This period also embraces the first four general councils, to which Christendom has all but universally deferred. A single class of theological questions was decided by these assemblies. The times were disputatious, but could find an opening for con troversy in little else than our Lord's incarnation. Arius viewed Jesus as only the noblest of creatures. _apollinaris made him really God, but imperfectly man. Nestorius argued for two perfect natures, but strictly parted from each other. By Eutyches they were confounded. These different speculations were severally set at rest in the councils of Nice, Constan tinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon. The sense of Scripture upon questions of paramount importance was now authentically de fined, and every one who adopts the settlement may fairly claim the name of Catholic.