A LETTER

TO A PERSON OF QUALITY,

CONCERNING THE

LIVES

OP THE

PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS:

BY

ANTHONY HORNECK, D. D.

LETTER

TO A

PERSON OF QUALITY.

Sir,

THE great sense you have of the narrowness of the way, and the straightness of the gate, which lead to life, has made you very often importunate with me to give you an account of a little book, " Concerning the Lives of the Primitive Christians." I have at last obeyed your commands; and I was the more willing to let it go abroad in company of this book, [" The Happy Ascetic; or, the Best Exercise,"] because it may serve to illustrate some passages in the Exercises which I have been describing.

It is in a manner impossible to consider the first beginning of the Church, without speaking something like paradoxes and mysteries. There is nothing to be seen in it, even then, that is in anyway childish, or so mean as to offend a judicious eye, or unworthy the esteem and approbation of the gravest philosopher. The Church in that age, though an infant, was from its birth so lusty and vigorous, that though it never crushed snakes or vipers in its cradle, yet it conquered tigers, lions, and, what is worse, fires, and flames, and the sharpest torments. It knew nothing of the infirmities and weaknesses of a tender age, but did in its youth things becoming the seriousness and sobriety of the oldest men. And though its growth was prodigious, yet even upon its first entering into the world, its bigness and vastness seemed to vie with that of the earth; for it introduced a new world into the universe.

Such were the beginning and first institution of the Christian Church, that in it we find men, who voluntarily became little children; children, who in wisdom exceeded patriarchs; virgins, who had the prudence and gravity of matrons; and matrons, endowed with virginal modesty and chastity. Men of grey hairs, and old in years, were children in malice, pride, and ambition; and it was hard to say, which were the old, and which the young disciples, for the younger sort strove to equal, if not exceed, the elder in devotion.

Holiness was their ornament, and men were counted great, as they arrived to high degrees of piety; and the more religious any man was, the greater respect he was thought worthy of. The light" by which they were attended filled the world, as the sun does the universe: so soon did the world feel the influences and operations of these new stars, and was forced to acknowledge their divine power and virtue! For they pressed through the chaos in which mankind lay, as souls pierce through bodies; and the life, sense, and understanding, which they taught them, were wholly new, and so different from what was in the world before, that men gazed at the spectacle, and lost themselves in the admiration of it.

What advantages the soul can be supposed to give to the body, the same did, the first Christians afford to the benighted world; and whatever inconveniences the body puts the soul to, the same did the besotted world bring upon the first Christians. For as the soul tenderly desires the body's welfare, so did they the world's; as the soul directs the body to do things rational, so did they the world; as the soul restrains the body from doing mischief to itself, so did they the world; and as the soul makes the members of the body instruments of righteousness, so did they attempt to reform the deluded world into holiness. On the other side, as the body afflicteth the soul, so did the world persecute those first Christians; as the body makes the soul live uneasy, so did they incommode these excellent men; and as the body seems to long for nothing so much as the ruin of the soul, so the destruction of those saints was the great thing at which the world aimed.

This Church was made up of persons who had not their original out of the brain of JUPITER, as the poets fable of MINERVA, butt from the wounded side of the crucified JESUS The water and blood which flowed from His wounds, was that which gave them being; and the same SPIRIT, who raised the mighty JESUS from his grave, quickened their souls, and transformed them into new creatures.

They were a commonwealth made up of great and low, of rulers and underlings, of governors and subjects; and yet nothing was more hard than to distinguish one from the other; for whatever the difference might be, they esteemed one another equal, and by their carriage one would have concluded that they had' been all of the' same. degree and condition., Their pastors and chief men were more known by their munificence and good deeds, than by their coats.of arms, or the splendor of their offices.

They seemed to be all of the same kindred; for the aged they honored as Fathers, and the youths they tenderly loved as their Children. Those of the same age called one another Brethren; and in these titles they gloried more, than men now do in the lofty epithets of Duke, Earl, Baron, Knight, or Gentleman.

You might see amongst them many mothers, that never had, any children: for virgins took care of innocent babes, as if they had been mothers. No. family complained of barrenness or unfruitfulness for they never wanted children to provide for, because those that had none of their own, would be sure to find some to take care of. None wanted paternal care, while so many fathers studied to do good and men were readier to give than others were to: ask, and seemed to be sorrowful if they had not objects, upon which they might exercise a paternal charity.

