The Works of REV. Jesse Appleton, D. D; Late President of Bowdoin College, Embracing His Course of Theological Lectures, and a Selection from His Sermons with a Memoir of His Life and Character Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ...as a sect attached to " a new and pernicious superstition." It is evident, therefore, that there were Christians at Rome, so early as the time of Nero, whose reign commenced about twenty years after the time, at which, according to the report of Christians, their Master suffered. Tacitus speaks of Christianity as existing at Rome in the time of Nero; but he goes further than this, telling his readers, not only the place where, the person from whom, but the time when the new religion made its appearance. 'The founder of the denomination, saith he, was Christ, who suffered death in the reign of Tiberius, under his procurator Pontius Pilate. Though checked for a while, it broke out again, and spread not only over Judea, where it originated, but at Rome also." (Tac. Annales.) Hence appear two facts of considerable importance. First, as to the origin of Christianity, it is not obscure. Friends and enemies agree as to the date;--the reign of Tiberius and the pro-curatorship of Pontius Pilate; as to the place, viz. Judea; and as to the person from whom it was received, viz. Christ; who by the further agreement of both, died on the cross. The other fact is, that so far the evangelists must be acknowledged by the enemies of the Gospel, not only to have told the truth, but to have been accurate in the statement of facts. Having ascertained these general, but highly important points, as to the origin of the Gospel, it is fit that we make some inquiry into the state of things which then existed. We shall hence learn, whether the professions of those among whom the Gospel was preached, were for or against it. This question ought first to be considered, as it relates to the Jews, and then as it relates to the Gentiles. 1. As to the Jews. They were, it is true, ...