Selected quad for the lemma: city_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
city_n	whole_a	woman_n	year_n	160	3	4.1950	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39866	The history of oracles, and the cheats of the pagan priests in two parts / made English.; Histoire des oracles. English	Fontenelle, M. de (Bernard Le Bovier), 1657-1757.; Dale, Antonius van, 1638-1708. De oraculis ethnicorum dissertationes duae.; Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689.	1688 (1688)	Wing F1413; ESTC R13813	80,690	254

to_o worship_v what_o god_n they_o list_v and_o be_v himself_o more_o incline_v to_o support_v arianism_n than_o christianity_n 5._o so_o that_o during_o his_o reign_n sacrifice_n be_v public_o make_v and_o man_n eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o the_o victim_n offer_v up_o to_o idol_n the_o bacchanalian_a mystery_n be_v celebrate_v open_o they_o run_v up_o and_o down_o with_o their_o thyrsi_fw-la in_o their_o hand_n they_o tear_v dog_n in_o piece_n and_o commit_v all_o the_o other_o extravagance_n which_o be_v suitable_a to_o that_o devotion_n valentinian_n his_o brother_n who_o have_v the_o western_a empire_n be_v more_o zealous_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o christianity_n but_o yet_o his_o conduct_n be_v not_o so_o steady_a as_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v he_o have_v make_v a_o law_n to_o forbid_v all_o sort_n of_o nocturnal_a ceremony_n whereupon_o praetextatus_n the_o proconsul_n of_o greece_n represent_v to_o he_o that_o if_o he_o take_v away_o from_o the_o greek_n those_o ceremony_n to_o which_o they_o be_v so_o might_o addict_v they_o will_v lead_v their_o life_n unpleasant_o this_o prevail_v with_o valentinian_n and_o he_o consent_v that_o notwithstanding_o his_o law_n they_o may_v keep_v their_o old_a custom_n it_o be_v true_a that_o we_o have_v this_o account_n from_o zosimus_n a_o pagan_a historian_n and_o one_o may_v say_v that_o he_o invent_v it_o to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o pagan_n be_v still_o in_o some_o credit_n with_o the_o emperor_n but_o we_o answer_v that_o zosimus_n consider_v the_o condition_n which_o his_o religion_n be_v in_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o have_v be_v in_o a_o humour_n of_o complain_v of_o severity_n that_o be_v not_o act_v than_o of_o please_v himself_o with_o the_o recital_n of_o a_o favour_n that_o be_v never_o show_v but_o this_o be_v certain_a however_o that_o there_o be_v old_a inscription_n at_o rome_n and_o in_o other_o city_n of_o italy_n by_o which_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o under_o the_o reign_n of_o valentinian_n person_n of_o great_a quality_n celebrate_v the_o sacrifice_n call_v taurobolia_n and_o criobolia_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o sprinkle_n of_o bull_n blood_n and_o ram_n blood._n nay_o by_o the_o great_a number_n of_o those_o inscription_n one_o will_v be_v make_v to_o think_v that_o those_o ceremony_n be_v the_o principal_a one_o in_o fashion_n during_o the_o time_n of_o this_o valentinian_n and_o the_o two_o other_o emperor_n of_o the_o same_o name_n now_o they_o be_v the_o odd_a and_o most_o singular_a of_o all_o the_o heathen_a rite_n i_o suppose_v that_o a_o description_n of_o they_o will_v not_o be_v irksome_a to_o the_o reader_n prudentius_n who_o perhaps_o have_v see_v they_o set_v they_o down_o at_o length_n there_o be_v a_o deep_a pit_n dig_v into_o which_o the_o person_n for_o who_o the_o ceremony_n be_v perform_v descend_v with_o sacred_a ribbon_n and_o a_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n and_o in_o a_o dress_n altogether_o mysterious_a over_o the_o pit_n they_o place_v a_o cover_v make_v of_o plank_n pierce_v through_o with_o a_o great_a many_o holes_n upon_o this_o cover_v they_o bring_v a_o bull_n adorn_v with_o a_o garland_n of_o flower_n and_o little_a plate_n of_o gold_n hang_v upon_o his_o horn_n and_o forehead_n then_o his_o throat_n be_v cut_v with_o a_o sacred_a knife_n and_o his_o blood_n drop_v down_o through_o the_o hole_n that_o be_v in_o the_o plank_n into_o the_o pit_n while_o the_o person_n