which her Husband had assumed while he Reigned Aurelian highly esteemed the Victory he had obtained over this brave War-like Queen and bringing Overcome her to Rome bound with Chains of Gold and enrich'd with pretious Stones made her the noblest Ornament of his Triumph From Christ 274. Aurelian having accomplish'd all these Affairs most cruelly persecuted the Christians The Christians persecuted Bishops of Rome of whom he put to Death a great number for their Faith and among the rest Faelix Bishop of Rome Successor to Denis Aurelian preparing to make War against Aurelian kill'd the Persians was killed by the Treachery of one of his Secretarys whom he had threatned and who fearing the effect of his menaces seduc'd several Officers of the Army persuading them that the Emperor designed their Death It was very strange that there happened no trouble in the Empire during an interregnum of seaven Months in all which time the Army and Senate had complemented each other about the right of Election at last the Senate absolutely refusing to Elect obliged the Army to name an Emperor who was unanimously received called Claudius Tacitus He highly Claudius Tacitus Emperor His Death Florian his Successor Probus Emperor deserved it for his great parts but the Empire injoyed him only Seven Months his Brother Florian who succeded him Reigned but Twenty Days From Ch. 277. Aurelius Probus their Successor was generally approved by all the Noble Degrees of the Empire with great reason being endued with exceeding rare Qualities suitable to his Name During the five Years he Reigned he supprest all the designs of those who affected Tyranny in several Provinces of the Empire and drove out of its limits all the Barbarians who infested them But the Soldiers not being able to endure that great severity of Discipline to which he restrained them kill'd him and put in His Death his place Carus Praefect of the Praetorian Bands who associated to the Empire his Carinus and Numerianus Emperors Sons Carinus and Numerianus From Christ 282. The Persecution being revived against the Christians Eutichius Bishop of Rome Bishops of Rome and Successor of Faelix suffered Martyrdom Carus pursued the design of Probus and obtained great advantages over them but as he was resolving to pursue them with more Force and Vigour he fell sick and The Death of Carus died whether of his Sickness or by a Fright occasioned by a dreadful Tempest of Thunder which killed many of his Army and wept so much for the death of his Father that he was fain to be carried in a close Litter Aper his Father-in-law who took Numerianus killed that occasion to kill him secretly hoping by that means to attain to the Empire He concealed this Murther for some days but it being discovered by the nauseous smell of the dead Body the Soldiers killed the Murtherer and proclaimed Emperor Dioclesian Emperor one of their chiefs called Diocles who adding some Letters to his Name called himself Dioclesian This new Prince march'd presently against Charinus the Son of Carus who being informed of what had happened in the East took his way on that side to fight his Competitor They met in Panonia where Charinus was overcome and killed in Battle so Dioclesian being Conqueror was received Emperor by the Senate Maximinian Hercules Associates to the Empire Maximinian Galerus and Constantius Chlorus and People and with their Consent associated to the Empire Maximinian Hercules Four years after the two Emperors took the Title of Caesars Dioclesian Maximinian Galerus Armentarius Maximinian took Constantius Chlorus the great Grandchild of the Emperor Claudius the Second In the terrible persecution that Dioclesian raised up against the Christians as infinite number of the Faithful suffered Martyrdom and amongst them Caius the Successor to Eutychius Bishop of Rome From Bishop of Rome Christ 296. The four Princes Triumph'd magnificently The Triumph of the Four Princes at Rome having victoriously driven out the Barbarians each of them from that part of the Empire where they waged War against them From Christ 298. This Age was pestered with many Hereticks Hereticks among others Sabellius an Enemy Sabellius to the Holy Trinity In like manner was Paul of Samosatus Bishop of Antioch Paul of Samosatus Manes Manes who asserted two new Principles she one Good and the other Bad. The Fathers of the Christian Church did not Fathers of the Church exactly set down in what Year of this Age Origen died Gregorius Thaumaturgius Bishop of Neocesaria Gregorius