Many of their widows were the same that they were whilst their husbands lived; and finding that, upon. the death of their husbands, they were become sisters of many brethren, they aimed at no other contract, but, that with CHRIST, who, if they were found worthy, would, as they thought, marry them at last to the service of the church, where they might exercise that maternal care on the poor and needy, which formerly they used to express to their own children. Here you would see none rejoicing that he had any thing of his own: for whatever he had, he looked upon his fellow Christians as coheirs; and was so well contented that they should inherit with him, that he thought his possessions a burthen, if his neighbors were not to share in them. This present life was the least thing they minded; while that which is to come engrossed their thoughts. They were so entirely Christians, that in a manner they were nothing else; and cared not for being any thing else, lest if they should be something else, they should be suspected of deviating from their Master's steps.

Hence it was, that the pagans accused them of unrighteousness and unprofitableness, as if they were dead weights in the world, contributing nothing to the welfare and prosperity of mankind, and as if they stood for ciphers in human societies; though none were more ready to communicate of the profit of their labors to others, and they did therefore on purpose keep close to their calling, in order that they might be able to relieve the needy. And though they were does to take upon them the employment of Magistrates and Governors, lest the Emperor's and GOD’s commands should clash, and they should he under a temptation of obeying man more than GOD; yet, whenever they were thought worthy to bear office in the church, they readily embraced the charge, that they might be in a greater capacity to improve the talents which GOD had given them to his glory, and his people's good; and they were pleased with the trouble of the office, that the world might see they had no design of gain or worldly interest in the administration.

They spoke little; but their thoughts were always great and heavenly: and, as they looked upon sublunary objects as too mean for their minds to rest on, so their care was to keep the eyes of their understandings fixed on that world which fades not away. Their business was to live, not to talk great matters; and the name of Christian did so charm them, that though there were various degrees of men among them, ecclesiastics, laymen, virgins, widows, married persons, confessors, martyrs, and friends, yet the name Christian swallowed up all; and in this they triumphed, beyond all other titles in the world. This made ATTALUS, mentioned by EUSEBIUS,—when the Governor asked him what Countryman he was, who his father and mother were, what was his trade, profession, or employment, and whether he was rich or poor,—give no answer: but this, " That he was a Christian." And by. such answers they gave the world to understand, that their kindred, pedigree, nobility, trade, profession, blood, did all consist in this one thing; and that beyond this there could be no greater honor and dignity.

Their communications or answers, in common discourses, were " yea, yea," and "nay, nay." An oath they shunned as much as perjury: and a he among them was more rare than a sea monster, is to the inhabitants of a continent; for they said, that in their baptism they were signed with the mark of truth, and that they could not be servants of the GOD of truth, if they should yield but to the least appearance of falsehood.

CHRIST was the charming word among them; and, they heard nothing with greater joy, than, that glorious name. His death and sufferings raised their souls, and his cross was more precious to them, than rubies. Hereby they learned to despise the world; and the marrow, virtue, and efficacy of their religion, was the death of JESUS.—This death they remembered, not only in the Sacrament, but at their common meals; and when they refreshed their bodies with meat and drink, they talked of that meat which would feed them to everlasting life. And herein they walked contrary to she custom of the drunkards of old, who used to carry a death's head with them to their drunken meetings, and set it upon the table; and with the sight of that, and the remembrance of what they must shortly come to, they encouraged themselves in drunkenness. The first Christians remembered indeed the death of CHRIST at their ordinary tables; but it was in order to make pain, and torment, and death, and the cross, familiar to them for the afflictions of this life they looked upon as the midwives that promoted their new birth, the best companions of their faith, and the most faithful nurses of their hopes.

In the cities and towns where they lived, none was unknown to the other; for they prayed together, heard the word together, met frequently at meals to the other, and were continually helpful one to the other. Hence, wherever they met, they knew one another; and when they durst not do it with their lips, yet with their eyes and gestures they would salute one another, send kisses of peace one to another, rejoice in the common hope, and assist one another in adversities. " This is one of us," said such a saint, " for we have' seen him in our oratories; we have prayed with him; we have been at the Lo RD's table together; we have heard the Scriptures read together; we have kneeled together; we have been instructed together:". O happy kindred, which comes by prayer, and communion of the body and blood of JESUS! O blessed relations, where men are not called brothers of’ the sun or of the stars, as the ancient tyrants styled themselves, but brethren of CHRIST, children of GOD, and citizens of heaven!

