s seemed necessary to account for its extraordinary
preservation, and seasonable discovery, were gradually propagated
without opposition. The custody of the true cross, which on Easter
Sunday was solemnly exposed to the people, was intrusted to the bishop
of Jerusalem; and he alone might gratify the curious devotion of the
pilgrims, by the gift of small pieces, which they encased in gold or
gems, and carried away in triumph to their respective countries. But as
this gainful branch of commerce must soon have been annihilated, it was
found convenient to suppose, that the marvelous wood possessed a
secret power of vegetation; and that its substance, though continually
diminished, still remained entire and unimpaired. [66] It might perhaps
have been expected, that the influence of the place and the belief of
a perpetual miracle, should have produced some salutary effects on the
morals, as well as on the faith, of the people. Yet the most respectable
of the ecclesiastical writers have been obliged to confess, not only
that the streets of Jerusalem were filled with the incessant tumult of
business and pleasure, [67] but that every species of vice--adultery,
theft, idolatry, poisoning, murder--was familiar to the inhabitants
of the holy city. [68] The wealth and preeminence of the church
of Jerusalem excited the ambition of Arian, as well as orthodox,
candidates; and the virtues of Cyril, who, since his death, has been
honored with the title of Saint, were displayed in the exercise, rather
than in the acquisition, of his episcopal dignity. [69]

[Footnote 63: The Itinerary from Bourdeaux to Jerusalem was composed in
the year 333, for the use of pilgrims; among whom Jerom (tom. i. p. 126)
mentions the Britons and the Indians. The causes of this superstitious
fashion are discussed in the learned and judicious preface of Wesseling.
(Itinarar. p. 537-545.) ----Much curious information on this subject is
collected in the first chapter of Wilken, Geschichte der Kreuzzuge.--M.]

[Footnote 64: Cicero (de Finibus, v. 1) has beautifully expressed the
common sense of mankind.]

[Footnote 65: Baronius (Annal. Eccles. A. D. 326, No. 42-50) and
Tillemont (Mem. Eccles. tom. xii. p. 8-16) are the historians and
champions of the miraculous invention of the cross, under the reign of
Constantine. Their oldest witnesses are Paulinus, Sulpicius Severus,
Rufinus, Ambrose, and perhaps Cyril of Jerusalem. The silence of
Eusebius, and the Bourdeaux