priest_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v a_o great_a decay_n in_o their_o parish_n a_o neglect_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o diminution_n of_o their_o profit_n by_o the_o daily_a and_o visible_a increase_n of_o that_o religion_n and_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n have_v so_o order_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n already_o so_o the_o heathen_n now_o have_v fill_v up_o their_o measure_n with_o iniquity_n sprinkle_v the_o blood_n of_o his_o saint_n among_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o the_o christian_n have_v in_o a_o severe_a apprenticeship_n of_o so_o many_o age_n learn_v the_o trade_n of_o suffer_v they_o shall_v at_o last_o be_v their_o own_o master_n and_o admit_v to_o their_o freedom_n neither_o yet_o even_o in_o those_o time_n when_o they_o lay_v expose_v to_o persecution_n be_v they_o without_o some_o interval_n and_o catch_a season_n of_o tranquillity_n wherein_o the_o church_n have_v leisure_n to_o reap_v considerable_a advantage_n and_o the_o clergy_n too_o may_v have_v be_v enure_v as_o they_o have_v be_v exemplary_a under_o affliction_n so_o to_o bear_v themselves_o like_o christian_n when_o they_o shall_v arrive_v at_o a_o full_a prosperity_n for_o as_o oft_o as_o there_o come_v a_o just_a heathen_a emperor_n and_o a_o lover_n of_o mankind_n that_o either_o himself_o observe_v or_o understand_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o his_o province_n the_o innocence_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o practice_n their_o readiness_n to_o pay_v tribute_n their_o prayer_n for_o his_o government_n and_o person_n their_o faithful_a service_n in_o his_o war_n but_o their_o christian_a valour_n and_o contumacy_n to_o death_n under_o the_o most_o exquisite_a torment_n for_o their_o holy_a profession_n he_o forthwith_o relent_v he_o rebate_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o executiner_n and_o can_v not_o find_v in_o his_o heart_n or_o in_o his_o power_n to_o exercise_v it_o against_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o religion_n it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o a_o religion_n institute_v upon_o justice_n betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n love_v to_o one_o another_o yea_o even_o their_o enemy_n obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o all_o humane_a and_o moral_a matter_n and_o in_o divine_a worship_n upon_o a_o constant_a exercise_n thereof_o and_o as_o constant_a suffer_v in_o that_o cause_n without_o any_o pretence_n or_o latitude_n for_o resistance_n can_v so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v true_a to_o itself_o in_o these_o thing_n fall_v within_o the_o magistrate_n jurisdiction_n but_o as_o it_o first_o be_v plant_v without_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n and_o the_o more_o they_o pluck_v at_o it_o so_o much_o the_o more_o still_o it_o flourish_v so_o it_o will_v be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o whensoever_o governor_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o try_v for_o it_o it_o will_v by_o the_o same_o mean_n and_o method_n soon_o or_o late_a spoil_n they_o but_o if_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o pull_v up_o that_o mandrake_n it_o be_v advisable_v for_o they_o not_o to_o do_v it_o themselves_o but_o to_o choose_v out_o a_o dog_n for_o the_o employment_n i_o confess_v whensoever_o a_o christian_a transgress_v these_o bound_n once_o he_o be_v impoundable_a or_o like_o a_o waif_n and_o stray_n who_o christ_n know_v not_o he_o fall_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o manor_n but_o otherwise_o he_o can_v suffer_v he_o be_v invulnerable_a by_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n only_o a_o man_n may_v swear_v and_o damn_v himself_o to_o kill_v the_o first_o honest_a man_n he_o meet_v which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n worship_v god_n under_o the_o power_n and_o violence_n of_o their_o persecutor_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o