When a Christian, who was a stranger, came to them, before he showed his testimonials, they knew him by his lean visage, and meagre face, (to which his frequent fasting had brought him,) by the modesty of his eyes, by the gravity of his speech, by his gait and habit, and mortified beha viour; for something divine did shine through their looks, and one might read the characters of the spirit in. their countenance. Nor is it strange, that a good man should be known by his carriage; for, to this day, a serious person, though he says nothing, has something in his lineaments, and features, and postures, which will betray the inward zeal and sincerity of his soul.

Whenever they were thrust into the crowd of malefactors, their fellow Christians soon guessed who they were; for they hastened with meekness to their martyrdom, acid, without expressing any impatience or indignation, submitted their, necks to the stroke of the axe, prepared for them. They used to look frequently up to heaven; and one might see, by their smiles, that between Got: and them there was more than an ordinary correspondence. Sometimes they would laugh at the pain they suffered, and, in the very jaws of death, betray a taste of immortality. Christianity taught them to suffer valiantly; indeed it was no other but a science which instructed men to despise riches, honors, and torments too, in order to everlasting glory.

Their Presidents and Pastors were known by no other character, but that of officiousness and charity; nor had their shepherds any other mark to be distinguished by, but their willingness to advance the good of the sheep, and their readiness to every good word and work. And indeed so were the Christians in general known by their mutual love, and kind offices. If any fell sick, the rest did cheerfully run to comfort him; and of this employment their women were chiefly ambitious, who seldom stirred out of their own houses, but upon such occasions, and when they resorted to their Oratories.. They were seen but rarely in the streets, except such charitable employments " called them forth; for none denied her neighbor her care, nor could any worldly respects discourage them from that officiousness. If any were rich, or noble they were the more ready to express their compassion; and women of the highest descent were the most forward to assist the calamitous: for religion had mortified in them all punctilios of honor, and made them remember that in CHRIST they were all equal.’ She in whose veins the. noblest; blood did run, would say of her poor distressed neighbor, "She is' my sister, my fellow member, one that has part with me in my dear REDEEMER: if she be ancient, she is my mother, if, younger, she is my daughter." Nor were these expressions names of course only, but they were written in their hearts, and their lips spoke what their minds believed, and these words were at once pronounced and thought. Hence it was, that the greatest ladies touched their poorer neighbors' sores, bound up their wounds, applied plasters to them, made their beds, and tended them, as the meanest servants. Here you might see the industry of one, there the sweetness and patience of another; one would turn the sick sister, the other help her up, the third dress her, the fourth feed her; and in all this the sick creature saw, as it were, the face of the LORD JESUS. She that tended the sick looked upon CHRIST in her that was sick; and she that was sick thought she saw CHRIST in. the person that tended her. So divine, so heavenly, were their works of mercy, that one was to the other in Go D'S stead; and that saying of CHRIST, " Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me," did not depart from their memories. Thus stood the case with the holy women then; and this advantage they reaped by their charitable care, that, when their husbands died, they were taken as deaconesses into the church, and thus they prepared themselves for the service of CHRIST and the Church.

If any were imprisoned upon, the account of religion, all that knew them would fly to them. However hardhearted might be the keeper of the prison, they would find out a way to smooth him;no lock, no bar was so strong, but they would make a shift to break it, either by their gifts, or soft answers not to make the gaolers false to their trusts, but to get an opportunity of seeing their suffering friends. When they saw them, one would kiss their chains and fetters another would lay his lips to their wounds; a third would give their bruised members and tired bodies such refreshment as was needful. And, dismal as the dungeon was, there they would discourse of CHRIST, sing psalms, and pray together; and their Pastors would come and administer the LORD's Supper to them, requiring no other temple than that of a devout heart, nor insisting on the ceremony of an altar, but on a wounded spirit.

