a pious woman BUt we must relate what was done at Edessa a City of Mesopotamia In that City there is a stately and splendid Church which bears the name of Thomas the Apostle wherein assemblies in order to the performance of the publick duties of Religion are without intermission convened by reason of that places sanctity The Emperour Valens desirous to view this Church and being informed that the whole congregation met therein were followers of that Heresie which he detested struck the Praefect with his own hand as 't is said because he had not taken care to have them driven from that place When the Praefect after this manner abused made preparations though unwillingly to obey the Emperours rage for he was not willing to be the instrument of the murder of so many persons he gave them notice secretly to the intent that no person might be found within that Church But no body heeded either his advice or his menaces For on the day following all persons flock't to the Church And when the Praefect with a great company of Souldiers hastened to the Oratory in order to his fulfilling the Emperours rage a poor woman leading her own little son by the hand went with great speed towards the Church and broke through the ranks of Souldiers which Guarded the Praefect At which the Praefect being highly displeased orders the woman to be brought to him And speaks to her after this manner Miserable woman Whither runnest thou in this undecent manner She replied To the same place that others run too Have you not heard said he That the Praefect is going to put to death all persons that shall be found there I have heard so answered she and do therefore make hast that I may be found there And whither draggest thou that little child said the Praefect the woman replied that he also may be voutsafed the honour of Martyrdom Upon hearing hereof the Praefect made a conjecture of the constancy aâ—d resolution of the persons assembled in the Church And he went back immediately to the Emperour and informed him that all of them were ready to die for their own faith And declaring withall that it would be absurd to destroy so many persons in so short a time he thereby perswaded the Emperour to desist from being enraged After this manner the Edessens escaped their being destroyed by their own Emperour CHAP. XIX That the Emperour Valens slew many persons the first letter of whose name was Theta upon account of a certain Necromantick divination whereby that was foretold AT the same time a certain destructive Daemon abused the Emperours cruelty For he perswaded some persons to make a strict and over-busie enquiry by a Necromantick divination who should succeed Valens in the Empire To which persons having made use of a certain Magicall inchantment the Daemon gave responses not plain and manifest but as he usually does oblique and ambiguous by shewing only four Letters Theta and Epsilon and Omicron and Delta saying that his name who should Reign after Valens did begin with these Letters and that his name was compounded The report of what had been done came to the Emperours ears But he permitted noâ— God who manages all things in a due and orderly manner to have the knowledge of things future and to do what seemed good to him but slighting the sanctions of Christianity for which he supposed himself to have a zeal and ardency he put many to death of whom he had a suspicion that they would seize upon the Empire Therefore the Theodorus's the Theodotus's the Theodosius's and the Theodulus's and as many as had such like names as these were deprived of their lives Amongst whom one Theodosiolus a person of great Valour and Courage a descendant of a Noble Family in Spain was also put to death And out of a fear of the imminent danger many persons at that time changed their names denying those names their Parents had given them when they were young in regard they were liable to danger But let thus much be said concerning this CHAP. XX. Concerning Athanasius's death and the promotion of Peter to his See FUrther you are to know that as long as Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria lived the Emperour upon account of some over-ruling dispensation of Gods providence forbore disquieting Alexandria and Egypt knowing for certain that there was a numerous multitude of persons there who favoured Athanasius and for this reason he was afraid least a sedition being raised at Alexandria the populace who are naturally hot and violent should endammage the publick state of affairs Moreover Athanasius after those many Conflicts He had undergone upon the Church's account departed this life in the second Consulate of Gratianus which he bore with Probus he governed that Bishoprick amidst many dangers fourty and six years and left Peter a pious and eloquent person to succeed him in his See CHAP. XXI That after Athanasius's death the Arians by the Emperour Valens's Order delivered up the Churches in Alexandria to Lucius who had been Ordained by them before and committed Peter to Prison THe Arians therefore took courage immediately being rendred insolent by the Emperour's Religion and without delay they give an account hereof to the Emperour who then resided at Antioch At the same time also Euzoius who presided over the professours of Arianism at Antioch with greediness catches that opportunity so seasonably offered and makes it his design to procure himself to be sent to Alexandria to the intent that he might deliver possession of the Churches there to Lucius the Arian Which was also approved of by the Emperour And forthwith he went to Alexandria accompanied with the Imperial Forces For Magnus Lord Treasurer to the Emperour went along with him The Imperial Order was directed to Palladius Praefect of Egypt and a command was issued forth that the Military Forces there should give their assistance Wherefore they apprehended Peter and confined him to Prison After they had dispersed the other Ecclesiasticks some into one place some into another they seated Lucius in the Episcopal Chair CHAP. XXII That Sabinus the Macedonian Heretick has made no mention of those many mischiefs which happened at Lucius's installment But they are recorded in a Letter written by Peter who made his escape and fled to Damasus Bishop of Rome But the Arians and Lucius were the Authours of many mischievous practises and cruelties against those holy persons who led a Monastick life in the Solitudes MOreover what mischiefs hapned at Lucius's induction into the Sea of Alexandria or what was done against those persons that were ejected as well in as without the Courts of Judicature and how some were subjected to various Tortures and others were banished even after they had been tortured of any of these particulars there is not the least mention made by Sabinus For in regard he was a Semi-Arian he concealed the enormous villanies of his friends But
others another When a Sedition was raised about this matter the Governour of that Province a person vested with a Consular dignity whose name was Ambrosius fearing least some absurdity might happen in the City caused by that tumult ran into the Church in order to his appeasing of the uproar After that the people upon his coming thither were quieted and that he had represt the irrational fury of the multitude by a long and very usefull exhortatory Oration there hapned on a suddain an unanimous agreement amongst all persons who cried out that Ambrosius deserved the Bishoprick and all made it their request that he might be ordained For by that means only 't was said the people would be united and embrace a concordant opinion concerning the Faith In regard therefore this unanimous consent of the people seemed to the Bishops that were present to proceed from some divine order and appointment without delay they laid hold of Ambrosius and having baptized him for he was then but a Catechumen they forthwith went about the promoting of him to the dignity of that Bishoprick But because Ambrosius though he received Baptism with much willingness yet refused the Episcopal dignity with all imaginable earnestness the Bishops acquaint the Emperour Valentinianus with what hapned The Emperour admiring the unanimous consent of the people and acknowledging what had come to pass to be the work of God declared to the Bishops that they ought to obey God who had commanded he should be ordained for that he was elected by the suffrage of God rather than of men Ambrosius being after this manner constituted Bishop the Inhabitants of Millaine who had been at variance before were by his means reduced at that time to unity and concord CHAP. XXXI Concerning Valentinianus's death BUt after this when the Sarmatae made incursions into the Roman Territories the Emperour undertook an expedition against them at the head of a vast Army The Barbarians informed of these great preparations for a War and being sensible of their own inability to make a resistance sent an Embassy to the Emperour and requested that they might obtain a Peace upon certain conditions When the Embassadours were introduced into the Emperours presence and appeared to him to be vile and despicable fellows he asked whether all-the Sarmatae were such sort of persons The Embassadours made answer that the noblest personages of their whole Nation were come to him whereupon Valentinianus was highly incensed and crying out with a very loud voice said that he was very unfortunate to have the Roman Empire devolve upon him when such a Nation of Barbarians so vile and contemptible was not satisfied to continue in safety within its own limits but would take up Arms depopulate the Roman Territories and audaciously break out into a War And he tore himself in such a manner by his crying out that all his Veines were opened and every one of his Arteries broken A vast quantity of bloud gushing out after this manner he died in the Castle called Bergition after Gratianus's third Consulate which he bore with Equitius about the seventeenth of the month November when he had lived fifty four years and reigned thirteen Valentinianus therefore having ended his life the Milice in Italy on the sixth day after his death proclaimed his Son who had the same name with his Father Valentinianus a very young child Emperour in Acincum a City of Italy The Emperours informed hereof were displeased not because Valentinianus Junior who was brother to the one Emperour and the others Nephew was made Emperour but in regard he had been proclaimed without either of their being acquainted with it whom they themselves were about to proclaim Notwithstanding both of them gave their consent to his being made Emperour After this manner was Valentinianus Junior seated on his own Fathers Throne Further you must know that this Valentinianus was begotten by Valentinianus Senior of Justina which woman he married whilest Severa his former wife was living on this occasion Justus Father to Justina who heretofore to wit in Constantius's Reign had been Governour of the Province Picenum had a Dream wherein to his own thinking he saw himself delivered of the Imperial purple which he brought forth out of his right side this Dream being divulged at length came to Constantius's hearing also He guessing at the meaning of the Dream to wit that an Emperour should descend from Justus sent one who dispatcht him His daughter Justina bereaved of her Father for a considerable while continued a Virgin Some time after she became known to Severa wife to the Emperour Valentinianus and was continually conversant with the Empress And after a firm familiarity was contracted between them she bathed her self also together with her When therefore Severa had seen Justina washing her self she was wonderfully taken with the Virgins beauteous composure of body and discoursed concerning her in the Emperours presence saying that that Virgin Justus's daughter was endowed with so admirable a compleatness of body that she her self although a woman was notwithstanding inamoured with her delicate shape The Emperour treasured up his Wives discourse in his mind and consulted about his marriage of Justina yet so as not to divorce Severa of whom he had begotten Gratianus and had created him Augustus but a little before He therefore dictated a Law and made it publick throughout every City that any one that would might have two Lawfull wives This Law was promulged And he married Justina by whom he had Valentinianus Junior and three daughters Justa Grata and Galla. The two former of which persisted in their resolution of continuing Virgins but Galla was afterwards married to the Emperour Theodosius the Great of whom he begat a daughter by name Placidia For he had Arcadius and Honorius by Flaccilla his former wife But we shall speak in particular concerning Theodosius and his sons in due place CHAP. XXXII Concerning the Philosopher Themistius And that Valens appeased by the Oration he spake to him did in some measure mitigate his Persecution against the Christians VAlens making his Residence at Antioch continued in the interim undisturbed by forreign Wars For the Barbarians did on every side contain themselves within their own Territories But he Persecuted those who embraced the Homoöusian opinion in a most grievous manner and every day invented greater and more acute punishments to be inflicted on them Till such time as the Philosopher Themistius reduced his great cruelty to something of a moderation by that Speech he spake to him wherein the Philosopher advertizes the Emperour that he ought not to admire at the disagreement of Opinions amongst the Christians For that the discrepancy of sentiments amongst them was small if compared with the multitude and confusion of Opinions amongst the Grecians For they entertained above three hundred Opinions Further that as touching Opinion there would of necessity arise a wonderfull dissent from
not imprudently who abjured the Faith and that after the manner of the Pythagoreans he injoyned a five years silence to his followers the foresaid Authour having recounted these things and others like them concerning this Basilides hath most diligently detected and brought to light the errour of the forementioned Heresie But Irenaeus writeth also that Carpocrates the father of another Heresie termed the Gnostick Heresie was cotemporary with these These Gnosticks thought that those magical delusions of Simon 's were not to be exposed covertly as he did but publickly and openly boasting of amorous potions accurately and curiously made by them and of certain spirits that were causes of Dreams and Familiars and of certain other such like delusions as if these were the greatest and onely excellent things And agreeable hereunto they taught that those who would arrive to perfection in their mysteries or rather detestable wickednesses must act all things that were most filthy and unclean being no other ways able to avoid the Rulers of the world as they call them unless they distributed to all of them their dues by most filthy and detestable acts of obscenity The devill therefore who delights in mischief making use of these instruments it came to pass that he both miserably enslaved such as were seduced by them and so led them into destruction and also gave those Nations that were unbelievers a great occasion of abundantly slandring the divine doctrine a report arising from them being diffused to the reproachfull detraction of the whole Christian Religion Upon this account therefore chiefly it happened than an impious and most absurd suspition concerning us was spread abroad amongst those who then were unbelievers as if we used detestable carnal copulation with mothers and sisters and fed upon nefarious meats But these crafts of the devil 's did not long succeed with him the truth asserted and confirmed its self and in process of time shone forth most clearly and apparently For these devices of the adversaries being repelled by their own force forthwith became extinct Heresies of a different sort newly designed and cut out and succeeding one after the other the former forthwith melted and fell away and being dissolved into kinds that were of divers sorts and fashions were some one way some another destroyed But the brightness of the Catholick and onely true Church being always the same and so continuing stedfast and like it self was greatly increased and augmented the gravity the sincerity the ingenious freedom the modesty and purity of an holy conversation and Philosophical course of life shooting forth a splendour over all Nations both Grecians and Barbarians That reproachfull detraction therefore wherewith our Religion had been overspread was instantly suppressed Wherefore our doctrine continued to be the onely and the prevailing opinion among all men and was confessed to be most eminently flourishing upon account of its gravity its prudent modesty and its divine and wise precepts in so much that no one hitherto hath been so audacious as to charge our faith with any foul slander or any such reproachfull detraction as those our old adversaries were formerly ready and willing to make use of But moreover in these times the truth again produced many that were its defenders who engaged these impious Heresies not onely with unwritten arguments but also with penned demonstrations CHAP. VIII What Ecclesiastical Writers there were in those times AMongst which flourished Hegesippus out of whom we have quoted many words in our foregoing books when we delivered some passages of those things done in the Apostles times from his relation thereof He therefore having in five books set forth the certain relation of the Apostolick doctrine in a most plain series evidently shews the time wherein he flourished writing thus concerning those who at first set up images For whom they made Monuments and Temples as untill now they doe Of which number is Antinous the servant of Caesar Adrianus in honour of whom there is a sacred game instituted called Antinoium which is celebrated now in our days For Adrian also built a City and named it Antinous and instituted Prophets At the same time also Justin a sincere lover of the true Philosophy as yet spent his time about and was studious in the writings of the gentile Philosophers he in like manner declares this very time in his Apologie to Antoninus writing thus We judge it not absurd here to mention Antinous also who lived very lately whom all men through fear have undertaken to worship as a God not withstanding they evidently know who he was and from whence he had his original The same Authour mentioning also the war then waged against the Jews adds thus much For in the late Jewish war Barchochebas who was the Head of the Jewish Rebellion gave command that the Christians onely should be most cruelly tormented unless they would deny Jesus Christ and blaspheme But moreover declaring in the same book his own conversion from the gentile Philosophy to the worship of the true God that it was not done by him rashly and unadvisedly but with judgment and consideration he writes thus I also my self being much addicted to and affected with the Platonick Philosophy hearing the Christians calumniated and seeing them undaunted at death and at what ever else is accounted terrible thought it impossible that such men should live wickedly and be given to voluptuousness For what sensual or intemperate person and one who accounts humane flesh good food could willingly embrace death which would deprive him of his desires and would not rather use his utmost endeavour to live continually in this life and conceal himself from the Magistrates much less would he voluntarily offer himself to be put to death Moreover the same Authour relates that Adrian having received letters from that most eminent Governour Serenius Granianus concerning the Christians setting forth how unjust it was they should be slain uncondemned meerly to gratifie the clamours of the people when no accusation appeared against them wrote an answer to Minucius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia wherein he commanded that no one should be put to death without a judiciary prosecution and an accusation lawfull and allowable And Justin there produceth the copy of the Rescript in Latine the language wherein it was originally written But before it he premiseth these words And although from the letter of the most excellent and renowned Caesar Adrianus your father we might request you would give command that the judiciary proceedings against us be made according as we desire yet we crave this not so much because it was commanded by Adrian but in regard we know and understand our petition to be just And moreover that you may perceive what we say herein to be true we have inserted the copy of Adrian's letter which is thus To these words Justin hath annexed the Latine copy of the Letter which we as well as we could have done into Greek
to send this Edict to the Common-Council of Asia CHAP. XIII The Rescript of Antoninus to the Common Council of Asia concerning our Religion THe Emperour Caesar Mareus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus Armenicus Pontifex Maximus Tribune of the People XV Consul III. to the Common Councill of Asia sendeth greeting We know indeed that the Gods doe take care this sort of men should not continue undiscovered For it is much more sutable for them to punish such as resuse to pay them Adoration than for you You confirm those whom you molest and disquiet in their opinion which they have embraced whilest you accuse them of impiety And it would please them much more to seem to be accused and put to death for their own God than to live upon which account they are become conquerours and doe willingly lose their lives rather than they will be induced to doe what you command them But concerning the Earthquakes which either have been or yet doe happen it will not be inconvenient to advertise you because you despond and are out of heart when such accidents come to pass to compare your manner of life and behaviour with theirs They at such times put a greater confidence in God but you during the whole time upon which account you seem to us to err through ignorance neglect the Gods and are careless both of all other religious performances and also of the worship of the immortal God And the Christians who adore him you are enraged at and persecute even to death Concerning these men many Governours of Provinces heretofore wrote to our most divine father To whom he returned answer that such men should not be molested unless it appeared they attempted any thing prejudicial to the State of the Roman Empire And many also have given us intimation concerning these men whom we answered pursuant to our Fathers decree If therefore any one shall still persevere to give disturbance to any one of these sort of men because he is a Christian the party accused shall be acquitted although it evidently appears he is a Christian but the accuser shall be obnoxious to punishment This Edict was publisht at Ephesus in the publick assembly of Asia That these things were thus done Melito Bishop of the Church at Sardis who flourisht in the same times does evidently attest by what he has said in his most usefull Apologie which he made to the Emperour Verus for our Religion CHAP. XIV Some memoires of Polycarp the disciple of the Apostles AT this time Anicetus presiding over the Roman Church Irenaeus relates that Polycarp who till now survived came to Rome and discourst Anicetus about a question that arose concerning Easter-day And the same Authour delivers another relation concerning Polycarp in his third book against Heresies which I judged requisite to adjoyn to what has been mentioned concerning him it is thus And Polycarp who was not onely instructed by the Apostles and conversant with many that saw Christ but also was by the Apostles ordained Bishop of the Church of Smyrna in Asia whom we also saw in our younger days for he lived to a great age and being very antient ended his life by a glorious and most renowned Martyrdom This Polycarp I say continually taught what he had learned of the Apostles such points as the Church now teacheth and such onely as are true all the Churches throughout Asia doe attest this and also all those who to this day have been successours to Polycarp who doubtless is a witness much more worthy to be credited and gives a firmer assurance to the truth than either Valentinus or Marcion or any other Authours of corrupt opinions This Polycarp coming to Rome in the times of Anicetus converted many of the foresaid Hereticks to the Church of God declaring that he had received the one and onely truth from the Apostles which was taught by the Church And there are some yet surviving who heard him relate that John the disciple of the Lord going into the Bath at Ephesus to wash himself and seeing Cerinthus in it leapt out having not bathed himself but said let us make hast away least the Bath fall Cerinthus that enemy of the Truth being within it This same Polycarp also when Marcion on a time came into his presence and said to him Take acquaintance of us returned him answer I take notice of thee to be the first begotten of the devill So exceedingly cautious were the Apostles and their disciples not so much as by speech to have any converse with such as were corrupters of the Truth as Paul also said A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself There is extant also of this Polycarp's a most incomparable Epistle written to the Philippians from which those who are desirous to be carefull about their own salvation may learn the character of his Faith and the publication of the Truth Thus far Irenaeus But Polycarp in his said Epistle to the Philippians which is still extant quotes some authorities out of the first Epistle of Peter Moreover Antoninus surnamed Pius having compleated the two and twentieth year of his Reign died and was succeeded by M Aurelius Verus who also was named Antoninus and was his son and his brother Lucius CHAP. XV. How in the Reign of Verus Polycarp together with others suffered Martyrdom in the City of Smyrna AT this time when most sore persecutions were stirred up in Asia Polycarp ended his life by Martyrdom The account of whose death as it is yet extant in writing we judged most requisite to be inserted into this our History It is an Epistle written from the Church over which he presided to the Churches throughout Pontus which sets forth the sufferings of Polycarp in these words The Church of God which is at Smyrna to the Church at Philomelium and to all the congregations of holy Catholick Church every where the mercy peace and love of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied we have written unto you brethren both concerning others who suffered Martyrdom and also about the blessed Polycarp who by his own Martyrdom sealed up as it were and put an end to the persecution After these words before their relation concerning Polycarp they give an account of the other Martyrs describing their constancy of mind during their torments For those they say who stood round were astonished when they saw them first lacerated with scourges even as deep as their in-most Veins and Arteries insomuch that the hidden parts of their bodies and their bowels were visible then laid upon the shells of a sort of Sea-fish and on some very sharp heads of darts and Javelins strewed on the ground and undergoing all sorts of punishments and torments and in fine thrown to the wild beasts to be devoured But most especially they relate that
their outward eyes under the person of their sister Him who was therefore crucified for them that he might perswade those which believe in him that whosoever suffers for the glory of Christ hath eternal communion with the living God Now when none of the wild-beasts would then touch her she was taken from the stake and cast again into prison being reserved for another combat that so having been Conquerour in many incounters she might render the condemnation of the crooked Serpent inexcusable also she encouraged the brethren and though she was a person of small estimation infirm and despicable yet having clothed herself with the strength of Christ that great and invincible Champion she vanquished the adversary in many encounters and after a glorious combat was encircled with a Crown of incorruption Attalus also was by the multitude most earnestly required to be delivered up to punishment for he was an eminent person and by reason of the clearness of his conscience proceeded forth like a Champion prepared for the combat in that he had been perfectly and throughly exercised in the Christian discipline and was always a witness of the truth amongst us and after he had been lead round the Amphitheatre a table being carried before him whereon was written in the Roman tongue This is Attalus the Christian and the people had vehemently swell'd with rage and aâ—ger against him the President having understood that he was a Roman commanded he should again be committed to custody amongst the rest that were in prison Concerning whom he wrote to Caesar and expected an Edict from him Now this interval of time was spent neither idly nor unfruitâ—ully by them but by their patient sufferance the immeasurable mercy of Christ was made apparent for those members of the Church that were dead were by the living revived and the Martyrs conferred kindnesses upon those who were no Martyrs and there was a great joy begotten in the Virgin Mother the Church she having again received those alive whom by abortion she had cast forth as dead For through the means of the holy Martyrs many of those who had renounced the faith were newly formed in the womb born again had their vital heat rekindled in them and learned to confess themselves to be Christians And having now recovered life and strength they came before the tribunal God who desireth not the death of a sinner but is indulgent and kindly invites him to repentance inâ—using a sweetness into them that they might again be interrogated by the President For Caesar had signified by his Rescript that those who confest themselves to be Christians should be tortured but if any renounced the Faith they should be dismist from their imprisonment Now the publick Assembly here which is frequented by a numerous concourse of people of all nations that meet together at it being newly begun the President ordered the blessed Martyrs to be brought before the Tribunal making them a gazing-stock and by way of ostentation producing them as a pompous shew to the multitude When therefore he had again interrogated them as many as were found to have the priviledge of being free of the City of Rome he ordered should be beheaded the rest were cast to the wild-beasts But Christ was greatly glorified through those who formerly had renounced the Faith but then contrary to the expectation of the Heathens became to be Confessours for these persons were interrogated apart as being in all probability forthwith to be set at liberty but having confess 't themselves to be Christians they were added to the number of the Martyrs Now they continued without who never had the least impression of Faith nor a sense of the Wedding garment nor a thought about the fear of God but by their conversation defamed the way of Truth that is were the sons of perdition But all the rest were added to the Church during whose examination one Alexander by countrey a Phrygian by profession a Physitian a person who had dwelt many years in the Gallia's and was known almost to all men by reason of his love to God and his boldness and fearlesness in Preaching his word for he wanted not Apostolick grace standing near to the Tribunal and by nods encouraging them to a confession of the Faith appeared to those who stood round the Tribunal as if he endured the pangs of childbirth now the multitude being in a great sume because those who had before renounc't the Faith did now again make confession of it cried out against Alexander as if he were the occasion thereof and the President having commanded him to be set before him and asked him who he was and he having said that he was a Christian being in a rage condemned him to be cast to the wild-beasts And the day following he entred the Amphitheatre together with Attalus for the President to gratifie the multitude did again deliver Attalus to the wild-beasts which two persons having undergone all the instruments of torment in the Amphitheatre that were invented to torture them with and endured a great combat were at last run through with a sword Alexander indeed did neither sigh nor utter any expression at all but in his heart spoke to God and continued praysing of and praying to him but Attalus when he was set in the Iron chair and scortched all over when the favour of his burnt flesh ascended from his body said to the multitude in the Roman tongue behold this that you doe is to devour men but we neither devour men nor practise any other thing that is evill being asked also what name God had he answered God has not a name as man has In fine after all these persons on the last day of the Gladiatours combats Blandina was again brought forth together with Ponticus a youth about fifteen years old who also were everyday led in to see the tortures of the rest and they constrained them to swear by their Idols but because they continued firm and constant and contemned their gods the multitude was so enraged against them that they neither had compassion on the age of the young man nor shewed any reverential respect towards the Sex of the woman but exposed them to all manner of cruell tortures and made them pass through the whole circuit of torments now and then compelling them to swear but were unable to effect that For Ponticus being encouraged by his sister insomuch that the Heathens perceived it was â—he that encouraged and strengthened him having couragiously undergone all sorts of tortures gave up the ghost But the blessed Blandina the last of all having like a noble and valiant mother encouraged her children and sent them before as conquerors to the King after she had measured over the same course of Combats that her sons had passed through hastned to them being glad and rejoycing at her exit as if she had been invited to a nuptial supper and were not