even_o in_o those_o time_n which_o some_o man_n now_o as_o oft_o as_o it_o be_v for_o their_o advantage_n do_v consecrate_v under_o the_o name_n of_o primitive_a the_o christian_n be_v become_v guilty_a of_o their_o own_o punishment_n &_o have_v it_o not_o be_v as_o be_v most_o usual_a that_o the_o more_o sincere_a professor_n suffer_v promiscuous_o for_o the_o sin_n and_o crime_n of_o those_o that_o be_v carnal_a and_o hypocrite_n their_o persecutor_n may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o have_v be_v the_o due_a administrator_n of_o god_n justice_n for_o not_o to_o go_v deep_o if_o we_o consider_v but_o that_o which_o be_v reckon_v the_o ten_o persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n so_o incorrigible_a be_v they_o after_o nine_o precede_a what_o other_o can_v be_v expect_v when_o as_o eusebius_n l._n 3._o c._n 1._o sad_o lament_v have_v relate_v how_o before_o that_o the_o christian_n live_v in_o great_a trust_n and_o reputation_n in_o court_n the_o bishop_n of_o each_o church_n be_v belove_v esteem_v and_o reverence_v by_o all_o mankind_n and_o by_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o provinees_n the_o meeting_n in_o all_o the_o city_n be_v so_o many_o and_o numerous_a that_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o allow_v they_o to_o erect_v in_o every_o one_o spacious_a and_o godly_a church_n all_o thing_n go_v on_o prosperousty_a with_o they_o and_o to_o such_o a_o height_n that_o no_o envious_a man_n can_v disturb_v they_o no_o devil_n can_v hurt_v they_o as_o long_o as_o walk_v yet_o worthy_a of_o those_o mercy_n they_o be_v under_o the_o almighty_n care_n and_o protection_n after_o that_o our_o affair_n by_o that_o too_o much_o liberty_n degenerate_v into_o luxury_n and_o laziness_n and_o some_o prosecute_v other_o with_o hatred_n and_o contumely_n and_o almost_o all_o of_o we_o wound_v ourselves_o with_o the_o weapon_n of_o the_o tongue_n in_o ill_a language_n when_o bishop_n set_v upon_o bishop_n and_o the_o people_n that_o belong_v to_o one_o of_o they_o stir_v sedition_n against_o the_o people_n of_o another_o then_o horrible_a hypocrisy_n and_o dissimulation_n spring_v up_o to_o the_o utmost_a extremity_n of_o malice_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n while_o yet_o there_o be_v liberty_n to_o meet_v in_o congregation_n do_v sensible_o and_o by_o stop_n be_v to_o visit_v we_o the_o persecution_n at_o first_o discharge_v itself_o upon_o our_o brethren_n that_o be_v in_o the_o army_n but_o we_o have_v no_o feel_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n not_o endeavour_v to_o make_v our_o peace_n with_o he_o and_o live_v as_o if_o we_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v neither_o take_v notice_n of_o our_o transgression_n nor_o will_v visit_v we_o for_o they_o we_o heap_v up_o iniquity_n upon_o iniquity_n and_o those_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v our_o pastor_n kick_v underfoot_n the_o rule_n of_o piety_n be_v inflame_v among_o themselves_o with_o mutual_a contention_n and_o while_o they_o mind_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o exaggerate_v their_o quarrel_n threat_n emulation_n hatred_n and_o enmity_n and_o earnest_o each_o of_o they_o pursue_v his_o particular_a ambition_n in_o a_o tyrannical_a manner_n than_o indeed_o the_o lord_n than_o i_o say_v according_a to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n he_o cover_v the_o daugheer_n of_o zion_n with_o a_o cloud_n in_o his_o anger_n and_o cast_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o earth_n the_o beauty_n of_o israel_n and_o remember_v not_o his_o footstool_n in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o anger_n and_o so_o the_o pious_a historian_n pathetical_o go_v on_o and_o deplore_v the_o calamity_n that_o in_o sue_v to_o the_o loss_n of_o all_o that_o stock_n of_o reputation_n advantage_n liberty_n and_o safety_n which_o christian_a people_n have_v by_o true_a plety_n and_o adhere_v strict_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o profession_n