THE

BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY

WITH A

VIEW OF THE STATE OF THE ROMAN WORLD
AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

BY

GEORGE P. FISHER, D. D.

PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY IN YALE COLLEGE;
AUTHOR OF "ESSAYS ON THE SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY,"
"THE REFORMATION," ETC.

NEW YORK:
SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO.

1877.

Πάντες γὰρ ἄνθρωποι περὶ θεῶν ἔχουσιν ὑπόληψιν.

ARISTOTLE, de Cœlo, I. 3.

Aliud est de silvestri cacumine videre patriam pacis

ud tenere viam illuc ducentem.

et ali

AUGUSTINE, Confess., VII., xxi.

Salvation is of the Jews.

JOHN iv. 20.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.

II COR. iv. 7.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by

SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO.

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

GRANT, FAIRES & RODGErs,
ELECTROTYPERS AND PRINTERS,

PHILADELPHIA.

TO

EDWARDS AMASA PARK

AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT FOR HIS SERVICES

IN PROMOTING THEOLOGICAL SCIENCE

AND OF GRATITUDE FOR PERSONAL KINDNESS

THIS WORK IS DEDICATED

BY THE AUTHOR.