demaunded of him the like he sayd It is no hard matter to bereaue a man of his life but when he is gone there is no man be he neuer so sory for him that can restore him to life againe saue God alone He was alwaies of y ◠mind that if any cōmitted treason he would not suffer him to go as farre as the gates of the citie towardes the place of execution but of his clemencie he called him backe againe The same man againe when he published spectacles on a certaine time at Constantinople w t the bickering and fighting of beasts in cōpasse of the theatre and the people shouted vnto him requiring that one of the strōgest men should be turned vnto the sauadge beast which rainged about his answere was in this sort Doe not you know that we can not away with cruell spectacles When the people hearde this they learned thenceforth to refraine from cruell showes Moreouer he was so religious that he honored all the priests of God but specially such as he knew did excell in godlenesse The report goeth that he made searche for the sackcloth which the bishop of Chebrū wore that died at Constantinople aud being found they say he more it how homely soeuer it was thinking verely to gett vnto him selfe thereby some of the deade mans holinesse As he soleminzed on a certaine tempestuous and stormie tyme of the yeare the people requiringe the same the vsuall and wonted spectacles and showes in the place called Circus enuironed with a wall and galeries round about when the rowme was full of people and the tempest waxed sore there fell vpon them sodainly a great cloude of snow then the Emperour renealed vnto the worlde what affection and zeale he bare towards God he willed the bedells in his name to say thus vnto the people It is far better for vs to lay aside these sowes and pastime and with one voyce to fall a praying vnto God that he will deliuer vs out of this present storme The words were no sooner spokē but all ioyntly fell downe to the ground and poured out earnest zealous praiers vnto God so y ◠the whole citie was become like one church The Emperour him selfe in the middest of the assembly arrayed in cōmon vsuall attire began the hymnes neither failed he of his purpose For the wether became faire againe the great derth and scarsitie was turned by the goodnes of God into plenty and abūdance of all things If warres at any time were proclaimed he followed the example of Dauid he made God his refuge perswading him self for certaine that God ruled and gouerned all battails and by the meanes of prayer he obtayned euer a prosperous successe CAP. XXIII Of Iohn who after the desease of the Emperour Honorius playd the tyrant at Rome how God deliuered him through the prayers of Theodosius into the hands of the Romaine souldiers OCcasion is presently ministred to discourse howe Theodosius being ayded frō aboue foyled the rebell and tyrant Iohn immediatly after the Persian battaile the desease of Honoritu in y ◠cōsulship of Asclepiodotus Marianus y ◠15. of August In mine opiniō y ◠acts of those dayes are worthy y ◠writig such they are as of right should be recorded to y ◠knowledge of the posterity in time to come For the like thigs which hapned vnto the Hebrewes vnder Moses as they passed through the red sea new befell vnto the emperours captaines being set against y ◠tyrāt the which I mind briefly to rūne ouer leauīg y ◠large discourse because it requireth a seuerall volume vnto others Although Theodosius knew that Honorius y ◠Emperour had departed this life yet cōcealed he his death frō others so y ◠an other deuise which hereafter shal be spokē of begutled many therin He sent priuely a souldier vnto Salonae a city of Dalmatia to geue warnig y ◠if any nouelty were attēpted in y ◠west parts of the world there should be such preparatiò as might quickly suppresse y ◠authors therof Whē he had brought y ◠about he opened vnto all men y ◠death of his vncle In y ◠meane while Iohānes one of y ◠Emperours chiefe secretaries being not of setled disposition to beare y ◠saile bāner of prosperity chalēged the empire sēt embassabours vnto y ◠emperour Theodosius requiring him to proclaime him emperour Theodosius tooke his legats layd thē in hold sēt vnto Iohn Ardaburius y ◠captaine who of late had behaued him self valiātly in y ◠battaile agaīst the Persians he cōming to Salonae sailed into Aquileia whence as it is thought he tooke a wrōg course the chaunce was as followeth Being in the surging waues of y ◠maine seae y ◠winde blewe against him brought him ere he was ware into y ◠tyrāts clawes The tyrant laying hand on him was now in good hope y ◠Theodosius would be brought of necessitie if he tendered y ◠life of his captaine Ardaburius to create proclaime him Emperour whē these thīgs came to light both Theodosius him selfe his army also which marched forwardes against y ◠rebell were wonderfull sory lest Ardaburius should take any harme at y ◠tyrāts hāds Aspar also y ◠sōne of Ardaburius seing both his father taken captiue also hearing for certainty y ◠an infinite power of Barbariās wēt to ayde the rebell knewe not what to doe he was at his wittes ende To be short y ◠prayers of y ◠godly Emperour thē also proued thē selues againe to be very effectuall for an Angell of God in y ◠forme of a shepherd guided Aspar on his iourney led his army by a lake adioyning vnto Rauēna for there it was that the tyrant kept captaine Ardaburius in hold which way as fame goeth there was neuer man y ◠found passage But God opened a way vnto Aspar where as it is thought others coulde not goe He led then his armie through the lake which then as it fell out was dryed vp by the handy worke of God he rushed in at the gates of the citie which lay wide open dispatched the tyrāt At what time the most godly Emperour vnderstanding of the tyrāts death as he celebrated those showes and spectacles in Circus made manifest his singular zeale pietie godwards for thus he spake vnto the people Let vs geue ouer this vaine pastime and pleasure let vs rather repaire vnto the church and serue God deuoutly pouring vnto God zealous prayers yelding vnto him harty thankes who with his owne hande hath bereaued the tyrant of his life He had no sooner made an end of speaking but ther gaue ouer their spectacles and showes they set all at nought they passed throughout the theater sounding out thanks geuing with one voyce together with the Emperour they went straight to the church and spent there the whole day so that
giuen him but he receaued it not saying In somuch that vve haue forsaken our ovvne hovv can vve receaue other mens These things were done the three and forty yeare which being translated worde for worde out of the Syrian tongue we thought not amisse to printe in this place The censure of the Translator toutching the aforesayd Epistles BE it true or be it false that there were such epistles it forceth not greatly as the effect and contentes thereof is not to be preferred before all other writing in trueth so of the contrary it is not to be reiected for falshoode and forged stuffe Ierome with other graue writers affirmeth such circumstances to haue bene Eusebius whose creditt herein is not smale reporteth the same to haue bene taken out of their recordes in the city of Edessa regestred there in the Syrian tongue and by him translated out of the Syrian into the greeke tongue I sidorus and Gelasius the first of that name bishop of Rome about the yeare of our Lorde 494. together with 70. other Bishops decreed that the Churche of God should receaue the same epistles for no other then Apocrypha one thing I may not here runne ouerwith silence but admonishe the Reader of how that late writers namely Damascenus and that fabulous Historiographer Nicephorus haue added vnto this history fabulous reportes howe that Abgarus gouernour of Edessa sent his letter vnto Iesu and with all a certayne paynter which might vewe him well bring vnto him backe againe the lively picture of Iesu the which painter as they reporte being not able for the glorious brightnesse of his gracious countenance to bring his purpose to effect our Sauiour him selfe tooke an handkerchef and layde to his deuine and liuely face and by the wiping of his face his picture was therein impressed the which he sent to Abgarus Nicephorus patcheth other fables therunto first he sayth that the King of Persia sent a paynter vnto Iesu which brought vnto him the picture of Iesu and also of Mary his mother Agayne that the Edessaeans in the time of Iustinianus the Emperour being besieged and brought to such a narrowe straicte that there remayned no hope of deliuer ance but a present foyle and ouerthrowe in the same lamentable plight to haue runne vnto this picture for a refuge wher as they say they fouÌ„d preseÌ„t remedy beleue it who wil. Eusebius who searched their records who layde downe the copye of the Epistles who translated faythfully all that he founde there toutching Christ neyther sawe neyther heard of any such thing for he promised in the preface to his history to omitt nothing that shoulde seeme pertinent if the other writers founde it why did not Eusebius finde it if the other writers thought expedient to publishe the same why did Eusebius omitt it nay it was not there founde at al but forged therefore recount them for fables the first that reported them was a hundred yeares after Eusebius The ende of the first booke THE SECONDE BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA CAP. I. Of the ordayning of Disciples after the ascention of Christ IN the former booke as by way of proëme we haue published which necessaryly did concerne the Ecclesiastical history ioyntly contriuing the declaration of the diuinitie of the worde of saluation of the auncient principles of our doctrine of the antiquitie of Gospelike policy among Christians of his late appearing among men of his passion and election of the Apostles Now it remayneth that we vewe those things which ensued after his assumption so that partly we note them out of the sacred scriptures partly out of prophane historyes knitting to our historye those thinges which we haue firmely committed to memory First of al the Apostleship is allotted vnto Matthias in the rowme of Iudas the traytour which as it is manifest was one of the disciples of the Lorde there were also seuen approued men ordayned Deacons through prayer and laying on of the Apostles handes for the publique administration of the Churches affaires ioyned with Stephen which first after the Lorde as soone as he was ordayned as though he were appoynted for this purpose is stoned vnto death by them which slewe the Lord and for this cause as the first of the triumphing Martyrs of Christ according to his name he beareth a crowne After him folowed Iames called the brother of Christ and counted the sonne of Ioseph This Ioseph was thought to be the father of Christ to whome the virgin was betrothed vvhiche before they came together vvas founde to haue in her vvombe of the holy Ghost as the holy Gospell declareth This Iames whome of olde they priueledged for his vertue with the syrname of Iustus is sayd to be the first which occupied the bishoplike Seae at Ierusalem Clemens in the 6. of his hypotyposeon writeth thus Peter saith he and Iames and Ihon after the assumption of our Sauiour though they vvere preferred by the Lorde yet chalenged they not this prerogatiue vnto them selues but appoynted Iames the Iust Byshop of Ierusalem The same Clemens in the 7. of his Hypotyposeon also maketh mention of him thus the Lorde after his resurrection endued vvith knovvledge Iames the Iust Ihon Peter They deliuered the same vnto the rest of the Apostles the Apostles aftervvards vnto the 70. disciples of vvhich number vvas Barnabas There vvere tvvo Iameses the one termed Iust vvhich vvas throvvne dovvne hedlonâ— from the pinacle and brayned vvith a fullers clubbe * the other beheaded Of him that vvas â—…d Iust Paul made mention saying I savve none of the Apostles saue Iames the brother of the Lorde Those thinges which the Lorde promised the King of the Osroënians then were performed Thomas by diuine inspiration sent Thaddaeus vnto the city Edessa to be their preacher and an Euangelist of the doctrine of Christ as a litle before out of the recordes we haue alleaged But he after his comming and hauing cured Agbarus by the word of God astonished all them with his straunge miracles workes which he wrought brought them to the worshipping of the diuine power of Christ and ordayned disciples of the doctrine of our Sauiour From that time vnto this day the whole city of the Edessaeans addicted vnto the name of Christ shew forth no smale argument of the great goodnes of our Sauiour towardes them But these thinges be premised taken out of their auncient historicall recordes and now let vs returne vnto the sacred Scripture The first and the greatest persecution being raysed of the Ievves agaynst the Church at Ierusalem about the tyme of the martyrdome of Stephen and al the distiples the 12. onely excepted being dispersed throughout Iudaea Samaria certaine of them as the holy Scripture beareth witnesse came vnto Phaenices and Cyprus and Antioche but these as yet dated not to deliuer vnto the Gentiles the word of fayth but shewed it onely vnto the Ievves At that
labour and industry Then shevved they him their hands for testimony that they labored them selues and the hardnes of their bodies and the hard bravvne of their handes grovven by continuall labour and vvhen as they vvere asked of Christ and his kingdome vvhat maner vvhen and vvhere it should appeare they aunsvvered that his kingedome vvas neither vvorldly nor earthly but caelestiall and Angelicall and that it shoulde be at the consummation of the vvorlde vvhen that he comming in glory shall iudge the quicke and the dead and revvarde euery man according vnto his vvorkes After they had thus aunsvvered the report goeth that Domitian condemned them not but despised them as vile and base creatures let them goe free stayed by his edict the persecution then raysed against the church VVhen they vvere gone it is sayde that they vvere rulers ouer Churches in so much that in the ende they vvere martyres and of the line of our Lorde and aftervvardes peace ensuing the report goeth that they liued vntill the raigne of Traian So farre Aegesippus Tertullian also reporteth the like of Domitian Domitian sayth he some time assayed the like practise being a portion of Neroes cruelty but he hauing some humane sense as I suppose forthvvith relented calling home agayne such as he had exiled CAP. XVIII Nerua succeedeth Domitian and Traian succeedeth Nerua in the empire Cerdo succeedeth Abilius in the Churche of Alexandria AFter that Domitianus had raygned fiftene yeares and Nerua had succeeded him the Historiographers of that tyme do write that the Romayne Senate decreed that the honors exhibited vnto Domitian shoulde cease and such as were iniuriously exiled shoulde returne vnto their natiue soyle and receaue their substance agayne it is also amonge the auncient traditions that then Iohn the Apostle returned from banishment and dwelt agayne at Ephesus When Nerua had raigned a litle aboue a yeare Traian succeeded him In the first yeare of whose raigne Cerdo succeeded Abilius which was Bishop of Alexandria the space of thirtene yeares This is the thirde after Anianus of that Churche CAP. XIX The succession of the first Bishops in three Churches Rome Antioch Alexandria AT that tyme Clemens ruled the Churche of Rome beinge the thirde Bishop after Paul Peter the first was Linus the seconde Anacletus And of them which gouerned the church of Antioche the first was knowne to be Euodius the second Ignatius likewise Simeon at the same tyme the seconde after the brother of our Sauiour gouerned the churche of Ierusalem CAP. XX. An history of Iohn the Apostle and a yong theefe conuerted by him AS yet the Apostle and Euangelist whome the Lorde loued remayned aliue in Asia who after the death of Domitian being returned from the I le Patmos gouerned the Churches there in Asia And that he liued at that time the confirmation of two witnesses shall suffice They are worthy of creditt such as haue gouerned the Churche with sounde doctrine These are Irenaeus and Clemens Alexandrinus the former in his seconde booke agaynst the heresies writeth thus All the Elders beare vvitnes vvhich liued together vvith Iohn the Disciple of our Sauiour in Asia that he deliuered these thinges he endured vvith them vnto the tyme of Traian â–ª also in the thirde of his sayde argument he declareth the same in these wordes The churche of the Ephesians planted by Paul confirmed by Iohn vvhich remayned there vntill the tyme of Traian is a true testimony of this Apostolicke tradition Clemens with all signifieth the tyme and also a very necessary historye is by him adioyned for suche as are recreated with honest and profitable thinges whereof also one Sozomenus in his history hath made mention at large in his commentaryes if thou reade it thou shalt finde thus written Heare a fable and yet no fable but a true tale reported of Iohn the Apostle deliuered vnto vs and committed to memory after the desease of the tyrant VVhen he had returned to Ephesus out of the I le Patmos being requested vvent vnto the contreyes adioyning partly to consecrate Bishops partly to set in order vvhole Churches and partly to chuse by lott vnto the Ecclesiasticall function of them vvhome the holy Ghost had assigned VVhen he vvas come vnto a certayn city not farre distant the name vvherof diuers doe expresse and among other thinges had recreated the brethren beholding a yong man of a goodly bodye a gracious face and seruente minde he turned his face vnto him that vvas appointed chiefe ouer all the Bishops and sayd I commend this yonge man vnto thy custody vvith an earnest desire as Christ and the Churche beare me vvitnes VVhen he had receaued his charge and promised diligence therein he spake and protested vnto him the selfe same the second time Aftervvardes he returned to Ephesus but the elder taking the yong man that vvas deliuered vnto him brought him vp at home ceased not cherished him still and in processe of time baptized him he came at length to be so diligent seruiceable that he made him a liuery garment or scrole signed vvith his masters seale of Armes but this yonge man became dissolute out of season perniciously accompanyed him selfe vvith them of his ovvne yeares idle dissolute and acquainted vvith ill behauiour first they bringe him to sumptuous banquetts next they guyde him in the night to steale and to robbe after this they require that he consent vnto the committing of a greater offence but he acquainting him selfe by a litle and a litle through the greatnes of his capacitye much like a horse of a hardned mouth fierce strong and hardy forsaking the right vvay vvith the biting of the bridle bringeth him selfe vnto a bottomlesse pitt of all misorder and outrage At length despayring of the saluation that commeth of God being past all hope of grace â–ª he practised no toye nor trifle once being ouer the shoes he proceeded forvvardes and tooke the like lott vvith the reste of his companions takinge vnto him companions and a rout of theues being gathered together he became a most violent captayne of theeues vvholy bent to slaughter murther extreame cruelty In the meane vvhile necessitye so constrayning the Bishops sent for Iohn he vvhen he had ended and finished the cause of his comming goe to sayth he O Byshop restore vnto vs thy charge vvhiche I and Christ haue committed vnto thy custody the churche vvhereof thou art heade bearing vvitnes the Byshop at the first vvas amazed supposing some deceite to be vvrought toutching money vvhich he had not receaued yet vvas he not able to aunsvvere them for that he had it not neyther to mistrust Iohn but vvhen Iohn had sayd I require the yong man and the soule of our brother then the elder looking dovvne vvith a heauy countenance sobbing and sighing sayde he is deade to vvhome Iohn spake hovve and vvhat kinde of death vvhich aunsvvered he is dead to God for he is become vvicked and pernicious and
he graciously commaunded so sentence should be giuen yet vve require not this as commaunded by Adrian but in as much as you knovve that at the request of the people iustice is to be craued vve haue annexed the coppy of Adrianus his epistle to the ende you may vnderstand vve tell nothinge but that vvhich is true for thus he vvrote CAP. IX The epistle of Adrian the Emperour that no Christian be accused neither suffer without iust cause VNto Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia Adrian fendeth greeting I receaued an Epistle from Serenius Granianus that right vvorthy man and â—hy predecessor the occasion vvherof I can not vvith silence leaue vntoutched lest that thereby men be troubled a gappe left open to the malice of Sycophants VVherfore if your prouincialls can proue ought against the Christians vvhereof they charge them and iustifie it before the barre let them proceede on not appeach them only for the name nether crauâ— vvith outcries against theÌ„ â–ª for it is very expedient that if any be disposed to accuse the accusation be throughly knovvne of you and sifted Therefore if any accuse the Christians that they transgressed the â—â—vves see that you iudge and punish according to the qualitie of the offence but in playne vvordes if any vpon spyte or malice comense or cauill against them see you chastice him for his malice and punish him vvith reuengement This was the epistle of Adrian CAP. X. VVhat Bishops there were of Rome and Alexandria in the tyme of Autoninus AFter that Adrian ruling in the regall scepter the space of one and twenty yeares had runne the race of his naturall life Antoninus called Pius succeeded him in the empyre In the first yeare of whose raygne Telesphorus hauing gouerned the Ecclesiasticall seae eleuen yeares deparâ—ed this life whome â–ª Hyginus succeeded Irenaeus writeth that this Telesphorus was crowned at his death with martyrdome and signifieth withall that in the tyme of the sayde Hyginus â–ª Valentinus the inuentor of his owne heresy and Cerdon author of that error which Marcion afterwardes sucked were manifestly knowne at Rome For thus he writeth CAP. XI The report of Irenaeus toutching the graund heretickes of that tyme with the succession of the Bishops of Rome and Alexandria VAlentinus came to Rome in the tyme of Hyginus â—e flourished vnder Pius and continued vnto Anicetus Cerdon likevvise vvhome Marcion succeeded came vnder Hyginus the nynth Bishop from the Apostles vvho hauing protested his fayth one vvhile perseuered an other vvhile taught priuely aftervvardes confessed his error Agayne being reprehended for the doctrine vvhich he had corruptly taught refrayned the company of the brethren This he wrote in his third booke against the heresies â–ª Cerdon also sucking error of such as vvere Simons adhaerents abiding at Rome vnder Hyginus the nynth by succession from the Apostles taught that God preached of the lavv and Prophets vvas not the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ He said moreouer that Christ vvas knovvne the father of Christ vnknovven Christ vvas iust the father good After him succeeded one Marcion of Pontus a shamles blasphemer vvhich encreased this doctrine Irenaeus dilating that infinite profundity of matter inuented by Valentinus subiect to many errors discloseth openly the malice of the Hereticke being cloked and concealed as it were a serpent hid in his denne After this he remembreth one Marke by name most expert in inagical artes to haue bene in that time for he reuealing their prophane ceremonies and detestable mysteries writeth thus Some prepare their vvedding chamber and accomplish the seruice to be sayd ouer them that are to be consecrated vvith charmed vvordes and hauing thus done they call it a spiritual mariage â–ª conformable to the celestial copulation Some bring them to the vvater in baptizing say thus In the name of the vnknovven father of all thinges in the truth mother of all thinges and in him vvhich descended vpon Iesus Some other pronounce hebrevv vvords to the end the yong conuerts might thervvith be the more amazed But omitting these things after that the fourth yeare of Hyginus was expired Pius tooke the publicke ministery of y â— church of Rome At Alexandria Marke is chosen their shepherde when Eumenes had continued there Bishop thirteene yeares After Marke had bene Bishop ten yeares Celadion succeeded him in y e church of Alexandria And at Rome after y e death of Pius which departed the fiftenth yeare Anicetus was placed minister vnder whom Egesippus sayth of him self y â— he came to Rome where he remained vnto the time of Eleutherius But specially Iustinus at that time disposing the heaueÌ„ly doctrine in a Philosophers atyre contending by his commentaryes for the faith which he embraced Wrote a booke against Marcion who at y â— present time liued was wel knowne for these are his words Marcion of Pontus at this present teacheth such as harken vnto him to beleue in a certaine God greater then the maker of all things vvho among all sortes of men ayded by the subtiltie of Satan hath seduced many to blaspheme and to deny the maker of all thinges to be the father of Christ and to confesse some other that should be greater then he â–ª as many as come of him are called Christians euen as it fareth vvith Philosophers though they be not addicted to the same precepts in philosophie yet the name of a Philosopher is common to all To these he addeth VVe haue vvritten a booke against the heresies novv raigning if you please you may reade it The same Iustinus hath valiantly encountred with the Gentiles dedicated Apologies in the defence of our fayth vnto Antoninus by syrname Pius and to the Senate of Rome for he dwelled at Rome and declareth who and whence he was in his Apologie writing thus CAP XII The beginning of Iustinus Martyrs Apologie for the Christian faith VNto the Emperour Titus Aelius Adrianus vnto Antoninus Pius most noble Caesar and vnto Verissimus his adopted sonne and true Philosopher vnto Lucius sonne of the Philosopher Caesar and adopted of Pius fauourer of learninge and vnto the sacred Senate vvith all the people of Rome in their behalfe vvhich among all sortes of men are vniustly hated and reprochfully dealt vvithall Iustinus the sonne of Priscus Bacchius borne in Flauia a nevve city of Syria in Palaestina one of them and one for them all doe make this request c. The same Emperour receauing a supplication of others in the behalfe of the brethren in Asia which were greeued with all kinde of contumelyes practised vppon them by their prouincialls graciously sent vnto the commonaltye of Asia this constitution CAP. XIII The epistle of Antoninus Pius vnto the commons of Asia in the behalfe of the Christians not to be persecuted THe Emperour Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus Armenicus Pontifex maximus fiftene times tribune thryse Consul vnto the communalty of Asia sendeth greeting I am
opportunitie or subtle shift to snare men in stirred vp againe straunge heresies to molest the Church and of those Heretickes some crept into Asia and Phrygia after the manner of venemous serpents whereof the Montanists bragge and boaste of Montanus as a comforter and of his women Priscilla and Maximilla as Prophetisses of Montanus others some preuayled at Rome whose captayne was Florinus a Priest excommunicated out of the Churche and together with him one Blastus subiect to the same daunger of soule both these haue subtly circumuented many and perswaded them to their purpose euery one seuerally establishing newe doctrine yet all contrary to the trueth CAP. XIIII The censure of the olde writers toutching Montanus and his false prophetes THe victorious and inuincible power of the trueth alwayes preuailing hath raysed vp Apollinarius of Hierapolis of whome we spake before as a stiffe and strong defence together with many other discreate persons of those tymes to the confutation of the foresayd Phrygian heresie whiche haue left behinde them matter sufficient and very copious for this our historye Wherefore one of them taking penne in hande to paynte out these heretickes signifieth at the entrance how he rebuked them with vnwritten elenches he beginneth thus It is novv a great vvhile agoe vvelbeloued Auircus Marcellus since thou diddest enioyne me this taske ▪ that I should publish some booke against the follovvers of the hereticke Miltiades vvherupon I doubted vnto this day vvhat vvas best to be done not but that I vvas able to confute their falsehoode and geue testimony vnto the trueth but that I feared greatly lest by vvriting I shoulde adde something vnto the perfect vvordes of the nevv testament vvhereto nothing may be added and vvherefro nothing may be taken avvay by him that vvill leade a life agreeable to the Gospell I being of late at Ancyra in Galatia founde the Churche throughout Pontus filled not vvith Prophets as they call them but rather as it shall be proued vvith false Prophets vvhere through the Lorde as much as in me laye I disputed in the Churche the space of many dayes against them and their seuerall obiections so that the Churche reioysed and vvas thereby confirmed in the trueth but the contrary parte yet repyned and the gaynesayers vvere very sorovvefull and vvhen the Elders of that place required of me in the presence of our fellovve minister Zoticus Otrenus that I vvould leaue them in vvriting some commentary of such things as vvere vttered against the aduersaries of the trueth At that time I did not but promised that I vvoulde shortly through the helpe of the Lorde vvrite somevvhat therof vnto them these and the like thinges layd downe in the proeme in processe of his booke he writeth thus VVherefore the originall of them and their nevve founde opinion against the Churche of God vvas after this sorte there is a certaine village in Mysia a region of Phrygia called Ardabau vvhere histories recorde that first of all one Montanus a late conuerte in the time of Gratus Proconsul of Asia pufte vp vvith an immoderate desire of primacy opened a gappe for the aduersary to enter into him and being madde and sodainly estraunged and berefte of his vvitts vvaxed furious and published straunge doctrine contrary to the tradition and custome and auncient succession novv receaued vnder the name of prophecy they vvhich then vvere auditors of this vnlavvfull preaching some chasticed checked him for a lunaticke one that vvas possessed of the spirite of error forbad him to preach being mindful of the forevvarning threatning of our Sauiour tending to this ende that vve shoulde take diligent heede of false prophets others some vvaxed insolent boasted bragged of him not a litle as if he vvere endued vvith the holy Ghost the gift of prophecye being forgtefull of the forevvarning of God they called vpon the dissembling the flattering and seducing spirite of the people by the vvhich they vvere snared deceaued that through silēce he should no more be hindred the deuil through a certain arte or rather the like subtle methode vvorking the destruction of disobedient persons being more honored thē his merit did require stirred vp kindled their mindes svvarued already from the faith slumbring in sinne so that he raised tvvo vvomen possessed of a foule spirit vvhich spake fonde foolish fanaticall thinges euen as he had before they reioyced gloried in the spirite vvhich pronounced them happy and puffed them vp vvith infinite faire promises yet sometimes by signes and tokens he rebuked them to their faces so that he seemed a chasticing spirite there vvere fevve of the Phrygians seduced notvvithstanding that boulde and blinde spirite instructed them to blaspheme and reuile generally euery Church vnder heauen because they neyther did homage neyther curteously receaued amonge them that false spirite of prophecye the faithfull throughout Asia for this cause men often and in many places examined the nevve founde doctrine pronounced it for prophane ▪ they excommunicated reiected and banished this hereticall opinion out of their churches When he had written these thinges in the beginning and throughout his first booke reprehended their error in his seconde booke he writeth thus of their endes because they charge vs with the deathe of the Prophets for that vve receaue not their disordered fantasies these saye they are the Prophets vvhiche the Lorde promysed to sende his people let them aunsvvere me I charge them in the name of the liuing God ôye good people is there any one of the secte of Montanus and these vvomen vvhich hath bene persecuted by the Ievves or put to deathe by any tyrant not one of them bearing this name vvas eyther apprehended or crucyfied neyther vvas there any vvoman of them in the Synagogues of the Ievves eyther scurged or stoned at all but Montanus and Maximilla are sayde to dye an other kinde of deathe many doe vvrite that both these throughe the motion of their madde spirit not together at one tyme but at seuerall tymes hanged them selues and so ended their lyues after the manner of Indas the traytour euen as the common reporte goeth of Theodotus that iolly fellovve the first founder of their prophecye vvho being frenticke persvvaded him selfe on a certayne tyme through the spirit of error to take his flight vp into the heauens and so being caste into the ayre tombled dovvne and dyed miserably thus it is reported to haue come to passe yet in so muche vve savve it not vvith our eyes vve can not Ovvorthy Syr alleadge it for certayne vvhether Montanus Theodotus and the vvoman dyed thus orno Agayne he writeth in the same booke howe that the holy Bishops going about to rebuke the spirite which spake in Maximilla were hindered by others that wrought with the same spirite sayinge as followeth let not the spirite of Maximilla saye as it is in the Epistle to Asterius Vrbanus I am chaced as a