Thaumaturgius Arnobius Flourish'd at that time as also Arnobius who writ against the Gentiles and against Porphyrius an Apostate to Christianity Jamblicus was his Disciple The Pagan Authors most remarkable Historians of this Age were Herodian who writ in Greek Eight Herodian Books of the Roman Emperors Dion Dion Cassian Cassian writ also in Greek in the time of Severus a Roman History comprising the space of 981 Years Julius Capitolinus Aelius Lampridius Flavius Vopiscus Spartianus Vulcatius Gallicanus who were almost all contemporary Authors of the Imperial History The Fourth Age. THe Persecution against the Christians Mercellinus Bishop of Rome still encreasing Marcellinus Bishop of Rome persevering in his Sufferings obtained a crown of Martyrdom From Ch 301. says Theodoret against what some had Writ that he fell into Idolatry as he confest in the Councel of Sinuessa before 300 Bishops there present but there is little likelihood that in the time of so terrible a Persecution when the poor Christians hid themselves that so many Bishops could be assembled From Christ 304. By the resigning of Dioclesian and of Dioclesian and Maximian resign the Empire Constantius Chlorus Maximinian Galerus Severus and Maximin Emperor Maximinian Hercules the Empire remained in the power of Maximinian Galerus Armentarius and Constantius Chlorus who divided it in that manner that Maximinian had the Provinces of the East and Chlorus those of the West Maximinian Galerus adopted his two Nephews Caesars Severus and Maximin at the very same time that Maxentius the supposed Son of Maximinian Hercules made himself Master of Rome and there stood for Emperor so that when Severus came to Besige it he found him so very strong that he was forc'd to raise his Siege retreating to Ravenna where Maxentius Besieged him From Ch. 306. These disorders caused Maximinian Hercules to write to Diocletian to persuade him to reassume the command of the Empire but Dioclesian answered him like a Philosopher and remained in his retired way of Life yet Maximinian left his Retirement and having reassumed the Marks and Title of Emperor came to the Siege of Ravenna and under pretence of a Treaty of Peace to bring Severus out of the City and having him in his power he caused him to be Strangled but as he intreagued Severus strangled with the Soldiers to bring them over to Maxentius they detesting his base proceedings
abroad embrac'd the Truth of the Gospel The Abyssinians by the means of Edesius In the Indies and Frumentius Brothers whose Father Meropius a rich Merchant of Tyre had brought them young into Abyssinia when they were grown up Men they preach'd the Gospel with that success that they built there many stately Churches which were approved of by Athenasius Bishop of Alexandria who ordained one of the Brothers Bishop of those parts who came from thence to give him an Account of what they had done there relating to the Church A Woman taken in the Wars by the In Iberia Iberians gave them their first Knowledge of the Gospel So that when they had embrac'd it they address'd themselves to Constantine who sent them Preachers to perfect their Instruction He also sent others into Armenia to Tyridates In Armenia King of that Country who had been called to the Faith of Christ by a Vision From Christ 328. The two following Years were also very remarkable from the Foundation of New Rome which from the Name of its Constantinople New Rome Founder was called Constantinople upon the Bosphorus of Thrace in the place wherâ— was the ancient Byzantium There he erected Buildings as well publick as private which were so numerous and magnificent as rendred it not inferiour to ancient Rome He establish'd the same Constitution of Government with the very same kind of Magistrates as at Rome designing that it should be the Seat of the Empire From Christ 330. Constantia Sister to Constantine and Widow to Licinius had among her Domesticks a Priest in outward appearance a Man of Vertue but proved to be an Arrian Constantia dying recommended him to her Brother the Emperor This Priest having insinuated himself into the Emperor's The Affairs of the Arrians Favour perswaded him That Arrius had been unjustly condemned and that he ought to be heard a second time Constantine complied and being deceived by this Arch-Heretick he sent Arrius back to his Church in Alexandria But Athenasius who was then Bishop Athenasius Bishop of Alexandria refusing to receive him the Enemies of Athanasius assembled a Council at Tyre where