Dean Milman acknowledges so much, and defends him against the hot zeal of M.Guizot, justly adding that "truth must not be sacrificed even to well-grounded moral indignation," in which sentiment all now will no doubt be willing to concur.
The difference between the Church in the Catacombs, and the Church in the Palaces at Constantinople or Ravenna, measures the difference between Gibbon's treatment of early Christian history and his treatment of ecclesiastical history.

Just as the simple-hearted emotions of God-fearing men were a puzzle and an irritation to him, so he was completely at home in exposing the intrigues of courtly bishops and in the metaphysics of theological controversy.

His mode of dealing with Church matters from this point onward is hardly ever unfair, and has given rise to few protestations.

He has not succeeded in pleasing everybody.

What Church historian ever does?
But he is candid, impartial, and discerning.