76 THE DECLINE AND FALL C II A P. was rapid and extensive ". They covered Asia and ^' Egypt, established themselves in Rome, and sometimes penetrated into the provinces of the west. For the most part they arose in the second century, flourished during the third, and were suppressed in the fourth or fifth, by the prevalence of more fashionable controver- sies, and by the superior ascendant of the reigning power. Though they constantly disturbed the peace, and frequently disgraced the name, of religion, they contributed to assist rather than to retard the progress of Christianity. The gentile converts, whose sti-ongest objections and prejudices were directed against the law of Moses, could find admission into many christian societies, which required not from their untutored mind any belief of an antecedent revelation. Their faith was insensibly fortified and enlarged, and the church was ultimately benefited by the conquests of its most in- veterate enemies". The de- But whatever difference of opinion might subsist be- mons con- j^ggjj |-j^g orthodox, the Ebionites, and the Gnostics, sidered as _ ... . . . the gods of concerning the divinity or the obligation of the Mosaic an iqui y. j^^^ they were all equally animated by the same exclu- sive zeal, and by the same abhorrence for idolatry, which had distinguished the jews from the other na- tions of the ancient world. The philosopher, who con- sidered the system of polytheism as a composition of human fi'aud and error, could disguise a smile of con- tempt under the mask of devotion, without apprehend- ing that either the mockery, or the compliance, would expose him to the resentment of any invisible, or, as he conceived them, imaginary powers. But the estab- lished rehgions of paganism were seen by the primi- tive christians in a much more odious and formidable light. It was the universal sentiment both of the church " Faciunt favos et vespee ; faciunt ecclesias et Marcionitse, is the strong expression of Tertuliian, which I am obliged to quote from memory. In the time of Epiphanius (advers. Haereses, p. 302.) the Marcionites were very numerous in Italy, Syria, Egypt, Arabia, and Persia. " Augustin is a memorable instance of this gradual progress from reason to faith. He was, during several years, engaged in the Manichaan sect.
