and place at Alexandria and had given his Son Constantine charge concerning the same in regard that Athanasius now at Triers was under his dominion yet whether Alexandria was under the government of Constantius and no part of Affrick left to the government of Constans or how the government of the whole Empire might be ordered joyntly I understand not but it is evident that Constantius wrought much trouble to Athanasius after his return to Alexandria before Constantius was possessed of the whole Empire and that he began therein betimes For Constantine the eldest Son delayed not to execute his Fathers will as touching Athanasius in releasing him from his banishment Soc. lib. 2. cap. 2. but having sent for him sends him to Alexandria with his Imperial Letters commendatory telling them that they knew that his Father Constantine did not banish Athanasius out of displeasure but sent him out of the way of danger and that his Father when he died left it in charge to him that Athanasius should be restored and that in discharge of his trust and in answering their desires he now did send Athanasius to them And thus is Athanasius now come with honour to Alexandria after two years and four moneths absence Nor did Constantius in any manner then interpose that any History doth mention Soc. lib. 2. cap. 35. Soz. lib. 3. cap. 2. yet he had not been long there before Constantius began to appear in his proper colours CAP. X. The Death of Alexander Bishop of Constantinople and the Succession of Bishops there COnstantinople is now become the Imperial City Sect. 1. and the chief residence of Constantius and Great Rome not so happy or unhappy as to be advanced to that honour and the Bishops of Constantinople hereby had great advantage of the Emperors neighbour-hood so long as they were both of one way in Religion Alexander had been Bishop there now twenty years famous for learning and zeal in Religion yet such was Constantines principles that Eusebius though an Arian had his right ear and did gain upon the Orthodox however Orthodox the Emperour Constantine was after his death unconstant Constantius possessed the Throne at Constantinople who having given up his very soul to his concealed Presbyter portendeth a sad time to Alexander the Bishop to passe through in his old age But God eased him of that care for his death draws nigh and he perceiving it sends for the Elders of his Church and tells them that he hath no long time to continue with them and therefore advises with them as touching his Successor and then nominating two Soz. lib. 3. cap. 3. Soc. lib. 2. cap. 4. the one named Paulus the other Macedonius he tells them that Paulus was more sutable for Religion and Macedonius more acceptable at the Emperours Court. After he dying the Church elected Paulus trusting more to the love of God then to the favour of the Emperour And having prevailed with some Bishops then at Constantinople Paulus is admitted and ordained Bishop there as by the Canon of the Nicene Council they were inabled But Eusebius and the Arians are much troubled hereat and informeth Constantius thereof Sect. 2. who is no lesse displeased thereupon then they Soz. lib. 3. cap. 4. Soc. lib. 2. cap. 5. and is soon perswaded to call a Council of Bishops more fit for his work and therein Eusebius by indirect means according to his wont prevailed to have Paulus ejected and himself elected Bishop of Constantinople and is admitted by the Council and confirmed by the Emperour a fit Bishop for his tooth yet he lasted not long for within five years he also died And the Church at Constantinople presse once more to obtain Paulus Soc. lib. 2. cap. 9 10. But still the Arians are in greatest repute at Court and in account the onely precious men and they elect Macedonius And then arises tumults amongst the people the ordinary effect of a Tolleration And the Emperour then at the Council at Antioch being informed thereof sends Hermogenes a Commander with a force to quiet the City but the tumults increase Hermogenes is therein slain and his body dragged about the Streets and his house burnt The Emperour at this newes is startled and hastens to the City And after some time when the heat is past Soc. lib. 2. cap. 16. he made Macedonius Bishop of Constantinople but in these stirres it lost the lives of three thousand one hundred and fifty men slain in the City A dear purchase on all sides for ere a year came about the Arians fall out with him also because he went a step beyond them all in blasphemy for he did not onely assert that Christ the Son of God is not co-essential with the Father and that he is a creature and was made but that The Holy Ghost the Third Person is also a creature which Arius had seemed to decline and hereof they complain to the Emperor who for this cause Theod. lib. 2 cap. 6. Soc. lib. 2. cap. 