that_o stand_v there_o receive_v it_o with_o much_o devotion_n catch_v it_o on_o his_o forehead_n his_o cheek_n his_o arm_n his_o shoulder_n and_o every_o part_n of_o his_o body_n and_o be_v industrious_a that_o not_o one_o drop_n shall_v fall_v any_o where_o but_o on_o himself_o at_o last_o out_o he_o come_v a_o frightful_a spectacle_n all_o daub_v with_o blood_n and_o his_o hair_n beard_n and_o clothes_n still_o drop_v with_o it_o but_o his_o comfort_n be_v that_o his_o sin_n be_v all_o wash_v away_o and_o he_o be_v regenerate_v to_o all_o eternity_n for_o as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o inscription_n this_o sacrifice_n be_v to_o those_o who_o celebrate_v it_o a_o mystical_a and_o eternal_a regeneration_n but_o unless_o it_o be_v renew_v once_o in_o twenty_o year_n it_o will_v lose_v its_o force_n and_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o its_o duration_n and_o woman_n as_o well_o as_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o this_o regeneration_n and_o those_o who_o be_v not_o at_o the_o ceremony_n may_v receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o by_o association_n nay_o which_o be_v most_o remarkable_a of_o all_o whole_a city_n sometime_o perform_v it_o by_o proxy_n or_o deputation_n this_o sacrifice_n be_v now_o and_o then_o make_v for_o the_o emperor_n health_n and_o the_o province_n make_v their_o court_n to_o he_o by_o send_v some_o person_n in_o their_o name_n to_o bedaub_v himself_o with_o bulls-blood_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o a_o long_a and_o happy_a life_n for_o the_o emperor_n all_o this_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o old_a inscription_n but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o theodosius_n and_o his_o son_n who_o put_v a_o full_a period_n to_o pagan_a superstition_n theodosius_n begin_v first_o in_o egypt_n where_o he_o cause_v all_o the_o temple_n to_o be_v shut_v up_o at_o last_o he_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o demolish_v the_o temple_n of_o serapis_n which_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a of_o they_o all_o and_o as_o strabo_n inform_v we_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o glorious_a in_o the_o whole_a heathen_a religion_n than_o the_o pilgrimage_n which_o be_v make_v to_o serapis_n when_o the_o time_n say_v he_o of_o certain_a festival_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o believe_v what_o a_o multitude_n of_o people_n go_v down_o the_o river_n from_o alexandria_n to_o canopus_n where_o this_o temple_n stand_v day_n and_o night_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v see_v but_o boat_n full_a of_o man_n and_o woman_n sing_v and_o dance_v with_o all_o the_o liberty_n imaginable_a at_o canopus_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o inn_n on_o the_o river_n side_n which_o be_v of_o use_n for_o the_o entertainment_n of_o the_o passenger_n and_o accommodate_v they_o in_o their_o divertisement_n and_o therefore_o the_o sophister_n eunapius_n who_o be_v a_o pagan_a seem_v to_o have_v have_v a_o mighty_a concern_v for_o the_o temple_n of_o serapis_n and_o with_o gall_n enough_o he_o describe_v its_o destruction_n man_n say_v he_o that_o have_v never_o hear_v the_o sound_a war_n show_v themselves_o mighty_a valiant_a against_o the_o stone_n of_o this_o temple_n but_o especial_o against_o the_o rich_a offering_n which_o it_o be_v full_a of_o and_o in_o those_o holy_a place_n they_o put_v monk_n a_o people_n say_v he_o infamous_a and_o useless_a who_o because_o they_o wear_v a_o black_a and_o slovenly_a habit_n arrogate_v to_o themselves_o a_o tyrannical_a authority_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o instead_o of_o those_o god_n which_o the_o light_n of_o our_o natural_a reason_n discover_v to_o we_o they_o set_v up_o for_o object_n of_o our_o adoration_n the_o head_n of_o malefactor_n who_o be_v execute_v for_o their_o crime_n which_o they_o salt_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o corruption_n thus_o do_v this_o impious_a wretch_n treat_v monk_n and_o relic_n and_o certain_o the_o liberty_n of_o those_o time_n