former_o acquire_v &_o enjoy_v but_o have_v now_o forfeit_v and_o smart_o and_o deferved_o suffer_v under_o dioclesian_n persecution_n and_o it_o be_v a_o severe_a one_o the_o long_a too_o that_o ever_o happen_v ten_o year_n from_o his_o beginning_n of_o it_o and_o continue_v by_o other_o by_o which_o time_n one_o might_n have_v think_v the_o church_n will_v have_v be_v sufficient_o winnow_v and_o nothing_o leave_v but_o the_o pure_a wheat_n whereas_o it_o prove_v quite_o contrary_a and_o the_o holy_a and_o most_o constant_a of_o the_o christian_n be_v blow_v away_o by_o martyrdom_n it_o seem_v by_o the_o succeed_a time_n as_o if_o nothing_o but_o the_o chaff_n and_o the_o tare_n have_v remain_v but_o there_o be_v yet_o such_o a_o seed_n leave_v and_o notwithstanding_o the_o defection_n of_o many_o so_o internal_a a_o virtue_n in_o the_o religion_n itself_o that_o dioclosian_a can_v no_o long_o stand_v against_o it_o and_o tire_v out_o in_o two_o year_n time_n be_v glad_a to_o betake_v himself_o from_o root_n out_o christianity_n to_o garden_v and_o to_o sow_v potherb_n at_o salona_n and_o he_o with_o his_o partner_n maximiamus_fw-la resign_v the_o empire_n to_o galerius_n and_o constantius_n the_o excellent_a father_n of_o a_o more_o glorious_a and_o christian_a son_n constantine_n the_o great_a who_o in_o due_a season_n succeed_v he_o and_o by_o a_o chain_n of_o god_n extraordinary_a providence_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v let_v
he_o tell_v that_o one_o of_o the_o three_o return_v soon_o after_o repent_v it_o seem_v next_o morning_n and_o so_o he_o receive_v he_o again_o into_o the_o church_n unto_o the_o laic_a communion_n but_o for_o the_o other_o two_o he_o have_v send_v successor_n into_o their_o place_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o ado_n and_o the_o whet_n of_o constantine_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o his_o own_o declaration_n against_o the_o novatian_o i_o can_v find_v their_o heresy_n to_o have_v be_v other_o than_o that_o that_o be_v the_o puritan_n of_o those_o time_n and_o a_o sort_n of_o nonconformist_n that_o can_v have_v subscribe_v to_o the_o six_o and_o thirty_o article_n but_o differ_v only_o in_o those_o of_o discipline_n and_o upon_o some_o enormity_n therein_o separate_v and_o which_o will_v always_o be_v sufficient_a to_o qualify_v a_o heretic_n they_o institute_v bishop_n of_o their_o own_o in_o most_o place_n and_o yet_o afterward_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o best_a homoousian_a emperor_n a_o sober_a and_o strict_o religious_a people_n do_v so_o constant_o adhere_v to_o they_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n too_o find_v meet_v to_o give_v they_o fair_a quarter_n for_o as_o much_o as_o they_o differ_v not_o in_o the_o fundamental_o and_o therefore_o be_v of_o use_n to_o they_o against_o heretic_n that_o be_v more_o dangerous_a and_o diametrical_o opposite_a to_o the_o religion_n nay_o insomuch_o that_o even_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n yea_o of_o rome_n notwithstanding_o that_o most_o tender_a point_n and_o interest_n of_o episcopacy_n suffer_v the_o novatian_a bishop_n to_o walk_v cheek_n by_o joul_n with_o they_o in_o their_o own_o diocese_n until_o that_o as_o socr._n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o the_o roman_a episcopacy_n have_v as_o it_o be_v pass_v the_o boand_n of_o priesthood_n slip_v into_o a_o secular_a principality_n and_o thenceforward_o the_o roman_a bishop_n will_v not_o suffer_v their_o meeting_n with_o security_n but_o though_o they_o commend_v they_o for_o their_o consent_n in_o the_o same_o faith_n with_o they_o yet_o take_v away_o all_o their_o estate_n but_o at_o constantinople_n they_o continue_v to_o fare_v better_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n embrace_v the_o novatian_o and_o give_v they_o free_a liberty_n to_o keep_v their_o conventicle_n in_o their_o church_n what_o and_o to_o have_v their_o bishop_n too_o altar_n against_o altar_n a_o condescension_n which_o as_o our_o nonconformist_n seem_v not_o