CENT. V. It would be unjust to derogate from the praises PART II 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.

After Cyril, we may place Theodoret, bishop of Cyrus, an eloquent, copious, and learned writer, eminent for his acquaintance with all the branches of sacred erudition, but unfortunate in his attachment to some of the nestorian errors.h

Isidore of Pelusium was a man of uncommon learning and sanctity. A great number of his 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.*

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

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

8 The works of Cyril, in six volumes folio, were published at Paris, by Aubert, in the year 1638.

The jesuit Sirmond gave at Paris, in the year 1642, a noble edition of the works of this prelate in four volumes 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.

The number of these epistles amounts 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.

* 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.

PART II.

Theodore of Mopsuestia, though accused after CENT. V. his death of the greatest 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," are only extant among the nestorians, and that in the Syriac language."

Nilus, disciple of Chrysostom, composed several 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.

writers.

XL. A Roman pontiff, Leo I. sirnamed the Great, The Latin shines forth at the head of the Latin writers 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.°

Orosius acquired a considerable degree of reputation by the History he wrote to refute the cavils

See Jos. Simon Assemani Biblioth. Oriental, Clement. Vatic. tom. iii. part ii. p. 227.

a 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 Mopsucstia. There exists, also, beside the fragments that are to be found in Photius, a manuscript commentary of this illustrious author upon the twelve minor prophets.

• 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.

CENT. V. of the pagans against Christianity, and by his books against the pelagians and priscillianists.P

PART 11

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 semipelagians.

Maximus of Turin published several Homilies, which are yet extant; and though short, are, for the most part recommendable, both for their ele. gance and piety.

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

Pontius of Nola,' 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

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.

A 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.

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

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 Ecclesiæ Ravennatensis, tom. i. p. 321.

declamations against the vices of his times, unwarily discovers the defects of his own character."

Prosper of Aquitain and Marius Mercator are 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, entitled Commonitorium."

Sidonius Apollinaris, 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.

The authors of the

• Hist. Litter. de la France, tom. ii. p. 517. 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, the 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 toward 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.

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, $42, 369.

CENT. V. PART 11.

CHAPTER III.

CONCERNING THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH DURING THIS
CENTURY.

CENT. V. PART II.

of religion determined.

1. MANY points of religion were more largely explained, and many of its doctrines determined Many points with more accuracy and precision, 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 of the divine law; the necessity of the divine grace in order to salvation; the nature and existence of human liberty; and other such intricate and perplexing questions. The sacred and venerable simplicity of the primitive times which required no more than a true faith in the word of God, and a sincere obedience to his holy laws, appeared little better than rusticity and ignorance to the subtile doctors of this quibbling age. Yet so it happened, that many of the over curious divines, who attempted to explain the nature and remove the difficulties of these intricate doctrines, succeeded very ill in this matter. stead of leading men into the paths of humble faith and genuine piety, they bewildered them in the labyrinths of controversy and contention, and rather darkened than illustrated the sacred mysteries of religion by a thick cloud of unintelligible subtilties, ambiguous terms, and obscure distinctions. Hence arose new matter of animosity and dispute, of bigotry and uncharitableness, which flowed like a torrent through succeeding ages, and which all human efforts seem unable to vanquish. In these

In