insulte and inueye against a man vvhich receaued dew for his desert His impietie grew to that passe and so preuayled that he lead Theônas bishop of Marmarica and Secundus of Ptolemais together vvith him into perdition for they vvere partakers of the same punishment vvith him After that the grace of God had deliuered vs from that peruerse opinion from that impietie and blasphemie and from such people as presumed to sowe discorde and debate in the middest of such as leade a peaceable and quiet life there remained as yet toutching the coÌ„tumacie of Meletius and such as he had aduaunced vnto ecclesiastical orders to be determined of vs and vvhat the councell decreed toutchinge him thus vnderstande vvelbeloued brethren The councell beyng bent to deale vvith more clemencie tovvardes Meletius then he deserued for by iust iudgement he was worthy of no pardon decreed that he should remaine in his proper city that he should haue no authoritie to make ministers no authoritie to aduauÌ„ce any vnto the ecclesiasticall function neither to appeare or present him selfe in any other region or in any other citie for that purpose but onely to retayne the bare name and title of his office and dignitie they decreed farther toutching such as were entred into holy orders by his laying on of haÌ„ds that they after confirmation vvith more mysticall laying on of handes should be admitted into the fellovvship of the church with this condition that they shoulde enioye their dignitie degree of the ministerie yet that they be inferiour vnto all the pastors throughout euery prouince and churche the vvhich the most honorable man and our college Alexander hath ordayned Moreouer that they haue no authoritie to elect the ministers approued by their censures no not so much as to nominate theÌ„ which are to execute the ecclesiasticall function nor to intermedle with any thing toutching theÌ„ that are within Alexanders iurisdiction without the coÌ„sent of the bishop of the catholicke church But they who through the grace of God the meanes of your praiers were found no maintayners of schisme but coÌ„tained theÌ„ selues within the bounds of the Catholicke Apostolicke churche voyd of all erroneous blemishe let these haue authoritie to consecrate ministers to nominate such as shal be thought vvorthie of the cleargie and in fine freely to do all according vnto the rule canon of the church If in case that one of them which presently enioye the ecclesiasticall dignitie chaunce to finishe his mortall race theÌ„ one of them lately admitted into the church so that he be found worthy the people chose him so that the bishop of Alexandria consent thervnto and confirme his election may succeede in the place of the deseased our will is also that that liberty be grauÌ„ted vnto all others But of Meletius namely it is otherwise decreede to wete that both for his insolent boldnes wherewith heretofore he molested the quiet estate of the church and also for his temeritie and wilfull ignorance openly shewed he shoulde haue neither power neither authoritie geuen him for in that he is a man he may agayne vexe the churche with the like disorder And these decrees properly and seuerally do concerne Aegypt and the most holy churche of Alexandria But if any other thinge besides this be decreed and concluded vpon vvhylest that the most honorable lorde our fellovve minister and brother Alexander is present vvith vs he beynge both president and priuye to our doinges vvyll in presence of you all more exactly recite the vvhole vnto you VVe sende you gladde tydinges of the vniforme consent and agreement toutching the celebration of the most sacred feaste of Easter that by the meanes of your prayers the sturre raysed in that behalfe vvas quietly appeased so that all the brethren vvhich inhabite the East obseruinge heretofore the maner of the Ievves novve vvith vniforme consent do follovve the Romaines and vs and you vvhich of olde tyme haue retayned vvith vs the selfe same order and maner of celebration VVherfore reioyce partly because of these prosperous affaires and partly for the peace and vniforme agreement of all partly also that all heresies are abaÌ„doned plucked vp by the rootes and embrace vvith greater honor more feruent loue our fellow minister Alexander but your bishop whose presence was a great pleasure vnto vs who in those yeares tooke great paynes labored exceedingly to reduce the affaires of your church vnto a quiet peaceable state powre vnto God harty prayers for vs all that the things rightly decreede established may continewe for firme inuiolable through God the father almighty our Lord Iesus Christ together with the holy ghost to whome be glorie for euer euer Amen It is euident by this Synodicall epistle that they accursed not onely Arius and his complices but also the sentences of his peruerse opinion moreouer that they agreed among theÌ„ selues toutching y â— celebration of Easter that they receaued y â— grauÌ„d hereticke Meletius grauÌ„ting him licence to retaine his episcopall dignitie yet depriuing him of all authoritie to execute the functioÌ„ as a bishop vseth for which cause I suppose the Meletians in Aegypt vnto this day to haue bene seuered from the church because that the councell tooke away from Meletius all authoritie We haue moreouer to vnderstaÌ„d that Arius wrote a booke of his opinion the which he intituled Thalia the style phrase of the booke is both wanton and dissolute resembling in all poynts the bawdy ballets and rymes of the wanton poet Sotades the which booke also the councell then dyd condemne Neyther was the councell onely carefull by writinge to certifie of the peace established but the Emperour also signified the same by his letters vnto the church of Alexandria Constantinus the Emperour vnto the Catholicke church of Alexandria VVe wishe you health in the Lord welbeloued brethren A great a singular benefite of the deuine prouidence of God is conferred on vs in that all errour and deceate beinge quite put to slight we acknowledge one the selfe same faith For henceforth there remayneth no refuge for the sleyghts of the deuill intended agaynst vs vvhatsoeuer through fraude he pretended the same is vvholly taken avvay The bright beames of the trueth according vnto the commaundement of Christ ouercame those dissentions schismes those tumults as I may so terme it that deadly poyson of discorde one God therfore all we both in name do adore and in faith do beleue to be And to the end the same through the forewarning of god might be brought to passe I haue called together a great coÌ„pany of bishops vnto the city of Nice with whome I also beiÌ„g one of your nâ—ber most willingly addictiÌ„g my selfe wholly together with you vnto the same busines haue endeuored that the trueth then in coÌ„trouersy might throughly be tried out wherfore all things that seemed to breede occasion of discord or dissention vvere narrovvly sifted
all the Bishops assembled at Ariminum sendeth greeting Although it is not vnknowen vnto your holines that vve haue alvvayes great care and consideration of the diuine the reuerend and sacred religion of Christ yet had vve as yet no leasure to talke vvith the tvventy Bishops whome your wisedomes sent in embassie vnto vs. For vve haue hitherto bene vvholy occupied about the expedition we made against the Barbarians And requisite it is as you knovve very vvell for him that vvill deale in matters of religion to be voyde of all care and troublesome affayres Therefore vve haue vvilled the Bishops to vvayte for our comming at Adrianopolis so that vvhen vve haue rightly disposed the common affayres of the publique weale we may then geue care and wey diligently afterwards such things as they shall lay before vs. In the meane vvhile let it not grieue your vvisedomes to expect their returne that after their departure hence and the bringing of our ansvvere vnto you ye may finish and conclude such thinges as shal be for the vse and furtherance of the Catholicke Church When the Bishops had receaued these letters they wrote backe againe vnto the Emperour in this sorte VVe haue receaued your maiesties gracious letters most godly Emperour wherby we gather you had not sufficient leasure by reason of the necessary busines of the common vveale to geue our legats the hearing moreouer that you geue vs in charge to vvayte for their returne vntill that your highnes of your vvisedome hath deepely vvayed the thinges vve haue decreed and layde dovvne agreeably vnto the canons and constitutions of our auncetors But novve by these our letters vve protest and assure your maiestye that vve vvill in no vvise shrinke from our sentence and determination VVe haue also charged and enioyned our legats the same VVherefore vve humbly beseech you of our vvonted clemency to voutchsafe the reading of these our simple letters and to take in good parte such thinges as vve haue enioyned our legats Your clemency moreouer knovveth as vvell as vve hovve heauy and hovve lamentable a case it is so many churches in the time of this your most blessed raigne to be bereaued of their Bishops And therefore vve are humbly to craue againe and againe most holy Emperour that before the sharpe and nipping season of vvinter if it so seeme good vnto your highnes you wil licence vs to returne home vnto our Churches to the ende vve may poure out together vvith the people our accustomed prayers vnto God the father Almighty and to our Lorde and Sauiour Christ his onely begotten sonne for prosperous estate of your raigne euen as we haue accustomed in times past and yet cease not to doe After they had written thus and continewed there a while longer when as the emperour voutchsafed not to answere them euery one returned to his owne home The Emperour because he had purposed with him selfe to sowe the Arian opinion throughout euery Church endeuored with might and mayne euery where to preferre the same tooke hereby occasion at the Bishops returne to bring about his baynous offence and sayd that in contempt and despite of him contrary to his will they had dissolued the councell Wherefore he gaue Vrsacius authoritie freely at his pleasure to practise all mischiefe agaynst the Churches of God and commaunded him moreouer to send into the Churches of Italie the forme of fayth that was read in the councell of Ariminum and such as would not subscribe vnto the same shoulde be deposed and others placed in their rowmes First of all Liberius Bishop of Rome as soone as he denied his hande thereunto was exiled by Vrsacius and Felix Deacon of the Church of Rome addicted vnto the Arian opinion was of the same Vrsacius by mayne force and violence preferred to the bishopricke Wherfore all the Westerne partes of the worlde by reason of these newe deuises were at great discorde and tumults while that some were by force deposed and sent to exile some other substituted in their rowmes these thinges were wrought by vertue of the Emperours edicts sent into the West contries Liberius not long after was called home from exile recouered his bishopricke againâ— because that the people of Rome was on an vprore and thrust Felix out of the Church so that the Emperour was constrained against his will to agree thereunto Vrsacius hauing played such prankes in Italie as pleased him best tooke his iourney into the East and got him to the citie of Nice in Thracia There after he had continewed a long while he called a councell and went about to ratifie the forme of faith that was read at Ariminum and translated as I sayd before into the greeke tongue to publishe and sett forth the same with glorious titles as agreed vpon by a generall councell calling it the Nicene fayth to the intent that thereby in vsing the name of Nice he might snare the ignorant the rude and simple people For they thought verily that it was the same forme of fayth which of olde was confirmed at Nice a citie of Bithynia but their forged pretence was no long furtherance vnto them For in a short while after their treachery was reuealed and the authors thereof derided for their labor So farre of such thinges as were done in the West CAP. XXX The crueltie of Macedonius the Arian and tumults raysed by him at Constantinople and elsewhere NOwe that we haue sufficiently discoursed of the West Churches let vs turne our talke and direct our penne into the East and there first beginne with the Arians The Arian Bishops being puffed vp with pride and confidence they put in the Emperours edicts presumed more boldly to bring their purposes to effect but in what sorte they sommoned the councell I will afterwards declare when that first I haue runne ouer their lewd practises before the councel Acaius Patrophilus as soone as they had deposed Maximus bishop of Ierusalem placed Cyrillus in his rowme Macedonius went about vtterly to ouerthrow y â— contries bordering cities of Constantinople vsing his seruants ministers as fit instruments to the defacing of the church of God he made Eleusius bishop of Cyzicum Marathonius bishop of Nicomedia who afore time had bene deacon vnder Macedonius him selfe very carefull about the affaires of men women y â— were addicted vnto monasticall solitary life But now heare how Macedonius went about to ouerchrow y â— contries cities within y â— prouince of Constantinople This man aspiring as I said before vnto y â— bishoprick plagued infinitely such as were determined to perseuere in y â— opinion contrary to his thrust out of the church not only such as in y â— councell seemed to vary from him but also y â— Nouatians for he knew of suerty that they embraced the creede containing the clause of one substance cruelly tormented them Agelius their bishop was faine to flie away for to saue his life
