InthemostcorruptstateofChristianity，theBarbariansmightlearnjusticefromthelaw，andmercyfromthegospel；andiftheknowledgeoftheirdutywasinsufficienttoguidetheiractions，ortoregulatetheirpassions，theyweresometimesrestrainedbyconscience，andfrequentlypunishedbyremorse。Butthedirectauthorityofreligionwaslesseffectualthantheholycommunion，whichunitedthemwiththeirChristianbrethreninspiritualfriendship。Theinfluenceofthesesentimentscontributedtosecuretheirfidelityintheservice，orthealliance，oftheRomans，toalleviatethehorrorsofwar，tomoderatetheinsolenceofconquest，andtopreserve，inthedownfalloftheempire，apermanentrespectforthenameandinstitutionsofRome。InthedaysofPaganism，thepriestsofGaulandGermanyreignedoverthepeople，andcontrolledthejurisdictionofthemagistrates；andthezealousproselytestransferredanequal，ormoreample，measureofdevoutobedience，tothepontiffsoftheChristianfaith。Thesacredcharacterofthebishopswassupportedbytheirtemporalpossessions；theyobtainedanhonorableseatinthelegislativeassembliesofsoldiersandfreemen；anditwastheirinterest，aswellastheirduty，tomollify，bypeacefulcounsels，thefiercespiritoftheBarbarians。TheperpetualcorrespondenceoftheLatinclergy，thefrequentpilgrimagestoRomeandJerusalem，andthegrowingauthorityofthepopes，cementedtheunionoftheChristianrepublic，andgraduallyproducedthesimilarmanners，andcommonjurisprudence，whichhavedistinguished，fromtherestofmankind，theindependent，andevenhostile，nationsofmodernEurope。
Buttheoperationofthesecauseswascheckedandretardedbytheunfortunateaccident，whichinfusedadeadlypoisonintothecupofSalvation。WhatevermightbetheearlysentimentsofUlphilas，hisconnectionswiththeempireandthechurchwereformedduringthereignofArianism。TheapostleoftheGothssubscribedthecreedofRimini；professedwithfreedom，andperhapswithsincerity，thattheSonwasnotequal，orconsubstantialtotheFather；^83communicatedtheseerrorstotheclergyandpeople；andinfectedtheBarbaricworldwithaheresy，^84whichthegreatTheodosiusproscribedandextinguishedamongtheRomans。Thetemperandunderstandingofthenewproselyteswerenotadaptedtometaphysicalsubtilties；
buttheystrenuouslymaintained，whattheyhadpiouslyreceived，asthepureandgenuinedoctrinesofChristianity。TheadvantageofpreachingandexpoundingtheScripturesintheTeutoniclanguagepromotedtheapostoliclaborsofUlphilasandhissuccessors；andtheyordainedacompetentnumberofbishopsandpresbytersfortheinstructionofthekindredtribes。TheOstrogoths，theBurgundians，theSuevi，andtheVandals，whohadlistenedtotheeloquenceoftheLatinclergy，^85preferredthemoreintelligiblelessonsoftheirdomesticteachers；andArianismwasadoptedasthenationalfaithofthewarlikeconverts，whowereseatedontheruinsoftheWesternempire。
Thisirreconcilabledifferenceofreligionwasaperpetualsourceofjealousyandhatred；andthereproachofBarbarianwasimbitteredbythemoreodiousepithetofHeretic。TheheroesoftheNorth，whohadsubmitted，withsomereluctance，tobelievethatalltheirancestorswereinhell，^86wereastonishedandexasperatedtolearn，thattheythemselveshadonlychangedthemodeoftheireternalcondemnation。Insteadofthesmoothapplause，whichChristiankingsareaccustomedtoexpectfromtheirroyalprelates，theorthodoxbishopsandtheirclergywereinastateofoppositiontotheAriancourts；andtheirindiscreetoppositionfrequentlybecamecriminal，andmightsometimesbedangerous。^87Thepulpit，thatsafeandsacredorganofsedition，resoundedwiththenamesofPharaohandHolofernes；^88thepublicdiscontentwasinflamedbythehopeorpromiseofagloriousdeliverance；andtheseditioussaintsweretemptedtopromotetheaccomplishmentoftheirownpredictions。
