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Curiosities of Christian History Prior to the Reformation

Name: Curiosities of Christian History Prior to the Reformation
Author: James Paterson

by James Paterson

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Language: en1,512 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 Church history -- Middle Ages, 600-1500 Church history -- Miscellanea

In: History - Religious

Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #39966.

About this book

James Paterson’s Curiosities of Christian History Prior to the Reformation is a sweeping survey of the first fourteen centuries of the Christian world, assembled from a wide range of annals, chronicles and biographies. The work opens with a sweeping claim that, from Christ’s time until the Reformation, dissent was limited to “traitors and heretics,” and then proceeds to outline a series of brief memorials that aim to highlight the common aspirations, doubts and trials of believers across ages. Paterson explicitly states that he has omitted miracles, doctrinal disputes and the most brutal acts of persecutors, choosing instead to “cull a few flowers” from the vast literature of the period and to present concise sketches of persons, episodes and events from a Christian perspective.

The book reads like a nineteenth‑century compendium, its tone scholarly yet conversational, and its structure organized into numbered chapters that move from the Virgin Mary and the apostles through early church customs, monastic life, and the deeds of bishops, kings and popes. Readers who enjoy dense reference works, antiquarian studies, or a panoramic view of ecclesiastical and secular figures without the weight of theological polemic will find Paterson’s selective, anecdotal approach rewarding. It especially appeals to those interested in the cultural and social fabric of medieval Christianity, students, clergy, and history enthusiasts who appreciate a catalog of personalities and customs rather than a narrative novel.

The opening · free to read

From the time of Christ to the epoch of the Reformation there were no Dissenters--only traitors and heretics, who were deemed unworthy to live in the same world and to breathe the same air as Emperors, Popes, and Bishops. But the Christian temperament can be traced through all the centuries--whether the devout people of the period were martyrs or hermits, monks, nuns, or friars, pilgrims or crusaders, priests or warriors. The same aspirations, misgivings, trials, and difficulties existed then as now, though the trials and difficulties may now be less. The best people of to-day may be trusted to recognise a touch of their own kindred amid all the varieties of time and place and circumstance which make up the past.

I have here collected from many histories, annals, chronicles, and biographies, far and wide, some particulars of the interesting persons, episodes, and events from the Christian's point of view during the first fourteen centuries. The literature of so many ages is vast, and the things now deemed of most interest are overlaid with heavy material. But I have left out all the miracles--most of the wordy war of doctrines--most of the atrocities of persecutors and inquisitors. I have only culled a few flowers; I have only tried to snatch from oblivion a few brief memorials which may suggest wholesome thoughts and inquiries to modern Christians of every denomination.

C. J.

TABLE OF MATTERS.

Heathen Knowledge about the Virgin, 1; Simeon's Great Age, 2; Portraits of the Virgin, 2; Marriage of Joseph and Virgin Mary, 3; Massacre of Innocents, 4; Flight to Egypt, 5; Holy Family Leaving Egypt, 6; Assumption of Virgin Mary, 7; Christ Learning Alphabet, 9; Joseph and Jesus as Carpenters, 10; Christ's Baptism, 10; Portraits of Christ, 11; King Agbarus, 12; Christ's Preaching, 13; Sentence on Christ, 14; Christ Appearing to James, 14; Forms of Crosses, 15; The Holy Cross, 15; Thieves at Crucifixion, 16; Soldier who Pierced the Saviour's Side, 17; Legend of the Cross, 17; Stations of Cross, 18; Crown of Thorns, 19; Apocryphal Gospels, 20; False Christs, 21; Septuagint Bible, 21; English Versions of Bible, 22.

Death of the Apostles, 23; Apostles who were Married, 23; St. Matthew and St. Mark, 24; St. Luke and St. Bartholomew, 25; St. Thomas and St. Simeon, 26; St. Timothy and St. Barnabas, 27; St. Titus, St. Philip, and St. Andrew, 28; James and John, 29; St. John the Apostle, 30; St. John and his Partridge, 31; St. John's Last Days, 32; St. John and Edward the Confessor, 33; St. James the Less, 33; St. James the Great, 34; St. Peter and St. Paul, 36; Deaths of St. Peter and St. Paul, 37; St. Peter when in Rome, 38; Churches of St. Peter and St. Paul at Rome, 39; If St. Paul in Great Britain, 40; Judas Iscariot, 41.

Sages of Greece and Rome on Christian Prodigies, 42; Zacharias and John the Baptist, 44; Pontius Pilate, 45; Herod the Great, 46; Mary Magdalene, 47; St. Martha, 48; St. Veronica, 48; Hillel, 49; Sanhedrim, 49; Working Man in Christ's Time, 50; Pharisaic Niceties, 50; Sieges of Jerusalem, 50; Antioch, 51; Palestine Explorations, 52; Jordan to the Dead Sea, 53; Sea of Galilee, 53; Sources of Jordan, 54; Waters of Merom, 55; Rivers of Damascus, 55; Populousness of Galilee, 56; Climate of Palestine, 57; Mount Hermon, 57; Lilies of the Field, 58; Wayside Fruits and Flowers, 58; The Birds, 59; Wild Beasts and Animals, 60; Jerusalem, 60; Nazareth, 61; Capernaum, 62.