not truly borne but phantastically Euseb li. 7. cap. 30. Socrates lib. 1. ca. 17. sayth of him that at the fâ—sthe was called Cubricê° afterwards chauÌ„ging his name he went into Persia founde the bookes of Buddas and published them in his owne name he taughte that there were manye Gods that the sunne was to be worshipped that there was fatall destenie that the soules wente from one body into another The king of Persia his son fel sick Manes through sorceâ—y tooke vpoÌ„ him to cuâ—e him killed him The king caused him to be clapt in prison but he brake prison fled into Mesopotamia ther was he takeÌ„ and flayd aliue his skinne filled with chaff and hanged at the gates of the citie 310. ConstaÌ„tinus Magnus the sonne of Constantius borne in Brytayne was there proclamed Emperour after the desease of his father He maketh Licinius who maried his sister his felowe Emperour At the same time Maxentius played the tyrant at Rome and Maximinus in the East He sawe in the aër the signe of the crosse he fully perswaded him selfe to fight agaiÌ„st the tyrants and in the behalfe of Christian religion Pamphilus martyr suffered vnder Maximus Ierom There was a couÌ„cel helde at Neo caesarea where among other things it was decreed that none should be made priest before he were 30. yeares olde tom 1. concil   Marcellus was b. of RoÌ„e after Marcellinus a very short whyle some take hiÌ„ for the former and so it may be for Euseb made no mention of him yet in Damas Pont. I find that he gouerned 5. yeares Achillas was b. of AlexaÌ„dria after Peter Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 3. Hierax taught in Aegypt that there was no resurrection he abhorred mariage he sayd the children that dyed before the yeares of discretion were daÌ„ned he thought that Melchisedech was the holy ghost Epiphan haeres 67. 311. Suidas sayth that from Christ vnto Constantinus Magnus there are 318. yeres the which is true after Eusebius computation if we take the time after the ouerthrowe of the tyrants when heru led alone  Antonie the Monke florished in the dayes of CoÌ„stantine he wrote seuen epistles the which are at this daye to be seene he liued 100. 5. yeares Ierom catalog Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 17. A councell was called by Constantine at Rome in the time of Miltiades to reforme the variaÌ„ce betwen Caecilianus b. of Carthage and his colleges Euseb lib. 10. cap. 5. Macarius was b. of Ierusalem after Hermon he was the meanes with Helena that the crosse of Christ was founde there he was at the councel of Nice Constantinus Magnus wrot vnto him sundry epistles Socrat lib. 1. cap. 6. 9. Vitalis was b. of Antioch after Tyranus Eusebius a Grecian b. of Rome after Marcellus 1. yeare 7. moneths Euseb chro tom 1. concil Alexander was b. of AlexaÌ„dria after Achil las by preachinge of the trinitie somewhat curiously he gaue occasioÌ„ to Arius one of his clergie to fall from the faith Socrat lib. 1. cap. 3. He was at the councel of Nice Meletius b. of some citie in Aegypt sacrificed to Idols in the time of the persecution vnder Diocletian and was deposed by Peter b. of Alexandria he rayled at Peter after his death he reuiled Achillas laste of all he fell to backbiting of Alexander to take part with the AriaÌ„s the true churche was called the Catholike churche but he called his church the churche of martyrs the Councell of Nice condemned him toke from him all authoritie that belonged to a bishop and there vpon the Meletians were deuided from the church Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 3. 6. Ephiphan haeres 68.   Ammon a monke yet maried Didymus Arsenius Pior Isidorus Pambo Petirus Macarius Euagrius were famous about that time Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 18. Osius b. of Corduba in Spayne a graue father was sent by ConstaÌ„tine to reconcile Alexander and Arius he was at the councell of Nice the Arians in the councell of Siâ—miuÌ„ scurged his bare sides because he woulde not subscribe vnto theyr hereticall opinions Socrat lib. 1. ca. 4. 5. 9. li. 2. cap. 26. Constantine called a councell at Orleance to remoue the dissention risen betwene Byshops Euseb lib. 10. cap. 5. Alexander b. of Alexandria called there a councell of many bishops where he condemned Arius accursed his heresie writinge vnto the bishops throughoute christendome what opinions he held Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 3.   Meltiades was b. of RoÌ„e after Eusebiê° in the time of CoÌ„staÌ„tinus Magnus ann Dom. 312. coÌ„tinewed 6. yeres Euseb chron eccle hist lib. 10. ca. 5.         Siluester was b. of Rome after Meltiades an Dom. 314. continewed 20. yeares Euse chron WheÌ„ Constantine offred him a goldeÌ„ scepter he refused it as a thiÌ„g not fitte for the priestly function Sabell   330. He â—oyled Maxentius vpoÌ„ the riuer Tiberis Liâ—â—â—ê° ouercame Maximinê° theyâ—oyntly published edicts in the behalf of the christians In the end â—iâ—imus rebelled against him ConstaÌ„tinus ouercame him ruled alone restored peace vnto the whole worlde gaue money vnto the church deliuered the bishops from paying taxe or tribute he wrote vnto Paphnutius b. of the vpper Thebais had one of his eyes pulled out in the tyme of persecution Constantine was woÌ„t to kisse the emptie place he was presente at the councell of Nice and turned the wholl assemblie from separating maried priestes froÌ„ theyr wiues Socrat lib. 1. ca. 5. 8 Spiridion a man of great fame in in those dayes was at the councell of Nice though he were a bishoppe yet kept he sheepe in the fieldes Athanasius being a yong man was at the couÌ„cell of Nice looke more of him in the colume of the bishops of AlexaÌ„dria A generall couÌ„cell was called at Nice in Bithynia of 318. bishops by CoÌ„staÌ„tinus Magnus as Nicephorus sayeth the 20. yere of Constantine an Dom. 328. some saye 326. some other 324 in the tyme of Siluester b. of Rome where they coÌ„demned Arius debated the coÌ„trouersie of Easter layde downe the forme of faith coÌ„monly called the Nicene Creede ratified the clause of one substance and wrote vnto the churche of Alexandria that they had deposed Arius Socra lib. 1. cap. 5. 6.  Philogonus was b. of Antioch after Vitalis dyed a martyr Nicephor  Athanasius was b. of AlexaÌ„dria after Alexander and the breaking vp of the Nicen councell beinge a heathen boye he played the parte of a Christian bishop in a certeÌ„ play which prognosticated he woulde proue a no table man being deacon he weÌ„t to the councel of Nice and disputed against the Arians Socrat lib. 1. cap. 5. 11. being byshop the Arians falsly accused him of bribery treason that he sent of his clergie into Mareôtes which beate the altare with theyr feete ouerthrew the Lords tablebrake the holy cup and burned the bible they accused hiÌ„ of murther magick and to answere vnto those crimes he was
the faythfull in the slipery way of perdition vnder pretence of reducing them to the fayth to ouerwhelme them in the whirpoole deepe dungeon of damnation Out of Menander therefore whome before we termed the successor of Simon there budded out a doubtfull a viperous a twofolde heresie by the meanes of Sathan hauing two heades or captaynes varying among themselues Saturninus of Antioch and Basilides of AlexaÌ„dria whereof the one throughout Syria the other throughout Aegypt published hereticall and detestable doctrine Irenaeus sayth that Saturninus for the moste parte dreamed the same with Menander and that Basilides vnder pretence of more mysticall matters enlarged his deuise into infinitie inuenting monstrous fables to the furtherance of his Heresie CAP VII VVhat heretickes and ecclesiasticall wryters lyued then WHen as many ecclesiasticall persons in those dayes striued in the behalf of the trueth and contended with sure and certaine reasons for the Apostolicke and Ecclesiasticall doctrine some also as forefencers haue exhibited instruction to the posterity by their commentaries leuealing at the aforesayd heresies of which number one Agrippa Castor a stout champion and a famous wryter of those times published a confutation of Basilides disclosing all his Satanicall iugling hauing displaied his secrety he reporteth that Basilides wrote foure and twenty bookes vpon the gospell fayning vnto him self prophets whome he calleth Barcabus and Barcoph and certaine others neuer heard of before Inuenting those barbarous names to amaze the hearers withall teaching that indifferently thinges offred to Idols may be eaten that in time of persecution the fayth with periury may be renounced coÌ„maunding silence after the manner of Pythagoras for the space of fiue yeares And such like heresies of Basilides the sayd writer hathe plainely confuted Irenaeus wryteth that in the time of these two Carpocrates liued y e father of that heresie which the Gnostici hould who thought good not to publish the sorcery of Simon priuely after his manner but openly Glorying of charmed loue drinkes of diuelish dronken dreames of assistent and associate spirites with other like illusions They teach farther that who so will attaine vnto the perfection of their mysteries or rather abhominable deuises must worke such factes by they neuer so filthy otherwise can they not ouercome as they terme them the secular potentates vnlesse euery one play his parte after the same secret operation So it came to passe that Sathan reioycing in his deuelish subtlety seduced many of theÌ„ thus already snared whome he led to perdition by the meanes of such wicked ministers gaue hereby great occasion to y e infidels of blasphemy agaynst the diuine doctrine and spred a great slaunder in that the fame of them was bruted abrode throughout christendome By this meanes it fell out often that the infidels of those times conceaued a wicked absurde and shamefull opinion of vs that that we vsed the vnlawfull company of Mothers sisters that we fed vpon the tender infantes sucklinges But these reports preuailed not long for the trueth tride it self in tyme folowing shined as the sonne beames for the sleyghts and subtleties of the aduersaries turned to their owne confusion whilest that new heresies dayly sprong creeping one vpon an other the latter taking place the former vanished away encreasing into diuerouse manifold sectes chaunging now this way anone that waye they were destroyed The brightnes of the catholicke and onely true churche continuing alwayes the same encreased enlarged dayly the boundes thereof that the grauitie sinceritie liberty and temperancy of Godly conuersation and christian philosophie shined and florished among all the nations both of the Grecians and Barbarians Thus the slaunder slyded away with the time and the doctrine famous among as and forthered of all men specially for the pietie and modestie for the diuine and mysticall doctrine thereof tooke place so that from that time vnto this day none durst note y â— same of any haynous crime or â—â—famy as they durst before which conspired agaynst vs and the Christian fayth But the trueth brought forth many in those dayes which contended and dealt with these Heretickes some with inuincible arguments without the Scriptures some with manifest proofes and authorities of Scripture confuting their hereticall opinions CAP. VIII VVhat notable writers liued theâ— OF the number was Aegesippus whome we haue before ofteâ—â—ymes 〈◊〉 one ofthâ— Apostles tyme who in fiue bookes wrote the syncere tradition of the Apostles preaching â–ª signifying his owne time and making mention of such as in former times erected Idols where he writeth thus To vvhome they erected Idols and monuments and â—aloâ—â—â—d temples it is vvell knovvne Antinous the seruant of Adrianus Caesar had a festiual triumphe decreed vnto him called after his name Antinous vvrastling celebrated in our daies They buylded him a city after his name Antinoia they consecrated Priestes they appoynted Prophets At the same tyme Iustinus Martyr an embracer of the true philosophy well studied and exercised in the doctrine of the Gentiles maketh mention of the same man in his Apologie vnto Antoninus writing thus It shall not seeme impertinent if that vve propose vnto you the remembrance of Antinous and of that vvhich they celebrate in his name VVhome all doe vvorship as it vvote for feare vvhen as they knovv vvell inough vvho and vvhence he vvas The same Iustinus maketh mention of the warres helde against the Ievves saying thus In the Iudaical vvarres fresh before your eyes Barchochebas a captayne of the Ievvish rebellion commaunded the Christians only to be greuously punished vnlesse they renouÌ„ced Christ blasphemed God In the same place he declareth how that not rashly but after good aduisement taken he left pâ—gauisme and embraced the true and onely piety For I my self sayth he delighted vvith the doctrine of Plato hearing the Christians led captiues nether fearing death nether all the torments most terrible â–ª thought it could not be that this kinde of men vvas subiect vnto malice set on pleasure For vvhat voluptuous person or intemperate or delighted vvith deuoâ—â—ing of mans 〈◊〉 can so embrace death that he be depriued of his desire not rather endeuour â–ª that this life may alvvayes â—â—ste that he be able to deceaue Princes not betray him self to the death â–ª Moreouer this Iustinus writeth how that Adrianus receauing letters of Serenius Granianus a noble President signifying in the behalf of the Christians that it was very iniurious for no â—…e but onely at the outâ—ry of the people they should be brought forth and executed wrote agayne vnto Mâ—…ius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia and commaunded that none without greeuous crime and iust accusation shoulde dye the death The coppy whereof obseruing the Latins phrase as much as in him lay he added prefiring these fewe wordes And vvhen as vve might iustly require by vertue of the epistle of the most victorious noble Caesar Adrian your father that as
