The Apologies of Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Minutius Felix in Defence of the Christian Religion; With the Commonitory of Vincentius Lirinensis Concerning the Primitive Rule of Faith; Translated from Their Originals with Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1709 edition. Excerpt: ...Considering the little Difference in point of Time between Justin Martyr and Tertullian, no wonder if in these two Apologists upon the lame Subject, we often meet with the like Reasoning, tho' with a very distinguishing Air according to the different Genius and Complexion of each Writer. For tho' Commodus was a Pagan Prince, and as bad a Man, as bad cou'd be, yet during his Reign the Church enjoy'd a? favourable Season; for the bloody Ruler glutted his Cruelty upon his Pagan Subjects, and by peculiar Providence the human Monster fpar'd none but Christians. In this lucid Interval Christianity got Ground, and grew apace; the little Leaven had spread thro the whole Mass of the Roman Empire, Army and Senate, Town and Country, were all over-run with Christians: But notwithstanding this Encreafe, yes the Kingdom of Darkness was the ruling Kingdom, the Demons reign'd still in Worship, and the same Iniquities were afted by Law; and therefore he who who reads the Preliminary to Justin, need not be told in this, the Particulars of the Apology following. After Tertullian with great Strength of Reason, and Satyr in abundance, has expos'd the Heathen Gods, and given a sensible Demonstration from their own Mouths that they were no Gods, he proceeds to the Proof of the Christian Religion; and having established the Doctrine of three Persons and one God, of the Divinity of Christ, the Two Sacraments, of Baptism and the Eucharist, an immediate State of Happiness or Misery aster Death, an universal ResurreSion to eternal Life in Bliss or Torment, together with their way of Worship and the manner of their Assemblies, he then goes on to remove a prevailing Calumny, which blocked up the Minds of the Heathen, and made it morally impossible Sot the Christian...