33. Soz. lib. 4. cap. 20. but more especially because Macedonius had removed the dead body of his Father Constantine from the place where it was formerly buried and for other causes deposed him by his own Authority After whom it is said by Sozomen lib. 4. cap. 24. that Eudoxius was put in his place but whether it be not spoken by way of Anticipation I cannot say for at the Council of Sardica which soon followed I find that Paulus was restored to his dignity as Bishop of Constantinople and so continued till the death of Constans and then Constantius being sole Emperour banished Paulus to Cucusus where he was murthered by the Arians And Macedonius is admitted again to his place at Constantinople Soc. lib. 1. cap. 21 22. where he exercised such extream cruelty against the Orthodox Christians by all manner of tortures meerly for their abstaining from Communion with him that their cries prevails even with Constantius himself to depose him again Soz. lib. 4. cap. 2. After which Macedonius forsakes the Arian principles and became head of the Macedonian Heresie holding with the Orthodox as touching the Second Person in Trinity but retaining still his former opinion touching the Holy Ghost Nor do the Historians mention any Successor at Constantinople till the time of the Emperour Valens who by his power did put in Eudoxius who neither was good Bishop nor good Christian but a loose deceitful man And in persecution of the Orthodox Christians in his time beyond all his companions and so continued until his death after he had been ten years Bishop both Valens the Emperour and Athanasius being still alive I have made this digression touching the Bishops of Constantinople during the life of Athanasius Sect. 3. for the better understanding of the affairs concerning him For the Bishops of Constantinople being according to the Emperours humour Arians did either lead or were led by the Emperours in all their transactions concerning
return fretting and grudging that they are not satisfied as they came feeding themselves with hope of their desired prey and then they trouble themselves at the manner of his escape some suspecting treachery in their own councils others that Athanasius is a conjurer and had revelations from the Devil The people on the other side as much wondered as they some conclude that he had Revelations from God who doubtlesse was the principal Worker in his escape Others conclude that Athanasius was not led by jealousie of the Governour so much as of the people whose inclinations he saw were mutinous and if any death or bloud-shed should ensue thereupon it might be wholly imputed to him and that therefore he resolving not to be party in any such motions with-drew himself But the greatest wonder on all hands is what should become of him of whom they can find neither scent nor foot-steps neither in the Wildernesse nor City neither amongst enemies nor friends And no marvel if it be true that all this while he was hidden in his fathers Monument for the space of four moneths as one free amongst the dead for who would seek for the living amongst the dead nor is it altogether impossible if the largenesse of the Egyptian Monuments be considered and that though for the most part it might be the place of his ordinary retirement yet he might find opportune times to look abroad for the fresh aire But whiles thus Athanasius lies hid his people mindful of their promised endeavour to pacifie the Emperours displeasure they send to Constantinople where now Valens the Emperour was earnest in preparation for his expedition against the Goths but the Messengers prevailed neverthelesse to have their suit made known to the Emperour who was not now so angry as formerly because Eudoxius the fomentor of all this bitter progresse of persecution was lately dead Soz. lib. 6. cap. 13. and was gone to give up his account to God of his eleven years bloudy designe against the Alexandrian Churches CAP. XXV Valentinian his Constancy to the Nicene Faith Ambrose is made Bishop of Millain The Sects of the Anthropomorphites and Messalians AS Valens the Emperour was thus destroying the Churches in the Eastern Empire Sect. 1. so Valextinian advanced the Church of God in the West And by some it was thought that they both erred in their several Governments the more because they yielded too much power to the Clergy on both parts by means whereof the one was more cruel unto the Orthodox and the other not so regardful of their defence as esteeming himself a lay person and the lesse concerned to intermeddle in Church-matters And yet he would have done better then he did but that he was unequally yoked with an Arian wife who was no lesse mad against the Orthodox then her Sister Valens was and that appeared in her upholding of Auxentius in the See at Millain which was become the Imperial City of the West Soz. 