Notwithstandingtheseprovocations，theCatholicsofGaul，Spain，andItaly，enjoyed，underthereignoftheArians，thefreeandpeacefulexerciseoftheirreligion。Theirhaughtymastersrespectedthezealofanumerouspeople，resolvedtodieatthefootoftheiraltars；andtheexampleoftheirdevoutconstancywasadmiredandimitatedbytheBarbariansthemselves。Theconquerorsevaded，however，thedisgracefulreproach，orconfession，offear，byattributingtheirtolerationtotheliberalmotivesofreasonandhumanity；andwhiletheyaffectedthelanguage，theyimperceptibyimbibedthespirit，ofgenuineChristianity。
[Footnote83:TheopinionsofUlphilasandtheGothsinclinedtosemi—Arianism，sincetheywouldnotsaythattheSonwasacreature，thoughtheyheldcommunionwiththosewhomaintainedthatheresy。Theirapostlerepresentedthewholecontroversyasaquestionoftriflingmoment，whichhadbeenraisedbythepassionsoftheclergy。Theodoretl。iv。c。37。]
[Footnote84:TheArianismoftheGothshasbeenimputedtotheemperorValens:\"ItaquejustoDeijudicioipsieumvivumincenderunt，quiproptereumetiammortui，vitioerrorisarsurisunt。\"Orosius，l。vii。c。33，p。554。ThiscruelsentenceisconfirmedbyTillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。vi。p。604—610，whocoollyobserves，\"unseulhommeentrainadansl\'enferunnombreinfinideSeptentrionaux，&c。\"SalviandeGubern。Dei，l。vp。
150，151pitiesandexcusestheirinvoluntaryerror。]
[Footnote85:Orosiusaffirms，intheyear416，l。vii。c。41，p。580，thattheChurchesofChristoftheCatholicswerefilledwithHuns，Suevi，Vandals，Burgundians。]
[Footnote86:Radbod，kingoftheFrisons，wassomuchscandalizedbythisrashdeclarationofamissionary，thathedrewbackhisfootafterhehadenteredthebaptismalfont。SeeFleury，Hist。Eccles。tom。ixp。167。]
[Footnote87:TheepistlesofSidonius，bishopofClermont，undertheVisigotha，andofAvitus，bishopofVienna，undertheBurgundians，explainsometimesindarkhints，thegeneraldispositionsoftheCatholics。ThehistoryofClovisandTheodoricwillsuggestsomeparticularfacts]
[Footnote88:Gensericconfessedtheresemblance，bytheseveritywithwhichhepunishedsuchindiscreetallusions。VictorVitensis，l。7，p。10。]
Thepeaceofthechurchwassometimesinterrupted。TheCatholicswereindiscreet，theBarbarianswereimpatient；andthepartialactsofseverityorinjustice，whichhadbeenrecommendedbytheArianclergy，wereexaggeratedbytheorthodoxwriters。
TheguiltofpersecutionmaybeimputedtoEuric，kingoftheVisigoths；whosuspendedtheexerciseofecclesiastical，or，atleast，ofepiscopalfunctions；andpunishedthepopularbishopsofAquitainwithimprisonment，exile，andconfiscation。^89ButthecruelandabsurdenterpriseofsubduingthemindsofawholepeoplewasundertakenbytheVandalsalone。Genserichimself，inhisearlyyouth，hadrenouncedtheorthodoxcommunion；andtheapostatecouldneithergrant，norexpect，asincereforgiveness。
HewasexasperatedtofindthattheAfricans，whohadfledbeforehiminthefield，stillpresumedtodisputehiswillinsynodsandchurches；andhisferociousmindwasincapableoffearorofcompassion。HisCatholicsubjectswereoppressedbyintolerantlawsandarbitrarypunishments。ThelanguageofGensericwasfuriousandformidable；theknowledgeofhisintentionsmightjustifythemostunfavorableinterpretationofhisactions；andtheArianswerereproachedwiththefrequentexecutionswhichstainedthepalaceandthedominionsofthetyrant。Armsandambitionwere，however，therulingpassionsofthemonarchofthesea。ButHunneric，hisingloriousson，whoseemedtoinheritonlyhisvices，tormentedtheCatholicswiththesameunrelentingfurywhichhadbeenfataltohisbrother，hisnephews，andthefriendsandfavoritesofhisfather；andeventotheArianpatriarch，whowasinhumanlyburntaliveinthemidstofCarthage。Thereligiouswarwasprecededandpreparedbyaninsidioustruce；persecutionwasmadetheseriousandimportantbusinessoftheVandalcourt；andtheloathsomediseasewhichhastenedthedeathofHunneric，revengedtheinjuries，withoutcontributingtothedeliverance，ofthechurch。ThethroneofAfricawassuccessivelyfilledbythetwonephewsofHunneric；byGundamund，whoreignedabouttwelve，andbyThrasimund，whogovernedthenationabouttwenty—seven，years。Theiradministrationwashostileandoppressivetotheorthodoxparty。