their saynges and vvhat he hearde out of theyr mouthes toutching the Lord of his povver and doctrine recitinge preceptes and all thinges consonante to holy Scripture out of theyr mouthes I say vvho themselues had seene vvith their eyes the vvorde of life in the flesh these thinges at that time through the mercy of God vvhich vvrought in me I diligently marked and paynted it not in papyr but printed it in my harte vvhich continually throughe the grace of God I ponder and meditate And I am able to testifie before God that if that holy and Apostolicke elder had hearde any such thinge he vvoulde haue straight reclaimed and stopped his eares and after his maner pronounced good God into vvvhat times hast thou reserued me that I shoulde suffer such thinges yea and vvoulde haue straight shunned the place vvhere he sitting or standing had hearde such speaches to bee shorte this may be reported for true out of the epistles vvhich he vvrote to the confirmation of the borderinge Churches or out of the Epistles vvhich he vvrote to certaine brethrē for admonition and exhortation sake thus farre Irenaeus CAP. XIX The Church enioyeth peace vnder Commodus the Martyrdome of Apollonius a Christian Philosopher THe same yeare vnder Comodus the Emperoure the rage of the Gentiles was mitigated towardes vs so that peace was graunted through the grace of God vnto the vniuersall Churche through out the worlde When as the heauenly doctrine leade the mindes of all mortall men to the embracinge of the true Religion of the onely and vniuersall God so that many of the nobles of Rome brewe neare to their soules health and saluation together with their whole houses and families It was a thinge altogether intollerable for the deuell whose nature is altogether enuious and spitefull therefore he taketh vs in hande againe and inuenteth diuerse snares to entrape vs in he procureth at Rome Apollonius a man amonge the faythfull of that time for learninge and philosophie very famous to be brought forth before the tribunall seate raising his accuser among them that were fitt ministers for so malicious a purpose But the vnhappie man came out of season to receaue the sentence of iudgement because it was decreed by the Emperoure that the accusers of the Christians shoulde dye the death Perennius the Iudge forthwyth gaue sentence agaynste him that his legges shoulde be broken Then the beloued Martyre when the iudge had earnestly and with many wordes entreated him to render an accompte of his fayth before the noble senate he exhibited in the presence of them all a notable Apollogie of his fayth in the whiche he suffred martyrdome Yet neuerthelesse by decree of the senate he was beheaded and so ended this life For the auncient decre was of force and preuayled amonge theym that the Christians whiche were once presented before the tribunall seate and not reuoked their opinions shoulde no more be sette at libertie Wherefore the wordes of Apollonius whiche he answered to Perenius standyng at the barre and his whole Apollogie offered to the senate who lysteth to knowe lette him reade our booke of Martyrs CAP. XX. Of the succession of Byshopes in the moste famous churches IN the tenthe yeare of the raygne of Comodus when Eleutherius had gouerned the bishopricke of Rome thertene yeares Victor succeded him at what tyme also Iulianus after he had continewed tenne yeares in the bishopes seae of Alexandria dyed and Demetrius came in place at what tyme likewise Serapion mentioned a little before was knowen to be the eyght Bishope of Antioche after the Apostles Then was Theophilus bishope of Caesarea in Palestina and Narcissus before remembred bishope of Ierusalem and Banchillus bishope of Corinthe in Hellada Polycrates bishope of Ephesus and an infinite number more as it is verye likelie besydes these excelled at that tyme. but we rehearse theim by name and that iustlye by whose meanes and writinges the catholicke fayth hath bene continewed vnto our tyme. CAP. XXI Of the controuersie about the kepinge of Easter daye AT the same time there rose no small contention because that all the churches throughoute Asia of an aunciente tradition thought good to obserue the highe feaste of Easter in the foreteenthe moone on whiche daye the Ievves were commaunded to offer their Pascall Lambe as muche to saye as vpon what daye soeuer in the weeke that moone fell the fastinge dayes finished and ended when as the other churches throughout the worlde accustomed not to celebrate Easter after this manner but obserued the Apostolicke tradition and custome as yet retayned to wete the fastinge dayes on no other daye to be broken vp afore the daye wherein our Sauiour rose from death to lyfe Wherefore synodes and meetinges of Byshopes were summoned where all with one accorde ordained an ecclestasticall decree whiche they published by their epistles vnto all churches That vpon no other then the sondaye the mysterie of our sauiours resurrection shoulde be celebrated And that one that daye and no other the fasting vsed before Easter shoulde haue an ende Theire epistle is at this daye extant who at that tyme for this cause assembled together in Palaestina whereof Theophilus bishope of Caesarea and Narcissus bishope of Ierusalem were chiefe At Rome likewise there was a synode gathered together for the same cause the whiche Victor their bishope published Agayne there was an other of bishopes at Pontus where Palmas as the moste auncient did gouerne An other of bishops throughout Fraunce whiche Irenaeus did ouersee to be shorte an other of the bishopes throughout Ostroëna and the cities therein contained and speciallye of Banchillus bishope of Corinth with many others al which with one and the same sentence and iudgement ordained the same decree and their vniforme assent was thus made manifest vnto the worlde CAP. XXII By the reporte of Polycrates the churches in Asia celebrated Easter the fouretenthe moone POlycrates moderated the bishops throughout Asia whiche affirmed that their aunciente custome deliuered them of olde was to be retayned This Polycrates in his epistle vnto the churche of Rome sheweth the custome of Asia obserued vnto his tyme in these wordes VVe celebrate the vnuiolated daye of Easter neither addinge anye thinge thereto neither takinge oughte therefro for notable pillers of Christian religion haue rested in Asia vvhiche shall rise at the laste daie vvhen the Lorde shall come from heauen vvith glorie and restore all the sainctes to ioye Philip one of the tvvelue Apostles novve lienge at Hierapolis his tvvo daughters vvho kept them selues virgins all the dayes of their liues the third also after the ende of hir holie conuersation rested at Ephesus Againe Iohn vvho laye on the Lordes breast being a Priest vvore the priestlie attire both a Martyr and a Doctor slept at Ephesus Moreouer Polycarpus Bishop of Smyrna and a Martyr Thraseas an Eumenian both a Bishop a Martyr slept at Smyrna VVhat shal I speake of Sagaris
is practised in this levvd fact of theirs ether they persvvade them selues that the holie scriptures vvere not endited by the instinct of the holy ghost so are they infidels or else they thinke thē selues vviser thē the holy ghost vvhat other thing do they in that then shevv thē selues possessed of a deuill they cā not deny this their bold enterprise for they haue vvrittē these things vvith their ovvne hands they can not shevv vs vvho instructed them vvho deliuered them such scriptures vvhence they trāslated their copie◠diuerse of them voutchsafe not to corrupt the scriptures but flattly they denie the lavve and the prophetes vnder pretense of their detestable and impious doctrine of fayned grace they fall into the bottomlesse gulfe of perdition but of them thus muche shall suffice The ende of the fyft booke THE SIXT BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA CAP. I. Of the persecution vnder the Emperour Seuerus WHen as Seuerus persecuted the churche of God there were noble martyrdomes of suche as suffered for the profession of the true faith ▪ but speciallye at Alexandria whither chosen champions out of Aegypt and all Thebais as vnto a moste notable Theatre of God were brought and after a moste pacient sufferance of simdry tormentes and diuerse kindes of deathe were crowned of God with garlandes of immortalltie Of this number was Leonides called the father of Origen and there beheaded who left his sonne very yonge and of tender yeares howe also he was disposed and affected towardes Christian religion from that tyme forth it shall not be at this tyme vnseasonably written Specially for that he is famous and renowned throughout the whole worlde Some man will saye it is no small peece of worke to printe in paper the lyfe of this man and that it will require a whole volume to it selfe but at this present cutting of many things vsing as muche breuitie as may be we will runne ouer certaine thinges which concerne him selected out of their epistles and histories which were his familiars whereof some lyued in our tyme and reported certaine things of him To be short we will declare suche things as shall seeme worthye of memorie and that were done from his cradell vnto this tyme. Seuerus then had ended tenne yeares Laetus then gouerned Alexandria and the rest of Aegypte ▪ Demetrius lately after Iulianus had taken vpon him the ouersight of the congregations there CAP. II. Origen desirous of Martyrdome was in greate daunger and beyng delyuered he professed diuinitie at Alexandria with earnest studie and led a maruaylous honest lyfe THe heate of persecution was very vehemēt an infinite number of persons were crowned with Martyrdome when as Origen yet verye yonge bare in his minde a feruent desire of Martirdome so that he hazarded himselfe skipped and brake forth and coueted voluntarily to be doyng in that daungerous combatt Yea narrowsie did he escape for it had coste him his life had not the diuine and celestiall prouidence of God stayed him by the meanes of his mother to the further commoditie and profite of many She at the firste entreated him with manye wordes to tender hir motherly affection but perceauing him to be more vehemently incensed and kindled ▪ knowing his father to be kept in close prison and wholly minded to suffer Martyrdome she constrayned him to remaine at home hydinge from him all his apparrell He then being able to do no other thinge more prompte in minde than rype in yeares could not reste wrote vnto his father a letter in the whiche he exhorteth him thus O father faynt not neither imagin◠amisse bicause of vs. Let this be the firste token of the industrie and syncere minde of Origen in his childhood towards christian religiō set forth in this our history ▪ for he beyng of a child trained vp exercised in holy scripture shewed then no small signes of the doctrine of faith his father furthered him not a little to the knowledge of them when as besides the studie of liberall artes he instructed him in these not as the lesser parte For first of all before the exercise of prophane literature he instructed him in holy Scripture and demaunded of him daily a certaine taske of that he learned and rehearsed And this trade was not vnprofitable for him being a child but he grewe therby vnto such facility and promptnes that he contented not him selfe with the bare and casual reading of the words but sought farther searching the perfect and profound vnderstanding therof so that diuers times he would set his father demaunding of him what was meant by this that place of holy Scripture But his father checked him to his face in outward sight admonishing him not to search ought aboue the capacity of his yeares more then plaine letter gaue to vnderstand Yet to him selfe he reioyced greatly yelding vnto God the author of all goodnes harty thankes for that he had made him the father of such a sonne The report goeth that the father often vncouered the breast of his sonne in his sleepe and solemnly kissed it as if the holy ghost had taken there the inner parte for his priuy closset and thought him selfe happy of such an ofspringe These and the like thinges they remember to haue happened vnto Origen being yet a childe When his father dyed a Martyr he was left an orphane of the yeares of seuenteene with his mother and other children his brethren to the number of six his father◠substance was confiscated to y ◠Emperours treasorie y ◠want of necessaries pinched him together with his mother brethren he casteth his care vpon the diuine prouidence of God he is receaued and refreshed of a certain matrone which was very ritch also religious which harbored in her house a certaine man of Antioche an errant heretike of the sect then fresh at Alexandria one that was accepted of her for her sonne and deare friende Origen then of necessitie vsing his company shewed forth manifest proofes of his cleaning fast vnto y ◠right and true faith For when as an infinite multitude not only of heretikes but also of the true faith frequented vnto Paulus so was he called for he was counted a profounde and a wise man he could not be perswaded to be present with him at prayers but obserued the canon of the Church from a childe and detested ▪ as he witnesseth him selfe in a certaine place the doctrine of heretikes he was of his father absolutely instructed in the profane learning of y ◠Gentils but after his fathers death he applied a litle more diligently the study of rhetoricke and hauing before meanely applied humanity now after the death of his father he so addicteth him vnto it that in short space he got sufficiency to serue his turne both tollerable for the time correspondent to his yeares for he being idle at schole as he
they bolden the harte stringes and entralls they gouerne the flying of birdes they sorte lotts they fifte out oracles they mingle alvvayes falsehoode and trueth together for they deceaue and are deceaued they trouble the life they disquiet the sleepe and creeping into the bodyes they fraye the secretes of the minde they bring the lymmes out of fashion they distemper the health they vexe vvith diseases that they may compell the poore seely vvretches to the vvorshipping of theÌ„ that being filled vvith the sauore from the altars and burnt bovvels of beastes loosing the thinges vvhich they bounde they may seeme to cure for this is their curing and healing vvhen they cease to hurte Nowe seeinge this harmony of learned fathers affirming the soules not to wander and that they which wander be playne deuills let vs examine what crediâ—t can be giuen to Eusebius and how it may be vnderstoode that Potamiaena appeared not onely to Basilides in sleepe but also to many others for their conuersion Pharaos cuppbearer dreamed he sawe a vine hauing three branches but it was not so according vnto the letter Ioseph telleth him that the three branches are three dayes Pharao dreamed he sawe seuen leane kyne it was not so Ioseph telleth him they are 7. yeares of famyne Mardochaeus dreamed he sawe two dragons ready to wage battaile with the iuste it was no so but Haman and the Kinge wholy bent to destroye the Iewes Polycarpus dreamed he sawe the pillowe set all on fire vnder his heade it was not so but a signe or token of his martyrdome Sophocles hauing robbed the temple of Hercules dreamed that Hercules accused him of theft it was not so but his conscience pricked him that he coulde finde no reste â–ª euen so Basilides with diuers others hauing freshe in memorye the martyrdome of Potamiaena and the villanye they practised agaynst her dreamed of her their conscience pricked them and bearing them wittnes of the facte to their repentance and conuersion so that she appeared not after the letter but her martyrdome was a corize vnto their conscience crowning them with garlands of heauenly glory if happely they woulde repente CAP. V. Of Clemens Alexandrinus Origens maister and of his bookes stromatôn CLemens succeeded Pantaenus and vnto that tyme he was a catechizer in the Churche of Alexandria so that Origen became one of his Disciples This Clemens writing his bookes stromatôn compriseth in the first volume a Cronicle containing the times vnto y â— death of Comodus so that it is euident he finished his bookes vnder Seuerus the history of whose time we doe presently prosecute CAP. VI. Of Iude an ecclesiasticall wryter and his bookes ABoute this time there florished one Iude who published comentaries vpon the 70 weekes of Daniel ending his Chronographie the tennth yeare of Seuerus raigne he thought verely that the coming of Antichrist was then at hande because the greate heate of persecution raysed against vs at that time vexed out of measure the mindes of many men and turned vpside downe the quiete state of the Churche CAP. VII Origen embracing chastitie gelded him selfe the censure of others toutching that facte of his AT that time Origen executing the office of a Catechizer at Alexandria practised a certaine acte which expressed the shewe of an vnperfecte sense and youthly hardines but a notable example of faith and chastitie he vnderstanding simply and childishly the sainge of the Lorde There be some vvhich make themselues Eunuches for the Kindome of heauens sake with all purposing to fulfill the wordes of our Sauiour for that he being yong in yeares preached and made manifest not onely to men but also to women the mysteries of God sought meanes to cutt of all occasion of wantonesse and the sclaunder of the infidels practised vpoÌ„ himselfe to performe the words of our Sauiour carefully minding to conceale from his familiar frends this facte of his but it was vnpossible to cloke and couer so great a matter which thing when Demetrius byshop of that place had vnderstoode he wondred at his bolde enterprise yet allowed of his purpose and the sinceritie of his faithfull minde he bidds him be of good cheere and continewe the office of a Catechizer Though Demetrius was then of that minde yet not long after seeing Origen luckely to prosper to be highely estemed reuerenced renowmed and famous amonge all men he was pricked with some humane passion so that he painted and published abroad vnto all the byshops throughout the worlde the geldinge of Origen as a moste foule and absurde facte yet the best accepted and worthiest byshops throughout Palaestina to wete of Caesarea Ierusalem because they had found him worthie of dignitie and great honor made him minister through the laying on of hands then after that he came to great estimation and was well accepted of all men and gotten no small commendation for his vertue wisedome Demetrius hauing no other thinge to charge him withall accused him of the olde facte done of a child for company wrapped with accusations such as aduaunced him vnto the order of the ministerie which were putt in practise within a while after from that time forth Origen without lett or hinderance fulfilled the worke he had in hand preached at Alexandria day and night the word of God vnto such as frequented vnto him appliyng his whole minde vnto holy Stripture and the profit of his disciples when Seuerus had held the emperiall sceptre the space of eightene yeares his sonne* Antoninus succeeded him And of them which manfully perseuered in the persecution of that time and after confession and sundry torments conflicts by the prouidence of God were deliuered on was Alexander whome a litle before we signified to haue bene byshop of Ierusalem He because he perseuered constante in the confession of the name of Christ was there chosen byshop Narcissus his predecessor being yet a liue CAP. VIII Of Narcissus byshop of Ierusalem his miracle and aproued innocencye THe Citizens of that seae remember many miracles wrought by Narcissus which they receaued ceaued by traditioÌ„ deliuered from one to an other among which such a miracle is reported to haue bene done when on a certaine time the solempne vigills of Easter were celebrated the ministers wanted oyle the whole multitude being therewith much greued Narcissus coÌ„maunded such as had charge of the lightes speedely to bringe vnto him water drawen vp out of the next well that being done he prayed ouer it and bad them poure it into the lamps with ferueÌ„t faith towards God which wheÌ„ they had fulfilled y â— nature of the water beyond all reason expectation by the wonderfull power of God was chauÌ„ged into the qualitie of oyle they report farther that a smale quantitie thereof for miracles sake was reserued of many of the brethreÌ„ a long while after euen vnto this our time many other notable
things worthy of memory they reporte of this mans life whereof this is one certaine lewde varletts seeing the constancie vprightnesse of his life could not brook nether away with it fearing that if through his meanes they were attainted there was no other way but execution therefore they in conscience being priuey to infinite lewde practises preueÌ„t the same and charge him with a greuous accusation afterwards to perswade the hearers y â— sooner they confirme their accusatioÌ„s with othes y â— first swore if I lye let me be burned to ashes the seconde if I reporte not the trueth let my whole body be tormented and wasted away with some cruell disease The third if I beare false wittnesse let me be sâ—itten with blindnesse but for all their swering and staring not one of the faithfull beleued them the chastitie and vpright conuersation of Narcissus so preuailed among all men He tooke greuously theyr despitefull dealing and because that of olde he had bene of the Philosophicall secte he fledd and forsooke his Churche hidd himselfe priuely in the deserte and obscure places for the space of many yeares yet the great and watchfull eye that iustely auengeth woulde not permitt such as had maliciously practised this lewdnes to haue perfect rest but speedely and swiftely compassed them in theire owne crafte and wrapped them in the same curses if they lyed they had craued vnto themselues The first therefore without any circumstance at all in plaine dealinge had a smale sparcle of fire fallen in the night time vpon the house where he dwelt whereby he his house and his whole family by fire were consumed to ashes The seconde was taken with the same disease from toppe to toe which he had wished vnto himselfe before The thirde seeing the terrible ende of the two former and fearinge the ineuitable vengeance of God that iustely plagueth periured persons confesseth vnto all men they re compacted deceate and pretended mischiefe agaynst that holy man and wasteth awaye with sorowefull mourninge punisheth his body and pineth wyth teares so long till bothe his eyes ranne out of his heade and such were the punishmentes of false wittnesses and periured persons CAP. IX Of the succession of byshops in the Church of Ierusalem AFter the departure of Narcissus when it was not knowen where he remained the bishops of the borderinge and adioyninge Churches ordayned there an other byshop whose name was Dios whome after he had continewed but a smale space Germanion succeeded and after Germanion Gordius In whose time Narcissus shewed himselfe againe as if he had risen from death to life and is entreated of the brethren to enioye his byshopricke againe beinge much marueiled at for his departure for his philosophicall trade of life and especially for the vengeance and plagues God powred vpon his accusers and because that for his olde yeares and heuie age he was not able to supplie the rowne the deuine prouidence of God through a vision by night reuealed vnto him prouided Alexander byshop of an other prouince to be Narcissus his felowe helper in discharging the function due vnto the place CAP. X. Of Alexander byshop of Ierusalem and Asclepiades byshop of Antioche FOr this cause therefore as warned by a vision from aboue Alexander who afore was byshop of Cappadocia tooke his iorney to Ierusalem for prayer sake and visitinge of the places there whome they of Ierusalem receaue bountifully and suffer not to returne whome againe and that did they accordinge vnto the vision which appeared vnto them in the night and plainely pronounced vnto the chief of them charging them to hasten out of the gates of their city and receaue the byshop ordained of God for them this they did through thaduise of the bordering byshops constraining him of necessitie to remayne among them Alexander himselfe in his epistles at this day extant against the Antinoites maketh mention of this byshopricke in commen betwene him and Narcissus wryting thus about the later end of an epistle Narcissus greeteth you vvho gouerned this byshopricke before me and novve being of the age of a hundreth and sixtene yeares prayeth vvith me and that very carefully for the state of the church beseacheth you to be of one mind vvith me These thinges went then after this sorte when Serapion had departed this life Asclepiades was stalled bishop of Antioch and constantly endured the time of persecution Alexander remembreth his election writing to the church of Antioch after this maner Alexander the seruant of the Lord and the prisoner of Iesus Christ vnto the holy church of Antioch sendeth greeting in the Lorde The Lord eased lightened my fetters and imprisonment vvhen that I hearde Asclepiades a man vvell practised in holy Scripture by the prouidence of God for the vvorthines of his faith to haue bene placed bishop of your church This epistle he signifieth in the end to haue bene sent by Clemens This epistle I haue sent vnto you my Maysters and brethren by Clemens a godly minister a man both vertuous vvell knovven vvhome you haue seene and shall knovve vvho also being here present vvith me by the prouidence of God hath confirmed furthered the church of Christ CAP. XI Of the workes of Serapion byshop of Antioch IT is very like that sundry epistles of Serapion are reserued amonge others vnto our knoweledge onely such came as he wrote vnto one Domnus which renounced the fayth of Christ in the time of persecution and fell to Iewish Apostasie and vnto one Pontius and Caricus ecclesiasticall persons againe epistles vnto other men and also a certaine booke of the Gospell which they call after Peter wrytten to this end that he might confute the falsehoode specified in the same for that diuerse of the churche of Rosse went astray after false doctrine vnder coloure of the foresayd Scripture it shall seeme very expedient if we alleage a fewe lines out of it whereby his ceÌ„sure of that booke may appeare thus he wryteth VVe my brethren receaue Peter the other Apostles as messengers of Christ himselfe but their names being falsely forged vve plainely do reiect knovving vve receaued none such I truely remaining amongest you supposed you vvere all sounde and firme in the right fayth and vvhen I had not perused the booke published in Peters name entitled his Gospell I sayd if this be onely the cause of your grudginge and discoraging let it be redd but novve in so much I perceaue a certaine hereticall opinion to be thereby cloked and coloured by occasion of my vvordes I vvill hasten to come vnto you vvherefore my brethren expecte shortely my comming For vve knovve vvell inough the heresie of Marcianus vvho vvas founde contrary to himselfe he vnderstoode not that vvhich he spake as you may gather by the things vvhich vve vvrote vnto you vve might peraduenture our selues laye dovvne more skilfully the grounde of this opinion vnto his successors vvhome vve call coniecturers for
haue contayned them He vvrote also the reuelation beyng commaunded to conceale and not to vvrite the vvordes of the seuen thunders He left behinde him an epistle comprising very fev ve verses be it that the seconde and the thirde be annexed though some take them not for his In bothe vvhiche there are not an hundreth verses Moreouer of the epistle vnto the Hebrevves in his homelyes expoundinge the same he writeth thus The character of the epistle vnto the Hebrevves setteth not forth the style of Paul vvho confessed him selfe to be rude in speache for the phrase of that epistle sauoreth very muche of the Greeke tongue VVhosoeuer he be that hath any iudgement in discerninge of phrases vvyll confesse the same Agayne that the doctrine of this epistle is sounde not inferior to those epistles vvhiche vvithout contradiction are knovven to be the Apostles vvho so euer vvyll vvith iudgement reade the Apostle he vvyll also confesse the same to be most true A little after he sayeth thus I truely of myne ovvne parte if I maye speake vvhat I thinke do saye that the doctrine of this epistle is the Apostles for vndoubted but the phrase and style an other mans vvhich noted the sayinges of the Apostle and contriued such thinges as he had hearde of his maister into certayne scholyes VVherefore if any churche heretofore hath receaued the same as the epistle of Paul â—et her still embrace and receaue the same vnder this name For the learned men of olde haue not vvithout greate consideration deliuered the same vnto vs for the epistle of Paul But who wrote it God the onely trueth knoweth yet histories haue declared vnto vs that some thought it to haue bene written by Clemens bishop of Rome some by Luke who wrote both the Gospel and the Actes of the Apostles but of these thinges thus muche in this sorte CAP. XXV Origen professeth diuinitie at Caesarea Heraclas is chosen byshop of Alexandria IT was in the tenth yeare of the raygne of the aforesayde Emperour when Origen left Alexandria and gotte him to Caesarea when also he committed the office of catechizinge there vnto Heraclas In a while after Demetrius the bishop of Alexandria dyeth when he had continewed in the same rowme the space of three and fortie yeares him succeeded Heraclas There florished also at that same tyme Firmilianus byshop of Caesarea in Cappadocia CAP. XXVI Of the byshops that were Origens familier friendes THis Firmilianus so highly esteemed of Origen that one whyle he sent for him vnto his owne prouince to edifie his churches an other while he tooke his voyage vnto Iudaea vnto him where for a certayne space he continewed with him for farther vnderstandinge of the holy scriptures Besides him Alexander byshop of Ierusalem and Thâ—â—ctistus byshop of Caesarea continewally were of his side and embraced him permittinge vnto him alone as maister the interpretation of holy scripture with the rest of the ecclesiasticall function CAP. XXVII Of the persecution which Maximinus the Emperour raysâ—â— AFter that the Emperour Alexander had ended the raigne of therteene yeares Maximinus â—â—sar succeeded him who beyng iâ—censed with the anger spite â–ª and grudge he â—are vnto the house of Alexander whiche â—arhored many of the faythfull â–ª styâ—red 〈◊〉 the fyrye flame of pâ—rsecution and gaue commaundement that â—he gouernouâ—s â—nely of the churches as principal authors of the doctrine of our sauiour should be put to death â–ª â—â—t that â—â—mâ— Origen wrote a booke of Martyrs the which he dedicated vnto Ambrose and Protoctaetus minister of Caesarea for that both they suffered no small affliction in that troublesome tyme. When as also they had endured moste constantly examination and confession Maximinus him selfe continewinge Emperour no longer then three yeares Origen noted the tyme of this persecution both in the two and twentieth tract of his commentaries vpon Iohn and in sundry of his epistles When Gordianus had succeeded Maximinus in the empire of Rome Anterus also folowed Pontianus after he had gouerned sixe yeares in the bishops seae of Rome CAP. XXVIII Of the straunge election of Fabianus bishop of Rome of the succession of byshops at Antioche and Alexandria â–ª AFter that Anterus had enioyed the ecclesiasticall function the space of one moneth Fabianus succeeded him who as reporte goeth came from the contrey after the death of Anterus together with certaine others for to dwell at Rome When such a thinge as neuer was seene before at the election of a bishop happened then by the deuine and celestiall grace of God For when all the brethren had gathered them selues together for the election of a bishop â–ª many thought vpon diuers notable and famous men Fabianus him selfe there present together with others when as euery one thought least nay nothinge at all of him sodaynly from aboue there fell a Doâ—e and rested vpon his head after the example of the holy ghost which in likenesse of a Doue descended vpon our sauiourâ— the whole multitude beynge moued thereat with one and the same spirite of God cryed out cheerefully with one accorde that he was worthy of the bishopricke and immediately as they reporte he was taken and stalled bishop At that tyme when Zebinus bishop of Antioche had departed this lyfe Babylas came in place and at Alexandria when Heraclas the successor of Demetrius had finished his mortall race Dionysius one of Origens disciples supplyed the rowme CAP. XXIX Of Gregorius and Athynodorus disciples of Origen WHen Origen executed his accustomed maner of teachinge at Caesarea many flocked vnto his lessons not onely that contrey men but also infinite foraynerâ— who forsaking their natiue foyle became his disciples of whiche number as chiefe we haue knowen Theodorus he was the same Gregorius the moste renowmed byshop amonge vs and his brother Athynodorus he beynge moste studious in the Greeke and Romaine discipline so perswaded them that they embracinge the syncere loue of philosophie altered their former studies vnto the exercise and study of holy scripture And after that they had continewed with him the space of fiue yeares they profited so much in holy scripture that both beinge as yet yonge men they were ordayned byshops of certayne churches in Pontus CAP. XXX Of Aphricanus an ecclesiasticall writer and his bookes ABout that tyme also was Aphricanus renowmed and muche spoken of the author of thâ—se commentaries intituled of Cestes or vvedding gâ—rdels there is extant also an epistle of his vnto Origen to this effect that he doubted whether the historie of Susanna commonly redde in Daniel was true or fayned Whome Origen fully satisfâ—ed There came also to our handes of the same Aphricanus doynge fiue volumes of Cronicles curiously penned where he reporteth himselfe to haue trauailed vnto Alexandria because of the greate fame of Heraclas whome excellinge in philosophicall sciences and discipline of the Gentils we haue shewed before to haue bene