to_o desire_v or_o think_v of_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o these_o time_n will_v i_o suppose_v judge_v to_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a but_o rather_o that_o it_o be_v sit_v to_o take_v the_o other_o course_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o advantage_n the_o religion_n may_v probable_o receive_v from_o their_o doctrine_n &_o party_n it_o be_v better_a to_o suppress_v they_o and_o make_v havoc_n both_o of_o their_o estate_n and_o person_n but_o however_o the_o heretic_n in_o constantine_n time_n have_v the_o less_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o ill_a measure_n see_v it_o be_v that_o the_o bishop_n mete_v by_o among_o themselves_o i_o pass_v over_o that_o controversy_n betwixt_o cecilianus_n the_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n and_o his_o adherent_n with_o another_o set_n of_o bishop_n there_o in_o africa_n upon_o which_o constantine_n order_v ten_o of_o each_o party_n to_o appear_v before_o miltiades_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o other_o to_o have_v it_o decide_v yet_o after_o they_o have_v give_v sentence_n constantine_n find_v it_o necessary_a to_o have_v a_o council_n for_o a_o review_n of_o the_o business_n as_o in_o his_o letter_n to_o crestus_n the_o bishop_n of_o syracuse_n euseb._n l._n 10._o c._n 6._o whereas_o several_a have_v former_o separate_v from_o the_o catholic_n heresy_n for_o that_o word_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o ill_o nature_a but_o that_o it_o may_v sometime_o be_v use_v in_o its_o proper_a and_o good_a sense_n and_o then_o relate_v his_o commission_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o other_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o some_o have_v be_v careless_a of_o their_o own_o salvation_n and_o forget_v the_o reverence_n due_a to_o that_o most_o holy_a heresy_n again_o will_v not_o yet_o lay_v down_o their_o enmity_n nor_o admit_v the_o sentence_n that_o have_v be_v give_v obstinate_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v but_o a_o few_o that_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n and_o that_o they_o do_v it_o very_o precipitately_a before_o they_o have_v due_o inquire_v of_o the_o matter_n and_o from_o thence_o it_o have_v happen_v that_o both_o they_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v keep_v a_o brotherly_a and_o unanimous_a agreement_n together_o do_v abominable_o and_o flagitions_o dissent_v from_o one_o another_o and_o such_o who_o mind_n be_v alienate_v from_o the_o most_o holy_a religion_n do_v make_v a_o mockery_n boih_o of_o it_o and_o they_o therefore_o i_o etc._n etc._n have_v command_v very_o many_o bishop_n out_o of_o innumerable_a place_n to_o meet_v at_o arles_n that_o what_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v quiet_v upon_o the_o former_a sentence_n pronounce_v may_v now_o at_o least_o be_v determine_v etc._n etc._n and_o you_o to_o be_v one_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v order_v the_o perfect_a of_o sicily_n to_o furnish_v you_o with_o one_o of_o the_o public_a stage-coache_n and_o so_o many_o servant_n etc._n etc._n such_o be_v the_o use_n then_o of_o stage-coache_n post-horse_n and_o council_n to_o the_o great_a disappointment_n and_o grievance_n of_o the_o many_o both_o man_n and_o horse_n and_o leather_n be_v hackney_n hackney_n jade_v and_o wear_v out_o upon_o the_o errand_n of_o some_o contention_n and_o obstinate_a bishop_n so_o go_v the_o affair_n hitherto_o and_o thus_o well_o dispose_v and_o prepare_v be_v the_o bishop_n to_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o second_o time_n at_o the_o great_a and_o first_o general_a council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v so_o much_o celebrate_v the_o occasion_n of_o call_v it_o be_v two_o the_o first_o a_o most_o important_a question_n in_o which_o the_o wit_n and_o piety_n of_o their_o predecessor_n and_o now_o they_o successive_o have_v be_v much_o exercise_v and_o take_v up_o that_o be_v upon_o what_o day_n they_o ought_v