THE DECLINE AND FALL

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chap, absolute expiation of sin ; and the soul was in-stantly restored to its original purity, and enti-tled to the promise of eternal salvation. Amongthe proselytes of Christianity , there were manywho judged it imprudent to precipitate a salu-tary rite, which could not be repeated ; to throwaway an inestimable privilege, which could ne-ver be recovered. By the delay of their bap-tism, they could veuture freely to indulge theirpassions in the enjoyments of this world, whilethey still retained in their own hands the meansof a sure and easy absolution/ The sublimetheory of the gospel had made a much fainterimpression on the heart than on the understand-ing of Constantine himself. He pursued thegreat object of his ambition through the darkand bloody paths of war and policy ; and, af-ter the victory, he abandoned himself, withoutmoderation, to the abuse of his fortune. In-stead of asserting his just superiority above theimperfect heroism and profane philosophy ofTrajan and the Antonines, the mature age ofConstantine forfeited the reputation which he

y The fathers, who censured this criminal delay, could not deny thecertain and victorious efficacy even of a death-bed baptism. The inge-nious rhetoric of Chrysostom could find only three arguments againstthese prudent Christians . 1, That we should love and pursue virtuefor her own sake, and not merely for the reward. 2, That we may besurprised by death without an opportunity of baptism. 3, That al-though we shall be placed in heaven, we shall only twinkle like littlestars, when compared to the suns of righteousness who have run theirappointed course with labour, with success, and with glory. Chrysos-tom in Epist. ad Hebrajos, Hornil. xiii, apud Chardon. Hist, des Sa-creinens, tom. i, p. 49. 1 believe that this delay of baptism, though

attended with the most pernicious consequences, was never condemnedby aDy general or provincial council, or by any public act or declara-tion of the church. The zeal of the bishops was easily kindled onmuch slighter occasions.