spoken he vvas speachelesse agayne The boye ranne vnto the Priest it vvas night the Priest vvas sicke and could not come vvith him And because I gaue commaundement sayth Dionysius that such as vvere aboute to dye if humbly they requested shoulde be admitted to the ende they being strengthened in faith might departe in peace he deliuered vnto the boy a litle of the Eucharist commaunded him to crimble or soke it and so droppe it by a litle a little into the olde mans mouth the boy returneth and bringes vvith him the Eucharist vvhen he vvas hard by before he came in Serapion sayd comest thou my sonne the priest caÌ„not come vvhy then dispatch thou that vvhich he commaunded thee to doe and lett me departe the boy immixed or loked the eucharist and vvith all lett it by droppe meale into the old mans mouth vvhereof vvhen he had tasted a litle forth vvith gaue vp the Ghost â–ª is it not manifest that this olde man vvas so longe helde backe vntill he vvere absolued and loosed from the linke of sinne by confessing in the presence of many the fault he had committed Thus farre Dionysius CAP. XLIIII The epistle of Dionysius byshop of Alexandria vnto Nouatus NOwe let vs see what he wrote vnto Nouatus who at that time molested the Churche of Rome Because that he pretended the cause of his fall and the occasion why he embraced that Apostasie and schisme to rise through the perswasion of certaine brethren as if he were thereunto compelled by them Marke howe he wryteth vnto him Dionysius vnto the brother Nouatus sendeth greeting If thou vvast constrayned against thy vvill as thou sayest thou vvilt declare the same if thou returne vvillingly â–ª thou shouldest haue suffred anything rather then to rent a sunder the church of God neither is this martyrdome vvhich is suffred for not seueringe and deuidinge the Church of lesse glorie then that vvhich is tollerated for denyall of sacrifice vnto deuels â–ª yea in my iudgement it is offarre greater glorye For in the one martyrdom is suffred for one soule in the other for the vniuersall church but if thou ether persvvad the brethren or constraine them to returne to vnitie this notable fact vvilbe farre greater then the fault that vvent before the one vvill not be imputed the other vvilbe comended If thou canst not persvvade the rebellious and disobedient saue at leaste vvise thine ovvne soule I desire thy health in the Lord and thy embracing of peace vnitie Thus he wrote to Nouatus CAP. XLV The catalogue of Dionysius Alexandrinus Epistles concerning repentance HE wrote an Epistle of repentance vnto the bretherne throughout Aegypt where he layeth downe his censure of such as fell and describeth meanes to correct vices of the same matter there is extant an epistle of his vnto Conon byshop of Hermopolis and an exhortation vnto his flocke of Alexandria among these there is an other wryten vnto Origen of martyrdome likewise he wrote of repentance vnto the brethern of Laodicea whose byshop was Thelymidres to the bretherne throughout Armenia whose byshop was Meruzanes Moreouer he wrote vnto Cornelius byshop of Rome approuinge his epistle against Nouatus where he reporteth that he was called of Elenus byshop of Tarsus in Cilicia and other his companions Firmilianus byshop of Cappadocia and Theoctistus byshop of Palaestina to meete them at the synode held at Antioch where diuerse went about to establish the schisme of Nouatus he addeth besides howe he signified Fabius there to haue deseased and Demetrianus to haue succeded him byshop of Antioch He wrot of the byshop of Ierusalem these wordes The renovvmed Alexander dyed in pryson There is extaÌ„t an other epistle of Dionysius vnto the Romayns deliuered by Hippolytus againe he wrote an other of peace and repentance an other vnto the confessors which cleaued vnto the opinion of Nouatus Againe other two epistles vnto such as were conuerted vnto the churche and to many others he wrote very profitable tractes for the studious readers to peruse The ende of the sixt booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA CAP. I. The wickednesse of Decius and Gallus the Emperours the death of Origen NOwe takinge in hande the seuenth booke of the ecclesiasticall historye the great Dionysius byshop of Alexandria who partely by his commentaries and partely by his Epistles described all the seuerall actes of his time shall stande vs in good steede Here hence will I beginne this present booke â–ª when Decius had not raygned full two years he was slayne together with his sonnes whome Gallus succeeded at what time Origen of the age of threscore nine yeares departed this life but of the foresayd Gallus Dionysius wrote vnto Hermammon in this manner Neyther did Gallus perceaue the implety of Decius neyther did he foresee what seduced him but stumbled at the same stone which laye right before his eyes who when the emperiall scepter prosperously befell vnto him and his affayrs went luckely forvvardes chaced awaye the holy men which prayed for peace and his prosperous estate and so he banished together vvith them the prayers continually powred vnto God for him And this much of him The translator vnto the reader IN so much that Ensebius throughout his sixt booke almost in euery chapiter hath wrytten at large of the famous clarke and greate doctor of Alexandria by name Origen and nowe also in the beginninge of his seuenth booke reporteth of his ende and that in fewe wordes I thought good for the readers sake for the more absolute and perfect deliuer aâ—â—â— of the story and for the further knowledge of his ende to annexe here vnto a worthie history out of Suydas a greeke writer who liued about a thousande years agoe toutching the thinges which happened vnto Origen a litle before his death his wordes are these The life of Origen out of Suydas Origen is sayd to haue suffred much afliction for Christs sake being famous eloquent and trayned in the Church euen from his youth vp but through enuy he was brought before the rulers magistrats through the despitefull subtlely crafty â—nuâ—tion of Satan he was brought into great sclaunder blemish of infamy A man they say the authors of iniquitie deuised to vvorke the feat as much to saye they prepared an Aethiopian or foule blacke moore beastly for to abuse his body but he not able to avvaye neyther vvillinge to here so horrible an Acte brake out into lovvd speach and exclaymed at both the thinges vvhich vvere giuen him in choyce rather then the one that he vvoulde doe the other in the end he consented to sacrifice vvherefore vvheÌ„ they had put frâ—kensence in his hand they threwe it into the fire vpoÌ„ the altar by this meanes he was by the iudges put froÌ„ martyrdome also banished the church wheÌ„ he had thus done he was so ashamed that
mouth by thy holy Prophete Dauid haue I bene the first that sinned Or am I the first that fell vvhy hast thou thus foresaken me being desolate and reiected and banished me from amonge thy saynctes and astonyed me to preache thy lavves vvhat man is he borne of a vvoman that sinned not VVhat man is he that euer vvas conuersant here vpon earthe and did no iniquitie This I say because thou haste thus forsaken me Dauid himselfe first vvho shutt vp my mouth sinned toe bad in thy sight yet after his repentance thou receauedst him in mercye Likevvise saincte Peter the piller of trueth after his fall vvyped avvaye that bitter passion vvith salte teares sleyinge sinne and purginge avvaye the venoume of the serpent not continevveinge longe in the puddle of infidelitie But they of fauour vvere thought vvorthie of mercy and this I speake to the ende these thinges may take effect vvo is me that I fell thus moste vvickedly vvo is me that my aduenture in these thinges vvas so vnfortunate but novve I humbly beseche thee o Lorde in as much as I haue felt farre vvorse Call me backe o Lorde for that I treade a moste perilous and ruynous vvaye Graunte me that good guide and teacher the holy Ghost that I be not made a prickinge hedgehogge and become an habitation for deuells but that I maye treade vnder foote the deuell vvhich trode me and ouercomminge his sleyghtes be restored agayne to the former health and saluation Remember not o Lord the iniquitie of thine humble suter vvho sometime haue celebrated vnto thee the function of priesthood remember not o Lord the iniquity of me vvho made aunsvvere vvith vvicked language Novve o all you vvhich behold my vvounde tremble for feare and take heede that ye slumber not neither fall into the like crime but come ioyntly vvhich haue the same measure of faith let vs assemble together rent our hartes and prouoke streames of teares to gushe out of the temples of our heades For vvhen these runne and flovve vpon the face of the earth there vvill follovve remission of sinnes the paynes vvyll be auoyded and the tormentes shall not be felt I mourne am sorie from the hart roote O ye my frendes that euer I fell from aloft I haue fallen and am brused there is no health in me let the Angels lament ouer me bicause of this my daungerous fall let the garlands crovvnes of the saincts lament ouer me for that I am seuered from amoÌ„g their blessed assemblies let blessed Aaron lament ouer me his pâ—â—esthoode let the holy church lament ouer me for that I am ruynously decayed Let all people lamente ouer me for that I haue my deathes vvounde I see the cloudes in the skie shadovving the lyght from me and the sonne hydinge his bryght beames But novve you do all see and perceaue the prophet Dauid hath shutte the dore of my mouth I vvas constrayned of the holie byshops to breake out into some vvordes of exhortation and takinge the booke of Psalmes in my hande I prayed and opened and I lyghted vpon that sentence the vvhiche I am ashamed to repeate yet compelled to pronounce Vntò the vngodly sayde God vvhy doest thou preache my lavves and takest my couenaunt in thy mouth But bevvayle me and lament this my bytter sorovve bevvayle me vvhich am in like case vvith the reprobate levves For that vvhiche vvas sayde vnto them by the Prophet novve soundeth alike in myne eares Vvhat shall I do that am thus besette vvith many mischiefes alasse o death vvhy doest thou linger to vvete that thou mayest spite and beare me malice O Satan vvhat mischiefe hast thou vvrought vnto me hovve hast thou pearced my breast vvith thy poysoned darte thinkest thou that my ruyne vvyll auayle thee any thinge at all thinkest thou to procure vnto thy selfe ease and reste vvhyle that I am greeuously tormented vvho is able to signifie vnto me vvhether my sinnes be vvyped and done avvay vvhether that I haue escaped the paynes vvhich greatly I feared VVho is able to signifie vnto me vvhether agayne I shal be coopled and made companion vvith the saincts O ye the saincts of God for that I am not vvorthie to heare the message of theÌ„ that bring such tidinges but presuming farre vvorse practises haue hearde the terrible threates of the Euangelistes alasse ô the boosome of Abraham the vvhich I am depriued of â–ª alasse that I became partaker vvith the ritche man of his condemnation in the horrible pitte and partner of his thurst in the bitter place full of all sorovve heauinesse alasse ô father Abraham entreate for me that I be not cutt of from thy coasts the vvhich I haue greatly longed after yet not vvorthely because of my great sinne But ô Lorde I fall dovvne before thy mercie seate haue mercie vpon me vvhich mourne thus out of measure vvhich haue greatly offended vvhich haue shed many salt and bitter teares vvhose miserable case euery creature hath lamented VVhy hast thou broken dovvne my hedge strong holdes the vvilde bore out of the vvood hath destroyed me the vvilde beaste of the fielde hath eaten me vp rydde me o Lorde from the roaring Lion the vvhole assemblie of saincts doth make intercession vnto thee for me vvhich am an vnprofitable seruant the vvhole quire of Angels do entreate thee for me vvhiche haue greeuously offended that thou vvilt shevv mercy vnto the vvaÌ„dering sheepe vvhich is subiect to the renting teeth of tâ—…â—uenous VVolfe saue me o Lord out of his mouth suffer me not to become the sacrifice of sinne but let dovvne vpon me thy holyspirite that vvith his firie couÌ„tenance he may put to flight the crooked fiende of the deuell that I may be brought vvhome againe vnto thy vvisdome that the bill of sinne vvritten agaynste me be blotted out that my lamentation may ceasse in the euening receaue loye in the morning let my sackcloth be rented asunder gyrde me vvith ioye gladnes let me be receaued againe into the ioye of my God let me be thought vvorthye of his kingdome through the prayers and intercession of the sainctes through the earnest petitions of the church vvhich sorovveth ouer me humbleth her selfe vnto Iesus Christ to vvhome vvith the father and the holie ghost be all glorie and honor for euer and euer Amen CAP. II. Of the byshops of Rome and of the controuersie then raysed of Baptisme WHen Cornelius had ended full three yeares in the byshops seae of Rome Lucius succee ded whiche enioyed the rowme not fully eyght monethes and after him was Stephan chosen bishop vnto this Stephan Dionysius wrote his firste epistle of baptisme when as at that tyme there was no small controuersie raysed whether they which returned from any heresie whatsoeuer shoulde be rebaptized or after the auncient manner be receaued with prayer and layinge on of handes CAP. III. Stephan bishop of Rome reprehendeth Cyprian bishop of Carthage for
rebaptizing of heretickes THen firste of all Cyprian bishop of Carthage thought the heretickes no other kinde of waye to be admitted and purged from their errour then by Baptisme But Stephan thought good that nothinge shoulde be innouated preiudiciall to the tradition preuaylinge of olde for whiche cause he was greatly offended with Cyprian CAP. IIII. Dionysius writeth vnto Stephan bishop of Rome of the matter in controuersie and of the peace which followed after persecution DIonysius when he had often written vnto him of this matter at length certifieth him that persecution beynge ceassed all the churches enioyed peace embraced vnitie and detested the erroneous nouelties of Nouatus he writeth thus Vnderstand nowe o brother that all the churches throughout the east yea and beyonde are vnited together whiche afore tyme were deuided and at discorde amonge them selues All the gouernours of the churches euery where are at one reioysinge exceedingly at the peace which happened beyonde all expectation Demetrianus of Antioche Theoctistus of Caesarea Mezabanes of Ierusalem Marinus of Tyrus Alexander who is dead Heliodorus of Laodicea which succeeded after the death of Thelymidres Helenus of Tarsus all the churches of Cilicia Firmilianus and all Cappadocia I haue onely recited the most famous Bishops lest my epistle become ouer large and the readinge be ouertedious All Syria and Arabia two wherewith ye are pleased and to whome presently ye write and Mesopotamia Pontus and Bithynia and that I may vtter all in one worde euery one euery where reioyceth glorifyinge God in concorde and brotherlie loue So farre Dionysius Stephan when he had bene byshop of Rome two yeares dyed and after him came Xystus in place And to him wrote Dionysius an other epistle of Baptisme layinge downe the censure of Stephan and the other byshops Of Stephan he sayeth thus He wrote an epistle toutchinge Helenus and Firmilianus and all Cilicia Cappadocia Galatia and the borderinge nations that he woulde not communicate with them for that cause to weete for that they rebaptized heretickes Consider that this is a weyghtie matter For truely as I heare in the greatest synodes of bishopes it is decreed that such as renounce any heresie shoulde firste agayne be instructed then be baptized and purged of the dregges of the olde and impure leauen And hereof I wrote vnto him requestinge him to certifie me agayne and to our welbeloued fellowe ministers Dionysius and Philemon who at the firste gaue their censure with Stephan and nowe they write vnto me to whome at the firste I wrote brieflie but nowe at large So farre presently of this question then in controuersie CAP. V. Of the Sabellian heresie MAkinge relation of the Sabellian heretickes then preuaylinge he writeth thus For as much as manie brethren of both partes haue sente theyr bookes and disputations in writinge vnto me toutchinge the impious doctrine lately sowen at Pentapolis in Ptolemais contayning many blasphemies against the almightie God and the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and withall muche incredulitie toutchinge his onely begotten sonne and firste begotten of all creatures and the worde incarnate and senselesse ignorance of the holy ghoste Some of them I haue written as God gaue me grace with greater instruction and sent the copies vnto you CAP. VI. Dionysius being warned from aboue read with greate profitt the bookes of heretickes he thinketh that such as returne from their heresies shoulde not be rebaptized DIonysius in his third epistle of Baptisme writeth thus vnto Philemon a Romaine minister I haue read ouer the traditions and commentaries of heretickes not infecting my minde with their impure cogitations but profiting my selfe accordingly that I reprehēded thē with my selfe and detested them vtterly And when I was brotherly and charitably forbidd by a certaine minister whiche feared lest that I wallowed my selfe in the puddle of their malicious writinges whereby my soule myght perishe who as it seemed me tolde the trueth a certaine vision came vnto me from aboue plainlie commaundinge and sayinge Reade all whatsoeuer come into thy handes thou shalt be able to weye to proue and trye all for by this meanes at the firste thou camest vnto the faith I thankfully receaued the vision as agreable vnto the voice of the Apostle speakinge vnto myghtier men Be you tryed stewardes or disposers of the mysteries of God Agayne after he had spoken somewhat of all the heresies before his time he proceedeth on thus I haue receaued this canon and rule of blessed Heraclas our pope Suche as returned from heretickes though they fell from the churche or not fell but thought to participate with them yet betrayde for that they frequented the companie of one that published false doctrine he excommunicated neither admitted no if they had entreated before they had openly pronounced all they had hearde of the aduersaries then at length he gathered them together not requiringe that they shoulde be baptized againe For a good whyle before they had obtained by his meanes the holie ghost Agayne when he had largely entreated hereof he writeth thus ▪ And I am sure of this that not onely the bishopes of Africk haue practised the like but also the bishops our predecessours of olde in the most famous churches and in the Synodes of the brethren at Iconium and Synadis with the aduise of manie haue decreed the same whose sentences to ouerthrovve and raise contention and bravvling among the brethren I cannot awaye with Thou shalt not as it is written alter the bounds of thy neighbours which thy fathers haue limited CAP. VII The same Dionysius of the Nouatian heresie HIs fourth epistle of Baptisme is written vnto Dionysius then a Romaine minister but afterwards there placed bishop whereby we may coniecture howe he was counted wise and famous by the testimonie of Dionysius bishope of Alexandria he wrote vnto him after other things in this manner of Nouatus VVe are not without iuste cause offended with Nouatus vvhiche hath rent a sunder the churche of God and drawen diuerse of the brethren vnto impietie and blasphemies and hath published of God a moste impious and prophane kinde of doctrine charging the moste louing and mercifull God vvith the title and sclaunder of immercifulnesse And moreouer he hath renounced baptisme he hath made shipwracke of his former faith and confession he hath chased avvay the holy ghost vvhat hope soeuer remaines either of the tarying or returning of the holy ghost into them againe CAP. VIII Dionysius reporteth of one that sorowed because he had receaued baptisme of heretickes THe fifte epistle of Dionysius is extant vnto Xystus bishop of Rome where after he had written many thinges againste heretickes he reporteth this one thing which happened in his time writing thus In good sooth brother I stande in neede of aduise and counsaile I craue your opinion for that a certaine thing happened vnto me vvherin I feare lest I be deceaued when the brethren were gathered
the blessed Martyrs not vvithout great daunger And yet vnto this day the President ceaseth not cruelly to slay some that are brought forth to teare in pecces other some with torments to consume other with emprisonment fetters commaunding that none come nigh them enquiring daily if any such men be attainted For all that God refresheth the afflicted with cheerefulnes frequenting of brethren These thinges hath Dionysius writteÌ„ in y â— aforesaid epistle yet haue we to vnderstand y â— this Eusebius whom he calleth a deacon was in a while after chosen bishop of Laodicea in Syria Maximus whom he calleth a minister succeded Dionysius in y â— bishops sea of Alexandria Faustus who theÌ„ endured coÌ„fessâ—oÌ„ w t him was reserued vnto the persecution of our time â–ª a very 〈…〉 hauing liued many dayes at length among vs was beheaded and â—cowned a martyrsiâ—â—â— were the thinges which happened vnto Dionysius in those dayes CAP. XI Of the Martyrs in Caesarea AT Caesarea in Palaestina in the persecution vnder Valerianus there were three famous men for their sayth in Christ Iesu deliuered to be deuoured of wilde beastes and bewtified with diuine martyrdome whereof the first was called Prisonâ— the seconde â–ª Malchus the thirde Alexander â–ª the reporte goeth firste of all that these men leading an obscure and contrey life blaâ—â—d them selues for negligence and â—touthfulnes because they stroue not for the crowne of martyrdome but despised those maisteries which that present time distributed to such as couered after celestiall thinges and taking further advisement therein they came to Caesarea they went vnto y â— iudge â—â—nigyed the i◠〈…〉 Moreouer they write a certayne woman of y â— same citie in the same persecution with like triall to haue ended her life and as they report one that enclyned to the heresie of Marcion CAP. XII How that peace in the steade of persecution was restored by the benefitâ— of Galienus the Emperour NOt long after Valerianus hauing subdued the Barbarians his sonne got the supremacyâ—â— and ruled the empire with better aduisement and forthwith released and stiâ—â—ed the â—erâ—â—cution raysed agaynst vs with publike edices and commaunded that the Prisâ—deâ—â—s and chiefe of our doctrine shoulde freely after their wonted maner execute their office function The coppy whereof faythfully translated out of Romaine letters and interlaced in this our history is read as followeth The Emperour Câ—sar Publiâ—◠〈…〉 Galienus vertuous fortunate â–ª Augustus vnto Dionysius Pinna Demetrius together vvith the rest of the Bishops sendeth greeting The benefit of our gracious pardon vve commaunde to be published throughout the vvhole vvorlde that they vvhich are detayned in banishment depart the places inhabited of Pagans for the execution vvhereof the coppy of this our edict shal be your discharge lest any go about to molest you and this vvhich you novv may lavvfully put in vre vvas graunted by vs long agoe VVherefore Aâ—â—relius Cyrenius our high Constable hath in his keeping the coppy vvhich vve deliuered vnto him There is extant also an other constitution of his vnto other Bishops wherein he permitteth them to enioye and frequent they places called Churchyardes CAP. XIII The famous Bishops of that time ABout this time was Xystus Bishop of Rome â–ª Demetrianus after Fabius Bishop of Antioch Firmilianus of Caesarea in Cappadocia Gregorius ouer the Churches throughout Pontus and his brother Athenodorus familiars of Origen At Caesarea in Palaestina after the death of Theoctistus Domnus was chosen Bishop whome in a short time after Theotecnus succeeded who also was of the schoole of Origen and at Ierusalem Mazabanus being departed this life Hymenâ—ns enioyed the Bishopricke who liued with vs many yeares CAP. XIIII How that Marinus a souldier through the perswasion of Theotecnus sufferedmartyrdome at Caesarea ABout that time when as the Church enioyed peace throughout the worlde at Caesarea in Palaestina there was one Marinus a famous souldier for seates of armes of noble â—ynage and great substance beheaded for the testimony of Christ The cause was this There is a certayne dignity among the Romayns called the Centurions vine the which whosoeuer doth obtayne is called a Cenâ—ution When the rowme was voyde the company called Marinus to this degree Marinus being preferred an other came before the tribunall seate and accused him affirming it was not lawefull by the auncient lawes for him to enioy that Romayne dignitie because he was a Christian and sacrificed not vnto the Emperours that it was his turne next to come in place the iudge being very much moued with this his name was Achainâ— firsto he demaundeth what opinion Marinus was of when he saw him constantly confessing him selfe to be a Christian he graunted him three houres space to deliberate This being done Theotecnus Bishop of Caesarea calleth vnto him Marinus from the tribunall seate taketh him in hande with exhortations leadeth him by the hande into the Churche setteth him downe in the Chauncell layeth his cloke aside sheweth him the sworde that honge by his side afterwards pulleth out of his pocket the newe testament setteth it ouer agaynst the sworde and bad him chuse whether of those two he preferred or liked best for the health of his soule When he immediatly stretching forth his right hande had taken vp the booke of holy scripture holde fast then sayth Theotecnus vnto him cleaue vnto God and thou shalt enioy the thinges thou hast chosen being strengthened by him and goe in peace After he had returned thence the cryer lifted his voyce and called him to appeare at the barre the time graunted for deliberation was now ended standing therefore at the barre he gaue tokens of the noble courage of his sayth wherefore in a while after as he was ledd heard the sentence of condenmation and was beheaded CAP. XV. Of the fauor which Astyrius a noble man bare towards the Martyrs HEre is mention made of Astyrius because of his most friendly readines and singuler good will he bare vnto the persecuted Christians This man was one of the Senators of Rome well accepted of the Emperours in good estimation with all men for his noble stocke well knowne for his great substance who being present at the execution of the Martyr tooke vp his body layed it on his shoulders being arayed in gorgeous and costly attyre and prouided for him a most noble funerall infinite other thinges are reported by his familiers to haue bene done of him whereof diuers liued vnto this our time CAP. XVI Astyrius by his prayers repressed and bewrayed the iuggling and deceate of Satan ANother straung facte is reported to haue bene practised at Caesarea Philippi which the Phaenicians call Paneas at those fountaynes which spring out of the foote of the mount Paneius whence the riuer Iordan hath his originall they reporte that the inhabitants of that place haue acustomed vpon a festiual day to offer some sacrifice or other which through
against our louig subiects whome chiefly as reasoÌ„ requireth we ought to prouide for whose substaÌ„ce was takeÌ„ away by our letters sent vnto the presideÌ„ts throughout euery prouiÌ„ce of our dominioÌ„s the last yere we haue decreed that if any were disposed to cleaue vnto such ceremonies or to addict theÌ„ selues vnto the obseruatioÌ„ of that religion it might be lawfull for theÌ„ without offeÌ„ce to follow their owne wil that they should be hiÌ„dred or forbiddeÌ„ by no maÌ„ our pleasure was moreouer that without feare suspitioÌ„ they should vse that seruice which pleased euery maÌ„ best Neuertheles you can not be ignoraÌ„t of this that certaine iudges despised our decrees made our subiects vncertaine of our edicts to haue done it of set purpose that they might the loÌ„ger abide in those rites which pleased theÌ„ better That therfore hereafter all suspicioÌ„ doubt feare may be remoued we haue decreed to publishe this edict wherby it may appeare manifest vnto all meÌ„ that it may be lawfull for theÌ„ as many as will follow that opinion religioÌ„ by this our gracious gift letters pateÌ„ts as euery one listeth is delited so to vse that religioÌ„ which him pleaseth after his owne maner to exercise the same Besides this also is permitted vnto theÌ„ that they may buyld places of praier for the lord last of al that this our gyft may be the greater we haue voutchsafed to decree that also that if any house or manours heretofore beloÌ„ging vnto the christians title by the coÌ„maundement of our auncetors haue passed vnto the crowne either presently enioyed by any citie either otherwise soulde or giuen to any man for a reward all these we haue coÌ„mauÌ„ded they should be reuoked to the auncieÌ„t right of the christiaÌ„s wherby all may haue experieÌ„ce of our pietie prouideÌ„ce in this behalfe These words of y â— tyraÌ„t not one yeare being fully past followed y e edicts which against y â— christiaÌ„s were ingrauen in pillers â–ª to whome a litle before we seemed prophane impious the plague of all mankind so y â— he forbad vs to dwell not only in y â— cities but also in y e fields yea in y e desert by y â— same maÌ„ edicts iniunctioÌ„s are decreed nowe in y e behalfe of the christians they which of late were in perill of fire sword the rauenous deuourâ—g of beasts â—oules of y e aire before y â— tyraÌ„ts face suffred all sort of paines punishmeÌ„ts miserable ends of this life as prophane impious persoÌ„s vnto theÌ„ now it is permitted opeÌ„ly to exercise vse y e christiaÌ„ religioÌ„ to buyld places for praier vnto the Lord againe y â— tyraÌ„t affirmeth this vnto theÌ„ y t they may enioy certaine rights priuiledges wheÌ„ he had proclaimed this his protestatioÌ„ therfore in y e ende he receaued this in stead of recoÌ„pence y â— enduriÌ„g y â— lesser tormeÌ„t which by right he shold haue suffred he being strickeÌ„ of God w t a sodaine plague froÌ„ aboue should die in y â— second skirmishe of y â— battaile he dyed not as captaines in warre fighting maÌ„tully in battaile for their coÌ„try for vertue their friends are commoÌ„ly woÌ„t to endure couragiously a glorious death but like an impious persoÌ„ a rebell to God his army as yet lyiÌ„g in y e field he tarying at home in secret he suffreth dew punishmeÌ„t being strokeÌ„ with a sodaine plague of God ouer all his body so y t he was vexed w t great torments griefes pyned away with huÌ„ger fell downe froÌ„ his bed his fleshe altogether wasted by inuisible fire sent from aboue so y t it consumed dropped away lost al y e fashioÌ„ of y e old forme wheÌ„ as there remained nothiÌ„g vnto him saue onely the bare bones like a paynted image dryed vp of a longe time Neyther did the beholders take his bodie for other then the sepulcher of the soule buryed in a body that was nowe dead and all together consumed When that as yet he burned more vehemently then the boyling bathes are woÌ„t out of y e inward closets of y e marow his eyes lept forth passing their bounds left him blinde but he breathing as yet in these torments making his confession vnto the Lorde called for death and at length confessing himselfe to haue suffred these thinges iustly and in steede of reuengment for the madnesse he presumed and practised against Christ Iesu gaue vp the ghost CAP. Xâ— After the death of Maximinus the Christian affaires beganne to be in better estate the executors of Maximinus tyrannie are punished Constantinus and Licinnius are proclaymed Emperours WHen Maximinus had thus departed this life who alone continewed of all the tyrants the vtter enemy to all pietie and godlines the churches through the grace of almighty God were buylded againe and erected from the fundations the Gospell of Christ Iesus shining vnto the glory of the vniversall God receaued greater libertie then aforetime but the impietie of the sworne enemies to godlinesse was subiect to extreme shame and ignominie For the sayd Maximinus was declared by publique edicts the firste most deadly enemie of all the Emperours the most impious the most ignominious and a tyrant that was abhorred before the face of God And what monument so euer of letters or proclamations stoode throughout euery citie to his or his childrens honor they were partly worne and throwen from aloft vnto the pauement partly so ouerlayd darkened with so blacke a colour that they became vnprofitable for publique sight Likewise the pictures as many as were erected to his honor being throwen downe after the same sort and defaced were sett forth to the laughter and derision of such as woulde vse them both ignominiously and contempteously Afterwardes all the ensignes also of others that were enemies to pietie and christian religion were taken downe all the persecutors as many as fauored Maximinus were executed specially such as by him were honored in the heade cyties and to the ende they might flatter him hated more deadly our doctrine and religion of which sort of people Peucetius was one whome before all other he esteemed for most honorable most reuerend and of all his friends best beloued twise and the thirde time Consull and had appointed him the chiefe gouernour in all his affaires next was Culcianus enioying the authoritie of euery degree and office who also hauinge shedde throughout Aegypt the bloode of an infinite number of Christians was of greate fame besides others not a fewe through whome chiefly the tyranny of Maximinus preuayled and tooke encrease Moreouer also bengeance lyghted vpon Theotecnus not forgetfull of the things he had committed against the Christians who because of the image idol he erected at Antioch became famous and was also made president by Maximinus Licinnius after his comming to Antioche to the ende he might finde
