_Christian_ godliness, but without the power thereof, 2 _Thess_. ii. 7-10. For tho some stop was put to the _Cataphrygian_ Christianity, by Provincial Councils, till the fourth century; yet the _Roman_ Emperors then turning _Christians_, and great multitudes of heathens coming over in outward profession, these found the _Cataphrygian_ Christianity more suitable to their old principles, of placing religion in outward forms and ceremonies, holy-days, and doctrines of Ghosts, than the religion of the sincere _Christians_: wherefore they readily sided with the _Cataphrygian Christians_, and established that Christianity before the end of the fourth century. By this means those of understanding, after they had been persecuted by the heathen Emperors in the three first centuries, and _were holpen with a little help_, by the conversion of _Constantine_ the great and his sons to the _Christian_ religion, fell under new persecutions, _to purge them_ from the dissemblers, _and to make them white, even to the time of the end_. Notes to Chap. XIII. [1] Lib. 4. c. 28, 29. [2] In vita Constantini, l. 4. c. 28. [3] Epist. 10. [4] L. 32. de Episcopis. * * * * * CHAP. XIV. _Of the _Mahuzzims_, honoured by the King who doth according to his will_. In scripture we are told of some _trusting in God_ and others _trusting in idols_, and that _God is our refuge, our strength, our defense_. In this sense God is _the rock of his people_, and false Gods are called _the rock of those that trust in them_, Deut. xxxii. 4, 15, 18, 30, 31, 37. In the same sense the Gods of _the King_ who _shall do according to his will_ are called _Mahuzzims_, munitions, fortresses, protectors, guardians, or defenders. _In his estate_, saith [1] _Daniel_, _shall he honour _Mahuzzims_; even with a God whom his fathers knew not, shall he honour them with gold and silver, and with precious stones, and things of value. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds_ or temples;--_and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land_ among them _for a possession_. Now this came to pass by degrees in the following manner.