to_o keep_v easter_n which_o though_o it_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v keep_v at_o all_o yet_o the_o very_a calendary_a of_o it_o be_v controvert_v with_o the_o same_o zeal_n and_o make_v as_o heavy_a ado_n in_o the_o church_n as_o if_o both_o party_n have_v be_v heretic_n and_o it_o be_v reckon_v by_o the_o church_n historian_n as_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a felicity_n of_o constantine_n empire_n to_o have_v quiet_v in_o that_o council_n this_o main_a controversy_n the_o second_o cause_n of_o the_o assemble_v they_o here_o be_v indeed_o grow_v as_o the_o bishop_n have_v order_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o consequence_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n one_o arrius_n have_v as_o be_v relate_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n start_v a_o most_o pernicious_a opinion_n in_o the_o point_n of_o the_o trinity_n therefore_o from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n they_o meet_v together_o at_o the_o city_n of_o nice_a 250_o bishop_n and_o better_o say_v eusebius_n a_o goodly_a company_n 318_o say_v other_o and_o the_o animadverter_n too_o with_o that_o pithy_a remark_n pag._n 23._o equal_a almost_o to_o the_o number_n of_o servant_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o house_n of_o abraham_n the_o emperor_n have_v accommodate_v they_o every_o where_o with_o the_o public_a post_n or_o lay_v horse_n all_o along_o for_o the_o convenience_n of_o their_o journey_n thither_o and_o all_o the_o time_n they_o be_v there_o supply_v they_o abundant_o with_o all_o sort_n of_o provision_n at_o his_o own_o charge_n and_o when_o they_o be_v all_o first_o assemble_v in_o council_n in_o the_o great_a hall_n of_o the_o imperial_a palace_n he_o come_v in_o have_v put_v on_o his_o best_a clothes_n to_o make_v his_o guest_n welcome_a and_o salute_v they_o with_o that_o profound_a humility_n as_o if_o they_o all_o have_v be_v emperor_n nor_o will_v sit_v down_o in_o his_o throne_n no_o it_o be_v a_o very_a little_a &_o low_a stool_n till_o they_o have_v all_o beckon_v &_o make_v sign_n to_o he_o to_o sit_v down_o no_o wonder_n if_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a run_v in_o their_o head_n ever_o after_o and_o the_o ambitious_a clergy_n like_o those_o who_o have_v be_v long_a a-thirst_n take_v so_o much_o of_o constantine_n kindness_n that_o they_o be_v scarce_o come_v to_o themselves_o again_o after_o so_o many_o age_n the_o first_o thing_n be_v that_o he_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o summon_v they_o thither_o and_o in_o a_o grave_n and_o most_o christian_a discourse_n exhort_v they_o to_o keep_v the_o peace_n or_o to_o a_o good_a agreement_n as_o there_o be_v reason_n for_o say_v russin_n
christian_n and_o can_v prove_v it_o that_o they_o commit_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o state_n that_o then_o he_o punish_v they_o according_a to_o the_o crime_n but_o if_o any_o man_n accuse_v they_o mere_o for_o calumny_n and_o vexation_n as_o christian_n then_o i'faith_o let_v he_o suffer_v for_o it_o and_o take_v you_o care_v that_o he_o feel_v the_o smart_n of_o it_o antoninus_n pius_n write_v his_o edict_n very_o remarkable_a if_o there_o be_v place_n to_o recite_v it_o to_o the_o state_n of_o asia_n assemble_v at_o ephesus_n wherein_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o father_n command_n that_o unless_o the_o christian_n be_v find_v to_o act_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o roman_a empire_n they_o shall_v not_o be_v molest_v and_o then_o command_v that_o if_o any_o man_n thereafter_o shall_v continue_v to_o trouble_v they_o tanquam_fw-la tale_n as_o christian_n for_o their_o worship_n in_o that_o case_n he_o that_o be_v the_o informer_n shall_v be_v expose_v to_o punishment_n but_o the_o accuse_v shall_v be_v free_a and_o discharge_v i_o can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o among_o other_o thing_n in_o this_o edict_n where_o he_o be_v speak_v it_o be_v desirable_a to_o they_o that_o they_o may_v