our perdicion subiect to many greeuous passions he alone tooke vpon him our troubles he alone tooke vpon him the punishments due for ourimpietye and he saueth vs whome he founde not onely halfe deade but to be abhorted nowe stincking in the graues and sepulchres them selues heretofore presently also with the carefulnesse of his good wil beyond all other mens expectation yea and ours to and deliuereth vnto vs the greate aboundance of his fatherly goodnes being our quickner our day starre our greate Phisicion our Kinge and Lorde the Christ of God When all man kinde was then ouershadowed with the night all cloudy and palpable darknes with the wilines of seducing deuills and the working of spirites hatefull to God he alone appearing vnto vs loosed with the sunne beames of his heauenly light the knobbye fetters of our sinnes but nowe after that for so greate 〈…〉 and â—…lnes spyte being greeued with all goodnes and the deuill himselfe busily going about all â—â—â—ele onely not bâ—â—sting for grieâ—e hath raysed eruell warre agaynst vs with all â—…ly 〈…〉 and fiâ—sâ—â— after the maner of a maâ—d doggâ— whiche gnaâ—â—th with his â—â—â—â—hâ— the stâ—â—es floâ—◠〈◊〉 him and pâ—â—reth out the rage of reuengemâ—â—t vpon the darâ—s whichâ— haue no life he sett vpon the 〈◊〉 oâ—â—s of the oratoryes and the senselesse buylding of the houses with sâ—â—adge woodnes to the ende he might bring in as he sâ—pposed a waste desert of Churches agayns he sent out cruell 〈…〉 and poysored speaches pattly by the threats of wicked tyrants and partly by the decrees of prophant Princes moreouer soâ—â—ing out his death he hath iâ—â—â—â—ted with his â—eâ—â—mous and â—â—â—dly poysâ—n the soules which he caught in his snare and slewe them with the daiâ—â—able sacrifires of dead images and raysed agaynst vs all sortes of bâ—astes coueted with mâ—â—s skinâ—e and all kindâ— of 〈…〉 agayne the Angell of greate counsell the greate gâ—auâ—dâ—â—apâ—ayne of God after sufficient 〈…〉 the whiche the moste valiant souldiers of his kingdome endured throughly with â—…ible pacience and sufferance had eftsones shewed him selfe he destroyed the hurtfull and 〈…〉 thinges and brought all to nought as if they neuer had beâ—e named but vnto him selfe he made all acceptable and peculier aboue all glorye not onely among all men but among the heauenly powers them selues the sunne the moone the starres all heauen and earth together so that nowe which otherwise neuer any where came to passe the most excellent Emperours considering the honour they receaued of him haue detested the sight of dead images and troden vnderfoote the vnlawefull seruice of deuills they haue sett at nought the seducing of olde tyme receaued of the Elders they haue knowen one onely God the common benefactor of all they of them selues consessed Christ the sonne of God supreame Kings of all vpon pillers they haue intitled him a Sauiour for euerlasting memorie they fastened his vertues and victories agaynst the wicked in the middes of the citye whiche had dominion vpon earth vnto the imperiall armes that Jesus Christ our Sauiour alone of all the men from the beginning of the worlde yea of the heade Princes of the whole worlde was honoured not as a common Kinge treated of men but adored as the naturall sonne of the â—â—â—uersall God and God himselfe and not without iust cause What Prince of all them that euer were brought so much power that by the appeliation of his name he shoulde fill the eares and mouthes of all mortall men throughout the whole worlde What Kinge hath ratified so godly and so wise lawes decreed by him that they might sufficiently and durable he read to the hearing of all men from the endes of the earth to the boundes of the whole worlde Who hath wyped away the barbarous and sauadge maners of the Gentiles with his louing and tractable lawes who euer since the beginning of the whole worlde being impugned of all men hath shewed power passing the reache and strength of man so that he seemed dayly to florishe and through out all his whole life to waxe yong who hath ordayned and planted a nation not hearde of from the firste beginninge not secrete in some corner of the earth but throughout the whole compasse vnder heauen Who hath so fenced his souldiers with the bright armour of godlines that they were founde in their fighting agaynst their aduersaries of courage harder then the Adamant stone What King after his desease so gouerneth and warreth and trecteth signes of victories against the enemyes and filleth euery place coast and contrey as will of the Grecians as Barbarians with his princely pallaces and consecrated temples as these ornaments and dedicated â—ewells of this temple are gorgeous whiche being royall and notable in deede are worthy of wondering and admiration and as it were certayne and manifest tokens of our Sauiour for nowe also he spake the vvorde and they vvere done he commaunded and they vvere created for who will with stande the beckning of the worde of God the supreme King and gouernour of all which require speciall rest and conuenient leasure that they may diligently he considered and expounded wherof also proportionally the readines of the workmen is to be weyed in presence of him whom we celebrate with diuine prayses whiche considereth the spirituall temple of vs all and beholdeth the house builded with liuely and growing stones which being soundly and securely layed vpon the fundation of the Apostles and Prophets hath Iesus Christ him selfe to the corner stone whome the wicked head builders of mischiefe haue reiected not onely of that building which now is auncient and hath no longer contine wance but also of that presently consisting of many men but the father hath alloweded him for heade of the corner of our common Church both then and now also Therefore this liuely Churche of the liuing God buylded of our selues I doc call that chiefe vestrye seruing for the worde of God whose inwarde chauncells not seene of many holy in deede and most holy places who by beholding of them euer durst presume to explicate yea who coulde beholde the inner parts of the halowed poâ—… but the onely greate high Priest of all to whome onely it is lawefull to searche the secretes of euery reasonable soule per aduenture it may be possible for some one or other of his equalls to enioye the seconde place next after him to weâ—e for the President and Captayne of this warrefare whome the chiefe and greate highe Priest him selfe hath orâ—â—ayned a shepeherd of this your holy flocke enioying the seconde honour of these holy thinges taking in charge your people by lott and appoyntment of the father as his seruant and interpreter like a newe Aaron or Melchisedech likened vnto the sonne of God remayning and preferued by him for euer by the prayers in common of you all vnto this man therefore onely be it lawefull next after the chiefe and greatest highe Priest to see and to beholde if not the
euen as your godly and singular zeale hath geuen vs in charge vve doe protest that both vve our selues and all they that be of our syde doe beleeue as follovveth VVe beleeue in one God the father almyghtie and in his sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ begotten of him before all vvorldes God the vvorde by vvhome all thinges were made both in heauen and earth who came dovvne from heauen and vvas made man vvho suffred rose againe ascended into heauen shall come againe to iudge both the quicke the dead And we beleue in the holy ghost the resurrection of the fleshe the life of the vvorlde to come the kingdome of heauen the one Catholicke churche of God scattered farre and vvide ouer the face of the vvhole earth This faith haue vve learned of the most holie Euangelists where the Lorde him selfe sayd vnto his disciples Goe teache all nations baptizing theÌ„ in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost euen as the vvhole Catholicke church and the scriptures do teache all vvhich vve faithfully beleeue God is ouâ— Iudge presently to the houre of death and at the daye of doome VVherefore moste holy Emperour we humbly craue of your godly highnes in as much as vve are â—â—eargiâ— men retaine the faith and affection both of the church and also of holy scripture that of your wonted zeale whervvith you prouide for vnitie and the right honour of God all controuersies and quarells and cauillations and subtle quircks vvhatsoeuer layde aside you will coupleâ—â— vvith our mother the church that both vve and the church of God among our selues may liue quietly ioyntly vvith one harte and voyce povvre vnto God the accustomed prayers for the peaceable and prosperous estate of your empire and for all mankinde CAP. XX. How Arius by the commaundement of the Emperour returned to Alexandria whome Athanasius would in no wise admitt against Athanasius Eusebius and his confederats patched diuers crimes and presented them vnto the Emperour so that in the ende a synode was summoned at Tyrus to pacifie these quarells WHen that Arius had perswaded the Emperour in such sorte as we sayde before he returnes to Alexandria but yet he could not with all his wiles treade downe the trueth the which he had so egregiously dissembled Athanasius would not receaue him into the church of Alexandria after his returne for he detested him as a monster of the worlde Arius neuerthelesse whilest that he priuely sowed his pestilent opinion goeth about to sett the whole citie on an vprore At what time Eusebius both him selfe wrote vnto Athanasius and procured also the Emperour to commaunde him by his letters to condescende vnto the admission of Arius and his coÌ„plices Athanasius for all that would not receaue them into the church but wrote backe againe vnto the Emperour that it was not lawfull for such as had made shipwracke of their faith and had bene held for accursed of the church â–ª after their returne and conuersion to receaue their former dignities The Emperour was in a great chafe and conceaued great displeasure against Athanasius for this answere threatninge him by his letters as followeth In as much as thou art made priuie to our will and pleasure see that thou make the dore vvide open to all that desire to enter into the church For if I vnderstand that any one vvhich desired to be made a member of the church hath by any meanes through thee bene hindred or his entraÌ„ce stopped I vvill forthwith send one of mine officers who by authority from me shall both depose thee of thy bishopricke and also place an other in thy rovvme This the Emperour wrote respecting the commoditie of the church the vnitie of the councell lest that through variance it were dissolued Eusebius then who hated Athanasius with deadly enmitie thought no time fitter theÌ„ that to bring his purpose to effect for he had the Emperour incensed against him which was meate and drinke for Eusebius and therefore he raysed all that troublesome sturre to the ende he myght cause Athanasius to be deposed of his bishopricke For he thought verylie that if Athanasius were once remoued Arianisme then should beare away the bell Wherefore there conspired against him at once Eusebius bishop of Nicomedia Theognis bishop of Nice Maris bishop of Chalcedon Vrsacius bishop of Singidon a citie of the vpper Pannonia and Valens bishop of Murson a citie also in Pannonia These men hyred certaine of the Meletian seâ—t caused diuers crimes to be layd vnto Athanasius charge And firste of all by the depositions of Eusion Eudaemon and Callinicus that were Meletian heretickes they charge Athanasius that he had inioyned the Aegyptians to pay for a yearely tribute vnto the church of Alexandria a lynen garment But Alypius and Macarius priests of the church of Alexandria who then as it chaunced were at Nicomedia confuted this sclannderous report that was layde agaynste Athanasius and perswaded the Emperour that all their malicious tales were manifest vntruthes Wherefore the Emperoure wrote vnto his aduersaries and rebuked them sharply but Athanasius he requesteth to repayre vnto him yet agayne Eusebius together with his complices before his comminge patched an other crime farre more haynous then the former that Athanasius went about trayterously to defeate the Emperoures edicts in sending to one Philumenus a kasâ—et or forsar full of gold The Emperour then being at Psamathia a manour without the walls of Nicomedia by sifting out of this matter founde Athanasius to be giltlesse and sent him away with honor writing also to the Church of Alexandria that their bishop was falsely accused before him But I thinke best and with more honesty a great deale to passe ouer with silence the sundry kindes of sclaunders Eusebius together with his adherents inuented afterwards agaynst Athanasius lest that the Churche of God be blemished and sclaundered of them which haue their mindes farre estraynged from the religion fayth in Christ Iesu for the thinges committed to writing â–ª are wont to be knowen of all and therefore it was our part to comprise in few words such things as required a seuerall tracâ— but neuerthelesse I thinke it my duety in fewe wordes to declare out of what fountaine these false accusations ishued and whence such as forged them had their originall Mareôtes is a contrey of Alexandria in it there are many villages and the same well peopled within the same also there are many Churches yea of greate fame all which are vnder the Bishop of Alexandria within the iurisdiction of his seae and bishopricke In this Mareôtes one Ischyras for so they called him practised priuely such a kinde of offence as deserued a hundreth kindes of death for when as he had neuer taken orders he called him selfe a minister and presumed to execute the function of a priest Who when he was taken with the maner fledd away priuely and gott him straight to
he layeth downe the cause that moued him to repeate at large such things as afore time he had briefly written in his first and seconde booke RVffinus who wrote the Ecclesiasticall historye in the latine tongue was very much deceaued in the tymes for he thought that the perill and daungers which Athanasius stoode in happened vnto him after the death of the emperour Constantine He was ignorant of his banishment into Fraunce of many other miseryes that happened vnto him But we imitating his opinion and censure in discourse of the Ecclesiasticall affayres haue written the first and seconde booke of our historye â–ª from the thirde vnto the seuenth booke by borowing some out of Ruffinus by picking and culling other some out of sundry other writers also by laying downe some thinge we learned of others who as yet be aliue we haue sett forth the historye in a most absolute and perfect maner But after that by meare chaunce the workes of Athanasius came to our handes where both he complayneth of the misery he endured also declareth after what sorte he was exiled through the sclaunderous faction of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia we thought farre better to attribute more credit vnto him who suffred these things and to others who sawe them with their eyes then to such as coniecture and gesse at them and so plunge them selues in the pitt of error Moreouer by searching diligently the epistles of sundry men who liued at that tyme we haue sifted out as much as in vs laye the trueth it selfe Wherfore we haue bene constrayned to repeate agayne such thinges as we mentioned in the firste and seconde booke of our historye and haue annexed thereunto out of Ruffinus such histories as were agreeable vnto the trueth Not only that but this also is to be vnderstoode how that in the first edition of these our bookes we layd downe neyther the depriuation of Arius neyther the Emperours epistles but explicated in fewe words without figures of Rhetorick the matter we tooke in hande lest the tediousnes of our long historye shoulde tyre the louing Reader When as for the cause aboue mentioned it behoued vs so to doe Theodorus most holy Prieste of God yet nowe to the ende the epistles may be knowen in forme and fashion as the Emperours wrote them selues and the thinges also which Bishops in sundry councells haue published vnto the worlde whylest that they laboured dayely to sett for the more exquisite decrees and constitutions to the furtherance of Christian religion we haue diligently added to this our latter edition such thinges as we thought fitt for the purpose â–ª that truely we haue performed in the first booke and in the seconde nowe in hande we minde to doe no lesse â–ª but nowe to the historye CAP. II. How that Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia endeuored agayne to establishe the doctrine of Arius so that tumults were raysed in the Churche afreshe and howe that Athanasius by vertue of Constantine the yongers letters returned to Alexandria AFter the death of the Emperour Constantine Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia and Theâ—gâ—is Bishop of Nice supposing now they had gotten a fitt time endeuored with all might possible to wipe out of the Churche of God the creede contayning the clause of one substance and to setle in the rowme thereof the detestable heresie of Arius But this they knewe full well they coulde not bringe to passe if Athanasius came agayne to Alexandria They went about to compasse their drift very craftely vsing the Priest by whose meanes we sayd before Arius returned from exile as an instrument to their purpose But the maner of the handling thereof I thinke very needefull to be layde downe This Priest presented vnto Constantius the Emperours sonne the last will and testament and the bequeathed legacies of the Emperour deseased He perceauing y t to haue bene laid downe in his fathers wil which greatly he desired for byy â— wil he was emperour of the Easterne parts made very much of the priest graunted him great libertie charged him to vse his pallace freely and boldly at his pleasure After this libertie was graunted him by the Emperour he forthwith acquainted him selfe with the empresse with the Eunuches and chamberlaynes At the same time there was an eunuch by name Eusebius chiefe of the emperours chamber who through persuasion of this lewde Priest became an Arian and infected also the other eunuches of his company And not only these but the Empresse also through the entisement of the Eunuches and the aduise of the Priest fell into the pestilent heresie of Arius In a while after the Emperour him selfe called the same opinion into controuersie and so by a litle and a litle it was spredd euery where And first the Emperours garde tooke it vp next it occupied the mindes of the multitude throughout the city The Emperours chamberlaynes euen in the very pallace it selfe contended with women about the opinion in euery house and family throughout the city they brawled and went together by the eares This infection spred it selfe quickly ouer other contries and regions and the controuersie much like a sparcle of fire rising of small heate or scattered embers kindled the mindes of the hearers with the fiery flame of discorde and dissention For euery one that desired to knowe why they made such a tumulte by and by had an occasion geuen him to reason and euery one was not satisfied with questioning but contentiously woulde argue thereof â–ª thus the heate of contention turned all vpside downe and troubled the quiet estate of the Churche This sturre and sedition preuailed onely in the cities throughout the East for Illyrium and other contryes of the West enioyed peace and quietnes â–ª for they could in no wise permitt the canons of the Nicene councell to be abrogated and sett at nought After that the heate of contention was blowen abroad and burned euery day more and more the faction of Eusebius tooke this tumult to be a furtherance to their purpose for so they hoped it would come to passe that some Bishop or other woulde be chosen of Alexandria which woulde maintayne the same opinion with them But at the very same time Athanasius by the meanes of Constantine the yongers letters who was one of the Caesars and so called after his fathers name returned to Alexandria the letters were written by the Emperour vnto the people of Alexandria from Triuere a citie of Fraunce in forme as followeth Constantinus Caesar to the people of the Catholicke Church of Alexandria sendeth greeting I hope it is not vnknowen vnto your discreete wisedome that Athanasius the professor of sacred diuinitie was for a tyme banished into Fraunce lest that through the mischieuous dealing of lewde men for bloodesuckers and cruell beastes sought to bereue him of his life his innocent person shoulde of necessitie be constrained to take his deaths wounde VVherfore to the ende he might auoyde the malice of these dispitefull
men he was taken as it were out of their iawes which menaced him commaunded to liue vnder my dominion where though his excellent vertue ministred vnto him from aboue wey nothinge at all the greuous casualties of aduersity euen as in the city he liued before he may haue plenty want no necessaryes for the maintenance of his porte Therefore when as our Lorde and my father of famous memory Constantine the Emperour had purposed in his mind to haue restored him a Bishop to his owne sâ—ae and proper seate the which he enioyed among you that are knowen to beare greate zeale to godlines and being preuented with death as it fareth with mankind before he coulde accomplishe his desire I thought it verely my parte and duety to execute the intent of so godly an Emperoure VVith what estimation and reuerence I haue entertayned the man he shall reporte with his owne mouth after his returne vnto you Neither is it to be maruelled at all that I shewed him such curtesie For me thinkes I sawe in him the great longing ye had for him and I behelde also the fatherly reuerence and grauity of the man himselfe all which moued me not a litle thereunto nay throughly perswaded me God of his goodnes welbeloued brethren haue you in his tuition Athanasius with the confidence he had in these letters returneth to Alexandria whome the people of Alexandria doe receaue with most willing mindes But such as in that citie were infected with the leprosie of Arianisme conspired against him so that many skirmishes and tumultes were raised which ministred occcasion vnto the confederats of Eusebius falsly to accuse Athanasius before the Emperoure that of his owne doinge without the generall consente of the assembly of Bishops he had setled him selfe in that church The accusation was so odious that the Emperoure being therewith incensed against Athanasius draue him out of Alexandria But howe this was compassed I will shewe hereafter in an other place CAP. III. Howe that after the death of Eusebius Pamphilus Acacius was chosen Bishop of Caesarea and of the death of Constantinus the yonger ABout that time Eusebius whose sirname was Pamphilus Bishop of Caesarea in Palaestina departed this life and Acacius his scholer succeeded him in the Bishopricke Who besids sundry other workes of his industrie wrote a booke of the life of his maister Eusebius Not long after Constantinus the yonger so called after his fathers name brother to y â— Emperor Constantius inuading by force certaine countreys vnder Constans his yonger brothers dominion by fighting hand to hand with the soldiers was slaine Acindinus and Proclus beinge Consuls CAP. IIII. Howe that Alexander Bishop of Constantinople departinge this life nominated two men Paulus and Macedonius that they shoulde chuse one of them to succeede him in the Bishoprike AT that time there ensued immediately the â—edicions mentioned before an other tumulte in the citie of Constantinople and that for this cause Alexander the Bishop of that churche who valiantly encountred with Arius hauing continewed Bishop there the space of three and twenty yeares and liued fourescore and eighteene departed this life He consecrated none to succeede him but charged the electors to choose one of two whome he would nominat vnto them And following his aduise if they would place in the rowme a man sit for to instruct y â— people of an vpright conscience of good lise and godly conuersation they shoulde take Paulus whome he had made priest who though he were yonge and of greene yeares yet in learninge olde and of greate wisedome But in case they woulde haue him whome the etymologie of noble prowesse did highly commend they should preferre Macedonius to the dignitie â–ª who latly had bene deacon of the same church and then was farre strucken in yeares Wherefore about the election of a Bishop there was greater sturre theÌ„ heretofore and the churche was more grieuously turmoyled The people were deuided into two parts the one was egerly set with the heresy of Arius the other cleaued very constantly to the decrees of the Nicene Councell And whilest that Alexander liued they which embraced the creede comprising the clause of One substance had the vpper hand ouer the Arians which dayly striued and contended very stifly in the maintenance of their heretical doctrine But as soone as he departed this life the contention among the people was diuers and variable For such as fauored the clause of One substance chose Paulus to be their Bishop such as of the contrary cleaued vnto Arianisme endeuored with all might to place Macedonius Wherefore in the temple of God called the church of peace next vnto the great church then called great but nowe bearing the name of wisedome Paulus was chosen Bishop in which election the voyce of the desseased did preuaile CAP. V. Howe that Constatinus the Emperoure displaced Paulus that was chosen byshope of Constantinople and translated to that seae Eusebius byshop of Nicomedia And howe that Eusebius caused an other Synode to be summoned at Antioch in Syria where there was an other forme of fayth layde downe SHortely after the election of Paulus moued the Emperoure not a litle at his coming to Constantinople For summoning together an assembly of Byshops which sauored of the filthie sinke of Aruis he procured the deposition of Paulus and causing Eusebius of Nicomedia to be â—â—anslated thither he proclaimed him Bishop of Constantinople These thinges being done the Emperoure gott him to Antioch Yet Eusebius for all this colde not sette his hart at rest but rolled as commonely we saye euery stone to bringe his wicked purpose to passe He summoneth a councell at Antioch in Syria pretending the dedicatioÌ„ of the church whose foundations Constantine the father of these Emperours had layd after whose death Constantius his sonne tenne yeares after the laying of the first stone finished the buylding and as I may boldely say the trueth to the ouerthrowe and subuersion of the fayth Of one substance Unto this synod there came out of diuers prouinces Bishops to the number of fourscore and tenne But Maximus bishop of Ierusalem who succeeded Macarius woulde not come thither supposinge verely that if he came he shoulde be constrayned to subscribe vnto the depriuation of Athanasius Neyther did Iulius Byshop of Rome shewe him selfe there neither sente he any to supply his rowme when as the ecclesiasticall canon forbiddeth that any constitution be thrust into the Churche without the censure of the Bishope of Rome To be shorte the councell mette at Antioch in the Consulship of Marcellus and Probinus where Constantius the Emperoure was present It was the fift yeare after the death of Constantine father vnto these Emperours Placitus was then bishop of Antioch for he succeeded Euphronius But the confederacy of Eusebius side imployed their chiefe labour and industry falsly to accuse Athanasius and first they charge him with the violating of their canon to wete
