SUMMARY.

BLIOTECH

VIT

CHAPTER I.

Introduction, stating the origin and design of the Work-The general interest attached to the history of

the middle ages, and the opinion of certain modern writers respecting them-They were ages of faith-The

advantage of the proposed course-The importance generally of instruction by examples-Its particular

advantage in the case of Christians-Religion intimately connected with history--Such retrospects especially

valuable to those who live in countries that have lost the faith-England retains a fondness for the associa

tions of Christian antiquity-The inconsistency of directing studies solely to classical literature-The claims

of the middle ages upon general attention-From what sources the matter of these books will be drawn, and

what style will be adopted-The objection that it is only a system, stated and answered, as also that which

accuses it of not following a plan sufficiently defined-Remarks upon the real objections to which it may be

liable

CHAPTER II.

p. 1.

The novelty of the truth announced respecting the beatitude of the poor in spirit-The reception of this

doctrine in ages of faith-How delivered by holy writers-How far corresponding with the sentences of

ancient sages-The evils and wretchedness of the rich, and the dangers consequent upon riches - How

religiou consoled the poor, and forced its wisdom upon the secular society-The political condition of the

poor in the middle ages not so unfavourable as is supposed-The spiritual advantages of poverty-The opinion

of some ancient sages-The practice of the Christian society-The devotion of the poor, and the influence

which they exerted upon the manners of society

CHAPTER III.

p. 20.

How the riches of the Church were consistent with poverty of spirit-The origin of ecclesiastical property

-The spirit with which it was acquired, and the purposes to which it was applied-Examples to illustrate

the latter

CHAPTER IV.

p. 33.

The humble spirit of ages of faith one cause why they are despised by the moderns-Ages and nations,
as well as men individually, must follow the type either of religion or of the world—The whole character of
Christian antiquity reduced to the former-The doctrine on this head that was taught, and the manners
resulting from it-The humility of the learned-What traces of this were found in the sages of antiquity—
The humble heroism of ages of faith-The absence of great excitement in matters of earthly interest, and
the content with which men remained in their natural station-The horror with which pride was re-
garded

p. 39.