IV.

PART II.

CENT. by contemplation and prayer. The external air of piety and devotion, which accompanied this sect, imposed upon many; while the Greeks, on the other hand, opposed it with vehemence in all succeeding ages.

The Antidico-ma

It is proper to observe here, that the title of Messalians and Euchites had a very extensive application among the Greeks and the Orientals, who gave it to all those who endeavoured to raise the soul to God by recalling and withdrawing it from all terrestrial and sensible objects; however these enthusiasts might differ from each other in their opinions on other subjects.

XXV. Towards the conclusion of this century, rianites and two opposite sects involved Arabia and the adjathe Colly- cent countries in the troubles and tumults of a

ridians.

new controversy. These jarring factions went by the names of Antidico-marianites and Collyridians. The former maintained, that the Virgin Mary did not always preserve her immaculate state, but received the embraces of her husband Joseph after the birth of Christ. The latter, on the contrary, who were singularly favoured by the female sex, running into the opposite extreme, worshipped the Blessed Virgin as a goddess, and judged it necessary to appease her anger, and seek her favour and protection, by libations, sacrifices, and oblations of cakes (collyrida), and such like services [r].

Other sects might be mentioned here, but they are too obscure and inconsiderable to deserve notice.

[r] See Epiphan. Hæres. Ixxviii. lxxix. p. 1003. and 1057.