sonne in dede and of the holy Ghoste who is the holye Ghoste in deede VVhiche names are not vnaduisedly neyther vvithout good consideration layde dovvne of vs for they plainely sett forth the proper person the order and the glorie of â—â—he of them that are named that there be three persons yet in harmoniacall consente but one God VVherefore vve retayninge this fayth before the maiestye of God the father and his sonne Iesus Christ doe holde for accursed all detestable heresies If that any shall teache contrary to the righte and sounde fayth contained in holy Scripture that there is or that there hathe bene a tyme or a vvorlde and made before the sonne of God let him be accursed If that any shall saye that the sonne of God is a creature as one of the creatures a budde or spring as one of the buddes and not as the sacred Scriptures haue deliuered euery of the aforesayde vnto vs or if that any shall preache or publishe any other besides that vve haue receaued lette him be accursed For vve beleue truely and vnfaynedly all vvhatsoeuer the holy Scriptures the Prophetes and Apostles haue deliuered vnto vs and vve follovve the same zealously Suche were the Creedes of the Byshopes whiche then assembled at Antioch whereunto Gregorius althoughe as yet he was not gone to Alexandria subscribed intitlinge him selfe Byshope of Alexandria The Councell after the finishinge of these thinges and the establishinge of other constitutions was dissolued At the very same time the affayres of the common weale fell out to be very troublesome For the French natioÌ„ so are they tearmed inuaded the Romayne possessions bordering vpon Fraunce then also there were greate earthquakes in the Easte but specially at Antioch where the earth was hoyssed and shaken the space of one whole yeare CAP. VIII Howe that when Gregorius was broughte to Alexandria with armed souldieres Athanasius by flyinge awaye saued his life WHen the aforesayde busines was brought to this passe Syrianus the captaine together with fiue thousande armed soldiers brought Gregorius to Alexandria The Arians that were within the citie came to ayde them But I thinke it requisite to discourse howe Athanasius that was violently by them thrust out of the churche escaped their handes It was then euentide the people spent the whole night in vigils for there was a coÌ„munion the day followinge The captaine drewe nighe he sette his soldiers in battaile araye he besetts the churche Athanasius vnderstandinge of this called his witts together and deuised howe the people might take no harme for his sake He commaunded his Deacon to read the collects vnto the people He bidds him singe a psalme When the psalme was sweetly and harmoniacally songe all the people went forth at one of the church porches While this was adoinge the soldiers made no sturre at all Athanasius through the middest of the singers escaped they re handes safe and sounde He beinge thus ridd out of this perill and daunger he stoode in went in all the haste to Rome Then Gregoriâ— tooke possession of the churche The citizens of Alexandria not brooking their doinges sette Sainct Denys churche afire So farre of that CAP. IX Howe that the citizens of Constantinople after the death of Eusebius chose Paulus againe to be their Byshope the Arians of the contrary chose Macedonius EVsebius as soone as he had brought his purpose to effecte sente a legate vnto Iulius Bishope of Rome requestinge him to be iudge in Athanasius his cause and to take vpon him the pronouncinge of the definitiue sentence But the sentence that Iulius gaue of Athanasius neuer came to Eusebius his hearing for immediatly after the councell brake vp breath wente out of his body and so he died Wherefore the people of CoÌ„stantinople bring Paulus againe to be their Bishop the Arians assemblinge in Sainct Pauls churche chose Macedonius They were authors and chiefe doers in that sturre who a litle before ayded Eusebius that turned vpside downe the whole state of the churche These were they that could doe some thing at that time Theognis bishop of Nice Maris bishop of Chalcedon Theodorus bishop of Heraclaea in Thracia Vrsacius bishop of Singidon in the higher Mysia and Valens bishop of Mursa a citie in the higher Panonia But Vrsacius and Valens repented them afterwardes gaue vp their recantation in writinge vnto Iulius bishop of Rome and thenceforth submitted them selues to the clause of One substance and the communion of the church At that tyme the Arians raysed ciuill warres and dissention in the church of the which one was sturred at Constantinople through the confederats of Macedonius And by reason of these domesticall warres of the christians there were many often skirmishes in that citie at what tyme many were troden vnder foote and crushed to death CAP. X. The death of Hermogenes the captaine and howe that therefore Paulus the seconde tyme was banished Constantinople The Arians translating Gregorius from Alexandria placed Georgius in his rowme THe report and fame of the sedition at Constantinople came to the eares of the Emperour Constantius who then abode at Antioche he commaunded Hermogenes the captaine that was takinge his iourney into the coasts of Thracia to take Constantinople in his waye to thrust Paulus their byshop out of the church He comming into the citie disquieted the people not a little while he went by force about to banishe their byshop Immediately the multitude of the people was vp they prepared them selues to ayde their byshop As Hermogenes proceeded and laboured together with his souldiers to sett him packinge the multitude beynge on an vprore rashely and headyly as it happeneth in such a hurlyburly fell vpon him They fyre the house ouer his heade they pull him out by the eares and putte him to death This was done when both the Emperoures were Consulls to wete the thirde Consulshippe of Constantius and the seconde of Constans At what tyme Constans ouercame the Frenchemen made truse and concluded a league betweene them and the Romaines Constantius the Emperour hearinge of the death of Hermogenes tooke his horse left Antioche and gott him to Constantinople there he thrusteth Paulus out of the churche he mearced the cytie takinge from them so manie measures of grayne as their cytie receaued aboue foure hundred thousande the which was his fathers donation daylie geuen vnto them For vnto that tyme the cytie of Constantinople receaued about eyght hundred thowsande measures of grayne that was caryed thyther from Alexandria The Emperour differred to nominate Macedonius their byshop for he was wonderfully incensed not onely agaynste him in that he was chosen without his aduise and counsell but also in that through the sturre and tumult raysed betweene him and Paulus not onely Hermogenes his captayne but also manie others beside were slayne After he had geuen Macedonius licence to execute his function in that churche onely where he was chosen byshop he returneth to Antioche In
church such as defended the creede contayning the clause of One substance flocked to the church as well as the Arian hereticks As soone as the gouernour together with Macedonius was now come nygh the church a maruelous great feare amazed both the multitude and the souldiers them selues There was so great a multitude gathered together that there was no passage for the gouernour to leade Macedonius the souldiers were faine to thrust the people of this side and that side but the throng was so great and the rowme so narowe that they coulde not geue backe neither recoyle The souldiers supposinge the multitude had set them selues againste them of set purpose stopped their walke that the gouernour might haue no passage theraway drewe their swords let flye amongest them and layd on lustyly The report goeth that there fell about three thousande one hundred and fifty persons whereof some were slayne by the souldiers some other styfled in the throng crushed to death But Macedonius after all these famous acts as if he had committed no offence as if he were innocent and gyltles toutching all this haynous and horrible slaughter is stalled in the bishops seate more by the censure of the gouernour then the canon of the church These were the meanes that Macedonius and the Arians vsed to clim◠by slaughter and murther to be magistrates in the church About that tyme the Emperour buylded a goodly churche nowe called The church of wisdome and ioyned it vnto the churche called by the name of Peace the which beyng of small compasse his father afore him had both in bygnes enlarged and in beautie sett forth and adorned Nowe were they both inuironed with one wall and called after one name CAP. XIII Howe Athanasius being terrified with the Emperours threats fled the second tyme to Rome ABout that tyme there was an other sclaunder raysed by the Arians agaynst Athanasius which forged out such an accusation agaynst him as followeth Constantinus the father of these Emperours had geuen a good whyle before certaine grayne for almes to the reliefe of the poore within the churche of Alexandria This they sayde that Athanasius had soulde and turned it to his owne lucre and gayne The Emperoure taketh their sclaunderous reporte for trueth and threatneth him with death Athanasius then vnderstandinge of the Emperours hygh displeasure against him fled away and hidd him selfe in a secrete and obscure place Iulius bishop of Rome hearing the molestation and iniuries the Arians offred Athanasius and nowe hauing receaued the letters of Eusebius who lately had departed this lyfe vnderstandinge of the place where Athanasius hydd him selfe sent for him willinge him to repayre to Rome At the same tyme he receaued letters from the Councell assembled at Antioch and other letters also sent vnto him from the byshops of Aegypt which playnely affirmed that all such crymes as Athanasius was charged withall were meere false Wherefore Iulius by sendinge of contrary letters answered at large the byshops which assembled at Antioche and firste he sheweth what griefe and heauines he conceaued by their letters secōdly that they had transgressed the canon of the church in not callinge him to the Councell in so much the canon commaundeth that no decree be thrust vpon the church without the censure of the bishop of Rome moreouer that they had couertly corrupted the fayth also that they concluded by mayne force and double dealing such things as of late they had lewdely handled at Tyrus in that they of spyte had procured the relations of one side duely to be registred at Mareôtes and that their forged leasinges of Arsenius were meere sclaūders false reports These other such like thīgs Iulius layd downe in his letters vnto y ◠bishops assēbled at Antioch we would haue layd downe here y ◠epistles vnto Iulio his vnto others were it not that the length of their writings and the tediousnesse of their discourse perswaded vs to the contrary Sabinus the fauourer of Macedonius his fond opinion of whome we spake before though in his booke intituled The collection of Councells he omitted not y ◠epistle of the bishops assembled at Antioche vnto Iulius yet layde he not downe the letters of Iulius vnto them agayne It was his accustomed maner so to doe for what epistles so euer were written by any Councells either altogether disanullinge or at lest wise passing ouer with silence the clause of One substance them he carefully cyted and collected diligently looke such as were of the contrary them of sett purpose he ouerskipped CAP. XIIII Howe that the VVesterne Emperour requested his brother to sende vnto him such as were able to iustifie the depositions of Athanasius and Paulus and howe the legats brought with them a newe forme of faith NOt long after Paulus leauyng Thessalonica fayned he woulde to Corinth and gott him straight into Italie there both he Athanasius ioyntly do open their estate vnto the Emperour The Emperour whose dominions were y ◠contries of the West esteeming of their iniuries as his owne aduersitie wrote vnto his brother requesting him in his letters to send vnto him three men that might render afore him iust causes of the deposition of Paulus Athanasius There were sent vnto him Narcissus the Cilician Theodorus the Thracian Maris the Chalcedonian and Marcus the Syrian After their comming they woulde not reason with Athanasius but concealing the forme of faith decreed at Antioche the bishops frame out an other the which they exhibited vnto the Emperour in these words VVe beleue in one God the father almightie creator and maker of all things of vvhome all fatherhoode is called both in heauen and earth and in his onely begotten sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ begotten of the father before all vvorldes God of God light of light by vvhome all thinges vvere made both in heauen and in earth be they visible or inuisible who is the vvorde the wisdome the power the life the true light who in the later dayes was incarnate for our sakes vvas borne of the holie Virgine vvas crucified dead and buryed vvho rose agayne the thirde day from the dead ascended into the heauens sitteth at the right hand of the father and shall come againe at the ende of the vvorld to iudge the quicke and the dead and to reward euery man according vnto his vvorks whose kingdome shall haue no ende but shall continew foreuer For he shall sitt at the ryght hande of the father not onely vvhile this vvorlde lasteth but also in the lyfe to come And vve beleeue in the holie Ghost that is in the comforter whome he promised he vvould sende the Apostles whome also he sent after his ascention into the heauens for to informe and instruct them in all thinges by vvhome their soules shall be sanctified vvhich faithfully beleue in him VVhosoeuer then dare affirme that the sonne hath his being of nothinge or that he is of any other substance then of the
our prosperous dayes Our desire is that such a plague be purged farre from amōgst you our request is welbeloued people of Alexādria that in your prayers where you craue after your wōted custome the aid asistance of the spirit of God you take Athanasius for chiefe or as I sayd before an helper to the end according vnto your happy prosperous successe the Hethenishe nations as yet snared with the erroneous seruice of Idols may hasten with most willinge mindes to embrace the profession of our most holy fayth VVe counsell you this also that you perseuere in the things we rehearsed before that you entertaine willingly your Bishop sent vnto you by the mighty power of God our louing pleasure that you count him worthy all curteous salutatiō For a of surety this is comely for you cōuenient for our highnes VVe haue also charged the iudges gouernours of those prouinces by our letters that they should weede all the tares of spite cōtention out of the minds of malicious persons punish seuerely seditious busy bodies wherfore seing that you vnderstād all these circūstances that our pleasure is agreable with the will of God that we haue care ouer you for the maintenance of concord vnity that we haue assigned punishmente for troublesome and seditious persons obserue diligently the things whiche are correspondent vnto the ordinances of the church the seruice of God embrace this Athanasius with all honor reuerēce poure out prayers vnto God the father who gouerneth all thinges both for your selues also for the concorde quietenes of the whole world An epistle for the abrogating of the things that were decreed against Athanasius There is extant also an epistle in the same forme vnto the gouernours of Augustomnica Thebais Libya and Licya Constantius the puysant noble Emperoure vnto Nestorius sendeth greeting If any thing be founde decreed and recorded heretofore to the preiudice hurte or damage of suche as comunicate with Athanasius the Bishop our will is that the same wholly be abrogated dissanulled Our pleasure is moreouer that his clergie shall enioy the like franchesse liberty as in times past we will haue this cōmaundement put in vre as that Athanasius the bishop is restored to his seae so all the clergie of his communion may recouer and possesse the like libertye with other ecclesiasticall persons and so beinge liue at hartes ease CAP. XIX Howe that Athanasius passinge by Ierusalem into Alexandria was receaued of Maximus into the communion howe he called there a Synode of Byshops and confirmed the decrees of the Nicene councell AThanasius the Bishop trustinge to these letters passed through Syria came to Palaestina He got him thence to Ierusalē opening vnto Maximus both y ◠coūcel of Sardice also y ◠Emperoure Constatius agreement consent therein he procured a synod of Bishops to be assēbled there For Maximus without all delay cited thither certaine Bishops out of Syria Palaestina The assembly being gathered together he gaue Athanasius y ◠cōmunion assigned vnto him his dignity The councel being dissolued wrote signified by their letters vnto the people of Alexādria vnto y ◠bishops of Aegypt Libya all their decrees canōs toutching Athanasius wherefore all y ◠aduersaries of Athanasius cried out against Maximus because y ◠asoretime he had subscribed to his depositiō nowe againe repenting him of his folly as if he had not thē done well he became of his faith awarded him both y ◠cōmunion his dignity Whē Vrsacius Valens who afore time were earnest followers of Arius vnderstood of this they condemned their former doings got then to Rome there they exhibit vnto bishop Iulius their recantation repētance in writing they subscribe vnto the creede contayning the clause of One substance and they wryte vnto Athanasius that thenceforth they will cōmunicate with him Vrsacius Valens being thus wonne with the prosperous successe of Athanasius his affaires agreed as I sayde before vnto the clause of One substance But Athanasius trauelinge by Peleusium the ready way to Alexandria preached in euery citie where he came and exhorted them to eschewe the Arians and to embrace such as confessed the faith of One substance And in diuers of the churches also he ordayned ministers whiche gaue occasion vnto the aduersaries for to accuse him againe that he presumed to make ministers in other mens prouinces So farre of the thinges which happened then vnto the renowmed Athanasius CAP. XX. Of Magnentius and Bretanion the tyrantes and of the death of Constans the westerne Emperoure IN the meane while the quiet estate of the common weale was not a litle out of square whereof I will briefly entreate and runne ouer suche thinges as I haue determined with my selfe to laye downe After the death of Constantine who buylded Constantinople his three sonnes as I haue sayde in my first booke succeded him in the Empire Of which numbre we haue to vnderstande that Constantinus so called after his fathers name was one and raygned together with the reste of the Emperoures whome the souldiers slewe after he had raygned a very litle while as Constantius cōmaunded not he should not be slayne so againe he forbad not the slaughter But how that Constātinus the yonger breaking out into the borders of his brothers dominions lost his lif whilest that he fought hande to hande with the souldiers I haue oft mentioned before After whose death there rose warres betwene the Persians y ◠Romains where Constantius had but ill fauored successe For the campe beinge pitched in the night time about the boundes of the Romaine and Persian dominions the Persian hoste seemed then to preuaile and for a time to haue the vpper hand Then also the ecclesiasticall affaires went very troublesome for there was great contention in the Church about Athanasius and the clause of One substance These things being at this point Magnentius the tyrant became a rebell in the West partes of the worlde and throughe treason procured the death of Constans the Emperoure which gouerned the west thē abode in Fraunce This beinge wrought there ensued great and grieuous warres Magnentius the tyrant inuaded all Italie subdued Aphrick and Libya and tooke also Fraunce Moreouer at Sirmium a citie of Illyrium there was an other tyrant set vp by the souldiers whose name was Bretanion At Rome also there was a greate sturre For Nepotianus Constantius sisters sonne hauing gotte vnto him a greate troop of fencers and sworde pleares aspired vnto the Emperiall scepter but the captaines of Magnentius dispatched him Magnentius in a little while ouerranne and subdued all the Weste partes of the worlde CAP. XXI Howe that after the death of Constans the VVesterne Emperoure Paulus and Athanasius were deposed againe Paulus in his exile was stifled to death Athanasius fled and so saued his life ALl the aforesayde sturre
altogether vnequall and vnlike the father not onely in substance but also in will and also that he had his beinge as Arius dreamed of nothinge Suche as then also were at Antioch of the secte of Aetius intangled them selues in the snares of this pestilente opinion Therefore besides that the Arians were called Anomoioi whiche signifieth that they affirmed the Sonne to be vnlike the Father they were of the Antiochians who defended the faythe Of one substance and then were deuided for the foresayde cause of Meletius called Exoucoutioi signifying they had affirmed the Sonne of God to haue had his beinge of nothinge When they were demaunded wherefore they constantely affirmed in their Creede that the Sonne was God of God and nowe durst presume to say that he was vnlike the father and had his beinge of nothinge they weÌ„t about to bleare their eyes with a ridiculous kind of fallacie Whereas we affirmed saye they the sonne to be God of God we meante it in that sense as the Apostle wrote where he sayde that all thinges were of God Therefore the sonne is of God in as muche as he is included in the worde all And for this cause we layde downe in our Creedes the Clause accordinge vnto the Scriptures The author of this lewde and fonde Glosse was Georgius Bishoppe of Laodicea who beinge ignorante and vnskilfull in suche kinde of phrases perceaued not howe Origen in tymes paste had playnely interpreted suche siguratiue kinde of speaches contayned in the Epistles of Paul The confederacie of Acacius though they were iustely charged with captious and sopisticall dealing yet weyinge neyther the sclaunder risinge thereof neither the sentence pronounced against them repeated there the forme of fayth whiche they had rehearsed at Constantinople this beinge done cuery one repayred to his owne home Georgius after his returne to Alexandria for there after the departure of Athmasius who then hidde himselfe in some obscure place he was placed Bishop vered very sore and punished extremely suche as were of the contrary opinion and plagued the people of Alexandria whiche hated him as a tode Herenius was chosen Byshoppe of lerusalem in Cyrillus rowme Whome Heraclius succeeded after him Hilarius after all Cyrillus returned to lerusalem and recouered the Bishopricke againe CAP. XXXVI Of both Apollinariuses the father the sonne and their heresie ABout that time there sprange vp a newe heresie the occasion was as followeth At Laodicea a ciue of Syria there were two men the father and the sonne of one name for both was called Apollinarius whereof the one I meane the father was a priest the other that is the sonne was a reader Both were professors of humanity The father caught grammer the sonne Rhetorike The father beinge borne at Alexandria first kept schoole at Berytus afterwardes remouinge to Laodicea he got him a wife on whome he begate Apollinarius They both florished at Laodicea in the time of Epiphanius the sophist and hauing greate familiarity with him they were neuer seene out of his company Theodotus Bishop of that seae fearinge greatly lest their familiarity with him shoulde bringe them from the faith and so fall to embrace paganisme forbadde them his company They made no accompt of the Bishops commaundement but kept still company with Epiphamus In processe of time Georgius the successor of Theodotus hauinge oft assaied and seinge he coulde by no meanes separate them from Epiphanius excommunitated them bothe hopinge thereby with punishment to perswade them to the contrary But the yonger Apollinarius stomaking this dealinge put considence in his painted figures of Rhetorike and inuented a newe opinion the whiche at this day after the name of the author is called the heresie of Apollinarius Some doe affirme that they fell not out with Georgius for the aforesayd cause but for that they hearde him preache straunge and contradictorie doctrine affirminge sometimes the sonne to be like vnto the father as in the councell of Seleucia at other tymes maintayninge the heresie of Arius and so for triflinge and lighte occasion to haue fallen from the churche Whilest that no man gaue eare vnto them they endeuored to establishe a newe kinde of doctrine firste they taughte that Bod the worde tooke manhoode accordinge vnto the order of incarnation without soule againe recantinge the same they affirmed he tooke soule yet not the minde or reason beinge the highest and chiefest parte of the soule but that God the worde was shutte vp included and comprised in man in place of the minde Onely in this they varie from the church which are called their followers as for the Creed containing y â— clause Of one substance to be in the blessed Trinitie they stedfastly cleaue vnto it But I will heare ceasse and differre the discourse of bothe these Apollinariuses vntill an other conuenient place CAP. XXXVII Of the death of Constantius the Emperoure WHile the Emperoure Constantius remayned at Antioch Iulianus Caesar had muche adoe in Fraunce with many barbarous nations After that he had gotte the vpper hande the souldiers did so loue him that they proclaimed him Emperour Constantius hearing of this was wonderfully troubled and disquieted in minde so that the griefe thereof cast him into a daungerous disease Wherefore beinge first baptized of Eâ—â—oius he made expedition to geue him battaile And comming as farre as Mopsus wells betwene Cappadocia and Cilicia by reason of the great thought and sorowe he conceaued of his vnlucky affayres he fell into y t senseles heady sicknesse called Apoplexia thereof presently dyed in the Consulship of Taurus Florentius the third day of NoucÌ„ber the first yeare of the two huÌ„dreth eightie fift Olympiad Costatius lyued fiue forty yeares he raigned thirtie eight that is thirtene together with his father and fiue and twentie after his fathers death This second booke compriseth the historie of so many yeares The ende of the seconde booke of the Ecclesiasticall historie of Socrates THE THIRDE BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF SOCRATES SCHOLASTICVS CAP. I. Of Iulianus his linage and bringing vp also howe that being Emperour he left Christian profession and embraced paganisme and gentilitie WHen the Emperour Constantius had departed this life in the borders of Cilicia the thirde of Nouember within the Consulship of Taurus Florentius lulianus the eleuenth of December following the same Consulship leauing the west parts of the world came to CoÌ„stantinople there was proclaimed Emperour Now therfore in as much as I haue determined w t my selfe to discourse of this Emperour Iulian a maÌ„ passing eloquent let none of his friends looke at my haÌ„ds for curious lofty stile as though it behoued my penne to couÌ„teruaile y â— excelleÌ„cie of y â— person But seeing our drift is otherwise beÌ„t namely for to deliuer y â— posteritie in writing y â— true histories of y â— church we will follow accordiÌ„g vnto out former promise a lowly soft kind of
the Emperour in all thinges he shall passe the boundes of his callinge and forgett his profession Thus much briefly of the Emperour Iulians linage his bringinge vp and disposition also howe he came to be Emperour nowe let vs returne to discourse of the ecclesiasticall affayres within that tyme. CAP. II. Of the commotion risen at Alexandria and the death of Georgius IT fell out vpon this occasion at the beginninge that there rose a greate vprore at Alexandria There was a certaine place within the citie which of old time lay all wast and open full of all filth and vncleanesse where the Ethniks with rites and ceremonies done to the honor of Mithra accustomed to offer vp men for sacrifice This platt of ground seruing to no vse or purpose Constantius gaue to the church of Alexandria Georgius purposing with him selfe to founde there a church causeth the ground to be ridd and the filthe to be caryed away Hauing purged the place there was found a chauncell of great heyghth where the Ethniks had layd vp the reliques of their mysteries There was also found therein an infinite number of dead mens skulles both of yonge and olde the which as we are geuen to vnderstande were slayne when the Pagans vsed bowells and intraylls for diuination and deuelish southsaying thereby to dasell and bleare the eyes of simple and ignorant soules When these were found in the vesteryes and secret closets of Mithra the Christians went about to disclose vnto the world their practises to the end their fond ceremonies myght be derided of all men They cary about the bauld skulls of the dead for the people to gaze vpon The Pagans inhabiting Alexandria perceyuing their drift ▪ stomaked the Christians boyled within them selues for anger tooke that which first came to their handes sett vpon them and slewe of them euery kind of way so that some were runne through with swords some other brayned with clubbs other some stoned to death some strangled with halters about their necks some other were nayled to the tree casting in their teeth the death of the crosse In the end as cōmonly it falleth out in such hurlyburlyes they held not their hands no not from their dearest friends one friende fell vpon an other the one brother sought the other brothers lyfe the parents put theyr children to death and to be short the one cutt the others throte so that the Christians were fayne to ceasse from rydding the filth and foule closetts of Mithra and Georgius was of the gentils pulled out of the church by the eares tyed to a camell torne in peeces and burned to ashes together with the beast CAP. III. Howe that the Emperour taking grieuously the death of Georgius rebuked sharply in his letters the people of Alexandria THe Emperour beyng wonderfully moued with the death of Georgius wrote bytter letters vnto the people of Alexandria The reporte goeth that such as conceaued displeasure agaynst him in the quarell of Athanasius committed these thinges agaynste Georgius for to dispatche him out of the way But in my opinion they that be at variance amonge them selues most commonly holde together when necessitie constrayneth them in tumultes and seditions to withstand the violence of desperate and damned persons Wherfore the Emperours epistle chargeth not the Christians seuerally but all the inhabitants of Alexandria Georgius as it is very lyke had diuersly molested and greeued them all and therefore the people was furiously sett on fiery seditiō that the Emperour wrote generally vnto y ◠who le multitude heare out of his epistle as followeth The Emperour Caesar Iulianus Maximus Augustus vnto the people of Alexandria sendeth greetinge Although it falleth out amongest you that there is no reuerence geuen vnto Alexander the founder of your citie or that vvhich is greater if ye stand in no avve of the great and moste holie God Serapis yet doe I greately maruell that you vvere so voyde of common reason naturall affection and honest ciuilitie and that vvhich with modestie I may add therevnto you had so little consideration of our person vvhome not onely the greate God Serapis but also all the other godds haue thought vvorthie to be Emperour of the vvhole vvorlde vnto vvhome it shoulde haue bene your parte to haue had recourse and to haue geuen vs the hearinge of all such iniuries vvhatsoeuer you had sustayned at the handes of levvde and disobedient persons But peraduenture the boylinge heate of anger and the furious motion of the mynde ouershadovved your vvytts and blynded your eyes the vvhich most commonly beynge remoued from the seate of reason is vvont to committe such cruell and haynous actes And though the fonde humour of sedition feedinge on malice vvas hyndered a little yet for all that it brake out to the contempt and ouerthrovve of the lavves You therefore seynge ye are numbred amonge the people and inhabitants of Alexandria vvhome neyther reason coulde persvvade neyther shame vvithdravve from attemptinge the thynges for the vvhich you myght haue iustly detested them I charge you in the name of Serapis tell mee vvhat vvicked fiende hath thus furiously prouoked you to seeke the death of Georgius you vvyll saye peraduenture he incensed agaynste you the most blessed Emperour Constantius that he procured a bande of armed souldiers to be brought into your sacred citie that the Liuetenant of Aegypt ransacked and kept from you the most holie temple of God caryed avvay thence the images the monuments glorious ornature prouided for the solemnitie of seruice and also that vvhen you not digestinge those haynous acts endeuoured and that not vvithout iust cause to maynetayne the quarell of your god yea rather to retayne the glorious ornaments of your greate god the same Liuetenant contrarie to all reason both vniustly and vvyckedly sett vpon you vvith armed souldiers vvho fearing more the displeasure of Georgius the byshop then of Constantius the Emperour thought best in such sorte to saue him selfe For novve of a longe vvhyle he had behaued him selfe more orderly and ciuilly then tyrannically disposed tovvardes you For the vvhich causes you vvere incensed agaynste Georgius the open aduersarie of the godds and haue thus defyled vvith conspiracie and slaughter your holie citie vvhen as you myght haue sued him in the lavve and brought him to his tryall and the sentence of the Iudges In so doinge this haynous offence had not broken out into bloodshedinge and horrible murther but vvoulde haue pacified the matter in aequall ballaunce and preserued you vvithout harme or domage it vvoulde haue sharpely punished the authour of such levvde practises and kept vnder all them vvhich not onely despise the gods but also sette at nought such noble cities and famous assemblies supposinge the crueltie they exercise vpon them to be a furtherance vnto their povver and authoritie Conferre this my epistle vvith that vvhich of late I sent vnto you and weye diligently the difference betvvene them In the former I haue highly commended you but novve
