Clement of Rome at the dictation of the Apostles. These prefigure the Index by forbidding the Christians to read any books of the Gentiles;--“the Scriptures should suffice for the believer.”[14] The following schedule of the more representative and important of the prohibitions of the early Church is based chiefly on the record presented by Reusch. _150_ A. D. (_about_). _A synod of bishops of Asia Minor_, meeting either at Ephesus or at Smyrna, prohibits the _Acta Pauli_. The _Acta Pauli_ was an historical romance written about the middle of the 2d century and having for its purpose the glorification of the life and labours of St. Paul. The text of a portion of the work has recently been produced in facsimile, from a Coptic manuscript, by Professor Carl Schmidt of Heidelberg. The book is referred to by Eusebius and also by Photius, who writes in the middle of the 9th century. There is an earlier reference by Tertullian in his work on baptism, written about 200. According to Father Shahan, the work was condemned on the ground that, although apparently the work of an “orthodox” Christian, it did not present an authentic record. Notwithstanding this condemnation, the _Acta Pauli_ continued throughout the earlier centuries of the Church to secure circulation among Christians. This action of the bishops of Asia Minor appears to be the first recorded instance of ecclesiastical censorship of a work classed as heretical or at least as not authentic.[15] _325._ _The Council of Nicæa_ prohibits the _Thalia_ of Arius. _325._ _The Emperor Constantine_ issues an edict directing the destruction of the godless books of Porphyry and of the writings of Arius. The penalty of death was ordered for any who might conceal copies. _398._ _The Emperor Arcadius_ issues an edict ordering, under penalty of death, the destruction of the books of the Eunomians. _399._ _Arcadius_ issues an edict ordering the destruction under penalty of death (_humiliores capite puniuntur_) of all books of magic art. These edicts of Arcadius were the result of the action of the first two councils of the Church. It seems evident that the extreme penalties prescribed in the Roman law for those who should use or distribute books of magic were, under the influence of the ecclesiastics, utilised for the repression of their theological opponents. _399._ _The Council of Alexandria_, under Bishop Theophilus, issues a decree forbidding the owning or the reading of the books of Origen. The Egyptian monks protested and the bishops were obliged to call in the aid of the prefects to restore order in the council and to agree to enforce its authority. It is to be noted that the service of the secular government was required to secure the enforcement of this edict.