his successors of the peace graunted vnder Galienus there is no cause to the contrary but that the Reader may be made partaker thereof CAP. XXII Dionysius censure of Macrinus and Galienus the Emperous and of the heresie of the Chiliasts MAcrinus after that he had forerunne on of the Emperours and followed after the other immediatly he is rooted out with all his kinred and Galienus is proclaymed and crowned Emperour by the consent of all men both an auncient a new Emperour being before them but appearing after them according vnto the saying of the Prophet Esay the thinges of old are past beholde new things now come in place for euen as a cloude darkneth a litle the sunne beames and shadoweth the sunne it selfe shining in his spheare agayne after the cloude is resolued and vanished away the sunne vvhiche rose before the cloude shineth and taketh his course so Macrinus vvho intruded him selfe before the present raygne of Galienus is novve no Emperour no more he vvas not then but this man like him selfe as he vvas then so is he novve and the empire it selfe laying aside heauy and vvrinckled olde age and purged of the former malice novve florisheth a freshe is hearde and seene further pearâ—eth and preuayleth ouer all Then he sheweth the tyme of his writing saying thus It commeth in my minde to consider the yeares of these Emperours raygne I see hovve the moste impious vvere famous in deede but in a short vvhile after they became obscure yet this holy and blessed Emperour hauing past the seuenth novve endeth the nynth yeare of his raygne the vvich vve vvill celebrate for holy daye Besides all these he wrote two bookes of the promises of God â–ª the occasion whereof was such One Nepos a Bishop of Aegypt taught y â— the promises of God made vnto holy men in the Scriptures were to be vnderstoode after the Iewish maner sauoring 〈◊〉 much of Iudeisme he layd downe for good doctrine that after the resurrection we shoulde leadâ— a life here on earth in corporall pleasures the space of a thousande yeares and because be supposed that he was able to iustifie this his opinion out of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn he wrote a booke thereof and entitled it the reprehensions of Allegorizers This booke doth Dionysius in his workes intitled of the promises of God confute In the first helayeth downe his censure of that doctrine in the seconde he entreateth of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn in the beginning of which booke he writeth thus of Nepos CAP. XXIII Of the booke of Nepos the Chiliast the quiet conference and disputation betwene Dionysius and Coracion the Chiliast with the frute thereof THey alleadge sayth Dionysius a certaine booke of Nepos vvhereupon they grounde that vvithout all peraduenture the kingdome of Christ to become here on earth may be proued for sundry other his gifts I commende and embrace Nepos partly for his fayth his diligence and exercise in holy Scriptures partly also for his pleasaunt psalmodie vvhervvith at this day many of the brethren are delighted I highly esteeme reuerence the man specially for such a one as novve is departed to rest yet the trueth is our friende and afore all to be reuerenced â–ª and if any thing be vvell spoken it deserueth commendation and is charitably to be accepted if ought seeme not soundly to be written it is to be searched out and refuted If he were present and auoutched his doctrine by vvorde of mouth it shoulde suffice vvithout vvriting to conferre by obiections and resolutions to refell and reconcile the aduersaries but in so much there is extant a booke thereof as some suppose very probable and many doctors sett nought by the lavve and Prophets they take scorne to be tryed by the Euangelists they contemne the vvorkes of the Apostles alleadging the doctrine of this vvriter as a thing most notable and an hidd secret they suffer not the simpler sorte of the brethren to conceaue any high or magnifical thing neither of the glorious and right godly comming of our Lorde neyther of our resurrection from the deade our gathering together and vniting vvith him but trifling toyes and mortall affayres persvvading these present things to be hoped for in the kingdome of God â–ª it is necessary vve deale by vvay of reasoning vvith our brother Nepos as if he vvere present vnto these he addeth VVhen I vvas at Arsenoita vvhere as thou knovvest this doctrine first sprang so that schismes and manifest fauling avvay from the Church fell out in those congregations I called together the Elders and doctors inhabiting those villages in presence of as many of the brethren as vvillingly came and exhorted them openly to fift out this doctrine â–ª when as they brought me forth this booke as an armed fence and inuincible fortresse I sate with them from morning to night whole three dayes discussing those thinges which therein were written where I wondred at the constancy desire of the trueth intelligence or capacitie and the tractablnes of the brethren how orderly and vvith what moderation they obiected they aunswered they yelded neither endeuored they by any kinde of way contentiously to retayne their positions if they were proued false neither bolted they contradictions but as much as in them lay stucke fast confirmed their purpose â–ª and yet agayne where reason required they chaunged their opinion were not ashamed to confesse the trueth together with vs but with good conscience all hypocrisie layd aside their harts made manifest vnto God they embraced such thinges as vvere proued by demonstrations and doctrine of holy Scripture and at length the graundecaptayne and ringleader of this doctrine called Coracion in presence of all the auditors then in place confessed and promised vnto vs that thenceforth he vvoulde neuer consent vnto this opinion neyther reason of it neyther mention neyther teach it for that he vvas sufficiently conuinced vvith contrary arguments the rest of the brethren then present reioyced at this conserence at this his submission and consent in all thinges CAP. XXIIII The censure of Dionysius toutchinge the reuelation of Sainct Iohn The heresie of Cerinthus COnsequently in discourse be wryteth thus of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn Diuerse of our predecessors haue vvholy refused reiected this booke by discussing the seuerall chapiters thereof haue founde it obscure voyde of reasons the title forged â–ª they sayde it vvas not Iohns nay it was no reuelation which was so couered with so grosse a vayle of ignorance and that there was none either of the Apostles or of the Saincts or of them which belonged to the church the author of this booke but Gerinthus the author of the Cerinthian heresie intitling this as a sigment vnder the name of Iohn for further credit authoritie The opinion of Cerinthus was this â–ª that the kingdome of Christ should be here on earth and looke what he him selfe being
euen as your godly and singular zeale hath geuen vs in charge vve doe protest that both vve our selues and all they that be of our syde doe beleeue as follovveth VVe beleeue in one God the father almyghtie and in his sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ begotten of him before all vvorldes God the vvorde by vvhome all thinges were made both in heauen and earth who came dovvne from heauen and vvas made man vvho suffred rose againe ascended into heauen shall come againe to iudge both the quicke the dead And we beleue in the holy ghost the resurrection of the fleshe the life of the vvorlde to come the kingdome of heauen the one Catholicke churche of God scattered farre and vvide ouer the face of the vvhole earth This faith haue vve learned of the most holie Euangelists where the Lorde him selfe sayd vnto his disciples Goe teache all nations baptizing theÌ„ in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost euen as the vvhole Catholicke church and the scriptures do teache all vvhich vve faithfully beleeue God is ouâ— Iudge presently to the houre of death and at the daye of doome VVherefore moste holy Emperour we humbly craue of your godly highnes in as much as vve are â—â—eargiâ— men retaine the faith and affection both of the church and also of holy scripture that of your wonted zeale whervvith you prouide for vnitie and the right honour of God all controuersies and quarells and cauillations and subtle quircks vvhatsoeuer layde aside you will coupleâ—â— vvith our mother the church that both vve and the church of God among our selues may liue quietly ioyntly vvith one harte and voyce povvre vnto God the accustomed prayers for the peaceable and prosperous estate of your empire and for all mankinde CAP. XX. How Arius by the commaundement of the Emperour returned to Alexandria whome Athanasius would in no wise admitt against Athanasius Eusebius and his confederats patched diuers crimes and presented them vnto the Emperour so that in the ende a synode was summoned at Tyrus to pacifie these quarells WHen that Arius had perswaded the Emperour in such sorte as we sayde before he returnes to Alexandria but yet he could not with all his wiles treade downe the trueth the which he had so egregiously dissembled Athanasius would not receaue him into the church of Alexandria after his returne for he detested him as a monster of the worlde Arius neuerthelesse whilest that he priuely sowed his pestilent opinion goeth about to sett the whole citie on an vprore At what time Eusebius both him selfe wrote vnto Athanasius and procured also the Emperour to commaunde him by his letters to condescende vnto the admission of Arius and his coÌ„plices Athanasius for all that would not receaue them into the church but wrote backe againe vnto the Emperour that it was not lawfull for such as had made shipwracke of their faith and had bene held for accursed of the church â–ª after their returne and conuersion to receaue their former dignities The Emperour was in a great chafe and conceaued great displeasure against Athanasius for this answere threatninge him by his letters as followeth In as much as thou art made priuie to our will and pleasure see that thou make the dore vvide open to all that desire to enter into the church For if I vnderstand that any one vvhich desired to be made a member of the church hath by any meanes through thee bene hindred or his entraÌ„ce stopped I vvill forthwith send one of mine officers who by authority from me shall both depose thee of thy bishopricke and also place an other in thy rovvme This the Emperour wrote respecting the commoditie of the church the vnitie of the councell lest that through variance it were dissolued Eusebius then who hated Athanasius with deadly enmitie thought no time fitter theÌ„ that to bring his purpose to effect for he had the Emperour incensed against him which was meate and drinke for Eusebius and therefore he raysed all that troublesome sturre to the ende he myght cause Athanasius to be deposed of his bishopricke For he thought verylie that if Athanasius were once remoued Arianisme then should beare away the bell Wherefore there conspired against him at once Eusebius bishop of Nicomedia Theognis bishop of Nice Maris bishop of Chalcedon Vrsacius bishop of Singidon a citie of the vpper Pannonia and Valens bishop of Murson a citie also in Pannonia These men hyred certaine of the Meletian seâ—t caused diuers crimes to be layd vnto Athanasius charge And firste of all by the depositions of Eusion Eudaemon and Callinicus that were Meletian heretickes they charge Athanasius that he had inioyned the Aegyptians to pay for a yearely tribute vnto the church of Alexandria a lynen garment But Alypius and Macarius priests of the church of Alexandria who then as it chaunced were at Nicomedia confuted this sclannderous report that was layde agaynste Athanasius and perswaded the Emperour that all their malicious tales were manifest vntruthes Wherefore the Emperoure wrote vnto his aduersaries and rebuked them sharply but Athanasius he requesteth to repayre vnto him yet agayne Eusebius together with his complices before his comminge patched an other crime farre more haynous then the former that Athanasius went about trayterously to defeate the Emperoures edicts in sending to one Philumenus a kasâ—et or forsar full of gold The Emperour then being at Psamathia a manour without the walls of Nicomedia by sifting out of this matter founde Athanasius to be giltlesse and sent him away with honor writing also to the Church of Alexandria that their bishop was falsely accused before him But I thinke best and with more honesty a great deale to passe ouer with silence the sundry kindes of sclaunders Eusebius together with his adherents inuented afterwards agaynst Athanasius lest that the Churche of God be blemished and sclaundered of them which haue their mindes farre estraynged from the religion fayth in Christ Iesu for the thinges committed to writing â–ª are wont to be knowen of all and therefore it was our part to comprise in few words such things as required a seuerall tracâ— but neuerthelesse I thinke it my duety in fewe wordes to declare out of what fountaine these false accusations ishued and whence such as forged them had their originall Mareôtes is a contrey of Alexandria in it there are many villages and the same well peopled within the same also there are many Churches yea of greate fame all which are vnder the Bishop of Alexandria within the iurisdiction of his seae and bishopricke In this Mareôtes one Ischyras for so they called him practised priuely such a kinde of offence as deserued a hundreth kindes of death for when as he had neuer taken orders he called him selfe a minister and presumed to execute the function of a priest Who when he was taken with the maner fledd away priuely and gott him straight to