If any of them were driven into exile, in every place they met with brethren and fellow Christians. These would run to them, comfort them, lead them into their houses, and treat them as members of their own family; especially when, by letters from their brethren, they understood that far ". CHRIST'S sake they were driven from their native home. If any were condemned to work in mines or quarries, the neighboring Christians, who heard of it, would presently come together, help the innocent man, endeavor to make his burden light, feed him with victuals, and assist him in' performing his task.

Were any of them, "through the malice of the Heathen Governors, forced to labor hard in caves and dens, or scourged, beaten, and abused for the name of the LORD JESUS; the rest who heard of it would not complain, nor' think their brethren unhappy, but rather reckon themselves' so,' because they were not " counted worthy to suffer for the name of JESUS.''

If the fury of tyrants abated or remitted at any time, and the imprisoned and afflicted believers got leave to return' home again, some wounded or bruised, some with disjointed bones; some half burned, some maimed; some with one arm, "or one eye, or one leg only; their friends would run' out to them, and' strive who should first receive them into' their houses. Happy was the man that could kiss their wounds, and refresh them with necessaries and conveniences;' and the longer any man could harbor such a Christian in his house, the happier he thought himself:’ and such men as had suffered thus for CHRIST, they honored for the future, and esteemed them equal with their Pastors and Presidents. Indeed out of these they chose their Bishops, thinking those fittest to serve at CHRIST'S altar, who had already made themselves a sacrifice for him. Thus men' purchased the: degree of Pastors" by their holiness; and their eminent sanctity, which pressed even through wounds and tortures for the name of CHRIST, prepared them for that function. Men that were strong to suffer; they justly thought might' be fittest to labor in Gott's Church; and they that had' been such champions for. the truth, they looked upon as the most proper instruments to defend it to their death.

Nor did their kindness extend only to their friends, but reached even to their greatest enemies; and they who just before were. persecuted by them, if their' persecutors fell sick or were afflicted, or if the plague of GOD came upon them, would offer their services, support them, comfort. them, attend their bedsides, lend them their helping hand, cherish them, supple their sores, relieve them, and weep over their state,—to the amazement of the pagan world, who were now ready to look upon them as Angels, when but just before they thought them as bad as Devils.

Poverty was the least thing that troubled them; nor did want sit so heavy on their souls, as it does on ours. For they had learned to undervalue riches; and that in consequence of these two impressions which the Apostle's doctrine had made on their souls.

1. This sentiment sunk deep into their hearts, that " here we have no continuing city, but seek one to come: that all we see here is but shadow and imagery, but the substance is not yet visible; that the fashion of this world will pass away, and the glories below the moon afford no. real satisfaction., This made it ridiculous, in their eyes, to snatch at a butterfly, or a flying feather. They rationally believed, that whatever is subject to time and change will certainly make itself wings, and flee away, and leave the soul as empty as it found it; and that therefore their thoughts ought to be turned another way, and fixed on objects in which constant satisfaction, permanent happiness, perfect beauty, and. uninterrupted joys are to be found. And indeed, this view, if duly weighed, will produce' a mighty contempt of temporal things.

2. Another thing, which did no less contribute to it, was their "looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of GOD."—" The time is short," cried their Pastors; "The. Lord is coming; he will be upon you before you are aware. To what purpose will ye treasure up riches, lands, goods, which the fire will shortly consume, and, carry away" No marvel if under these thoughts and circumstances, they freely parted with their worldly goads, and' "sold their lands and houses, and brought what they had, and laid it down at the Apostles' feet."

Nor did the care of their children fill their hearts with anxious thoughts: for they were sensible, that whenever the Church had notice of their want, they would certainly be looked after; because as many fathers and mothers left their estates, and what they had, to the church, so the church employed those legacies or gifts in supporting all those who were necessitous. Besides this, their Pastors, both by their doctrine and example, admonished them to be diligent in working with their own hands, that they mightget something not only to be beneficial to themselves,: but to others too; and indeed they thought they did: little or nothing, if, of what they got, they did not communicate to those who were not able to help themselves.

They had nothing that was superfluous; and hence it was, that there was but little striving about what they left, To lay up much goods for • many years, they thought was fitter for Heathens than for Christians and having seen no such thing in their Master, they could not tell how it could be proper in his Servants.