be_v very_o great_a when_o such_o invective_n be_v write_v against_o the_o emperor_n religion_n ruffinus_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o temple_n of_o serapis_n be_v find_v to_o be_v full_a of_o secret_a passage_n and_o machine_n contrive_a for_o the_o imposture_n of_o the_o priest_n he_o tell_v we_o among_o other_o thing_n that_o on_o the_o east_n side_n of_o the_o temple_n there_o be_v a_o little_a window_n through_o which_o on_o a_o certain_a day_n of_o the_o year_n the_o sun_n beam_n enter_v fall_v just_a upon_o the_o mouth_n of_o serapis_n at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o image_n of_o the_o sun_n make_v of_o iron_n be_v bring_v in_o which_o be_v attract_v by_o a_o great_a loadstone_n fix_v in_o the_o ceiling_n ascend_v up_o to_o the_o image_n of_o serapis_n then_o they_o cry_v out_o that_o the_o sun_n salute_v their_o god_n but_o when_o the_o iron_n image_n fall_v down_o again_o and_o the_o sunbeam_n go_v off_o from_o serapis_n mouth_n they_o say_v that_o the_o sun_n have_v finish_v his_o compliment_n be_v retire_v to_o go_v about_o his_o own_o affair_n after_o that_o theodosius_n have_v defeat_v the_o rebel_n eugenius_n he_o go_v to_o rome_n where_o still_o the_o whole_a senate_n stand_v up_o for_o paganism_n their_o chief_a reason_n be_v because_o for_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n rome_n have_v thrive_v well_o enough_o with_o its_o god_n from_o who_o it_o have_v receive_v all_o sort_n of_o prosperity_n the_o emperor_n make_v a_o speech_n in_o the_o senate-house_n persuade_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n but_o

day_n one_o serve_v the_o turn_n beside_o he_o confess_v that_o the_o oracle_n be_v fall_v to_o decay_v in_o boeotia_n a_o country_n which_o have_v former_o be_v famous_a for_o produce_v a_o great_a number_n of_o they_o all_o this_o it_o be_v true_a prove_v the_o cessation_n of_o some_o oracle_n and_o the_o diminution_n of_o the_o credit_n of_o other_o but_o not_o the_o entire_a cessation_n of_o all_o which_o however_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n for_o those_o to_o prove_v who_o maintain_v the_o common_a opinion_n the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n be_v not_o so_o mighty_o decay_v in_o plutarch_n time_n for_o he_o himself_o tell_v we_o in_o another_o treatise_n that_o the_o temple_n of_o delphos_n be_v then_o far_o more_o magnificent_a than_o ever_o it_o have_v be_v that_o they_o have_v repair_v the_o ancient_a building_n which_o time_n begin_v to_o ruin_v and_o that_o they_o have_v add_v other_o to_o it_o which_o be_v altogether_o after_o the_o modern_a mode_n that_o there_o be_v a_o small_a town_n near_o delphos_n which_o increase_v daily_o by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o have_v its_o nourishment_n from_o the_o old_a city_n like_o a_o little_a tree_n that_o spring_v from_o the_o foot_n of_o a_o great_a one_o and_o that_o this_o little_a town_n be_v become_v more_o considerable_a than_o it_o have_v be_v for_o a_o thousand_o year_n past_a but_o even_o in_o this_o dialogue_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n demetrius_n the_o cilician_n one_o of_o the_o interlocutor_n say_v that_o before_o he_o begin_v his_o voyage_n the_o oracle_n of_o amphilochus_n and_o mopsus_n be_v as_o flourish_v as_o ever_o but_o that_o since_o he_o come_v from_o thence_o he_o know_v not_o how_o thing_n stand_v with_o with_o they_o you_o see_v then_o what_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n at_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o treatise_n of_o plutarch_n to_o which_o a_o multitude_n of_o learned_a man_n refer_v you_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o here_o my_o author_n pretend_v that_o we_o be_v also_o fall_v into_o a_o gross_a mistake_n concern_v a_o passage_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o divination_n where_o cicero_n laugh_v at_o the_o oracle_n that_o be_v deliver_v by_o apollo_n in_o latin_a to_o pyrrhus_n who_o consult_v he_o concern_v the_o war_n he_o be_v go_v to_o make_v against_o the_o roman_n this_o oracle_n have_v a_o double_a meaning_n