Pagans at heart, their influence was soon manifested in the paganization of Christianity that forthwith ensued.

The emperor, no better than they, did nothing to check their proceedings.

But he did not personally conform to the ceremonial requirements of the Church until the close of his evil life, A.D.

337.
TERTULLIAN'S EXPOSITION OF CHRISTIANITY.

That we may clearly appreciate the modifications now impressed on Christianity--modifications which eventually brought it in conflict with science--we must have, as a means of comparison, a statement of what it was in its purer days.
Such, fortunately, we find in the "Apology or Defense of the Christians against the Accusations of the Gentiles," written by Tertullian, at Rome, during the persecution of Severus.