4. But the strictest union of all was between the bishops of the church. They did nothing of importance, but by common consent. Those of the most distant provinces knew each other, by character, at least, and held correspondence by letters. And this it was easy to do by means of the vast extent of the _Roman_ empire; which (as _Origen_ remarks) seems to have been formed on purpose, to facilitate the preaching of the gospel. The church indeed soon extended itself beyond the empire on every side. And the farther it extended, the more to be admired was that uniformity of faith and manners which was among all Christians: true religion having corrected in this vast diversity of nations, all the barbarous and unreasonable customs of its followers. So that the universal church throughout the whole world, was truly one body, the members whereof, however distant from each other, were all united in one faith, by fervent charity. 5. The account which is given by one of the earliest writers of their public assemblies, is as follows: “On _Sunday_ all that live either in the city or country, meet together at the same place, where the writings of the prophets and apostles are read; then the bishop instructs and exhorts the people. This ended, we all rise up together (for on all _Sundays_ they prayed standing, in memory of the resurrection of our Lord) and pour out our souls in common prayers both for ourselves, and for all others throughout the world. Prayers being over, bread, and a cup of wine and water are brought to the bishop, which he takes, and offers up praise and glory to the Father of all things, through the name of his Son and holy Spirit. The people answer with joyful acclamations, _Amen_! Then the consecrated elements the eucharistical bread and wine are distributed to, and partaken by, all that are present, and sent to the absent by the hands of the deacons.” But the _martyr_ adds, “Of this food none are allowed to be partakers, but such only as are true believers, and live according to Christ’s precepts. For we do not take this as common bread and common wine, but as the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus.” CHAPTER VII. _Of their persecutions._ 1. BUT notwithstanding the purity of their doctrine, and the unblameableness of their lives, the Christians found what their Lord had told them before, that they should be _hated of all men. Because they were not of the world, therefore the world hated them._ Therefore was their _name cast out as evil_: yea, _all manner of evil was said of them falsly_; and by all ranks of men; both unlearned and learned; people and magistrates being against them. And the prejudice was such, that they were frequently condemned upon the bare name of _Christian_, without any farther examination. This sufficed to destroy all their good qualities; it being a common saying, “_Caius Sejus_ is a _good_ man; if he were not a _Christian_.”