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Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter III.Alliance of Church and State and Its Influence on Public Morals and Religion." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 1856-1908). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library).
"§23. Worldliness and Extravagance." (pp. 1889-1891).
Schaff continues his discussion of detrimental effects of state recognition of Chrsitianity by describing the growing acceptance of worldliness in the Church. The late RomanEmpire was characterized by desires for extravagant displays among the aristocracy (Schaff 2014, p. 1889). In contrast to the relative simplicity of the early Chrsitians, those in the fourth century increasingly adopted the same values, though Schaff notes the value was criticized by numerous bishops. The newly accepted luxury was regularly accompanied by moral laxity (Schaff 2014, p. 1890). Those leaders who did not capitulate culturally would often refer to the need for Chrsitians to be distinct from the world.