go directly from thence to Constantinople he arrived at a place the name whereof is Dadastana it is Situate in the Frontiers of Galatia and Bithynia There Themistius the Philosopher with others of the Senatorian Order met him and recited his Consular Oration before him which he afterwards spoke in the presence of the people at Constantinople Indeed as well the Civill as Ecclesiastick affairs of the Roman Empire being blest with so good an Emperour would have been managed fortunately and successfully had not a sudden death ravish't so eminent a personage from the publick For being seized with a distemper termed an Obstruction in Winter time he ended his life at the fore mentioned place in his own and his Son Varronianus's Consulate upon the seventeenth of February Having Reigned seaven months and lived thirty three years This Book contains the transactions of affairs during the space of two years and five months THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE Ecclesiastical History OF SOCRATES SCHOLASTICUS CHAP. I. That after Jovianus's death Valentinianus is Proclaimed Emperour who made his Brother Valens his Colleague in the Empire And that Valentinianus was a Catholick but Valens an Arian THE Emperour Jovianus having ended his life as we have declared at Dadastana in his own and his Son Varronianus's Consulate on the seventeenth of February the Souldiers departing from Galatia on the seventh day after came to Nicaa in Bythinia where by a general suffrage they proclaim Valentinianus Emperour on the five and twentieth of February in the same Consulate By original extract he was a Pannonian born at the City Cibalis Having been entrusted with the leading of an Army he had given a demonstration of his great skill in Tacticks He was a personage of a large soul and always appeared superiour to that degree of honour he had arrived at When therefore they had created him Emperour He went immediately to Constantinople and thirty days after his being proclaimed he makes his Brother Valens his Colleague in the Empire They were both Christians but they disagreed about the Faith of the Christian Religion For Valentinianus had a veneration for the Creed of the Nicene Synod but Valens by reason of a prepossession adhered rather to the Arian opinion The reason of this his prepossession was because he had been baptized by Eudoxius Bishop of Constantinople a Prelate of the Arian Religion Both of them entertained a warmth and ardency for that Religion which each adhered to and yet after they came to the Empire they differed one from the other very much in their dispositions For formerly in the Reign of Julianus when Valentinianus was Tribune of the Souldiers and Valens had a Military employ in the Emperours Guards each of them gave a demonstration of the zeal they had for their Religion For being compelled to sacrifice they chose to leave their Military employments rather than relinquish Christianity But at that time the Emperour Julianus knowing them to be persons usefull to the Publick removed neither of them from their Military preferment nor yet Jovianus who was his Successour in the Empire But being afterwards promoted to the Empire they were at first like to one another as to their care about the management of the publick affairs but they differed as I have said about the Christian Religion and behaved themselves after a disagreeable manner towards the Christians For Valentinianus did indeed favour such persons as embraced his own sentiments but he was not in the least troublesome to the Arians But Valens desirous to promote the Arians did most grievously disquiet and disturb those who differed in opinion from them as the procedure of our History will evidence At that very time Liberius presided over the Roman Church at Alexandria Athanasius was Bishop of the Homoöusians and Lucius of the Arians whom the Arians had constituted Georgius's successour Euzoïus presided over the Arians at Antioch Those of the Homoöusian opinion in that City were divided into two parties Paulinus headed the one party and Melitius the other Cyrillus was again put into possession of the Church at Jerusalem The Government of the Churches at Constantinople was in the hands of Eudoxius an assertour of the Arian opinion the Homoöusians kept their assemblies in a little Oratory within that City Those of the Macedonian Heresie who had dissented from the Acacians at Seleucia at that time retained their Churches in every City In this posture were the affairs of the Church at that time CHAP. II. That Valentinianus went into the Western parts of the Empire and Valens resided at Constantinople who upon the Macedonians address to him that a Synod might be convened granted their request And that he persecuted the Homoousians BUt the one of the Emperours to wit Valentinianus went forthwith into the Western parts of the Empire For the care of the publick affairs necessarily required his presence there But Valens after he had resided a little while at Constantinople had an address made to him by most of the Bishops of the Macedonian Heresie who requested another Synod might be convened in order to the amendment of the Greed. The Emperour supposing they embraced the same sentiments with Acacius and Eudoxius permitted it to be done And so these persons made it their business to assemble a Synod in the City Lampsacus But Valens went with all speed possible towards Antioch in Syria fearing least the Persians should break the League they had entred into for thirty years in the Reign of Jovianus and invade the Roman Territories But the Persians were quiet Which calm Valens made an ill use of and raised an irreconcileable War against those who embraced the Homoöusian opinion He did indeed no harm to Paulinus the Bishop by reason of that persons exemplary and eminent Piety But he punished Melitius with Exile He drove all others who refused to communicate with Euzoïus from the Churches in Antioch and subjected them to losses and various punishments 'T is said that he drowned many persons in the River Orontes which runs by that City CHAP. III. That whilst Valens Persecuted those who embraced the Homoöusian opinion in the East there arose a Tyrant at Constantinople by name Procopius And that at the same time an Earthquake hapned and an inundation of the Sea which ruined many Cities WHilst Valens did these things in Syria there arose a Tyrant at Constantinople by name Procopius He got together a great force in a short time and made preparations for an expedition against the Emperour This being told to the Emperour put him into a very great Agony which for a little while represt the fury of his Persecution against the Catholicks In the interim that the disquietude of a Civil War was with pangs expected an Earthquake hapning ruined many Cities The Sea also altered its own boundaries For in some places it overflowed so much that Vessells might Sail where there was a foot passage before And it departed from other places
provided for the combat of dispute heard this they knew not what to do For every one of them fell into a disagreement of opinion some affirming that the Emperours Proposal was good others thinking it not conducive to their design For some were one way affected towards the Books of the Ancients others another Nor could they any longer agree amongst themselves and they dissented not only from other Sects but those of the same Sect differed one from the other Concordant malice therefore like the tongue of those ancient Gyants was divided and their tower of mischief demolished After the Emperour perceived their confused Dissention and was sensible that they confided in disputation only and not in the Exposition of the Ancients he betook himself to a second project And orders every Sect to set forth and deliver in to him in writing a Draught of that Creed which they owned Then those of every Sect amongst them that were skilfullest and most eloquent wrote their own opinion making use of a great deal of caution and circumspection in their expressions A day also was pitcht upon whereon the Bishops of each Sect upon summons met at the Pallace At which time were present Nectarius and Agelius Prelates of the Homoöusian Creed of the Arians Demophilus of the Eunomians Eunomius himself of those that embraced Macedonius's opinion Eleusius Bishop of Cyzicum The Emperour gave them a very kind reception at their meeting and having received a Draught of the Creed in writing from every one of them retired into a private apartment alone where he prayed with much fervency that God would give him his assistance in order to an Election of the Truth And having read over every one of the written Draughts of the Creed he tore all the rest disapproving of them in regard they introduced a separation of the Trinity except the Homoöusian Creed only which he commended and embraced This was the reason of the Novatians flourishing again and of their being permitted to celebrate their sacred assemblies within the Cities For the Emperour admiring their consent as to the Faith with those of his own opinion gave command by the promulgation of a Law that they should securely enjoy their own Oratories and that their Churches should have the same priviledges with those Churches of his own Faith But the Prelates of the other Sects by reason of their disagreement amongst themselves were condemned and despised even by their own disciples And being reduced to a desperation and overwhelmed with grief they made their departure and wrote Consolatory Letters to those of their own party perswading them not to be troubled because many relinquished them and became adherents to the Homoöusian Creed For many they said were called but few chosen Which expression they in no wise made use of at such time as the greatest part of the people through force and fear became their favourers But neither were the Professours of the Homoöusian Creed perfectly free from trouble and disquietude For the affairs of the Antiochian Church caused a division amongst those that were present at the Synod For the Egyptians Arabians and Cypriots gathering together again said that Flavianus ought to be expelled out of Antioch But the Bishops of Palaestine Phoenice and Syria stood up in defence of Flavianus What conclusion this affair had I will declare in its due place CHAP. XI Concerning Maximus the Tyrant how he slew Gratianus by treachery at which time also Justina the mother of Valentinianus Junior desisted though unwillingly from her design against Ambrosius Bishop of Millain for fear of Maximus ABout the same times wherein these Synods were held at Constantinople these transactions hapned in the Western parts Maximus coming out of the Island Britannia invaded the Roman Empire and makes a treacherous attempt upon Gratianus then ingaged in a War against the Alamanni In Italy during Valentinianus's minority Probus a person that had been Consul had the chief management of affairs who at that time bore the Praefecture of the Praetorium Justina mother to Valentinianus Augustus a woman that was an Arian during her Husbands life had no power to be mischievous towards the Embracers of the Homoöusian Creed But after her husbands death when her Son was very young she went to Millain and raised great disturbances against Ambrosius the Bishop issuing out an Order that he should be banished And whilest the people made a resistance against this Order out of their excessive love to Ambrosius and opposed those that endeavoured to hale him away into Exile in that interim news came that Gratianus was treacherously slain by the Tyrant Maximus For Andragathius Maximus's Lieutenant being hid in a Carriage put into the form of a womans Horse-litter and carried by Mules and having given the Guards a Command that they should before-hand spread abroad a report that the Emperour Gratianus's Wife was in that Litter meets the Emperour before Lyons a City in France passing the River The Emperour supposing it to be his Wife was not aware of the Treachery but as a blind man does into a ditch fell into the hands of his Enemie For Andragathius leapt out of the Litter on a Sudden and slew Gratianus Gratianus therefore ended his life in the Consulate of Merobaudes and Saturninus after he had Reigned fifteen years and lived twenty four This accident cool'd the Emperours Mothers heat against Ambrosius Moreover Valentinianus though against his will complyed with the necessity of that juncture and admitted Maximus to be his Colleague in the Empire At which time Probus afraid of Maximus's power resolves upon a retreat into those parts of the Empire nearer to the East Immediately therefore he departs out of Italy and arriving in Illyricum he fixt his Residence in Thessalonica a City of Macedonia CHAP. XII That the Emperour Theodosius having provided a numerous Army against Maximus at which time Flaccilla bore him his Son Honorius lest Arcadius at Constantinople but went himself to Millain where he came to an Engagement with the Tyrant BUt the Emperour Theodosius was extreamly full of care and sollicitude and formed a very powerfull Army against the Tyrant being afraid lest he should treacherously murder Valentinianus Junior also At the same time arrived Embassadours from the Persians requesting Peace of the Emperour Moreover then also a Son was born to the Emperour named Honorius of whom his Wife Flaccilla was delivered in the Consulate of Richomeres and Clearchus on the ninth of September In the same Consulate died Agelius Bishop of the Novatians a little before Honorius's birth On the year following whereon Arcadius Augustus bore his first Consulate with Bauton Timotheus Bishop of Alexandria ended his life who was succeeded in that See by Theophilus A year after this Demophilus Bishop of the Arian Heresie concluded his life The Arians sent for one Marinus a Bishop of their own Heresie out of Thracia whom they entrusted with the Bishoprick But
ten Unites make up one Denarie But a Denarie or Decade is the Limit the Meta and the fixt and stated Boundary of Unites the Meta of the infinity of Numbers but the End that is the perfection of Unites Moreover the Ternarie joyned together with the Denarie and having performed the third period of ten Circuits produces that most natural Number the Number Thirty For that which in Unites is the Ternarie the same in Denaries is the Tricenarie or Thirtieth Number And this is the firm and certain Limit of that great Luminary which is the second from the Sun For the Course of the Moon from one conjunction with the Sun to the next compleats the Circle of a Month after which She again receives a Beginning of Birth as 't were and does again begin new Light and new Days being grac't with thirty Unites honoured with three Decades and beautified with ten Ternaries With the very same Graces is the Empire of Our Victor Augustus and Lord of the whole world adorned by the Bestower of all things that are good and enters upon a beginning of new blessings having hitherto accomplished the Tricennalian Festivities only but now from hence forward entring upon longer intervals of Times and espousing the hopes of future Blessings in the Celestial Kingdom Where not one only Sun but troops of innumerable Lights daunce about the Supream Emperour every one of which is far more Glorious than the Sun it self and do shine and glister with the splendour of those Rayes shot from that Eternal Fountaine of Light Where there is a life of the mind in the incorruptible Beauties of Goods where there is a life void of all grief and trouble where there is an enjoyment of temperate and most holy pleasure Time without Time a long and endless Aevum enlarged to Spaces bounded by no Term not any more distinguished by the intervals of dayes and months nor measured by the Circles of Years and the periods of Seasons and Times but sufficient for one life continued to an immensity Which is not enlightned by the Sun nor illustrated by the multitude of the Stars or Splendour of the Moon but has that Luminary it self God the Word the only-begotten Son of the Supream Emperour On which account the Divine Discourses of Mystick Theology do declare Him to be that Sun of Righteousness and a Light which far transcends all Lights We do firmly believe that the very same person does illustrate those most blessed Powers with the Rayes of Justice and the beams of Wisedom and that He does take the Souls of men adorned with true Piety not into the Circumference of Heaven but into His own Bosom and that he does really confirm and fulfill His own promises But the eye of Mortals hath not seen nor hath any ear heard neither can a mind cloathed with flesh be able to discern and look into those things which are prepared for them who have been adorned with Pâ—ety as likewise for You also Most Religious Emperour To whom alone of all persons that ever were God Himself the Supream Emperour of this Universe has granted this that You should cleanse and reform the Life of men To whom also He hath shown His own Salutary Sign by the power whereof having conquered Death He celebrated a Triumph over His Enemies Which Trophy of Victory and Amulet of Daemons when You had opposed against the Images of Errour You gained the Victory over all impious Enemies and Barbarians as also over the Daemons themselves who are another sort of Barbarians FOR Whereas there are in us two Substances conjoyned namely Soul and Body whereof the Latter is exposed to view but the other remaines invisible against both these two sorts of Enemies and Barbarians the one covertly the other openly have set themselves in array And the one of them opposes Bodies against Bodies but the other assaults man's naked Soul it self with all sorts of incorporeal Engines Farther those visible Barbarians like some savage Nomades in nothing different from wild-beasts make an attack upon the meek and gentle Flocks of Men ruine and depopulate Countries enslave Cities rush out of the Desert like fierce and furious Wolves and fall upon the inhabitants of Cities after which they destroy as many as they can But the invisible Enemies I mean the Soul-destroying Daemons who are far more fierce and cruel than all Barbarians flye about the Regions of this Air and by the Engines of mischievous Polytheisme had reduced all mankind under their power in so much that the true God was not by them any longer look't upon as God but they wandred up and down in manifold errour without any worship of the Deity For having procured for themselves Gods from I know not whence who have not any Being or Existence in any place whatever they wholly neglected and undervalued Him who is the only and the true God as if He were not Hence it was that the Generation of Bodies was by them reputed and worshipt as a God as also a contrary Deity hereto to wit the destruction and dissolution of Bodies And the former of these Gods in regard He was the Authour of Generation was honoured with the Rites of Venus But the Latter because He abounded with Riches and in Strength excelled Mankind was named Pluto and Orâ—â—â—â— For whereas the Men of that Age acknowledged no other life save that which takes its beginning from Generation therefore they asserted the Cause and Origine of that Life to be a God And whereas they believed Men not to exist any more after death they declared Death to be the Vanquisher of all and a Great God Then concluding that on account of that dissolution by death they were in no wiâ—e accountable hereafter for what was performed here they resolved upon living such a life as in effect was 〈◊〉 life perpetrating such facts as deserved to be punished with ten thousand deaths For they had not their minds taken up with the thoughts of God they expected not the Tribunals of the Divine judgment nor call'd to remembrance the Nature of their own Souls but acknowledging a subjection to one Cruel Patron Death and fully perswading themselves that the destruction of bodies effected by it was the dissolution and annihilation of the whole man they declared Death to be a great and a rich God and for that reason gave him the name of Pluto or Dis. Death therefore was to them a God and not he alone but whatever else they accounted valuable in comparison of Death namely those things which were conducive in order to the rendring their Lives pleasant and delicate For the pleasure of the Body was by them accounted a God nourishment was a God the growth of those things that produce nutriment a God the fruit of Trees a God Drunkenness and Luxury a God the desire of things Carnal a God the Pleasure of those
the latter end of each Authour whereto they belong here the Reader has them embodied with the Text and by the Letters of the Alphabet He is shown the passages in the History whereof they treat In which method the Reader 's â—ase was consulted that He might not have the trouble and interruption given Him of turning forward and backward from the Matter to the Notes and from thence to the Matter How far this Translation is beholding to That done by Doctour Hanmer will quickly be discovered by any that shall take the pains to compare them It need not be dissembled that the Doctour's Version has been seen and 't is as needless to detain the Reader in shewing Him by tedious instances that He has not been nor could have been followed without a departure from the Original Greek as published by Valesius It onely remains that the Reader be entreated before He peruses this Translation to mend those faults in it that are mentioned in The Errata and to pardon all others He shall meet with Which that He may the easier be perswaded to He is desired to be mindful of this excellent saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is God's property to mistake in nothing and to correct all things THE CONTENTS Of the Whole WORK The Contents of Eusebius his Ecclesiastical History in X. Books Book I. Chap. 1. THE Subject of this Work Page 1 Chap. 2. A brief summary concerning the Praeexistence and Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Page 2 Chap. 3. That the very name of Jesus and also that of Christ was from the beginning both known and honoured among the Divine Prophets Page 5 Chap. 4. That the Religion by him declared to all Nations is neither new nor strange Page 6 Chap. 5. Of the times of our Saviours manifestation unto men Page 7 Chap. 6. That in his time according to the predictions of the Prophets the Princes of the Jewish Nation who before by succession had held the Principality surceased and that Herod the first of the Aliens became their King Page 8 Chap. 7. Of the disagreement supposed to be among the Gospels about the Genealogy of Christ. Page 9 Chap. 8. Of Herods cruelty towards the Infants and after how miserable a manner he ended his life Page 10 Chap. 9. Of the Times of Pilate Page 12 Chap. 10. Of the High-priests among the Jews in whose time Christ Preached the Gospel ibid. Chap. 11. What hath been testified concerning John the Baptist and concerning Christ. Page 13 Chap. 12. Concerning our Saviours disciples ibid. Chap. 13. The History of the Prince of the Edessens ibid. Book II. THE Preface Page 15 Chap. 1. Of those things which were instituted by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ. ibid. Chap. 2. How Tiberius was affected at the Relation Pilate sent him of those things concerning Christ. Page 16 Chap. 3. How the Doctrine of Christ spread in a short time over the whole world Page 17 Chap. 4. How after the death of Tiberius Caius made Agrippa King over the Jews and punished Herod with perpetual banishment ibid. Chap. 5. How Philo went on an Embassage to Caius upon the Jews Account Page 18 Chap. 6. How great miseries befell the Jews after their audacious wickedness committed against Christ. ibid. Chap. 7. That Pilate made himself away Page 19 Chap. 8. Of the Dearth that happened in Claudius his time ibid. Chap. 9. The Martyrdom of James the Apostle ibid. Chap. 10. How Agrippa called also Herod persecuting the Apostles presently felt the Divine vengeance Page 20 Chap. 11. Of the Impostour Theudas and his Associates ibid. Chap. 12. Of Helena Queen of the Osdroënians Page 21 Chap. 13. Of Simon Magus ibid. Chap. 14. Of Peter the Apostle's Preaching at Rome Page 22 Chap. 15. Of the Gospel according to Mark ibid. Chap. 16. That Mark first Preached the knowledge of Christ to the Egyptians ibid. Chap. 17. What Philo relates of the Ascetae in Egypt ibid. Chap. 18. What Writings of Philo's have come to our hands Page 24 Chap. 19. What a calamity befell the Jews at Jerusalem on the very day of the Passover Page 25 Chap. 20. What was done at Jerusalem in the Reign of Nero. ibid. Chap. 21. Of that Egyptian who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles Page 26 Chap. 22. How Paul being sent bound from Judea to Rome having made his defence was wholly acquitted ibid. Chap. 23. How James called the brother of the Lord was Martyred Page 27 Chap. 24. How after Mark Annianus was constituted the first Bishop of the Church of the Alexandrians Page 29 Chap. 25. Of the Persecution in the time of Nero in which Paul and Peter were for Religion graced with Martyrdom at Rome ibid. Chap. 26. How the Jews were vexed with innumerable mischiefs and how at last they entred upon a War against the Romans Page 30 Book III. Chap. 1. IN what parts of the world the Apostles Preached Christ. Page 30 Chap. 2. Who first Presided over the Roman Church Page 31 Chap. 3. Concerning the Epistles of the Apostles ibid. Chap. 4. Of the first Succession of the Apostles ibid. Chap. 5. Of the last siege of the Jews after Christs death Page 32 Chap. 6. Of the famine that oppressed the Jews Page 33 Chap. 7. Of Christs Predictions Page 35 Chap. 8. Concerning the Prodigies that appeared before the War ibid. Chap. 9. Of Josephus and the Writings he left Page 36 Chap. 10. How Josephus makes mention of the Holy Bible Page 37 Chap. 11. How after James Simeon governed the Church at Jerusalem Page 38 Chap. 12. How Vespasian commanded that the descendants of David should be sought out ibid. Chap. 13. That Anencletus was the second Bishop of the Roman Church ibid. Chap. 14. That Avilius was the second Bishop of Alexandria ibid. Chap. 15. That Clemens was the third Bishop of the Roman Church ibid. Chap. 16. Concerning the Epistle of Clemens Page 39 Chap. 17. Of the Persecution in Domitians time ibid. Chap. 18. Concerning John the Apostle and his Revelation ibid. Chap. 19. How Domitian commanded that the descendants of David should be â—lain ibid. Chap. 20. Concerning those that were Related to our Saviour ibid. Chap. 21. That Cerdo was the third that presided over the Alexandrian Church Page 40 Chap. 22. That Ignatius was the second that presided over the Alexandrian Church ibid. Chap. 23. A Relation concerning John the Apostle ibid. Chap. 24. Concerning the order of the Gospels Page 41 Chap. 25. Concerning those Divine writings which are without coutroversie acknowledged and of those which are not such Page 42 Chap. 26. Of Menander the Impostour Page 43 Chap. 27. Of the Heresie of the Ebionites ibid. Chap. 28. Of the Arch-Heretick Cerinthus Page 44 Chap. 29. Of Nicholas and those Hereticks who bear his name ibid. Chap. 30. Concerning those Apostles that are found to have been married Page 45 Chap. 31. Of the death of John and Philip. ibid. Chap. 32. How Simeon the
2. Concerning the Re-edification of the Churches Page 184 Chap. 3. Concerning the Consecration of Churches every where solemniz'd ibid. Chap. 4. A Panegyrick concerning the splendid posture of our Affairs ibid. Chap. 5. Copies of the Imperial Laws Page 192 Chap. 6. Concerning the Estates belonging to the Christians Page 19â— Chap. 7. Concerning the Immunity of the Clergy ibid. Chap. 8. Concerning Licinius's exorbitancies which afterwards ensued and concerning his death ibid. Chap. 9. Concerning Constantius's Victory and concerning the prosperity procured by him to all those that live under the power of the Romans Page 197 The Contents of the Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus in VII Books Book I. Chap. 1. THE Preface to the whole Book pag. 209 Chap. 2. After what manner Constantine the Emperour was converted to the Christian Religion ibid. Chap. 3. How whilst Constantine augmented the prosperity of the Christians Licinius his Collegue persecuted them Page 2â—0 Chap. 4. That there was a war raised betwixt Constantine and Licinius upon account of the Christians Page 211 Chap. 5. Concerning Arius's contest with Alexander the Bishop ibid. Chap. 6. How from this contention there arose a division in the Church and how Alexander Bishop of Alexandria deposed Arius and his Complices ibid. Chap. 7. How Constantine the Emperour griev'd at these disturbances in the Church sent Hosius a Spaniard to Alexandria to exhort the Bishop and Arius to a reconciliation Page 214 Chap. 8. Concerning the Council held at Nicaea a City of Bithynia and concerning the Faith there published Page 215 Chap. 9. The Epistle of the Synod concerning those matters determined by it and how Arius was degraded together with them that embraced his Sentiments Page 219 Chap. 10. That the Emperour summoned to the Synod Acesius also a Bishop of the Novatian Heresie Page 225 Chap. 11. Concerning Paphnutius the Bishop ibid. Chap. 12. Concerning Spyridon Bishop of the Cyprians Page 226 Chap. 13. Concerning Eutychianus the Monk ibid. Chap. 14. That Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia Theognis Bishop of Nice who had been banished because they were abettors of Arius's Opinion having afterwards sent a Libell of Repentance and agreed to the exposition of the Faith were readmitted to their Sees Page 227 Chap. 15. That Alexander dying after the Nicene Synod Athanasius was consecrated Bishop of the City Alexandria Page 229 Chap. 16. How the Emperour Constantine having enlarged the City heretofore call'd Byzantium named it Constantinople ibid. Chap. 17. How Helena the Emperours Mother came to Jerusalem and having there found Christs Cross which she had sought for a long time built a Church ibid. Chap. 18. How the Emperour Constantine abolished Gentilism and erected many Churches in several places Page 230 Chap. 19. After what manner the Innermost Indian Nations were in the time of Constantine converted to Christianity Page 231 Chap. 20. After what manner the Iberians were converted to the Christian Religion Page 232 Chap. 21. Concerning Antonius the Monk Page 233 Chap. 22. Concerning Manes the Author of the Heresie of the Manichees and whence he had his original ibid. Chap. 23. How Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia and Theognis Bishop of Nice taking courage again endeavoured to subvert the Nicene Creed by plotting against Athanasius Page 234 Chap. 24. Concerning the Synod convened at Antioch which deposed Eustathius Bishop of Antioch upon whose account there was a Sedition raised by which that City was almost ruined Page 235 Chap. 25. Concerning the Presbyter who made it his business to get Arius recalled Page 236 Chap. 26. How Arius being recalled from Exile and having given up a Libell of Repentance to the Emperour did therein hypocritically pretend himself an asserter of the Nicene Creed Page 237 Chap. 27. How Arius returned to Alexandria by the Emperours order and upon Athanasius's refusal to admit him Eusebius's faction framed divers accusations against Athanasius before the Emperour ibid. Chap. 28. That the Emperour ordered a Synod of Bishops should be convened at Tyre upon account of the accusations brought against Athanasius Page 239 Chap. 29. Concerning Arsenius and his hand which was reported to have been cut off ibid. Chap. 30. That Athanasius being found innocent after his first accusation his Accusers made their escape by flight ibid. Chap. 31. That Athanasius fled to the Emperour upon the Bishops not admitting of his defence at his second accusation Page 240 Chap. 32. That after Athanasius's departure he was depoposed by the Vote of the Synod ibid. Chap. 33. How the Synod having left Tyre came to Jerusalem and after the celebration of the feast of Dedication of the New Jerusalem readmitted Arius to communion ibid. Chap. 34 That the Emperour by his Letter summoned the Synod to attend him that Athanasius's case might be accurately discussed in his presence Page 241 Chap. 35. That when the Synod came not to the Emperour the Eusebians accused Athanasius as if he had threatned that he would prohibit the carriage of that Corn with which Alexandria furnished Constantinople Whereupon the Emperour being incensed banished Athanasius confining him to the Gallia's ibid. Chap. 36. Concerning Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra and Asterius the Sophista Page 242 Chap. 37. How after Athanasius was exiled Arius being sent for from Alexandria by the Emperour raised disturbances against Alexander Bishop of Constantinople ibid. Chap. 38. Concerning Ariu's death Page 243 Chap. 39. How Constantine falling into a distemper ended his life ibid. Chap. 40. Concerning Constantine the Emperours Funeral ibid. Book II. Chap. 1. THE Preface wherein he gives an account why he made a new Edition of his First and Second Book pag. 245 Chap. 2. How Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia with his accomplices earnestly endeavouring to introduce Arius's opinion again made disturbances in the Churches ibid. Chap. 3. How Athanasius confiding in the Letter of Constantine the Younger returned to Alexandria Page 246 Chap. 4. That upon Eusebius Pamphilus's death Acacius succeeded in the Bishoprick of Caesarea Page 247 Chap. 5. Concerning the death of Constantine the Younger ibid. Chap. 6. How Alexander Bishop of Constantinople at his death proposed Paulus and Macedonius to be elected into his Bishoprick ibid. Chap. 7. How the Emperour Constantius ejected Paulus who had been Ordained Bishop and having sent for Eusebius from Nicomedia entrusted him with the Bishoprick of Constantinople ibid. Chap. 8. How Eusebius assembled another Synod at Antioch of Syria and caused another form of Faith to be published Page 248 Chap. 9. Concerning Eusebius Emisenus ibid. Chap. 10. That the Bishops convened at Antioch upon Eusebius Emisenus's refusal of the Bishoprick of Alexandria Ordained Gregorius and altered the expressions of the Nicene Faith ibid. Chap. 11. That upon Gregorius's arrival at Alexandria guarded with a Military force Athanasius fled Page 250 Chap. 12. How after Eusebius's death the people of Constantinople restored Paulus to his See again And that the Arians made choice of Macedonius pag. 250 Chap. 13. Concerning the slaughter of Hermogenes the Lieutenant-General and how