he was condemned by the Arrians who were there very numerous and afterwards was banish'd to Treves where he was kindly received by Constantine eldest Son to the Emperor and by Maximus Bishop of that City From Christ 336. Silvester Bishop of Rome and Successor Bishops of Rome to Miltiades died Arrius triumphing in his Re-establishment came to Constantinople where disposing himself to enter by Force into the Church he died in a most shameful manner As is related by the Ecclesiastical The Death of Arrius Writers Constantine finding himself very much The Death of Constantine weakned by a Disease that made him to languish for a long time he was baptized in the Suburbs of Nicomedia and died a few Days after As Eusebius of Caesarea reports in his Book of the Life of this Emperor who assisted at his Baptism Which shews the falseness of what others have writ a long time since That Constantine had received this Sacrament at Rome from the Hands of Silvister with all the Circumstances they remark'd as true as the pretended Donation of Rome which they alledge Constantine made to this Pope and to his Successors Constantine left behind him three Sons who according to their Father's Testament shared between them the Empire Constantine the eldest had the Gauls His three Sons Emperors Spain Germany and the Brittannick Isles Constance the second had Thrace with all the East comprizing Aegypt Constant the third Italy Illyria Greece and Africk They Reigned in Peace for three Years at the end of which Constantine shewing that he was not content with his own share set upon Constant in his own Country their two Armies met near Aquilia where Constantine being killed before he was The Death of Constantine the Second acknowledged the Provinces under his Rule submitted themselves to Constant Constantine the second with his Brother Constant making a constant Profession of the Faith of the Council of Nice had prevailed with Constance to re-establish Athanasius in his Bishoprick but he was again put out by a Council held at Antioch the Number of the Arrians prevailing against the Orthodox Party But he being return'd to Rome Bishop Julius Successor to Marcus did there Bishops of Rome assemble a Council who asserted the Innocency of Athanasius The Eastern Bishops who had not been at that Council did not acquiesce to it and therefore call'd another Council composed of Bishops of both parts of the Empire The Council of Sardis to assemble at Sardis in the upper part of Illyrâ—a Osius Bishop of Cordova was there chose to preside over 170 Bishops who were there met as well Eastern as Western As the Number of the last was somewhat greater than the first it was so decreed that Athanasius should be re-invested in his Bishoprick But the Eastern Bishops reassembled at Philippolis in Thrace and there Assembled at Philippolis made Decrees contrary to those of Sardis However Athanasius did not fail to return to his Church For Constance could not refuse to re-establish him by reason of the pressing Instances that Constant urg'd in his behalf Constant was truly Orthodox as to his Faith but given up to his Pleasures neglecting much the Care of his Affairs it was easie for Magnentius one of the chief Officers of his Army to take away his Life and to cause himself to Constant killed by Magnentius the Tyraâ—â— be received Emperor by the Army in Rome it self Constance having heard the News while he was making War against the Persians made a Peace with them and created Caesar his Cousin Gallus to Govern in his Gallus Caesar Absence in the East and so marched Westward against Magnentius From Christ 350. This War lasted two Years before the two Armies came to a decisive Battle at last it was fought near to Murza in Pannonia Magnentius was there worsted but Magnentius 〈◊〉 come not so much as to hinder him from retreating in good Order towards Gaul Constance followed him and wholly routed his Army near Lyons The Vanquish'd Killed himself kill'd himself out of Despair after he had with his own Hands killed his Mother and some of his nearest Relations From Christ 353. Constance thereupon being acknowledg'd sole Emperor exercis'd his Power most cruelly towards his Cousin Gallus Caesar The Death of Gallus Caesar whom he put to Death upon light grounded Suspicions and even against the Orthodox Bishops who agreed to the Decisions of the Council of Nice to which Constance was averse being an Arrian So Constance an Arrian that he expelled Athanasius from his See and persecuted him even to the Hazard of his Life From Christ 355. They put in his place a most wicked Man called Georgius who committed a thousand Mischiefs in that Church Liberius was likewise expelled at the See of Rome because