Many excellent notable men were then apprehended and grieuously plagued because they refused to be partakers of their communion yea after torments they were constrayned by force to communicate with them for they stretched wide open and gagged their mouthes they popped in the mysteries such as were thus handled tooke it farre more grieuous then all the other torments they trayled women children by maine force into their communion if any refused or gaynesayd their doings immediatly they were scurged after stripes imprisoned and in the ende compelled to endure more bitter torments Whereof I will alleadge one or two examples whereby the woodnes and crueltie both of Macedonius and also of others who at that time were renowmed and famous for such lewde feates may euidently appeare vnto the whole worlde Of the women that denied to communicate with them some were layd along in chestes and at the lidds their breastes sawed of some other had their papps burned with searing irons glowing hott and with egges laid therunto that were rosted so harde that they scalded for heate These newe kinde of torments neuer heard of before among Pagans Ethnicks were practised of these men which professed christianitie These things I my selfe haue heard Auxanon of whome I spake in my first booke reporte being a very old man who though he was a priest of the Nouatian Church yet suffred he very much of the Arians before he had entred into orders He reported how that together with Alexander Paphlagon who led a very straict and seuere kinde of life after the same sorte with him he was imprisoned scurged and endured many torments that Alexander after the grieuous lashes of the whipp dyed in prison and was buried nigh the sea shore on the right hand as ye goe to Byzantium hauen called Ceras by interpretation an horne where there is a Nouatian Church bearing the name of Alexander They destroyed at the commaundement of Macedonius not onely other Churches in other cities but also the Nouatian Church within the citie of Constantinople nigh the signe of the storke but why I made mention of this seuerally at this tyme as I hearde with mine owne eares of Auxanon an olde graybearde now I am about to declare By the commaundement of the Emperour and the cruelty of Macedonius it was proclaymed that the churches of such as embraced y ◠creede containing y ◠clause of one substance should be throwen downe euen to y ◠foundations this law being ioined w t y ◠violēce of Macedonius proceaded to y ◠ouerthrow also of this church such as were appoynted to bring these feates to passe busily occupied their braynes and promptly dispatched them I can not chuse but greatly maruell at the Nouatian secte to see what singuler affection they bare vnto their Churche and what charitable minde such as then were deposed by the Arians but nowe enioy their Churches in peace shewed towards them For as soone as the commissioners for the suppressing of Churches had geuen the onsett immediatly a great number of Nouatians and diuers others which maintayned the doctrine of one substance pulled downe that Church remoued it to an other place and there erected it againe The place is situate right ouer against the citie and at this day called Sycae it is the thirtenth porcion of the prouince of Cōstantinople The church was remoued in a very short space by reason that so great a multitude of people with great good will and promptnes of minde sett to their helping handes for one caryed the tyles an other the stones the thirde the timber others conueyed other stuffe into Sycae The women also and the children were a furtherance to the buylding for they thought their prayers woulde be the sooner hearde and to profitt them selues very much in that they imployed their labor and industrie to the consecration of buylding vnto the Lorde In that sorte the Church of the Nouatians was translated to Sycae but after that Constantius being dead Iulianus the Emperour commaunded that the place where the Church aforetime had bene buylded shoulde be giuen to the Nouatians The people againe in such sort as before went about the buylding of the Church and the translating of the stuffe into the place where it stoode at the first and being builded farre more gorgeous then it was at the first they called it after the name of the resurrection That Church as I sayd before was the thirde time buylded in the raigne of Iulianus At that time both the true Catholiks and the Nouatians were a like handled And because the true christians abhorred the temples where the Arians frequented they resorted together with the Nouatians vnto three other Churches for the Nouatians had so many Churches permitted them in that city and there they deuoutly serued God together litle there was to the contrary but that they had bene linked together in the bonde of vnitie and concorde had the Nouatians not refused to retayne their olde mind from the which they had fallen But as toutching other matters ech embraced other with such singuler affection entire loue that one was ready to hazard his life for the other They were molested together not onely at Constantinople but also in other cities and prouinces In a while after Eleusius who lately had bene placed Bishop of Cyzicum imitating the steppes of Macedonius armed him selfe against the Christians afflicted them euery where tormented them grieuously he made the Nouatian Church which was at Cyzicum euen with the grounde and Macedonius gaue the last stroke and finall conclusion to the haynous offences which he committed For vnderstanding that there were many both at Paphlagonia and Mantinium of the Nouatian opinion which coulde by no meanes commodiously be remoued by Ecclesiasticall authoritie he procured that foure bands of souldiers at the Emperours commaundement should be sent into Paphlagonia to the ende the inhabitants might be terrified with the great shewe of glistering armour and thereby brought to embrace the Arian heresie But such as inhabited Mantinium being kindled with an earnest zeale towards Christian religion went agaynst the souldiers with chearefull mindes and valiant courage after they had mustred together a greate host they all marched forwards to battell some had taken in their hande long hedging bills some axes some other mett by chaunce with rusty armour When they ioyned together and came to handygriping many of the Paphlagonians were beaten downe the souldiers fewe onely excepted were slaine euery one Although there be many of the Paphlagonians which presently can report y ◠same yet haue I heard it of a certaine husbandman of Paphlagonia who had bene present him selfe at the skirmishe and borne away many blowes And though Macedonius had wrought many such notable feates as he thought in the behalfe of religion where slaughter and battell and bondage and ciuill dissentions fell out yet that haynous offence of his procured vnto him and that most iustly great hatred not
Origen where the oration of Gregorie in the praise of Origen is layd downe in writing To be short there were foure Gregories first this auncient father the disciple some times of Origen next Gregorie Nazianzene thirdly Gregorie the brother of Basil and the fourth of Alexandria whome the Arians after the exile of Athanasius chose to their bishop Thus much of these men CAP. XXIII The originall of the Nouatian hereticks and how that as many of them as inhabited Phrygia celebrated the feast of Easter after the Iewishe maner ABout that time the Nouatians inhabiting Phrygia chaunged the dayes appoynted by the councell of Nice for the celebration of Easter but howe that came to passe I will declare if that first I lay downe the cause originall why so seuere a canon of the Nouatian church preuailed so much with the Phrygian and Paphlagonian nations Nouatus the priest seuered him selfe from the church of Rome because y ◠Cornelius the bishop receaued into the communion after repentance the faithfull that fell from the church sacrificed vnto Idols in the persecution vnder Decius the Emperour When he had deuided him selfe from y ◠church for the aforesayd cause first he was made bishop of such bishops as were of his opinion next he wrote epistles vnto all churches euery where that they should not receaue as meete partakers of the holy mysteries such as had sacrificed vnto Idolls but exhort them vnto repentance referring y ◠forgeuenes and remission vnto God who is of power and authority sufficient to remit sinne when the letters were brought into euery prouince euery one iudged thereof as pleased him best Because Nouatus had signified that such as after baptisme committed a sinne vnto death were not afterwards to be admitted vnto the communion the publishing of that canon seemed vnto some toe seuere vnto others but right reason auailable also for the direction of godly life Whē this controuersie was tossed toe and fro the letters of Cornelius were sent abroade signifying that there remained hope of pardon for such as had sinned after baptisme They both wrote contrary letters and cōueyed them vnto the churches abroade And whilest that both went about to confirme his opinion with testimonies of holy scripture euery man as the maner is looke where affection lead him there he addicted him selfe For such as were geuen to sinne tooke occasion by the libertie and fauoure that was graunted them went forewardes headlonge into euery shamefull crime The Phrygians are a nation farre more temperate and modest then others for they sweare very seldome The Scythians and Thracians are hotter more prone vnto anger For they that are nearer vnto the rising of the sunne are set more vpon lust concupiscence The Paphlagonians Phrygians are inclined to nere nother of these perturbations For at this daye they vse no running at tilte no such warlike exercise neither doe they vse to pastime them selues with spectacles and stage playes Wherefore these kind of men in myne opinion draw neerest vnto the drift disposition of Nouatus letters Adulterie is counted among them for a detestable and horrible sinne It is well knowen that the Phrygian and Paphlagonian trade of lyfe is farre modester and more chast and continent then any other hereticall sect whatsoeuer I coniecture that they shott at the same modest trade of lyfe which inhabited the west parts of the worlde and leaned to Nouatus opinion Nouatus him selfe though he varyed from the church of Rome by reason of a certaine seuere trade of liuing yet altered not he the tyme appointed for the celebration of Easter For he alwayes obserued the custome of the West churches ▪ and celebrated it as they did For such as lyue there since they were Christians kept alwayes that feast after the Equinoctiallspringe And though Nouatus him selfe was putt to death in the persecution vnder Valerianus yet such as in Phrygia are so called of him for all they are fallen from the faith of the Catholicke churche were licenced to become partakers of his communion at what time they altered the celebration of Easter day For in the village Pazum where the springs of the floode Sangarius are founde ▪ there was a Councell summoned of fewe and the same very obscure Nouatian bishops where they decreed that the maner custome of the Iewes who kept thē dayes of vnleauened bread was to be obserued and that the time appoynted by them was not to be broken This haue we learned of an olde man who was a priests sonne and present at the Councell with his father whereat Agelius the Nouatian byshop of Constantinople was not neyther Maximus of Nice neither the Nouatian bishop of Nicomedia neyther the bishop of Cotuaium who was of the same opinion with the rest for these were they that chiefely layde downe the canons of the Nouatian churches These things were of olde in this sort Not longe after because of this Councell as it shall be shewed in an other place the Nouatian churche was deuided within it selfe CAP. XXIIII Of Damasus bishop of Rome and Vrsinus his deacon of the greate sturre and slaughter that was at Rome because of them NOwe lett vs returne vnto the affaires of the West that were done at the same time When the Emperour Valentinianus lead a peaceable and quiet life molestinge no kinde of sect Damasus succeeded Liberius in the bishopricke of Rome at what time the quiet state of the Romaine church was wonderfully troubled the cause as I could learne was as followeth Vrsinus Deacon of that church in the vacancie of the seae made sute for him selfe agaynst Damasus to be chosen bishop Who seeing that Damasus was preferred and him selfe put backe seeinge also that all his canuasse was to no purpose fell from the church to raysinge of priuate and particular conuenticles and perswaded certaine base and obscure bishops to consecrate him bishop Wherfore they created him not in the open church but in an odde corner of the cathedrall church called Sicona This being done the people was all on an vprore the tumult was not toutchinge y ◠faith or heresie but whether of them both by ryght should be bishop The heat of thronging multitudes was so grieuous and the contention so greate that it cost many their liues For which schisme and rebellion many both of the laytie and cleargie were grieuously tormented by the cōmaundement of Maximmus the gouernour and so was Vrsinus foyled the enterprises of his factiō suppressed CAP. XXV After the death of Auxentius the Arian byshop of Mediolanum when there rose a great schisme about the election of a bishop the which Ambrose Liuetenant of that prouince suppressed he him selfe by the voyce of all that were present and by the consent of the Emperour Valentinianus was chosen Byshop ABout that time an other straunge act fell out at Mediolanum When Auxentius whome y ◠Arians chose to be bishop of
