measure; but probably policy had fome share in a design which was intended to prevent the defection of numbers, who, like the Neftorians, might fecede, not only from the church, but from the empire.

Prompted by these motives, the imperial theologian, by the advice and concurrence of feveral of the Monophyfite party, published an edict which

Attempt to restore Unanimity.

358 [CENT. 7. afferted, that, after the union of the two natures in Jefus Chrift, there exifted only one will and one operation. Athanafius, the Armenian bishop of the Monophyfites, and Sergius, the Byzantine patriarch, who favoured that feet, had laboured to perfuade the emperor, that this declaration would induce the Monophyfite party to receive the Chalcedonian decrees; and, provided it were affented to by the orthodox, would terminate the controversy. Cyrus, bishop of Phafis, a zealous Monothelite, or affertor of one will in Chrift, was promoted by the emperor to the vacant fee of Alexandria, and confirmed the favourite opinion of his benefactor by the decrees of a provincial council. This perplexed doctrine, illustrated and modified according to the opinions or ingenuity of its different adherents, was explained by them in terms which admitted of fuch various fignifications, that it was accepted by confiderable numbers, who were restored to communion with the church.

But however acceptable this romantic project for the restoration of union, amongst a people who delighted in controverfal difquifitions, might be to many; ftill, although it was fupported by the efforts of Honorius, the Roman pontiff, and of the Byzantine patriarch, it met with a violent oppofition, and occafioned contests not less pernicious to the tranquillity of the church, than those which it was defigned to prevent.

The emperor, and the heads of the eastern and western