[17] _Evenings with the Romanists_, pp. 221-223, London, 1854. [18] Eastern sun-worship. [19] _Influence of Rome on Christianity_, Hibbert Lectures for 1880, p. 33 ff. [20] _The Old Catholic Church_, etc., W. D. Killen, D.D., pp. 44-6, Edinburgh, 1871. [21] _Lives of the Fathers_, vol. i., pp. 350-1, Edinburgh, 1889. [22] _Four Lectures on Some Epochs of Early Church History_, by Charles Merivale, D.D., Dean of Ely, pp. 149-155, New York, Randolph; no date. [23] _Ancient Symbol Worship_, Westropp and Wake, pp. 94, 96, New York, 1874. [24] _Apostolic and Post-Apostolic Times_, G. V. Lechler, D.D., pp. 262, 263. CHAPTER II. PAGAN METHODS OF INTERPRETING THE SCRIPTURES. Contrast between the Christianity of the New Testament and That of the Later Centuries--Gnosticism and Allegorical Interpretation--Testimony of Harnack and Bauer Concerning the “Hellenization of Christianity”--Hatch on “Pagan Exegesis”--The “Fathers” as Allegorists; Justin, Clement of Alexandria, Barnabas, and Others--Examples: “The Red Heifer a Type of Christ”; “Spiritual Circumcision”; “Scriptural Significance of Foods”; “The Cross in the Old Testament”; “Why Are There One Hundred and Fifty Psalms?” “The Phœnix a Type of the Resurrection”; “Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue”; “Types of Christ”; Various Examples from Augustine. The student of history cannot fail to note the wide difference between the Christianity of the New Testament period and that of the fourth century. The religion which Christ taught was a direct outgrowth of Judaism. His mission was “not to destroy but to fulfil.” This He did by giving a higher conception and a broader view of all which Judaism had held hitherto. He gave a new meaning to the fatherhood of God. He explained and enforced the moral precepts of the Old Testament, developing their deeper spiritual sense, and giving them a new application to the inner life of men. He enlarged Judaism without destroying it. He clarified and intensified the ten commandments. He discarded the outward formalities of the Jews, and “reached the heart of things” by His interpretation of the ancient Scriptures, by His new precepts, and by His example. He developed Christianity within the Jewish Church, making it the efflorescence of all that was best in the ancient dispensation. Christ presented love for God, for truth, and for man, as the mainspring of action in all religious living. Under His teachings Christianity arose as a new life, springing from the law of God, written in the hearts of men. New Testament Christianity was a life born of love, and finding expression in loving obedience. It was a system of right living, as in the divine presence, and by the help of the divine Spirit. Men were drawn to each other and to Christ by the power of this love. Such was Christianity at its birth.