and â—led from the City ibid. Chap. 18. Concerning Eudoxia's Silver Statue and how Johannes was ejected out of his Church again on account of that and conveyed into banishment Page 365 Chap. 19 Concerning Arsacius who was Ordained Johannes's successour and concerning Cyrinus Bishop of Chalcedon Page 366 Chap. 20. How after Arsacius Atticus obtained the Constantinopolitan See Page 367 Chap. 21. Concerning Johannes's departure to the Lord in Exile ibid. Chap. 22. Concerning Sisinnius Bishop of the Novatianists what expressions he is said to have used in his discourses with Johannes ibid. Chap. 23. Concerning the death of the Emperour Arcadius Page 368 Book VII Chap. 1. THat after the Emperour Arcadius's death who left his Son Theodosius then eight years old Anthemius the Praefect had the chief management of affaires in the Empire pag. 369 Chap. 2. Concerning Atticus Bishop of Constantinople what manner of person he was as to his temper and disposition Page 370 Chap. 3. Concerning Theodosius and Agapetus Bishops of Synnada ibid. Chap. 4. Concerning the Paralyticall Jew who was cured by Atticus the Bishop in Divine Baptism Page 371 Chap. 5. How Sabbatius from being a Jew had been made a Presbyter of the Novatianists deserted those of his own opinion ibid. Chap. 6. Concerning those who at that time were the Ring-leaders of the Arian Opinion Page 372 Chap. 7. How Cyrillus succeeded Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria ibid. Chap. 8. Concerning Maruthas Bishop of Mesopotamia and how the Christian Religion was by him propagated in Persia. ibid. Chap. 9. Who were Bishops of Antioch and Rome at this time Page 373 Chap. 10. That Rome became subject to the Barbarians at that time and was destroyed by Alarichus ibid. Chap. 11. Concerning the Bishops of Rome Page 374 Chap. 12. Concerning Chrysanthus Bishop of the Novatianists at Constantinople ibid. Chap. 13. Concerning the Fight which hapned at Alexandria between the Christians and Jews and concerning Cyrillus the Bishop's difference with Orestes the Praefect ibid. Chap. 14. That the Monks of Nitria came down to Alexandria in defence of Cyrillus and raised a Sedition against Orestes the Praefect Page 375 Chap. 15. Concerning Hypatia the Philosopheress Page 376 Chap. 16. That the Jews entring upon another War against the Christians were punished Page 377 Chap. 17. Concerning Paulus Bishop of the Novatianists and concerning the Miracle done by him when he was about to have baptized a Jewish Impostour ibid. Chap. 18. How after the death of Isdigerdes the Persian King the League between the Romans and Persians was broken and a bloudy War hapned wherein the Persians were worsted ibâ—d Chap. 19. Concerning Palladius the Courier pag. 378 Chap. 20. How the Persians had another severe overthrow given them by the Romans Page 379 Chap. 21. After what manner Acacius Bishop of Amida behaved himself toward the Persian Captives ibid. Chap. 22. Concerning the excellencies wherewith the Emperour Theodosius Junior was endowed Page 380 Chap. 23. Concerâ—ing Johannes who Tyrannized at Rome after Honorius the Emperour's death And how God mollified by Theodosius's prayers delivered him into the hands of the Roman Army Page 381 Chap. 24. That after the slaughter of Johannes the Tyrant Theodosius the Emperour proclaimed Valentinianus the Son of Constantius and of his Aunt Placidia Emperour of Rome Page 382 Chap. 25. Concerning Atticus's Government of the Churches and that he ordered Johannes's name to be written into the Dypticks of the Church and that he foreknew his own death ibid. Chap. 26. Concerning Sisinnius Atticus's successour in the Constantinopolitane Bishoprick Page 383 Chap. 27. Concerning Philippus the Presbyter who was born at Side Page 384 Chap. 28. That Sisindius Ordained Proclus Bishop of Cyzicum but the Inhabitants of that City would not admit him to be their Bishop ibid. Chap. 29. That after Siâ—innius's death the Emperours sent for Nestorius from Antioch and made him Bishop of Constantinople who quickly discovered his own temper and disposition ibid. Chap. 30. After what manner the Burgundions embraced the Christian Religion in the Reign of Theodosius Junior Page 385 Chap. 31. With what miseriâ—s the Macedonians were afflicted by Nestorius ibid. Chap. 32. Concerning the Presbyter Anastasius by whom Nestorius was perverted to Impiety Page 386 Chap. 33. Concerning the horrid wickedness committed upon the Altar of the Great Church by the â—ugitiâ—e servants pag. 387 Chap. 34. Concerning the former Synod at Ephesus convened against Nestorius ibid. Chap. 35. How after Nestorius's Deposition when some were desirous of placing Proclus in the Episcopal Chair other Bishops elected Maximianus Bishop of Constantinople Page 388 Chap. 36. Instances whereby this Writer does as he supposes evince that a Translation from one See to another is not prohibited ibid. Chap. 37. Concerning Silvanus who was translated from Philippopolis to Troas Page 389 Chap. 38. Concerning the Jews in Creet how many of them turned Christians at that time Page 390 Chap. 39. Concerning the Fire which hapned in the Church of the Novatianists ibid. Chap. 40. That Proclus succeeded Maximianus the Bishop Page 391 Chap. 41. Concerning Proclus the Bishop what manner of man he was ibid. Chap. 42. That this Writer spends many words in praise of the Emperour Theodosius Junior's probity Page 392 Chap. 43. How great calamities those Barbarians underwent who had been the Tyrant Johannes's Auxiliaries ibid. Chap. 44. That the Emperour Valentinianus Junior married Eudoxia the daughter of Theodosius ibid. Chap. 45. That Proclus the Bishop perswaded the Emperour to translate the body of Johannes from the place of his Exile where it had been buried to Constantinople and to deposite it in the Church of The Apostles Page 393 Chap. 46. Concerning the death of Paulus Bishop of the Novatianists and concerning Marcianus who was his successour ibid. Chap. 47. That the Emperour Theodosius sent his Wife Eudoxia to Jerusalem Page 394 Chap. 48. Concerning Thalassius Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia ibid. The Contents of the Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus Epiphaniensis in VI. Books Book I. THE Preface Pag. 401 Chap. 1. That after the destruction of the impious Julian when the Heresieâ— had been a little quieted the devil afterwards disturbed the Faith again ibid. Chap. 2. How Nestorius was detected by his disciple Anastasius who in his Sermon termed the Holy Mother of God not Theotocos but Christotocos for which reason Nestorius was pronounced an Heretick Page 402 Chap. 3. What Cyrillus the Great wrote to Nestorius and how the third Synod at Ephesus was convened to which Johannes Bishop of Antioch and Theodoret came late Page 403 Chap. 4. How Nestorius was deposed by the Synod before the arrival of the Bishop of Antioch Page 404 Chap. 5. That Johannes Bishop of Antioch coming to Ephesus after five days deposes Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria and Memnon Bishop of Ephesus whom the Synod pronounced innocent soon after and deposed Johannes and his party And how by the interposition of the Emperour Theodosius Cyrillus and Johannes were reconciled and confirmed
God ibid. Chap. 25. The Victories of Constantine over the Barbarians and Britanni ibid. Chap. 26. How he took a resolution of freeing Rome from the Tyr anny of Maxentius ibid. Chap. 27. That Constantine weighing in his mind the deaths of those who had worshipped Idols chose rather the profession of Christianity ibid. Chap. 28. That whilst he was praying to God He shewed him a Vision to wit a Cross of Light in the Heavens it being then mid-day and an Inscription thereon which admonished him that by That he should Conquer Page 540 Chap. 29. That God's Christ appeared to him in his sleep and ordered him to make use of a Standard made in the form of a Cross in his Wars Page 541 Chap. 30. The making of that Standard framed in the fashion of a Cross. ibid. Chap. 31. A Description of the Standard made in fashion of a Cross which the Romans do now term The Labarum ibid. Chap. 32. That Constantine becoming a Catechumen read the Sacred Scriptures ibid. Chap. 33. Concerning the adulteries committed by Maxentius at Rome Page 542 Chap. 34. How the Praefect's Wife that she might preserve her chastity laid violent hands on her self ibid. Chap. 35. The slaughter of the People of Rome by Maxentius ibid. Chap. 36. Maxentius's Magick Arts against Constantine and the scarcity of Provisions at Rome Page 543 Chap. 37. The overthrow of Maxentius's Armies in Italy ibid. Chap. 38. Maxentius's Death on the Bridge of the River Tiber. ibid. Chap. 39. Constantine's Entry into Rome Page 544 Chap. 40. Concerning the Statue of Constantine which held a Cross and concerning its Inscription ibid. Chap. 41. The rejoycing over the Provinces and Constantine's Acts of Grace ibid. Chap. 42. The Honours conferred on the Bishops and the Building of the Churches ibid. Chap. 43. Concerning Constantine's Beneficence towards the Poor Page 545 Chap. 44. How he was present as the Synods of Bishops ibid. Chap. 45. In what manner he bore with the mad-men ibid. Chap. 46. His Victories over the Barbarians Page 546 Chap. 47. The Death of Maximin and others whose Plots Constantine discovered God making them known to him ibid. Chap. 48. The celebration of Constantine's Decennalia ibid. Chap. 49. In what manner Licinius afflicted the East Page 547 Chap. 50. In what manner Licinius attempted to frame Treacheries against Constantine ibid. Chap. 51. Licinius's Treacheries against the Bishops and his prohibitions of Synods ibid. Chap. 52. The Banishments and Proscriptions of the Christians ibid. Chap. 53. Licinius's Edict that Women should not meet in the Churches together with the men Page 548 Chap. 54. That he Cashiered from the Militia those who refused to sacrifice and forbad that such as were shut up in Prisons should have any nourishment given them ibid. Chap. 55. Concerning Licinius's Improbity and Avarice ibid. Chap. 56. That at length he undertook the raising a Persecution against the Christians Page 549 Chap. 57. That Maximianus having been afflicted with a Fistulous Ulcer that bred worms wrote a Law in favour of the Christians ibid. Chap. 58. That Maximinus being a Persecutour of the Christians fled away in a servile habit and hid himself ibid. Chap. 59. That Maximine blinded by the acuteness of his disease issued out a Law in favour of the Christians Page 550 Book II. Chap. 1. LIcinius's clandestine Persecution and his Murder of the Bishops at Amasia a City of Pontus pag. 551 Chap. 2. The demolishments of the Churches and Butcheries of the Bishops ibid. Chap. 3. In what manner Constantine was moved in behalf of the Christians when Licinius made preparations to persecute them Page 552 Chap. 4. That Constantine made provision for the War with prayers but Licinius with Divinations and Prophesies ibid. Chap. 5. What Licinius spake concerning Idols and concerning Christ whilst he was sacrificing in a Grove Page 553 Chap. 6. The Apparition seen in the Cities under Licinius's Government of Constantine's Souldiers pursuing the Forces of Licinius ibid. Chap. 7. That in the Battels whereever the standard made in the form of a Cross was there a Victory was obtained Page 554 Chap. 8. That fifty persons were made choice of to carry the Cross. ibid. Chap. 9. That one of the Cross-bearers who fled was killed but he that by Faith stood his ground was preferved ibid. Chap. 10. Various Fights and the Victories of Constantine Page 555 Chap. 11. Licinius's Flight and Inchantments ibid. Chap. 12. In what manner Constantine praying in a Tabernacle obtained the Victory ibid. Chap. 13. His Humanity towards the Souldiers that were taken prisoners ibid. Chap. 14. Again concerning his Prayers in the Tabernacle Page 55â— Chap. 15. Licinius's dissembled Friendship and his Worship of Idols ibid. Chap. 16. In what manner Licinius commanded his Souldiers not to make an Attack against the Standard of the Cross. ibid. Chap. 17. Constantine's Victory ibid. Chap. 18. Licinius's Death and the Triumphs celebrated over him Page 557 Chap. 19. The Publick rejoycings and Festivities ibid. Chap. 20. How Constantine made Laws in favour of the Confessours ibid. Chap. 21. How he made Laws concerning the Martyrs and concerning the Estates of the Churches Page 558 Chap. 22. In what manner he refreshed and cherish't the People also ibid. Chap. 23. That he publickly proclaimed God the Authour of Good and concerning the Copies of his Laws ibid. Chap. 24. Constantine's Law concerning Piety towards God and concerning the Christian Reliligion Page 559 Chap. 25. An example from ancient Times ibid. Chap. 26. Concerning the persecuted and the persecutours ibid. Chap. 27. That Persecution hath been the Occasion of mischief to those who waged War Page 560 Chap. 28. That God chose Constantine to be the Minister of Blessings ibid. Chap. 29. Constantine's Pious expressions towards God and his praise of the Confessours ibid. Chap. 30. A Law setting men free from Banishment from The Curia and from Proscription of Goods Page 561 Chap. 31. Those in Islands likewise ibid. Chap. 32. Also those who have been Condemned to the Mines and publick Works ibid. Chap. 33. Concerning the Confessours who have been employed in the Militia Page 562 Chap. 34. The setting at Liberty those free persons in the Gynaecea or them delivered over to slavery ibid. Chap. 35. Concerning the succession in inheriting the Goods of Martyrs and Confessours and of such persons as had been banished and of them whose Goods had been brought into the Treasury ibid. Chap. 36. That the Church is to be Heir to those who have no Relations and that the Legacies given by them shall remain firm Page 563 Chap. 37. That those who possess such places and Gardens and Houses shall restore them but without the Mean-profits ibid. Chap. 38. In what manner Supplicatory Libels ought to be presented in reference to these persons ibid. Chap. 39. That the Exchequer shall restore to the Churches Grounds and Gardens and Houses Page 564 Chap. 40. The Martyria and Coemiteries are ordered to be yielded up to the Churches ibid. Chap. 41.
Socrates does attest But in regard this Book together with very many others is lost by the carelesness of Antiquity we by gathering together from this place and t'other the Testimonies of Ancient Writers who have spoken concerning Eusebius to the utmost of our ability will endeavour to repair that Loss Eusebius therefore was born in Palestine about the Close as 't is likely of Gallienus ' s Reign That he was a Native of Palestine is hence prov'd because by the Ancients he is commonly call'd a Palestinian So 't is certain Basilius Theodoret and others do term him And although he might have been thus Sur-nam'd from his being Bishop of the City Caesarea yet it seems to me truer that he drew that Sur-name from his Country Indeed he himself does attest in his First Book concerning the Life of Constantine that during his being a youth he was educated and conversant in Palestine and that Constantine was first seen by him there whilst he made a journey thorow Palestine in the Court of Diocletianus Augustus Besides in the Second Book of the same work where he records a Law of Constantine's which he wrote to the Palestinians in favour of the Christians he does plainly shew himself to have been a Palestinian For after he has recited the Contents of that Law transmitted to the Palestinians he adds these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 These were the Constitutions contained in the Emperour's first Edict sent to Us. But whereas I have plac'd his Birth upon the Latter end of Gallienus ' s Reign of this thing I have Eusebius himself for my Authour For speaking in his Books of Ecclesiastick History concerning Dionysius Bishop of the Alexandrians he does attest that He had lived in his own age as may be seen in Book 3 Chap. 28. Wherefore in regard 't is manifest that Dionysius Alexandrinus departed this life on the twelfth year of Gallienus ' s Empire Eusebius must of necessity have been born then if his age fell on those times wherein Dionysius lived The same may likewise be gathered from the Fifth Book of his Ecclesiastick History about the end of it where speaking concerning Artemon's Heresie he writes that Paul of Samosata had revived that Heresie in his age Lastly relating in his Seventh Book those things which hapned during the Reign of Gallienus before he begins his Discourse concerning the Errour and Condemnation of Paul of Samosata he has these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But now after an historical relation of these things we will deliver to the knowledge of posterity an account of our own age Whom he had for his Parents is unknown to us excepting that Nicephorus Callistus following I know not what Authours does tell us that he was begotten of the Sister of Pamphilus the Martyr But in Arius's Letter to Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia he is termed the Brother of Eusebius Nicomediensis And although by reason of his friendship he might be called the Brother yet it seems truer to me that he was either the near Kinsman or Cousin-germane of Eusebius Nicomediensis especially in regard Arius although many other persons are there mentioned yet terms onely Eusebius of Caesarea Brother to him of Nicomedia Besides Eusebius of Nicomedia was a Native of Syria For he was at first Bishop of Berytus Nor was it the usage then that strangers and persons unknown should be preferred to govern Churches What Masters he had in secular Learning is in like manner unknown to us But in sacred Literature he had Dorotheus the Eunuch a Presbyter of the Antiochian Church for his Master of whom also he makes an honourable mention in his Seventh Book Although Eusebius at that place says onely that he had heard Dorotheus whilst he expounded the Holy Scriptures in the Church not unfitly Nevertheless if any one has a mind with Trithemius to conclude from those words of Eusebius that Eusebius was Dorotheus ' s disciple truly I shall not very much oppose him Theotecnus being at that time dead the Bishoprick of the Church of Caesarea was administred by Agapius a person of eminent piety and large bounty towards the poor By him Eusebius was admitted into the Clergy and entred into the strictest and most intimate friendship with Pamphilus who at that time was eminent amongst the Presbyters of the Church of Caesarea Pamphilus was by Nation a Phoenician born at Berytus Scholar to Pierius a Presbyter of the Alexandrian Church as Photius relates Who in regard he was inflamed with a singular Love of sacred Learning and with the greatest diligence imaginable made a Collection of all the Books of Ecclesiastick Writers and especially of Origen's founded a most famous School and Library at Caesarea Of which School Eusebius seems to have been the first Master Indeed Eusebius in his Book concerning the Martyrs of Palestine writes in express words that Apphianus who compleated his Martyrdom on the third year of the Persecution had been instructed in the Sacred Scriptures by him in the City Caesarea From that time Eusebius always lived with Pamphilus in the closâ—st intimacy and continued his inseparable companion till his death so dear to him that from his friendship he got the surname of Pamphilus Nor did Eusebius love him whilst he liv'd but had a singular affection for him when dead also in so much that after Pamphilus ' s death he always made a most honourable and likewise a most loving mention of him This is attested by those Three Books which he wrote concerning the Life of Pamphilus the Martyr which Books S t Jerome terms most elegant ones The same is likewise gathered from many passages which occur in his Ecclesiastick History and in his Book concerning the Martyrs of Palestine Lastly in his Second Book against Sabellius which was written by Eusebius after the Nicene Council he frequently commends Pamphilus the Martyr although he suppresses his name For even in the very beginning of his Discourse he says thus Puto adhuc aures obstrepi meas à memoria beati illius viri c. I think my Ears are as yet struck by the memory of that Blessed man who frequently made use of that devout word For even your ears do as yet retain the sound of that word For I think I hear him saying The onely-begotten Son of God For this Religious word was always uttered by his mouth For it was the remembrance of the Onely-Begotten to the Glory of the unborn Father Now we have heard the Apostle commanding that Presbyters ought to be honoured with a double honour those especially who labour in the Word and Doctrine And at pag. 29 he speaks of him again in this manner Haec non nos extollunt c. These things do not puff us up remembring that Blessed man Now I wish I could so speak as together with you I did always hear from him But these words which are now said seem to have been pleasing to him For 't
Senate and the Emperour Augustus Under whom whenas the presence of Christ was apparent the long-lookt-for Salvation of the Gentiles was accomplished and their calling consequently followed according to the predictions of the Prophets Since which time the Princes and Rulers of Juda those I mean who were of Jewish extraction ceasing straightway the series and course of the High-preisthood which among them by order of succession afâ—er the decrease of the former was always as it was meet wont to fall unto the next of bloud was confounded Hereof thou hast Josephus a witness worthy of credit declaring how that Herod after that he was intrusted with the rule over the Jews by the Romans assigned them no more High-priests of the antient Priestly Race but conferred that honour upon certain obscure persons and how that the same course which Herod had taken in constituting High-priests was followed by his son Archelaus and after by the Romans who succeeded him in the Government of Judea The said Josephus declareth how that Herod first shut up under his own Privy-Seal the Holy Roâ—e of the High-priest not permitting the High-priests to keep it any longer in their own custody and that after him Archelaus and after Archelaus the Romans did the same And let these things be spoken by us to evidence the truth of another Prophesie which by the coming of our Saviour Christ Jesus was accomplished For most plainly and expressly of all other the Holy Scripture in Daniel describing the number of certain weeks unto Christ the Ruler whereof we have in another place intreated foretelleth that after the accomplishment of those weeks the Jewish anointing should be abolished And this is plainly proved to have been fulfilled at the time when our Saviour Jesus Christ came in the flesh And let these things necessarily be fore-observed by us for the proof of the truth of the times CHAP. VII Of the disagreement supposed to be among the Gospels about the Genealogy of Christ. BUt in as much as Matthew and Luke committing the Gospel to writing have differently delivered unto us the Genealogie of Christ and are thought by many to disagree very much among themselves so that almost every one of the faithful through ignorance of the truth hath ambitiously striven to comment upon those places come on let us rehearse a certain History which is come to our hands concerning the premises the which Africanus whom we mentioned a little before hath set down in an Epistle written to Aristides about the concordance of the Genealogie of Christ in the Gospels and having indeed blamed the Opinions of others as wrested and false he delivereth the History that he himself had met withall in these very words For seeing that the names of kindred in Israel were numbred either after the line of nature or after the rule of the Law after the order of Nature as by succession of natural seed after that of the Law as when any one begetteth a son in the name of his brother who deceased without issue For because a perspicuous hope of the Resurrection was not yet granted them they shadowed out in some sort the promise to come with this kind of mortal Resurrection that the name of the deceased might continue and never be quite blotted out Because thereâ—ore of them that are reckoned in this Genealogy some succeeded their fathers as natural sons but others received their name whence they received not their nature mention is made of both as well of them who were truly fathers as of them who were titular onely and as fathers Thus neither of the Gospels is found false the one drawing the Pedegree by the Natural the other by the Legall line For the race both of Solomon and that also of Nathan are so wrapped and twisted together by reviving of persons deceased without issue by second marriages and by raising up of seed that not without cause the same men are supposed to have had divers fathers whereof some were onely nominative others fathers indeed Thus the account in both Gospels is true and is brought down to Joseph accuratly and exactly though by a various and different line And that what I say may plainly appear I will recite the alteration of Families If we count the Generations as Matthew doth from David by Solomon Matthan will be found the third from the end who begat Jacob the father of Joseph but if from Nathan the son of David according unto Luke then the third in like manner from the end will be Melchi whose son was Heli the father of Joseph For Joseph was the son of Heli the son of Melchi Joseph therefore being as it were the mark we shoot at we must shew how each person is termed his father as well Jacob who deriveth his pedegree from Solomon as Heli who descended from Nathan and besides how in the first place these two Jacob and Heli were brethren then in the next place how their fathers Matthan and Melchi born of divers kindreds may be made appear to be Grand-fathers to Joseph Now therefore thus it was Matthan and Melchi marrying one after the other the same wife begat children who were brethren by the mother the law not forbidding a widow either dismissed from her husband or after the death of her husband to be married unto another man First therefore Matthan descending from Solomon begat Jacob of Estha for that is said to be the womans name After the death of Matthan Melchi who descended from Nathan being of the same Tribe but of another race as we said before took this widow to his wife and begat Heli his son Thus shall we find Jacob and Heli though of a different race yet by the same mother to have been brethren One of whom namely Jacob after Heli his brother was deceased without issue married his wife and begat on her the third Joseph by nature indeed and reason his own son whereupon also it is written And Jacob begat Joseph but by the Law he was the son of Heli for Jacob being his brother raised up seed unto him Wherefore neither is that Genealogie which concerneth him to lose its authority the which indeed Matthew the Evangelist reciting saith And Jacob begat Joseph but Luke on the other side Which was the son as it was supposed for he addeth this withall of Joseph which was the son of Heli which was the son of Melchi Nor could he more significantly and properly have expressed that way of Generation according to the Law Therefore in his recital of procreations of this sort he passeth over in silence even to the end the word of Begetting carrying the whole series of Families step by step up as high as Adam who was the son of God Neither is this matter destitute of good proof or rashly and hastily devised For the kinsmen of our Saviour according to the flesh either out of desire to make known the Nobility of their stock or simply to
