CONTENTS.

LECTURE I.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM TENDENCIES IN THE

PRESENT CONDITION OF HUMAN NATURE.

Corruption of Christianity defined.-Complex nature of the causes pro-

ducing the Corruption of Christianity.-Great Corruptions of Christianity

the effect of general causes.-Extent and difficulty of the subject. Its

importance.-Unphilosophical treatment of this subject by the enemies of

Christianity. The question of the Corruptions of Christianity one of

degree only.—Tendencies in the conduct of the Understanding leading to

the Corruption of Christianity-Indolence-Credulity-Prejudice.

LECTURE II.

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p. 1

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM TENDENCIES IN THE

PRESENT CONDITION OF HUMAN NATURE.

Peculiarities of individual character only partially affected by Religion.-The

Inspired Writers themselves no exception to this rule.-Corruption of

Christianity from an excess of Imagination-From undue Sensibility-

From the influence of Disease.—Defective imagination and sensibility, and

a state of high physical energy, often the occasion of mistaken views of

Christianity.-Corruption of Christianity from the present condition of the

the Appetites and Passions-The influence of Sensuality-Influence of

Worldliness-Tendency to Formality—Vanity—and Pride.—The causes of

the Corruption of Christianity all spring from Human Nature. - The

partial Effect of the Gospel as a remedy for the depravity of mankind, no

valid objection to its claims.

LECTURE III.

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ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM MISAPPREHENSIONS

OF JUDAISM.

True character of Judaism.-The Samaritans.-State of Judaism with the

Dispersed among the Gentiles.-Notice of Aristobulus-Of Philo.-Origin

of the Talmudic and Rabbinical literature.-The Cabala-Sadducees-

Karaites-Pharisees-Essenes.-Parallel between the Corruption of Chris-

tianity and of Judaism.-Evidence of the Authenticity of the New Testa-

ment from this source.

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LECTURE IV.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM MISAPPREHENSIONS

OF JUDAISM.

Application of the preceding Lecture to the present.-A material fact

connected with the early progress of Christianity.-Another fact explana-

tory of the early difference of opinion and usage among Christians.--

Disputes relative to the obligation of the Ceremonial Law, and their con-

nexion with the corruption of Christian Doctrine.-Cerinthus-his doctrine.

-The Ebionites.-Testimony of Justin Martyr to the orthodoxy of Jewish

Converts.-Unitarian theory concerning the origin and character of the

Ebionites-Its fallacy.-Testimony of Irenæus concerning the heresy of

the Ebionites.-Ebionites and Nazarines-Were they the same people?—

Testimony of Hegesippus to the orthodoxy of Jewish converts.-Celsus

deemed the creed of the Jewish professors of Christianity orthodox.-

Other Judaizing sects in the early ages of the church.-Necessary effects

of these corruptions.-Influence of corrupted Judaism on the heresy of

Arius.-Connexion between corrupted Judaism and Mohammedanism.—

Effect of Jewish misapprehension and prejudice on the Institutions of the

New Testament-Prevalence of these prejudices.-Difficulty in judging of

the conduct of the Apostles in this particular.-Practical lesson suggested

by the preceding facts.-Judaism a source of corruption to the Christian

Institutes chiefly among Gentiles.-The toleration of Jewish customs

among converted Jews, was not followed by a similar lenity towards

Idolatrous customs among converted Gentiles - Even Jewish customs

tolerated in Jews only.-Extent of the corruptions there introduced.-

These still existing .

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LECTURE V.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE INFLUENCE OF

GENTILE PHILOSOPHY.

Comprehensive nature of the Ancient Philosophy.-Connexion between the

state of Gentile Philosophy and the early History of Christianity.-Divi-

sion of Ancient Philosophy-The Oriental-Its theocratic tendency-Its

moral influence.-The Grecian Philosophy.-The Epicureans-Academics

-Peripatetics-Stoics.--General Character of these Systems.-The Pla-

tonists--Eclectics.—State of Philosophy among the Romans.--Inferences

from this Review.-Necessity of a Divine Revelation.-Strong disposi-

tion in men to make opinions conformable to their particular tastes and

temperament.-General source of Error.-The Search of the Ancients for

Truth not only a Failure, but an occasion of Injurious Prejudice.—Query,

What was probable as the effect of the Gentile Philosophy on Christianity?

-The promulgation of the Gospel by Jews, a further occasion of pre-

judice.-Peculiar criminality of philosophical prejudice.-State of Philoso-

phy under the Roman Emperors.-Notice of Apollonius of Tyana.-Rise

and character of Gnosticism-Eclecticism- Plotinus- Porphyry-Jam-

blicus.-Uses of this Lecture.-Sceptical method of exhibiting this subject

exceedingly disingenuous

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LECTURE VI.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE INFLUENCE OF

GENTILE PHILOSOPHY.

Character of the Fathers as defenders of Christianity.--Their conduct often

unfairly judged.—Their general conduct characterised by fearlessness and

integrity.-Effect of philosophy on the modes of Biblical Interpretation.

