V.

PART II

become a proverb [e], and they are said to have CENT. excited the most dreadful tumults and seditions in various places. All the Monastic orders of all sorts were under the protection of the bishops in whose provinces they lived, nor did the patriarchs claim any authority over them, as appears with the utmost evidence from the decrees of the councils held in this century [f].

X. Several writers of considerable merit Greek adorned this century. Among the Greeks and writers, Orientals, the first place is due to Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, so famous for his learned productions, and the various controversies in which he was engaged. It would be unjust to derogate from the praises which are due to this eminent man; but it would betray on the other hand, a criminal partiality, did we pass uncensured the turbulent spirit, the litigious and contentious temper, and the other defects, which are laid to his charge [g].

After Cyril, we may place Theodoret, bishop of Cyprus, an eloquent, copious, and learned wri ter, eminent for his acquaintance with all the branches of sacred erudition, but unfortunate in his attachment to some of the Nestorian errors [h]. Isidorc

VOL. II.

D

[e] Sulp. Severus, Dial. i. cap. viii. p. 399.

[F] See Jo. Launoii Inquisitio in chartam immunitatis B. Germani, opp. tom. iii. part II. p. 3. In the ancient records, posterior to this century, the monks are frequently called Clerks. (See Mabillion. Præf. ad Sac. ii. Actor. Sanctor. Ord. Benedicti, p. 14.) And this shews, that they now began to be ranked among the clergy, or ministers of the church.

[g] The works of Cyril, in six volumes folio, were pub lished at Paris by Aubert, in the year 1638.

[h] The Jesuit Sirmond gave at Paris, in the year 1642, a noble edition of the works of this prelate in four volumes in folio; a fifth was added by Garnier, in 1685. We must

observe, in favour of this excellent ecclesiastic, so renowned for the sanctity and simplicity of his manners, that he abandoned the doctrines of Nestorius, and thus effaced the stain he had contracted by his personal attachment to that heretic, and to John of Antioch,

CENT.

Isidore of Pelusium, was a man of uncommon

V. learning and sanctity. A great number [i] of his PART II. epistles are yet extant, and discover more piety, genius, erudition, and wisdom, than are to be found in the voluminous productions of many other writers [k].

Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, few of whose writings are now extant, acquired an immortal name, by his violent opposition to Origen, and his followers [1].

Palladius deserves a rank among the better sort of authors, by his Lausiac history, and his Life of Chrysostom.

Theodore of Mopsuestia, though accused after his death of the greastest errors, was one of the most learned men of his time. Those who have read, with any attention, the fragments of his writings, which are to be found in Photius, will lament the want of these excellent compositions, which are either entirely lost, or, if any remain [m], are only extant among the Nestorians, and that in the Syriac language [n].

Nilus,

[The number of these epistles amount to 2012, which are divided into five books. They are short, but admirably written, and are equally recommendable for the solidity of the matter, and the purity and elegance of their style.

[k] The best edition of Isidore's Epistles, is that which was published in folio, by the Jesuit Scott, at Paris, in 1638. [See Euseb. Renaudotus, Historia patriarchar. Alexandrinor. p. 103.

[m] See Jos. Simon Assemani Biblioth. Oriental. clement. Vatic. tom. iii. part ii. p. 227.

[n] It appears by this account of the works of Theodore, that Dr. Mosheim had not seen the Dissertations of the late Duke of Orleans, in one of which that learned prince has demonstrated, that the Commentary upon the Psalms, which is to be found in the Chain, or collection of Corderius, and which bears the name of Theodore, is the production of Theodore of Mopsnestia. There exists, also, besides the fragments that are to be found in Photius, a manuscript commentary of this illustrious author upon the twelve minor prophets.

V.

PART II.

Nilus, disciple of Chrysostom, composed seve- CENT. ral treatises of a practical and pious kind; but these performances derive more merit from the worthy and laudable intention of their author than from any other circumstance.

We pass over in silence Basilius of Seleucia; Theodotus of Ancyra; and Gelasius of Cyzicum, for the sake of brevity.

XI. A Roman pontiff, Leo I. surnamed the The Latin Great, shines forth at the head of the Latin wri- writers. ters of this century. He was a man of uncommon genius and eloquence, which he employed however too much in extending his authority; a point in which his ambition was both indefatigable and excessive [o].

