The Lives of Saints (Volume 1); Collected From Authentick Records of Church History - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1750. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Feb. 15 the Decisions of the Council of Cbalcedon against the Eutycbians, &c. These v^V^OMaronites were in Communion with the Catholicks of Egypt, 'till the Schism of the Greek Church obliged them to leave their Communion for that of Rome, to which they have ever since most firmly adhered. They honour St. Maro to this Day as one of their chief Patrons; and glory in an Appellation which gives them any Sort of Connexion with that venerable and holy Man. The XV Day. St. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs. UPON the Death of Trajan, who had persecuted the Christians, Adrian succeeded to the Empire in the Year 117. He was very zealous in the Profession of Paganism ; but so far from publishing any Edict against the Faith- ful, that seven Years after he came to the Throne, upon reading an Apology presented to him by Quadratus Bishop of Athens, he wrote to several Governors of Provinces in their Favour. But the Jews and Hereticks join'd in calumnia- ting the Catholicks, and made them odious to the Pagans. They were accused of several detestable Enormities i some of which were the Practice, or at least Consequences of the Principles of the Heterodox, whom the Heathens would not be at the Pains of distinguishing from the Orthodox: others the malicious Misrepresentations of the profess'd Enemies of our Religion. When the Christi- ans therefore were described as profaning their most holy Mysteries with Mur- der and the most shocking Barbarities, and a promiscuous Gratification of the most shameful Passions ; it is not to be wonder'd that the Light of Nature, which directed the Heathens to punish such Crimes, should put them upon ex- tirpating the supposed Authors of those abominable Actions. It is hard to fay in such Cases whether is most guilty, those that give scandalous and fa...