The fourfold Method of exposition.-This method not faulty in itself.-

Its great principles much older than the Christian era.-Prevalence of

Allegory and Mysticism among the Pagan Platonists.-These principles

derived much of their form and influence from the Eclectics.-Injury

resulting from the manner in which these principles were generally applied.

-Notice of Pantænus-Clemens Alexandrinus-Justin Martyr-Ori-

gen.-Probable motives of Origen in adopting his theory of Scripture

Interpretation-Excess to which it was carried.-His comments on the

Scriptures much incorporated in the works of subsequent Fathers.-Here-

tical Sects adopt his theory with still greater license.-Peculiar character

of this theory.-Speculations and errors which it served to introduce.--

Effect of the spirit of the Ancient Philosophy on the controversies

relating to Christian Theology.-Disputatious temper of the Ancient

Philosophy The position in which it placed the first Christians.

-Its injurious influence.-The preceding facts serve to extenuate the

frequent asperity of the Fathers.-Tertullian's account of Marcion, an

instance of this asperity.-Consequences, real or supposed, imputed as the

formal doctrine of opponents. -Extent of the Injury resulting from this

practice
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LECTURE VII.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE INFLUENCE OF

GENTILE PHILOSOPHY.

Summary of the preceding Lecture.-Influence of Philosophy on False Au-
thority in the Church.-The province of human reason in religion imper-
fectly apprehended by the Fathers.-The disposition of men to render an
undue submission to authority.-This course of things favours the
assumptions of Ecclesiastical Councils.-The authority of the Fathers not
superseded by that of Church Councils-But the Scholastic Philosophy
becomes established through their united influence.-Difference between
the influence of Plato and Aristotle on Christianity.-Peculiar character
of the Aristotelian Philosophy.-Its evil effects.-Influence of Philosophy
on the Sacraments of the Church.-The science of Magic-How viewed by
the Fathers. These views derived from the Alexandrian Platonists. - Its
connexion with the science of Theurgia.—This science approved by Origen
and others.-Effect of these theories on the Sacraments of Baptism and
the Eucharist. Doctrine of Tertullian and Cyprian on these points.-
Effect of these errors with regard to Baptism.-The doctrine and adminis-
tration of the Eucharist corrupted from the same source.-Other services

elevated to the rank of Sacraments.-Effect of Philosophy on the Doctrines

of Christianity.-On the corruptions of Christian Doctrine in the age

before Constantine.-State of the Christian Doctrine subsequent to the

age of Constantine.-Piety of the early Fathers.-Influence of the Pagan

Philosophy on Christian Morality.-Connexion between Morality and

Theology.-Corruption in Morals the necessary result of corruption in

Theology.—Nature of the errors proceeding from this source . . 273

LECTURE VIII.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE INFLUENCE OF

ANCIENT PAGANISM.

Influence of Paganism more general than that of Philosophy.-Review of

Ancient Paganism.-Its Objects of Worship.-Immoral tendency of An-

cient Paganism.-Number of Pagan Deities-its Priesthood-Worship-

and Mysteries.-Summary of this Review.-Influence of Paganism among

Christians in regard to the Object of Worship-Source of the diversities

in the objects of Heathen Worship.-Idolatry the natural effect of Human

Depravity. Two Evils to be feared from the preceding Causes.-False

views of the Divine Character thus induced.-Paganism produces the

theory and practice of Creature Worship in the Church.-Causes tending

to this result observable in the Church from the earliest age.-Manifest in

the work of Hermas.-Notice of these Causes-Evil produced by them-

Still in operation
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LECTURE IX.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE INFLUENCE OF

ANCIENT PAGANISM.

Effect of Ancient Paganism on the forms of Christian Worship.—Civil

institutions have their symbolic Ceremonies.-This usage to be traced to

tendencies in Human Nature.-Effect of these tendencies in reference to

Religion. Simplicity of the New Testament Worship.-This evident from

the letter and spirit of that authority.-Testimony of Athens and Lacede-

mon in favour of Simplicity in Worship.-Fondness of mankind for Reli-

gious Pageantries.-Evil to be apprehended from it.-Corruption of the

Christian Worship during the first three Centuries—and subsequent to

the age of Constantine.-These changes facilitated by converting the

Pagan Temples into Churches.-Many of these Corruptions retained by

Protestants.-Influence of Paganism on the Polity of the Church.-Import

of the word Church.-Nature of the Christian fellowship.-Independence

of the Primitive Churches.-Province of the magistrate in relation to the

Church. Proper relation of Churches to each other.-Growth of the

Hierarchy. Prelacy of human institution.-Influence of the People on

matters of Discipline-with respect to the Choice of Officers.-Manner

in which the influence of the people and the authority of Scripture were

impaired. Influence of ancient Paganism on Christian Morality.-Leading

facts in the Corruption of Christian morals from this source.

381

LECTURE I.

ON THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY FROM
TENDENCIES IN THE PRESENT CONDITION
OF HUMAN NATURE.