so_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v whether_o pyrrhus_n shall_v overcome_v the_o roman_n or_o the_o roman_n overcome_v pyrrhus_n the_o equivocation_n be_v so_o peculiar_a to_o the_o latin_a phrase_n that_o one_o can_v well_o render_v it_o into_o english_a for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v translate_v it_o better_o than_o thus_o i_o do_v pronounce_v that_o rome_n pyrrhus_n shall_v overcome_v but_o the_o word_n of_o cicero_n concern_v this_o oracle_n be_v these_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v he_o apollo_n never_o speak_v latin_a in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o greek_n know_v nothing_o of_o this_o oracle_n three_o apollo_n in_o the_o time_n of_o pyrrhus_n have_v leave_v off_o rhyme_v in_o fine_a although_o the_o aeacides_n from_o which_o family_n pyrrhus_n be_v descend_v be_v far_o from_o be_v man_n of_o a_o fine_a judgement_n or_o of_o a_o pierce_v wit_n yet_o the_o equivocation_n of_o the_o oracle_n be_v so_o manifest_a that_o pyrrhus_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o perceive_v it_o but_o why_o be_v it_o so_o long_o since_o any_o oracle_n be_v deliver_v in_o this_o kind_n at_o delphos_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o now_o adays_o nothing_o be_v more_o despise_v than_o they_o be_v it_o be_v on_o these_o last_o word_n that_o the_o opinion_n be_v ground_v that_o oracle_n be_v not_o deliver_v at_o delphos_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cicero_n but_o my_o author_n say_v that_o they_o be_v deceive_v who_o think_v so_o and_o that_o these_o word_n why_o be_v there_o no_o more_o oracle_n deliver_v in_o this_o kind_n at_o delphos_n plain_o show_v that_o cicero_n speak_v only_o of_o oracle_n in_o verse_n since_o he_o be_v discourse_v in_o that_o place_n about_o one_o wrap_v up_o in_o a_o hexameter_n but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v altogether_o of_o my_o author_n opinion_n for_o observe_v how_o cicero_n go_v on_o when_o the_o defender_n of_o oracle_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o they_o answer_v that_o this_o virtue_n in_o the_o exhalation_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o inspire_v the_o pythian_a priestess_n be_v evaporate_v with_o length_n of_o time_n one_o will_v think_v that_o they_o be_v talk_v of_o some_o wine_n that_o be_v grow_v flat_a and_o that_o have_v lose_v its_o spirit_n for_o what_o time_n can_v consume_v or_o dry_v up_o a_o virtue_n all_o divine_a and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o divine_a than_o a_o exhalation_n from_o the_o earth_n which_o work_v such_o a_o effect_n upon_o the_o soul_n as_o to_o give_v it_o both_o the_o knowledge_n of_o futurity_n and_o the_o power_n to_o express_v its_o self_n in_o verse_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o cicero_n mean_v that_o the_o whole_a virtue_n be_v entire_o lose_v whereas_o he_o will_v have_v acknowledge_v that_o a_o good_a part_n of_o it_o have_v remain_v if_o oracle_n be_v still_o deliver_v at_o delphos_n though_o but_o in_o prose_n for_o no_o man_n will_v say_v that_o a_o prophecy_n be_v nothing_o at_o all_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o verse_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o they_o be_v so_o mighty_o mistake_v who_o take_v this_o passage_n for_o a_o absolute_a proof_n of_o the_o entire_a cessation_n of_o oracle_n at_o delphos_n but_o they_o do_v ill_a who_o pretend_v to_o draw_v any_o argument_n from_o thence_o for_o attribute_v this_o cessation_n to_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o the_o oracle_n cease_v too_o soon_o for_o that_o since_o it_o appear_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n that_o it_o cease_v a_o long_a time_n before_o cicero_n but_o for_o all_o this_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o in_o truth_n as_o cicero_n seem_v to_o understand_v it_o in_o this_o place_n for_o he_o himself_o in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o divination_n make_v his_o brother_n quintus_n who_o stand_v up_o for_o oracle_n to_o speak_v in_o this_o manner_n i_o rely_v upon_o this_o point_n