〈◊〉 cap. 2 and Rome left to the Bishop there to order it without controul For Auxentius having been Bishop of Millain a long time was an earnest Arian and did nor onely maintain That the Son of God is unlike unto the Father but that the Holy Ghost is also unlike the Father and for this cause Athanasius had stirred up the Bishop of Rome to excommunicate him yet do what they could they could never prevail with Valentinian to banish him for though his will was good Ruffinâ—… Hist lâ—â— cap. 1. yet his wife was better at the will then he though her will was worse But he still continued at Millain to his dying day And after his death troubles ensued about his Successor and the matter coming before Valentinian Theodâ— 4. cap. Soc. lib. cap. 2â— he called the Bishops together and told them that they could not be ignorant what manner of man was fitting for such a place as the See of Millain where his Imperial residence was and that he must be such a man whose doctrine and life must match one another And by that means the people might the better learn to serve God and live in obedience under him and in peace with each other and therefore advised them to proceed to the election of such an one having respect also that he must be such an one whom the Emperour might rest upon for advice exhortation and reproof The Bishops answered that they would be glad to understand the Emperours mind more particularly by nominating the man But the Emperour refused alledging it was their work to determine the nomination The Bishops go to their work but the heat grew so great especially from the people of the Arian part that a tumult ensues as is usual in all popular elections especially where Church matters are concerned and Ambrose the Governour of Millain under the Emperour hearing thereof comes suddenly into the Church and commands them to be careful to observe good order and carry themselves gravely and soberly as becomes their places and the work they were about They having heard him speak think him a man very meet for the place and forth-with proceeded to the work and elected him to be their Bishop of Millain But he opposed it telling them that he was not so much as one of their members much lesse capable of such a place as to be a Bishop yet all is in vain for they proceeded immediately to baptise him which he submitted unto for he had been hitherto but one of the Catecumeni although he had been an ancient disciple and had been familiar with Origen and served him as his Amanuensis and had suffered persecution for Christs cause under Maximinus and upon that account had not onely been a Professor but a Confessor about five and fifty years Euseb Hist lib. 6. cap. 27. and yet not baptised till now For it seems that the times were so troublesome as that men were not over forward to take up that Honourable Badge of Baptisme although they were capable for even children of Believers were baptized by a known custome in the Church before Origens time if we may believe him and by tradition from the Apostolick Age. Ambrose baptised thus willingly is neverthelesse absolutely resolved against their Episcopal Election so as the matter comes before the Emperour who wondring at the conclusion but more at the unanimity thereof saith its Gods work and confirmes the Election without further debate Theod. lib. 4. c. 7. and so Ambrose is ordained and the Emperour himself giving publick thanks to God This way that Valentinian took in seeming to be rather ruled in Church matters then to rule was wisely contrived by him considering that if he had led on the work his wife would have led him for she was a passionate Arian and seeing she cannot now stop this election of Ambrose she neverthelesse resolves perfect enmity against him and accordingly maintained it all her dayes and by her wivish and womanish solicitations so hampered Valentinian
were parvae leviculae exiguae small petty trifles That their question was a foolish question That the peace of the people ought to prevail with them if not to think the same yet to abstain from publique contests That otherwise it would make his Reigne troublesome and his life irksome That he was coming to them but was advised and told that he could never endure to see what is so grievous to him to hear He prayes them to study peace and unity and forbear further strifes that he may have cause of joy in his meeting with them And thus the Emperour acted the part either of a young Christian that knew not the value of the Mistery of the Holy Trinity or of his favorite Eusebins by whose spectacles he looked upon the affaires of the Eastern Churches or of a politick Emperour that for maintaining of peace would adventure his pen to declare that which was contrary to what his mind did conceal But all is one though Hossius be thus instructed and