the common people amongst the multitude and forbidding them to use their swords but commanding them to strike those that cried out with clubs gave them a sign from his Tribunal So the Jews were beaten and many of them killed some by the blows they received perished others being troden to death in the croud by those of their own party that fled And so the multitude being astonished at the calamity of those that were slain were silent Moreover the same Writer relates innumerable other commotions raised in Jerusalem and shews that even from that time forward both the City and all Judea was distracted with Seditions Wars and continual contrivances of mischief following one upon another untill at last the Siege in the Reign of Vespasian by way of revenge befell them After this manner therefore hath divine vengeance pursued the Jews for their execrable wickedness committed against Christ. CHAP. VII That Pilate made himself away IT is also worth knowing how that this same Pilate who condemned our Saviour in the Reign of Caius whose times we now Treat of fell as it is famed into so great troubles that he was forced to be his own Murderer and Revenger laying violent hands on himself Divine justice as it was meet not long deferring his punishment This those Grecians do Record who have written Olympiads giving an account what was done and in what time performed CHAP. VIII Of the Dearth that happened in Claudius his time BUt Caius having held the Empire not full out four years Claudius the Emperour succeeded him In whose times a Dearth oppressed the whole world of which those Historians make mention who are wholly averse from our Religion And so the prediction of the Prophet Agabus of whom there is mention in the Acts of the Apostles concerning this Dearth that should come upon all the world was compleated Luke having in the Acts mentioned this Dearth that happened in the time of Claudius adds this farther saying That the brethren which were in Antioch every one according to his ability sent to them who were in Judea by the hands of Barnabas and Paul CHAP. IX The Martyrdom of James the Apostle NOw about that time to wit in the Reign of Claudius Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church and he killed James the brother of John with the sword Concerning this James Clemens in the seventh Book of his Institutions relates a memorable History speaking as he had heard from his predecessours For he says that he that accused him before the Judgment-seat seeing him openly and willingly testifie and declare the faith of Christ was moved thereat and professed that he also was a Christian. And so says he they were both together led away to suffer And as they were going he besoughâ—â— James to pardon him who after a short deliberation said peace be to thee and kissed him and so they were both beheaded together Then also as Holy writ declares Herod perceiving that the killing of James very much pleased the Jews set upon Peter also and having put him in bonds would forthwith have put him to death had he not been miraculously delivered out of prison by a divine apparition to wit by an Angel coming to him by night being dismist for the ministration of Preaching All which happened to Peter by the disposition of divine providence CHAP. X. How Agrippa called also Herod persecuting the Apostles presently felt Divine vengeance BUt the Kings attempt to do violence to the Apostles remained not long unrevenged for a chastizing Minister of divine justice pursued him He therefore soon after his bloudy plot against the Apostles going down to Caesarea as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles and being there upon the great festival day dressed in a white and Royal garment made an Oration to the people from his lofty throne and when all the multitude gave a shout with loud acclamations at his Oration as at the voice of God and not of Man Sacred writ declares that he was immediately smitten by an Angel and was eaten up of worms and gave up the ghost But the consent between Holy writ and the History of Josephus in the account given of this strange thing is worthy of admiration In which he giving evident testimony to the truth in his nineteenth Book of Antiquities does plainly declare this wonderfull thing in these words thus The third year of his reign over all Judea was now compleated when he went to the City Caesarea heretofore called the Tower of Straton There he exhibited shewes in honour of Caesar knowing that Festival to have been instituted for the prosperity of him Hereunto flockt a great multitude of those who were honourable and excelled in dignity throughout that whole Province On the second day therefore of the shews being clothed with Robes made all of silver admirably wrought he entred the Theatre early in the morning When the silver of his Robes shining by reason of the beams the rising Sun cast on them made a wonderfull glistering striking those who steadfastly looked on him with wonder and amazement presently his flatterers some from one place some from another cryed out with voices most pernitious to him terming him God and beseeching him to be propitious to them Hitherto said they we have reverenced thee as a Man but now we acknowledge thee to be above mortal nature But the King neither rebuked them nor rejected their impious flattery presently after looking up he espied an angel sitting over his head whom he forthwith understood to be the cause of mischief towards him having heretofore been the foreteller of his prosperity A pain that pierced his very heart immediately seized him He had besides a griping all over his belly which began with a vehement sharpness and was continual and without intermission Looking therefore upon his friends I your God says he am now compelled to end my life fatal necessity forthwith demonstrating the falshood of your boasting acclamations even now uttered concerning me I who by you was stiled immortal am now snatch't away by death But that destinie is to be born with which God hath decreed We have in no wise lived ill and despicably but in such splendor as was look't upon to be most fortunate When he had spoken these words he was spent with the vehemency of his pain Being therefore presently carried into the Palace a rumour was immediately spread abroad that the King was in imminent danger of his life straightway the whole multitude with their wives and children sitting upon spread sackcloth after their country fashion made supplications to God for the King Every place was filled with wailings and lamentations But the King lying in an High-bed-chamber looked down upon them as they lay prostrate and could not refrain weeping At length having been for five days space continually tormented with pains of his Belly he died in the fifty fourth year
valiantly with the Hereticks themselves whom they either confuted by dint of arguments and unwritten questions propounded face to face or else disproved their opinions by written Treatises most accurately compiled That Theophilus therefore did together with others engage these Hereticks 't is manifestly apparent from that elaborate piece not unworthy of himself which he wrote against Marcion which book together with those other we have recounted is at this present time extant Further Maximinus the seventh from the Apostles succeeded this person in the Bishoprick of the Antiochian Church CHAP. XXV Concerning Philippus and Modestus MOreover Philippus who as we are informed by the words of Dionysius even now quoted was Bishop of the Church at Gortyna compiled also a most elaborate piece against Marcion So likewise did Irenaeus and Modestus But this person last named did most excellently even better than the other Writers detect the errours and frauds of the man and exposed them to the view of the world Several others also wrote whose Labours are to this day with exquisite care preserved by many of the brethren CHAP. XXVI Concerning Melito and what he has made mention of ALso at that time Melito Bishop of the Church at Sardis and Apollinaris Prelate of the Church at Hierapolis flourished and were eminently famous Each of which persons did severally dedicate an Apology written in defence of our faith to the foresaid Roman Emperour who reigned at that time The Books of each of them which are come to our knowledge are these that follow Two books of Melito's concerning Easter one of his concerning the true way of converse and of the Prophets another concerning the Church and a third concerning the Lords day Moreover one concerning the nature of man and another about the frame and composure of man and one concerning the obedience of the senses and their subjection to faith and moreover one book concerning the soul the body and the mind a book concerning Baptism one of Truth one concerning the Origination and Generation of Christ his book of Prophecy another concerning Hospitality and that entitled The kâ—y besides one concerning the Devil and of the Revelation of John and another about the incarnatation of God and lastly his Apology to Antoninus Now in his books concerning Easter to wit in the beginning of that work he declares the time when he wrote in these words Servilius Paulus being Proconsul of Asia at that time when Sagaris suffered Martyrdom there arose a great controversie at Laodicea concerning Easter which happened to fall on those days in its due season at which time I wrote these books Clemens Alexandrinus makes mention of this book in his piece concerning Easter which book of Melito's was as he says the occasion of his composing that work Now in that book dedicated to the Emperour he relates what was acted against us Christians in his Reign For now says he that sort of men who are pious and holy are persecuted a thing which was never before done and molested with new Decrees throughout all Asia For most impudent informers who are desirous to possess themselves of other mens goods taking an occasion from the Imperial Edicts doe openly commit robberies and day and night take away the goods of innocent persons And after some words he continues thus Now if all this be done by Your command let it pass for an orderly and due way of proceeding For a just Emperour can never decree or authorize any thing that is unjust and we willingly undergoe the reward of such a death This request onely we humbly make to you that you your self would first take cognizance of them that are sufferers of this vexatious molestation and then determine impartially whether they are worthy of punishment and death or deserve to live in peace and quietness But if this Decree and this new Edict which ought not to have been established against the most barbarous enemies does not proceed from You then we more earnestly beseech You not to be unmindfull of us nor permit us to be any longer infested with these publick Rapines Then after the interposition of some words he adds thus much For this Sect of Philosophy which we profess at first flourisht amongst the Barbarians But when in the Reign of the Great Augustus Your Progenitour it began to be eminent and conspicuous in Your Provinces it brought with it most fortunate and prosperous success to Your Empire For from that time the power of the Roman Empire began to be eminently great and was much augmented Of which Empire You by succession are the most acceptable Inheritour that could be wish't for and shall so continue together with your Son if you will be the defender of that Religion which was nursed up together with Your Empire which took its beginning under the Reign of the Great Augustus and which your Ancestours did together with other Religions both esteem and reverence And this is a most certain evidence that our Religion which flourisht together with your happily begun Empire brought with it publick success and prosperity to wit that from the time of Augustus's Reign no unsuccessfull accident hath intervened but on the contrary such splendour and magnificence hath always artended Your Empire as is agreeable to the desires and prayers of all men Of all the Emperours onely Nero and Domitian induced thereto by the perswasion and advice of some malevolent persons endeavoured to fix a calumny and reproach upon our Religion From whom that false and malicious detraction happened to be conveyed down to succeeding times agreeable to the usage of the rude multitude which irrationally gives credit to such groundless rumours But Your pious Ancestours corrected their ignorance and by frequent Rescripts reproved such as audaciously attempted to be insolent and vexatious towards those of our Religion Amongst whom Your Grandfather Adrian wrote both to Fundanus Proconsul of Asia and also to many other Governours of Provinces and your Father even at that time when You were his Colleague in the Empire wrote to the Cities that they should not raise tumults nor commit any insolencies against us namely to the Larisseans to the Thessalonians the Athenians and to all the Grecians But we most confidently perswade our selves that You who retain the same opinion concerning us that your Ancestours had yea who are enclined to be much more gracious and mild towards us and to entertain wiser and discreeter thoughts concerning us will doe whatsoever we request of you This passage is extant in the fore mentioned Apologie of Melito The same Authour in that book of Extracts and Collections written by him does at the beginning of that work make a Catalogue of those books of the Old Testament that by general consent are acknowledged as Canonical which Catalogue I judged necessary to be here inserted It is word for word thus Melito to Onesimus the brother sendeth greeting Whereas because of your love to and diligence bestowed
Episcopal Office to Linus of whom Paul has made mention in his Epistles to Timotheus Anencletus succeeded him after whom in the third place from the Apostles Clemens had the Bishoprick allotted to him who had seen the blessed Apostles and was conversant with them and as yet he had the preaching of the Apostles sounding in his ears and their tradition before his eyes and not he alone for at that time there were many yet remaining alive who had been taught by the Apostles In the times of this Clemens when no small dissension rose among the brethren at Corinth the Church of Rome sent a most compleat and agreeable Epistle to the Corinthians joyning them together in peace and renewing their faith and the tradition they had lately received from the Apostles And after some few words he says Evarestus succeeded this Clemens and Alexander Evarestus then Xystus was constituted the sixth from the Apostles after him Telesphorus who suffered a glorious Martyrdom after him Hyginus then Pius after Pius Anicetus Soter having succeeded Anicetus Eleutherus is now in possession of the Episcopal Office in the twelfth place from the Apostles In this same order and succession both the tradition of the Apostles in the Church and also the promulgation of the truth is descended unto us CHAP. VII That even to those times miracles were wrought by the faithfull ALl this being agreeable to what we have delivered in the foregoing Books of our History Irenaeus has given his assent to in those five books of his which he entitled The Confutation and Overthrow of Knowledge falsly so called in the second book of which Subject he does in these words manifest that even in his days there remained in some Churches examples of the divine and wonderfull power of God in working miracles saying So far are they from raising the dead as the Lord and the Apostles did by prayer And frequently amongst the brotherhood the whole Church of one place having with much fasting and prayer requested the soul of the defunct has returned into his body and the man has had the benefit of life conferred upon him by the prayers of the Saints And again after the interposition of some words he says But if they say that the Lord wrought such miracles as these in appearance only not really we will bring them to the oracles of the Prophets and from thence demonstrate that all things were thus predicted concerning him and most undoubtedly done by him and that he onely is the Son of God Therefore they which are his true disciples receiving grace from him doe in his name perform all things for the benefit of the rest of mankind according as every one of them hath received the gift from him For some of them do certainly and truely cast out devils in so much that those very persons who were cleansed from evil spirits frequently become believers and continue in the Church Others have the fore-knowledge of things future and visions and utter prophetick predictions Others by the imposition of their hands heal the sick and restore them to their former soundness and moreover as we said the dead also have been raised who continued with us many years after What shall we say more We cannot declare the number of the gifts which the Church throughout the whole world having received from God in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontius Pilate does daily perform for the benefit of the Nations She uses no deceit towards any person neither does she sell her gifts for as she has freely received them from God so she freely ministers them to others And in another place the same Authour writes thus In like manner as we have heard many brethren in the Church who had prophetick gifts and by the Spirit spoke all sorts of languages who also revealed the secrets of men in such cases as 't was profitable and necessary and explained the mysteries of God And thus much concerning this matter to wit that diversities of gifts continued with such as were worthy untill those times before manifested CHAP. VIII After what manner Irenaeus makes mention of the divine Scriptures BUt because in the beginning of this work of ours we promised that we would produce in due place the words of the ancient Ecclesiastick Presbyters and Writers wherein they have delivered in writing the traditions concerning the books of the Old and New Testament which came to their hands of which number Irenaeus was one Come on we will here adjoyn his words and first what he has said of the sacred Gospels after this manner Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews written in their own Language whilest Peter and Paul were Preaching the Gospel at Rome and founding the Church After their death Mark the disciple and interpreter of Peter delivered to us in writing what Peter had Preached Luke also the follower of Paul compiled in a book the Gospel Preach't by him Afterwards John the disciple of the Lord he that leaned on his breast publisht a Gospel when he lived at Ephesus a City of Asia Thus much the forementioned Authour has said in the third book of the foresaid work And in his fifth book he discourses thus concerning the Revelation of John and the number of Antichrist's name These things being thus and this number being extant in all accurate and antient copies and those very persons who saw John face to face attesting the truth of these things even reason doth teach us that the number of the beasts name according to the computation of the Grecians is made apparent by the letters contained in it And after some other passages he speaks thus concerning the same John We therefore will not run the hazard of affirming any thing too positively concerning the name of Antichrist for if his name were to have been openly declared in this age it would have been express't by him who saw the Revelation For it was not seen long since but almost in our age about the end of Domitian's Reign Thus much is related by the foresaid Authour concerning the Revelation He mentions also the first Epistle of John and produces many authorites out of it as also out of the second Epistle of Peter He not onely knew but also approved of the book called Pastor saying Truly therefore hath that book said which contains this Before all things believe that there is one God who created and set in order all things and so forth He quotes some words out of the Wisedom of Solomon saying in a manner thus The vision of God procures incorruption and incorruption makes us neer unto God He makes mention also of the sayings of an Apostolick Presbyter whose name he has concealed and annexes his expositions of the divine Scriptures Moreover he makes mention of Justin Martyr and Ignatius quoting also authorities out of their writings The same person has promised to confute Marcion in a separate Volume by arguments pickt out
those who had been instructed by him became Martyrs THe first of them was the aforementioned Plutarchus whom when he was led to Execution he of whom the discourse is accompanied to the last hour of his life and again wanted little of being kill'd by the men of his own City as seeming the cause of Plutarchus's death But then also the providence of God preserv'd him Next to Plutarch the second of Origen's disciples that was a Martyr was Serenus Who by fire gave a triall of the faith which he had receiv'd Heraclides was made the third Martyr of the same School The fourth after him was Heron. Both which persons were beheaded the former of them while he was yet learning the Principles of Christianity the latter when he was newly Baptiz'd Besides these another Serenus different from the former is declared the fifth Champion of Piety who came out of this School Who 't is reported was punish'd with the loss of his head after a most patient sufferance of many Torments And of women Heraïs who as yet was learning the Principles of Christianity did as he himself somewhere says depart this life having received Baptism by fire CHAP. V. Concerning Potamiaena LEt Basilides be reckoned the seventh among these who lead the most renown'd Potamiaena to Execution concerning which woman even yet there is a famous report amongst the inhabitants of those Countries for that she combated many times with her lovers in defence of the chastity and virginity of her body for which she was famous for besides the vigour of her mind there flourisht in her a comliness of body who having suffer'd many things for her faith in Christ at last after grievous Torments and horrible to be related was together with her mother Marcella consumed by fire Moreover they say that the Judge whose name was Aquila after he had inflicted grievous stripes upon every part of her body threatned at last he would deliver her to the Gladiatours to abuse her body But she having considered of the matter some short time being asked what her determination was return'd they say such an answer as thereby she seem'd to speak some thing which was accounted impious amongst them Forthwith therefore she receiv'd the definitive sentence of the Judge and Basilides one of the Military Apparitors took and lead her to Execution but when the multitude endeavour'd to molest and reproach her with obscene words he prohibited them thrusting away them who reproach'd her shewing much commiseration and humanity towards her She taking in good part the mans commiseration shown towards her exhorts him to be of good courage for when she was gone hence she would entreat her Lord for him and within a little while she would make him a requital for what he had done for her When she had spoken these things they say she valiantly underwent death hot scalding pitch being leisurely and by little and little poured upon all the several members of her body from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head such was the combat fought by this famous virgin But not long after Basilides upon some occasion being desir'd by his fellow-soldiers to swear avouch'd t was not lawfull for him to swear at all for he was a Christian and he openly confess'd it at first they thought he onely spake in jest but when he constantly maintain'd it he is brought before the Judge and after he had made profession of his stedfastness before him he was put into bonds And when some of the brethren in the Lord came to him asking him what was the cause of this sudden and unexpected change he is reported to have said that Potamiaena three days after her Martyrdom stood by him in the night put a crown about his head and said she had entreated the Lord for him and had obtain'd her request And within a little while the Lord would take him upto himself After these things the brethren imparted to him the Seal of the Lord and the day after being famous for his testimony of the Lord he was beheaded they relate that many more throughout Alexandria came thick at that time to the doctrine of Christ to wit such as Potamiaena had appear'd to in their sleep and invited them to be converted to the Gospel But for these things let thus much suffice CHAP. VI. Concerning Clemens Alexandrinus CLemens who succeeded Pantaenus was Master of the Catechetick School at Alexandria till this time So that Origen when he was a boy was one of his Scholars Moreover this Clemens committing to writing the subject of that work of his entitled Stromateis in his first Volume explains the series of times and determines his computation at the death of Commodus So that it is plain those books were elaborated by him in the Reign of Severus the History of whose times this book of ours contains CHAP. VII Concerning Judas the Writer AT this time also liv'd Judas another Writer who commented upon the Seventy Weeks in Daniel and puts an end to his computation of the times at the tenth year of Severus's Reign His Opinion was that even at that time the coming of Antichrist which was so much talk'd of drew nigh So great a disturbance did the raising of the Persecution then against us cause in many mens minds CHAP. VIII Concerning the bold Act of Origen AT this time while Origen perform'd the Office of Chatechizing at Alexandria an act of an unripe and youthfull mind was committed by him but which withall contain'd a most manifest token of Continence and true faith for he taking these words some Eunuchs there are which have made themselves Eumuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake in the more simple meaning unadvisedly like one of his juvenile years thinking it both his duty to fulfill our Saviours words and also considering that during his youthfull years he was to converse not onely with men but women about the things which appertain to God that he might exclude the Infidels from all suspition of obscene slanders his mind was full bent to perform really our Saviour's words taking great care that it might escape the knowledge of many of his familiars but 't was impossible for him although he was desirous to conceal such a fact But when Demetrius understood it as being then Governour of the Church there he both greatly admires him for his boldness and also having commended his alacrity of mind and sincerity of faith forthwith encourages and excites him to a more diligent imployment about the duty of Catechizing for such at this time was Demetrius's opinion of this act but no long time after when he saw Origen doe well and that he was famous and well reported of by all men being affected with the frailties of Mankind he endeavoured by letters sent to all the Bishops in the world to describe what was done as a most absurd action For the Bishops of Caesarea
called him for the time allotted him was now accomplished When he was brought before the place of judicature and had shewed a greater courage in the confession of the Faith then he did before immediately he was halled away to Execution and was Crowned with Martyrdom CHAP. XVI A Relation concerning Astyrius AStyrius also is much fam'd for his Religious boldness and freedom at that time A man who was a Roman Senatour a singular favourite of the Emperours and both for his nobleness of Birth and Estate known to all persons He being present at the death of the foresaid Martyr took up the Corps wrapped it in a white and precious garment laid it upon his shoulders and carried it away and when he had adorned it very richly he deposited it in a decent Grave This persons familiars who lived till our days relate infinite other things concerning him CHAP. XVII Concerning the mighty Miracles of our Saviour at Paneas AMongst which they relate this Miracle At Caesarea-Philippi which the Phaenicians call Paneas they report there are springs to be seen at the foot of the Mountain called Panius out of which the River Jordan hath its original They say that on a certain Festival they used to cast a sacrifice into these Springs and by the power of the Devil it would miraculously vanish out of sight And that this was a Miracle much talked of by them who had seen it Astyrius therefore being upon a time present with those that did this and seeing many struck with admiration at what was done was sorry for their errour Then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and besought the supream God by Jesus Christ that he would rebuke this Devil which seduced the people and command him to cease from deceiving of men They report that when he had prayed thus the sacrifice floated upon the Waters immediately Thus perished their Miracle and never afterwards was there any prodigie done neer that place CHAP. XVIII Concerning the Statue which the Woman who had the Flux of bloud erected BUt since I have made mention of this City I think it not at all unsutable to produce a story which is worthy to be related to posterity For they say that the woman who had the Issue of bloud whom the sacred Gospels inform us to have been healed by our Saviour was born in this City and that her house may be seen there and that the illustrious Monuments of our Saviour's beneficence shown towards her doe yet remain For neer the gate of her house 't is said stands upon a Pillar of stone the Effigies of a woman in brass kneeling on her knees and stretching forth her hands forward in the form of a suppliant On the other side opposite to it stood another Image of a man made of the same mettal standing upright dressed decently in a short vesture and stretching out his hand towards the woman At whose feet upon the base of the Pillar 't is said there springs up a strange kind of an herb which grows up to the skirt of his brasen doublet and is a present remedy to remove all sorts of diseases They say that this Statue represented our Saviour This remained till our Age and therefore we our selves went to the City to see it Nor need it seem a wonder that the Ancient Gentiles who received benefits from our Saviour did these things seeing that we have seen the pictures of his Apostles Peter and Paul and of Christ himself drawn in Colours and preserved till our days It is probable enough that those Ancients according to the custom of the Heathens were wont unadvisedly to honour all those after this manner as Saviours by whom they had been any ways benefited CHAP. XIX Concerning the Chair of James the Apostle THe Episcopal Chair of James the first Bishop of Jerusalem who was consecrated by our Saviour himself and the Apostles who in holy Writ is honoured with the title of the Brother of Christ being reserved till this time the Brethren who have succeeded in that Church do reverence it Hence they plainly manifest to all what great veneration and respect both the Antients and also those of our Age have and do pay to holy men for their love to God But thus much concerning these things CHAP. XX. Concerning Dionysius's Paschal Epistles in which he prescribeth a Canon concerning Easter MOreover besides those his fore-mentioned Epistles the same Dionysius at the same time wrote these still extant called Paschal Epistles amongst which he interweaves Panegyrick discourses concerning the feast of Easter one of these Epistles he Dedicateth to Flavius another to Domitius and Didymus In which he publisheth a Canon of eight years having proved that we ought to celebrate the feast of Easter at no other time but after the vernal Aequinox He composed another Epistle besides these to his Fellow-Presbyters at Alexandria and others to divers other persons and these he wrote whilest the rage of the Persecution still continued CHAP. XXI Concerning what things happened at Alexandria DIonysius returned to Alexandria Peace being as yet scarce throughly setled there But when Sedition and War joyntly raged again there so that he could not visit all the Brethren in the City they being divided into the one or the other party of the faction Again even on Easter-day as if he had been exil'd out of Alexandria he conversed with them by letters And in his other Paschal Letter which a little after this he wrote to Hierax one of the Aegyptian Bishops he mentioneth the Sedition then at Alexandria in these words It is no wonder if it be difficult for me to converse with men far remote even by Letters whenas it is rendred now no easie matter for me to discourse with my self and to give advice to my own soul. For I am compelled to send Letters even to my own bowels my Brethren who live under the same roof have the same mind and are members and inhabitants of the same Church and it appears to me a great difficulty how I should convey my Letters to them For a man may with more ease and less danger travel not onely beyond the bounds of this Province but even from East to West then out of Alexandria into Alexandria For the very middle street of this City is more unfrequented and impassible then that vast and invious wilderness which Israel travelled through in two Ages Those calm and still Havens do represent the Sea through which the Israelites had a spatious passage it being divided and made like a wall on both hands but the Aegyptians were drowned in the paths thereof And through the frequent slaughters perpetrated therein they were like a red Sea The River which runneth by the City seemed sometimes more dry and uncomfortable then the thirsty wilderness through which when the Israelites travelled they were so thirsty that they murmured against Moses until by the power of God who