appear_v be_v accuse_v more_o willing_a to_o die_v for_o their_o god_n than_o to_o live_v he_o add_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o admonish_v you_o concern_v the_o earthquake_n which_o have_v and_o do_v now_o happen_v that_o when_o you_o be_v afflict_v at_o they_o you_o will_v compare_v our_o affair_n with_o they_o they_o be_v thereby_o so_o much_o the_o more_o encourage_v to_o a_o confidence_n and_o reliance_n upon_o god_n but_o you_o all_o the_o while_n go_v on_o in_o your_o ignorance_n and_o neglect_v both_o other_o god_n and_o the_o religion_n towards_o the_o immortal_a and_o banish_v and_o persecute_v they_o unto_o death_n which_o word_n of_o that_o emperor_n fall_v in_o so_o natural_o with_o what_o it_o seem_v be_v a_o common_a observation_n about_o earthquake_n that_o i_o can_v but_o to_o that_o purpose_n take_v further_a notice_n how_o also_o gregory_n nazianzen_n in_o or._n 2._o contra_fw-la gentiles_n tell_v beside_o the_o break_n in_o of_o the_o sea_n in_o several_a place_n and_o many_o fire_n that_o happen_v of_o the_o earthquake_n in_o particular_a which_o he_o reckon_v as_o symptom_n of_o iulian_n persecution_n and_o to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v socr._n l._n 3._o c._n 10_o who_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o valens_n that_o notorious_a christian_a persecutor_n say_v at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o be_v a_o earthquake_n in_o bythinia_n which_o turn_v the_o city_n of_o nice_a that_o same_o in_o which_o the_o general_a council_n be_v hold_v under_o constantine_n and_o a_o little_a after_o there_o be_v another_o but_o although_o these_o so_o happen_v the_o mind_n of_o valens_n and_o of_o eudoxius_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o arrian_n be_v not_o all_o stir_v up_o unto_o piety_n and_o a_o right_a opinion_n of_o religion_n for_o nevertheless_o they_o cease_v not_o make_v no_o end_n of_o persecute_v those_o who_o in_o their_o creed_n dissent_v from_o they_o those_o earthquake_n seem_v to_o be_v certain_a indication_n of_o tumult_n in_o the_o church_n all_o which_o put_v together_o can_v not_o but_o make_v i_o reflect_v upon_o the_o late_a earthquake_n great_a by_o how_o much_o more_o unusual_a here_o in_o england_n through_o so_o many_o county_n two_o year_n since_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o clergy_n some_o of_o they_o be_v so_o busy_a in_o their_o cabal_n to_o promote_v this_o i_o will_v give_v it_o a_o modest_a name_n than_o persecution_n which_o be_v now_o on_o foot_n against_o the_o dissenter_n at_o so_o unseasonable_a a_o time_n and_o upon_o no_o occasion_n administer_v by_o they_o that_o those_o who_o comprehend_v the_o reason_n yet_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o wisdom_n of_o it_o yet_o i_o be_o not_o neither_o one_o of_o the_o most_o credulous_a nicker_n or_o applier_n of_o natural_a event_n to_o human_a transanction_n but_o neither_o be_o i_o so_o secure_a as_o the_o learned_a dr._n spencer_n nor_o can_v walk_v along_o the_o world_n without_o have_v some_o eye_n to_o the_o conjuncture_n of_o god_n admirable_a providence_n neither_o be_v marcus_n aurelius_n that_o i_o may_v return_v to_o my_o matter_n negligent_a as_o to_o the_o particular_a but_o he_o observing_z as_o antonnius_n have_v the_o earthquake_n that_o in_o a_o expedition_n against_o the_o german_n and_o sarmatian_n his_o army_n be_v in_o despair_n almost_o for_o want_n of_o water_n the_o melitine_n afterward_o from_o the_o event_n call_v the_o thunder_a legion_n which_o consist_v of_o christian_n kneel_v down_o in_o the_o very_a heat_n of_o their_o thirst_n and_o fight_v pray_v for_o rain_n which_o posture_n the_o enemy_n wonder_v at_o immediate_o there_o break_v out_o such_o a_o thunder_a and_o lightning_n as_o together_o with_o the_o christian_a valour_n rout_v the_o adverse_a army_n but_o so_o much_o rain_n fall_v therewith_o as_o refresh_v aurelius_n his_o force_n that_o be_v at_o the_o last_o gasp_n for_o thirst_n he_o thence_o forward_o command_v by_o his_o letter_n