Orosius acquired a considerable degree of reputation by the History he wrote to refute the cavils of the Pagans against Christianity, and by his books against the Pelagians and Priscillianists [p].

Cassian, an illiterate and superstitious man, inculcated in Gaul, both by his discourse and his writings, the discipline and manner of living which prevailed among the Syrian and Egyptian monks, and was a sort of teacher to those who were called Semi-pelagians [9].

Maximus of Turin published several Homilies, which are yet extant; and, though short, are

[o] All the works of Leo were published at Lyons, in two volumes folio, in the year 1700, by the care of the celebrated Quenel of the oratory.

[p] See Bayle's Dictionary, at the article Orosius. A valuable edition of this author, enriched with ancient coins and medals, was published in 4to, at Leyden, in the year 1738, by the learned Havercamp.

[q] Histoire Litteraire de la France, tom. ii. p. 215. Simon, Critique de la Biblioth. Ecclesiastique par Du Pin, tom. i. p. 156. The works of Cassian were published in folio at Francfort, in the year 1722, with a large Commentary by Alardus Gazæus.

CENT. for the most part, recommendable, both for their V. elegance and piety.

PART II.

Eucherius of Lyons, and bishop of that city, was one of the most considerable moral writers that flourished among the Latins in this century [r].

Pontius of Nola [s], distinguished by his eminent and fervent piety, is also esteemed for his poems, and other good performances.

Peter, bishop of Ravenna, obtained, by his eloquence, the title of Chrysologus; nor are his discourses entirely destitute of genius [t].

Salvian was an eloquent, but, at the same time, a melancholy and sour writer, who, in his vehement declamations against the vices of his times, unwarily discovers the defects of his own. character [u].

Prosper

[] See a large account of this prelate, in the Histoire Litteraire de la France, tom. ii. p. 275.

[s] This pious and ingenious ecclesiastic is more generally known by the name of Paulin. See Histoire Litteraire de la France, tom. ii. p. 179. The best edition of his works is that published by Le Brun, at Paris, in the year 1685, in two volumes, 4to.

[] Agnelli Liber Pontificalis Ecclesia Ravennatensis, tom. i. p. 321.

[u] Hist. Litter. de la France, tom. ii. p. 517. The authors of the history here referred to, give a different account of Salvian's character. They acknowledge, that his declamations against the vices of the age, in his Treatise against avarice, and his Discourse concerning Providence, are warm and vehement; but they represent him, notwithstanding, as one of the most humane and benevolent men of his time. It is, however, beyond all doubt, that he was extravagantly austere in the rules he prescribed for the conduct of life. For what is more unnatural than to recommend to Christians, as a necessary condition of salvation, their leaving their whole substance to the poor, to the utter ruin of their children and relations? It must, however, be confessed, that his austerity in point of discipline was accompanied with the most amiable moderation towards those who differed from him in articles of faith. There is a most remarkable passage to this purpose, in his Treatise concerning Providence, book v. p. 100.

V.

PART II.

Prosper of Aquitain, and Marius Mercator, are CENT. abundantly known to such as have employed any part of their time and attention in the study of the Pelagian disputes, and the other controversies that were managed in this century.

Vincent of Lerins gained a lasting reputation by his short, but excellent treatise against the sects, intitled Commonitorium [w].

Sidonius Appollinaris, a tumid writer, though not entirely destitute of eloquence; Vigilius of Tapsus; Arnobius the younger, who wrote a commentary on the book of Psalms; Dracontius, and others of that class, are of too little consequence to deserve a more particular notice.

CHAP. III.

Concerning the doctrine of the church during this century.

religion de

I. MANY points of religion were more large- Many ly explained, and many of its doctrines points of determined with more accuracy and precision, termined. than they had been in the preceding ages. This was owing to the controversies that were multiplied, at this time, throughout the Christian world, concerning the person and nature of Christ; the innate corruption and depravity of man; the natural ability of men to live according to the dictates

D 3

[w] This work of Vincent, which is commended by our author, seems scarcely worthy of such applause. I see nothing in it, but that blind veneration for ancient opinions, which is so fatal to the discovery and progress of truth, and an attempt to prove that nothing but the voice of tradition is to be consulted in fixing the sense of the Holy Scriptures. An ample account of Vincent Prosper, and Arnobius, is to be found in the Histoire Litteraire de la France, tom. ii. p. 305. 342,