who had formerly waged wars against those of our Religion having most miraculously altered their minds sounded a retreat and extinguished the most ardent flame of the persecution by Reseripts favourable towards us and by most mild Edicts But neither was any humane cause nor which some one might conjecture was the clemency or humanity of the Emperours the occasion hereof no 't was far from that For from the beginning of the persecution unto that very time they daily invented more and more grievous cruelties against us renewing the tortures used towards us by divers machines made use of successively and in a various manner But the appaâ—ent inspection of the divine providence it self which was now reconciled to its people pursued the authour of these miseries and was angry at the Ring-leader of the wickedness committed during the whole persecution For al though these things ought to have come to pass agreeable to the judgment of the divine will yet Woe says the Scripture to that man by whom the offence cometh Therefore a punishment sent from God seized him which having made its beginning at his very flesh proceeded even to his soul. For on a sudden an impostume arose upon him about the midst of the privy parts of his body after that a Fiâ—â—ula in ano both these diseases spread incurably and did eat into his inmost bowels From them bred an unspeakable multitude of worms and a most noysome stench proceeded therefrom for before this disease the whole mass of flesh upon his body was by reason of the abundance of food he devoured grown to an immense fatness which being then putrified became an intollerable and most horrid spectacle to those that approach't him Wherefore some of his Physitians being altogether unable to endure the exceeding noysomeness of the stink that came from him were killed others of them when they could administer no remedy the whole fabrick of his body being swelled and past all hopes of a recovery were cruelly slain CHAP. XVII Concerning the Retractation of the Emperours MOreover whilest he was strugling with these many and great miseries he began to be sensible of the villanous acts he had performed towards the worshippers of God having therefore seriously recollected himself first he made his confession to the supream God Then having called together the chief Officers of his Palace he ordered them without any delay to inhibite the persecution of the Christians and by his decree and Imperial Edict commanded that their Churches should with all expedition be built wherein they might perform their usual solemnities and make supplications to God for the Emperour Therefore what he had given order for in words being immediately followed by an actual performance the Imperial Edicts were set forth in every City containing a revocation of the persecution against us according to this form following EMPEROUR CAESAR GALERIUS VALERIUS MAXIMIANUS INVICTUS AUGUSTUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS GERMANICUS MAXIMUS AEGYPTIACUS MAXIMUS THEBAÃCUS MAXIMUS SARMATICUS MAXIMUS the Fifth time PERSICUS MAXIMUS CARPICUS MAXIMUS the Second time ARMENICUS MAXIMUS the Sixth time MEDICUS MAXIMUS ADâ—ABâ—NICUS MAXIMUS TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE XX. EMPEROUR XIX CONSUL VIII FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY PROCONSUL And EMPEROUR CAESAR FLAVIUS VALERIUS CONSTANTINUS PIUS FELIX INVICTUS AUGUSTUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE V. EMPEROUR V. CONSUL FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY PROCONSUL And EMPEROUR CAESAR VALERIUS LICINIANUS PIUS FELIX INVICTUS AUGUSTUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE IV. EMPEROUR III. CONSUL FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY PROCONSUL To the Subjects of their own Provinces Greeting Amongst other things which we have constituted for the profit and utility of the Republick it was our desire in the first place that all things should be redressed according to the ancient Laws and publick Ordinances of the Romans And we earnestly endeavoured to effect this that the Christians who had relinquished the Rites and Usages of their Parents should be reduced to a good mind and intention For so great an arrogancy and unadvisedness has by a considerateness as it were possest and invaded them that they would not follow those sanctions of their Ancestours which even their Parents 't is likely had before Ratified but according to their own arbitrement and as each person had a desire so they would make Laws and observe them and assemble various multitudes of different factions and dissenting about their opinions Therefore when we had published such an Edict as should oblige them to return to the Rites and Ordinances of their Ancestours many of them having been exposed to imminent dangers and many having been terrified with the menaces of punishment underwent various sorts of death But when many persisted in this madness and we perceived they did neither exhibite a due worship to the immortal Gods nor yet to the God of the Christians having a respect to our humanity and that continued usage by which we have been accustomed to bestow Pardon on all sorts of men we have thought good that our indulgence should most readily be extended in this matter also that the Christians should again be tolerated and that they may have licence to rebuild the houses wherein they used to assemble themselves that so in future they may be forced to do nothing contrary to their discipline In a particular Rescript we will signifie to our Judges what it shall behovâ— them to observe Wherefore upon account of this our Indulgence they are obliged to supplicate their God for our safety that of the Republick and their own that so both the Publick State of Affairs may in all respects be continued in an entire and safe posture and they themselves live undisturbed in their own habitations Thâ—se words which we have according to our ability translated out of the Roman into the Greek Language are thus now therefore it is an opportune time to take a Prospect of what followed hereupon The End of the Eighth Book of the Ecclesiastical History IN SOME COPIES THIS OCCURS AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE EIGHTH BOOK BUT the Authour of this Edict after this Confession was forthwith Released from his pains and ended his Life Report says that this man was the first beginner of that Calamitous Persecution for long before the rest of the Emperours were instigated to it he endeavoured by force to withdraw the Christians that bore Armes from their Religion especially those that were his domesticks some of whom he removed from their Military dignities most dishonourably abused others and moreover punished othersome with death and at length he moved his Colleagues in the Empire to a General Persecution against the Christians The manner how these Emperours ended their Lives we judge unfit to be buried in silence of the four therefore who had divided the Roman Empire between them those two that had the precedency in Age and Honour resigned their Empire before two years were compleated after the beginning of the Persecution as we
of blessed memory had determined to restore this Bishop to his own See and return him to your most amiable piety yet in regard being prevented by humane chance he died before the accomplishment of his desire We being his successour thought it agreeable to fulfill the mind of that Emperour of sacred memory Moreover how great a reverence and respect he has procured from us you shall know from himself as soon as he shall come into your presence Nor is it a wonder that We have done any thing in favour to him for both the representation of your love and also the aspect of so great a personage moved and exited Our mind hereto May the Divine Providence preserve you dearest brethren Upon the confidence of this Letter Athanasius comes to Alexandria and the people of Alexandria most willingly received him But as many as were followers of Arius's opinion entred into a combination and conspired against him hereupon continual Seditions arose which gave an occasion to the Eusebian faction of accusing him before the Emperour because upon his own inclination and award without the determination of a general Council of Bishops he had returned and taken possession of the Alexandrian Church And they made so great a proficiency in their calumnies that the Emperour being incensed expelled him out of Alexandria But how that was effected I will a little after this relate CHAP. IV. That upon Eusebius Pamphilus's death Acacius succeeded in the Bishoprick of Caesarea DUring this interval of time Eusebius who was Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine and had the sirname of Pamphilus departed this life and Acacius his Scholar succeeded him in that Bishoprick This Acacius published many other books and also wrote particularly concerning the Life of his Master Eusebius CHAP. V. Concerning the death of Constantine the Younger NOt long after this the Emperour Constantius's brother who bore the same name with his Father Constantine the younger invading those parts of the Empire that belonged to his younger brother Constans and ingaging with his Souldiers is slain by them in the Consulate of Acindynus and Proclus CHAP. VI. How Alexander Bishop of Constantinople at his death proposed Paulus and Macedonius to be elected into his Bishoprick AT the very same time the City Constantinople was involved in another tumult which followed on the neck of those disturbances we have before related raised upon this account Alexander who presided over the Churches in that City a Prelate that had couragiously opposed Arius departed out of this life after he had spent twenty three years in that Bishoprick and had lived ninety eight years compleat having ordained no body to succeed in his place But he commanded those to whom the power of electing belonged to make choice of one of those two whom he should name And if they were desirous of having one that should be both skillfull in teaching and also of an approved piety and uprightness of life he advised them to make choise of Paulus one that he had ordained Presbyter a person that was a young man indeed in respect of his age but old in understanding and prudence But if they would rather have one commendable for an external shew of piety only they might elect Macedonius who had long since been made a Deacon of that Church and was now grown aged Hereupon there hapned a great contest concerning the Ordination of a Bishop which very much disturbed that Church For the people were divided into two factions the one side adhered to the Arian opinion the other embraced the determinations made at the Nicene Synod And as long as Alexander continued alive the Homoöusian party prevailed the Arians disagreeing and contending daily amongst themselves concerning their own opinion But after Alexanders death the success of the peoples contest was dubious Therefore the Homoöusian party proposed Paulus to be ordained Bishop but those that embraced Arianism were very earnest to have Macedonius elected And in the Church called Irene which is near that Church now named The Great Church and the Church of Sophia Paulus is ordained Bishop in which election the suffrage of Alexander then dead seemed to have prevailed CHAP. VII How the Emperour Constantius ejected Paulus who had been Ordained Bishop and having sent for Eusebius from Nicomedia entrusted him with the Bishoprick of Constantinople BUt the Emperour arriving not long after at Constantinople was highly incensed at this Ordination of Paulus And having convened a Council of Bishops that embraced Arius's opinion he vacated Paulus's Bishoprick And he translated Eusebius from Nicomedia and constituted him Bishop of Constantinople When the Emperour had performed these things he went to Antioch CHAP. VIII How Eusebius assembled another Synod at Antioch of Syria and caused another form of Faith to be published BUt Eusebius could by no means be at quiet but as the common saying is moved every stone that he might effect what he had designed Therefore he procures a Synod to be assembled at Antioch in Syria under a pretence of dedicating a Church which Constantine the father of the Augusti had begun to build after whose death Constantius his son finished it in the tenth year after its foundation was laid but in reality that he might subvert and destroy the Homoöusian Faith At this Synod there met ninety Bishops who came out of divers Cities But Maximus Bishop of Jerusalem who had succeeded Macarius was not present at that Synod having considered with himself that he had been before induced by fraud to subscribe Athanasius's deposition Neither was Julius Bishop of Rome the Great present there nor did he send any body to supply his place Although the Ecclesiastick Canon doth order that the Churches ought not to make Sanctions contrary to the Bishop of Romes opinion This Synod therefore is convened at Antioch the Emperour Constantius himself being there present in the Consulate of Marcellus and Probinus This was the fifth year from the death of Constantine the father of the Augusti At that time Placitus successour to Euphronius presided over the Churches in Antioch The Eusebians therefore made it their principal business to calumniate Athanasius saying in the first place that he had done contrary to that Canon which they had then constituted because he had recovered his Episcopal dignity without the consent of a general Synod of Bishops For returning from his exile he had upon his own arbitrement and award rushed into the Church secondly that a tumult being raised at his entrance many had lost their lives in that Sedition and that some persons had been scourged by Athanasius and others brought before the seats of Judicature Moreover they produced what had been done against Athanasius in the City of Tyre CHAP. IX Concerning Eusebius Emisenus AFter the framing of these calumnies they proposed one to be made Bishop of Alexandria and in the first place they named Eusebius Emisenus Who this person was Georgius of
an History of the Christian Religion being our business we will continue our making use of a low plain and mean stile for perspicuities sake And this we promised to do at the beginning Being therefore to speak concerning him his Extract Education and how he came to the Empire in order to our performing hereof we must begin a little higher Constantinus he who gave Byzantium his own name had two brothers begotten by the same father but not born of the same mother The name of the one was Dalmatius the other was called Constantius Dalmatius had a son who bore his own name Constantius begat two sons Gallus and Julianus After the death of Constantine the Builder of Constantinople when the Souldiers had murthered Dalmatius the younger at that time these two also being Orphans wanted but little of falling into the same danger with Dalmatius had not a distemper which seemed to be mortal delivered Gallus from their violence and the tenderness of Julianus's age for he was not then eight years old compleat protected him But after the Emperours rage against them was mollified Gallus frequented the Schools at Ephesus in Ionia in which Country they had large possessions left them by their Ancestours And Julianus being grown up was an auditour in the Schools at Constantinople going into the Pallace where there were then Schools in a private habit and was tutored by Macedonius the Eunuch Nicocles the Laconian taught him the Grammar he had for his Rhetorick master Ecebolius the Sophista who was at that time a Christian. For the Emperour Constantius took great care least by his being an hearer of a Pagan-master he should revolt to the superstition of the Gentiles For Julianus was at first a Christian. Upon his making a great progress in Literature a rumour began to be spread amongst the peop'e that he was fit to Govern the Roman Empire Which report being more openly divulged much disturbed the Emperours mind Wherefore he removed him from the Great City to Nicomedia ordering him not to frequent the School of Libanius the Syrian-Sophista For at that time Libanius having been expelled Constantinople by the School-masters had opened a School at Nicomedia Wherefore he vented his gall against the School-masters in an Oration which he wrote against them But Julianus was forbidden to go to him because Libanius was as to his Religion a Pagan Nevertheless being a great admirer of Libanius's Orations He procured them privately and perused them frequently and studiously When he had made a great proficiency in Rhetorick there came to Nicomedia Maximus the Philosopher not Maximus of Byzantium Euclid's Father but Maximus the Ephesian whom the Emperour Valentinianus ordered to be slain afterwards as being a practicer of Magick But this hapned a long while after At that time his coming to Nicomedia was occasioned by nothing else but Julianus's fame which induced him to go thither Julianus having had a taste of Philosophick Literature from him began forthwith to imitate his Masters Religion who also instilled into his mind a desire of the Empire When the Emperour was made acquainted with these things Julianus being betwixt hope and fear became very desirous of avoiding suspicion and he who had before been a sincere Christian then began to act the hypocrite Being therefore shaved to the very skin he pretended to lead a monastick life Privately he imployed himself about the study of Philosophy but in publick he read the sacred Writings of the Christians Moreover he was made a Reader in the Church of Nicomedia and by this specious pretext he avoided the Emperours fury All this he did out of fear But in the interim he receded not from his hope but told many of his friends that those would be happy times when he should be possest of the Empire Whilst his affairs were in this posture his brother Gallus was created Caesar and in his journey into the East came to Nicomedia to give him a visit Not long after this Gallus was slain immediately upon which the Emperour grew suspicious of Julianus Wherefore he ordered a guard should be set upon him But as soon as he could get an opportunity of slipping away from his Keepers he removed from place to place and by that means made his escape At length the Emperours wife Eusebia having found him out during his absconding perswades the Emperour to do him no harm but to allow him a liberty of going to Athens to study Philosophy From whence that I may be brief the Emperour sent for him and created him Caesar. After which he married him to his sister Helena and sent him into the Gallia's against the Barbarians For the Barbarians whom the Emperour Constantius had a little before hired to be his Auxiliaries against Magnentius having been imployed in no service against the Tyrant fell to destroying the Roman Cities And in regard Julianus was as yet but young he ordered him not to enter upon any thing of action without the advice of the Commanders of the Army Who having received so large a commission grew negligent in their management of affairs upon which account the Barbarians increased in strength Julianus permitted the Commanders to spend their time in Luxury and drinking but he made the Souldiers more couragious by promising a set reward to him who should kill a Barbarian This was the original cause whereby both the Barbarians Forces were diminished and also he himself was rendred more acceptable to the Souldiers There is a report that as he was entring into a Town a Crown with which they usually adorn the Cities being hung up by Ropes between two Pillars fell down upon his head and fitted it exactly at which all that were present gave a shout For by this sign it seemed to be portended that he should be Emperour There are those who say that Constantius therefore sent him against the Barbarians that he might perish there in an engagement with them But I know not whether they who report this speak the truth For should he have framed such a design against him after he had joyned him in marriage to his own sister it would have been no other then a conspiracy against himself But let every one judge of this matter according to his own pleasure Moreover upon Julianus's making a complaint to the Emperour of the slothfullness of his Military Officers there was another Commander sent to him exactly agreeable to Julianus's courage Having got such an Assistant he made a bold attack upon the Barbarians They dispatcht away an Embassadour to him informing him that they were ordered by the Emperours Letters to March into the Roman Territories and the Letters were produced to him But he clapt their Embassadour into prison and having engaged their forces routed them totally He also took the King of the Barbarians prisoner and sent him to Constantius Upon this fortunate success he is proclaimed Emperour by the Souldiers But because they wanted an Imperial Crown one of
have made mention above CHAP. II. Concerning Nectarius's death and the Ordination of Johannes WIthin a small intervall of time Nectarius also Bishop of Constantinople departed this life in the Consulate of Caesarius and Atticus about the twenty seventh of the month September Forthwith therefore a Contention arosâ— about the Ordination of a Bishop and some desired one person others another When a Consult had been severall times held about this matter it was at last concluded on that Johannes a Presbyter of the Antiochian Church should be sent for from Antioch For a fame was spread concerning him for his Learning and Eloquence Within some small space of time therefore the Emperour Areadius with the common consent of all persons I mean the Clergy as well as Laity sends for him And to the end that his Ordination might be accomplished with more of firmness and authority by the Emperours order many other Prelates were present as was also Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria who made it his business to blacken Johannes's glory and to promote Isidorus a Presbyter under himself to the Bishoprick whom he had a great love for because Isidorus had undertaken a very dangerous affair upon his account What that business was we must now declare When the Emperour Theodosius was actually ingaged in a War against the Tyrant Maximus Theophilus sent presents by Isidorus to the Emperour and delivered two Letters to him ordering him to present the Gifts and Letters to him that should be Conquerour Isidorus in obedience to these commands arriving at Rome stayed there expecting the Event of the War But this business could not lie long concealed for a Reader who accompanied him stole the Letters privately On which account Isidorus being in a great fear fled forthwith to Alexandria This was the occasion of Theophilus's being so highly concerned for Isidorus But the Grandees of the Imperial Palace gave Johannes the preference And in regard many persons raised accusations against Theophilus and presented Libells some upon one account others on another against him to the Bishops that were present Eutropius the Chief person of the Bed-chamber to the Emperour took the written Accusations and shewed them to Theophilus bidding him take his choice whether he would Ordain Johannes or be brought to his Tryall and answer the Accusations on foot against him Theophilus terrified herewith Ordained Johannes Johannes therefore being Ordained was seated in the Episcopall Chair in order to his bearing the Office of a Bishop on the twenty sixth of February in the following Consulate which the Emperour Honorius celebrated at Rome and Eutychianus at that time Praefectus praetorio at Constantinople with Games and Sports But in regard this Johannes is famous both for the Books he left written and also for the many troubles he fell into I judge it fit not to pass his affaires over in silence but relate as compendiously as 't is possible what might be declared more at large and to set forth whence he was from whom extracted how he was called to the Episcopate after what manner he was deprived of it and lastly upon what account he was more honoured after his death than whilest he was living CHAP. III. Concerning the Descent and Education of Johannes Bishop of Constantinople JOhannes therefore was born at Antioch a City of Syria-Coele the Son of Secundus and his mothers name was Anthusa persons of a noble family in that Country He was Scholar to Libanius the Sophista and an hearer of Andragathius the Philosopher Being ready to betake himself to the practise of the Civil Law and perceiving how laborious and unjust a life they lead who are conversant in the Forum he chose rather to follow a quieter sort of life And this he did in imitation of Evagrius who having been educated under the same Masters had long before betaken himself to a more sedate and quieter course of life Changing therefore forthwith his garb and his gate he applied his mind to reading the Sacred Scriptures and frequently went in great hast to the Church on account of praying Moreover he perswades Theodorus and Maximus who had been his School-fellows under Libanius the Sophista to leave their profession which had a respect to nothing but gain and betake themselves to a more simple and meaner course of life Of these two persons Theodorus was afterwards Bishop of Mopsuestia a City in Cilicia and Maximus of Seleucia in Isauria But being at that time very studious and diligent about virtue they were instructed in a monastick course of life by Diodorus and Carterius who then presided over the Monasteries Of these two Diodorus afterwards made Bishop of Tarsus wrote many books being intent upon the bare Letter and obvious sense of the Sacred Scriptures but avoiding the Allegoricall interpretation thereof Thus far concerning these persons Moreover Johannes who converst frequently and familiarly with Basilius at that time ordained a Deacon by Meletius but afterwards constituted Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia was made Reader of the Antiochian Church by Zeno the Bishop in his return from Jerusalem Whilest he continued in the degree of a Reader he wrote a book against the Jews Having not long after obtained the dignity of a Deacon from Meletius he wrote his books concerning Priesthood and those against Stagirius Moreover those concerning the incomprehensible nature of God and those concerning subintroduced women After this when Meletius was dead at Constantinople for he had made a journey thither on account of Gregorius Nazianzenus's ordination Johannes made a separation from the Meletianists nor did he communicate with Paulinus but lived quietly for the space of three whole years Afterwards when Paulinus was dead he is ordained Presbyter by Evagrius Paulinus's successour This to speak compendiously was Johannes's course of life before his being made Bishop He was a person as 't is said sower and morose by reason of his overmuch zeal for temperance and as one of his intimadoes has reported from his younger years more addicted to anger than bashfullness Because of his Sanctity of Life he was not cautious and circumspect in relation to things future and by reason of his plainness he was open and easie He used too great a liberty in speaking to those who discoursed him In his teaching he made it his chief business to improve the Moralls of his hearers and in his conferences he was supposed by those who knew him not to be proud and arrogant CHAP. IV. Concerning Serapion the Deacon and how by his instigation Johannes became offended with and an enemy to his Clergy THis being the humour and disposition of Johannes after his promotion to the Episcopate he was more supercilious and severe towards his Clergy than was fitting his design in that being as he expected to rectifie the lives of those under him Immediately therefore at his very entry upon the Bishoprick he
usefull advice and by subtlety made an attempt upon the Barbarian Having therefore sent Embassadours to him he took a resolution of appeasing him as well by words as deeds Upon Gaïna's demanding two of the eminentest Personages of the Senatorian Order who had born the Consulate to wit Saturninus and Aurelianus persons whom he look't upon as hinderers of his designes to be Hostages the Emperour in compliance with the necessity of that time delivered them though unwillingly These two persons prepared to undergo death for the good of the publick with a couragious mind obeyed the Emperours Command And went forth to meet the Barbarian some distance from Chalcedon at a place termed the Hippodrome being ready to endure whatever he should inflict However they suffered no harm But Gaïna made use of dissimulation and came to Chalcedon Whither the Emperour Arcadius also went to meet him The Emperour and the Barbarian going both into that Church where the body of the Martyr Euphemia is deposited bound themselves in a mutuall Oath that they would not frame designes one against the other The Emperour a person that had a pious and religious esteem for an Oath and was upon that account beloved by God kept the ingagement he had entred into But Gaïna violated it and receded not from the design he had proposed to himself but was intent upon causing Burnings and Plunderings both at Constantinople and also if he could have effected it over the whole Roman Empire The City therefore was turned into a Barbary by reason of the innumerable multitudes of Barbarians and its inhabitants had the treatment of Captives Moreover so great was the danger which hung over the City that a vast Comet which reached from heaven even to the earth the like to which no man ever saw before gave an indication thereof Gaïna therefore in the first place impudently attempted to make plunder of the silver publickly exposed to sale in the shops But when by a preceding Rumâ—ur thereof the Money-changers abstained from exposing their silver on their Tables he betook himself to another designe And in the dead of the night he sends a great number of Barbarians to burn down the Pallace At which time it was perspicuously manifested how great a care God had of the City For a multitude of Angels appeared to the Traytors in the form of armed men of a vast Stature whom the Barbarians conjecturing to be in reallity a numerous and valiant Army were astonished thereat and departed When this was told to Gaïna it seemed incredible to him For he well knew that the greatest part of the Roman Army was then absent being engarisoned in the Cities of the East On the next night therefore and on many nights afterwards he sent other persons But when he had sent severall men who still brought him the same news for God's Angels always appeared in the same form to the Traytors at length he himself went accompanied with a great multitude to be a spectatour of the Miracle Supposing them really to be an Army of Souldiers which on the day-time lay concealed and in the night opposed his attempts he framed a design prejudiciall as he thought to the Romans but which as the event demonstrated was of great advantage to them For feigning himself to be possest with a devill upon a pretence of prayer he goes to the Church of John the Apostle which is seaven miles distant from the City The Barbarians went out with him and carried out their Arms covertly hiding them partly in Tuns and partly making use of other devices But when the Guard that kept the City-gates having discovered the trick would not suffer them to carry out their weapons the Barbarians drew their swords and slew those that guarded the Gates Hereupon arose a horrid tumult in the City and death seemed to be impendent on all persons Notwithstanding at that time the City suffered no harm all its Gates being strongly fortified But the Emperour made a seasonable use of prudent advice and having proclaimed Gaïna a publick Enemy he commanded those Barbarians who were left in the City to be slain One day after the men that guarded the Gates had been slain the Souldiers that were present engage the Barbarians within the City-gates near the Church of the Goths For all the Barbarians who were left in the City flock't thither They burnt the Church and slew a great many of the Barbarians Gaïna informed that those of his party who could not get out of the City were slain and perceiving that his Artifices were unsuccessfull to himself left S t John's Church and went in great hast into Thracia Being come to Cherronesus he endeavoured to pass over from thence and take Lampsacus that from that place he might make himself Master of the Eastern parts But upon the Emperour 's sending forces immediately both by Land and Sea there appeared another admirable effect of divine Providence For whilest the Barbarians wanting Vessells patch't up Ships in great hast and disorder wherein they might make their passage on a sudden the Roman Navy appeared in sight and a West-wind blew hard The Romans had a safe and easie passage in their Ships But the Barbarians together with their horses in their Ships were tossed up and down and dispersed by a Storm and at length perished in the Sea Many of them also were destroyed by the Romans After this manner a numerous multitude of Barbarians at that time lost their lives in their passage But Gaïna got away from thence and flying through Thracia falls into the hands of another party of the Roman Forces by whom he is slain together with the Barbarians in his company Let thus much be sufficient to have been said cursorily concerning Gaïna If any one be desirous of having an accurate account concerning the transactions of that War let him read The Gainëa written by Eusebius Scholasticus who at that time was an Auditour of Troilus the Sophista and having been a Spectatour in that War he related the transactions thereof in four Books written in Heroick Verse For which Poem he was much admired whilest the memory of things was fresh And very lately Ammonius the Poet his made a Poem upon the same subject and recited it before the Emperour Theodosius Junior in his sixteenth Consulate which he bore with Faustus on account whereof he has gotten a great repute Moreover this War was ended on the Consulate of Stilichon and Aurelianus And the year following Fravitus bore a Consulate a Personage by extract indeed a Goth but one who had exprest much of kindness and fidelity towards the Romans and had done them excellent service in this very War On which account he had the dignity of a Consulate bestowed upon him in whose year the Emperour Arcadius had a Son born Theodosius the Good on the tenth of April Let thus much be said concerning these things Further whilest the affaires of the