that_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n have_v never_o be_v so_o famous_a and_o have_v never_o receive_v so_o many_o offering_n from_o king_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o prediction_n have_v not_o be_v acknowledge_v now_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o famous_a because_o its_o prediction_n be_v less_o true_a and_o so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v once_o extreme_o true_a it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v so_o mighty_a famous_a heretofore_o as_o it_o be_v but_o which_o be_v yet_o a_o strong_a proof_n cicero_n himself_o as_o plutarch_n relate_v in_o his_o life_n do_v in_o his_o youth_n consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n concern_v the_o conduct_n he_o ought_v to_o keep_v in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v answer_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v follow_v his_o genius_n rather_o than_o conform_v himself_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a now_o if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o cicero_n consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n yet_o at_o least_o this_o story_n oblige_v we_o to_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o cicero_n it_o be_v consult_v chap._n ii_o why_o the_o ancient_a author_n contradict_v each_o other_o very_o often_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v object_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v then_o that_o in_o the_o five_o book_n of_o lucan_n pharsalia_n we_o find_v this_o account_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n which_o have_v be_v silent_a ever_o since_o great_a man_n be_v afraid_a of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o forbid_v that_o the_o god_n shall_v declare_v it_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o all_o those_o favour_n of_o heaven_n which_o our_o age_n have_v lose_v and_o a_o little_a after_o appius_n who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o destiny_n of_o italy_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o go_v and_o interrogate_v this_o cavern_n that_o have_v be_v mute_a so_o long_o and_o to_o move_v the_o tripos_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o undisturbed_a and_o that_o juvenal_n say_v in_o a_o certain_a place_n since_o the_o oracle_n speak_v no_o more_o at_o delphos_n in_o fine_a whence_o come_v it_o that_o among_o the_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n we_o find_v some_o who_o say_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n speak_v no_o more_o and_o other_o that_o say_v he_o speak_v still_o and_o whence_o come_v it_o that_o the_o same_o author_n sometime_o contradict_v himself_o so_o often_o upon_o this_o subject_a the_o reason_n

they_o reply_v that_o by_o custom_n and_o experience_n they_o have_v find_v paganism_n to_o be_v a_o good_a and_o convenient_a religion_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v change_v it_o for_o that_o of_o the_o christian_n they_o can_v not_o foresee_v what_o may_v be_v the_o event_n be_v not_o this_o fine_a theology_n for_o the_o roman-senate_n theodosius_n find_v that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o way_n to_o deal_v with_o they_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o public_a treasury_n be_v too_o much_o exhaust_v by_o make_v chargeable_a sacrifice_n and_o that_o he_o have_v occasion_n to_o employ_v that_o money_n in_o pay_v his_o army_n they_o reply_v that_o their_o sacrifice_n will_v not_o be_v acceptable_a unless_o they_o be_v make_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o public_a but_o that_o inconvenience_n be_v no_o argument_n with_o he_o so_o he_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o sacrifice_n and_o old_a ceremony_n and_o zosimus_n do_v not_o let_v flip_v the_o occasion_n of_o observe_v that_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o all_o sort_n of_o misfortune_n happen_v to_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o theodosius_n make_v that_o voyage_n to_o rome_n serena_n the_o wife_n of_o stilicon_n enter_v