That, after Christianity became the leading element of the Roman empire, it ceased to be regenerative in its nature, is evidenced by the fact, that the empire was often scourged with destructive civil wars which prepared it for dissolution. It was finally crushed by barbarian hordes. They desolated whole provinces, leaving only remnants of corrupt peoples, to be measurably regenerated by an infusion of new blood from the plains of eastern Europe, and western Asia. Both sacred and profane history have failed to record an instance of a people who, living under the regenerating influences of the Gospel of Jesus, and enjoying the favor of God, were broken and destroyed by such terrible scourges as visited the Roman empire the first five centuries of the Christian era. Modern nations have risen from its ashes, have adopted its religion, its customs, its ethics, without inspiration from heaven, without any further Gospel dispensation, without apostles and prophets of the house of Israel, and without the guidance of the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, which the Lord has decreed should only come through the seed of Abraham. Bible. _Isa_. 24. 2 as with the people, so with the priest. 5 the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof. 17 fear and the pit are upon thee, O inhabitants of the earth. _Dan_. 7. 25 he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the Saints. 8. 10 it waxed great, even to the host of heaven. 11 by him the daily sacrifice was taken away. 12 it cast down the truth to the ground, and it practised and prospered. 23 the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full. 25 through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand. 26. _Matt_. 24. 10 many shall be offended, and shall betray and hate one another. _Acts_ 20. 29 after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you. 30. 1 _Tim_. 1. 6 some have turned aside to vain jangling. 7. 19 concerning faith have made shipwreck. 4. 1 in the latter times some shall depart from the faith. 2, 3 speaking lies in hypocrisy, forbidding to marry. 2 _Tim_. 2. 18 who concerning the truth have erred. 3. 1 know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2-7 men shall be lovers of their own selves, without natural affection. Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 12 all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 4. 16 at my first answer no man stood with me. _Titus_ 1. 10, 11 many unruly and vain talkers, deceivers, who subvert whole houses. 3. 9 avoid foolish questions, contentions, and strivings. 10. 2 _Peter_ 2. 1 who, privily, shall bring in damnable heresies. _Rev_. 16. 6 for they have shed the blood of the Saints and prophets. 17. 1, 2 the great whore that sitteth upon the waters. _Chap_. 18. 3, 9. 5 the mystery, Babylon, the mother of harlots.