armed though himself be a holy learned and grave man though so highly esteemed of as to be a Moderator in that Council at Alexandria yet could he not effect the great work that he came for Athan. Apol. 2. Baron An. 319. Certain matters concerning Ischyras and Coluthus were determined Coluthus having acted as a Bishop and was none is reduced into the degree of a Presbyter and Ischyras bearing himself in the office of a Presbyter is declared a lay person But as touching the difference between Alexander and Arius the latter was proud the other stout so as neither Sylvester Bishop of Rome nor Constantine the Emperour nor Hossius his wisdome and zeal could ought prevail but Hossius returns without successe in that matter CAP. III. Of Athanasius his education and his taking the Office of a Deacon THus is the Scene fitted for Athanasius to enter upon Sect. 1. and to act his part as on a troublesome Sea wherein the storm is but in its rising through the vapouring tenets of Arius now blown abroad about which time Athanasius was now born at Alexandria also For the Historians agree that he was a boy when Alexander was Bishop of Alexandria His first appearing to the World they say was in this manner Ruffin Hiji lib. 1. cap. 14. Soc. lib. 2. cap. 11 Sozom lib. 2. cap. 16. It was a custome observed by the Catholique Church of Alexandria to hold a yearly Solemnity of feasting and thanksgiving unto God upon that day of the Moneth that their Bishop Peter suffered Martyrdome and upon that occasion assembled themselves in the publick Church at Alexandria and that Alexander now Bishop of Alexandria did on that day carry on the work of the publick worship of God by prayer and preaching of the Word of God which work being accomplished in the publick they repaired to their several places of mutual solace one with another and that Alexander the Bishop being also come to the place where he was to dine with the Elders and the chief men and staying some time till the company were come together he chanced to look out at the window towards the Sea side and saw a company of boys playing together upon the Shore who it seems had been at the publick Congregation and had observed the Bishops manner of Baptising and were now in a sporting imitation of the Bishop in those Ceremonies The Bishop at the first observing nothing but what was innocent sport and pastime smiled thereat but when he saw them intent upon a work that seemed like that of Baptisme he called some of the Elders to the window pointed them to the boys in their pastime and desired the boys should be sent for who being come he asked them what they had been doing at the Sea-side The boys at the first being abashed were silent till being further urged by the Bishop they answered that Athanasius there present was chief amongst them at the game and that he had baptized some of them who had not formerly been initiated and that he had made others of them Presbyters and others Deacons to attend upon him in that service Alexander further asked them what the Bishop of that play asked any of them or did and they answered that he had asked of them certain questions which together with their answers they told the Bishop and that Athanasius did give them further instructions how they should behave themselves for the future and so told the Bishop the whole matter Alexander finding that the boys had proceeded so exactly in what was done as touching the manner of the work concluded with the Presbyters that the parties so baptised ought not to be re-baptised but what they thought further necessary to be done herein Alexander the Bishop did perform and then he sent for the parents of Athanasius and of other the children that were actors herein and charged them to educate their children and fit them for the calling of a Minister and more especially he charged Athanasius his Parents to bring him up in learning and to bring him from time to time to the Bishop that he might see to his proficiency which was done accordingly Baronius conceiveth Athanasius to be now about twelve years old Baron An. 311. num 63. and the Historians farther ther say that Athanasius exceedingly profited in learning and was well grounded in Grammar and Philosophy and as Baronius observeth out of Severus he was educated in the knowledge of the Law yet these kinds of learning he took up as it were by the way and in subserviency to his main end Nazian Encom Theod. lib. 1. cap. 8. which was the study of Divinity in order whereunto he had such teachers as were holy men and approved by suffering for the truth even to Martyrdome But in the study of Divinity he was so industrious especially in reading of the Bible that he had the Books both of the New and Old Testaments in memory without book Alexander finding Athanasius his parts and endowments Sect. 2. Nazian Encom