into_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o the_o god_n to_o put_v some_o affront_n upon_o she_o and_o that_o she_o make_v bold_a to_o convert_v to_o her_o own_o use_n a_o fair_a necklace_n which_o the_o goddess_n wear_v this_o a_o old_a vestal_a virgin_n reprove_v she_o very_o sharp_o for_o and_o as_o she_o go_v out_o of_o the_o temple_n follow_v she_o curse_v she_o with_o a_o thousand_o imprecation_n after_o which_o say_v zosimus_n the_o poor_a serena_n be_v often_o fright_v both_o wake_v and_o sleep_v with_o a_o certain_a apparition_n that_o threaten_v she_o with_o sudden_a death_n but_o the_o last_o effort_n of_o paganism_n be_v those_o make_v by_o symmachus_n to_o obtain_v of_o the_o emperor_n valentinian_n theodosius_n and_o arcadius_n the_o re-establishment_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o vestal_n and_o of_o the_o altar_n of_o victory_n in_o the_o capitol_n but_o all_o the_o world_n know_v with_o what_o vigour_n st._n ambrose_n oppose_v he_o yet_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o very_a proceed_n in_o that_o contention_n that_o rome_n do_v in_o those_o day_n retain_v a_o strong_a tincture_n of_o paganism_n for_o st._n ambrose_n ask_v symmachus_n why_o the_o pagan_n be_v not_o content_v with_o have_v the_o public_a place_n portico_n and_o bath_n fill_v with_o their_o idol_n and_o if_o nothing_o will_v serve_v their_o turn_n unless_o the_o altar_n of_o victory_n be_v set_v up_o in_o the_o very_a capitol_n which_o be_v the_o place_n of_o the_o whole_a city_n whither_o most_o christian_n resort_v that_o the_o christian_n say_v he_o may_v whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o have_v the_o smoke_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n blow_v in_o their_o eye_n the_o music_n in_o their_o ear_n the_o ash_n in_o their_o throat_n and_o the_o incense_n in_o their_o nose_n nay_o even_o when_o rome_n be_v besiege_v by_o alaricus_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o honorius_n it_o be_v still_o full_a of_o idol_n zosimus_n complain_v that_o all_o thing_n conspire_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o unhappy_a city_n the_o god_n be_v not_o only_o rob_v of_o their_o ornament_n but_o even_o some_o of_o those_o that_o be_v of_o gold_n or_o silver_n be_v themselves_o melt_v down_o of_o which_o number_n be_v the_o goddess_n of_o fortitude_n which_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o whole_o abandon_v the_o roman_n though_o this_o be_v a_o lucky_a hit_n yet_o zosimus_n will_v never_o make_v it_o pass_v upon_o we_o for_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o take_n of_o that_o city_n i_o be_o in_o some_o suspense_n whether_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o author_n we_o may_v admit_v the_o follow_a story_n to_o be_v true_a honorius_n forbid_v all_o person_n that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o appear_v at_o court_n with_o a_o shoulder-belt_n or_o to_o have_v any_o military_a command_n generidus_n a_o pagan_a and_o barbarian_a too_o but_o a_o man_n of_o great_a courage_n who_o command_v the_o troop_n that_o lay_v in_o dalmatia_n and_o pannonia_n come_v no_o more_o into_o the_o emperor_n presence_n lay_v aside_o his_o shoulder-belt_n and_o forbear_v to_o exercise_v his_o charge_n honorius_n one_o day_n ask_v he_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o he_o come_v not_o to_o court_v in_o his_o turn_n as_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v to_o which_o he_o reply_v that_o there_o be_v a_o law_n make_v that_o dispossess_v he_o of_o his_o belt_n and_o his_o command_n the_o emperor_n tell_v he_o that_o law_n be_v not_o for_o such_o man_n as_o he_o be_v but_o he_o answer_v that_o he_o can_v not_o take_v the_o benefit_n of_o any_o distinction_n that_o separate_v he_o from_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o same_o worship_n with_o himself_o in_o effect_n he_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o act_v again_o in_o his_o command_n till_o the_o emperor_n himself_o compel_v to_o it_o by_o necessity_n repeal_v that_o law._n if_o this_o story_n be_v true_a