scrutinized anew, and its merits sharply contested.

And this conside

ration presents one reason among many for offering this publication, at the present time, to the service of the public. But the various reasons, which recommend the study of Christian Antiquities to the attention of the public, are clearly exhibited by the Rev. Prof. Sears, in the Introduction which he has very kindly prepared for this work. The reader is there presented with the views of an eminent scholar, thoroughly familiar with the researches of German authors on this subject, and fully qualified to speak of their comparative merits, and of the importance of this department of sacred literature.

It only remains to render my grateful acknowledgments to this gentleman not only for his valuable contributions to this work, but for his advice and assistance which in the progress of it have been as kindly given as it has been freely sought. Similar acknowledg ments are also due to the Rev. Prof. Edwards, of this place, for like offices of kindness and assistance, in these protracted labors which are now drawing to a close.

Conscious of having labored diligently to prepare a compend of this interesting branch of the history of the church, that shall be at once acceptable and useful in disclosing the sources from which the venerable institutions of our religion are derived, and in delineating the virtues of those holy men from whom they have been transmitted down to us, I now commit it, with all its deficiencies, to the charitable consideration of the public, and await in submission the result of their decision.

Andover, April, 1841.

NOTE.

The Print upon the back of this volume is a copy of an ancient christian coin. The monogram at the top, is formed by blending the Greek capitals X, P, the initial letters of the word Xpwrós, Christ; which, with the primitive Christians, was the most sacred name of our Lord. This device is of very ancient date. It was their favorite emblem of our Saviour's name, which they not only engraved upon their tombs, and upon the walls of their cemeteries, but they caused it to be impressed upon coins and medals which they wore upon their breasts as sacred memorials of their Lord. Constantine adopted it as the emblem of his victorious banner under which he led on the conquests of the cross.

This banner, called the labarum, is described as a long pike intersected by a transverse beam in the form of a cross. The silken veil which hung down from this beam, was curiously inwrought with the images of the monarch and his sons. The summit of the pike supported a crown of gold which enclosed this mysterious monogram. In the print before us, it rests upon a cross from which is suspended the veil of the labarum. At the foot lies a dead serpent, emblem of the great deceiver crushed by the cross of Christ. The whole, therefore, combines the expressive emblems both of the fall and recovery of man. The motto, SPES PUBLICA, points to the cross as the hope of a lost world. Constantine caused this device to be painted upon the vestibule of his palace and to be imprinted on the coin of his kingdom. These coins are now extremely rare; but they continued in common use through the reigns of several succeeding emperors.-Aringhi, Roma Subterranea, tom. ii. pp. 566, 705; Eckhel, Doctrina Num. Vet. 4. tom. viii. p. 88.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

1. CHURCH OF ST. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE.

1. A Font of water, where the worshippers wash before entering 'the church.-2. The Great Porch, probably having a portico or vestibule in front. -3. Entrance into the Narthex.-4. The Narthex.-5. Entrance into the church.-6. The Inner Porch.-7. Entrance into the Nave.-8. Entrance to court surrounding the Nave.-9. The Court.-10. The Nave.-10. a) The Solea.-10. b) Probable site of the Ambo.-11. Pillars supporting the Gallery.-12.-The Chancel surrounding the Choir, or Sanctuary.-13. Entrance to the Sanctuary.-14. The Sanctuary.-15. The Altar.-16. The Canopy of the Altar.—17. The bishop's Throne.-18. The Seats of the presbyters.— 19. The emperor's Throne.-20. Apartments for the Utensils of the church. -21. Passage from the church.

II. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH AT ROME.

1. Entrance to the Porch, or the Vestibule.-2. The Porch.-3. The Nave divided into five parts by rows of pillars.-4. The Choir, Bema, or Sanctuary.-5. The Altar.-6. The bishop's Throne.

III. CHURCH AT TYRE,

1. Entrance to the Porch, or the Vestibule.-2. The Porch.-3. Pillars of the porch.-4. Font of water.-5. Doors of the church.-6. The Nave.— 7. Probable site of the Ambo.-8. Ascent to the sanctuary.-9. Chancel of the sanctuary.-10. The Sanctuary.-11. The Altar.--12. The bishop's Throne.-13. The Seats of the presbyters.-14 a. Supposed to be the Baptistery.-14. The Oixot, or Ante-chambers.-15.-The Exedrae.

IV. CHURCH OF ST. CLEMENT AT ROME.

1. Entrance, with four pillars supporting the piazza.-2. The Portico, or Vestibule.-3. The Porch.-4. Entrance to the church.-5. The Nave in three divisions.-6, 7. Two Ambos within one enclosure, surrounded by the nave.-8. The Altar with pillars.-9. Bishop's Throne.--10. Presbyters' Seats.

V. THE BAPTISTERY OF ST. SOPHIA.

1. Stairway leading to the entrance.-2. Front Porch, or Vestibule.—3. The Basement-room of the baptistery.-4. The First Story.-5. Pillars in the basement.-6. Ascent to the font.-7. The baptismal Font.--8. The Court of the baptistery.