97 



Again, the Western provinces of the Empire, as Gaul, 

 Spain, Britain, Pannonia, Illyricum, &c. were drawn from 

 a state nearly savage, in which they were engaged in ahnost 

 continual hostihties with eacli other, to a more peaceful and 

 nearly a civilized state; taught various arts and a common 

 language. Even the Eastern provinces were much happier 

 than under their native tyrannic despots. And what chiefly 

 contributed to the happiness of both the Eastern and Western 

 provinces, the christian religion was announced to, and re- 

 ceived by them ; which amended their lives, humanized their 

 manners, extended their views beyond the present life, and 

 enabled them to bear its evils with patience and resignation. 



'J'hese advantages were not however possessed without a 

 considerable alloy of various evils ; partly arising from the 

 •civil constitution of the government, and partly from the in- 

 tolerant bigotry of the emperors, both Heathen and Christian, 

 and partly from tht'ir imbecility. Evils which gradually in- 

 creased and preponderated to such a degree, as finally to 

 destroy the imperial government, and produce a mass of 

 misery hitherto unparalleled. But to be more particular, 

 these evils were derived, P- from the invidious distinction 

 that prevailed in the conquered provinces, betwixt the native 

 freemen of these provinces, and those that possessed the 

 rights of Roman citizens ; much discontent was naturally en- 

 gendered, as well as frequent irremediable distress and op- 



voL. XI. o pression 