Gundamundappearedtoemulate，oreventosurpass，thecrueltyofhisuncle；and，ifatlengthherelented，ifherecalledthebishops，andrestoredthefreedomofAthanasianworship，aprematuredeathinterceptedthebenefitsofhistardyclemency。
Hisbrother，Thrasimund，wasthegreatestandmostaccomplishedoftheVandalkings，whomheexcelledinbeauty，prudence，andmagnanimityofsoul。Butthismagnanimouscharacterwasdegradedbyhisintolerantzealanddeceitfulclemency。Insteadofthreatsandtortures，heemployedthegentle，butefficacious，powersofseduction。Wealth，dignity，andtheroyalfavor，weretheliberalrewardsofapostasy；theCatholics，whohadviolatedthelaws，mightpurchasetheirpardonbytherenunciationoftheirfaith；andwheneverThrasimundmeditatedanyrigorousmeasure，hepatientlywaitedtilltheindiscretionofhisadversariesfurnishedhimwithaspeciousopportunity。Bigotrywashislastsentimentinthehourofdeath；andheexactedfromhissuccessorasolemnoath，thathewouldnevertoleratethesectariesofAthanasius。Buthissuccessor，Hilderic，thegentlesonofthesavageHunneric，preferredthedutiesofhumanityandjusticetothevainobligationofanimpiousoath；andhisaccessionwasgloriouslymarkedbytherestorationofpeaceanduniversalfreedom。Thethroneofthatvirtuous，thoughfeeblemonarch，wasusurpedbyhiscousinGelimer，azealousArian:buttheVandalkingdom，beforehecouldenjoyorabusehispower，wassubvertedbythearmsofBelisarius；andtheorthodoxpartyretaliatedtheinjurieswhichtheyhadendured。^90
[Footnote89:SucharethecontemporarycomplaintsofSidonius，bishopofClermontl。vii。c。6，p。182，&c。，edit。Sirmond。
GregoryofTourswhoquotesthisEpistle，l。ii。c。25，intom。
ii。p。174，extortsanunwarrantableassertion，thatoftheninevacanciesinAquitain，somehadbeenproducedbyepiscopalmartyrdoms]
[Footnote90:TheoriginalmonumentsoftheVandalpersecutionarepreservedinthefivebooksofthehistoryofVictorVitensis，dePersecutioneVandalica，abishopwhowasexiledbyHunneric；inthelifeofSt。Fulgentius，whowasdistinguishedinthepersecutionofThrasimundinBiblioth。Max。Patrum，tom。ix。
p。4—16；andinthefirstbookoftheVandalicWar，bytheimpartialProcopius，c。7，8，p。196，197，198，199。DomRuinart，thelasteditorofVictor，hasillustratedthewholesubjectwithacopiousandlearnedapparatusofnotesandsupplementParis，1694。]
ThepassionatedeclamationsoftheCatholics，thesolehistoriansofthispersecution，cannotaffordanydistinctseriesofcausesandevents；anyimpartialviewofthecharacters，orcounsels；butthemostremarkablecircumstancesthatdeserveeithercreditornotice，maybereferredtothefollowingheads；
I。Intheoriginallaw，whichisstillextant，^91Hunnericexpresslydeclares，andthedeclarationappearstobecorrect，
thathehadfaithfullytranscribedtheregulationsandpenaltiesoftheImperialedicts，againstthehereticalcongregations，theclergy，andthepeople，whodissentedfromtheestablishedreligion。Iftherightsofconsciencehadbeenunderstood，theCatholicsmusthavecondemnedtheirpastconductoracquiescedintheiractualsuffering。Buttheystillpersistedtorefusetheindulgencewhichtheyclaimed。Whiletheytrembledunderthelashofpersecution，theypraisedthelaudableseverityofHunnerichimself，whoburntorbanishedgreatnumbersofManichaeans；^92andtheyrejected，withhorror，theignominiouscompromise，thatthedisciplesofAriusandofAthanasiusshouldenjoyareciprocalandsimilartolerationintheterritoriesoftheRomans，andinthoseoftheVandals。^93II。Thepracticeofaconference，whichtheCatholicshadsofrequentlyusedtoinsultandpunishtheirobstinateantagonists，wasretortedagainstthemselves。^94AtthecommandofHunneric，fourhundredandsixty—sixorthodoxbishopsassembledatCarthage；butwhentheywereadmittedintothehallofaudience，theyhadthemortificationofbeholdingtheArianCyrilaexaltedonthepatriarchalthrone。