Church History Divided into Ages and Periods, 63; Apostolic Church, 64; The Millennium, 64; Community of Goods, 65; Emblems of Christians, 66; Christian Names, 66; Auricular Confession, 67; Religious Riots, 68; Preaching much Applauded, 68; Dress and Appearance of Clergy, 69; Priests and Deacons, 69; Early Bishops, 70; The Pastoral Staff, 71; Ancient Churches, 72; Deaconess, 72; Liturgy, 73; Ritualism, 74; The Mass, 74; Ancient Church Service, 75; Organs and Bells, 76; Separation of Sexes, 77; Praying for the Dead, 77; Sin-eaters at Funerals, 78; Praising the Lord Day and Night, 78; Christmas Day and Easter Day, 79; Festival of All Saints, 80; Holidays and Feasts, 80; Feast of the Ass, 81; The Boy Bishop, 81; Miracle Plays, 82; Passion Plays, 82; Festival of the Rose, 83; The Millennium, 84; Church Building Age, 84; Round Towers, 85; Worship of the Virgin, 85; Truce of God, 86; Number Seven in Scripture, 87; A Jubilee Year, 87; King's Prayer for Rain, 89; The Black Death, 90; Dancing Mania, 91; Monk Flagellants, 91; Extravagant Dress, 92; Telling Fortunes, 93.

The Name of Christian, 94; Early Pagan Riot, 94; Early Christians and Slavery, 95; The First Persecution, 96; How Christians Appeared to Pagans, 97; Shows of Wild Beasts, 97; Testing Fidelity of Christians, 98; Constantine the Great, 99; Standard of the Cross, 100; Dream of Constantine, 100; Constantine Preaching, 101; Last Illness of Constantine, 102; First Church Council, 102; Silencing the Pagans, 103; How to Refute a Heretic, 103; Julian the Apostate, 105; Theological Disputes, 105; Controversy about the Trinity, 106; Athanasius, 107; Sermon on the Trinity, 108; Against Demolishing Temples, 108; First Demolishing of Temples, 110; Image at the Palace, 111; St. Martin of Tours, 112; The King of the Goths, 112; Attila, King of the Huns, 113; Vandals Sacking Rome, 114; Justinian, 115; Mahomet's Knowledge, 115; Oak of Geismar, 116; Pope Defending Rome, 117; Forged Decretals, 118; Separation of Greek and Latin Churches, 119; Jew and Christian, 119; Julian Inciting the Jews, 120; Hating the Jews, 121; Golden Age of Judaism, 121; The Pope and the Jews. 122; The Jews of York, 122; Jews Crucifying English Boy, 124; The Black Death, 124; Jews Stealing the Host, 125; Torquemada's Zeal, 126; Jewish Physicians, 127; Converting a Jew, 128; Controversy about Image Worship, 129; The Iconoclasts, 130; John of Damascus, 131; Claudius of Turin, 133; Trying to Convert Image Worshippers, 134; Empress Irene, 135; Empress Theodora, 135; Image Worship in Spain, 136; Pope Hildebrand, 137; St. Thomas Aquinas, 137; The Popes as Temporal Princes, 139; Rienzi, 139; Last Hours of the Roman Empire, 140; Election to Holy Roman Empire, 141.

Martyr Valeria, 142; St. Thecla and Polycarp, 143; St. Felicitas, 144; The Martyrs of Lyons, 144; St. Cecilia, 145; Perpetua, 146; St. Ursula, 146; St. Barbara, 147; Potamiana, 147; St. Genes the Actor, 148; Genesius, 148; St. Alban, 149; Didymus and Theodora, 149; St. Cyprian and Justina, 150; St. John Chrysostom, 150; St. James Intercisus, 151; Martyr for Image Worship, 151; Huss the Bohemian, 152; Joan of Arc a Modern Patriotic Martyr, 153; Joan's Mission, 153; Joan taken Captive and Burnt, 159; Outbreak of Hermit Zeal, 160; First Monastic Life, 160; St. Antony, 161; Hermit Visiting, 161; Hermit and Grapes, 162; Hermit's Courtesies, 162; Hermits' Quarrel, 163; Political Economy of Hermits, 163; The Wise Sayings of St. Pambo, 164; A Hermit's Olive Tree, 164; Macarius, 165; St. Martin of Tours, 165; Dorotheus, the Architect, 166; St. Poemen, Prince of Hermits, 167; St. Moyses, Water-carrier, 167; Hermit's New Austerities, 168; St. Carileff, 169; First Saxon Hermit, 169; St. Guthlac, 170; St. Simeon Stylites, 171; A Pillar Monk, 171; St. Herbert of Derwentwater, 171; St. Ethelwald at Farne, 172; English Queen Consulting Hermit, 174; Conscientious Hermit, 174; St. Bartholomew of Farne, 175; French King sends for Hermit, 176; Consecration of Hermits and Recluses, 177; St. Methodius the Martyr, 177; Miracles of Saints, 178; Local and Patron Saints, 179; St. Geneviève, 179; Reverence for Relics, 180; Secrecy in Removing Relics, 181; Capturing Holy Relics, 181; Stealing Relics, 182; Defending his Relics, 183; Forgery of Relics, 183; How to Flatter a Relic Worshipper, 184; Empress Begging for Relics, 185; If Genuine Relics, 185; The Crown of Thorns Pawned and Sold, 186; King of France shows Holy Cross, 187; Blood of Christ at Westminster, 188; St. Stephen's Relics, 188; St. Dunstan, 189; John Huss on Relics, 190; Crucifix During the Plague, 190; Purchasing the Head of St. Andrew, 191; Pilgrimage to Walsingham, 191; Pilgrimage in Switzerland, 192; Pilgrims to Canterbury, 192.