Thence he tooke his voyage towards Cōstantinople came vnto a place called Dedastana lying in y e middest betwene Galatia and Bithynia There was he mett of Themistius the philosopher together with other Senators and noble personages who then pronounced before him his oration intituled Consul the which afterwards also he vttered at Constantinople in the hearing of the whole multitude The empire of Rome had enioyed great prosperitie the state of all people both hygh and lowe the ecclesiasticall affaires of the church of God by reason of so vertuous an Emperour had florished exceedingly had not death vnlooked for pearced his breast with her poysoned dart and depriued him of all his princely ioy for he dyed in the aforesayde place in winter of the longues beynge stopped with deadly obstructions the 17 of Februarie he him selfe together with his sonne Varonianus being Consul He was Emperour seuen moneths and departed this lyfe beyng three and thirtie yeare olde This booke compriseth the space of two yeares and fiue moneths The ende of the thirde booke of Socrates THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF SOCRATES SCHOLASTICVS CAP. I. Howe that after the death of Iouian Valentinianus was chosen Emperour who ioyned with him his brother Valens Valentinianus him selfe was a true Catholicke but Valens was an Arian WHen Iouian the Emperour had runne the race of his naturall lyfe and departed out of this worlde at Dadastana as we sayde before the seuentienth of Februarie beynge Consull him selfe together with Varonianus his sonne the souldiers which came from Gallatia the seuenth daye after into Nicaea a citie of Bithynia proclaymed with vniforme consent and one voyce Valentinianus for their Emperour the fiue and twentie of the sayde Februarie and in the aforesayde Consulship This Valentinian was by byrth of Pannonia and of the citie Cimale who applyinge him selfe to feates of armes proued both a skilfull and a valiant warryer He was a man of a noble minde and seemed alwayes to deserue farre greater honor and dignitie then he enioyed As soone as he was created Emperour he gott him with all speede to Constantinople and thirtie dayes after his coronation he made his brother Valens fellowe Emperour with him And though they were both Christians yet did they disagree in poyntes of religion Valentinian embraced the faith established by the Councell of Nice but Valens after a certaine toye conceaued in his braynes cleaued vnto the Arian heresie the which opinion tooke roote in his breaste by reason he was baptized of Eudoxius the Arian bishop of Constantinople They were both earnest followers of the faith which they embraced and beynge created Emperours the one was farre vnlike the other in condicion and trade of lyfe For though before that tyme vnder the raygne of Iulian the one beynge Tribune I meane Valentinian the other beynge of the ordinarie garde and dayly about the Emperour I meane Valens they both declared vnto the worlde the zeale they bare vnto Christian religion for beynge constrayned to sacrifice they chose rather to flinge from them their sworde gyrdels then forsake the faith of Christ so that the Emperour Iulian deposed nere nother of them from their dignities no more he dyd not Iouian who immediately succeeded him in the Empire perceauinge they were profitable members of the common wealth yet afterwardes hauinge gotten the supremacie the emperiall scepter notwithstandinge their diligence and care was alike in the administration of the publicke weale at the beginninge of their raygne for all that toutchinge the faith as I sayde before they varyed one from an other and shewed a contrarie and a diuers countenance vnto the professors of Christian religion Valentinian as he honored and reuerenced the fauourers of his faith and opinion so he molested the Arians not at all yet Valens endeuoured not onely to encrease the numbre of the Arians but also as hereafter shall more manifestly appeare greeuously to persecute the contrarie opinion About that tyme Liberius was bishop of Rome and at Alexandria Athanasius was ouer the congregations which addicted them selues vnto the faith of One substance but ouer the Arians was Lucius whome the heretickes chose to their bishop immediatly after the desease of Georgius The Arians inhabitinge Antioch had Euzoius to their byshop Such as maynetayned there also the faith of One substance were deuided into two partes ouer the one was Paulinus ouer the other Meletius Cyrillus was then bishop of Ierusalem and Eudoxius the Arian bishop of Constantinople The defenders of the creede which contayned the clause of One substance were fayne to meete in a litle chappell within the sayd citie and there to celebrate their wonted solemnity The sect of the Macedonians which varied from the Acacians in Seleucia enioyed their churches throughout euery citie And thus went the affayres of the church in those dayes CAP. II. VVhen Valentinianus abode in the VVest the Macedonians repayred vnto Valens at Constantinople and obtayned of him to summone a councell How that Valens being an Arian persecuted the true Christians THe Emperour Valentinian tooke his iorney with all speede into the West whither he was constrained by reason of earnest busines to remoue But Valens as he remayned at Constantinople was visited of the Bishops which were of the sect of Macedonius and requested to summone an other synode for the establishing of the true faith The emperour thinking verily they were of one opinion with Acacius Eudoxius gaue them licence to call a councell together They from euery where cited the bishops to meete at Lampsacum But Valens with all celerity gott him to Antioch in Syria fearing lest the Persians should breake the league of thirty yeares made in the raygne of Iouianus and inuade the Romaine dominions where he founde that the Persians were quiet and meant no harme The Emperour therefore liuing in peace and enioying quietnes raised great and grieuous persecution against them which embraced the faith of one substance And although he molested not Paulinus the Bishop for his rare vertues and singuler giftes yet banished he Meletius but others of the Churches of Antioch that woulde not communicate with Euzoius he vexed diuersly and plagued with sundry penalties and punishments It is reported moreouer that he threwe many into the riuer Orontes which runneth by the citie and there drowned them CAP. III. VVhile Valens the Emperour persecuted the true Christians in the East Procopius the tyrant rebelled at Constantinople then also were seene great earthquakes and ouerflowing of the sea which destroyed many cities WHen Valens exercised such practises in Syria Procopius the tyrant rebelleth at Constantinople Who when in short space he had gathered great power marched forwards to geue battell vnto the Emperour Valens vnderstanding of this was in a sore taking and by reason of this sturre his tyranny cruelty rested a while from persecuting In the meane space while y ◠smoke of this tumult waxed hott there rose vpon a sodaine
w t the epistle of Liberius vnto y â— east churches straight way they returne home The easterne bishops after the receat of Liberius epistle sent legats into euery city of them which defended the fayth of one substance requesting them with one consent to assemble at Tarsus in Cilicia partly for to ratifie the Nicene creede and partly for to remoue all schisme and contention raised in the Church since that time The which peraduenture had bene done if that Eudoxius the Arian Bishop who was in great fauor with the Emperour had not withstoode it who also for the summoning therof was wonderfully incensed so that afterwards he diuersly vexed them Sabinus also in his booke intitled the collection of the councells reporteth in like sorte that the Macedonians communicated by their legats with Liberius and ratified the Nicene Creede CAP. XII How Eunomius the heretick fell from Eudoxius the Arian how by the procurement of Eudoxius Athanasius was faine to slie to hide him selfe so that there rose a great tumult and to appease the same the Emperour wrote louingly vnto the people of Alexandria commaunded that Athanasius shoulde quietly enioy his bishoprick ABout that time Eunomius deuided him selfe from Eudoxius raysed seuerall conuenticles because that after he had made longe and tedious sute vnto Eudoxius in the behalfe of his maister Aetius he woulde not receaue him into the Church Neither did Eudoxius that of him selfe for he misliked not at all with the opinion of Aetius in so much that his owne differed not from his but all the whole faction of Eudoxius abhorred Aetius for one that was of a contrary opinion vnto them It is knowen very well that this was the cause which moued Eunomius to disagree and vary from Eudoxius for we learned of a trueth these thinges to haue thus fallen out at Constantinople But at Alexandria the writt that was sent thither by the gouernours through the procurement of Eudoxius molested wonderfully the quiet estate of the Church Athanasius mistrusting the heady and rashe motion of the common people fearing if any mischiefe were wrought by them that it woulde be laide to his charge hid him selfe in his fathers priuey closset the full space of foure moneths The Emperour hearing that the people was all on an vprore at the departure of Athanasius for the loue and longing they did for him was wonderfully incensed and signified vnto the people of Alexandria by his letters that his pleasure was that Athanasius shoulde quietly as they wished them selues enioy the bishoprick by this meanes it came to passe that the Church of Alexandria had peace and tranquillity vnto the death of Athanasius but howe the Arians possessed that Church after his death we will hereafter declare CAP. XIII How that after the death of Eudoxius the Arians chose Demophilus bishop of Constantinople the Catholicks chose Euagrius whome Eustathius Bishop of Antioch did consecrate but by the commaundement of the Emperour Valens they were both exiled â–ª so that afterwards the true Christians were wonderfully afflicted Of the fourescore priestes that were burned in the ship the great famine that fel in Phrygia THe Emperour Valens hastening againe to Antioch left Constantinople comming to Nicomedia in Bithynia was faine to make there his abode for a while the cause was as followeth Eudoxius the Arian Bishop hauing enioyed the bishoprick of Constantinople the space of nyneteene yeares departed this life immediatly after the emperours remouing out of the citie in the third Consulship of Valentinianus and Valens Wherefore the Arians placed Demophilus in his rowme but such as embraced the faith of one substance supposing now they had got fitt opportunity chose Euagrius a man of their owne opinion He was consecrated bishop by Eustathius who of olde had bene bishop of Antioch and then lately had bene by Iouianus called home from exile at that time by chaunce remained though in secret at Constantinople for to confirme such as were of the faith of one substance This being done the Arians begonne againe with furious motion to persecute the faithfull christians so that tydings therof came quickly to the Emperours eares â–ª he fearing greatly lest the seditious tumult of the vulgar sort should ouerthrow the city sent out of Nicomedia into Constantinople great power of armed souldiers commaunded withall that both the consecrator and the consecrated bishop shoulde be banished one to one place the other into an other contrey Wherefore Eustathius was exiled into Bizya a city of Thracia Euagrius was conueyed into an other city When the world fauored the Arians in this sort they set vp them selues they crowed insolently ouer the true christians they scurged reuiled imprisoned mearced they layd vpon them all the greeuous and intollerable burthens they could deuise The true Christians being thus oppressed with extreme dealing went vnto the Emperour besought most humbly of him that if not altogether yet at least wise he woulde ease them of some part of their troubles but where they thought to haue founde fauor there were they fouly deceaued insomuch they hoped to obtaine iustice at his hands which was their deadly foe and the cause of all their woefull calamity For when as those godly religious men of the priestly order being in number fourescore and sent in the name of all the rest into Nicomedia namely as the most famous Vrbanus Theodorus and Menedemus made supplication vnto the Emperour opened vnto him their grief certified him of the iniuries they sustayned at the hands of the Arians he although he was then wonderfully incensed against them yet concealed his displeasure vntill that priuely he had commaunded his Lieuetenant Modestus to lay them in hold and punish them with death The kind of death insomuch it was newe and straunge I thinke best to paint it forth in paper to the knowledg of the posteritie in tyme to come The Lieuetenant fearing greatly lest if he woulde execute them in the open face of the Citizens the common people woulde be on an vprore and sett vpon him made them beleeue that he would banishe them the contreye They tooke the threats of exile in good part The Lieuetenant commaunded them to hasten vnto the rode to goe on borde and take shipping as if they were to be conueyed into foreyne and farre contreyes yet charged he the maryners then when as they came into the mayne seae they shoulde sett the ship afire so that dying in that sorte they shoulde haue none for to bury them And so they did For immediatly after their comming vnto the Astacen seae they conueyed them selues into a cockeboate fired the ship and returned home There rose by chaunce a mightie Easterne winde which draue the ship with violence swiftely for to sulcate the seas and continewed so longe vntill she arriued at the hauen called Dacidizus where in the ende together with those godly men she was vtterly consumed to ashes â–ª Yet the reporte
Origen where the oration of Gregorie in the praise of Origen is layd downe in writing To be short there were foure Gregories first this auncient father the disciple some times of Origen next Gregorie Nazianzene thirdly Gregorie the brother of Basil and the fourth of Alexandria whome the Arians after the exile of Athanasius chose to their bishop Thus much of these men CAP. XXIII The originall of the Nouatian hereticks and how that as many of them as inhabited Phrygia celebrated the feast of Easter after the Iewishe maner ABout that time the Nouatians inhabiting Phrygia chaunged the dayes appoynted by the councell of Nice for the celebration of Easter but howe that came to passe I will declare if that first I lay downe the cause originall why so seuere a canon of the Nouatian church preuailed so much with the Phrygian and Paphlagonian nations Nouatus the priest seuered him selfe from the church of Rome because y ◠Cornelius the bishop receaued into the communion after repentance the faithfull that fell from the church sacrificed vnto Idols in the persecution vnder Decius the Emperour When he had deuided him selfe from y ◠church for the aforesayd cause first he was made bishop of such bishops as were of his opinion next he wrote epistles vnto all churches euery where that they should not receaue as meete partakers of the holy mysteries such as had sacrificed vnto Idolls but exhort them vnto repentance referring y ◠forgeuenes and remission vnto God who is of power and authority sufficient to remit sinne when the letters were brought into euery prouince euery one iudged thereof as pleased him best Because Nouatus had signified that such as after baptisme committed a sinne vnto death were not afterwards to be admitted vnto the communion the publishing of that canon seemed vnto some toe seuere vnto others but right reason auailable also for the direction of godly life Whē this controuersie was tossed toe and fro the letters of Cornelius were sent abroade signifying that there remained hope of pardon for such as had sinned after baptisme They both wrote contrary letters and cōueyed them vnto the churches abroade And whilest that both went about to confirme his opinion with testimonies of holy scripture euery man as the maner is looke where affection lead him there he addicted him selfe For such as were geuen to sinne tooke occasion by the libertie and fauoure that was graunted them went forewardes headlonge into euery shamefull crime The Phrygians are a nation farre more temperate and modest then others for they sweare very seldome The Scythians and Thracians are hotter more prone vnto anger For they that are nearer vnto the rising of the sunne are set more vpon lust concupiscence The Paphlagonians Phrygians are inclined to nere nother of these perturbations For at this daye they vse no running at tilte no such warlike exercise neither doe they vse to pastime them selues with spectacles and stage playes Wherefore these kind of men in myne opinion draw neerest vnto the drift disposition of Nouatus letters Adulterie is counted among them for a detestable and horrible sinne It is well knowen that the Phrygian and Paphlagonian trade of lyfe is farre modester and more chast and continent then any other hereticall sect whatsoeuer I coniecture that they shott at the same modest trade of lyfe which inhabited the west parts of the worlde and leaned to Nouatus opinion Nouatus him selfe though he varyed from the church of Rome by reason of a certaine seuere trade of liuing yet altered not he the tyme appointed for the celebration of Easter For he alwayes obserued the custome of the West churches ▪ and celebrated it as they did For such as lyue there since they were Christians kept alwayes that feast after the Equinoctiallspringe And though Nouatus him selfe was putt to death in the persecution vnder Valerianus yet such as in Phrygia are so called of him for all they are fallen from the faith of the Catholicke churche were licenced to become partakers of his communion at what time they altered the celebration of Easter day For in the village Pazum where the springs of the floode Sangarius are founde ▪ there was a Councell summoned of fewe and the same very obscure Nouatian bishops where they decreed that the maner custome of the Iewes who kept thē dayes of vnleauened bread was to be obserued and that the time appoynted by them was not to be broken This haue we learned of an olde man who was a priests sonne and present at the Councell with his father whereat Agelius the Nouatian byshop of Constantinople was not neyther Maximus of Nice neither the Nouatian bishop of Nicomedia neyther the bishop of Cotuaium who was of the same opinion with the rest for these were they that chiefely layde downe the canons of the Nouatian churches These things were of olde in this sort Not longe after because of this Councell as it shall be shewed in an other place the Nouatian churche was deuided within it selfe CAP. XXIIII Of Damasus bishop of Rome and Vrsinus his deacon of the greate sturre and slaughter that was at Rome because of them NOwe lett vs returne vnto the affaires of the West that were done at the same time When the Emperour Valentinianus lead a peaceable and quiet life molestinge no kinde of sect Damasus succeeded Liberius in the bishopricke of Rome at what time the quiet state of the Romaine church was wonderfully troubled the cause as I could learne was as followeth Vrsinus Deacon of that church in the vacancie of the seae made sute for him selfe agaynst Damasus to be chosen bishop Who seeing that Damasus was preferred and him selfe put backe seeinge also that all his canuasse was to no purpose fell from the church to raysinge of priuate and particular conuenticles and perswaded certaine base and obscure bishops to consecrate him bishop Wherfore they created him not in the open church but in an odde corner of the cathedrall church called Sicona This being done the people was all on an vprore the tumult was not toutchinge y ◠faith or heresie but whether of them both by ryght should be bishop The heat of thronging multitudes was so grieuous and the contention so greate that it cost many their liues For which schisme and rebellion many both of the laytie and cleargie were grieuously tormented by the cōmaundement of Maximmus the gouernour and so was Vrsinus foyled the enterprises of his factiō suppressed CAP. XXV After the death of Auxentius the Arian byshop of Mediolanum when there rose a great schisme about the election of a bishop the which Ambrose Liuetenant of that prouince suppressed he him selfe by the voyce of all that were present and by the consent of the Emperour Valentinianus was chosen Byshop ABout that time an other straunge act fell out at Mediolanum When Auxentius whome y ◠Arians chose to be bishop of
Catholick Church Thus much I thought good to lay downe by way of preface and now to the story CAP. I. How that after the death of Valens when the Gothes marched towards Constantinople the city went out to meete them together with a fewe Saracens whome Mauia their Queene had sent to ayde them WHen the Emperour Valens was dispatched out of the way in such sorte as no man was certayne of the Barbarians marched apace towards the walls of Constantinople and beganne to destroy the suburbs thereof The people being moued with this went forth of their owne accorde to withstand the Barbarian enemy and euery one tooke that weapon which came first to his hand Dominica the Empresse gaue hyre vnto euery one that went forth to battell out of the Emperours treasory as the couenant was with the souldiers Mauia also the Queene of the Saracens of whome we spake a litle before being in league with the Empresse sent of her subiects to ayde them Thus y â— people gaue them battell droue back y â— Barbarians farre from y â— city CAP. II. How Gratianus the Emperour called home from exile the godly Bishops banished the Hereticks and made Theodosius his fellow Emperour GRatianus gouerning the empire together with Valentinianus the yonger condemned the cruelty which his vncle Valens practised against the Christians called home againe such as he had exiled made a lawe that euery sect and opinion should thenceforth freely without any molestation frequent their wonted assemblies except the Eunomians Photinians and Manichees And when he foresaw that the Romaine empire dayly diminished and the Barbarians waxed strong and multiplied exceedingly that he stoode in great neede of a valiant and worthy man to gouerne the common wealth he ioyned with him Theodosius a noble man of Spayne trained vp in feates of armes one that was by the vniforme consent and common voyce of all men thought fiâ—t to rule yea before Gratian him selfe was created Emperour He proclaymed him Emperour at Sirmium a citie of Illyrium in the Consulship of Ausonius and Olybrius the sixteenth of Ianuarye and diuideth with him the charge of the battell against the Barbarians CAP. III. Of the Bishops which then gouerned the Churches AT that time Damasus the successor of Liberius was Bishop of Rome and Cyrill of Ierusalem The Church of Antioch as I sayd before was deuided into three partes for Dorotheus the Arian bishop which succeeded Euzious gouerned the Arian Churches the rest were partly vnder Paulinus and partly vnder Meletius who then was lately come from exile Of the Churches of Alexandria the Arians were vnder Lucius who then was a banished man such as embraced the faith of one substance had Timothee the successor of Peter to their Bishop The Arian Church at Constantinople had Demophilus to their Bishop who was chosen immediatly after the desease of Eudoxius They that detested his doctrine and opinion frequented priuate and seuerall conuenticles CAP. IIII. How the Macedonians who a litle before sent legats vnto Damasus Bishop of Rome for the establishing of the faith of one substance fell againe into their former error THe Macedonians for all the embassie sent vnto Liberius and for all they communicated a good while throughout euery church without difference and exception with such as cleaued from the beginning vnto the Nicene creede yet when the Emperour Gratians law gaue liberty vnto euery sect to frequent their seuerall assemblies they seuered them selues from y â— church Wherefore after that a company of them had mett at Antioch in Syria they decreed that henceforth for altogether the clause of one substance shoulde neuer be receaued and that they ought no more to communicate with the professors of the Nicene faith but their wauering minde attayned not vnto so prosperous a successe as they hoped it woulde for many of their owne sect seeing that they did say and vnsay that they ratified abrogated the selfe same constitution condemned them in their owne opinions fell from them and embraced the faith of one substance CAP. V. Of the sturre at Antioch by reason of Paulinus Meletius how that Gregory Bishop of Nazianzum by the consent of all the Catholick Bishops was translated vnto the seae of Constantinople AT Antioch in Syria about that time there was raised a great tumult and seditioÌ„ about Meletius the occasioÌ„ was as followeth We sayd before howe that Paulinus Bishop of Antioch because he was a graue and a godly father was not exiled y â— Meletius was first called home from banishment in the raigne of Iulian afterwards being exiled by Valens returned in the time of Gratian. After his returne into Antioch he founde Paulinus so olde y â— he seemed ready to lye in his graue Immediatly all y â— friends of Meletius endeuored to ioyne him felow bishop w t Paulinus wheÌ„ Paulinus affirmed it to be contrary vnto the canons of the Church that any being created of Aâ—ian Bishops should be made college in any Bishoprick the people endeuored to compasse it by force In the ende they make preparation to stall him Bishop in a certaine church of the suburbs WheÌ„ it was done all the citie was on an vprore In processe of time the people were reconciled vpon such coÌ„ditions as followe All that stoode for the Bishopricke were six in number whereof one was Flauianus being called together they deposed them vpon a booke that none of them shoulde aspire vnto the Bishopricke during the liues of Paulinus and Meletius and when ether of them departed this life the Bishopricke to remaine vnto the suruiuer of them both When the oth was ministred the people were quiete and thenceforth made no sturre at all The fauorers of Lucifer were offended with this maner of dealing and fell from the church because that Meletius being ordered of the Arians was admitted to the gouernemente of that seae At that time when the affaires of Antioch were thus out of frame Gregorie by vniforme consent of all the Catholick Bishops was translated from the Bishopricke of Nazianzum vnto the seae of CoÌ„stantinople Then Meletius gott him in all the hast to Constantinople CAP. VI. Howe Theodosius the Emperour after the foilinge of the Barbarians came to Thessalonica where being sicke he was baptized of Ascholius the Bishop BY that time Gratianus Theodosius had gotteÌ„ the victorie of the Barbarians whereupoÌ„ Gratianus immediatly made expeditioÌ„ into Fraunce because the Germanes had destroied part of that contrey but Theodosius after the erection of the signe in token that the enemies were vaÌ„quished made hast towardes Constantinople and came to Thessalonica There after y â— he fell into a daungerous disease he was very desirous of baptisme for of old he was trained vp in Christian religion addicted himselfe wholly vnto the faith of one substance Being sore sick speedinge to baptisme he gaue charge that the Bishop of Thessalonica shoulde be sent for to minister the sacrament Being come first
tribune of the souldiers in Phrygia being somewhat a kinne vnto him and also of his conspiracye subdued all the Phrygian nation Gainas then made earnest sute vnto the Emperour in his owne behalfe that he woulde make him Liuetenant of Phrygia The which Arcadius the Emperour without foresighte of that which was like to ensue graunted vnto him with a willinge minde He immediatly as they reported wente to geue battaill vnto Tribigildus but as trueth was to playe the tyrant brought at his tayle thousands of the barbarous Gotths He was no sooner entred into Phrygia but all the contrey yelded vnto him The Romaines were in a woefull plight partely because that so greate a multitude of Barbarians followed after Gainas and partely also because that the Easterne parts of the empire were in great daunger of inuasion Then the Emperour yelding vnto y ◠necessity of y ◠time aduised himselfe dealt subtlely with y ◠Barbariā sent vnto him Embassadours and sought by all fayre meanes to pacifie him And when that he requested the Emperour to send vnto him Saturninus and Aphelianus who were Consuls head Senatours whome he suspected to be hinderers of his enterprised conspiracy the Emperour though vnwilling yet because of y ◠time yelded vnto his request They being of a noble valiant courage desirous also of death in the qua rell and defence of theyr countrey obeyed the Emperours commaundement To be short they met the Barbarian in a playne greene where they vsed to iust and runne at tilt a good way of Chalcedon and redy they were to endure what torment so euer were layde vpon them But he did them no harme for he dissembled his drift got him to Chalcedon there Arcadius the Emperour mett him The Emperour and the barbarian being together in the temple where the corps of Euphemia the martyr lyeth interred sware one to the other that nere nother would conspire neither procure the others death But although y ◠Emperour a man both godly zealous made great accōpt of his oth and kept it vnuiolably yet Gainas forsware himselfe brake the league and ceased not to proceede on in his former treason and conspiracy But deuised with himselfe howe he might settt the citie of Constantinople on fire ouerrunne the whole Empire of Rome Wherefore Constantinople vp reason of the infinite number of Barbarians which abode there became in maner a Barbarian citie of the citizens and inhabitants there was no other accompte made then of captiues and bondeslaues The citie was in so great a daūger that a wonderfull great Comet reaching in maner frō y ◠skie vnto y ◠earth the like whereof was neuer remēbred to haue bene seene before prognosticated the same Gainas first of all laing shamefastnes aside steeling his face with impudencye purposed in his minde to rifle the shoppes of the bankers and exchaungers But when as the report thereof preuented his lewde purpose and the bankers remoued theyr exchaunginge tables and conueyed awaye theyr money he endeuored to compasse an other mischieuous act for he sent in the nighte season a multitude of Barbarians to fire the pallace of the Emperoure At what time it appeared vnto the wholl world how carefull God was ouer that citie For an iufinite nūber of Angells resembling men of monstrous bodies all in glisterng armour were seene of these rebels that went about to set the pallace on fire the Barbarians supposing they had bene a greate armie and a mightie host were astonied and ranne away Gainas hearinge of this thought it a thinge incredible He knewe for certaintie y t so great a power of Romaine souldiers coulde not possibly be there for they were appointed seuerally throughout euery citie The night followinge he sent thither others that not once neither twise whē as y ◠souldiers being oftē sent of him reported y ◠same for the Angells of God were alike in the sight of the traitors at length he went thither himselfe with great power for to knowe the certainety of the wonderfull sight He perceauinge of a surety that it was an army of souldiers hiding themselues in the day time and withstanding his violēce in the night season went about to compasse a crafty feate as he thought whereby he might greatly hurt the Romaynes but as the euent declared it auayled them very much He fained himselfe to be possessed of a Deuell and therefore he got him to the Church of Saynct Iohn the Apostle which was not farre frō the citie there for to pray The Barbarians went forth w t him conueying armour priuely in tunnes and vessells coueringe them also with other sleyghtes and deuises When the watch porters of the citie gats perecaued theyr wile treason they commaunded them to carye forth no weapons the Barbarians hearinge this drewe theyr swords and dispatched thē euery one Immediately all the citie was on an vprore and death seemed to stande at euery mans dore Yet for all that the citie was safe the gates on euery side beinge shutte and well fortified The Emperour aduisinge himselfe in tyme proclaimed Gainas a traitor and an open enemy ◠he commaunded that the Barbarians which remayned in the citie shoulde be slayne euery one this was the day after the death of the porters the souldiers within the walls of the citie nigh the Gotthicke church for there all the Barbarians were assembled together dealt hande to hande with the Barbarians set the Churche on sire and slewe manye of them Gainas hearinge that as many of his complices as he left behinde with in the citie were executed and perceauing that his traiterous conspiracye had no prosperous successe left his hypocriticall prayers got him to the coasts of Thracia And comming into Cherronesus he tooke shippinge thence in all the hast to Lampsacum for to subdue from that place forewards all the Westerne partes of the worlde When the Emperour had preuented him in those countreyes by sending thither great power both by sea and by land it fel out y ◠God of his prouidence shewed there his wonderfull power the second tyme. For when the Barbarians wanted shippes they fell a framinge of newe vessells and so to transporte souldiers in them The Romayne nauye came thither and ariued at the very pinche or as commonly we saye in the nicke for they had winde and sayle at will the Westerne Zephyrus blewe on theyr side And as the Romayne power conueyed themselues thither with ease and pleasure so the greater parte of the Barbarian nauye bothe horse and man shippes and all were tossed to and fro scattered one from the other and suncke in the deepe gulphes of the surginge waues of the seaes Diuerse also of the Romaines were drowned alike And thus there was then an infinite number of the Barbarians destroyed But Gainas remouinge thence taking his flight by Thracia lighted by chaunce into the hands of the Romaine souldiers which dispatched both him