They believed, that it was their Pastor's office to take care of all, to maintain the poor, and to distribute to all ac, cording to their several necessities; for since GOD took upon Him the care. of feeding the world, they thought it would not be unbecoming his Ministers to do so too. This made them intrust, at first to the Apostles, and afterwards to their spiritual Pastors, what they could spare, in order to receive of them again, when they should stand in need. And now their Teachers did truly become' their fathers, and they acknowledged themselves to be their children; and owning them for their fathers, they gave them a right to admonish them, to correct them, to reprove them, to direct them, and to lead them to perfection; and owned a strong obligation, at the same time, to love, honor, reverence, and obey them.

And though the number of Christians was already prodigiously increased, yet were not their numbers troublesome to their Pastors, who loved to do good, and to spend themselves and to be spent in that service. They were men who had no design but to lay themselves out for GOD and his Church; and, like MOSES, were content to be surrounded with people all day long, in order to discharge that paternal care of their souls and bodies which they had undertaken. Nor were their Pastors therefore the richer, because their disciples brought what they had to them: for they that were to receive from them were more than those who gave; and they took it in only with a design to disperse it again among the needy, Love of money, and worldly cares and desires, were things they had an antipathy against; and though out of that stock they provided themselves with necessaries, yet the engrossing any thing besides to themselves, was a thought as far from their minds, as the heaven they longed for was from that earth on which they trampled. For, alas! what greediness could there be after temporal means in them, who were already greater than the world could make them, and took delight in nothing but surveying that glory in which, ere long, they should rejoice and triumph Thus they took the people's money, without any danger of covetousness. They were men that had fought for Glints T, and left all to follow him; their thoughts were big with the promises of the Gospel, and consequently with hopes of everlasting joys; they had already tasted of the powers of the world to come, and mocked at worldly. mindedness. They remembered that they were stewards for the poor, and nursing fathers to persons in distress. This made the people love them exceedingly; not because they took delight to see their Pastors. poor, but because they saw that they, who had so much money at their disposal, would make no use of it for their own interest, being contentedly poor amidst that plenty, and choosing to want themselves, rather than see others faint. Hence the Christians gave them their own freely, for they believed they could lose nothing by it; and long experience had so confirmed their belief, that envy itself could make no impressions on them to the contrary. When it was in their hands, they thought it was safer than in their own and being hereby freed from many cares and incumbrances, they pressed more cheerfully to the promised mark. If any Christian kept any land in his hands, his care was so to use his income, as to give GOD the firstfruits of it; to bring his gifts to the Church; to help and assist the sick; and to relieve the prisoners and captives, not only such as were within the town he lived in, but others also. Thus did those men live under riches as under thorns; and were sensible of nothing so much as this, that great wealth is a great temptation to be vain and sensual, which made them use this self denial in their incomes.

He that for a kindness which he did to his neighbor expected a recompense, was looked upon as a person greedy of filthy lucre; and he that could do nothing for his friend without a reward, or prospect of some profit to himself, was censured as a person ignorant of the fundamental law of their religion. Usury, and such names, were scarcely heard of among them; and oppression was a thing of which they thought that none who named the name of CHRIST could be guilty. In a word, they desired nothing so much in this world as to be quickly gone from it; and they thought it the most joyful news imaginable, to understand that they were to be dissolved, and to go to CHRIST.

This was the Temper, Nature, and Constitution of that commonwealth. The members of' it looked mean and contemptible. Nothing about them was pompous, either in clothes, or diet, or habitation, or household furniture. Such among them as were noble, or learned, or of genteel extraction, laid aside their pride, and all their swelling titles; forgot that they were better born or educated than others; and became like their brethren. Plaiting and curling the hair was a thing that both their men and women proscribed from their care; and they thought that labor lost which was employed on such superfluities. They were jealous of their serious frame of spirit; and therefore all such dresses as might serve to infuse vanity into their minds, or damp their zeal in religion, they shunned, as they did houses infected with the plague. They minded no such things as modes and fashions; nor did any new habit or ornament that came up entice them to imitation. Decency was their rule, and modesty the standard of their habit and conversation. They wore nothing about them that was either costly or curious; and their greatest study and contrivance was, how to advance their souls, and make them fit for "the marriage of the LAMB!" Their garments were either linen, or woollen, or fur, or sheepskin; and their furniture was mean and homely.