Johannes reproved Sisinnius and said to him a City cannot have two Bishops Sisinnius's answer was Nor has it Johannes being angry hereat and saying you seem desirous of being the only Bishop Sisinnius replyed I do not say that but that I am not a Bishop in your account only when as notwithstanding other persons look upon me to be such Johannes incensed at that answer I said he will make you leave Preaching for you are an Heretick To which Sisinnius made this pleasant return But I will give you a reward if you will free me from so great pains Johannes being mollified with this answer replied I will not make you leave off Preaching if that Office be troublesome to you So facetious was Sisinnius and so ready at answering It would be tedious to write and record all his sayings Wherefore I have accounted it sufficient by these few to shew what manner of person he was I will only add this that he was very eminent for his Learning on which account all the Bishops that were his successours loved and honoured him Moreover all the eminent personages of the Senatorian order had a great affection for and admired him He wrote many Books but he is too studious about words in them and intermixes Poetick terms He was more admired for his speaking than his writing For in his face and voice in his garb and aspect and in the whole motion of his body there was a gracefullness By reason of which accomplishments He was beloved both by all Sects and chiefly by Atticus the Bishop But I think thus much sufficient to have been said concerning Sisinnius CHAP. XXIII Concerning the death of the Emperour Arcadius NOt long after the death of Johannes the Emperour Arcadius died a man of a mild and quiet temper and who at the close of his life got the repute of a person beloved by God for this reason There is at Constantinople a very spacious house which is termed Carya For in the Court of this house there is a Nutt-tree on which 't is reported the Martyr Acacius was hanged and compleated his Martyrdom On this account a small Church was built near that tree The Emperour Arcadius desirous to see this Church went into it one day and when he had said his prayers came out again All those persons who dwelt near that Church ran together to see the Emperour Some went out of the house and made it their business to take their standings before hand in the streets from whence they supposed they might have a plainer view of the Emperour's countenance and of the Guards that were about him Others followed untill all persons together with the women and children were got out of the Church After which all that great house the buildings whereof enclosed the Church on every side fell down immediately Hereupon followed an out-cry together with an admiration because the Emperours prayer had delivered so great a multitude of persons from destruction This hapned thus Moreover Arcadius leaving his Son Theodosius then but eight years old ended his life in the Consulate of Bassus and Philippus on the first of May this was the second year of the two hundredth ninety seventh Olympiad He reigned with his Father Theodosius thirteen years after his Fathers death he reigned fourteen he lived one and thirty years This book contains the History of twelve years and six months In other Copies this following passage occurs not as if it were omitted but worded in a different manner We judged it therefore meet to annex it On which account we have added it at this place BUt in regard the Bishop of Ephesus hapned to die in the interim Johannes was necessitated to go to Ephesus to ordain a Bishop Being arrived in that City and some endeavouring to promote one person others another he preferred one Heraclides his own Deacon by Country a Cypriot to the Bishoprick Whereupon a disturbance being raised in Ephesus because Heraclides was reputed unworthy of the Episcopate Johannes was forced to stay at Ephesus for some time During his residence there Severianus grew more beloved and esteemed by his Auditors at Constantinople Nor was this unknown to Johannes For he was speedily acquainted with what hapned by Serapion whom he had a singular affection for and to whom he committed the whole care of his Episcopate in regard of his piety his fidelity in all concerns his prudence in the management of all matters and his studiousness about defending the Bishops Rights After some time Johannes returns to Constantinople and personally undertook again a becoming care of the Churches But between Serapion the Deacon and Severianus the Bishop there arose a great dissention Serapion opposing Severianus because he strove to out-do Johannes in his Preaching and Severianus envying Serapion because Johannes the Bishop favoured him highly and entrusted him with the whole care of his Episcopate Being thus affected one towards the other the vehemency of their hatred hapned to be much increased by this reason To Severianus on a time passing by Serapion shewed not that honour which is due to a Bishop but continued in his feat whether it was because he saw him not as Serapion afterwards affirmed upon oath before the Synod or whether it was because he slighted the presence of a Bishop as Severianus averred which of these was truest I cannot say God only knows But Severianus could not then bear Serapion's contempt but immediately even before cognizance had been taken of the cause in a publick Synod with an oath condemns Serapion and not only divests him of the dignity of a Deacon but excommunicates him also from the Church Johannes hearing this took it very ill But afterwards when the business came under scrutiny before a Synod and Serapion excused the fact and averred that he saw him not and also produced witnesses in confirmation thereof the whole Synod of Bishops then convened pardoned him and entreated Severianus to admit of Serapion's excuse But Johannes the Bishop that he might fully satisfie Severianus removes Serapion and suspends him from the Office of a Deacon for a weeks space although he used him as his right hand in all businesses in regard he was a most acute and diligent person about Ecclesiastick Disputes and Answers Notwithstanding Severianus could not thus be prevailed with but made it his whole business to get Serapion not only wholly degraded from his Diaconate but excommunicated also Johannes was sorely vexed hereat went out of the Synod and left the Bishops then present to determine the cause having spoken these words to them Do you inquire into the cause and make such a definitive determination as you shall think fit For I refuse to determine the difference between them After Johannes had spoken these words and was risen up the whole Synod arose likewise and left the cause in the same state it was in blaming Severianus rather because he acquiesced not in what had been
persons who usually went thither when they found the grave dug up in future left off worshipping that place Besides he was very elegant and happy in imposing names upon places A Sea-Port situate in the mouth of the Euxine-Sea which had antiently been called Pharmaceus he named Therapeia least at his holding religious assemblies there he should call that place by an infamous name Another place near adjacent to Constantinople he named Argyropolis for this reason Chrysopolis is an ancient Sea-Port situate in the head of the Bosphorus many of the ancient Writers make mention of it especially Strabo Nicolaus Damascenus and the admirably eloquent Xenophon in his sixth Book concerning the expedition of Cyrus and the same Authour in his first Book concerning the Grecian affairs speaks to this effect concerning this City viz. that Alcibiades when he had built a wall round it set up a Toll therein which consisted of a payment of the tenth peny For those who fail out of Pontus were compelled to pay the tenth peny there Atticus therefore perceiving this place which was situate over against Chrysopolis to be pleasant and delightfull said it was fit and agreeable it should be termed Argyropolis Which saying of his put that name upon the place immediately When some persons spoke to him that the Novatianists ought not to hold their assemblies within the Cities his answer was you know not how much they suffered together with us when we were persecuted in the Reignes of Constantius and Valens And besides said he they have been Assertours of our Faith For though they made a separation long since from the Church yet no innovation about the Faith hath been introduced by them Being arrived on a time at Nicaea upon account of an Ordination and seeing Asclepiades a very aged person Bishop of the Novatianists there he asked him how many years have you been a Bishop When he made answer that he had been a Bishop fifty years You are happy O man said he in regard you have been diligent about so good a work for such a long time He spake these words to the same Asclepiades I do indeed commend Novatus but the Novatianists I can in no wise approve of Asclepiades amazed at this strange expression replied how can you say this O Bishop To whom Atticus made this answer I commend Novatus because he refused to communicate with those persons who had sacrificed For I my self would have done the same But I do not in any wise praise the Novatianists in regard they exclude the Laïcks from communion on account of very light and triviall offences To which Asclepiades made this return there are besides sacrificing many other sins unto death as the Scriptures term them on account whereof you exclude Ecclesiasticks but we Laïcks also from communion leaving to God alone a power of pardoning them Further Atticus foreknew even the time of his own death For at his departure from Nicaea he spake these words to Calliopius a Presbyter of that place Hasten to Constantinople before Autumn if you are desirous of seeing me agai◠alive For if you delay you will not find me living Upon his saying whereof he mistook not For in the twenty first year of his Episcopate on the tenth of October he died in Theodosius's eleventh and Valentinianus Caesar's first Consulate Moreover the Emperour Theodosius being then in his return from Thessalonica was not at his Funerall For Atticus was interred the day before the Emperour's Entry into Constantinople Not long after Valentinianus Junior was Declared Augustus about the twenty third of that same October CHAP. XXVI Concerning Sisinnius Atticus's successour in the Constantinopolitane Bishoprick AFter Atticus's death a great contest hapned about the Ordination of a Bishop some desiring one person others another For one party 't is said were earnest to have Philippus a Presbyter another Proclus who was a Presbyter also But the whole body of the people with a generall consent wished Sisinnius might be made Bishop who was a Presbyter also himself he had not been constituted over any of the Churches within the City but had been promoted to the Presbyterate in a Village belonging to Constantinople the name whereof is Elaea and 't is situate over against the Imperiall City in which Village the Festivall of our Saviour's Ascension was from an ancient usage celebrated by the whole people in generall All the Laïcks were desirous to have this man made Bishop both because he was a person singularly eminent for his piety and also more especially in regard his diligence in relieving the indigent was earnest even beyond his power The desire therefore of the Laïty prevailed and Sisinnius is ordained on the twenty eighth of February in the following Consulate which was Theodosius's twelfth and Valentinianus Junior Augustus's second Afterwards Philippus the Presbyter because Sisinnius was preferred before him was very bitter and large in his invectives against that Ordination in that voluminous work termed the Christian History which he wrote wherein he calumniates both the person ordained and also those who had ordained him but more especially the Laity And his expressions are such that I am unwilling to record them for I can in no wise approve of his rashness in having been so audacious as to commit such things to writing But I judge it not inopportune to say something in short concerning him CHAP. XXVII Concerning Philippus the Presbyter who was born at Side PHilippus was by Country a Sidensian Side is a City of Pamphylia at which Troilus the Sophista had his originall extract of his own relation to whom Philippus boasted Whilest he was a Deacon he had had frequent converse with Bishop Johannes He was a very laborious and painfull student and had made a Collection of many books and those of all sorts He imitated the Asian Style and wrote many Books For he confuted the Emperour Julian's Pieces and compiled a Christian History which he divided into six and thirty Books Each Book contained many Tomes in so much that in all they were near a thousand The Contents of each Tome equalled the Tome it self in bigness This work he entitled not an Ecclesiastick but a Christian History In it he heaped together variety of Learning being desirous to shew that he was not unskilled in Philosophick Literature For which reason he makes frequent mention therein of Geometricall Astronomicall Arithmeticall and Musicall Theorems He also describes Islands Mountains Trees and severall other things not very momentous Upon which account he has made it a loose work and therefore hath in my judgment rendred it useless both to the ignorant and to the Learned also For the ignorant are unable to inspect the heighth and grandeur of his Stile And those that are well versed in Learning nauseate his insipid repetition of words But let every one pass a judgment upon those Books according to his
those who besieged him he drives out Basiliscus who had held the Empire two years and delivers him to the enemy after he had made his escape to the Holy Rails of the Altar On this account Zeno dedicated a spatious Church eminent for its splendidness and beauty to the Proto-Martyr Thecla at Seleucia scituate in the Country of Isauria and beautified it with many and Imperial Sacred gifts which are preserved till these our times Further Basiliscus is sent into the Region of the Cappadocians in order to his being put to death but he is slain in that Station named Acusus together with his wife and children And Zeno makes a Law which abrogates what had been constituted by the Tyrant Basiliscus in his Circular Letters Then also Petrus surnamed Fullo is driven from the Church of the Antiochians and Paulus from that of the Ephesians CHAP. IX That after Basiliscus's death the Bishops of Asia that they might appease Acacius sent him a Penitentiary-Libell craving pardon for their offence in rejecting the Synod of Chalcedon IN the Interim the Bishops of Asia in order to their appeasing Acacius excused themselves and craved pardon sending a Penitentiary-Libell to him wherein they affirmed that they had subscribed to the Circular-Letters by force and constraint not voluntarily and they swore that the thing was so and that they had not believed nor did believe otherwise than agreeable to the Synod at Chalcedon The purport of their Letters is this The Epistle or Petition sent to Acacius Bishop of Constantinople from the Bishops of Asia To Acacius the most Holy and most Pious Patriarch of the most Holy Church at the Imperial City Constantinople New Rome And after other words He hath arrived amongst us and does what is right and fitting who also shall fill your place And after a few words By these Libells we signifie to you that we have subscribed not according to the intent of our minds but by force and constraint giving our consent thereto in words and Letters but not in heart For by the assistance of your acceptable intercessions together with the assent of the Deity we believe in such manner as we have received from those Three hundred and eighteen Luminaries of the world and from the Hundred and fifty Holy Fathers Besides we believe those matters also which have been piously and rightly determined at Chalcedon by the Holy Fathers convened there Further whether Zacharias the Rhetorician has calumniated these Bishops of Asia or whether they themselves have lyed in averring that they subscribed involuntarily I cannot affirm CHAP. X. Concerning those who governed the Bishoprick of Antioch AFter therefore Peter was ejected Stephanus assumes the Chair of Antioch whom the children of the Antiochians slew with reeds which were made sharp like to Darts as Johannes the Rhetorician has related But after Stephanus the Government of that same See was committed to Calendion who excited those that came to him to Anathematize Timotheus together with Basiliscus's Circular Letters CHAP. XI That the Emperour Zeno took a resolution of persecuting Aelurus but by reason of his age he had compassion on him and let him alone And how after Aelurus's death Petrus Mongus was ordained by the Alexandrians But Timotheus Proterius's successour by the order of the Emperour obtained the Chair of the Alexandrians MOreover Zeno was resolved to have expelled Timotheus out of Alexandria but understanding from some persons that he was now very aged and would soon go the way of all men he altered his resolution And not long after Timotheus paid the common debt of Nature whereupon those of Alexandria by their own authority elect Petrus surnamed Mongus Bishop Which when it came to Zeno's hearing disturbed him extreamly Wherefore Zeno punished Petrus with death but he recalled Timotheus Salophaciolus Proterius's successour who then lived at Canopus on account of a Sedition raised by the people Timotheus therefore by the Emperour's order recovered his own See CHAP. XII Concerning Johannes who obtained the Presidency over the Alexandrian Church after Timotheus and how Zeno outed him in regard he had forsworn himself and restored the Chair of Alexandria to Petrus Mongus BUT by the advice of some persons Johannes a Presbyter appointed to be the Steward of the venerable Church of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John makes a journey to the Imperial City Constantinople being sent on an Embassage to make an address to the Emperour that if it should happen that their Bishop should die the Inhabitants of Alexandria might have a liberty of Electing one to preside over their Church whom they should have a mind to This person as Zacharias affirms was by the Emperour discovered to have a design of procuring the Bishoprick for himself And when he had oblieged himself by oaths that he would never seek to get the Alexandrian Chair he returned into his own Country But the Emperour promulged a Law that after Timotheus's death that person should be Bishop whom the Clergy and people of Alexandria should Elect. Timotheus having ended his life not long after this Johannes as the same Zacharias has related gave money and disregarding the oathes wherein he had bound himself to the Emperour is constituted Bishop of Alexandria Which when the Emperour understood he ordered him to be Ejected And by the perswasion of some persons the Emperour wrote an Exhortatory Edict to the Alexandrians which he termed his Henoticon and ordered that the Chair of Alexandria should be restored to Petrus provided he would subscribe to His Henoticon and receive those of Proterius's party to communion CHAP. XIII That Petrus Mongus embraced Zeno's Henoticon and joyned himself to the Proterians THis Disposition which had been made by the advice of Acacius Bishop of the Imperial City Pergamius who was constituted Praefect of Egypt carries along with him He being arrived at Alexandria and finding Johannes fled held a conference with Petrus and perswades him to admit of Zeno's Exhortatory Edict and moreover to receive those who had dissented from him He admits therefore of the forementioned Exhortatory Edict and subscribes to it He promises also that he would receive those who were of the contrary party Wherefore not long after this when a publick Festivity was celebrated at Alexandria and all persons by a generall consent agreed to that termed Zeno's Henoticon Petrus likewise admitted to communion those of Proterius's party And having made an Exhortatory Oration to the people in the Church he recited Zeno's Exhortatory Edict also the Contents whereof were these CHAP. XIV Zeno's Henoticon EMperour Caesar Zeno Pius Victor Triumphator Maximus always Adorable Augustus to the most Reverend Bishops Clergy Monks and Laicks in Alexandria and throughout Egypt Libya and Pentapolis Knowing the only right and true Faith which the Three hundred and eighteen Holy Fathers convened at Nicaea by a Divine influence have set forth
that in his sleep he saw a vast Vine which sprang out of his Bed at the very time of his conception and that a great many and those the fairest sort of Grapes appeared hanging on it And his Mother declared that at the very time of her delivery the Earth sent forth a strange and unusuall sweet smell Also that she termed The Empusa had often carried away the Infant as if she would have devoured it but was unable to do it any mischief Symeones likewise who kept his Station upon a Pillar near Antioch a man of extraordinary prudence in the management of affairs and one adorned with all the Divine Virtues spoke and performed many things which declared that Mauricius should be Emperour Concerning which person we shall speak more opportunely in the following book of our History CHAP. XXII Concerning the Proclaiming of Mauricius and Augusta FUrther Mauricius is promoted to the Empire at such time as Tiberius was drawing his last breath and had delivered to him his Daughter Augusta and the Empire instead of a portion He survived his being made Emperour but a very short time but left an immortall Memory for the good Actions he performed Nor are they easily to be confined within the bounds of a Narrative Moreover Tiberius left an incomparable Inheritance to the Republick to wit his proclaiming of Mauricius Emperour To whom he distributed his Names also for he styled Mauricius Tiberius and to Augusta he gave the name of Constantina What was performed by them the following book divine strength affording me its assistance shall set forth CHAP. XXIII A Computation of the Times from Justinus Junior to Mauricius MOreover that the Times may be distinguished with all imaginable accuracy you are to know that Justinus Junior reigned by himself twelve years ten months and a half with Tiberius his Colleague three years and eleven months All which time put together make up sixteen years nine months and an half Tiberius reigned alone four years So that from Romulus untill the proclaiming of Mauricius Tiberius Emperour there are concluded to be ............... as both the former and present description of the years hath manifested CHAP. XXIV Concerning the Series of History which is preserved till our Times BY God's assistance the History of the Church is handed down to us digested into one body by the industry of the best Writers Till the times of Constantine by Eusebius Pamphilus From Constantine's Reign to the Empire of Theodosius Junior by Theodoret Sozomen and Socrates and Lastly by those Collections we have made in this our present Work The Ancient History as well Sacred as Profane is extant continued in a Series by the Industrious For Moses who was the first that began to write an History as 't is most evidently demonstrated by those who have made Collections in reference to these matters compiled a true and most exact account of affairs from the beginning of the world according to the information he had from God himself with whom he conversed in the Mount Sina Others who followed him preparing a way for our Religion have in the Sacred Volumes set forth what hapned in succeeding Ages Moreover Josephus wrote a large History which is every way usefull and profitable Whatever occurrences whether fabulous or reall have hapned amongst the Greeks and ancient Barbarians whilst the Greeks waged Wars amongst themselves or against the Barbarians or whatever else has been transacted from such time as they had an account that men first existed have been Recorded by Charax Theopompus and Ephorus and by innumerable other Writers The Actions of the Romans wherein is contained the History almost of the whole world or whatever else hapned whilst they were involved in Civill and intestine Broyls or acted against others have been set forth in writing by Dionysius Halicarnasseus who began his History from those people termed the Aborigines and continued it to Pyrrhus King of the Epirotes From that time Polybius the Megalopolite hath brought down his History to the destruction of Carthage All which Apianus has with great perspicuity distinguished and hath gathered together each Action into one Body although they were performed at different times In like manner the Affairs transacted after the Times of those Historians I have mentioned have been committed to writing by Diodorus Siculus who wrote till the Times of Julius Caesar and by Dion Cassius who brought down his History to the Empire of Antoninus born at Emesa Herodian also a Writer of the same Times has given us a Record of Transactions till the death of Maximus Nicostratus the Sophist of Trapezus has compiled an History wherein he sets forth an account of affairs from Philippus who succeeded Gordianus in the Empire untill Odaenathus of Palmyra and Valerian's disgracefull Expedition against the Persians Dexippus also has written at large concerning the same matters who begins from the Scythick Wars and ends at the Empire of Claudius successour to Gallienus The same Dexippus hath compiled an History of the Actions of the Carpi and other Barbarous Nations which they performed in their Wars within Achaia Thracia and Ionia Eusebius begins from Octavianus Trajanus and Marcus and has brought down his History as far as the death of Carus Moreover Arrianus and Asinius Quadratus have written some things concerning the same times The History of the following Times is given us by Zosimus untill the Emperours Honorius and Arcadius After which Emperours Affairs have been Recorded by Priscus Rhetor and others All these Transactions are excellently well reduced into an Epitome by Eustathius Epiphaniensis in two Volumes the first whereof comprizes matters transacted untill the taking of Troy and the second unto the twelfth year of Anastasius's Empire From whence untill the times of Justinian Procopius the Rhetorician hath Recorded affairs The History of those Times next immediately following untill the flight of Chosroes Junior to the Romans and his Restauration to his own Kingdom by Mauricius who made not any the least delay at that affair but gave the Fugitive a Royall Reception and with the Expence of a vast sum of money and accompanied with great forces conveyed him back into his own Kingdom with all possible expedition hath been written in a continued Series by Agathias the Rhetorician and Johannes my Fellow-Citizen and Kinsman although as yet they have not made their Histories publick Concerning which affairs we our selves also the Divine Clemency giving us permission will in the Sequel give such a Narrative as is accommodate and agreeable The End of the Fifth Book of Evagrius's Ecclesiastical History THE SIXTH BOOK OF THE Ecclesiastical History OF EVAGRIUS SCHOLASTICUS Epiphaniensis And one of the EX-PRAEFECTS CHAP. I. Concerning the Marriage of Mauricius and Augusta MAURICIUS After he had obtained the Empire in the first place made provision for his Marriage And agreeable to the solemn usage of Emperours
on the last day of all which should any one term the Feast of Feasts he would not be mistaken about noon was taken up to his God leaving to mortalls that part of Himself which was related to them but joyning to his God that part of his Soul which was endued with understanding and the Love of God This was the End of Constantine's Life But let us proceed to what follows CHAP. LXV The Lamentations of the Milice and Tribunes THE Protectors and the whole Body of his Guards rent their clothes forthwith and casting themselves prostrate on the earth beat their heads against the ground uttering mournfull expressions intermixt with Sighs and Cries calling upon him their Master their Lord their Emperour nor did they invoke him barely as a Master but like most obedient Children they accounted him as a Father Moreover the Tribunes and Centurions styled him a Saviour a Preserver a Benefactour And the rest of the Army as 't is usual amongst flocks with all imaginable decency and becoming Reverence desired and wisht for their Good Shepherd The common people also ran up and down all over the City and by Shreikes and Cries gave a manifest indication of their inward grief of mind Others with dejected Countenances seemed like persons astonished and each particular man lookt upon this as his own Calamity and bemoan'd himself because the common Good of all men was taken out of this their life CHAP. LXVI That His Body was carried from Nicomedia to Constantinople into the Palace AFter this the Milice took His Body out of the Bed and laid it into a Coffin of Gold which they covered with Purple and carried it to the City that bore his own name And there they plac't it on high in the stateliest Room of the Imperial Palace Then they light up Tapers round it which being put into Candlesticks of Gold rendred the Sight admirable to those that beheld it and such a one as had never been seen on earth by any person that was ever under the Sun's Rayes since the world was first made For within in the very middlemost Room of the Imperial Palace the Emperours Corps lay on high in a Golden Coffin and being adorned with Imperial Ornaments the Purple namely and the Diadem was encompassed by many persons who watcht with and guarded it night and day CHAP. LXVII That even after His Death he was honoured by the Comites and the rest in the same manner as when he was alive MOreover the Duces Comites and the whole Order of the Judges and Magistrates whose usage it had heretofore been to adore the Emperour made not the least alteration in their former Custom but came in at set times and on their knees saluted the Emperour when dead and laid in his Coffin as if he had been yet alive After these Grandees those of the Senate and all the Honorati came in and did the same After whom multitudes of all sorts of people together with women and children approacht to the sight hereof And these things were thus performed during a long space of time the Milice having taken a Resolution that the Corps should lie and be guarded in this manner till such time as his Sons could come who might honour their Father by a personal attendance at his Funeral In fine this most Blessed Prince was the only Mortal who Reigned after death and all things were performed in the usual manner as if he had been still alive this being the sole person from the utmost memory of man on whom God conferred this For whereas he of all the Emperours had been the only one who by actions of all sorts whatever had honoured God the supream King and his Christ he alone and that deservedly had these honours allotted him and the supream God was pleased to vouchsafe him this that even his dead Body should Reign amongst men Whereby God clearly shewed them whose minds are not totally stupified that the Empire of his Soul is endless and immortall In this manner were these things performed CHAP. LXVIII In what manner the Army resolved that his Sons should be forthwith proclaimed Augusti IN the interim the Tribunes dispatcht away some choice men belonging to the Military Companies who for their fidelity and good affection had heretofore been acceptable to the Emperour that they might make the Caesars acquainted with what had been done And these were the things which those men performed then But the Armies in all places as soon as they were acquainted with the Emperours death incited thereto by Divine instinct as 't were with an unanimous consent resolved as if their Great Emperour had been yet living that they would acknowledge no other person as Emperour of the Romans save only his Sons And not long after they determined to have them all henceforward not stiled Caesares but Augusti which name is the Cognisance of supremacy of Empire And these things were done by the Armies who by Letters one to another signified their own suffrages and Acclamations and the unanimous consent of the Legions was in one and the same moment of time made known to all persons wherever they dwelt CHAP. LXIX The Mourning at Rome for Constantine and the Honour done Him by Pictures after his death BUt the Inhabitants of the Imperial City as well the Senate as people of Rome when they were acquainted with the Emperours death lookt upon that to be most doleful news and more calamitous than any misfortune whatever and therefore set no Bounds to their mourning The â—aths therefore and Forums were shut up and the publick Shows omitted as likewise whatever other Pleasures as Recreations of Life are usually followed by those who spend their time in mirth and â—ollity Such also as had heretofore abounded with delights walk't the Streets with dejected Countenances And all in general stiled the Emperour Blessed a person dear to God and one that was truly worthy of the Empire Nor made they these Declarations in bare words only but proceeding on to actual performances they honoured him when dead with dedications of Pictures as if he had been still alive For having exprest a Representation of Heaven in Colours on a Table they drew him making his Residence in an Aetherial Mansion above the Celestial Arches Moreover they proclaimed his Sons the sole Emperours and Augusti without the Colleagueship of any other person and with humble supplications made it their earnest Request that they might have the Body of their Emperour with them and might deposite it within the Imperial City CHAP. LXX That his Body was deposited at Constantinople by his Son Constantius IN this manner even these Inhabitants of Rome grac't this Emperour who was honoured by God But the Second of his Sons when he was come to the place where his Father's Corps lay conveyed it to the City that bore his own name he himself going