Soc. lib. 1. cap. 11. takes him into his own family and made him his Amanuensis and so Athanasius growing up to excellency of wisdome learning and piety begins to be had in great reputation of all men yea even of Alexander himself who disdained not to become upon occasion Amanuensis to Athanasius and made him one of the Deacons of Alexandria This conjunction between Alexander and Athanasius engaged Athanasius into one adventure with Alexander against the Arians Sect. 3. who now were grown into that height in the Empire that the Emperour found it not safe to enter the lists against it being almost tired with fourteen years war against his heathen antagonists for the Empire during which time this heresie had gained such a foundation that though the Emperour might think himself sufficient to deal with the persons of Alexander and Arius Soc. lib. 1. cap. 5. Sozom lib. 1. cap. 15. yet the people now heated
he is informed that Hillarius the Emperours Lievtenant had given order to his Soldiers for a Randezvous and thereupon or upon other cause of suspicion he provided for himself accordingly And the night following cometh Hillarius to Alexandria in a dark stormy night and being informed that Athanasius had hid himself in the Church called Theona he beset the same on all sides and the soldiers breaking in suddenly at once by the doors and windows on all sides made as strict a search as they could but found nothing concerning Athanasius and so returned as they came And the next news that is had of Athanasius is that he is at Rome again The Council at Rome having done what they could in the matter concerning Athanasius Sect. 3. certifie the same by their Letters to the Eastern Bishops the penning of which letters they leave to the Bishop of Rome and so the Council is dissolved The Bishop of Rome accordingly wrote the Letters and whither the matter it self or the manner of writing was too poinant or the Eastern Bishops were already exasperated I determine not but they instead of writing an answer childe and tell the Bishop of Rome that he took too much upon him Soc. lib. 2. cap. 11. Niceph. Hist lib. 9. cap. 8. and that they will not abide his order And thus if Historians borrow not too much from fancy sprang the schism between the Eastern and the Western Churches upon the point of Supremacy which also was not a little increased from the diversity of the Civil interests between Constans and Constantius who also were no less divided in their Principles in matters of Religion which did blow the sparks formerly hidden in the embers into a flame of persecution Religion may be in danger in a government under one Head but is never safe in a government under many Athanasius now at Rome again Sect. 4. having formerly represented his condition to Constantius by an Apology made and transmitted to him yet could obtain no favour he now after three years waiting sends that to the Emperour Constans who by this time was no less then his brother Constantius awakened with the loud peal that the Letters between the Eastern and Western Bishops did ring in the world and thereupon their Councils advise them for the safety of both their Empires to unite together against the common Enemy now upon their borders and to lay aside animosities and compose the differences in matters concerning Religion by a general Council This season Athanasius chooseth for his application to the Emperour Constans and by the Bishop of Rome's means gains access to the Emperour to whom he represented the many calumnies and injuries he daily suffered from the Arians Theod. lib. 2. c. 4. and his unjust deprivation and banishment by the Council at Antioch and that they lay in wait continually to take away his life and that they pursued him not so much for any personal respects as for the rooting up the Nicene Faith which he had hitherto asserted and which also was asserted an owned by Constantine the Great and therefore Athanasius humbly besought Constans to remember his fathers piety in calling the Council at Nice for the vindicating of the Truth and that he would succeed his Father in undertaking the cause of Religion and protection of the Orthodox Faith and regard the persecuted estate of himself who was ready to justifie against all the criminations that his enemies can produce against him Hereunto also the Bishop of Rome subjoyned his request that Constans would endeavour with his brother Constantius that a general Council of the Bishops of both Empires might be joyntly holden for the setling of the people of both Empires in peace and unity And well it was that there was some that studied the peace of the Church so far as to be earnest for a general Council For possibly if such a thing should be now moved in England it would be answered that its necessary for the Church to be under a perpetual