Without GOD they attempted nothing; and whatever enterprise it was to which they betook themselves, they sanctified it by prayer and supplication. If they went out either to sow, or to plough, or to reap, or to build, GOD’s blessing was first sought and begged; and they never put on their clothes, but they entertained themselves all the while with some holy reflections. Theatres, and seeing p f plays, they hated, as things contrary to their profession: and though the heathen despised them for it, looking upon them as unsociable, strangers to the art of conversation, melancholy wretches, and no better than vermin of the earth; yet they mattered not their censures, but triumphed more in a good conscience, than the others could do in. all the glories of this present world. The world's contempt was their glory; and they rejoiced in being scorned by the vulgar, that they might with greater earnestness long after a better inheritance. If any wanted business, he would find some; and they who had no need to work for their living, worked for the poor. From idleness they had an aversion, as from the root of evil; and great men and women would do something for which the needy might be the better. The greatest lady would not disdain to spin, or sow, or knit, for her distressed neighbor; and, like bees, they were ever busy, and employed for the common good.

Love of the world was death to them; and they thought it a certain sign that they had no portion in CHRIST; if they did attempt to serve both GOD and Mammon. To be in the world, and not of the world, was their motto; and to be other men than they seemed to be, was the thing at which they chiefly aimed. They seemed to be profane, because they would worship no heathen GODs; but they were the most devout persons in the world towards the true God. Not a few left their high places, and great dignities, to become Christians; and chose to be low and contemptible in the world, that they might have no impediments in their way to heaven.

Servants never concerned themselves to get their freedom; for their masters were Christians, and themselves were so. Both cheerfully discharged their duties one to another, and consequently lived in perfect peace. Many servants, who might have had their freedom, would not; because they lived sufficiently happy under their believing masters. And while they saw nothing but love in their masters, their very bondage was perfect freedom.

Where a whole family was Christian, they all rose together; and, at one and the same time, prayed, and read, and sung psalms, and observed one way and custom in their devotions. If one family had any thing to do more than ordinary, the neighboring family would help them, If one was to fast, his neighbor fasted with him; if one was to pray for some signal blessing, his neighbor prayed with him; if one wept, his, neighbor wept with him; if one mourned, his neighbor mourned with him, as if both had committed the same sin. In a word, they had their joys and sorrows common; and they might be said to be all in one, and one in all.

In their meals they were so temperate, so abstinent, that our fasts were but their ordinary way of living. One reason why they were so holy at their tables was, that, for a long time, they constantly received the Eucharist, either before or after meals: and in such meetings they expressed great love one to another; and made their friendship inviolable, for they sealed it with the blood of JESUS. These were true Love Feasts; and they were managed with such gravity, charity, modesty, and singing of psalms, that the world might see that they were a preparation for a greater Supper.

Their houses were open to strangers, as well as to their friends and neighbors; and where the traveler could produce a certificate that he was a practical Christian, he could not fail of a most hearty welcome. Hospitality was their badge; and he that would not receive a brother into his house, because poor and ragged, was either forbidden the Church, or not suffered to come into it.

Their Pastors and Rulers obliged them to certain fasts; but, besides those, of their own accord they chastened themselves by frequent abstinence. In short, whatever was voluptuous they hated, and looked upon as unsuitable to disciples of the crucified JESUS, and so improper for that perfect wisdom at which they aimed, that they shunned it like the rankest poison, and used no more food than what was just necessary for the support of that life which the great Creator had given them to spend to his glory. Both their faith and reason told them, that as the body waxes stronger by the death of the soul, so the soul becomes more valiant and lively by the death of the body. This made them conquerors of those pleasures of the flesh, which in all ages have weakened the bravest men into women, melted hearts of iron, and conquered the greatest conquerors of the world. To suppress such satisfactions of the flesh, they were so watchful, so courageous, so magnanimous, that they seemed Angels more than men; and were actually nearer to GOD, to whom they lived, than to the world in which they lived. In their lives they were chaste and modest; and in their married estate moderate and holy.

