A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

406 A Source Book for Ancient Church History[371]religio non cogi potest, was completely forgotten. As Christianitywas the one sole religion of divine character, based upon theunique divine act of the incarnation, it was folly to allow mento continue in heathenism—it might even be dangerous to theState to allow them, as it might bring down the just vengeanceof God. With this policy the populace was completely in accord,especially when it led to the plunder and destruction of heathensanctuaries, and many of the more zealous of the clergy werewilling to lead in the assault. In these ways the State Churchobtained a two-fold exclusive authority: as regards heathenism,and as regards heresy.(a) Codex Theodosianus.Laws regarding heathenism.XVI, 10, 14; A. D. 399.Whatever privileges were conceded by the ancient laws to thepriests, ministers, prefects, hierophants of sacred things, or bywhatsoever name they may be designated, are to be abolishedhenceforth, and let them not think that they are protected by agranted privilege when their religious confession is known tohave been condemned by the law.XVI, 10, 16; A. D. 399.If there are temples in the fields, let them be destroyed withoutcrowd or tumult. For when these have been thrown down andcarried away, the support of superstition will be consumed.XVI, 10, 15; A. D. 399.This law appears again in the Cod. Just., I, 13, 3, for it appearsto have been necessary even as late as the sixth century toprevent unauthorized destructions of temples which were inthe cities and might be fairly regarded as ornaments to thecity.