King of Athens Father of Theseus who by the help of Ariadne killed the Minotaure she was Daughter to Minos King of Creet Husband of Pasiphae This Minos was renowned for Justice as well as Aeacus and Radamanthus Pyrithous the Son of Ixicon The Judges of Hell and Friend of Theseus Ninias the Son of Ninus and of Semeâ—amis Ninius succeeded his Mother in the Kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon Of the World 2824. before Ch. 1180. Ilsam Helon and Habdon judged Israel The Judges of Israel successively Of the World 2826. before Christ 1178. Then Ely the High Priest Ely In the 20th Year of his Government Gamson was Born whose History is related Samson in the 14 15 and 16. Chapters of Judges Of the World 2868. before Ch. 1136. The four first Chapters of the first Book of Samuel relates the Birth and Disorders Samuel of the Sons of Ely their Death with their Fathers after the Ark of God was taken by the Phylistins The seventh Chapter of Samuel relates the happy beginning of Samuels Government Of the World 2903. before Ch. 1101. The Israelites demand a King which was Saul Of the World 2909. before Ch. Saul the first King of Israel 1095 his History is written in the first Book of Samuel form the 8th Chapter to the 31st Of the World 2949. before Ch. 1055. His Son Isboseth succeeded him only over His Death Ten Tribes David being acknowledg'd King by the other two Judah and Benjamin Isboseth being killed David is declared Isboseth David King over all Israel He took Jerusalem and made it the Takes Jerusalem Seat of his Kingdom the remainder oâ— his History is set down in the second Book of Samuel from the 16 Chapter to His Death the second Book of Kings which relates his Death Of the World 2990. before Ch. 1014. Solomon his Son succeded him in his Solomon Throne The History of his first three Years is mentioned in the first Book of Kings from the second Chapter to the fifth Of the World 2993. before Ch. 1011. The Fifth Age BEgins from the foundation of the The Foundation of the Temple Temple by Solomon who finisht it in Seven Years and a half Of the World 3000. before Christ 1004. The remainder of his History is inserted in the first Book of Kings Chapter the 9th and in the first Book of Chronicles the 9th and 10th Chapters Under his Son Rhehoboam the Kingdom Rhehoboam was divided into two Of the World 3029. before Christ 975. The first composed of two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin which obeyed his Rule and his Successors under The Kingdom of Judah The Kingdom of Israel Jeroboam the Name of the Kingdom of Judah The second consisted of the Ten Tribes under the name of the Kingdom of Israel and passed to Jeroboam and his Successors Of the World 3030. before Ch. 974. The Battle between the two Kings in A remarkable Battle which were killed 500000 Men of the Army of Jeroboam Abiam the Son of Rhehoboam Of the Abiam World 3049. before Ch. 955. Reigned also in the time of Jeroboam Of the World 3050. before Ch. 954. Baasca the Son and Successor to Jeroboam Baasca Of the World 3062. before Ch. 942. Asa Son of Abiam King of Judah Asa Nadab King of Israel the Murtherer and Nadab Successor to Baasca Ela the Son of Baasca killed by Zimri Ela and Zimri and Homri Kings of Israel and he in the space of 16 days by Homri who Built Samaria Of the World 3088. before Ch. 916. Jehosophat Son and Successor to Asa King of Judah Achab Son and Successor to Homri he Achab. was reproved for his Wickedness and Elia. Echosias Elisha cruel Injustice by the Prophet Elia and his Son Echosias by the Prophet Elisha Jehosophat Son and Successor to Asa Jehosophat King of Judah Joram Brother and Successor to Ochosias Joram King of Israel King of Israel Of the World 3007. before Ch. 897. Joram Son and Successor to Jehosaphat Joram King of Judah King of Judah Of the World 3008. before Ch. 896. Jehoachas or Achasis King of Judah was Jehoachas killed as was also Joram King of Israel by Jehu who was likewise King of Israel Jehu King of Israel Athalia while Athalia Mother of Achasias having killed all her Children except Joas Reigned in Judah the space of Seven Years Of the World 3020. before Ch. 884. Joas Reigned in Judah after his Grandmother Joas King of Judah Athalia was killed Of the World 3126. before Ch. 878. At the same time Jehoachas Son and Successor