Thedisputantswereseparated，afterthemutualandordinaryreproachesofnoiseandsilence，ofdelayandprecipitation，ofmilitaryforceandofpopularclamor。OnemartyrandoneconfessorwereselectedamongtheCatholicbishops；twenty—eightescapedbyflight，andeighty—eightbyconformity；forty—sixweresentintoCorsicatocuttimberfortheroyalnavy；andthreehundredandtwowerebanishedtothedifferentpartsofAfrica，exposedtotheinsultsoftheirenemies，andcarefullydeprivedofallthetemporalandspiritualcomfortsoflife。^95Thehardshipsoftenyears\'exilemusthavereducedtheirnumbers；andiftheyhadcompliedwiththelawofThrasimund，whichprohibitedanyepiscopalconsecrations，theorthodoxchurchofAfricamusthaveexpiredwiththelivesofitsactualmembers。Theydisobeyed，andtheirdisobediencewaspunishedbyasecondexileoftwohundredandtwentybishopsintoSardinia；wheretheylanguishedfifteenyears，tilltheaccessionofthegraciousHilderic。^96ThetwoislandswerejudiciouslychosenbythemaliceoftheirAriantyrants。Seneca，fromhisownexperience，hasdeploredandexaggeratedthemiserablestateofCorsica，^97andtheplentyofSardiniawasoverbalancedbytheunwholesomequalityoftheair。^98III。ThezealofGenericandhissuccessors，fortheconversionoftheCatholics，musthaverenderedthemstillmorejealoustoguardthepurityoftheVandalfaith。Beforethechurcheswerefinallyshut，itwasacrimetoappearinaBarbariandress；andthosewhopresumedtoneglecttheroyalmandatewererudelydraggedbackwardsbytheirlonghair。^99Thepalatineofficers，whorefusedtoprofessthereligionoftheirprince，wereignominiouslystrippedoftheirhonorsandemployments；banishedtoSardiniaandSicily；orcondemnedtotheservilelaborsofslavesandpeasantsinthefieldsofUtica。InthedistrictswhichhadbeenpeculiarlyallottedtotheVandals，theexerciseoftheCatholicworshipwasmorestrictlyprohibited；andseverepenaltiesweredenouncedagainsttheguiltbothofthemissionaryandtheproselyte。Bythesearts，thefaithoftheBarbarianswaspreserved，andtheirzealwasinflamed:theydischarged，withdevoutfury，theofficeofspies，informers，orexecutioners；andwhenevertheircavalrytookthefield，itwasthefavoriteamusementofthemarchtodefilethechurches，andtoinsulttheclergyoftheadversefaction。^100IV。ThecitizenswhohadbeeneducatedintheluxuryoftheRomanprovince，weredelivered，withexquisitecruelty，totheMoorsofthedesert。Avenerabletrainofbishops，presbyters，anddeacons，withafaithfulcrowdoffourthousandandninety—sixpersons，whoseguiltisnotpreciselyascertained，weretornfromtheirnativehomes，bythecommandofHunneric。Duringthenighttheywereconfined，likeaherdofcattle，amidsttheirownordure:duringthedaytheypursuedtheirmarchovertheburningsands；andiftheyfaintedundertheheatandfatigue，theyweregoaded，ordraggedalong，tilltheyexpiredinthehandsoftheirtormentors。^101Theseunhappyexiles，whentheyreachedtheMoorishhuts，mightexcitethecompassionofapeople，whosenativehumanitywasneitherimprovedbyreason，norcorruptedbyfanaticism:butiftheyescapedthedangers，theywerecondemnedtosharethedistressofasavagelife。V。Itisincumbentontheauthorsofpersecutionpreviouslytoreflect，whethertheyaredeterminedtosupportitinthelastextreme。Theyexcitetheflamewhichtheystrivetoextinguish；anditsoonbecomesnecessarytochastisethecontumacy，aswellasthecrime，oftheoffender。Thefine，whichheisunableorunwillingtodischarge，exposeshispersontotheseverityofthelaw；andhiscontemptoflighterpenaltiessuggeststheuseandproprietyofcapitalpunishment。Throughtheveiloffictionanddeclamationwemayclearlyperceive，thattheCatholicsmoreespeciallyunderthereignofHunneric，enduredthemostcruelandignominioustreatment。^102Respectablecitizens，noblematrons，andconsecratedvirgins，werestrippednaked，andraisedintheairbypulleys，withaweightsuspendedattheirfeet。