worshipping many Gods 't is my sentiment He would not be mistaken But after the Salutary Instrument namely the most Holy Body of Christ which appeared superiour to all Diabolical fraud and Force and was a stranger to every fault as well in deeds as words was erected against the Daemons as some Trophy of Victory and the Abolishment of ancient Mischiefs immediately all the works of Daemons were dissolved and dissipated nor were there Dominions of places any more nor manifold Principalities nor Tyrannies nor Democracies nor which were wont to arise from thence Depopulations of Countries and Sieges of Cities But one God was Preach't amongst all men and at the same time one Empire also that of the Romans flourished over all and that irreconcileable and implacable hatred which the Nations had born one to another almost from the remotest Date of time became forthwith utterly extinct And as the knowledge of one God was delivered to all men and one way of Religion and Salvation namely the Doctrine of Christ so also at one and the very same time in regard One Monarch was constituted over all the whole Roman Empire a most profound peace prevailed over the whole world Thus by the appointment of One God two signal Blessings as 't were two Branches shot forth at one time amongst men to wit the Empire of the Romans and the Doctrine of Christian piety Before that Empire some in a separate and particular manner Governed Syria others Reigned over Asia others over Macedonia Also some were in possession of Egypt severed from the other Provinces and in like manner others of the Country of the Arabians Moreover the Nation of the Jews had reduced Palestine under their jurisdiction and power In every Village and City and in all places men were seiz'd with a kind of a madness as 't were and being really agitated by the Devil committed murders one upon another and made Wars and Fights their chief business But two mighty Powers starting together from the same Barriers as 't were on a sudden made all things calm and reduced them to an amicable Composure I mean the Empire of the Romans which from that time was under the Government of a single person and the Doctrine of Christ which two Powers flourisht together at one and the same time Our Saviour's Power utterly destroyed those manifold Principalities and numerous Deities of Daemons publishing and declaring One Kingdom of God to all men as well Greeks as Barbarians even to those who inhabit the remotest Regions of the Earth But the Empire of the Romans in regard the Causes of many Principalities were before hand taken away reduced those Principalities which as yet remained visible under its own Dominion making this its chief business to joyn together the whole Body of mankind in one common union and agreement And it hath already reconciled and knit together in one most Nations but within a short time it will reach even as far as the utmost Confines of the Earth in regard the Salutary Doctrine of Christ joyned with a Divine Power does before hand make all things easie to it and renders them smooth and plain Doubtless this will be acknowledged a great Miracle by them who induced thereto by a love of truth shall with attention weigh the thing and shall not be desirous of detracting from and reviling the eminentest Blessings For at one and the very same juncture the Errour of Daemons was confuted and at the same time that hatred and strife which from remote ages had raged amongst the Nations had an end put to it and again at the same time One God and One knowledge of that God was Preacht amongst all and at the same time One Empire was established amongst men and at the same time the whole race of men was reduced to peace and friendship and all persons mutually profest themselves Brethren and acknowledged their Own Nature Immediately therefore being as 't were children begotten by the same Father to wit one God and born of the same Mother namely true piety they began to salute and receive one another peaceably and affectionately in so much as from that time the whole world seem'd in no point to differ from one well-governed House and Family and any one might make a journey whither he listed and travel to what place he pleased withall imaginable security and some might without danger pass from the Western to the Eastern Parts again others might go from hence thither as 't were to their own Country And the Responses of the ancient Oracles were fulfilled as likewise numerous other predictions of the Prophets which at present we have not leisure to cite and moreover those Expressions concerning the Divine Word which run thus He shall have dominion from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth And again In His days righteousness shall rise and abundance of peace And in another place And they shall beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into pruning-hookes and nation shall not lay hand on sword against nation and they shall not learn war any more These things were predicted and many ages since proclaimed in the Hebrew tongue which appearing to be actually accomplished in Our days do confirm the Testimonies of those ancient Oracles But if besides these you desire plenty of other demonstrations take them not in words but in deeds and realities Open the eyes of your own mind and set open the Gates of thought Forbear speaking for some time and consider with your self Ask your self and enquire as 't were of some other person and make researches into the Nature of affairs in this manner What King from the utmost memory of men or Prince or Philosopher or Law-giver or Prophet whether Greek ro Barbarian ever attained to so much power and authority I do not say after death but whilst He was yet living and breathing and was able to perform many things as to fill the ears and tongues of all men upon earth with the Glory of His own name 'T is certain no person hath performed this except only Our One Saviour after that Victory gain'd over Death when He both gave His disciples a Command in words and also afterwards actually accomplished it Go therefore said He to them make disciples of all nations in my name And when He had foretold and affirmed to them that His Gospel should be Preacht thorowout the whole world for a Testimony to all Nations to His words He forthwith added the actual completion of the thing Immediately therefore and not after a long interval of time the whole world was filled with His Doctrine What then has He to return in answer hereto who at the beginning of this Oration blamed us especially in regard the Testimony of the eyes is superiour to all manner of reasoning But who hath chased away that always-noxious and destructive Tribe of
Martyrdome of Polycarp They are in an errour therefore who say the Martyrdome of Polycarp happened on the ninth of Marcus For whereas t is manifest from the attestation of Aristides that Quadratus under whom Polycarp suffered bore the Proconsulate of Asia in the seventh year of Marcus the death of Polycarp is necessarily to be placed on the same year Vales. To wit either the fire or the wild beasts For the reading in the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savil. M. SS is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural number and so we translate it Vales. k These Asiarchs were the Priests of the community or whole body of inhabitants of the Province of Asia for as the people of Asia had Temples built by common charge sacred games sacred feasts in common and a Common-council so also they had a Priesthood called Asiarchia that is the common priesthood of Asia and those who executed this sacerdotal office which consisted in the managing their publick sports or spectacles were termed Asiarchs These Asiarchs were elected after this manner each City of Asia at the beginning of every year that is about the Autumnal equinox had a publick meeting wherein they appointed one of their own Citizens to be an Asiarch then they sent Deputies to the Common-council of the Province who declared to them his name whom they had made choice of at home after which the Common-council chose about ten to be Asiarchs out of the number of all those whom each City had elected to that office See Aristides in Orat. Sacr. 4tâ Now the difficulty is whither all these who were elected by the Common-council executed this office altogether or whither onely one of them was Asiarch Valesius thinks there was but one Asiarch his reasons are these though more than one were elected by the Senate of Asia yet that perhaps was done that out of them the Roman Proconsul might choose one as he usually did in the Election of the Irenarchs again the Senate might elect more than one because if the first that was chosen Asiarch should die before he had ended his year there might be another to supply his place lastly that there was but one Asiarch every year is apparent from the words at the latter end of this Epistle which Eusebius leaves out in his quotation but the learned reader may see them in Arch B. Ushers's Edit of it where 't is said Polycarp suffered under Philip the Asiarch and Statius Quadratus Proconsul of Asia This is the opinion of Valesius and these are his reasons for it On the other side the incomparably learned Usher affirms that there were more Asiarchs than one at the same time which he collects from Acts 19. 31. with whom agrees the learned D r Hammond in his Paraphrase and Notes on that Text and also M r Jo. Gregory of Oxford pag. 49. of his works Edit Lond. 1665. This office says Valesius was very chargeable therefore the richest persons were elected to it Hence 't is that Strabo affirms that the Asiarchs were commonly chosen out of Trallis the Citizens whereof were the wealthiest of all Asia l That is the stake to which such as were to be burnt were bound the Nails the Ropes and the Tunica molesta mentioned by Juvenal which was a Coat daubed all over with Pitch and Brimstone and put upon the Person who was to be burnt Vales. m From this passage I conjecture that Polycarp said this foregoing prayer of his with a low voice but pronounced Amen aloud That this of old was the custom of the Christians that is loudly to resound the Amen at the end of the prayer the rite now observed in the Church does demonstrate to wit that after each prayer repeated by the Priest all the people doe with a loud voice answer Amen Vales. n This officers charge was not to fight with the wild beasts as the Bestiarii did but to dispatch them if at any time they were enraged and like to endanger the spectatours as sometimes it happened They were also called Lanceaâ—ii Vales. o The phrase in the Original is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 says Hesychius oi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. They are said to communicate who distribute to one another and they that partake and receive from one another whether friendship or knowledge Whence it appears that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is appliable to friendship or society which the primitive Christians exprest to the Martyrs c. departed when meeting yearly at the place where their sacred reliques were interred they celebrated the anniversary day of their Martyrdom thus they maintained a friendship or society as it were with the departed Martyr The following words of this Epistle doe declare the resolution of the Church of Smyrna about the celebration of the day of Polycarps Martyrdom after this manner and also the reason of that their so doing p Or Alce for so it is in Bishop Ushers Edit Vales. q In the learned Ushers Edit 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is companions from the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used here in the same sense as we said note o. it is sometimes taken to signifie r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the original phrase so the primitive Christians called the days whereon the Martyrs suffered because at their deaths they were born sons as it were and heirs of the Kingdom of Glory s This passage is otherwise and truer in B. Ushers Edit thus who together with those of Philadelphia was the twelfth that suffered Martyrdom in Smyrna So that those Martyrs of Philadelphia were not 12 in number but 11 onely and Polycarp was the twelfth Vales. t Eusebius purposely omitted the conclusion of this letter as being unserviceable to his present designe and because he had inserted the entire Epistle into another work of his to wit into his book concerning the sufferings of the Primitive Martyrs the learned Reader may see this whole Letter as before we intimated put forth by Arch B. Usher from the conclusion whereof he may observe 1. that this Epistle was not written immediately after Polycarps Martyrdom but that there was some distance of time between that and the writing thereof for the Philomelians hearing a report of the suffering of Polycarp sent Letters to the Church of Smyrna desiring an account of all particulars that happened at the suffering of this B. Martyr which those of Smyrna willingly undertook and wrote them this Letter most part whereof Eusebius quotes in this Chapter 2. That Polycarps Martyrdom is there called Evangelical and the reason is given to wit because Polycarp fled from those who pursued him agreeable to the example of our Saviour Lastly 't is observable therefrom that Polycarp was Martyred the 2 d day of the month Xanthicus that is the 7 th of the Calend. of March Vales. But Arch B Usher dissents in this particular that is concerning the day of Polycarps Martyrdom from Valesius as the
Dionysius Bishop of Corinth flourisht in the Reign of M. Antoninus Vales. b He means the persecution in Diocletians Reign Vales. c Dionysius means those brethren who usually came from remote Countreys to Rome to procure some relief for such as in their own Countrey were in distress and necessity Vales. d To this fragment of Dionysius's Epistle to the Roman Clergy is to be joyned that other passage of the same Epist. quoted by our Eusebius chap. 25. B. 2. Vales. a Concerning this Hermogenes and his Heresie see Baronius ad annum Christi 170. But I cannot give my assent to him as to what he affirms viz. that Hermogenes taught in Asia Vales. The Heresie of this Hermogenes is related by Theodoret Heret fab L. 1. cap. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. This Hermogenes asserted that the body of the Lord was deposited in the Sun and that the devil and the civil spirits should be turned into matter The Seleuciani and Hermiani taught the same to wit that the body of Christ ascended no farther than the sun the occasion of which assertion they took from those words of the Psalmist Psal. 19. 5. which in S. Jeroms translation is thus rendred in sole posuit tabernaculum suum but in the Psalms used in our Liturgy 't is thus worded In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun See D r Hammond on that Text. The same opinion Gregory Nazianzen attributeth to the Maâ—icheans Epist. 1. ad Cledonium and S. August Tract 34. in Joh. This opinion is more largely and clearly set down but without a name in the Catena patrum on Psal. 18. where 't is said that these Hereticks assert that after his resurrection our Saviour deposited his body in the sphere of the sun to be preserved there till his second coming a In all ouâ— M. SS copies this title concerning the true way of converse and of the Prophets evidently appears to be the title but of one book Jerom in his book de Eccles. Scriptor which is almost wholly taken out of Eusebius entitles this piece of Melito's thus de vitâ Propbetarum i. e. concerning the life of the Prophets Vales. b Melito wrote a book upon this subject because there were some Hereticks who asserted that such men as were carnal believed by the help of their senses but those who were spiritual believed by reason So Heraclio expounded that Text in S. Johns Gospel c. 4. 48. Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe Which words Heraclio said were properly directed to those who by works and their senses had the nature of obeying but not of believing through reason Origen Tome 13. Enarrat on S. John's Gospel mentions and confutes this opinion where he declares that neither spiritual nor carnal men can believe unless it be by sense Vales. c In the Maz. Med. and Fuk. M. SS and in Nicephorus this book of Melito's is intitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. i. e. concerning the Origination c. which reading we doubt not but is true Rufinus as appears by his Version and Robert Stephens as may be seen in his Edit read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. concerning Faith c. The ancient Fathers who lived before the Nicene Council meant by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely such a creation as is made out of nothing but also all sort of production whatsoever and therefore the divine origination of the Word Those words of the Apostle Colos 1. 15. The first born of every creature they asserted were to be understood of the eternal generation of the Son Vales. But as D r Hammond observes in his notes on that Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. first born is used some times for a Lord or person in power who hath the priviledge of the first born dominion over all his brethren and according to this notion continues he 't is used commonly in scripture for a Prince or principal person See Psal. 68. 27. Job 18. 13. Or it may peculiarly refer to his resurrection in which he was the first born from the dead See Hammond on Colos. 1. 15. d These words are to be understood of the Christians which appears from what follows For Melito desires of the Emperour that he would first look into and examine the cause of the Christians and then determine whether they deserved to be punished or rather preserved in safety Vales. e So he terms the Jews amongst whom the Christian Religion first sprang up Upon this account Porphyrius whose words Eusebius quotes book 6. chap. 19. of this work termed the Christian Religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. an audacious Sect that had its beginning amongst Barbarians Vales. f From this place it is evident that Melito the Bishop presented his Apology to M. Antoninus after the death of Aurelius Verus For if Verus had been then living when Melito wrote this Apology he would doubtless have mentioned him here and in stead of these words together with your son would certainly have said together with your brother For L. Verus was the adopted brother of M. Aurelius Seeing therefore Melito does here mention onely the son of M. Antoninus to wit Commodus t is manifest as I said that this Apology was presented to Marcus after the death of L. Verus And therefore Eusebius in his Chronicon places it on the 10 th year of M. Aurelius to wit the year after Verâ—â—'s death Vales. g The same is asserted by Tertullian Apologet cap. 5. whose words our Eusebius quotes partly at chap. 25. B. 2. and partly at chap. 20. B. 3. h The Rescript of Antoninus Pius who is here meant in savour of the Christians is not now extant 'T is mentioned in the Restript of M. Aurelius Antoninus to the Cities of Asia which Eusebius has set down in chap. 13. of this book Vales. a In our M. SS Maz. Med. and Fuk. there is in this place no beginning of a new chapter but this 27 chapt which treats concerning Apollinaris and the following chapt concerning Musanus are both annext to chap. 26. the title whereof in our said M. SS is this concerning Melito and what he has made mention of Apollinaris and Musanus which division Robert Stephenâ— followed in the body of this fourth book For in the Contents prefixt before this 4 th book he follows the Kings M. S. and makes three chap. here to wit one of Melito another concerning Apollinaris and a third concerning Musanus but in the body of that book he follows the Med. M. S. as he always does in this particular and has put no distinction of a new chap. here but hath made all the three chapters into one We following the autority of the Kings M. S. have divided them into three chap. and the same was done before in the Geneva impression of Eusebius's History Vales. b These words His two books against the Jews are not in the
was performed in the year of our Lord 490 when Longinus II and Faustus were Coss. But what Theodorus Lector adds at that place to wit that the Eustathians who before had meetings by themselves were then at length united to the Catholicks an hundred years after Eustathius's death is in my judgment false For this being supposed Eustathius would have lived to the year of Christ 390. Vales. a This account disagrees both from what we have related before chap. 14. note c. out of Jerome and also from the relation of Theodorus Lector and Theophanes in his Chronicon For Jerome says that even in his age Eustathius lay buried at Trajanople whither he had been banished But Theodorus Lector and Theophanes relate that he was banished to Philippi and there buried That Eustathius therefore who was banished by Valens to Bizua must necessarily be a different person from Eustathius Bishop of Antioch Bizua is a City of Thracia heretofore the pallace of the Thracian Astorâ—s as Stephanus attests Eutropius mentions it in his sixth book where he speaks of Lucius Lucullus who subdued the Thracian Bessi Vales. * Or be might raise an irrational tumult of the multitude c. a Sozomen book 6. chap. 14. tells the same story where he calls this place Dacibyza and says 't is a Maritime-City of Bithynia Cedrenus also terms it Dacibyza But Theophanes gives it the name of Dacidiza Vales. b Concerning this Famine there is this Record in the Old Fasti with Sirmondus has published under the name of Idatius Valentiniano III and Valente III c. i. e. in the third Consulate of Valentinianus and Valens there was a great Famine in the parts of Phrygia Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it sometimes signifies a place where the reliques of some Martyr are deposited 'tis plain from what follows that by it our Authour here means a Church a Rufinus from whom Socrates borrowed this story book 2. chap. 5. Eccles. Hist. words this passage thus Infantem quoque parvulum secum trahentem cursuque rabido irrupto etiam officii agmine festinantem Leading her little child with her and making such great bast that she broke through the Praefects Guards This memorable fact of the woman of Edessa hapned on the year of Christ 371 or 372 as we shall see by and by Baronius has done ill to place it on the year of our Lord 370. Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rufinus in the book and chapter just now quoted says she made such hast that she would not stay to shat her door nor dress herself in the usual garb that women appeared in in publick b After these words there were wanting in Robert Stephens's Edition these two whole lines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And whither draggest thou that little child said the Praefect the woman replied that he also may be voutsafed the honour of Martyrdom which I have inserted from the Florentine and Sfortian M. SS Epiphanius Scholasticus acknowledges them and so does Rufinus from whom Socrates borrowed this story Moreover from this place also 't is evident that Christophorson had perused no M. S. Copies of Socrates Vales. * Or. Th. a This whole scene of that unhappy Oracle which some Heathens had consulted that they might know who should succeed Valens in the Empire is at large set forth by Ammianus Marcellinus in his 29 th book But 't is difficult to assign the year whereon it hapned Baronius in his Annalls places it on the year of Christ 370. I am of opinion that it was acted in the year of our Lord 371 or at the beginning of the year 372. For Valens in the year of Christ 371 made his entry into Antioch at the end of Summer Gratianus II and Probus being Consuls as I have demonstrated in my notes on the foresaid book of Marcellinus partly from the Laws of the Theodosian Code and partly from Libanius's book concerning his own Life Now that Tragedy and Conspiracy of those wicked wretches against Valens hapned after his entry into the City Antioch as 't is manifest from Marcellinus Therefore it must necessarily happen at the close of the year 371 or at least at the beginning of 372. 'T is certain Theophanes and Cedrenus do place Valens's entry into Antioch on his eighth year But the same Theophanes does ascribe that conspiracy of those impious wretches who had consulted the Oracle concerning the future Emperour to Valens's ninth year Which agrees exactly with our opinion if we may compute Valens's first year from the Consulate of Jovianus and Varronianus Vales. * Or Th E O D. b In the Sfortian M. S. the reading here is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 another Theodosius Epiphanius Scholasticus also calls him Theodosius Who this Theodosius or Theodosiolus should be 't is uncertain For I cannot think it was that Theodosius father to Theodosius the Emperour of whom Ammianus makes frequent mention in his History For he lived in the West and was not slain by the fraud and treachery of malevolent persons till after Valentinianus's death And yet this Character added by Socrates a personage of great Valour and Courage a descendant of a Noble Family in Spain does exactly fiâ— him Vales. Athanasius's death a This Magnus is termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Comes of the Court-Largesses in the Letter of Petrus Alexandrinus the person spoken of in this chapter part of which Letter Theodoret has recorded book 4. chap. 22. Eccles. Histor. * In the original he is termed Praefect of Alexandria which title was sometimes given to the Praefects of Egypt as it has been observed before * Or out of his bonds †Peter * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or which has the same import 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Wedding-chamber Dining-room or entertainingroom See Stephens's Thesaur Graec. Ling. in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Seventy two Translatours do use this term at Joâ—l 2. 16 and at Psalm 19. 5. to express the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chuppa which was a Tabernacle or Tenâ— set up on purpose for the performance of the solemnities usual amongst the Jews of betrothing between the man and woman a In the original 't is thus worded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in so great an house Christophorson has rendred it in tantillo domicilio in so small an house But the Greek term will not admit of this rendition Wherefore I had rather it should be thus worded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in your dwelling Vales. * See Socrates book 1. chap. 21. †Or ashamed or he refused ‖ Or a contemner * See Psal. 39. v. 1. * Or practise †Or Theorems or Expositions * Evagrius b Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Monk Epiphanius Scholasticus in his copy read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Monastick as 't is apparent from his Version Notwithstanding Nicephorus book 11. chap. 42 confirms the common reading But as to Evagrius's other book here mentioned he words the
