vol. ii. p. 130.)
These words apply to the case we have before us. Jesus was simply
attributed with the qualities or powers which _had been previously
attributed to other deities_. This we hope to be able to fully
demonstrate in our chapter on "_Explanation_."

[443:1] "Dogma of the Deity of Jesus Christ," p. 41.

[444:1] Adherents of the old religion of Russia have been persecuted in
that country within the past year, and even in enlightened England, a
gentleman has been persecuted by government officials because he
believes in neither a personal God or a personal Devil.

[444:2] Renan, Hibbert Lectures, p. 22.

[444:3] The following are the names of his victims:

Maximian, His wife's father, A. D. 310
Bassianus, His sister's husband, A. D. 314
Licinius, His nephew, A. D. 319
Fausta, His wife, A. D. 320
Sopater, His former friend, A. D. 321
Licinius, His sister's husband, A. D. 325
Crispus, His own son, A. D. 326

Dr. Lardner, in speaking of the murders committed by this Christian
saint, is constrained to say that: "The death of Crispus is altogether
without any _good_ excuse, so likewise is the death of the young
Licinianus, who could not have been more than a little above eleven
years of age, and appears not to have been charged with any fault, and
could hardly be suspected of any."

[444:4] The Emperor Nero could not be _baptized_ and be initiated into
Pagan Mysteries--as Constantine was initiated into those of the
Christians--on account of the murder of his mother. And he did not dare
to _compel_--which he certainly could have done--the priests to initiate
him.

[444:5] Zosimus, in Socrates, lib. iii. ch. xl.

[445:1] "The sacrament of baptism was supposed to contain a full and
absolute expiation of sin; and the soul was instantly restored to its
original purity and entitled to the promise of eternal salvation. Among
the proselytes of Christianity, there were many who judged it imprudent
to precipitate a salutary rite, which could not be repeated. By the
delay of their baptism, they could venture freely to indulge their
passions in the enjoyments of this world, while they still retained in
their own hands the means of a sure and speedy absolution." (Gibbon: ii.
pp. 272, 273.)

[445:2] "Constantine, as he was praying about noon-tide, God showed him
a vision in the s