Jehoachas King of Israel to Jehu Reigned in Israel Of the World 3148. before Ch. 856. The Athenians after the Death of Codrus Change of Government at Athens their last King changed the form of their Government and establisht their Archons for life after that for Ten Years and at last for every Year Joas Son and Successor to Jehoachas Joas King of Israel King of Israel Of the World 3164. before Ch. 840. Ozias or Azarias Son and Successor of Ozias King of Judah Amazius who succeeded his Father Joas King of Judah Of the World 3194. before Ch. 810. Jeroboam the second Son and Successor Jeroboam second King of Israel to Joas King of Israel Of the World 3220. before Ch. 770. Iphytus revived in Elida which is in Peleponesus Iphytus the Olimpick Games instituted above 400 Years before in Thessaly at the foot of Mount Olimpus by Hercules in Honour of his Father Jupiter Of the World 3228. before Ch. 776. From this Re-establishment the Greeks have reckoned their famous Epoche called the Olimpiads of which each contains The Olimpiads four Years compleat After an Interregnum of Eleven Years Zacharias succeeded his Father Jeroboam the Second at the end of six Months Zacharias was killed by Ralaum Kings of Israel who reigned but one Month and then was killed by Maniur his Successor who was made Tributary by Pul or Pall King of Assyria and Babylon Of the World 3233. before Ch. 771. Pecaia succeeded his Father Maneheim Kings of Judah and was killed at the end of Twelve Years by Pecaia his Successor Ozias or Azanas became Leprous for having usurpt the Office of High-Priest Of the World 3245. before Ch. 759. His Son Jonathan Governed the Kingdom in his place Of the World 3256. before Ch. 748. The Foundation of Rome Three Dinastys in Italy The first of Janus and Corythus The second of Saturnus Rome was Built at the end of the 7th Olimpiad Three Dinasties are observed to have Reigned in Italy before the Foundation of Rome The first of Janus the Ancient and from Corythus to Italus whose Daughter Roma married Saturnus called from thence Romanessus who was the chief of the second Dinasty called the Aborigines which he brought out of Arcadia into Italy There are counted
long time like a Monk he had brought over with him Paula and his Daughter Eustochia the best qualified Ladies in Rome After he had made a great Friendship with Ruffinus a Priest of Aquilia he broke it off Ruffinus with him when he found him to be an Origenist He writ most severely against Vigilantius Vigilantius a Spanish Priest who was an Enemy to the unmarried Clergy he also vigorously oppos'd the Errors of Helvidius who Helvidius denied the Honour due to the Holy Virgin Mother of our Saviour At this time flourrish'd Paulus Orosius Paulus Orosius Author of the Seven Books of the Universal History from the Creation of the World to his time The Emperor Honorius The Death of Honorius died of a Dropsie Aged Thirty Nine Years having Reign'd Twenty Eight Some time before his death he conferred the Title of Emperor Augustus on Constance his Brother-in-law who marry'd Placidia Widow to Astolfus King of the Goths Constance died not long after he was Marry'd leaving Valentinian his Son under the Tuition of his Mother Placidia she and her Son lived at Constantinople when Honorius died so Italy being destitute of the Royal Presence of the Princes John the Tyrant John a Prefect of the Praetorian Bands took upon him the Title of Emperor Placidia having heard of it marches with her Son to Fight the Tyrant who was taken by surprize at Ravenna by the means of some Officers faithful to the Princes He was brought Prisoner to them at Aquilia when they there were and where the Rebel had his Head cut off His Death so the Empire was divided between the Theodosius the 2d and Valentinian the 3d. Emperors Bishops of Rome two Cousins Theodosius the Second and Valentinian the Third The first keeping his Court at Constantinople and the other at Rome From Christ 423. Boniface Bishop of Rome and Successor to Innocent died in the same Year as Honorius the Emperor Count Boniface Governour of Africk incensed on a false Accusation that Placidia Regent of the Western Empire design'd to put him out of his Government called Tâ—â— Vandalls in Africk Genseric their King The Death of St. Augustin the Vandals out of Spain into Africk of which they easily took Possession under the Conduct of Genseric their King St. Augustin Bishop of Hippo in the same Province of Africk died a little before the taking of that City by the Vandalls