In the works of their calling, they would sing of CHRIST; and made spiritual objects so familiar to them, that in their very sleep and dreams they occupied their imaginations. They were always ready for prayer, and holy ejaculations; and so addicted to the love of goodness, that they could not endure a vicious person.. If they met with any such in their assemblies, they thrust him out from their communion; and made it criminal for any Christian either to eat, or drink, or converse, or keep company with him.

They took particular notice of him who taught any thing contrary to the doctrine of their Pastors; and no plague sore was shunned more than a new, upstart principle. If they heard any thing contrary to the Faith delivered to the Saints, they either stopped their ears, or hastened to be gone from the place. New opinions their teachers warned them against; and the character of heresy was, " That the Doctrine was unknown to the Apostles." To continue this purity in the Church, their custom was, to read the Scripture, and hear it explained by their Pastors; and according to their expositions they understood those oracles.

It was a very common thing, in those days, both for laymen and clergymen to learn the Bible by heart; and many of them had the word so ready, that nothing could befall them but they had a medicine ready for it from that inexhaustible treasury. From hence their souls got more than ordinary strength; and their minds received that vivacity and quickness, which gave life even to their bodies, notwithstanding their watching, fasting; and other voluntary penalties.

Of their Teachers they were so observant, that without theirs they would begin nothing, and go no where without their Letters of Recommendation. without their advice they would not marry, nor do any thing considerable in their civil affairs: for they looked upon them as their Fathers; and as religion had made them so, they thought the obligation to consult them upon all occasions was the stronger. These they received into their houses, as the Saints of old did Angels, with joy and trembling; and whenever they met them, though upon the road, or. in the streets,:. they would refuse to. part till they had given them their blessing. They thought it no small happiness to lodge their Pastors at their houses; with them they prayed, and hoped that now their prayers could not miscarry when joined with the incense of those who had so often moved GOD to be merciful to a whole' congregation. For this reason, they were desirous to entertain pious men in general, to do them good, and to relieve them, as they did their domestics; for they thought the presence of such men a blessing to their families, and a protection from innumerable evils that might otherwise befall them.

From the unity and peaceableness of their Teachers it was, that the Christians then, though very numerous, continued unanimous in the primitive Doctrine and Discipline; and though the several Assemblies might differ in rites and ceremonies, yet the mighty love which they bore to one another constrained them to overlook those differences; and though they varied in some outward acts of worship, yet their affections were so strongly glued together, that nothing but death could break the league or amity.—If one neighbor chanced to quarrel with another, and they broke forth into contention and enmity, they were excluded from the prayers of the Assembly, until they had cordially reconciled themselves one to the other. This punishment was then thought great and grievous; and men were so uneasy under these excommunications, that the fear of them kept them from animosities. Rather than undergo such censures, they would suffer themselves to be de, handed; and when they were beaten, would not beat again; when reviled, would not revile again; when abused, would not abuse again. Nay, they looked upon an unjust calumny as a piece of martyrdom, and therefore bore it undauntedly. Those that knew themselves guilty of a great sin, durst not appear in public; and they that had fallen into any notorious errors, durst not so much profane the prayers of the Church, as to appear there with the rest of the Assembly. So great was the dread of GOD’s Majesty in those days, that even a desperate offender was afraid of taking GOD’s Covenant in his mouth, while he hated to be reformed.

Their Meeting, or coming together to pray, they esteemed a thing so sacred, that no frowns, no thunders, no threatenings of tyrants, could make them forbear it.

They justly thought that their enemies might by their authority forbid, but could not with any color of reason prohibit, their Assemblies. This made them flock to their Oratories, though it was death to go; and parents with their children would run thither, though the next news they were likely to hear, was " Christianos ad Leones; " " Throw these Dogs to the Lions." Though they were thrust into mines and prisons, yet they would find opportunities to pray, and celebrate the Communion together: for some of their brethren, who knew of their distress, flocked to them; and the first thing they did together, was to lay force on Heaven with their tears and prayers. For, indeed, it was death to them not to join with their fellow Christians in supplications and strong cries; and though they were very diligent in this duty in their private houses, yet they took no prayers to be so weighty or prevalent, as those that were' offered up in company.

