John of the Golden Mouth; Preacher of Antioch, and Primate of Constantinople (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. 1871. Excerpt: ... soon be emptied of their hearers, and converted, as so many are already, into recruiting offices for the Church of Rome. Returning to Chrysostom and Libanius, it is stated by Neander--on what authority he does not say--that the pagan teacher tried to tamper with the religious principles of his pupil, in the hope of gaining him over to his own party. It is clear that Libanius was a keen zealot; but such conduct is not at all consistent with the honourable spirit by which he was distinguished; nor could it fail, if known or suspected, to damage his professional interests, as the Christians of that period were very particular with regard to this point. Still the accomplished historian by whom the charge is made is usually so accurate and conscientious, that he would not have mentioned the fact without having some good grounds for it. We can only suppose, therefore, that this was an exceptional case, and that Libanius, who saw the early promise of his brilliant pupil, was tempted by the desire to secure his advocacy in favour of the heathen cause. A letter of the master, still extant, in which he congratulates his scholar on the success of his first oratorical efforts, witnesses to the great expectations he had formed of John. It is further stated that the pagans looked upon him as being, for a time at least, favourably inclined towards their views, and complained that the Christians had stolen him from them. It is even said that Libanius, on his deathbed, lamented Chrysostom's seduction from heathen to Christian studies, as he intended to have made him his successor in the school, as well as in his office of chief defender of the pagan interest.1 If there was any real foundation for these statements (certainly noticed by contemporary writers), they warrant t...