that_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n none_o shall_v inform_v against_o the_o christian_n as_o tertullian_n in_o his_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_n witness_n but_o who_o will_v have_v believe_v that_o even_a commodus_n so_o great_a a_o tyrant_n otherwise_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o favourable_a as_o to_o make_v a_o law_n that_o the_o informer_n against_o christian_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o death_n yet_o he_o do_v and_o the_o informer_n against_o apollonius_n be_v by_o it_o execute_v much_o less_o can_v a_o man_n have_v think_v that_o that_o prodigy_n of_o cruelty_n maximine_n and_o who_o exercise_v it_o so_o severe_o upon_o the_o christian_n shall_v as_o he_o do_v be_v strike_v with_o god_n hand_n publish_v when_o it_o be_v too_o late_a edict_n after_o edict_n in_o great_a favour_n of_o the_o christian_n but_o above_o all_o nothing_o can_v have_v be_v less_o expect_v than_o that_o after_o those_o heathen_a emperor_n the_o first_o christian_n constantine_n shall_v have_v be_v seduce_v by_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v after_o they_o the_o first_o occasion_n of_o persecution_n so_o contrary_a to_o his_o own_o excellent_a inclination_n it_o be_v then_o that_o he_o speak_v his_o own_o mind_n when_o he_o say_v eus._n de_fw-fr vitâ_fw-la const._n 69._o you_o ought_v to_o retain_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o your_o private_a thought_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o you_o cunning_o and_o subtle_o seek_v out_o concern_v most_o frivolous_a question_n and_o then_o much_o plain_a c._n 67._o where_o he_o say_v so_o wise_o you_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o philosopher_n all_o of_o they_o do_v agree_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o discipline_n but_o do_v oftentimes_o differ_v in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o opinion_n that_o they_o dogmatise_v in_o but_o yet_o although_o they_o do_v dissent_v about_o the_o discipline_n that_o each_o several_a sect_n observe_v they_o nevertheless_o reconcile_v themselves_o again_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o common_a profession_n to_o which_o they_o have_v concur_v but_o again_o compulsion_n in_o religious_a matter_n so_o much_o every_o where_o that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o insert_v one_o passage_n and_o he_o be_v of_o this_o disposition_n and_o universal_o famous_a for_o his_o care_n and_o countenance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n eusebius_n say_v these_o word_n while_o the_o people_n of_o god_n do_v glory_n and_o heighten_v itself_o in_o the_o do_n of_o good_a thing_n and_o all_o fear_n from_o without_o be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o church_n be_v fortify_v as_o i_o may_v say_v on_o all_o side_n by_o a_o peaceable_a and_o illustrious_a tranquillity_n than_o envy_n lie_v in_o wait_n against_o our_o prosperity_n crafty_o creep_v in_o and_o begin_v first_o to_o dance_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o company_n of_o bishop_n so_o go_v on_o tell_v the_o history_n of_o alexander_n and_o arrius_n i_o have_v be_v before_o large_a enough_o in_o that_o relation_n wherein_o appear_v that_o contrary_a to_o that_o great_a emperor_n pious_a intention_n whereas_o envy_n begin_v to_o dance_v among_o the_o bishop_n first_o the_o good_a constantine_n bring_v they_o the_o fiddle_n but_o it_o appear_v likewise_o how_o soon_o he_o be_v weary_a of_o the_o ball_n and_o towards_o his_o latter_a end_n as_o prince_n often_o do_v upon_o too_o late_a experience_n will_v have_v repress_v all_o and_o return_v to_o his_o natural_a temper_n of_o the_o other_o christian_a emperor_n i_o likewise_o discourse_v omit_v that_o i_o may_v insert_v it_o in_o this_o place_n how_o the_o great_a heathen_a philosopher_n themistius_n in_o his_o consolar_n oration_n celebrate_v jovianus_n for_o have_v give_v that_o toleration_n in_o christien_n religion_n and_o thereby_o defeat_v the_o flatter_a bishop_n which_o sort_n of_o man_n