The days they appointed for public prayer, were the Lord's Day, the Anniversaries of their Martyrs, and the Wednesday and Friday of every week, on which to days they had their stations, and fasted, and humbled themselves before ALMIGHTY GOD;—besides their Vigils at night, which they used to spend in prayer, and in the celebration of GOD’s goodness and holiness. Strange was their longing for the House of GOD; and the thirsty earth cannot gape for rain, more than. they panted after their going with the multitude to their Oratories. This made DIONYSIUS ALEXANDRINUS, when driven into exile, and used very harshly by the soldiers who had the charge of him, complain, in a letter to his friend, how' near it went to him to be deprived of those opportunities' of meeting his brethren on the usual festivals; and this. he professes was infinitely more troublesome to him than to be chased from his native home, or to live upon bread and water, or to he on the cold ground, • or to endure other inconveniences.

In their public Assemblies, even little children that had been baptized, would come. and appear among the graver sort, and beg of their Pastors to offer up their prayers for their advancement in the ways of holiness, and give themselves up to their direction and government. So fervent were all sorts of people among them; and they seemed ambitious of nothing so much, as of exceeding one another' in strictness and watchfulness.

To their Princes and Magistrates they were ever very. submissive, and in all lawful things obedient. In their prayers they always remembered them; and though they persecuted and afflicted them, yet that did not abate their zeal and vows for their prosperity. Rebellion against their Governors they hated as witchcraft; and ever thought it safer to suffer than to resist. Hence they paid tribute. without murmuring; for their opinion was, that no man could have that power, except it were given him from above. His tyranny could not make them neglect their duty; nor his bad government tempt them to forget their allegiance. Where the man who was over them was" rough and hardhearted, they looked upon this Providence as a means to try their faith; and even when they might have resisted and conquered, they would.: not, because they thought it was unsuitable to their religion.

This was to be a Christian; a creature outwardly corruptible, yet, at the same time, with the hand of faith grasping heaven, and laboring day and night, that he might have something to give to GOD’s Ministers, to the. poor; and to his own family.

Not a few of them renounced the satisfactions of matrimony, lived single, forsook all, buried themselves in poor cottages, studied the Scriptures, contemplated heaven, and thus lived to Gem alone. Some traveled into far countries, preached the Gospel, and, when they had laid a good. foundation there, went farther, and spent their lives: in pains, and labors, and doing good. Thousands of their virgins freely’ dedicated themselves to GOD, and would be married to none but Him; and though at many times they were tempted by rich fortunes, yet nothing. could alter their resolutions.

It is true that, even among these Christians in the purest; ages, there were divers individuals, who by their lives. disgraced their religion. But these were chastised with. severe discipline; and, as long as they were. in a state of sin, were not looked upon as Christians, nor,did any: Christian converse with them. If they repented, they were forced to make their repentance public,_ and to give such demonstration, of it, that the Devil himself could not but acknowledge the sincerity of it. By weeping, and prostrating themselves before GOD’s people, and imploring the assistance of believers, and a hundred such austerities, they sought to be reconciled to' GOD and to his Church; which made the Fathers say, that " The Penitents were no scandal, but an ornament of the Church." They were in a manner a distinct Church; and their way to be united to the more sincere believers was now harder, than at their first embracing of Christianity.

With this kind of life the first Christians amazed the unbelieving world; and their, power and number quickly grew so formidable, that the Emperors themselves began to be startled at their progress, and therefore employed their might and greatness to oppose it. To crush their towering piety, the heathens showed them racks, flames, gibbets, gridirons, cauldrons, boiling oil, lions, bears, and wild bulls, and set before them the waildly prudence of philosophers. But, by the grace and assistance of that JESUS who strengthened them, they were more undaunted, at their torments, than their hangmen; and by their sufferings surmounted all the great acts that were ever done by heroes, and the most famous conquerors. They overcame death by a desire of death; and were more willing to die than their executioners to suffer them. Their blood proved the seed of the Church; and the more they massacred, the more, their numbers grew, till at last the Emperors themselves became Christians, and were forced to yield to the faith and patience of JESUS.

I am persuaded, that you have chosen the better part; and, as I do not question your belief of these passages,’ so that these Saints may be your pattern, and their actions the great rule of your life, and the SPIRIT of GOD your guide in these ways of holiness, is the hearty wish and prayer of,

Sir,

Your affectionate Friend and Servant,

ANTHONY HORNECK.

END of VOL. XVI.