than_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v that_o honorius_n contribute_v very_o little_a to_o the_o down-fall_a of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n but_o at_o last_o all_o exercise_n of_o that_o religion_n be_v prohibit_v on_o pain_n of_o death_n by_o a_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n valentinian_n the_o three_o and_o martian_a in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 451._o and_o this_o be_v the_o last_o blow_v give_v to_o that_o superstition_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v that_o those_o very_a emperor_n who_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o the_o advancement_n of_o christianity_n do_v for_o all_o that_o themselves_o retain_v some_o relic_n of_o heathenism_n which_o serve_v to_o augment_v their_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n they_o still_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n that_o be_v to_o say_v chief_a patriarch_n as_o it_o be_v of_o those_o who_o divine_v by_o the_o flight_n of_o bird_n and_o the_o entrail_n of_o beast_n and_o of_o all_o the_o college_n of_o pagan_a priest_n and_o supreme_a head_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a romish_a idolatry_n zosimus_n pretend_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a valentinian_n and_o valens_n willing_o accept_v from_o the_o heathen_a priest_n both_o the_o title_n and_o habit_n of_o that_o dignity_n which_o according_a to_o custom_n be_v present_v to_o they_o at_o their_o accession_n to_o the_o empire_n but_o that_o gratian_n refuse_v the_o pontifical_a office_n which_o be_v relate_v to_o the_o priest_n the_o principal_a among_o they_o reply_v in_o a_o great_a heat_n si_fw-mi princeps_fw-la non_fw-la vult_fw-la appellari_fw-la pontifex_fw-la admodum_fw-la brevi_fw-la pontifex_fw-la maximus_fw-la fiet_fw-la the_o sharpness_n of_o which_o saying_n lie_v whole_o in_o the_o latin_a word_n and_o it_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o revolt_n of_o maximus_n against_o gratian_n at_o that_o time_n with_o a_o design_n to_o strip_v he_o of_o the_o empire_n but_o the_o old_a inscription_n still_o remain_v be_v a_o testimony_n of_o this_o matter_n more_o to_o be_v credit_v than_o zosimus_n there_o we_o see_v the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n give_v to_o the_o christian_a emperor_n even_o in_o the_o six_o century_n two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christianity_n have_v ascend_v the_o throne_n the_o gruterus_n emperor_n justin_n among_o his_o other_o title_n assume_v that_o of_o pontifex_n maximus_n in_o a_o inscription_n which_o he_o have_v cause_v to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o city_n of_o justinopolis_n in_o istria_n which_o be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o god_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n be_v sure_o much_o worse_a than_o to_o be_v the_o pontifex_n maximus_n of_o it_o now_o the_o heathen_n erect_v the_o roman_a emperor_n into_o god_n and_o well_o they_o may_v see_v they_o make_v the_o city_n of_o rome_n a_o goddess_n the_o emperor_n theodosius_n and_o arcadius_n though_o they_o be_v christian_n permit_v symmachus_n that_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n to_o give_v they_o the_o title_n of_o vestra_fw-la divinitas_fw-la or_o your_o divinity_n which_o can_v be_v only_o take_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o in_o some_o inscription_n which_o be_v set_v up_o in_o honour_n of_o arcadius_n and_o honorius_n these_o follow_a word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v devotus_fw-la numini_fw-la majestatique_fw-la eorum_fw-la that_o be_v devote_v to_o their_o divinity_n and_o majesty_n but_o the_o christian_a emperor_n go_v far_a than_o the_o bare_a receive_n of_o those_o title_n for_o they_o give_v they_o to_o themselves_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o constitution_n or_o law_n of_o theodosius_n valentinian_n honorius_n and_o arcadius_n wherein_o they_o sometime_o call_v their_o edict_n heavenly_a statute_n and_o divine_a oracle_n and_o sometime_o they_o say_v express_o the_o most_o happy_a