vol. vi. p. 5.

[209:2] The Fathers of the Church seem to cover the whole earth with
darkness, in which they are followed by most of the moderns. (Gibbon.
Luke, xxiii. 44, says "_over all the earth_.")

[209:3] Origen (a Father of the third century) and a few modern critics,
are desirous of confining it to the land of Judea. (Gibbon.)

[209:4] Seneca, a celebrated philosopher and historian, born in Spain a
few years B. C., but educated in Rome, and became a "Roman."

[209:5] Pliny the elder, a celebrated Roman philosopher and historian,
born about 23 A. D.

[209:6] Seneca: Quaest. Natur. l. i. 15, vi. l. vii. 17. Pliny: Hist.
Natur. l. ii.

[209:7] Gibbon's Rome, i. 589, 590.

[209:8] Matt. xvi. 20.

[210:1] Hamlet, act 1, s. 1.

CHAPTER XXII.

"HE DESCENDED INTO HELL."

The doctrine of Christ Jesus' descent into hell is emphatically part of
the Christian belief, although not alluded to by Christian divines
excepting when unavoidable.

In the first place, it is taught in the _Creed_ of the Christians,
wherein it says:

"_He descended into hell, and on the third day he rose again
from the dead._"

The doctrine was also taught by the Fathers of the Church. St.
Chrysostom (born 347 A. D.) asks:

"Who but an infidel would deny that Christ was in
hell?"[211:1]

And St. Clement of Alexandria, who flourished at the beginning of the
third century, is equally clear and emphatic as to Jesus' descent into
hell. He says:

"The Lord preached the gospel to those in Hades, as well as to
all in earth, in order that all might believe and be saved,
wherever they were. If, then, the Lord descended to Hades for
no other end but to preach the gospel, _as He did descend_, it
was either to preach the gospel to all, or to the Hebrews
only. If accordingly to all, then all who believe shall be
saved, although they may be of the Gentiles, on making their
profession there."[211:2]

Origen, who flourished during the latter part of the second, and
beginning of the third centuries, also emphatically declares that Christ
Jesus descended into hell.[211:3]

Ancient Christian works of art represent his descent into hell.[211:4]

The apocryphal gospels teach the doctrine of Christ Jesus' descent into
hell, the object of which was to preach to those in bondage there, and
to liberate the _saints_ who had died before his advent on earth.

On account of the sin c