* * * * *

          Periodii.

          Fromthe death of the apostle John
          to the conversion of Constantine.—­
          A.D. 100 To ad. 312.

* * * * *

SECTION I.

     The history of the church.

CHAPTER I.

The growth of the church.

Prospects of the Church in the beginning of the second century, 275 Christianity recommended by its good fruits, 276 Diffusion of Scriptures and preparation of versions in
    other languages, 277
Doubtful character of the miracles attributed to this period, 278 Remarkable progress of the gospel, 280 Christianity propagated in Africa, France, Thrace, and Scotland, ib.  Testimonies to its success, 281 Gains ground rapidly towards the close of the third century, 282 Its progress, how to be tested, 283

CHAPTER II.

The persecutions of the church.

Spectators impressed by the sufferings of the Christians, 284
The blood of the martyrs the seed of the Church, 285
Persecution promoted the purity of the Church, ib. 
Christian graces gloriously displayed in times of persecution, ib. 
Private sufferings of the Christians, 286
How far the Romans acted on a principle of toleration, 288
Christianity opposed as a “new religion,” 288
Correspondence between Pliny and Trajan, 289
Law of Trajan, ib. 
Martyrdom of Simeon of Jerusalem, 290
Sufferings of Christians under Hadrian, 291
Hadrian’s rescript, ib. 
Marcus Aurelius a persecutor, 292
Justin and Polycarp martyred, 293
Persecution at Lyons and Vienne, 294
Absurd passion for martyrdom, 296
Treatment of the Christians by Septimius Severus, 297
The Libellatici and Thurificati, 298
Perpetua and Felicitas martyred,