_The state of the Heathens before their conversion._
1. THEY who are unacquainted with history, suppose, that the men who
lived seventeen hundred years ago, were more artless, more innocent
and more teachable, than those that are now alive. But the writings of
those times which still remain, clearly prove the contrary. The crimes,
whereof they give us to full accounts, were committed in the face
of the sun. No one ran into a corner to commit them, or endeavoured
afterwards to conceal them. And the providence of God seems to have
preserved these accounts, on purpose to shew, from what an abyss of
corruption (described in short by St. _Paul_ in the beginning of his
epistle to the _Romans_) Jesus Christ delivered the world.
2. The ordinary diversions of the people of _Rome_, were to see men
kill one another, or torn in pieces by wild beasts. And the governors
of the provinces, daily exercised the greatest cruelties upon those
who were not _Romans_. The emperors put to death whom they pleased,
without any process or trial; whence it was that bad princes shed so
much blood, even of the most noble _Romans_. Their avarice was equal
to their cruelty; so that all places were full of frauds, of falshoods,
of perjuries, of calumnies, of violences and oppressions.
3. Yet in the midst of the _Roman_ empire, yea, of _Rome_ itself,
Christianity established itself: And that at a time when it was the
most enlightened that ever it was, as well as the most corrupted.
Nor could it more evidently appear, that the _Gospel_ was _the power
of God_, than by its triumphing over those very dispositions, which
were of all others most opposite to it. What could be more opposite
to the humility of faith and the simplicity of the Christian doctrine,
than the haughtiness of self-conscious knowledge, and pride of
understanding? What to the inward purity it required, and the
strictness of its morality, than that entire depravity of heart,
and overflowing corruption of manners?
4. The manner of preaching the Gospel was different, according to
the dispositions of the hearers. The apostles convinced the _Jews_ by
proofs drawn from their own prophets, and other parts of holy writ;
the _Heathens_, by reasonings, more simple or more subtle, according
to their capacity. But what most prevailed on the heathen was, the
miracles which were frequent, for _two hundred_ years after the
apostles, the holy lives of the Christians, and their constancy in
sufferings and death.
5. When any one desired to be a Christian, he was brought to the
bishop, who carefully examined, what were the motives and causes of his
desiring it, and what his life past had been? For none were received
’till they had renounced whatever was contrary to the law of Christ:
and given proof for some time, that they were determined, to make it
the rule of their future life.
6. He who was judged sincere in his desire, was received by the bishop
into the number of _Catechumens_. These were not only present at the
♦public exposition of scripture (for so might the _Infidels_ themselves)
but had _Catechists_ appointed for them, whose office it was, to
instruct them severally in the _first_ principles of Christianity, and
to watch over them continually, that their practice might be answerable
thereto. The common time for being a _catechumen_ was two years: but
it might be either longer or shorter. It was always so long, till the
person appeared to be changed in heart and life. The names of those
who were judged to be thus changed, were given in at the beginning of
_Lent_. And these, as well as the faithful, spent that solemn time, in
watching, fasting and prayer. In the mean while they were instructed
in the creed, and the mysteries of the Christian faith: as to their
progress wherein they were frequently examined in the church, before
the congregation.
♦ “publick” replaced with “public” for consistency
7. Toward the end of _Lent_ they were taught the _Lord’s prayer_,
and instructed in the nature of the sacraments, and having been thus
prepared, they were baptized on _Easter-Eve_, that they might rise
again with Christ: or on the eve of _Pentecost_, that they might be
ready to receive the Holy Ghost. But though these were the stated times
of baptism, even till the _tenth_ age; yet they who were in danger of
death were baptized at any time: as in case of open persecution.
8. The day of baptism being come, the _Catechumen_ was brought to the
baptistery. This was at first near the church, or in the church porch:
afterwards in the church itself. Here, after he had renounced the
devil and all his works, he was questioned concerning the faith, and
concerning his purpose of leading a Christian life. To which questions
he gave distinct answers. He was then immerged in the consecrated
water, _three_ times; at the name of the Father, of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. At his coming out of the water, a white garment was
given him, for a token of the innocence which was now given him, and
which he was to take care to preserve without spot unto his life’s end.
When the persons baptized were infants, their sureties or sponsors (as
_Tertullian_ calls them) answered for them. Immediately after baptism
they were presented to the bishop to be confirmed, by prayer and
imposition of hands; and for a long time after they were instructed
and assisted, as by the priest, so by those who had witnessed for them,
till they were throughly perfect in the faith, and fully prepared for
every good work.