Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The encouraging reception given to my History of Roman Literature, published in 1877, suggested the extension of the same plan to the more complicated field of the Literature Of the early Church. So far as I am aware, there is no English work which exactly covers the same ground; and I hope that the present volume may be found to supply a real want, both for students of theology and for general readers who desire to see for themselves what the first exponents of Christian doctrine after the Apostles believed and taught. Upwards of seven years have been Spent in collecting the materials for this work. The original authorities have in all cases been carefully studied, and, in addition, information has been gathered from such of the best known and most recent Church histories, dictionaries, and monographs as were within my reach. Where more than the general out lines Oi the thought have been borrowed, I have sought in every instance to acknowledge my indebtedness.

The encouraging reception given to my History of Roman Literature, published in 1877, suggested the extension of the same plan to the more complicated field of the Literature Of the early Church. So far as I am aware, there is no English work which exactly covers the same ground; and I hope that the present volume may be found to supply a real want, both for students of theology and for general readers who desire to see for themselves what the first exponents of Christian doctrine after the Apostles believed and taught. Upwards of seven years have been Spent in collecting the materials for this work. The original authorities have in all cases been carefully studied, and, in addition, information has been gathered from such of the best known and most recent Church histories, dictionaries, and monographs as were within my reach. Where more than the general out lines Oi the thought have been borrowed, I have sought in every instance to acknowledge my indebtedness.