went about but aboue all others he vsed the aduise of Troilus the Sophist a man very wise of great experience and singuler pollicie he was nothing inferior to Anthemius and therefore Anthemius retayned him of his counsell in all his affayres CAP. II. Of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople WHen the Emperour Theodosius went on the eyght yeare of his age the thirde yeare of Atticus bishop of Constantinoples consecration the which he enioyed with great commendation was expired a man he was as I sayd before of meane learning yet in life godly and of great wisedome and therfore the Churches in those dayes encreased and florished exceedingly He reconciled not onely such as were fauorers of his owne faith but also made the hereticks to haue his wisedome in admiration whome he would in no wise molest but after that he had ratled them againe he woulde shewe him selfe louing and amiable towards them He was a painfull student for he bestowed great labour he spent the greater part of the night in reading ouer the works of auncient wryters in so doing there was no grounde of philosophy no quirck in sopistrie that coulde blanke or astonish him He was gentle and curteous vnto such as conferred with him and with the sorowfull he seemed to sorowe him selfe In fewe wordes he became as the Apostle writeth all vnto all men First as soone as he was made Priest the sermons which with great labour he framed together he learned out of the booke and pronounced in the Churche In processe of tyme by dayly exercise and greate diligence he so boldned him selfe that he preached ex tempore his maner of teaching was very plaine his Sermons were so simple that the auditors thought them not worthy the bearing away neyther the writing in paper to the knowledge of the posterity following Thus much of his conditions behauiour learning and gift of vtterance now to the history of that tyme. CAP. III. Of Theodosius and Agapetus Bishops of Synada THeodosius Bishop of Synada a citie of Phrygia pacatiana was a sore scurge vnto the here ticks for in that citie there were many of the Macedonian sect he banished them not onely the towne but also the contrey Neyther did he this according vnto the rule of the Catholicke Church which accustometh not to persecute men neyther with zeale of the right and sincere fayth but in hope of fifthy suere and foule gayne for to wringe money from the hereticks Wherefore there was no way that might grieue the Macedonians left vnassayed he mayntayned his owne clergie against them there was no deuise but he practised for to afflict them with he sticked not to bring them in fetters to holde vp their handes at the barre but aboue all others he plagued their Bishop Agapetus with sundry griefes and vexations And when as he perceaued that the chiefe Magistrats within that prouince were not of autoritie sufficient and that their commission ertended not to the punishment of the Macedonians he gott him in all the hast to Constantinople and sued out a commaundement of the Lieuetenant of that prouince for the sharpe correction of them Whilest that Theodosius the Bishop made friends at Constantinople for the furtherance of his sute Agapetus whome I tearmed the Macedonian Bishop was conuerted and fell to embrace the right and sound faith For after he had assembled together all the clergie and layty within his iurisdiction he perswaded them to receaue the faith of one substance This being done he went with speede together with a great multitude nay with the whole citie into the church where after prayers and solemne seruice he gott him into the seate of Theodosius Immediatly after the linking of the people together in the bonde of loue and vnitie thenceforth he maintayned the faith of one substance so that he obtayned the gouernment of the Churches belonging vnto the diocesse and citte of Synada Shortly after Theodosius came home to Synada and brought with him autoritie from the Lieuetenant whereof he bragged not a litle and being ignorant of all the thinges that were done in his absence straight way he gott him into the Church there he founde but small welcome for the dores were made fast against him and after that he vnderstoode of their dealing againe he posteth to Constantinople There he be wayled his state before Atticus the Bishop and openeth vnto him how that he was iniuriously thrust beside his bishoprick Atticus vnderstanding that all fell out to the great profitt and furtherance of the Church of God beganne to pacifie him with milde and curteous languages exhorting him thenceforth to embrace a quiet life voyd of all trouble and molestation and not to preferre his owne priuate gaine and lucre before the profit and commoditie of the whole Church he wrote moreouer vnto Agapetus willing him to enioy the bishoprick and not to feare at all the displeasure of Theodosius CAP. IIII. Howe a lame Iewe being baptized of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople recouered againe his lymmes EVen as the aforesayde circumstance which fell out in the florishing dayes of Atticus was a great furtherance to the church of God so likewise miracles with the gift of healing which raygned in those times turned to the glory of God and the profitt of his people for a certayne Iewe being helde the space of many yeares with a paulsey was faine to keepe his bed and hauing tried all the salues and medicens all the practises and prayers of the Iewes was not a iote the better at length he fled for refuge vnto the baptisme ministred in the Churche of Christ perswading him selfe for suertie that by the meanes of this being the true phisicke of the soule he might recouer the former healthe of his bodye Atticus was immediatly made priuey vnto this his deuoute minde and godly disposition he instructed the Iewe in the principles and articles of Christian religion he layd before him the hope that was to be had in Christ Iesu he bidds that Iewe bed and all shoulde be brought vnto the font and place appoynted for the ministration of baptisme This Iewe being grieuously taken w t the paulsey was no sooner baptised in the faith of Christ and taken out of the font but his disease left him so that he recouered his former health This gift of healing being wrought by the power of Christ preuayled in the worlde amonge the men of these our dayes Many of the Gentils hearing the fame of this miraculous power receaued the faith and were baptized but the Ievves for all they sought after signes and wonders yet could they not with signes be brought to embrace the Christian faith CAP. V. Howe that Sabbatius a Iewe borne being Priest of the Nouatian Church fell from his owne sect FOr all that Christ the sonne of God bestowed the aforesayd graces and benefitts of his singuler loue and goodnes towards mankinde yet the greater part weying not thereof more is the ptty wallowe still in
through the procurement of Anastasius his disciple called the blessed mother of God not the mother of God but the mother of Christ and therefore was counted an hereticke In so much that Nestorius who called together against Christ a seconde councell with Caiphas who builded a slaughterhouse of blasphemies where Christ a newe is both slaine and solde who seuered and deuided a sunder his natures that hong on the crosse and had not as it is written no not one bone broken throughout all the members of his bodie neither his vnseamed coate parted of such as put the Lorde to death reiected the clause of the mother or bearing of God framed of the holy Ghost by the meanes of many learned and godly fathers set against it this saying the mother or bearing of Christ leudly forged of his owne braine and filled the Churche of God with sedition ciuill warres and cruell bloodshed I thinke verily my penne can not wante matter to paint and orderly to continue the historie and so to proceede vnto the ende if that first of all through the helpe of Christ the ayder of all men I beginne with the blasphemie of Nestorius the schisme which thē rose in the church had such a beginning as followeth Anastasius a certain priest of a corrupt and peruerse opinion an earnest maintainer of the Jewishe doctrine of Nestorius and his companion in the voyage he tooke from Antioch to be byshop of Constantinople whē he heard the leude reasons and conference which Nestorius had with Theodolus at Mopsouestia in Cicilia he fell from the right fayth and as Theodorus writeth of that matter in a certaine epistle he presumed in the open audience of the Church of Constantinople in the hearing of such people as serued God deuoutly to say these wordes let no man call Marie the mother of God for Marie saith he was a woman and it is vnpossible that God shoulde be borne of a woman when the religious people misliked with his reasons and counted not without cause of his doctrine as of blasphemie Nestorius the ringleader of his impietie not onely not forbad him neither maintained the right opinion but first of all confirmed his sayings to be true and was very earnest in the defence of them Wherefore after he had annexed and lincked thereunto his owne opinion and the deuise of his owne braine when he had powred into the Church of God the venome of his poysoned doctrine he endeuoured to establish a farre more blasphemous sentence to his owne destruction he said as followeth I verily will not call him God who grewe to mans state by two monethes three moneths and so forth euen as Socrates Scholasticus and the former councell helde at Ephesus haue informed of him CAP. III. VVhat Cyrill the great wrote vnto Nestorius the hereticke and of the third◠councell of Ephesus whereunto Iohn byshop of Antioch and Theodoritus came shorte CYrill byshop of Alexandria a man of great fame and renowne confuted the leude opinion of Nestorius in seuerall letters yet for al that Nestorius stiffely withstood his confutation yelded not one iote neither vnto Cyrill neither vnto Celestinus byshop of olde Rome but vomited out the venome of his cankered stomacke vpon the Churche and made sute vnto Theodosius the younger who was Emperour of the East that by his authoritie the first councell of Ephesus might be called together Wherfore the Emperour wrote vnto Cyrill and to all y ◠other ouerseers and byshops of the Churches throughout euerie citie geuinge them to vnderstand that the day of Pentecost was prescribed for their assemblie on which day the liuing and ghostly spirit descending from heauen shined among vs. but Nestorius by reason that Ephesus is not farre from Constantinople was there before them Cyrill together with his company came thither also before the day appointed Iohn byshop of Antioch was absent with his prouince not of set purpose according vnto their report which defend his doings but because he coulde not in so short a space call together the byshops of his prouince for many of their cities were distant from Antioch of olde so called but now Theopolis vnto a swift and stoute goer twelue dayes iourney vnto some others more and Ephesus is from Antioch about thirtie dayes iourney And when as Iohn aunswered plainely he was not able to meete them on the Sundaye appointed for so was the day called all his diocesse sturred not a foote from home CAP. IIII. Howe Nestorius the hereticke was deposed by the councell of Ephesus in the absence of Iohn byshoppe of Antioch When the day appointed for their meeting and fifteene dayes ouer were expired the byshops which assembled at Ephesus thinking verily that the easterne byshops would not come or if peraduenture they came it woulde be long ere they mette together when as Cyrill also moderated the councell in steade of Celestinus who as I said before gouerned the seae of Rome called Nestorius before them and willed him to aunswere vnto the crimes that were laid to his charge And when as the first day he promised to come if the case so required and being afterwardes thrise cited to appeare made light accompt of his promise the byshops that were present called the matter into controuersie and began to reason thereof Wherefore after that Memnon byshop of Ephesus had numbred the dayes that were past since the prescribed time to wit seuenteene after they had reade the epistles of the reuerende Cyrill vnto Nestorius and suche as he wrote vnto Cyrill againe together with the holy epistle of the renowmed Celestiniu sent in like sort vnto Nestorius after that Theodotus byshop of Ancyra and Acacius byshop of Melitina had made relation of the blasphemous sentences whiche Nestorius bolted out at Ephesus and after that many notable sayinges to the iustifying of the sincere fayth were vttered in that assembly of holy and learned fathers interlacing sometimes the vnaduised and blasphemous phrases of Nestorius the holy councell pronounced this sentence against Nestorius in maner as followeth Omitting other hainous crimes of the reuerend Nestorius in so much he was cited and would not appeare neither entertaine the most holy and religious byshops which we had sent vnto him vve were driuen of necessitie to sifte and examine his leude and wicked doctrine And seeinge vve founde him to haue belieued impiously and to haue taught heretically partly by perusing of his bookes and epistles and partly also by the blasphemous sentences he vttered of late in this noble citie we were moued both by the canons of the Church and the graue censure of the most holy father our College Celestinus byshop of Rome yet not without sheding of many teares to pronounce against him this seuere and sharpe sentence VVherefore our Lord Iesus Christ in derogation of whose maiesty Nestorius sticked not to pronounce such horrible blasphemie hath decreed and ordained by this sacred assembly that he shoulde both be deposed of his