separation as many hold it no less necessary that the Common-wealth should be for ever kept from their liberty of a free and full Parliament Constans the Emperour now at Millain being thus importuned Sect. 5. determined to proceed therein accordingly And because it appeared that the Eastern Bishops began to interpose touching Supremacy he writes therefore to his brother Constantius shewing him the necessity of calling a general Council of the Churches of both Empires and importuning him to improve his authority in calling the Eastern Bishops to appear at a Council to be holden at Sardica in Illiria This City was upon the confines of both Empires yet more commodious for those of the Eastern Empire Soz. lib. 3. cap. 9. whereunto the Emperour Constans had ordered summons for the Bishops of the Western Empire to come at a time appointed Constantius having received Constans his Letters made no difficulty therein but forthwith issued forth his Letters of summons also according to Constans his Letters After this agreement Athanasius comes to Millain by express order from Constans and there in the presence of the Emperour and many others Athan. Apol. ad Constant Athanasius declareth the manner of his return from Triers to Alexandria and of his carriage at Alexandria the complaints against him by the Arians his justification of himself the proceedings of the Council at Antioch against him the manner of his escape his Apology sent to Constantius to mollifie his displeasure against him the Letters testimonial from the Alexandrian Churches and he offered to prove all by witnesses viva vocc But the Emperour replied that Athanasius shall have a full hearing before the General Council at Sardica and therefore willed him to prepare himself for his defence there Nevertheless Constans was unwilling those things should be opened before a General Council and therefore endeavoured to prevail with Constantius as well in the behalf of Athanasius as others for the restitution of them to their several places in a private way but the Arians were in the negative and too powerfull and thus there passed a year and six months before the day of the meeting of the Council came CAP. XIII The Council at Sardica The Schism by the Arian Council at Philippopolis THe Council being met at Sardica upon the day prefixed Sect. 1. which was about Six years after the Council called at Antioch and about eleven years after the death of Constantine the Great Soc. lib. 2. cap. 16. So as Athanasius hath been absent from Alexandria at Rome Six years intirely or three years and three years which makes up the six years spoken of by writers Soz. lib. 2. cap. 10. allowing onely a small time for Athanasius his return from the Council at Rome to Alexandria and his flight from thence back again to Rome upon the coming of Hillarius The first three years being spent in debate between the two Councils at Antioch and Rome and the
party But the Council at Constantinople seeing the Emperours endeavour unsuccesseful they take up another course and hope to finde out a Confession of Faith that may seem to hold forth the truth and yet not dis-affirm either the Emperours Confession at Syrmium nor that of the Acasians nor of the Semi-Arians but consist with all and this they more easily and readily compose because they make the Emperours Confession their ground-work and over-lay the same with a varnish of other words not apparantly altering the substance but explaining it in manner following Soc. lib. 2. cap. 32. We believe in one God the Father Almighty from whom are all things And in the onely begotten Son of God begotten of God before all ages and before all beginning by whom all things are made visible and invisible the alone onely begotten of the Father alone begotten God of God like to the Father which begat him according to the Scriptures whose generation no man knows but the Father onely which begat him We know this onely begotten Son of God to be sent from the Father to have deseended from Heaven as it is written and conversed with Disciples and having fulfilled all order according to his Fathers will to be crucified dead and buried to have descended into Hell at whom the Devils trembled to have risen from the dead the third day conversed with his Disciples and after forty dayes taken up into Henven to sit on the right hand of the Father That he shall come at the last day of the Resurrection with the glory of his Father that he may render to every one according to his Works And in the Holy Ghost whom the onely begotten Son of God Christ the Lord and our God promised that he would send to Mankind The Comforter as it is written the Spirit of Truth which he sent when He was taken up into Heaven The word Substance we utterly disallow and take away The word Subsistence of the Father Son and Holy Ghost