against them the whiche as Procopius writeth Martianus performed in deede â–ª but omitting such things as may seeme impertineÌ„t let vs returne vnto the historie This Martianus as he excelled in pietie towardes God so he passed in iustice towardes his subiects he deemed that to be richesse not which consisted of treasure and raising of tribute but onely that whiche supplyed the want of the needy and yeelded a safe and a secure life vnto suche as enioyed great possessions he was a terror vnto his people not in punishing offeÌ„dors but in threatening least at any time they should offend and therefore the empire was vnto him no inheritance but the hire of vertue the which he obtained with the generall consent of all both Senatours subiectes and all sorts of people when as Pulcheria the Empresse perswaded them to doe no lesse whom he entertained in his pallace as an Empresse yet knewe her not as man knoweth his wife for she continewed a virgine vnto her last houre These things were done before that Valentinianus the Romaine Emperour ratified the election of Martianus who afterwardes vnderstanding of his vertuous disposition condescended thereunto Martianus laboured with al might possible that all men ioyntly should laude God and the lipps whose languages impietie had confounded shoulde deuoutly nowe at length close together and sounde out with harmonie and concent the prayse of the liuing God CAP. II. Of the councell of Chalcedon and the occasion why it was summoned WHen Martianus was of the disposition mentioned before there came vnto him Legats froÌ„ Leo byshop of old Rome signifyinge y â— Dioscorus had made light of the decree which Leo had laid down in the councel of Ephesus agreeable with the true rightfayth there came others also reporting what iniuries contumelies Dioscorus had done vnto theÌ„ requesting y â— a councell might be called together for the hearing of their causes The which sute as chiefe of all others Eusebuis byshop of Dorilaeum made vnto the emperour followed hard opening vnto him how that both he and Flauianus were deposed of their byshoprickes through the fraude and wyles of Chrysaphius one sometime of Theodosius garde y â— Flauianus at what time Chrysaphius sent vnto him requiring golde for his admission into the byshopricke sent vnto him the holy vessell of the Church for to make him throughly ashamed of his demaunde and that Chrisaphius wallowed alike in the hereticall puddle and blasphemous impietie of Eutyches he certified him moreouer that Flauianus was piteously put to death by the procurement of Dioscorus thrust by him violently out of the Church and disdainfully pounced with his feete The councel of Chalcedon was summoned for the hearinge of the aforesaide accusations Legats and posts were sent into euery prouince the holy clergie were called together by letters containing graue and godly matter first of all to meet at Nice so that Leo byshop of Rome wrote vnto them by Pascasianus Lucentius and others whome he sent thither to supply his rowme in such sort as followeth Vnto the byshopps assembled at Nice Leo sendeth greeting afterwardes at Chalcedon a citie in Bithynia where Nestorius was cited to appeare as Zacharie Rhetor doth fauourably report of him But it is plaine it could not be so for Nestorius was commaunded vnder paine of an accurse not to shewe his face in the councell The which thing also Eustathius byshop of Berytum writeth plainely in the letters which he sent to Iohn the byshop to another Iohn the priest of the canons laid downe by that councel his words are these There came to this councell such as diligently searched out for the reliques of Nestorius and with open mouthes they exclaimed vpon the councell what reason and conscience is there that holy men shoulde be accursed So that the Emperour was greatly incensed against them and commaunded his gard they should send them packing with a vengeance Wherefore I can not see how Nestorius after his deceasse should be called to the councell CAP. III. The description of the Temple of the holy martyr Euphemia within the citie of Chalcedon and the miracles wrought therein THe byshops from euerie where mette in the holy Temple of Euphemia the martyr whiche standes in Chalcedon a citie of Bithynia this Temple lyeth from Bosphorus litle more then two furlonges situated in a very pleasaunt soyle rising vpwarde steepe wise so that such as frequent this Martyrs temple may easily mount vp by a litle and a litle without weryâ—â—esse and in they come vnwares yea into the body of the Church being there looking downewardes as out of a kenninge towre they see all the fields vnderneath them as euen grounde and plaine valleyes florishing with greene grasse loden with corne and couered with goodly woodes of all sortes very delectable to behold moreouer they see high hills and craggie rocks rising gayely by degrees vp into the skies diuerse sortes of seaes some yeldinge a blewish and skie colour by reason of the cleere wether playing as it were calmely and gently with the shores while the adioyning regions are voyd of tempest some other tossed with blustering blastes of winde and raginge stormes hurling vp pimple stones foming out filth and paultry weedes casting shelfish vpon the bankes with whyrling waues Furthermore this temple stands right ouer against Constantinople so that the beholdinge of so worthie and so noble a citie bringes vnto it great maiestie this temple is of three fortes of goodly and large buylding the first lieng wide open with a long porch receauing the tempered aâ—r of the skie sett vp with goodly pillours on euery side The second in length and breadth like vnto y â— former adornedlikewise with litle pillours differing only in height y â— lifted ridge Of the North side of which second building there is a rownd Ile the great windowe vnto the East the pillours within are cunningly wrought bowewise of the same stuff and one biggenes after the forme of a circle Underneath these there is a loft ouercast with the like rouffe where it is lawefull for euery one to pray vnto the Martyr to be present at the holy mysteries Within the I le Eastwards there is a vestry artificiallie builded where the reliques of the holie martyr are chested in a longe coffer cunninglie made of siluer the which some men for the length thereof doe call Longe as if the proper name were so The miracles wrought at certen times by this blessed Martyr are knowen I am sure of euerye Christian For oftentimes either she appeareth vnto the Bishops in their sleepe which orderlye succeede in the gouernemente of that Church or sheweth her selfe vnto some other that are of great fame for their vertuous life and godlines charging them to celebratea feast in that Church of daynty delicate foode The which thing being signified vnto the Emperours vnto the chiefe Prieste and wholl citie all ranne thither both Prince Priest and people to become partakers of
were in the councell cried in this sorte we are all of that fayth Leo the Pope beleeueth so cursed be he that deuydeth Christe that confoundeth his natures this is the fayth of Archebyshoppe Leo thus beleeueth Leo Leo and Anatolius are of this fayth VVe are all of this fayth Cyrill is of this fayth Let Cyrill neuer be forgotten Let the epistles of Cyrill be euer had in memory This is our opinion thus we both haue beleued and doe beleue Thus doth Archbishop Leo beleue thus hath he wrytteÌ„ They reasoned a while whether the epistle of Leo should be read in the ende they read it with the interpretation annexed thereunto which is extant among the actes of the councell When the reading was ended and the Byshops had cried this is the faith of the fathers this is the faith of the Apostles we are all of this faith the true professors are of this faith cursed be he which beleueth not thus Peter in the person of Leo sayde thus thus haue the Apostles taught Leo hath godly and truely taughte these things Cyrill hath taught thus Leo and Cyrill haue taught alike cursed be he which holdeth not this faith this is the true faith this is the opinion of the true professors this is the faith of the fathers why vvere not these things read in the councell of Ephesus what meant Dioscorus to conceale these things WheÌ„ the bishops had made an end of crieng in this sorte y â— records of y â— councel do declare y â— when this parcel of Leo his epistle was read It was to pay the ransome of our nature that the godheade was ioyned with the patible nature to the end one and the same mediator of God man the maÌ„ Christ Iesus the which thing was fitly applied vnto our sores maladies might dye of the one nature not of the other wheÌ„ this I say was read the bishops of IllyriuÌ„ Palaestina had doubted of the sense and meaning of the words Aetius Archdeacon of the most holy church of CoÌ„stantinople alleadged openly y â— opinion of Cyrill out of his owne words as followeth Because his proper bâ—dy through the goodnes of God as Saynct Paul wryteth tasted of death for vs all therefore is he sayd to haue dyed for vs not that he suffered death as toutching his nature for to say or thinke so is meere madnes but that in such sorte as I sayd before his flesh tasted of death Againe out of the Epistle of Leo they read thus Both natures accompanied together doth that which is proper to either of them the word bringeth to passe such things as belonge vnto the vvorde the body vvorketh such thinges as appertaineth vnto the body the one vvorketh miracles the other sustayneth reproches Againe when the Byshops of Illyrium Palaestina doubted also of this sentence the same Aetius reade the words of Cyrill as followeth Some phrases of holye Scripture whiche concerne the Lorde doe beste agree vvith his diuine nature some other vvith his humane nature and some other the middle betvvene both affirming that the sonne of God is together both God and man After all this when they doubted againe of an other parte of the aforesayd epistle of Leo the Byshop which was read in this sorte Although in very deede there is one person of God and man in the Lord Iesus Christ yet there is one thinge vvherein either of them doth participate in contumely and an other thinge vvherein they both communicate in glory It is of vs that his humanity is inferiour to the father of the father it is that his diuinity is equall vvith the father Theodoritus remeÌ„bred him selfe that Cyrill had wrytten the same thing almost in y â— same wordes when he was made man he laid not a side his propriety but continevved as he vvas and the one nature dvvelled in the other that is the diuine nature in the humane These things being expounded when the worthy Senators had demaunded if any among them doubted any further all made answere that they were fully resolued After this Atticus Byshop of Nicopolis requested they might all haue a day geuen them to deliberate to the end they might with firme and settled mindes establishe such things as were pleasing vnto God and agreable with the doctrine of the fathers he craued moreouer the epistle whiche Cyrill wrote vnto Nestorius wherein he had exhorted hym to yelde vnto the twelue poincts of the fayth that were coÌ„firmed of all the Bishops The Presidents conferred of this matter among theÌ„ selues graunted them fiue dayes to deliberate that then they should come togither with Anatolius bishop of Constantinople this being done they all agreed and sayd with one voice vve beleue thus vve all beleue thus as Leo beleueth so beleue vve there is not one of vs that doubteth we haue all subscribed Vnto these things they replied againe in this sorte It is not needefull that all should come togither but in somuch it seemeth very expedient that such as wauer are not as yet resolued may be confirmed let the most reuerende Byshop Anatolius appoint whome he shall thinke good of theÌ„ that haue already subscribed to satisfie and confirme the rest After this the councell sayd we craue of the Fathers that the Presidents and chiefe of this councell doe entreate the Emperour and the Empresse for vs we haue all done amisse let vs be pardoned The clergie of the Church of Constantinople cried fewe doe crie we heare not the wholl councell speake Then the Byshops of the East lifted theyr voyces saying let the Aegyptian be deposed And when the Bishops of Illyrium requested the same the clergy of Constantinople cried let Dioscorus be banished let the Aegyptian be exiled let the hereticke be sent avvay Christ hath depriued Dioscorus Againe the Byshops of Illyrium and such as were of theyr side cried vve haue all offended we besech you pardoÌ„ vs. Rid the councell of Dioscorus avvay vvith Dioscorus out of the Churches After they had tossed these and other such like things to and fro they rose vp The next session followinge when the Senate had reasoned among them selues about the publishing of theyr actes and decrees ConstaÌ„tinus the secretary read out of a schrole as followeth The next day after when the councell aduised them selues somwhat better we doe perceaue that they reasoned more exquisitly of the true and Catholicke faith VVherefore seeing that Flauianus the Byshop of worthy memory Eusebius the most reuerend Bishop of Dorilaeum were founde not to haue erred in the fayth after we had searched the acts and decrees of the councel also by the reporte of such as were chief in the councell and therefore vniustly to haue bene deposed for they confessed them selues fouly deceaued wrongfully to haue depriued Flauianus and Eusebius It seemeth good vnto vs no doubt God approueth the same that Dioscorus the most reuerend Bishop of AlexaÌ„dria if it so
sundry of his owne crue but specially Theodotus one of them which forsooke Theodosius who then was made Bishop of Ierusalem by certaine sedicious persons at Ioppe and accompanied Iuuenalis to Constantinople CAP. VII Howe Basiliscus fearinge him selfe in the insurrection made by the Monkes through the perswasion of Acacius called in his former letters AGaine the aforesayd autor wryteth howe Acacius Bishop of Constantinople canuased the matter about raised both Monkes and people of Constantinople against Basiliscus as one that was an hereticke made him denye he had wrytten his letters vniuersally vnto all men and decree that such things as he had rashly and vnaduisedly published should be called in againe and to haue also brought to passe that the same Emperour sent euery where vnto all men contrary letters wherein he approued the councell of Chalcedon The same Zacharie shewinge himselfe very partiall throughout his history and led very much with affection omitted the sayde contrary letters they were wrytten as followeth The repelling letters of Basiliscus the Emperour THe Emperours Caesars Basiliscus and Marcus we charge and commaunde that the Apostolicke and true faith from the beginning hitherto retayned in the Churche continewed vnto this our present raigne obserued ofvs this day be embraced for euer in it we were baptized we beleue that the same is only to be embraced firmly vnuiolably being embraced to be continewed throughout all the Catholicke Apostolicke Churches vnder heauen no other besides this to be longer sought for VVherefore our will is that the letters generally wrytten duringe our raygne either vnto all men or otherwise howe soeuer or vvhat beside this hathe bene published by vs be henceforth cancelled and abolished that Nestorius Eutyches with all theyr complices and euery heresie be accursed that no councell be called together neither any decree or reasoninge of the fayth but that suche thinges as are already in that behalfe established remaine vnuiolable that the prouinces whereunto the seae of this royall and noble citie hathe the preferringe of Byshops be restored vnto the moste reuerend and moste holy Patriarch Acacius and that the Bishops alredy placed throughout the prouinces continewe neuerthelesse in theyr proper seaes so that there may rise thereof after theyr desease no preiudice at all vnto the prerogatiue of the holye seae of Constantinople Laste of all let no man doubte but that this our gracious decree is of force agreable vvith the vvill of God Thus were these thinges brought about CAP. VIII Howe Zeno the deposed Emperour recouered againe the royall scepter ZEno as it is reported seing in a vision the holy valiaunt and renowmed martyr Thecla not onely prouoking but also promising him to be restored againe vnto the Emperiall robes led his army towardes Constantinople And hauinge allured with giftes such as besieged him he thrust Basiliscus who had raygned two yeares beside the scepter tooke him out of the sanctuary he had fledd vnto and deliuered him vnto the hand of the enemy For which cause Zeno dedicated at Seleucia in Isauria a goodly temple gorgeously buylded vnto y â— renowmed martyr Thecla bewtified it with many Princely monuments which were preserued vnto this our age But as for Basiliscus he sent him away to suffer at Cappadocia where together with wife and children he was put to death in an Inne called Acouson Immediatly after Zeno made a lawe where he abrogated the decrees of Basiliscus the tyrant comprised in the letters he had generally wrytten vnto all men banished Peter syrnamed Cnapheus out of Antioch and Paulus Bishop of Ephesus CAP. IX Howe after the deceasse of Basiliscus the Bishops of Asia going about to pacisie Acacius who stomached them for condemning the councell of Chalcedon sent vnto him theyr recantation THe Bishops of Asia to the ende they might auoyde the displeasure Acacius had conceaued against them acknowledged theyr faultes and craued pardon sent vnto him theyr recantatioÌ„ and repentance where they protested that they had subscribed not of theyr owne accord but by constraint and compulsion vnto the generall letters of Basiliscus and confirmed with an oth that it was euen so and that they beleeued no otherwise then the couÌ„cell of Chalcedon did beleue The recantation was thus The Epistle or recantation sent by the Bishops of Asia vnto Acacius Bishop of Constantinople VNto Acacius the most holy and most religious Patriarch of Constantinople After a fewe lines VVe haue sente vnto you as it was very meete one for to supplye our rowme In a while after this againe By these our letters we doe protest that not of our owne accord but by compulsion we were brought to subscribe vnto Basiliscus letters and that we haue geueÌ„ thereunto our consents not with hart but only in word For by the grace of almighty God who louingelye accepteth of our prayers we beleue no otherwise then we learned of the three hundred and eighteene famous men and lightes of the wholl worlde and besides them of the hundred fifty holy fathers VVe hold moreouer with the holy acts decreed by the godly fathers at Chalcedon As for the report Zacharie Rhetor made of these bishops whether he sclaundered theÌ„ or whether they lyed theÌ„ selues that they had subscribed against their wills vnto Basiliscus letters I am not able certenly to auoutch CAP. X. VVhat Bishops there were of Antioch about that time AFter that Peter was banished the Church of Antioch StephaÌ„ succeeded him in the Bishopricke whome the people of Antioch dispatched as Iohn Rhetor declareth with litle darts much like sharpe speares After his decease Calandio gouerned the seae who perswaded as many as came vnto him to accurse both Timothee the general letters Basiliscus had sent abrod vnto all Churches CAP. XI Howe the Emperour Zeno spared Timotheus Aelurus because of his gray heare after this Aelurus death Petrus Moggus became Bishop of Alexandria he was deposed Timotheus Basilicus placed in his rowme ZEno although he purposed to banish Timothee Alexandria yet when it was told him that he was a very olde man and ready to lye in his graue he altered his mind Timothee not longe after finished the race of his mortall life immediatly the Bishops of that prouince chose of theyr owne heade Peter syrnamed Moggus to theyr Bishop Zeno hearinge this was very muche displeased gaue forth commaundement that Peter should die the death called home Timothee the successor of Proterius who then by reason of a certaine insurrection made of the people led his life at Canabus Thus Timothee by the Emperours coÌ„maundement recouered againe the bishoprick CAP. XII Of Iohn who crept to be Bishop of Alexandria after the death of Timothee and howe the Emperour deposed him for periurie preferringe Petrus Moggus to the rowme IOhn the Priest Parson of Saynct Iohn Baptists the forerunner of our Sauiour â—ame through some mens perswasion to Constantinople made sute vnto the Emperour that if it fell out the Byshop of
them with greate solemnity into the Martyrs temple and there laid them vp Shortely after Chosroes sent other giftes vnto this holy temple namelye amongest others a dishe made of Gold wherein these wordes were wrytten I Chosroes kinge of kinges the sonne of Hormisda caused these thinges to be wrytten in this dishe not for men to gaze at neyther that the worthines of thy reuerende name shoulde be knowen by my wordes but partely for the trueth therein contained and partly for the manifold benefites and liberality receaued at thy handes For I thinke my selfe happy that my name is ingrauen in thy holy vessels At my beinge in Beramias I made humble sute vnto thee holye Sergius that thou wouldest come and helpe me and that Sira my wife mighte conceaue And thoughe Sira were a christian and I a pagan and our lawe forbade vs to take a christian to our wife yet for the singular loue I bare vnto thee the law in this woman tooke no place and I haue not ceasâ—ed neyther doe I ceasâ—e day nighte to loue her entierelye amonge the reste of my wiues VVherefore O holye Sergius I thoughte good to beseeche thy goodnes that she might be with child And moreouer I made thee a vowe promised if Sira did conceaue I woulde sende the crosse whiche she weareth vnto thy moste holye temple Therefore I verily and Sira pondering this with our selues and purposing to keepe this crosse for a memoriall of thy name O holy Sergius haue thought good in stâ—ode of the crosse to send the price thereof and because it exceedeth not foure thousande and foure hundred staâ—â—rs we haue augmented it and made it vppe fiue thousande And from the time we made this petition and determined this with our selues vnto our comminge to Rhoson Chosâ—on there were not expired past fourteene dayes at vvhat time O holy Sergius not that I my selfe was worthy but of thine owne goodnes thou didest appeare vnto me in my sleepe and toldest me the thirde time that Sira had conceaued And I also in the same vision answered thee plainely the thirde time thaâ— whiche was conuenient and became my person VVherefore because thou graâ—â—test such petitions as are made vnto thee from that daye forthe Sira felt not the common disease of women I of myne owne parte althoughe I caste doubtes with my selfe whether I were best to credit thy wordes or no for all thou arte a graunter of requestes yet seeing that Sira had not the womens disease then was I sure of the vision and that thy wordes were true VVherefore without any more adoe I sente this crosse together with the price thereof vnto thy moste holy temple and commaunded that with the price one dishe and one cup should be prouided for the celebration of the diuine mysteries that againe there should a crosse be made a ceÌ„sar both of golde to serue the holy table and an vnicon open of either side and gilded ouer last of all that the rest of the summe which remayned shoulde be put vp to minister necessaries for thy holy house that thou O holy Sergius wilt helpe both me and Sira not onely in other things but specially in this request and that that which happened vnto vs through thy intercession by thy mercy goodnes may take prosperous successe and fall both vnto me to Sira as we wish our selues To the end both I Sira and all others throughout the world may * put theyr trust in thy power beleue in thee These presentes of Chosroes seeme to vtter such things as are agreable with the prophecie of Balaam whiche no doubt came to passe by the prouidence of God that pagans shoulde pronounce godly sentences CAP. XXI Of Naamanes the Saracen ABout that time Naamanes tribune of the people Scenetae so wicked a person that he slewe men with his owne handes for sacrifice to Deuells came to be baptised caused the golden picture of Venus to be melted with fire and turned to the vse of the poore he became so zelous that he perswaded as manye as belonged vnto him to embrace the Christian faith Gregorie after the crosses were giuen by Chosroes was commaunded of the Emperour to visite all the Monasteries called Limeta throughout the wildernes but specially where the wicked doctrine of Seuerus raygned so that he expounded vnto them the syncere true faith conuerted many townes villages Monasteries and wholl nations vnto the Church of God CAP. XXII The death of holy Symeon that dwelled in a pillour IN the meane space when moste holye Symeon was so daungerouslye sicke that there remayned for him no hope of longer life Gregorie beinge by me certified thereof made all the speede he coulde to be presente when Symeon gaue vppe the Ghoste But he had not his desire This Symeon for his rare giftes and excellente vertues passed all the men of his time he led in a pillour a seuere life euen from his tender youth in so muche that he chaunged his teeth in that mansion He was perswaded to liue in a pillour vpon suche an occasion as followeth Beinge of tender yeares playinge leapinge and skippinge to and fro about the toppes of hilles and greenes as the maner is of children he lighted by chaunce vpon a Lybard tooke his girdle and tyed him about the necke led the beaste whiche nowe had put of his fierce nature by the girdle as if it had bene a bridle and broughte him home to his Monastery His mayster who ledde his life in a pillour seeinge this enquired of him what he had in his girdle the boye answered it was a catte His mayster gatheringe hereby that he woulde proue hereafter a worthye man trayned him vppe to leade his life in a pillour In whiche pillour together with an other also standinge vpon the toppe of an hill he liued threescore and eyghte yeares replenished with all graces from aboue He caste out Deuells he cured euerye disease and infirmitye he sawe thinges to come as if they had beene presente He foretolde Gregorie that he shoulde not be presente at his deathe and that he knewe full litle of the thinges which were like to ensue after his death And when as I also muzed with my selfe after the losse of my children and examined what the cause was whye the Gentiles whiche had children at will were not visited in like sorte Symeon althoughe I vttered my secretâ—es to no man wrote vnto me that I shoulde refrayne from suche cogitations that they were suche as offended God Furthermore when the wife of my Scribe hadde her milke after shee was deliuered so stopâ—e in her breastes that there woulde not a droppe come forthe and therefore the infante was like to dye Symeon tooke her husbande by the hande bad him goe and laye it on his wiues brest This beinge done immediatly the milke came runninge out as if it had bene a streame and wet all the womans garmente Vnto these that wente before we may adde
this also howe certaine trauelers in whose company Symeon was lefte behinde them a childe about midnighte a Lion came and tooke vp the childe on his backe and brought him to Symeons Monastery Symeon bad the seruaunts go forth and take in the childe which the Lion had caried thither He did many other notable actes which haue neede of an eloquente tongue leasure conuenient and a peculiar volume all which are well knowen and rife in euery mans mouth There resorted vnto him of all nations not only Romains but also Barbarians and obtayned there sutes This Symeon in steede of meate and drinke fedde vpon certaine bowes of shrubbes that grewe in the mountaine harde by him CAP. XXIII The death of Gregorie Bishop of Antioch SHortly after Gregorie Bishop of Antioch being sore pained with the gowte tooke a certaine medicen made of Hermodactylus for so was it called the which a certaine phisicion ministred vnto him and after the drinkinge thereof died immediatlye He departed this worlde when Gregorie the successor of Pelagius was Bishop of Olde Rome Iohn of Constantinople Eulogius of Alexandria Anastasius of Theopolis who after twenty and three yeares was restored vnto his Bishopricke and also when Iohn was Bishop of Ierusalem which died shortely after and as yet there is none chosen in his rowme Here doe I minde to cut of and make an end of wryting to wit the twelfe yeare of the raygne of Mauricius Tiberius Emperour of Rome leauing such things as followe after for them that are disposed to penne them for the posterity in time to come If I haue omitted ought through negligence or lightly runne ouer any matter let no man blame me therefore remēbringe with him selfe that I gathered and collected together a scattered and dispersed historie to the end I might profitt the reader for whose sake I tooke in hande so greate and so werysome a labour I haue finished an other worke comprisinge relations Epistles decrees orations disputations with sundry other matters The relations therein contayned are for the most parte in the person of Gregorie Bishop of Antioch For the which I was preferred vnto two honorable offices Tiberius Constantinus made me Quaestor Mauricius Tiberius preferred me to be maister of the Rolles where the Liuetenants and Magistrats were registred The relations I compiled duringe his raygne at what tyme he broughte Theodosius to lighte who was bothe vnto him and to the common weale a preamble or entrance to all kinde of felicity The ende of the sixt booke of the Ecclesiasticall historie of Euagrius Scholasticus THE LIVES THE ENDS AND THE MARTYRDOMES OF THE PROPHETES APOSTLES AND SEVENTYE DISCIPLES OF OVR SAVIOVR WRITTEN IN GREEKE by Dorotheus Bishop of Tyrus aboue a thousand yeares agoe and nowe translated by M. H. Imprinted at London by Thomas Vautroullier dwelling in the Blackefriers 1577. THE LIFE OF DOROTHEVS GATHERED by the Translator DOrotheus vvas a rare and singular man vvell seene in the Latine Greeke and Hebrevv tongues He flourished in the time of Diocletian Constantinus Magnus Constātius Iulian the Apostata Eusebius Pamphilus one that knevve him very vvell heard his gift of vtterance vvryteth thus of him Dorotheus minister of the Church of Antioch vvas a very eloquent and singular man He applied holye Scripture diligentlye he studied the Hebrevve tongue so that he reade vvith great skill the holy Scriptures in Hebrevve This man came of a noble race He vvas expert in the chiefe discipline of the Grecians by nature an Eunuche so disposed from his natiuitye For vvhich cause the Emperour for rarenesse thereof appropriated him placing and preferringe him to be magistrate in the citie of Tyrus and to ouersee the dieing of purple VVe heard him our selues expounding holy Scripture vvith greate commendation in the Church of God So farre Eusebius Antonius Demochares saith of him that he vvas exiled in the persecution vnder Diocletian and that he returned from banishment after the death of Diocletian and Licinius and recouered his Bishopricke againe vvhere he continevved vnto the raygne of Iulian about the yeare of our Lord 365. And because Iulian persecuted not the Christians openly him selfe but secretly by his gouernours and Magistrates Dorotheus vvas faine againe to flie vnto the city of Odissus vvhere as Petrus de Natalibus vvriteth the officers of Iulian apprehended him and tormented him to death for his testimony of Christ Iesus There he died and vvas crovvned Martyr being a hundred and seuen yere old An. Dom. 366. Of his vvorkes there is none extant saue this treatise contayning the liues and endes of the Prophetes Apostles and seuenty Disciples of our sauiour mentioned in the Gospell after Luke the vvhich he entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by translation a compendium or briefe tract THE TRANSLATOR VNTO THE READER TOVTCHING DOROTHEVS AND THE LIVES HE WROTE OF BY this short treatise of DOROTHEVS Christian reader we may take occasion to beholde the prouidence of God ouer his Churche scattered farre and nigh ouer the face of the earth and to praise him therefore in so much that of his great care and entire loue the inheritors of the kingdome of heauen his chosen people the Sainctes of God whose names were written in the booke of life were neuer left desolate without guides and teachers Adam in Paradise hearde the voyce of God himself there followed him such as called vpō the name of God erected diuine worship and taught their posteritie the same namely Abel Seth Enos Cainan Malalael Iared Enoch Mathusalem Lamech and Noe whome Peter calleth the eight person after Seth the sonne of Adam and a preacher of righteousnes When as the olde worlde and the first age numbred from Adam to Noe I meane as many as liued in his time were drowned for the sinnes iniquities of the whole world yet saued he eight persons to reueale his will vnto all nations to vphold his Church to multiply and to encrease the world In the secōd age of the world after Noe there liued Sem Arphaxad Sale Heber Phaleg Reu Saruch Nachor Thare Abraham vnto whom God rekoned faith as S. Paule saith for righteousnes In the third age of the world after Abraham liued Isaac Iacob otherwise called Israel with the twelue patriarchs Ruben Simeon Leui Iuda Zabulon Issachar Dan Gad Aser Nepthali Ioseph Beniamin Threescore and fiue yeares after the death of Ioseph Moses was borne He gouerned Israel he guided the people God gaue him three signes from heauen to confirme his doctrine to assure him of his vocation ▪ he receaued the ten cōmaundements the law of God in moūt Sina deliuered it vnto the people him succeeded Iosue after Iosue captains Iudges namely Othoniel Aod Debora Barach Gedeon Abimelech Thola Iair Iepthe Abesan AElon Abdon Samson Heli the priest Samuel the prophet iudged Israel After these came in the kings good bad Saule Dauid c. In the fourth age of the