day night to pray for the prosperous state of your empire the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of your raigne After these things y â— acts of y â— secoÌ„d couÌ„cel of Ephesus were openly read at y â— request both of Dioscorus Eusebius y â— subtle disputation exquisit discourse therof both written of many others also laid down among y â— acts of y â— councel of ChalcedoÌ„ if I should here pen for y â— reader who peradueÌ„ture wil be desirous to vnderstaÌ„d y â— finall end of al their doings without doubt I should seeme to post him ouer with delayes I will therefore referre it to the ende of this booke where as many as will haue all things after their common saying at their fingers endes may both reade all and carefully committ the whole to memorie But nowe let vs proceede on in the things which we haue chiefely purposed to handle that is to saye howe Dioscorus bewrayed him selfe partly by reiecting the Epistle of Leo byshopp of old Rome and partly also by deposing Flauianus byshop of newe Rome all which he did in one day and craftely deuised that the byshops whiche assembled together should subscribe vnto a blancke where afterwards he caused the depriuation of Flauianus to be written when these thinges were done the senators decreed as followeth The next day after when the councell aduised them selues somewhat better we doe perceiue that they reasoned more exquisitly of the true and catholicke fayth VVherefore seeinge that Flauianus the byshopp of worthie memory and Eusebius the most reuerende byshopp of Dorilaeum were founde not to haue erred in the fayth after we had searched the actes and decrees of the councell and also by the report of suche as were chiefe in the councell and therefore vniustly to haue beene deposed for they confessed them selues sowly deceaued and wrongfully to haue depriued Flauianus and Eusebius It seemeth good vnto vs and no doubt God approueth the same that Dioscorus the most reuerend byshop of Alexandria if it so please our Lorde the Emperour Iuuenalis the most reuerend byshop of Ierusalem Thalassius the most reuerend byshop of Caesarea in Cappodocia Eusebius the most reuerende byshop of Armenia Eustathius the most reuerend byshop of Berytus Basilius the most reuerende byshop of Seleucia in Isauria who were then of autority and chief of the councell should be punished alike deposed of their byshopricks by the censure iudgemeÌ„t of the councell as the canons of the church doe require be at the emperours pleasure Immediatly there were other bils exhibited against Dioscorus both of the crimes he committed and the money he had receaued but when Dioscorus being called y â— second the third time of y â— councel sent fained excuses for him self came not y â— Legats of Leo byshop of old Rome stood vp in y â— councel said as followeth The hainoê° offeÌ„ces which Dioscorus late byshop of the noble city of Alexandria coÌ„mitted against the canons of the councells the ecclesiastical discipline are throughly knoweÌ„ of vs al partly by sifting out such things as were heard in the former session and partly also by examining such things as we decided this day And that we may omit many other things this man of his owne autority coÌ„trary to the canon of the church receaued Eutyches into the coÌ„munion an heretick of the same opinion with him one that was iustly deposed by his owne proper byshop to wit the most holy father and our byshop Flauianus this he did before he shewed his face in the councel which he held with the most holy byshops at Ephesus but the Apostolicke seae pardoned the byshops because they were constrained against their wills to doe that whiche they did who yeelded them selues vnto this present houre both to Leo the most holy byshop to the whole sacred general assembly of byshops therefore as men of one opinion with him he receaued theÌ„ into the coÌ„munion As for this Dioscorus he cesseth not as yet to glory of the things for the which he ought to mourne lament lie groueling vpon the ground in sackcloth ashes not onely this but also he fâ—rbad the reading of holy Pope Leo his epistle written vnto Flauianus of godly memory yea being oft intreated of the Legats naye when he him selfe had promised with an othe he woulde procure it to be read the default in not reading of which epistle hath bene both an offence hindrance vnto the holy churches vnder heauen Although he was priuey to such lewde practises yet haue we asseÌ„bled together to th end we might deale somewhat fauourably both vvith him for all his former leudnes and also in like sort with the other godly byshops which were not of equall autority with him in iudgment but seing that his later misdemenure exceeded his former impiety for he sticked not to excoÌ„municate Leo the most holy and most religious archebyshop of Rome moreouer wheÌ„ shameful bills were exhibited against him he him self being cited once twise the thirde time as the canon of the church hath coÌ„maunded by the godly byshops to appeare before the councel yet would be not come for his owne coÌ„science accused him but entertained coÌ„trary vnto law such as were iustly deposed by diuers councells set at naught sundry coÌ„stitutions of the church condemning as it were him selfe with his owne doings once againe seeinge these are found to be his later practises Leo the most holy archebyshop of great olde Rome by vs and this sacred assembly together with the most blessed Apostle S. Peter who is the rocke the grounde of the Catholicke Churche and the fundation of the true fayth bereaued him of all dignitie that belongeth to a byshop and depriued him of the priestly function â–ª wherefore let this holy councell geue the sentence of Dioscorus of whom we haue hitherto spoken according vnto the canons of the Church When these things were ratified by the councell and certen other things decided y â— byshops that were deposed with Dioscorus at y â— request of the councell the consent of y â— emperour were restored to their byshopricks againe when they had annexed certeÌ„ things vnto their former constitutious y â— conncell pronounced such a sentence as followeth Our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christe going about to confirme his disciples in the knowledge of the fayth saide vnto them my peace I geue you my peace I bequeath vnto you to th ende none should vary froÌ„ his neighbour in sacred religion but that all with one mouth minde should acknowledg the word of trueth Imediately after when they had read y â— creed established by the councell of Nice with y â— forme of faith agreed vpon by a hundred fiftye godly fathers assembled at Constantinople they procede on in these words that diuine holy creed containing the abundance of the grace spirit of god is sufficient both to bring men vnto
in the sight of God and man I hope your holinesse will signifie all the aforesayde vnto our most holy Lorde the Emperour and bringe to passe that his highnesse may decree in this behalfe suche thinges as may be for the Ecclesiasticall peace and tranquillitie agreeable with the will of God and the Emperours industrie to thend all men may conforme them selues thereafter CAP. XVIII How Iohn the deposed byshop of Alexandria counselled Felix byshop of Rome to depose Acacius byshop of Constantinople IOhn who fledde to Rome after Zeno had deposed him certified Felix the successor of Simplicius in the Byshopricke of Rome of Peters doinges exhorted him as Zacharie writeth to send Acacius a depriuation because he had communicated with Peter the whiche act of Felix being contrary to the canons of the Church Acacius would not approue The messengers that brought this Epistle vnto Acacius were the paynefull and vigilant monks called Acoimetoi Zacharie is the autor of the premises who as farre as I can see knewe nothinge of the whole circumstance perfectly but hearde it onely as it were ouer the shoulder and so reported it Wherefore I my selfe will now write the stories as they were in deede When Iohn had exhibited accusations and bills against Acacius vnto Felix that contrary vnto the Canon of the Churche he had communicated with Peter and of other haynous offences which he had done against the decrees of the Churche Felix sent Vitalius and Misinus two byshops vnto the Emperour Zeno partly to confirme with his autoritie the councell of Chalcedon partly also to depose Peter of his Byshoprick as an hereticke and last of all to sende Acacius vnto him for to render an accompt and to purge him selfe of such crimes as Iohn of whom we made often mention before layd to his charge CAP. XIX How Cyrill head of the vigilant monks sent vnto Felix byshop of Rome charging him with slacknesse in reuenging suche iniuries as the fayth sustained ERe the aforesayde Vitalius and Misinus came vnto the Emperour Cyrill head of the vigilant monks charged him with slacknesse of duety seeinge so many grieuous practises take place against the true and sincere faith Felix then wrote vnto Misinus that he shoulde doe nothinge afore he had conferred with Cyrill and learned of him what was to be done CAP. XX. VVhat Felix wrote vnto Zeno the Emperour and Zeno vnto him againe FElix wrote not onely vnto Zeno but also vnto others where he brought them into remembrance partly of the councell of Chalcedon and partly also of the persecution in Aphrik in the raigne of Theodorichus He wrote an other Epistle vnto Acacius but Zeno wrote backe againe and tolde him that he fought with his shadowe in geuing eare vnto Iohns report and in contendinge with his aduersaries for he was the man that bound him self with an othe that he would neuer be Byshop of Alexandria yet afterwardes was founde periured and to committe euerye kinde of sacrilege that Peter was aduaunced vnto the priestly function not wythout good tryall of his faythe that he subscribed wyth his owne hande and approued the faythe of the hree hundred and eyghteene holy fathers in the councell of Nice which fayth was afterwardes ratifyed by the councell of Chalcedon These were the wordes of Zeno VVe woulde haue you assure your selfe that our highnesse with moste holye Peter mentioned before and all the Christian congregations doe embrace and reuerence the sacred councell of Chalcedon which councell is one in effect with the Nicene creede There are Epistles to be seene amonge the actes of the aforesayde councell partly of Cyrill mentioned before and partly of other gouernours of the monasteries of Constantinople and of the byshops and clergie within the prouince of Aegypt vnto Felix byshop of Rome against Peter as an heretick and against all them that communicated with him As many of the vigilant monks as came to Felix rebuked Misinus and Vitalis because that vntill their comminge to Constantinople the name of Peter was secretely vsed to be reade in the holy catalogue but since that time continually vnto this present houre Misinus and Vitalis communicated with Peter The Epistle whiche the Byshops of Aegypte wrote signified this muche of Peter and that Iohn was of the true fayth and consecrated accordinge vnto the canons of the Churche that Peter was ordered onely by two Byshops infected with the same exror with him and that immediately after the flight of Iohn he left no punishment vnpractised vpon the true professors All which circumstances are said to haue bene signified vnto Acacius and that Acacius ayded Peter in all what so euer he went about CAP. XXI Howe Symeon one of the vigilant monks went to Rome accused them that came from Rome to Constantinople that they had communicated with hereticks and procured their depriuation THe aforesayd accusations were augmented at the report of Symeon one of the vigilant monks whome Cyrill had sente vnto Felix For Misinus and Vitalis were reprehended of him because they communicated with heretickes specially seeing the name of Peter the hereticke was openly reade in the holy catalogue and that in so doing many simple men were snared of the hereticks who sticked not to bragge that the Byshop of Rome receaued Peter into the communion Symeon sayde moreouer that when certaine interrogatories were demaunded Misinus and his company woulde not conferre with the true catholickes would not receaue their writinÌ„gs neither exquisitly sift out suche thinges as were done and greatly did preiudice the true fayth Syluanus the prieste who accompanied Misinus and Vitalis to Constantinople was broughte forth and he auoutched that the monks allegations were true They reade moreouer the Epistle of Acacius where he gaue Simplicius to vnderstand that Peter was lately deposed and pronounced the childe of darkenesse To be shorte Misinus and Vitalis were deposed of their dignities and cutte of from the holy and vndefiled communion and that by the censure of the wholl assembly which pronounced of Peter as followeth The Churche of Rome doth not communicate with Peter the heretick who was lately condemned by the Apostolicke sâ—ae excommunicated the Church and helde for accursed although there were no other crime to charge him with all yet is this of force sufficient that he can not gouerne the faithful people of God because he was ordered of hereticks In the same decree this also was comprised It appeared euidently that Acacius byshop of Constantinople was greatly to be blamed because for all he wrote vnto Simplicius and called Peter an hereticke yet he would not make Zeno priuey thereunto when as in verie deede if he had borne good will vnto Zeno he should haue done it And rather he should haue pleased the Emperour then prouided for the fayth But let vs returne to discourse of the historie There is extant an Epistle of Acacius vnto the byshops of Aegypt priests monks al the people where he endeuoreth to bring such as raise schisme
