_ 41 Translator’s Note_.—And yet this system of concession has been called by the same author _true wisdom._—_Vid. supra_, p. 18. _ 42 Translator’s Note._—It dated from the time when the Christian church began to make a compromise with Paganism. 43 Who would defile themselves by the impious superstition of the idols. 44 An ecclesiastical writer of the fifth century. _ 45 Translator’s Note._—Importing usually into the Christian church that leaven of Paganism which is mentioned in the text. _ 46 Translator’s Note._—Retaining meanwhile, however, the thing itself. _ 47 Translator’s Note._—It is a great pity that the author leaves us in the dark about the time when this great improvement in the Roman Catholic Church to which he alludes took place. 48 St Augustinus relates, in the fourth book of his Confessions, chap, iii., that he was diverted from the idea of studying astrology by a pagan physician, who made him understand all the falsehood and ridicule of that science. 49 A similar custom is still prevalent is Russia. _Vide infra_, “On the Superstitions of her Church.” _ 50 Author’s Note._—In 1215, Buondelmonte was murdered by the Amidei at the foot of the statue of Mars. This murder produced at Florence a civil war, which, gradually spreading over all Italy, gave birth to the factions of the Guelphs and Ghibelines. 51 Basnage, “Histoire de l’Eglise,” p. 1174. 52 An interesting account of Vigilantius was published by the Rev. Dr Gilly, the well-known friend of the Waldensians. _ 53 Vide supra_, p. 8. 54 Gibbon’s “Roman Empire,” chap. xlix. 55 The Greeks and Russians worship their images chiefly by kissing them, and it was probably on this account that it was ordered to raise them to a height where they could not be reached by the lips of their votaries, because this means could not prevent them from bowing to them. 56 It is related that the women were the most zealous in defending the images, and that an officer of the emperor, who was demolishing a statue of Christ placed at the entrance of the imperial palace, was murdered by them. 57 Gibbon and some other writers think that Constantine survived for some time the loss of his eyes, but I have followed in the text the general opinion on this event. 58 Irene was a native of Athens. 59 Vol. ix. p. 429, _et seq._ 60 Extracts from the works of this celebrated monk, and his life, _apud_ Basnage _Histoire de l’Eglise_, p. 1375.