Section 4
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.37% accurate
Ill favorable to their work. Churches now every where arise, and Greeks at Antioch are the founders of the Christian name, and of the first Church among the Gentiles. The churches of Pales tine and Syria are the mothers of all other churches, (ch. 3.) The celebrated Judao-platonic Philo, flourished under Tiberius and Caligula, and becomes prominent as an expounder of mystical philosophy. He is also noted for an embassy to Rome in behalf of the Jews. The storm that had been gathering, burst upon that people under Caligula, and ended with the destruction of their city and temple, under Vespasian. Returning to the prominent actors at our Lord's death, the historian characterizes Pilate and Herod, noting the manner and circumstances of their death, (ch. 9, 10.) St. Luke's account of the impostor Theudas is con firmed by a passage from Josephus, together with other facts stated by the evangelist, from monuments existing in the days of Eusebius. The Gospel now spreads in the city of Rome. Simon Magnus is conspicuous as its antagonist, and as a leader in heresy and li centiousness. Eusebius, following Justin, Irenasus, Clement, Papias, and a general tradition, (ch. 13, 14,) speaks of Peter's successful mission against Simon, and the compilation of St. Mark's gospel, under the authority of the apostle. Tradition also refers the foun dation of the Church in Egypt, to St. Mark. (ch. 15, 16.) The extracts from Philo, in regard to the Therapeuta, incline the his torian to the opinion that they were either a sect of Christians, or else derived their institutions from the latter, (ch. 17.) The works of Philo are now stated and briefly noticed, when the history re turns to the condition of the Jews at this time ; their seditions and their sufferings 'under the emperors Claudius and Nero ; their in surrections under the notorious Egyptian impostor, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, when Felix was governor, (ch. 18-21.) The history next traces the different, parts visited by St. Paul, as deduced from his own writings, with a view to determine also the time of his death, (ch. 22.) Now follows a more full account of the death of James the Just, (coll. p. 49, 77,) the first bishop of