following which was the year of Christ 578 in the Twelfth Indiction on the 26 th of September this Eutychius Crowned Tiberius Augustus as Theophanes and the Authour of the Alexandrian Chronicle inform us But on a more attentive examination of the thing I have perceived nothing is to be found fault with here for Evagrius speaks not here concerning Tiberius's being proclaimed Augustus but of the Appellation of Caesar granted to him Further Tiberias was made Caesar on the Eighth Indiction as the Authour of the Alexandrian Chronicle informs us at which time Johannes was Patriarch of Constantinople Vales. * Or Cloake * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 delight of mind †Or Governours d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I think it must be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as far as any one c. Nor do I doubt but Evagrius left it thus written Our conjecture is confirmed by the Tellerian Manuscript wherein I found it plainly written in this manner Away therefore with the rendition of Musculus who translates it thus Insignis magis quà ◠ut quisquam illi conferri possit more eminent than that any one might be compared to him But Christophorson turns it in this manner Pulchritudinis excellentiâ omnium opinione major for the excellency of beauty greater than the opinion of all men Vales. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The reading in thâ— Florentine Manuscript is truer thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c in so much that in the first place c. Evagrius alludes to that known verse of the Tragoedian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I had rather write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For he considered not what Petitioners ought to receive as the reading is in Nicephorus book â—8 chap. 1. In the Florentine and Tellerian Manuscripts instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 't is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. ‖ Or Which came from Tears g There is extant a Constitution of Justinus Junior wherein he has remitted to the Provincialls the Remains of the Tributes of the past year untill the Eighth Indiction of the Cycle current Which Justinus seems to have done by the perswasion of Tiberius whom a little before he had Created Caesar at the beginning of the Eighth Indiction as the Authour of the Alexandrian Chronicle informs us Into this first Constitution therefore of the Emperour Justinus junior the name of Tiberius the Caesar ought also to have been inserted Vales. h At this present there is extant a Constitution of the Emperour Justinus junior concerning the promoting Rectours of Provinces without reward Which amongst the Novelt Constitutions of Justinus junior is the Fifth in number In that Constitution Justinus gives permission to the Provincialls that they may make known to the Emperour those persons whom they should judge fit to Govern their own Province and the Emperour promises that he will give forth the Codicills and the Insignia Marks Tokens of Magistracy freely without any present or gift Which Law in regard it bears date on the eighth year of Justinus Junior's Empire was we doubt not set forth also by the perswasion and suggestion of Tiberius the Caesar. Vales. * Or Land of the Romans * Or Of men that were Heroes ‖ Or Beyond the Alpes †Or On this side the Alpes * Or Paeonia a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Without doubt it must be made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Troops 'T is a wonder to me that this was not taken notice of either by Nicephorus or the Translatours Vales. * Or Consider of their Embassy b Menander Protector has mentioned this Justinian Magister Militum throughout the East in the Sixth Book of his Histories pag. 159. As also Theophylactus Book 3. Chap. 12. And likewise Johannes Biclariensis in his Chronicon Anno 9. Justini Cosdroes Persarum Imperator On Justinus's ninth year Cosdroes Emperour of the Persians with too numerous an Army advances to ruine the Roman Confines against whom Justinianus Commander of the Roman Milice and Magister Militum of the East being sent by Tiberius makes ready for a War and in the Fields which lie between Daras and Nisibis engages in a brave Fight having with him those most valiant Nations which in the Language of the Barbarians are termed Hermani where he vanquishes the forementioned Emperour Vales. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From the Florentine and Tellerian Manuscripts I have made good this place thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Brother to that Justinus who had been barbarously murdered by the Emperour Justinus This Justinian therefore was Son to Germanus which Theophylactus does also attest in his Third Book Brother of that Justinus who had been slain by the Emperour as Evagrius relates in the beginning of this book Vales. d Theophylactus mentions this person in book 3. chap. 16 and in book 1. chap. 9. In which places the Latine Translatour terms him Cursius But he had better have translated it Cursus For so Menander Protector calls him in the sixth book of his Histories pag. 159 of the King's Edition In Theophanes's Chronicon pag. 214 he is corruptly termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crous Vales. †Or Vehemency ‖ Or Order e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I rather approve of Nicephorus's reading book 18. chap. 2. which runs thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only I would adde an Article in this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is as Johannes Langus renders it Quòd facilius is impressionem suam quà m ipsius Cours sustineri posse existimaret because be thought his own impression might with more ease be endared than the Attack of Cours Further Theophanes in his Chronicon relates this Flight of the Persians and Victory of the Romans after the death of the Emperour Justinus junior when Tiberius had obtained the Empire alone But Theophylactus from whom Theophanes seems to have taken his Relation attests that that hapned whilst Justinus was yet alive when Tiberius bore the Title and Dignity of Caesar only and governed the State as may be seen in Theophylactus's third book chap. 14. To whom agrees our Evagrius for he relates the Death of Justinus Junior thereafter in the nineteenth chapter of this book where he says in express words that after Justinus's death Tiberius deprived Justinian of the Dignity of Magister Militum Vales. * Or His own forces †Or Had now broke their own Ranks †Petulancy or Contumelie a The death of Chosdroes King of the Persians is related too soon here For he died after Tiberius had gotten the Empire as Theophylactus attests book 3. chap. 16. which is also confirmed by Menander Protector in his Excerpt Legat. Wherefore Theophanes is mistaken in his Chronicon who relates Chosdroes's death and the Inauguration of his Son Hormisda in the Empire of Justinus Junior Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Tellerian Manuscript I found it written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of whom I must at present omit to speak which reading I
the memory by statley c. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some thing seems to be wanting here or at least the words are transposed Therefore I would have the place restored thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 erecting a sacred c. But Christophorson understood these words so as if Eusebius should say that Helena built two Churches in the Mount of Olives one on the top the other in the Cave which nevertheless I do not think to be true For the Authour of the Jerusalem Itinerarie tells us that one Church was built there by Constantine And Eusebius in his Panegyrick chap. 9. towards the end speaking of that Martyrium which Constantine built at Jerusalem expresses himself in the same manner as he does here viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Where you see that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are joyned and used concerning one and the same Church And he terms the Basilica 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because people came thither to pray but the whole Sacred House which being inclosed within one circuit contains within it self the Atrium Porticus's Secrelaric Baptistcrie and the Church it self he terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which Eusebius does most plainly declare below at chap. 50 of this book where he speaks concerning the Dominicum Aureum which Constantine built at Antioch And thus the passage of Eusebius in the close of his Panegyrick concerning Constantine's Tricennaliae is to be explained as likewise a passage in his tenth book and another in chap. 45. of this book where he joyns together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is something otherwise in the fifth Law Cod. Theod. de his qui ad Ecclesias consugiunt For there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called the Basilica or Oratory where the Altar is But the Church is termed that whole Building within the circumference whereof are contained the Atrium Porticus's Cells Baths and lastly the Oratory it self Vales. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Author of the Itinerarium Hierosolymitanum has these words Inde ascendis in montem Oliveti ubi dominus discipulos docuit ante passionem Thence you go up to Mount Olivet where our Lord taught his Disciples before his Passion Bede in his book de Locis Sanctis chap. 7. has this passage Tertia quoque ejusdem montis ad australem Bethaniae partem Ecclesia est There is a third Church aâ—so of the same Mount at the South part of Bethanie where the Lord before his Passion spoke to his Disciples concerning the day of Judgment He means the place in Saint Mathew chap. 24. This Sermon therefore Eusebius here terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secret Mysteries because the Lord then spake concerning secret things viz. about the end of the world concerning Christ's coming and the last judgment For even the Apostles came then to the Lord secretly as Saint Matthew says in regard they were desirous to know Mysteries and the Revelation of things future as Jerome on Mathew writes But that which Eusebius says viz. that our Loâ—d delivered these Mysteries to the Apostles in the Cave is not expresly recorded in the Gospel Yea the contrary seems possible to be made out from the Gospel For 't is related therein that the City Jerusalem was in sight to the Disciples when our Lord Preach't these things They were not therefore in the Cave but in an open place Yet it may be answered that that Cave had several holes of which sort there were many Caves in Palestine as the Itineraries inform us Indeed whereas Saint Matthew affirms that the Disciples came to our Lord secretly 't is probable that that discourse in the Cave was made by Our Lord whilst he stayed there Vales. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first word is to be expunged as being superfluous Eusebius seems to allude to the usage of the Gentiles who performed their Mithriaca Sacra Sacrisices in honour of the Sun in a Cave as Porphyry in his book de Abstinentia Jerome and others inform us The Fuketian Manuscript confirms our conjecture in which the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is wanting Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 companions †Or The fruit * Or Magnificence of Imperial power †Or Right hand * Or She gave her self to be seen coming c. †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Valesius renders it Sacella Chappell 's ‖ Or Grave and mean or frugal * Or Emperour Monarch and Lord c. †Or So Great ‖ Or Cherishing her with all c. * Or Undergoe a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her soul therefore was reformed or new-framed These words seem to favour of Origen's doctrine to which our Eusebius was too much addicted For the souls of the Blessed are not reformed into an Angelick substance Indeed Origen believed that in the Resurrection Bodies would be turned into souls and Souls would be changed into Angels as Saint Jerome says some where Vales. a He means Rome For thither the dead Body of Helena Augusta was carried and after two years was conveyed to Constantinople as Nicephorus tells us book 8. chap. 30. But Socrates book 1. chap. 17. transcribing Eusebius's words interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 New-Rome Which errour of Socrates Baronius does deservedly reprove in regard by the name of the Imperial City Eusebius is always wont to mean Rome Besides Constantinople was not yet dedicated and therefore could not be called the Imperial City whenas then it was only old Byzantium Nevertheless Cedrenus has followed Socrates who also adds this that Helena died twelve years before Constantine By this computation Helena must have died on the year of Christ 325 or 326. On which year nevertheless she is said by Eusebius and Rufinus to have gone to Jerusalem Besides after the death of Crispus Caesar and Fausta Augusta Helena was for some time alive as Zosimus attests book 2. Further Crispus was slain in the seventh Consulate of Constantinus Augustus which he bore with Constantius Caesar on the year of Christ 326 as 't is recorded in Idatius's Fasti. The death of Helena therefore may rightly be assigned to the year of our Lord 327 as Sigonius thinks book 3. de Imperio Occidentali Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 't is referred to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we have rendred it And so I found it mended in Moraeus's Book at the margin Nor is it otherwise written in the Fuk. and Savil. Copies and in the Kings Sheets Vales. * Or These things †Or Worthy of Emulation * Churches a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I had rather make it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is far more elegant So indeed it occurs written in the Fuketian Copy and in the Kings Sheets Vales. †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the gore of bloud * Image †Or Fountains †Or Symbols a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Fuketian Copy 't is written
him to have died in the thirty second year of his Empire Further some Chronologers have ascribed the years of his Father Constantius because he Reigned but a very short time to Constantine But the Reader is to be advertized that the most Learned Petavius has at length changed his Sentiment and has embraced the Common opinion concerning the years of Constantine's Reign and concerning its beginning as 't is apparent from the Fourth Book of the Second part of his Rationarium Temporum Vales. * Or Insatiableness and Hypocrifie †Or Goods a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The last word is here added by learned men from the Manuscript Copies which word I likewise found in M r Fuket's Book But I had rather place this word before the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Eusebius expresses himself at the close of his Third Book concerning the Life of Constantine It would indeed be far more elegantly written thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I embrace the emendation of Learned men which occurs also in the Fuketian Copy viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Further the judgment of our Eusebius is here to be taken notice of who iâ—â— the Reign of Constantine as in some most beautifull Countenance took notice of this Blemish that he chose the worst and most rapacious men to be his friends and to bear the publick Offices and that he was circumvented by the fraud and craft of certain persons who pretended themselves to be Christians Aurelius Victor reproves almost the same thing in these words Fiscales molestiae severius pressae Cunctaque divino ritui paria videreâ—tur nâ— parùm dignis ad publica aditum concessisset Quae quanquam saepius accidêre tamen in summo ingenio atque optimis Reip. moribus quamvis parva vitia elucent magis Amm. Marcellinus also in his sixteenth Book attests the same Nam proximorum â—auces aperuit primus omnium Constantinus Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that Love and Truth which was in his disposition †Maintain or keep ‖ Or Goods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Fuk. and S r Hen Savil's Copy the reading is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. a I suppose amongst others Ablabius to be meant who after Constantine's death in regard 't was believed that he attempted a Rebellion was slain by the order of Constantius as Eunapius does at large relate in the Lives of the Sophistae Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above at chap. 29 of this book Eusebius has made use of the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where see what we have noted You might also reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 't is written at the margin of the Geneva-Edition The Translatour persisting in his mistake renders it here also Congressus cum amicis habere to hold meetings with his friends whereas he ought to have translated it conciones habere to make Speeches as 't is plainly confirmed by the words following Victor in his Epitome says the same likewise concerning Constantine Commodissimus tamen rebus multis â—uit Calumnias sedare legibus severissimis nutrire arâ—es bonas praecipuè fludia Literarum legere ipse scribere meditare Where meditari has the same import with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is declamare to declaim Vales. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doubtless it must be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having continued as others have already remarked Vales. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I had rather write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Eusebius does usually term the Heathens and especially the Philosophers who thought themselves wiser than others In the Fuketian Copy the reading is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the third syllable has a line drawn under it Vales. * Or Tabernacle a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Those words which follow after these in the Geneva-Edition unto the beginning of the 58 th chapter which passage we have inclosed within this mark were wanting both in the Kings Copy and in Robert Stephen's Edition and they have been added by Learned men from conjecture as I think For the chapters which follow are too short and contain nothing more than the very Titles of the chapters which is a thing altogether disagreeable to Eusebius's designe Wherefore 't is credible that I earned men inserted these words from the Titles of the chapters which occur perâ—â—â—t before the fourth Book Further in the Geneva-Edition these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which occur after the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be expunged For the imperterction begins before these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. We have taken notice of a like mistake above Our conjecture concerning this Supplement is plainly confirmed by the Fuketian Copy which though it faithfully shews the other Supplements which are publish't by the Geneva-men as we have noted in their places yet has not the Supplement of this place Nor is this Fragment written in Turnebus's Copy although all the rest occur written at the margin of his Book Vales. b Socrates book 1. chap. 18. relates the very same thing in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Moreover so ardent was the Emperours Love for the Christian Religion that being about to ingage in a War with the Persians He provided a Tabernacle made of Linen painted with divers colours much resembling a Church even as Moses did in the wilderness and this he would have carried about with him that so in the most desert Regions he might have an Oratory ready Which words of Socrates I have the more willingly produced because I know that Socrates is wont most commonly to make use of the very words of Eusebius in those passages which he borrows out of Eusebius Therefore these words of Socrates may supply the place of Eusebius's words For I can very hardly be induced to believe that those words which occur in this imperfection are Eusebius's Further before this in the Licinian War namely Constantine had a Tabernacle of the Cross fixt without the Camp into which he retired to fast and pray as Eusebius attests Book 2. But in his preparation for the Persian War Constantine did this further that he built a Tabernacle in form of a Church Sozomen relates that from this practise of Constantine it was afterwards derived that each Cohort in the Roman Army had its Tabernacle furnished like a Chappel and peculiar Priests and Deacons who might there perform Divine worship Vales. a Rufus Festus writes the same thing in his Breviarium Constantinus rerum dominus c. Constantine supream in the Empire at the latter end of his Life prepared an Expedition against the Persians For the Nations in the whole world being subdued and he being rendred more glorious by a fresh Victory obtained over the Goths went down against the Persians with many Troops At whose approach the Kingdoms of Babylonia trembled so much that an humble Embassie from the Persians met him and promised they would do what
brought into the City that bore his own name Which the people of Rome were sorely troubled at in regard by his Arms Laws and mild Government they supposed the City Rome renewed as ' t were I know indeed that these words of Aurelius Victor may be understood concerning the Citizens of Rome who took it ill because Constantine's Body had been interred at Constantinople rather then at Rome Nevertheless I am of opinion that Victor thought otherwise to wit that all the Inhabitants of the Roman world were most sorely troubled at the death of Constantine Which meaning is plainly confirmed by the following words Quippe cujus armis legibus clementi imperio quasi novatam Orbem Romanum arbitraretur For so 't is to be read and not urbem Romanam Vales. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The one of these words is useless The Fuketian Manuscript has only the Latter whereto agrees Turnebus's Book Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon losty Benches or Seats b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The reading in the Fuketian and Turnebian Copy is truer thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but it must without doubt be made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 't is above at book 3. chap. 10. Vales. * Generals or Commanders in chief a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concerning the manner of saluting the Roman Emperours consult the Learned D r Howells History Second Part pag. 52. This Adoration was little more than what is now a days used to Princes namely a kneeling to them and bowing the head b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is the Honorati So the Latines termed those who bore honours as I have at large remarked at the 14 th Book of Amm. Marcellinus Whereto add a passage of Gaudentius Bishop of Brixia in his Letter to Benevolus Nam sicut Honoratorum nostrae urbis ita etiam dominicae plebis domino annuente dignissimum caput es Vales. * Or Their own carriage of him c After Constantine's death there was an Interregnum nor did any Augustus Reign in the Roman world Which interregnum i. e. a time when there was no Emperour continued not only till Constantine's Burial but to the fifth of the Ides of September as Idatius attests in his Fasti. So for the space of three months and an half the Roman world was without the Empire of an Augustus For during that whole time which is between the eleventh of the Calends of Jun◠and the fifth of the Ides of September his Sons were styled only Cae-sars 'T is certain Constantinus Junior in his Letter so the Alexandrians which bears date after his Fathers death in the Consulate of Felicianus and Titianus on the fifteenth of the Calends of July has the Title of Caesar only This Letter is extant in Atbanasius in his Second Apologie near the end Vales. * Or Turned into stone †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Stephens 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and we have rendred it accordingly * Or Well known †Or Greatest Symbol of supream Empire * Or Of Rome a The same is attested by Aurelius Victor in those words of his which we quoted above at chap. 65. noto b. Vales. a Constantius Caesar whom his Father had made Governour of the East upon hearing of his Father's sickness had in great hast taken a journey that he might see his Father before he died But the vehemency of his disease frustrated the Son's desire For when he was arrived at Nicomedia he found his Father dead as Julian relates in his first Oration concerning the praises of Constantius pag. 29. With Julian the other Writers of History do likewise agree Zonaras is the only Authour who relates that Constantius Caesar who was then at Antioch arrived whilst his Father was yet living and that he honoured him when dead with a most magnificent Funeral Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The last word save one is added by the I earned from conjecture as I think Nevertheless there seems to be something more wanting and perhaps Eusebius wrote thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the City that bore his own name Hence it appears that Constantine's dead Body was kept at Nicomedia with all Imaginable honour and reverence till the coming of Constantius Caesar. Who after he was arrived at Nicomedia conveyed his Father's Corps to Constantinople Wherefore the Author of the Alexandrian Chronicle is mistaken who relates that Constantius came directly to Constantinople and there celebrated his Father's Funeral Vales. * Or The things of a becoming Sanctity * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sacred Assemblie †Or death a A twofold sense may be given of these words For either Eusebius means that Constantius Caesar when he had deposited his Father's Ark or Coffin in the Church went presently out of the Church with the Souldiers or else this is his meaning only that Constantius having done that withdrew out of the middle of the Church that he might give place to the Priests Which meaning is in my judgment truer For Constantius although he had not as yet been baptized was nevertheless a Catechumen as Sulpicius Severus tells us in the Second Book of his History Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Gellius B. 13. Cap. 10. b Translatours thought that these words were spoken of God who gave the Empire to Constantine's Sons But after a more attentive examination of the matter I am of opinion that they are spoken concerning Constantine himself who even dead delivered the Empire to his Sons And this is confirmed by the following words Vales. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must I think be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Constantine had wisht that after his death he might not like other Princes be consecrated and reckoned amongst the Divi but that being buried with the Apostles he might be a partaker of the prayers which are wont to be offered to God by the Faithfull in honour of them as Eusebius has said above at chap. 60. Whence it appears that here it must be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not as it is in Moraeus's Book and at the margin of the Geneva-Edition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through his own most c. Nor will this place be perfect even this way unless these words be added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Which Eusebius confirms in the foresaid 60 th chapter The point must also be blotted out which is set a little after as well in the Kings Copy as in the Common Editions and it must be read in one breath thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Than which there is nothing more certain which makes me admire that Translatours saw not this In the Fuketian Copy the reading of this place runs thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Nor is it otherwise in the Books of Turnebus and S r Henry Savil save only that S r Henry has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But in the Kings Sheets I found this place written thus 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Which reading comes nearer to our Emendation Further those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are spoken in a Parenthesis and this is intimated by that punctation in the Fuketian Copy which I have shown above Vales. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. I write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which reading the following words do confirm And so I found it plainly written in the Fuketian Copy Vales. e Such was the Inscription usually perfixt before the Laws and Letters of Constantine as Eusebius does every where attest Victor Constantinus Maximus Augustus He took the Pronomen forename of Victor after his Victory obtained over the Tyrants His Sons also by an hereditary right as 't were retained that name as their Letters inform us Farther from this place it appears that after the death of Constantinus Maximus for about three months space that is during the whole time of the Interregnum all Laws and Edicts were inscribed with the Name of Constantine as if he had been living in regard there was no other Augustus in the Roman world as I have observed above This place may also be meant concerning the Sons of Constantine the Great who made use of the same Title and Name and in whom their Father seemed to be revived Which sense is confirmed by what follows Vales. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it may answer the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which occurs several lines above Further in the Kings Copy at the margin of this chapter the Greek Scholiast had written these words in honour of Constantine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The same Writer does in this work often besprinkle him with praises and good wishes In the Fuketian Copy the reading is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sr. Henry Savil at the margin of his Copy remarkes that the reading should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to whom I agree yet I had rather read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. * Is in use or is embraced * Representations were stamps on Coyns or Money a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The last word is in my judgment to be blotted out which in all probability crept out of the margin into the Text. For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had been written in the margin which might explain the following word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But that which occurs in the margin of the Geneva-Edition namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in my judgment most egregiously foolish For the propriety of the Greek Tongue admits not of that expression Besides in most Coyns Constantine appears with an Helmet on his Head Vales. †Or Other part ‖ Right hand a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Questionless it must be made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is also to be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only Prince or at least those words are to be understood Further Eusebius excepts none of the Roman Emperours whilst he says that Constantine was the first of them all who was plainly and openly a Christian. Which doubtless is most true For although the Emperour Philippus is by some reported to have been a Christian yet he did not openly profess the Christian Religion as Constantine did Orosius Book 7. writes in a different sense concerning Constantine in this manner Primus Imperatorum Christianus the First Christian of the Emperours except Philippus who in my judgment was made a Christian during a very few years for this reason only that the thousandth year of Rome might be dedicated to Christ rather than to Idols Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I had rather reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is How great a difference there was witâ— him or how great a difference he made Vales. * Or Adversary * Preach't †Or Had overthrown all the errour of c. a After his four Books concerning the Life and Piety of the Emperour Constantine Eusebius had added Two Orations the one whereof was the Emperour Constantine's Entitled To the Assemblie of the Saints or To the Church of God the other was written by himself concerning the Fabrick and Sacred Presents of the Jerusalem-Martyrium as Eusebius himself does attest in Chap. 32 and 46 of his Fourth Book But the Latter Oration of Eusebius is not now extant And that former one namely Constantine's abounds with so many faults that it would almost be better if it were not extant But whereas this is a singular monument of that Religious Prince and an illustrious proof of his Studies and Disposition I shall I think do what will be worth while if I shall â—mploy my care and diligence in mending and explaining it Vales b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In book 4. chap. 32 the reading is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he entitled which is in my judgment to be preferred This therefore was the Title of this Oration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Victor Maximus Augustus Constantinus To the Convention of the Saints Vales. * Or The Word of God †Or Brighter Splendour both c. ‖ Or Joyning together a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Moraeus's Book as likewise in the margin of the Geneva-Edition 't is mended 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word I doe not remember to have met with any where But in Scaliger's Copy 't is corrected 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes nearer to the Reading of the Manuscript Copies Indeed in the Kings Copy 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence I conjectured that it should be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the Foundation He does elegantly term the Resurrection of our Lord the foundation of the promise Nor has Christophorson done ill in rendring it pignus promissionis the pledge of the promise which is in a manner the same For a pledge is given for an assurance whence 't is by Graecians termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Fuketian and Savilian Copies I found it written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I assent not to Learned men who joyn these with the foregoing words and reade thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For if we read thus it will be a foolish repetition in regard Constantine had said before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In which words Constantine salutes all the Catholick people in such a manner as Preachers are wont to do Wherefore those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the beginning of another period wherein Constantine sets forth the happiness of the Catholick people Further I would more willingly read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye multitudes c that Constantine may be made to speak to the people Nevertheless in the Fuketian and Savilian Copies this place runs thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. * Or What manner of workmanship is thine c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of thy Sanctitie At the margin of the Geneva-Edition there is a note set that 't is otherwise written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substance But having look't