A Key to the Knowledge of Church History (Ancient)

E-text prepared by Al Haines
This Volume offers to the reader a short and condensed account of the origin, growth, and condition of the Church in all parts of the world, from the time of our Lord down to the end of the fifteenth century, the narrative being compressed into as small a compass as is consistent with a readable form.
In such a work the reader will not, of course, expect to find any full and detailed account of so vast a subject as Pre-Reformation Church History. Its object is rather to sketch out the historical truth about each Church, and to indicate the general principles on which further inquiry may be conducted by those who have the opportunity of making it.
It is hoped that those whose circumstances do not admit of an extended study of the subject will find in the following pages a clear, though condensed, view of the periods and Churches treated of; and that those whose reading is of a less limited range will be put in possession of certain definite lines of thought, by which they may be guided in reading the statements of more elaborate histories.
It may be added, that the writer's stand-point throughout has been that of a loyal attachment to the Church of England, as the authorized exponent and upholder of Catholic doctrine for English people.
M. F. B. P. July , 1869.


Before entering upon an account of the Foundation and After-History of the Christian Church, it may be well to consider what that Church really is.
Twofold nature of the Church.
The Church may be regarded in a twofold aspect, as an external Corporation, and as a spiritual Body.
1. An external Kingdom.