ought likewise not to be mentioned We affirm that the Son is like to the Father And thus the Arians produce many formes contrary to the Nicene Confession Sect. 2. to the end that if they gain not the day for their principles to settle in the minds of men yet at least their minds may be possessed with many notions and unsetled in the Nicene Doctrine And that these notions may seem more solid they are countenanced by Councils whose pride would never suffer them to stoop to the truth nor to the same expressions of one and the same errour And these Councils are holden many of them at the same place or places of the same name where formerly Orthodox Councils were holden as at Nice Sardica and Arminum that the common people might be confounded the more in their right understandings of the determination of their principles Neverthelesse the Arian wound still bleeds fresh Manasse is against Ephraim and both against Judah The Acasians are angry both with the Semi-Arians and Orthodox but the Semi-Arians are stark mad against the Orthodox Soc. lib. 2. cap. 30. Macedonius the Leader of the Semi-Arians spares none that comes within his Ecclesiastical Power and will not communicate with him and where his Ecclesiastical Power falls short the souldiers help him with fire and sword But the Orthodox will not satisfie them Sect. 3. the Novatians also stand in their way though they communicate not with the Orthodox yet they will not communicate with Macedonius and therefore he heaps on them all the insolencies that the souldiers can devise with that extremity that the Novatians can endure no longer but take armes in their own defence and in a plain battel in the field winne a victory with the effusion of much blood both of the Emperours souldiers and their Arian associates Hereat the Emperour is troubled if his souldiers cannot prevail against a tumultuary party how shall they stand against a formed army of enemies but the Arian party is extremely vexed and both Emperour and Arian fall upon Macedonius and banish him from Constantinople and so that See void once more of Macedonius Eudoxius gets into his room after his wonted manner no man knows how for the Emperour disowned his election Neverthelesse once in Soz. lib. 4. cap. 25. he seeks the peoples approbation and to shew his deep reach into matters of divinity strained his wit into a higher pitch of blasphemy then any formerly had attained he tells the people what they never heard before Namely That God the Father is impious and that God the Son is pious and whiles men are wondring at the strangenesse of the doctrine he opens the riddle and tells them That God the Father did not worship any one but God the Son worshipped the Father Hereat saith the Writer the people laughed which is no lesse strange but They that feed upon Heresie will make no bones of Blasphemy Otherwise both Bishop and people had more cause to weep However the Emperour is so well satisfied in him as he did not onely not depose him but shewed so much respect either to him or others of his perswasion as to condescend that they of Arius his highest forme should hold another Council at Antioch But the Novatians having approved themselves thus good souldiers against the Macedonian party Sect. 4 bethink of strengthening themselves by growing in amity with the Orthodox as they were now baptised in enmity with the Semi-Arians For though they still hold to their principles concerning the observation of Easter and non-communion with such as had relapsed and such as after Baptisme had committed mortal sin as they termed it in all which they were in the negative yet in other points more fundamemal Soc. lib. 2. cap. 30. Soz. lib. 4. cap. 19. they were so grounded that they loved the Orthodox above all others they would joyn in prayer with them they would pray for them and would even die for them and were requited with the like observance from the Orthodox to them again yet could not these come full home to one another in all the Publick Ordinances to communicate together The Acasians or Eudoxians also labour to fortifie their party Sect. 5. and therefore as unanimously as they can they assemble at the Council now called at Antioch yet the Semi-Arians come thither also more in number but inferiour to the other Arians in power who being more potent at the Court and the other discountenanced did rule all at this Council and put in and out as they pleased Eudoxius is confirmed Bishop of Constantinople and Meletus made Bishop of Antioch although in him as well as others they were mistaken Soc. lib. 2. cap. 34. Theod. lib. 2. c. 31. Soz. lib. 4. cap. 27. For Meletus was Bishop of Sebastia one of excellent parts of learning eloquence and prudence and of an excellent plausible carriage which added a lustre to all the rest On this man the Eudoxians look as one