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8ennaoharib THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG 858 Sequence Paul and Seneca in his commentary on Philippians, 4th ed., London, 1878; F. W. Farrar, seekers after God, Phila delphia. 1883; J. Kxeyberr, L. Annanu 3etteca card seine Beaiehunpen zum Chriscewhum, Berlin, 1887; S. Rubin, Die Ethik Senecas, Munich, 1901; R. Welts, Vie de 36ntque, Paris, 1909; the literature under Nsao; and the worlm on the history of philosophy. SENRACHERIB. See AssYRIA, VI., 3, 1 12. SEPARATE BAPTISTS. See BAPTIm, II., 4 (f). SEPARATED BRITISH METHODISTS. See MEHODI$TS, I., 2. SEPARATES: An American Calvinistic Meth odist sect, composed of Whitefield's followers, which sprang up in 1750 under the name of "New Lights." They were, however, subsequently organized into separate societies by Shubal Stearne, and then took the name "Separates." Stearne became a Baptist in 1751, and many of the Separates followed him into that church; and the sect died out. "The distinc tive doctrine of the sect was, that believers are guided by the immediate teachings of the Holy Spirit, such supernatural indications of the divine will being regarded by them as partaking of the ner ture of inspiration, and above, though not contrary to, reason." See METHODISTS, I., 2. SEPARATISTS, THE. See ConsnsvNIaM, II., 9. SEPHARVAIM sef"err-v5'im (SIPPAR). See BABYLONIA, IV., $ 11. SEPP, CHRISTIAAR: Dutch Mennonite theo logian and historian; b. at Amsterdam 1820; d. at Wijk aan Zee (15 m. n. of Haarlem) 1890. His long est period of active labor was spent as a preacher for his denomination at Leyden (1854-82). But his work as a preacher was only a small part of his activities; he edited the theological review Godge leerde Bijdragen (1855-70); and was the author of a series of historical works which embodied the fruits of diligent research in the history of Dutch Protes tant theology and biography, orthodox and sec tarian,'including the Anabaptists. Of these works the following may here be noticed: Pragmatiache Geschiedenis der Theologie in Nederland 1787-1850 (Leyden, 1860); Johannes Stinatra en zijn Tijd: eene Bijdrage tot de Geachiedenis der Kerk en School in de 18de eeuw (Amsterdam, 1865-66); Het God geleerd Onderlvijs in Nederland gedurende de 18. en 17. eeuw (2 parts, Leyden, 1873-74); Bibliotheek van Nederlandsche Kerkgeschiedachrijvers (1886); Ver boden Leduur. Een drietal Indices librorum pro hibitorum (1889). Many of his studies on men and books are collected in Geschiedkundige Nasporingen (3 parts, 1872-75); and Kerkhistorische Studien (1885). S. CRAM=. SEPP, JOHANN ftEPOMUB: Roman Catholic church-historian; b. at TSIz (26 m. S. of Munich), Bavaria, Aug. 7, 1816; d. at Munich June 5, 1909. He studied at Munich; traveled in the East, 1845 1846; became professor of history at Munich, 1846; was deposed and expelled from the city, 1847, for his political opinions; reinstated, 1850; retired, 1867. He had considerable influence in politics. Among his works are: Das Leben Jean Christi (5 vole., Regensburg, 18426; 4th ed., with Daniel
Haneberg, Munich, 1898-1902); Daa Heidentlaum uud deaaen Bedeutung far das Chriatenthum (1853); Jerusalem and die Heilige Land (Schaffhausen, 1862-63); Thaten and Lehren Jesu mit ihrer weltgeachichtlichert Beglaubigung (1864); Geschichte deer Apoatel room Tod Jesu bier zur Zersttirung Jeruaalema (1865); Kritische ReformentwurJe beginnend mit der Revision des Bibelkanona (Munich, 1870) ; Das Hebrdter Evangelium (1870); Deutschland and der Vatikan (1872); Gbrrea and seine Zeitgenosaen (NSrdlingen, 1877); Meerfahrt each Tyros zur Auagrabung der Kathedrale mit Barbarossas Grab (Leipsic, 1879); Kritische Beitrdge zum Leben Jesu and zur neuesten Topographie von Jerusalem (Munich, 1890); Die Religion der alter Deutac)sen. and ihr Fortbeafand in Vollcaaagen (1890); Die Geheime 0,fenbarung Johannia (1902); and Orient and Occident; 100 KaPitel caber der Nachtseite der Natur Zauberwerk and Hexenweaen in alter and neuer Zeit (Berlin, 1903).
3EPTIaIU3 SEVERUS, sf-vl'rDS: Roman emperor 193-211; b. at Leptia (62 m. s.e. of Carthage), on the north coast of Africa, Apr. 11, 148; d. at Eboracum (York), England, Feb. 4, 211. His family was of equestrian rank, and in 172 he seems to have been made a senator by Marcus Aurelius. In 190 he became consul, and in the following year received from Commodes the command of the German legions in Pannonia. On the murder of Pertinax by the troops in 193, they proclaimed Septimius emperor, whereupon he hurried to Italy and took possession of Rome without opposition. The legionaries of Syria, however, proclaimed Pescennius Niger emperor and those of Britain, Albinos; and only after bloody wars was Septimius able to make himself master of the Roman world. With Septimius Severus begins the series of military emperors and the motto of his life was his dying exhortation to his sons, "let us work 1 " His entire reign was devoted to the welfare of the empire, and he finally succumbed to overexertion in a campaign against the Caledonians. Stern, wise, and energetic, Septimius restored peace to the empire after the misrule of Commodes and the civil wars. No emperor before Constantine was so important for the development of Roman law.
It is generally assumed that Septimiua was friendly to the Christians until 202, when, for some,unknown reason, he became their enemy and persecutor. This rests upon an incorrect interpretation of the words of his biographer Spartianus: "In his journey, [through. Palestine in 202] he established very many laws for the Palestinians; he forbade the Jews to be placed under heavy punishment, but sanctioned this in the case of Christians." This was really no new law, but only a reemphasizing of laws already existing, and was designed to check the Christian propaganda rather than to set on foot s general persecution. Nor was there any wide persecution, and there are many evidences that not only was the emperor not personally hostile to the Christians, but he even protected them against the populace. There were doubtless Christians in his own household, and in his reign the church at Rome had almost absolute peace. On the other hand, individual officials availed themselves of the laws to