Origen, 194; St. Ambrose, 194; St. Jerome, 197; St. Jerome's Reflections, 198; St. Jerome with Lion and Ass, 198; Deathbed of St. Jerome, 199; St. Jerome's Epistles, 199; St. Chrysostom's Eloquence, 200; St. Chrysostom on Monkery, 201; St. Augustine Witnessing Miracles, 202; Vision of St. Augustine, 203; St. Augustine's Faith in Dreams, 203; St. Cyril of Alexandria, 204; Some Notions of the Fathers, 204.

Origin of Monachism, 206; Miracles of Monks, 207; Philosophy of Monkery, 207; Motives for Monks, 208; Weak Side of, 208; St. Benedict, 209; The Reformers of Monkery, 209; Early Difficulties, 210; Advice to Monks, 211; A Monk Denounces Ferocity, 211; Making the Monks Work, 212; Improvements, 212; Monk at Court, 213; Monks First Drinking Wine, 214; Charlemagne about Monks, 214; Leaving Court to be Monk, 215; Monk going to Court, 215; The Reason of so many Monasteries, 216; Life in a Convent, 216; A Day's life in Monastery, 217; Routine of English Monks, 218; Arrangements of an Abbey, 218; Monks and Friars, 219; Friars and Priests, 220; Enmity between Monks, 220; Monks Disliked by Clergy, 220; Monk who Wanted to be an Angel, 221; Death of Abbess at Aries, 221; Cædmon, Monk Poet, 222; Monk Sleeping too long, 223; Abbot lecturing his Monks, 223; The War of the two Abbots, 224; Monks and Gregorian Chant, 225; Those who Pillage Monks, 225; Monks to Live Frugally, 226; Monk's Burial, 227; Sick Monks, 227; Monks Honour Rich Men, 228; Good Lessons of the Monks, 229; Pope Inviting a Fellow Monk, 229; Order of Friars, 230; Cinderella of the Convent, 230; Nuns at Sempringham, 231; Compunctious Visitings of Monks, 232; Monkery Worked Out, 232; War of the Nuns of Basle, 233; Stealing another Monk's Food, 234; Monks Deciding on Creeds, 234; Monk Interceding for Prisoners, 235; How Carthusians Acquired a Site, 235; Luther at his Old Convent, 236; Monks and Polite Letters, 236; Literature about Saints, 237; Scriptorium in St. Gall, 237; Beautiful Manuscripts, 238; Penmanship of Monks, 239; Monasteries as Museums, 239; Embroidery of Nuns, 240; Monks at Missal Painting, 241; Music and Illuminating, 241.

Nun Converts the Iberians, 243; Fourth-century Missionary, 243; Sermon by St. Patrick, 244; Monk Warding Off Locusts, 244; First Planting the Cross in England, 245; Pope Gregory and England, 246; Impression on Saxon King, 247; Methodius Preaching, 247; Apostle of Switzerland, 248; St. Eligius, 248; Anschar the Apostle, 249; St. Neot, Cornish Saint, 250; Conversion of Russia, 251; Bishop Otto, 251; Norbert and Clerical Vices, 252; Fulk, 252; St. Dominic's Zeal, 253; St. Francis of Assisium, 254; St. Francis tending the Lepers, 254; The Stigmata of St. Francis, 255; Biography of St. Francis, 256; St. Antony of Padua, 256; English Friars Disdained Shoes, 257; Raimund Lull, 258; St. Ignatius of Loyola, 259; St. Vincent de Paul, 260; Mediæval Missionaries, 261; Friar Startling Judges, 261; The Schoolmen, 262; Friars on Useless Ornaments, 262; Friar on Fashionable Vices, 263; Denouncing Female Headdresses, 263; Savonarola, 264.

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