Emperours house And so an ende of them CAP. IIII. The Edict of the fayth which Iustinus caused to be published in writinge vnto all Christians wheresoeuer FUrthermore Iustinus wrote an edict sentit abrode vnto y ◠christians euery where cōtaining such a forme as followeth In the name of the Lord Iesus Christ our God the emperour Caesar Flauius Iustinus faithfull in Christ meeke chiefe lord bountifull lord of Almaine lord of Gutland lord of Germanie lord of Antium lord of Francia lord of the people Eruli lord of the nation Gepaedi pious fortunate glorious victorious triumphant all noble perpetuall Augustus My peace saith the Lord Christ who is our true God I geue vnto you my peace saith the same Lord vnto the whole world I leaue vnto you which is no otherwise to be taken then that such as belieue in him should repaire vnto the one and the onely Church that they should be at vnity among them selues in the true and sincere faith of Christ and detest from the hearte root such as gainesay or vphold the contrary opinion The chiefest point that appertaineth vnto mans saluation is the free acknowledging protesting of the true faith VVherefore as we are commaunded by the Euangelists and as the sacred creed to wit the doctrine of the holy fathers hath taught vs we exhort al mē to embrace the one the only church discipline belieuing in the father in the sonne in the holy ghost glorifying the coessētiall trinitie the on godhead to wit nature and substance one both in word and deed one might power and autoritie in the three persons in whome we were baptized in whome we belieue and by whome we are coupled together in one VVe worship the trinitie in vnitie and the vnitie in trinitie hauinge both a diuision and a coniunction so wonderfull that they can not be expressed the vnitie we meane according vnto substance to wit the godhead the trinitie according vnto the proprieties that is the persons the diuision we vnderstand to be vndeuided and the coniunction deuided For the diuinity is one in the three persons and the three in whome the diuinity lieth or as I may better say which are the diuinitye it selfe are one God the father God the sonne God the holy ghost because that euery person is taken by him self the mind separateth the things which are vnseparable to wit God to be three persōs which are vnderstood to be ioyned together in on as I may so terme it in idētitie of motiō nature for it behoueth vs to say there is one God acknowledge three persōs or proprieties we cōfesse moreouer that the only begottē sonne of God God the word was begottē of the father before all worlds from euerlasting not made that for vs for our saluation he came downe from heauen in the later dayes was incarnat by the holy ghost of our Lady Mary the holy glorious mother of God and perpetuall virgine and borne of her that he is equall to the father to the holy ghost For the blessed trinity alloweth not of any fourth person as if God the word incarnat were so who is one persō of the trinity one the same our Lord Iesus Christ of one substance with the father according vnto his diuinity of one substance with vs according vnto his humanity patible as toutchinge the fleshe but impatible toutching the godhead we say not that God the worde which wrought miracles was one he which suffred was another but confesse that the one the same our Lord Iesus christ the word of God was incarnat truely made man that both the miracles he wrought the afflictiōs he voluntarily endured in the flesh for our saluation appertained vnto one the selfe same person For it was no man that gaue him self for vs but it was euen very God the worde who was made man without alteration of the godhead of his owne accord both suffred died for vs. wherfore in acknowledging that he is God we say not but that he is man in cōfessing his māhood we deny not his godhead Againe while we affirme that the one our Lord Iesus Christ consisteth of both the natures diuinity humanity we confound not the persons in the vnity for al he was made man accordinge vnto our nature yet is he God notwithstandinge neither because he is God after his owne nature and hath a likenes not capable of our similitude doth he ceasse to be man but contineweth as God in humanity so no lesse man in the excellency of diuinity Therefore both the aforesaid is in one and the same one is both God and man who is Emmanuel Further when we graunt that the same one is both perfect God and perfect man of whiche two things he consisteth we seuere not the coniunctiō vnity of his person but declare the differēce of the natures which is not taken away for all the coupling and knittinge together of them for neither is the diuine nature chaunged into the humane neither the humane conuerted into the diuine nature but because both of them is better vnderstood and sooner appeareth in the perfect description order of the proper natures Therefore say we that the confunction was made in the person The coniunction which is in the person sheweth that God the word to wit one of the three persons in diuinity was coupled not to mā that was before but in the wombe of Marie our Lady the holy glorious mother of God perpetuall virgine framed vnto him self of her in his proper person a body of one substance with ours subiect to like affections with vs sinne onely excepted and endued with a reasonable soule and vnderstanding ▪ he had a being of him selfe and was made man and is one and the same our Lord Iesus Christe of equall glory with the father the holy ghost And while we imagine or conceaue his vnspeakable copulation we acknowledge vnfainedly that the one nature of God the worde was incarnat and tooke flesh endued with a reasonable intellectuall soule Againe when we thinke vpon the differēce of natures we affirme there are two natures yet deuide them not at al for both the natures are in him therefore we confesse one the same Christ one sonne one person or one proprietie of the diuine essence both God man ▪ wherefore as many as held contrary opinions vnto this or presently doe belieue otherwise we pronounce thē to be held for accursed iudge thē to be farre estraunged frō the holy catholick apostolick church of God And seeing the true sincere doctrine deliuered vnto vs by the holy fathers hath pearced our eares and is now as it were imprinted in our brests we exhort you all nay rather we beseech you in the bowels of Christ Iesu to become one fold to be of one the same catholick apostolick church for we think it no
parents of Chrysostome Theodorus Maximus Diodorus Carterius Chrysostome a reader A Deacon â— Priest â— Bishop Here is a lesson for them that pull downe sanctuaries Tribigildus Phrygia sub dued Gainas◠〈◊〉 person and a tâ—â—â—e breaker A comet Constantinople was saued by Angells Gainas was slayne Anno Dom. 404. The heresie of the Anthropomorphits beganne Anno â–ª Dom. 40â— â—â—â—e maketh Theophilus to 〈…〉 him selfe This Bishop â—â—th more â—…s in the world Theophilus to reuenge himselfe of his enemies â—ersâ—â—â—â—ed â—â—s owne opinion this 〈◊〉 a sinne against the holy Ghost This heresie was the originall that God the father hathe â—ene painted the man Anthropomorphits be those heretickes which attribute corpereall substaÌ„ce vnto God the father Chrisostomâ— made Antemnes An. Dom. 404. Ignatius thâ— disciple of Sâ— Iohn was thâ— first author 〈◊〉 Antemnes * Cap. 10. in the Greeke Epiphanius some tyme thought that God had a bodie A Councell held in Cyprus where of spite through the procurement of Theophiâ— the bookes of Origen were cendeÌ„â—ed A Synode at AlexaÌ„dria to â—he same purpose Cap. 11. in the greeke An olde custome to take money for preaching if the gayne were not sweete I warrant you at this day the custome would be lest Heraclides b. of Ephesus Seuerall functions haue seuerall reuerence Cap. 12. in the Greeke Theotimus bishop of Scythia Cap. 13. in the Greeke In the marge of the greeke copie there was written as followeth VVe haue to learne that the fift generall Councell condemned both Origen his vvorkes But this historiographer vvas before the thirde Athanasius testimony of Origen Cap. 14 in the greeke The message which Chrysostome sent vnto Epiphanius The coÌ„tention betwene two auncieÌ„t fathers Epiphanius b. of CoÌ„stantia in Cyprus and Iohn Chrysostome b. of Constantinople Cap. 15. in the greeke Chrisostom made a sermon agains all women The couÌ„cell of ChalcedoÌ„ for the deposing of Chrysostome Chrylostome eâ—â—lâ—d Cap 16. in the Greeke Chrysostome â—turneth froÌ„â—xile Cap. 17. in the Greeke Ecclesiastes 12 Cap. 18. in the Greeke A Councell assembled at Constantinople for the deposition of Chrysostome Such as cleaned to Iohn Chrysostome were called Iohannits Cap. 19. in the Greeke Cyrinus was plagued for reuiling of Chrylostome Great haile in token of Gods wrath Cap 20 in the Greeke Arsacius Atticus Cap. 21. in the greeke Chrysostome dieth in exile Anno Dom. 412 The saying of Chrysostome Cap. 22 in the Greeke Eâ—â—â—â—â—iasieâ— 9. Iuâ—â— 9. Arcadius the Emperour died Anno Dom. 412. Honorius Theodosius Anthemius Troilus 1. Corinth 9. Theodosius a couetous Bishop Aâ—â—petus â— Mâ—â—â—doniâ—n â—â—ll to em bâ—aâ—â— the â—aith of one substance A Iewe troubled with the paulsey The gift of â—eâ—ling in he dayes of Socrates Sabbatius a Nouatian â—â—â—est Luck 22. The corrupters of Gods word haue ill endes Barbas Georgius Timotheus Cyâ—illus Bishop of Alexandria Anno Dom. 418 The Bishop of Alexandria bothe a Bishop and a magistrate Anno Dom. 418. Isdigerdes â—ing of Persia The Mâ—giâ—ians doe â—uffer blâ—â—â—â— b. Persia ararancs 〈◊〉 of Perâ—â—â— Flauianus Porphyrius Alexander Damasus Siricius Anastasius Innocentius Alarichus Attalus Alarichus as it is supposed is coÌ„maunded froÌ„ aboue to destroy the citie of Rome for theyr greate sinne and iniquitie Innocentius Zosimus Bonifacius Celestinus The bishop of Rome fell to chalenge vnto him self seculer power DauÌ„cing vsed in Alexadâ—ia on the satturdayes Temporall and worldly Magistrats are grieued that the Church shoulde haue any authority or preeminence Adamantius Orestes Ammonius the Monke wounded the Liuetenant of Alexandria with a stone Hypatia a woman of great learning The Iewes crucified a boye in derision of all Christians Chrysanthus Paulus Acacius b. of Amida Eudocia the Empresse was learned Discretion sobâ—etic Hardinesse Fasting Deuotion Singing of â—almes Memorie Knowledge â—tudie Patience Curtesie Clemencie Good life Mercie Humanitie Religion Zeale and feare of God Humilitie Prospetitie good successe for well doing Atticus b. of Constantino ple vnto Calliopius minister of Nice Atticus endeuored to bring the Nouatians from Idolatry Anastasius 2. Corinth 5. The opinion of Nestorius the heretick 1. Ioh. 4. Euseb lib. 3. de vit Const Cap. 34 in the Greeke The councel of Ephesus Anno Dom. 435. Nestoriê° denieth Christ â—o be God Cap. 35. in the greeke Anno Dom. â—35 Cap. 36. in the Greeke A canon of the Church Perigenes Gregorie Nazianzene Meletius Dositheus Berentius Iohn Palladius Alexander Theophilus Polycarpus Hierophilus Optimus Siluanus Cap. 37. in the Greeke Ca. 39. in the Greeke Anno Dom. 437. Cap. 40. in the Greeke Câ—p. 42. in the greeke Numb 12. Rugas slâ—ine with a thunderbolt Pethlence â—â—â—e from heauen â—â—â—â—h â–ª 38. Anno Dom. 440. Oâ—igen was excommunicated two hundred yeareâ— after his death Socrates endeth his hiâ—tory Anno Dom. 440. Sabellicus Euseb eccle hist lib. 8. cap. 6. Euseb ec hist lib. 8. cap. 11. Euseb eccle hist lib. 8. cap 11. Euseb lib. 8. cap. 5. Euseb eccle hist lib. 7. cap 15. Socrat eccle hist lib. 3. cap 11. 1. Cor. 1. Socrat. eccle hist lib. 5. cap 8. Socrat. eccle hist lib. 5. cap. 8. Socrat. lib. 4 cap. 25. lib. 6. cap. 3. Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 47. Euagri lib. 6. cap. vlt. Arcadians Ouid. Suidas Aegyptians Ioh. Goropius medic An twerpiens Scythians Ethiopians Brittaines Poggius Phaëton Epaphus Maximinus Herode Themistocles Amasis Smerdes Prompalus An Aegyptian Andristus Equitius Cithaâ—oedus A counterfet Ariarathes A fained Alexander A priest set vp for a king Lycurgus Plutarche Agesilaus Theod. Zuinger Chaucer Euagri lib. 4. cap. 25. Euagrius lib. 4 cap. 28. Nicephor eccl hist lib. 1 cap. 1. Euagri lib. 6. cap. 23. Eusebius Socrates Euagius Math. 24. The polliâ— of Satan â— reuiuing Iewish opon Iohn 19. Mat. 27. 〈…〉 The fonde eason of Anastasius The blaspherie of Neorius The councel Ephesus â—no Dom. â— The sentence of the councell of Ephesus pronounced against Nestorius the heretick Variance betweene Cyrill b. of Alexandria and Iohn b. of Antioch The epistle of Cyrill b. of Alexandria vnto Iohn b. of Antioch Math. 7. Nestorius the heretick excuseth his blasphemoê° opinion in these words God from aboue plagued the heretick Nestorius Nestorius the heretick in his first epistle vnto the gouernour of Thebais Nestorius the hereticke epist 2. vnto the gouernour of Thebais Nestoriê° the â—rayling hereticke had his tongue eaten â—p 〈◊〉 worms and so dyed Nestorius Maximianus Proclus Flauianus prouincial â—â—uncell hol 〈◊〉 at Constantinople Eutyches the hereticke and his opinion condemned An hereticall councell held at Ephesus ergo a councell can and doth erre 1. Corin. II 2. Corin. 12 The wanton nesse of Iuppiter This Phrygian boye was Gâ—nymedes who Iuppiter made his cup bearer in the baÌ„quet which he made the gods Nectar the drinke of the gods * Bacchus the sonne of Iuppiter was an Hermaphrodite * Iuppiter thrust Saturnus his father out of heauen * Saturnê° the sonne of Caellus as the PoeÌ„ts do fayne fearinge lest his father shoulde get more children to inherite cutte of his