This Great Father of the Church opposed the Errors of the Manichees though he had been infected with them in his Youth he boldly Combated against the Errors of Pelagius thâ— Heritick The Council of Carthage and of Mileva Pelagius who at that time declared himself an Enemy to our Saviour Christ They were Condemned in two Councils held at Carthage and at Mileva at the same time Pelagius had two Disciples Celestius and Julien Celestius was wholly of the Opinion of his Master Julien was not altogether of that Opinion but acknowledged a necessity of the Grace of Jesus Christ for the Conversion and intire accomplishment of Salvation he affirmed that the Beginnings and Inclinations depended on the will of Man John Cassian a Monk who had been a John Cassian Disciple of St. John Chrisostome being retired to Marseilles infected the Priests and Monks of that City and all thereabouts with this Error of Semipelagianism Prosperus of Aquitaine opposed it most Prosperus of Aquitaine Vigorously in Gaule as his Master St. Augustin had done in Africk At this time flourish'd in Gaule Severus Sulpitius Author of the two Books of the Learned Men. Sacred History And in the East Theodoret Bishop of Cir who Writ the Ecclesiastical History from Constantine to Theodosius the Younger Genseric King of the Vandals took Carthage Carthage taken and made it the Metropolis of the Kingdom he Establish'd in Africk In the same Year Theodosius assembled a The Council of Ephesus against Nestorius Council at Ephesus to enquire into the Opinion of Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople who asserted two Persons in Jesus Christ This Error was condemned there Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria by the Council in which presided Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria John Bishop of Alexandria in Thrace pretending that that precedency belonged to him because that Ephesus depended on his Metropolis and had drawn away several Bishops to its Faction among others Theodoret Bishop of Cir with whom he had Assembled another Council in the same City of Ephesus not to countenance the Errors of Nestorius but to demonstrate that they had mistaken the Forms of Proceeding In the mean time Affairs were embroiled to that Degree that the Emperor not being able at first to discover the Truth imprisoned Cyrillus and Nestorius but at last being better informed of the justice of the Cause he set Cyrillus at Liberty and sent Nestorius The Death of Nestorius to utter Banishment where he died Miserably From Christ 432. Caelestin Bishop of Rome died the Year Bishops of Rome after that Council was held He had there his Legats who Subscribed to the Condemnation of Nestorius who had been already Condemned at Rome in a Council which had been there Assembled by the same Caelestin Sixtus the Third his Successor held the See Eight Years during which time all was very quiet in the Church From Christ 440. But the Church was again disturbed in Eutychus the Heritick the East by Eutychus a Priest and Abbot of the Monks of Constantinople who by an Error contrary to that of Nestorius asserted but one Nature in Jesus Christ he found so many Adherents among the A false Câ—uncil at Ephesus Eastern Bishops that a great number of them being Assembled at Ephesus his Error was approved of in that false Council where things were carried with that Violence that Flavian who had been made Flavian Bishop of Constantinople Bishop of Constantinople in the place of Nestorius for having oppos'd the Judgment of the Council that favoured Eutychus suffer'd Martyrdom not by the hands of the Pagans but by those of Barsumas an Abbot and of Dioscorus Bishop of Alandria and President of the Assembly From Christ 449. These great Troubles were redrest at Pulcheria Sister to Theodosius the return of Pulcheria to the Court of her Brother Theodosius There had been formerly some Disgust between her and her Sister-in-law Eudosia Eudosia his Wife which had obliged that Empress to retire to Jerusalem where she had wholly Devoted her self to Piety and Charity towards the Poor From that time the Eunuch Chrisapius Chrisapius was become so great a Favorite to Theodosius that Pulcheria making that Minister jealous of her was removed but the pressing necessity of Affairs obliged Theodosius to recall her she made her Brother highly sensible of the ill Conduct his Favorite used in Governing the Empire and of his most inveterate Malice to foment the Troubles of the Church so the Eunuch having been punish'd