Inthispainfulattitudetheirnakedbodiesweretornwithscourges，orburntinthemosttenderpartswithred—hotplatesofiron。Theamputationoftheearsthenose，thetongue，andtherighthand，wasinflictedbytheArians；andalthoughtheprecisenumbercannotbedefined，itisevidentthatmanypersons，amongwhomabishop^103andaproconsul^104maybenamed，wereentitledtothecrownofmartyrdom。ThesamehonorhasbeenascribedtothememoryofCountSebastian，whoprofessedtheNicenecreedwithunshakenconstancy；andGensericmightdetest，asaheretic，thebraveandambitiousfugitivewhomhedreadedasarival。^105VI。Anewmodeofconversion，whichmightsubduethefeeble，andalarmthetimorous，wasemployedbytheArianministers。Theyimposed，byfraudorviolence，theritesofbaptism；andpunishedtheapostasyoftheCatholics，iftheydisclaimedthisodiousandprofaneceremony，whichscandalouslyviolatedthefreedomofthewill，andtheunityofthesacrament。^106Thehostilesectshadformerlyallowedthevalidityofeachother\'sbaptism；andtheinnovation，sofiercelymaintainedbytheVandals，canbeimputedonlytotheexampleandadviceoftheDonatists。VII。TheArianclergysurpassedinreligiouscrueltythekingandhisVandals；buttheywereincapableofcultivatingthespiritualvineyard，whichtheyweresodesiroustopossess。Apatriarch^107mightseathimselfonthethroneofCarthage；somebishops，intheprincipalcities，mightusurptheplaceoftheirrivals；butthesmallnessoftheirnumbers，andtheirignoranceoftheLatinlanguage，^108
disqualifiedtheBarbariansfortheecclesiasticalministryofagreatchurch；andtheAfricans，afterthelossoftheirorthodoxpastors，weredeprivedofthepublicexerciseofChristianity。
VIII。TheemperorswerethenaturalprotectorsoftheHomoousiandoctrine；andthefaithfulpeopleofAfrica，bothasRomansandasCatholics，preferredtheirlawfulsovereigntytotheusurpationoftheBarbarousheretics。Duringanintervalofpeaceandfriendship，HunnericrestoredthecathedralofCarthage；attheintercessionofZeno，whoreignedintheEast，andofPlacidia，thedaughterandrelictofemperors，andthesisterofthequeenoftheVandals。^109Butthisdecentregardwasofshortduration；andthehaughtytyrantdisplayedhiscontemptforthereligionoftheempire，bystudiouslyarrangingthebloodyimagesofpersecution，inalltheprincipalstreetsthroughwhichtheRomanambassadormustpassinhiswaytothepalace。^110Anoathwasrequiredfromthebishops，whowereassembledatCarthage，thattheywouldsupportthesuccessionofhissonHilderic，andthattheywouldrenounceallforeignortransmarinecorrespondence。Thisengagement，consistent，asitshouldseem，withtheirmoralandreligiousduties，wasrefusedbythemoresagaciousmembers^111oftheassembly。Theirrefusal，faintlycoloredbythepretencethatitisunlawfulforaChristiantoswear，mustprovokethesuspicionsofajealoustyrant。
[Footnote91:Victor，iv。2，p。65。HunnericrefusesthenameofCatholicstotheHomoousians。Hedescribes，astheveriDivinaeMajestatiscultores，hisownparty，whoprofessedthefaith，confirmedbymorethanathousandbishops，inthesynodsofRiminiandSeleucia。]
[Footnote92:Victor，ii，1，p。21，22:Laudabilior……
videbatur。IntheMsswhichomitthisword，thepassageisunintelligible。SeeRuinartNot。p。164。]
[Footnote93:Victor，ii。p。22，23。TheclergyofCarthagecalledtheseconditionspericulosoe；andtheyseem，indeed，tohavebeenproposedasasnaretoentraptheCatholicbishops。]
[Footnote94:Seethenarrativeofthisconference，andthetreatmentofthebishops，inVictor，ii。13—18，p。35—42andthewholefourthbookp。63—171。Thethirdbook，p。42—62，isentirelyfilledbytheirapologyorconfessionoffaith。]
[Footnote95:SeethelistoftheAfricanbishops，inVictor，p。
117—140，andRuinart\'snotes，p。215—397。TheschismaticnameofDonatusfrequentlyoccurs，andtheyappeartohaveadoptedlikeourfanaticsofthelastagethepiousappellationsofDeodatus，Deogratias，Quidvultdeus，Habetdeum，&c。
Note:ThesenamesappeartohavebeenintroducedbytheDonatists。—M。]