THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF 'HE ROMAN EMPIRE. BY EDWARD GIBBON. WITH VARIORUM NOTEs, including those of UIZOT, WENCK, SCHREITER, AND HUGO. IN 7 VOLS.-VOL. II. LONDON GEORGE BELL & SONS 1901. CONTENTS. The Primitive Christians condemn Pleasure and Luxury V. THE FIFTH CAUSE. The Christians active in the Govern Its primitive Freedom and Equality Institution of Bishops as Presidents of the College of Pres Progress of Episcopal Authority Pre-eminence of the Metropolitan Churches The Scepticism of the Pagan World proved favourable to the In Africa and the Western Provinces Beyond the Limits of the Roman Empire. General Proportion of Christians and Pagans Whether the First Christians were Mean and Ignorant Some Exceptions with regard to Learning with regard to Rank and Fortune Christianity most favourably received by the Poor and Simple General Silence concerning the Darkness of the Passion |