accustomed to adore in a certaine house fire which continewally burneth vnder the ground they conuey a man whome they make to rore and to crie out as followeth when the king is at his prayers The king must be thrust out of his kingdome He behaueth himselfe lewdly in taking the Christian priest for a godly person Isdigerdes for so was their king called hearing this dreadful voice for all that he reuerenced Maruthas yet purposed he to sende him awaye Then Maruthas being a right godly man gaue himselfe wholly to prayer whereby he found out the fraude and deceate of the Magicians Wherefore he reasoneth thus with the kinge Be no longer deceaued O king but get thee into the house cause the earth to be digged vp thou shalt easily perceaue theyr guile For the fire speaketh not it is a certaine deuise inuēted by men for y ◠purpose The king yeldeth vnto the counsell of Maruthas in he goeth againe vnto the house where the fire continewally burned As soone as the voice was heard the second time he commaunded the earth should be cast vp and there was he founde which spake and cried out the which clamor they tooke to be the commaundement of God himselfe The kinge when he espied theyr lewde treachery was exceedinge wroth and gaue forth charge that euery tenth of the Magician kinred shoulde be executed he turned him to Maruthas and willed him to buylde churches where pleased him best Upon this occasion it fell out that y ◠faith in Christ florished exceedingly in the kingdome of Persia For that time Maruthas left Persia and tooke his voyage to Constantinople Shortely after he went againe in embassie into Persia by that time the Magicians found out other deceytfull deuises and a freshe they fall a forging to the end the kinges mind might be alienated from him Of sette purpose they infected the ayer of a certaine place where the king was wont to frequent with a stinking sauour and with all they sclaunder the Christians that it was scattered by them But the kinge hauinge iust cause to suspect the Magicians for theyr former wiles made great inquire who should play so slutush a parte at length by longe sifting it was knowen that the Magicians themselues had caused this corrupte odour for the nonce to be spred all ouer the place wherefore againe he executed many of them but Maruthas he had in greate estimation Thence forth he loued the Romaynes entirely embraced thē in league of peace friendship The king was almost become a christian when Maruthas together w t Ablaatus the Persiā bishop published vnto y ◠world an other experimēt or triall of the Christian faith for they both beinge continewally geuen to watch and to pray cast a Deuell out of the kinges sonne which tormented him out of measure But death preuented him and abridged the raines of his mortall rare ere he coulde fully be instructed in the Christian faith After his desease his sonne Bararanes enioyed the crowne in whose dayes as it shall be hereafter more plainely declared the league betwene the Romaynes and the Persians was broken CAP. IX The succession of Bishops in the Church of Antioch and Rome ABout that time when Flauianus Bishop of Antioch had departed this life Porphyrius was chosen in his rowme and after Porphyrius Alexander was made Bishop of that seae In the Churche of Rome when that Damasus had gouerned the Ecclesiasticall affayres the space of eighteene yeares Siricius succeeded him in the Bishoprick Againe after that Siricius had continewed there the tearme of fifteene yeares departed this life Anastasius was Bishop three yeares after his desease Innocentius who firste droue the Nouatians out of Rome and depriued them of many Churches was made Bishop of that seae CAP. X. Howe that Alarichus tooke Rome and made it subiect vnto the Barbarians IT fell out in those dayes that Rome was taken of the Barbarians For one Alarichus a Barbarian being in league with the Romaynes and sometime ayded the Emperour Theodosius in the battaill agaynst the tyrant Eugenius and therefore was aduaunced into great honour by the Romaines when he could not paciently content him selfe with the prosperous sayle of fortunate successes although he aspired not vnto the Emperiall seepter yet left he Constantinople and posted in all the hast into the Weste partes of the worlde He was no sooner come into lllyrium but he subdued vnto him all that contreye As he went forewardes on his iorneye the Thessalians withstoode him aboute the entries of the riuer Peneus the readye waye by Mounte Pindus vnto Nicopolis a citie of Epirus the sielde beinge there pitched the Thessalians slew aboue three thousand men After that bloody s kirmishe the Barbarians which accompanied Alarichus ransackinge and spoylinge both towne and coutrey as they went tooke at length the citie of Rome They rāsacked the citie They defaced and fired many worthie monuments they violently spoiled the citizens of theyr money they executed many of the Senatours with sundry kindes of tormente Alarichus to the ende he might bring the Royall porte and maiestie of the Emperiall scepter into contempt and derision proclaymed Emperour one whose name was Attalus this man by his procuremc̄t walked abroade the space of one wholl daye with a garded troope of souldiers the next day after in the attyre and habite of a seruant When these things preuailed then in suche sorte as you heare Alarichus tooke his heeles and ranne away for the reporte that was bruted abroad of Theodosius y ◠Emperours great power marching to geue him battaill astonied his mind and put him in great feare Neither was it a fable or a forged rumor but for moste certaine trueth that the Emperours host made expedition to wage battaill with him He when as he coulde in no wise away with that fame gaue him selfe to flight The reporte goeth that as he went towardes Rome a certaine monk met him which admonished him not to delite him selfe with perpetrating of such haynous and horrible offences neither to reioyce in committing of slaughter and bloodshed Whome Alarichus answered in this sorte I God knovveth doe take this voyage agaynst my will There is one which molesteth me dayly nay he compelleth me by force and sayth thus vnto me goe on thy iorney destroy the citie of Rome So farre of Alarichus CAP. XI Of the Bishops which in those dayes gouerned the Church of Rome AFter Innocentius Zosimus gouerned the Churche of Rome the space of two yeares after his desease Bonifacius was Bishop three yeares whome Celestinus succeeded This man banished the Nouatians out of Rome depriued them of their Churches and constrayned Rusticula their Bishop priuely to rayse priuate conuenticles For vnto that time the Nouatiās florished at Rome enioyed many churches had vnder thē great cōgregatiōs but they were thē hated out of measure whē as the bishop of Rome no otherwise thē the bishop of
Alexandria passing the boundes of his priestely order presumed to chalenge vnto him selfe secular power and authoritye Therefore those bishops permitted not such as held w t theÌ„ y â— faith of one substaÌ„ce freely to frequeÌ„t their wonted assemblies and although they commended them for theyr vniforme consent as toutching the faith yet they depriued them of all theyr substance But the Nouatians which inhabited Constantinople were not so dealt with all For the Bishops of Constantinople besides that they embraced them for theyr vniformity in faith they suffred them as I sayde before to haue theyr Churches within the citie CAP. XII Of Chrysanthus Byshop of the Nouatian Church in Constantinople AFter the desease of Sismius Chrysanthus the sonne of Marcianus who was the predecessor of Sismus in the Nouatian Bishopricke was in maner compelled to be their Bishop This man almost from his youth vp was a souldier in the Emperours court afterwardes in the raigne of Theodosius Magnus Liuetenant of Italie againe the Emperours vicegerent in the I sles of Bryttaine where he purchased vnto him selfe greate commendation for his politicke gouernemente Beinge well strucken in yeares he came to Constantinople and labouringe to be gouernour or Magistrate rather in that citie then in farre and forayne contreyes he was constrayned against his will to be bishop of the Nouatians For when Sisimus being at the point of death made mention of him as a sitte man to succeede him in the rowme the Nouatian people taking the censure of Sisimus as a canon or lawe compelled him to be their Bishop But when Chrysanthus had conueyed him selfe out of the way least he should take vpon him y â— function Sabbatius thinking verily y â— nowe he had found fit opportunitie for to creepe into the bishops seae despised the dreadfull protestations he had solemnly auowed and the oth he had taken got him a company of obscure bishops to consecrate him and forth he steppes a Bishop One of the consecrators was Hermogenes whome he him selfe had afore time excommunicated for the blasphemous bookes which he published vnto the worlde But all the fetches of Sabbatius framed not aright For the people detesting his corrupt and intollerable ambition there was no waye vnassayed of him for to attaine vnto the bishopricke sought out both coast and contrey for Chrysanthus when they had found him lurking in Bithynia they forced him thence and stalled him Bishop He was a man that excelled all others not onely in politicke wisedome but also in modest behauiour by his meanes the Nouatian churches in Constantinople florished exceedingly He was the firste that of his owne substance gaue Golde vnto the poore He tooke nothing saue onely two loues euery sundaye of the blessed breade he was a man that was very diligent in his ecclesiasticall function he tooke Ablabius the Rhetorician a very wise man of the Nouatian Church out of Troilus the Sophists schoole and made him minister There are extant notable and excellent sermons of this Chrysanthus Ablabius was afterwardes made Bishop of the Nouatian Church at Nice where also he professed Rhetorick CAP. XIII Of the sturre at Alexandria betwene the Christians and the Iewes of the contention betwene Cyrillus the Bishop and Orestes the Liuetenant ABout that time the Ievves were banished Alexandria by Cyrillus the Bishop vpon suche an occasion as followeth The people of Alexandria aboue all other men are prone to schisme and contention for if that any quarell at any time rise amonge them immediatly hainous horrible offences are wonte to ensue the tumult is neuer appeased without greate bloodeshede It fell out that y â— greate throng and multitude of people contended among themselues not about any necessarie matter but who coalde approche nerest vnto the dauncers which lewd custome is now crept into all cities For a great multitude assembled together on y â— saturday to pastime theÌ„ selues with the beholding of a certene dauncer And because the Iewes spent not that daye in the hearing of their lawe being theyr sabaoth day but gaue them selues wholly vnto the bearing of comedies and enterludes to the beholdinge of showes and spectacles that daye was the occasion of greate schisme and dissention among the people And though the tumult was partly appeased by y â— Liuetenant of Alexandira yet neuerthelesse the Iewes gaue not ouer theyr quarell nor the spite they owed vnto the one parte of the faction For the Iewes as they were alwayes found deadly foes vnto such as prosessed the Christian faith so then aboue all other times they were incensed against them because of the dauncers Wherefore when as Orestes the Liuetenante of Alexandria had nayled vpon the theatre the wrytte of politicke gouernance for so doe the people of Alexandria tearme the publicke proclamations of the Liuetenant some of Cyrillus y â— Bishops familier frieÌ„ds stepped forth to examine what the Liuetenant had wrytten Of which number one was Hierax a schoolemaister and professor of grammer a dligent auditor of Cyrillus the bishop and one that was greatly delited with his sermons The multitude of the Iewes seeing this Hierax vpon the stage exclaimed immediatly against him yâ—he came thither for no other cause but onely to set the people together by the eares Orestes although heretofore he enuyed y â— authority of Bishops because that the credit and power which the Emperours graunted the Magistrates and Liuetenantes was by reason of them abridged and cut short yet theÌ„ he spited him aboue all other times because that Cyrillus would prie into his wrytings and curiously sift out the contents meaning thereof Therefore he caused Hierax openly to be apprehended in the midest of the theatre and to be punished extremly Cyrillus vnderstanding of this warned the chiefe of the Iewes to appeare before him tolde them plainely if they woulde not geue ouer their rebellion and traiterous conspiracie agaynst the true Christians he would punish them according vnto theyr deserts The Iewes stomakinge the Bishops threates fretted the more and boyled within them selues for anger they fell to deuisinge of sleights for to mischiefe the Christians which in the end caused all the Iewes to be banished Alexandria The circumstance was in such sort as followeth The Iewes after consultation layinge downe a signe for ech of them to knowe the other to wit the carieng of a ring made of the rinde or barke of the palme tree purposed to set vpon the ChristiaÌ„s in the night time Wherefore on a certaine night they sente abroade throughout the wholl citie suche as shoulde crie fire fire and where should it be but in the church called Sainct Alexanders The christians hearing of this rose vp left theyr houses ranne to saue the church from burning some out of this streete some out of that theÌ„ the Iewes stepped forth sodainely from vnder the pentises set vpon y â— ChristiaÌ„s slewe them And as they endeuored to keepe theyr hands y â— their rings might not be seene so they