him selfe looke what he prophecyed euerye daye the same was wrytten seuerallye as the Prophete vttered it He preached of some certayne matter and againe when as at an other tyme he prophecyed of an other thinge it was againe wrytten And suche thinges as were spoken followed after the chapiters that went before and had theyr titles layd downe in the beginings and thus the wholl and perfect booke was made of the diuerse and sundry sermons of that Prophete By this meanes it cometh to passe that we finde in the bookes of the Prophetes the chapiter noted and applied either vnto the captiuitie in Babylon or else vnto the returne thence and anone agayne an other chapiter either toutching Christ or concerning some other matter immediatly againe of a◠other thinge and by and by afterwardes of the former watter And to speake the wholl in one worde vnlesse a man will reade them with good aduisemente and graue iudgemente he will thinke them confusely placed and out of order They wrote not one lye the Prophetes workes in this order by peeces in the temple but also the bookes of the kinges Namelye such things as were from the dayes of Saul vnto his raygne and in the tyme of Dauid what happened vnder Saul vnto the raygne of Dauid and thus they wrote the seuerall actes of euerye kinge at seuerall tymes euen as the Chronicles are layde downe in the raygne of the kinges and so of the contrarye Moses wrote the fiue bookes called Pentateuchus to witte the historie of the thinges that were done before his time from the beginninge of the worlde what happened in his tyme and what shoulde come to passe after his dayes Iesus Naue wrote his owne booke The bookes of y ◠Iudges were wrytten in the temple that is to say in the tabernacle Euen so was Ruth Solomon him selfe wrote his owne Prouerbes the Canticle of Canticles and the booke of the preacher called Ecclesiastes For when he had receaued of God the gifte of wisedome he exhorted all men to liue wisely in this world He had not the gift of prophecy We haue rehearsed before such as were inspired from aboue to prophecye of Christ Of the twelue Apostles and Euangelistes 1. Symon Peter THe firste is Simon Peter the chiefe of the Apostles He as we are geuen to vnderstande by his Epistles preached the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Bithynia and in the ende preached at Rome where afterwardes he was crucified the thyrde Calends of Iuly vnder Nero the Emperour with his heade downewards for that was his desire and there also buried 2. Andrewe ANdrewe the brother of Simon Peter as our elders haue deliuered vnto vs preached the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto the Scythians Sogdians Sacians and in the middle Sebastopolis inhabited of wilde Aethiopians He was crucified by Aegeas kinge of the Edessaeans buried at Patris a citie in Achaia 3. Iames the sonne of Zebedaeus IAmes the sonne of Zebedie a fisherman preached the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ vnto the twelue dispersed tribes He was slayne with the sworde by Herode the retrache of the Iewes in Iudaea where he is also buried 4. Iohn IOhn the brother of Iames who was also an Euangeliste whome the Lorde loued preached the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ in Asia The Emperour ▪ Traian exiled him into the Isle Patmos for the worde of God where he wrote also his Gospell the which afterwardes be published at Ephesus by Gaius his hoaste and Deacon of whome Paul the Apostle wryting to the Romaines hath testified saying Gaius myne hoast and of the wholl Church saluteth you After the death of Traian he returned out of the Isle Patmos and remayned at Ephesus vntill he had liued a hundred twenty yeres Which being expired he liuing as yet y ◠Lord would so haue it buried him selfe There are some which wryte that he was not banished into y ◠Isle Patmos vnder Traian but in the time of Domitian the sonne of Vespasian 5. Philip. PHilip of the city Bethsalda preached the Gospell in Phrygia he was honorably buried at Hierapolis with his daughters 6. Bartholomewe BArtholomewe preached the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ vnto the Indians and deliuered vnto them the Gospell of Mathewe He rested and was buried in Albania a citie of Armenia the greate 7. Thomas THomas as it hath bene deliuered vnto vs preached the Gospell of our Sauiour Christ Iesus vnto the Parthians Medes and Persians He preached also vnto the Caramans Hircans Bactrians and Magicians He rested at Calamina a citie in India beinge slayne with a darte which they call a speare or iauelin where he was also honorably buried 8. Mathewe MAthewe the Euangelist wrote the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ in the Hebrewe tongue and deliuered it vnto Iames the brother of the Lorde accordinge vnto the flesh who was Bishop of Ierusalem He dyed at Hierapolis in Parthia where he was also honorably buried 9. Simon Zelotes SImon Zelotes preached Christ throughout Mauritania Aphricke the lesse At lengthe he was crucified at Brettania slayne and buried 10. Iude the brother of Iames. IVdas the brother of Iames called also Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus preached vnto the Edessaeans and throughout all Mesopotamia He was slayne in Berytus in the time of Agbarus king of Edessa and buried very honorably 11. Simon Iudas otherwise Iames the sonne of Alphaeus SImon syrnamed Iudas who succeeded Iames in the Byshopricke of Ierusalem I take him to be Iames the sonne of Alphaeus was crucified vnder Traian and slaine in Ostracina in Aegypt whē he had liued a hundred and two yeares 12. Mathias MAthias beinge one of the seuentye Disciples was afterwardes numbered with the eleuen Apostles in y ◠rowme of Iudas the traitor He preached the Gospell in Aethiopia about y ◠hauen called Hyssus and the riuer Phasis vnto barbarous nations and rauenours of fleshe He died at Sebastopolis where he was also buried nigh the temple of Sol. Paul PAul being called of the Lorde Iesus Christ him selfe after his assumption and numbered in the Catalogue of the Apostles beganne to preache the Gospell from Ierusalem and wente on still vnto Illyricum Italy Spayne His Epistles are extant at this day ful of all heauenly wisedome He was beheaded at Rome vnder Nero the third Calendes of Iuly so died a Martyr lieth there buried with Peter the Apostle Marke the Euangelist MArke the Euangelist the first Bishop of Alexandria preached the Gospell vnto the people of Alexandria all the bordering regions frō Aegypt vnto Pentapolis In the tyme of Traiā he had a cable rope tied about his necke at Alexandria by the which he was drawen frō the place called Bucolus vnto the place called Angels where he was burned to ashes by the furious Idolatrers in the moneth of Aprill and buried at Bucolus Luke LVke the Euangeliste of the citye of Antioch
prognosticatinge the destruction thereof thou maist see gentle reader in the Euangelists and in Euseb eccle hist li. 3. cap. 7. 8. alleadged partly out of the Gospell and partly also out of Iosephus a Iewe vvho vvas present at the vvarres all vvhich signes vvere in number many and in shevve most terrible and dreadfull yet the Ievves had not the grace to repent VVherefore the lamentable ouerthrovv the vtter ruyne the ransacking of the citie the burning of the temple the prophaning of the sacred scriptures the slaughter of the Priestes the dissention of the people the death of all the famine vvorse then death it selfe thou maist revve and reade vvith vvett cheekes and vvatrish eyes layde dovvne at large by Iosephus and Eusebius eccle hist lib. 3. cap. 5. 6. 7. 8. c. Novve therefore the teÌ„ple being spoyled and ouerthrovven their highpriestes ceased the contrey also being subdued ouerrunne their Kinges fayled as many Ievves as vvere left vvere dispersed Their vvickednesse no doubt hath deserued that from the passion of Christ vnto this day the name of a Ievve is become very odious        The Heretickes  Vespasian the Emperour after the ouerthrowe of Ierusalem commaunded that all suche as were of the lyne of Dauid should diligently be sought out He raygned 10. yeares and dyed of a laske in the 69. yeare of his age Euseb lib. 3. ca. 12. 13. Eutrop. lib. 7. Euseb chronic Dâ—ONYSIVS AREOPAGITA was by S. Paul placed bishop of AtheÌ„s There are extant sundry workes vnder his name but suspected not to be his and sundry epistles of the which one to Iohn the Euangeliste beinge in the Isle Patmos an other vnto Polycarpus he was martyred as Tritemius writeth Anno. Dom. 96. Act. 17. Euse lib. 3. cap. 4. lib. 4. cap. 22.  Cerinthus or Merinthus beinge a Iewe taught throughout Asia wicked doctrine he preached circumcision he taught that the prophetes and the lawe was geuen by Angells and that the worlde was made by them Cerinthus moreouer sayd that Iesus was not borne of a virgine which was impossible but of Marie Ioseph that Iesus was not Christ but that Christ came vpon him in the forme of a Doue that Iesus suffred rose againe but not Christ For Christ sayd he did flie away from him before his passion Epiph. haeres 28. Irenaeus lib. 1. cap. 25. He dreamed that the kingdome oâ— Christ shoulde become earthly that after the resurrection Christ should raygne oueâ— vs heere on earth one thousand yeares Hâ— lusted after the satisfying of the bellie an 〈◊〉 the thinges vnder the belly with meate drinke mariage Iohn the Apostle is said to haue abhorred the presence of Cerinthus Euseb lib. 3. cap. 25. lib. 4. cap. 14. lib. 7. cap. 24. Epipha haeres 51. sayth that certaine heretickes called Alogoi affirmed Cerinthus to haue bene the autor of the reuelation Anno Domini Tâ—e raygne of the Emperours The Fathers of the Church The CouÌ„cells The bishops of Ierusalem The Bishops of Antioche The Bishops of Rome The Bishops of Alexandria The Heretickes 81. Titus the sonne of Vespasian succeded his father in the empire he raigned 2. yeares and 2. moneths died the 42. yeare of his age leauing his brother Domitian to succeed Euseb li. 3. cap. 13. in chro Europ lib. 7. IOSEPH of Arimathra together with his companions came into Englande and there preached Polydor. lib. 2.    3. Anacletus was b. of RoÌ„e after Linus in the 2. yeare of Titus the Emperour Anno Domi. 81. he continewed there 12. yeares Eu seb lib. 3. cap. 13. 14. 19. in chronic There be soÌ„e which next vnto Linus doe place Clemens so Cletus theÌ„ Anacletus some other before Clemens doe place Cletus but we following the auncieÌ„t wryters next vnto the Apostles to wete Irenaeus Euse bius Epiphanius do place theÌ„ thus Peter Linus Anacletus Clemens yet Epipha nius calleth this Anacletus Cletus  Menander a sorcerer and the disciple of Simon Magus a Samaritane sayde that he was the great power of God come downe from heauen that the worlde was made by Angels he called him selfe a Sauiour he sayd saluation was to be purchased by his baptisme that such as wer therewith baptized should neuer die no not in this worlde Euseb lib. 3. cap. 23 Irenaeus lib. 1. cap. 21. Epiphan haeres 22. Saturninus of Antioch cal led also Saturnilius budded out of Menander and preached throughout Syria in maner the like doctrine as Menander did before him he sayd moreouer that mariage and procreation was of the deuill Ireneus lib. 1. cap. 22. Euse lib. 4. cap. 6. 83. Domitian the sonne of Vespasian succeded Titus he was the seconde after Nero which persecuted the ChristiaÌ„s he exiled ma ny noble per sonages in the ende he was slayne in his pallace and after his death ignominiously vsed wheÌ„ that he had raigned 15. yeares Euseb lib. 3. cap. 13. 15. 16. 17. 18 Eutrop lib. 7. IOHN the Euangehst preached in Asia he was banished into the Isle Patmos in the time of Domitian where he wrote his Reuelation In the first yeare of Nerua he returned from Patmos and dwelt agayne at Ephesus He ruled the churches of Asia after the death of Domitian Euse lib. 3. ca. 16. 18. Irenâ—us lib. 2. cap. 39. lib. 3. cap. 3. Of him is reported a notable historie in Euseb lib. 3. cap. 20. Iohn saw the three Gospells of the Euangelists published and allowed of them afterwards wrote his owne to the consutation of Cerinthus Menander Ebion the heretiks Euseb lib. 3. cap. 21. Abdias sayeth he was throwen into a tunne of hot scalding oyle yet toke no harme Ierome sayeth he dyed the 68. yeare after the passion of Christ. anno Dom. 99. Dorotheus sayeth he went aliue into his graue there dyed being 120. yeare olde    Clemens was b. of Rome af ter Anacletus in the 12. yea re of DomitiaÌ„ Anno Domini 93. he wrote from Rome a worthy epi stle vnto the Corinthians the which was vsed to be read in the church he was thought to haue translated the epistle vnto the Hebrewes froÌ„ hebrew in to the grek tongue there is fathered vpoÌ„ him an other epistle with certaine dialogues tou tching Peter and Ap pion he go uerned the church 9. yeares Euseb lib. 3. cap. 14. 19. 31. 33. Abilius was b. of Alexandria after Anianus in the 4. yeare of Domitian Euseb lib. 3. cap. 13. Basilides where of Basilidia ni agree in diuerse pointes with Simon Menander and Saturninus he blased thro oughout Aegypt that there were 365. heauens he sayd that Simon of Cyren suffered in steade of Christ and not Christ him selfe that Christ taking the forme of Simon laughed them to scorne Irenaeus lib. 1. cap. 23. Epiphan haeres 24. Basilides the heretick wrot 24. bookes vpon the Gospell he fayned vnto him selfe Prophets whome he called Barcabus Barcoph he taught that thinges
Corinth was chiefe Euse li. 5. ca. 21. Dios was b. of Ierusalem after the departure of Narcissus Euseb li. 6. cap. 9. vnto the raygne of Seuerus Epiphan haeres 66.    Noetus denyed that there were three persons sayinge all three were one He called himselfe Moses sayd that Aaron was his brother He said the fatherâ— the sonne and the holy Ghoste suffred in the flesh Epiphan haeres 57. 194. Didius Iulianus whome Eutro calleth Saluius Iulianus raygned after Pertinax as Aâ—lius Spartian writeth 2. moneths Eutrop sayeth 7. moneths be like his tyme was short for Euseb maketh no mention of him       Tertullian was a moÌ„tanist Ierom. catalog 195. Seuerus was emperour after D. Iul. He beganne to persecute the churche of God the 10. yeare of his raygne he was Emperor 18. yeares dyed at York in Englande Euseb lib. 5. cap. 24. lib. 6. cap. 1. 2. 7. in chronic  At Ephesus many of the bishops of Asia met toutchinge the celebration of the feaste of Easter where Polycrates b. of Ephesus was chiefe Euseb li. 5. cap. 22.   Zephyrinus was b. of Rome after Victor ann Dom. 202. coÌ„tinewed there 18. yeares Euseb lib. 5. cap. 25. lib. 6 cap. 20.  Melchisedâ—chiani werâ— hereticks which honâ—red Melchisedech anâ— sayd that he was greater then Christ anâ— that he was no man Epiphan haeres 55. 202.   In the aforesayde sixe synods held an Do. 195. the b. of Rome had no more autoritie theÌ„ the other bishops He in his citie and they in theirs were chiefe and when as he weÌ„t about to chaleÌ„ge authoritie ouer the Easterne churches Iren. â—us b. of Lions in FrauÌ„ce reprehended him sharplye for it Fuse lib. 5. cap. 23.     Proclus a captaynâ— of the Cataphrygiaâ— heresie was confuteâ— by Gaius a Romaine 〈◊〉 the time of Zephyrinâ— b. of Rome Euse lib. cap. 25. lib. 6. cap. 20.    Germamon was b. of Ierusalem after Diâ—s Fuseb lib. 6. cap. 9.    Ambrose not he that was bishop of Millayne was of the heresie of Valentinus whome Origen conuerted Euseb lib. 6. cap. 17. Epiph. haeres 64. sayeth he was partly a Marcionist partly a Sabellian 205. Anno 10. Seueri  There was a Synode held at Bostra where OrigeÌ„ consuted Beryllus Euseb lib. 6. cap. 32.     Beryllus b. of Bostra in Arabia denied Christ to be the second person in Trinitie before he was made man Origen confuted him Euseb lib. 6. cap. 32.   Origen beinge a child exhorted his father in pryson to perseuere constaÌ„t beinge of the age of 18. he catechi sed in the schoole of Alexandria as he taught so he liued and as he liued so he taught for to embrace chastitie he gelded himselfe he was made minister at Caesarea he came to Rome in the time of Zephyrinus He preached many sermons he confuted many he retikes he trauelled many contreys In the ende he â—ell from the faith yet he repented him and died vnder Gallus and Volusianus being 69. yere old Euseb lib. 6. cap. 2. 7. c. lib. 7. cap. 1. Origen was sente for to Arabia wher the Arabians were condeÌ„ned whiche denyed the immortality of the soule Euseb lib. 6. cap. 36. Gordius was b. of Ierusalem after Germamon Eu seb lib. 6. cap. 9. vntil the raigne of Antoninus EpiphaÌ„ haeres 66. Asclepiades was b. of Antioch after Serapion Euse lib. 6. ca. 11 about the first yeare of Antoninus Caracalla   The Arabians taught that the soule dyed with the bodie and rose againe at the generall resurrection Origen conuerted theÌ„ Euseb lib. 6. cap. 36. 213. Antoninus Caracalla was Emperour after Seuerus he â—yagned 7. yeares 6 monethes Euseb lib. 6. cap. 7. 20 Affricanus a famous writer florished aboute this time Euseb lib. 1. cap. 8. lib. 6. cap. 30   Philetus was b. of Antioche after Asclepiades Euseb lib. 6. ca 20. about the firste yeare of Macrinus   Helcesaitae called of Epiphanius Sampsai the first author of them was Elxais a false prophete they reiected parte of the olde testament They denied the Apostle They counted it a thing indifferent in case of necessitie to denie with the mouth so that thou beleue with the hart OrigeÌ„ confuted them Euseb lib. 6. cap. 37. 220. Macrinus succeeded Caracalla dyed in the first yeare of his raigne Euse lib. 6. cap. 20. Plutarchus was martyred Heraclides Heron Serenus beheaded Serenus burned together with Rhais a womaÌ„ out of the schole of Origen Euseb li. 6. cap. 3.      Cessus the philosopher and hereticke was confuted by Origen in 8. bookes         Valesij were heretickes which had theyr originall of one Valens that liued in Bacathis a contrey of Philadelphia their maner was to geld them selues and as many strangers as lodged among them they abused the saying in the Gospell If thy member offende thee cut it of c. Epiphan haeres 58. 221. Antoninus Heliogabalus raigned after Macrinus the space of 4. yeares he dyed Euseb lib. 6. cap. 20. Potamiaena a virgin together with Marcella her mother burned Basilides beheaded Euseb lib. 6. cap. 4.  Narcissus commeth home againe is entreated after Gordiê° to take his former rowme because he was a 116. yeare olde they ioyned with him AlexaÌ„der who afore was b. of Cappadocia Eus lib. 6. cap. 7 9. 10.  Calistus was b. of Rome after Zephyrinus in the first yeare of Antoninus Heliogabalus Anno Dom. 221. and continewed ther 5. yeares Euseb lib. 6. cap. 20.   224. AlexaÌ„der was Emperoure after Heliogabalus and raygned 13. yeares Euse lib. 6. cap. 20. 27. Gregorius Nâ—ocaesariensis Atheno dorus hearde Origen in Caesarea the space of 5. yeares Although they were bothe yonge men yet were they chosen byshops in PoÌ„tus Euseb li. 6. cap. 29. Socrat lib. 4. ca. 22.  Alexander who afore was b. of Ierusalem together with Narcissus now after his death is there b. alone died in the persecutioÌ„ vnder Decius Euse lib. 6. ca. 38 He gouerned the church alone in the raygne of Alexander the Emperour Epip haeres 66.  Vrbanus was b. of Rome in the 1. yere of Alexander Anno Dom. 226. and gouerned the church eight yeares Euseb lib. 6. cap. 20. 21.  Nepos a b. of Aegipt was a Chiliast and wrot therof a booke the which Dionysius b. of Alexandria coÌ„futedafter his death Euseb lib. 7. cap. 22. 237. Maximinus was Emperor after Alexander he persecuted the churche of God raygned 3. yeres    Zebinus was b. of Antioche after Philetus Euseb lib. 6. ca. 21. about the 7. yeare of Alexander Pontianus was bishopof Rome after Vrbanus An. Dom. 236. continewed there 6. yeres Euseb lib. 6. cap. 21. 27. Anterus after Pontianus was bishopof Rome the space of one moneth Euseb lib. 6.
dyed An. Dom. 375. Socrat. li. 4. cap. 12. 16. Acesius a NouatiaÌ„ bishop was of Constantine called to the councell of Nice to render an accompte of his opinion Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 7.    The first councell of Arelate decreed with other thinges that Easter shoulde be kept at one certain time tom 1. coÌ„cil A councell of Arian bishops meet at Tyrus deposed Athanasius but CoÌ„stantine remoued them to coÌ„secrate the temple lately buylded at Ierusalem called them afterwards to CoÌ„stantinople in his presence to determine Athanasius causes Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 20. 22.   Iulius was b. of Rome after Mark Anno Do. 336. where he contine wed 16. yeres Ierom chron Socrat lib. 2. cap. 5. 27. saith it was 15. yeares  Marcellus b. of Ancyra in Galatia taught the heresie of Paulus Samosatenus that Christ was but bare man the bishops in the councell of Constantinople deposed him and â—usebius Pamphilus coÌ„futed him in three bookes Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 24. c. 336.    Maximus was b. of Ierusalem after Macarius hedetested the Arians refused to come to the councel of Antioche lest he shoulde condemne the Nicen Creede in the ende the Arians deposed him Socrat li. 2. c. 5. 30.    Audius was a schismaticke a man of an hotte spirite he rebuked the clergie men to their faces for their disordered lyfe being councelled to deale modestly nay chastized he deuided him selfe from the church and fell to raysing of priuate coÌ„uenticles he kept Easter with the Iewes Epiphan haer 70.         Eusebius of Nicomedia not onely in Arius tyme but also after his death mayntayned the heresie of Arius together with Macedonius b. of Constantinople â–ª Theognis b. of Nice Mâ— â–ª ris b. of ChalcedoÌ„ Theodorus b. of Heraclea â–ª Vrsacius Valens c. Socrat lib. 2. cap. 2. 9. 15. 340. ConstaÌ„tinus the yonger beig made Caesar the 10. yere of his fathers â—avgne â–ª CoÌ„stantius beinge made Caesar the 20. yere of his fathers raygne Constans beinge made Emperour the 30. yere of his fathers raigne succeeded they re father after his desease and deuided the Empire amonge them Constantinuâ— enioâ—ed it but alitle while for he was slayne by the souldiers of his brother Constans when he sought to inuade his brother CoÌ„stans dominions ConstaÌ„s not loÌ„g after was slayne by MagneÌ„tius the tyrant These two were godly emperours but CoÌ„stantius was an AriaÌ„ in the end CoÌ„stantius dyed being fiue and fortie yeare olde he raigned 38. yeares thirteene with his father CoÌ„staÌ„tinus Magnus fiue twentie after his fathers death Socrat. lib. 1 cap. 25 26. lib. 2. cap. 3 20. 37. IeroÌ„ chronic Rheticus a learned wryter florished in Fraunce about this time Ierom catalog There was a couÌ„cell held at Caesarea in Cappadocia where Eulalius b. of that seae condemned his owne sonne Eustathius b. of Sebastia in Armenia for manye crimes Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 33. The Councell of Gangra condemned the hereticall opinions of Eustathius allowing the mariage of priests Socra lib. 2. cap. 33 tom 1. concil A councell helde in Carthage decreed there should be no rebaptizing that clergie men should not meddle with temporall affaires tom 1. coÌ„cil Iulius helde a prouinciall synode at Rome where he condemned Arius ratified the Nicene Creede tom 1. concil  Eulalius an Arian was b. of Antioch after Eustathius Nicephor   Eustathius b. of Sebastia in Armenia went in suche attyre as was not decente for a priest He sorbad Mariadge made lawes of fastinge he parted maried couples asunder He caused suche as refrayned the churches to rayse conuenticles at home he tooke seruaunts froÌ„ their maisters vnder colour of religion he commaunded his followers to weare the philosophers habit he caused the womeÌ„ to be shauen he sorbad the accustomed fastingdays and commaunded they should faste on the sundaye He detested the prayers of maryed men he abhorred the offering and communion of the maried priest not remeÌ„bringe that his owne father was a priest and bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia he was first coÌ„demned of his owne father in a councell helde at Caesarea afterwardes by the couÌ„cel of Gâ—gra last of all at Gonstantinople Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 33.   Iuuencus a prieste of Spayne who wrot the foure EuaÌ„gelists in heroical verse florished about this tyme Ierom catalog   Euphronius an Arian was b. of Antioche after Eulalius Socrat. lib. 1. ca. 18.     Maximus b. of Treuere in Fraunce entertayned honorably Athanasius b. of AlexaÌ„dria being exiled into Fraunce Ier. chro A councell of Arian bishops mett at Antioche the first yeare after ConstaÌ„tines desease wher they deposed Athanasius endeuored to abrogate the Nicene creede Socrat. li. 2. ca. 5. 6. 7 The bishops of the East called a councell together layd down their creede with long expositions and sent it to the west churches by three bishops Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 15 A councell held at Coleyne in Germanie condemned Euphrata the byshop for denyinge that Christ was god â—om 1. concil A generall councell was summoned at Sardice by Constantius Constans the Emperoures for the hearing of Athanasius b. of Alexandria Paulus b. of Constantinople whom the Arians had exiled The councell restored them deposed they re accusers condeÌ„ned the Arians and confirmed the Nicene creede Socrat. lib. â— cap. 16. Cyrillus an Arian was chosen b. of Ierusalem after the deposition of Maximus he was deposed forcerâ—eÌ„ hainous crimes woulde not come and purge him selfe Socrat. li. 2. cap. 30. 31. 32.    Macedonius at the first being an Arian and deposed by Acacius secte could not quiet him self but fell from the Arians into an other heresie he denyed the godhead of the holy ghost tearming him the seruant and the drugge of the father of the sonne this opinion they saye Marathonius bishop of Nicomedia taught before him These hereticks are called Pneumatomachoi Socrat lib. 2. cap. 25. Epiph. haeres 73.    A councell summoned at IerusaleÌ„ by Maximus b. of that seae where he receaued Athanasius vnto the communion ratified the Nicene creede Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 19 A councell called together at AlexaÌ„dria by Athanasius where the actes of the couÌ„cell of Sardice of IerusaleÌ„ were confirmed Socrat lib. 2. cap. 21. Heraclius Placitus an Arian was b. of Antioch Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 5 6. 7.   Euphrata bishop of Coleyne denyed that Christ was God he was condemned in a councell helde at Coleyne tom 1. concil 350.  Hilarius b. of poetiers in Fraunce a great aduersarie of the Arians wrote sundrye notable bookes whereof one he deliuered into Constantius hande at ConstaÌ„tinople He died in the time of Valens and Valentinianus Ierom. catalog Socrat li. 3. ca. 8. Herenius Stephan an Arian succeeded Placitus Socrat lib. 2. cap. 21. Liberiê° was b. of Rome after Iulius
of the virgine but that the worde became flesh Epiphan haeres 76. 77. 365. Iulian succeded ConstaÌ„tius in the empire he heard at ConstaÌ„tinople Macedonius the Eunuch Niâ—ôcles the Laconian Ecebolius the sophist CoÌ„stantius fearinge he woulde fall froÌ„ christian religion into heathenish idolatrie sente him to Nicomedia charging him nor to treade in the schoole of Libanius yet by stelthe he resorted vnto him and read his heathenishe doctrine When the Emperour suspected his disposition IuliaÌ„ shaued him selfe and became a reader in a certaine churche yet after the Emperours death the obtayninge of the empire he became an Apostata he banished the Christians out of his court entertained in steede of theÌ„ philosophers coniurers Not longe after being the third yere of his raigne he was slayne in a battayle whiche he gaue the Persians An arrowe was shot at hiÌ„ which pearced him in the ribbs and gaue him his deaths wounde Some say it was one of his owne seruants some other that it was a fugitiue Persian some other saye that it was a deuell some doe write that he tooke the daâ—te out of his side threwe it all bloodie into the ayre cryed O Galilaean meaning Christ thou hast ouercome Socra lib. 3. cap. 1. 9. 10. 18. Sozomen lib. 6. cap. 2. Theodo lib. 3. cap. 25. Iouianus a godly maÌ„ one that mayntayned the Nicene creede was Experour after Iulian. He raygned no longer then seaueÌ„ moneths but he dyed Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 19. 20. 22. Macedonius Theodulus Tatianus were broyled to death in the time of Iulian. Socrat lib. 3. cap. 13. Theodorus was sore tormented Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 16. A councell held at AlexaÌ„dria by Athanasius after his returne from exile in the time of Iulian where the Arians Apollinarians Macedonians were condeÌ„ned Socrat lib. 3. ca. 5. A couÌ„cel held at LampsacuÌ„ 7. yeares after the couÌ„cell of Seleucia wher the AriaÌ„s were condemned Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 2. 4. A councell of bishops in Sicilia condemned the AriaÌ„s Soc. lib. 4. cap. 11. Iohn was b. of Ierusalem after Cyrill Socrat lib. 2. cap. 25. Dorotheus Paulinus and Euagrius beig godly meÌ„ were chosen by the people yet notsuffred to continew  Massiliani were idle monks whome the deuell had possessed they sayde that the bodie of Christ in the sacrament did neither good neyther harme they sayde baptisme was to no purpose Leotius b. of Melitena draue the theeues out of their dennes the wolues from among the sheepe sett their monasteries on fire Theodoreâ— lib. 4. cap. 11. these hereticks were called also Euchitae so called because of their coÌ„tinewaâ— prayinge It is a wonder sayeth Augustine to heare what a number of prayers they runne ouer muche like vnto the late mumblinge of prayers vpon beades where Christ sayd Praye alwayes and Sainct Paul Pray without intermission which is deuoutly to be taken for euery day they doe it to much therfore sayeth Augustine to be numbred among heretickes They saye when the soule is purged that a sowe with her pigges is seene to come out of mans mouth and that a visible fire entreth in whiche burneth not these Euchits did thinke that it appertayned not vnto the monkes to get theyr lyuinge with the sweate of their browes but to lyue idlye Epiphanius sayth that wheÌ„ Luppicianus the Praetor executed some of them for their lewdnesse they called them selues Marryrianos Some of them thoughte that it was they re duetie to worshippe the deuell lest he shoulde hurte them these were called Sataniani If ye called any of them Christ a Patriarche a Prophet or an Angell he woulde answere that he was so They slepte like swine men and women all in one heape August lib. de haeres Epiphan haeres 80. These MassiliaÌ„s were coÌ„demned in the generall councell held at Ephesus in the tyme of Theodosius iunior Cyrill lib. Apologet.   Artemius a noble man beheaded for the faith Theodor lib. 3. cap. 18. The MeletiaÌ„s esseÌ„bled at An tioche where they layde down the Macedonian opinion of the sonne of God iump betwene the Arians the true christians where they proued theÌ„ selues neutrans Ier. chro Socr. li. 3. cap. 8.  Dorotheus tooke possession of the bishopricke the seconde time and coÌ„tinewed ther a good while Democh. Socrat lib. 4. cap 28.      A councell at Laodicea anno Domini 368. decreed that the laytie shold not chuse the priest that lessoÌ„s shold be read in the church betwene certen Psalmes that seruice should be morning euening that the Gospel should be reade with other Scriptures on the sunday that leÌ„t should religiously be obserued without marieÌ„g solemnizinge the feastes of martyrs That christians shold not daunce at brydehouses c. tom 1. coÌ„c      367. Valentinianus one whome sometime Iulian banished his court succeeded Iouianus in the Empir he ioyned with him his brother Valens Valentinianus was a true Christian but Valens an Arian the one persecuted the Churche the other preserued the christians Valentinianus dyed Anno Domini 380. after he had liued foure and fiftye yeares and raygned thirteene Valens his brother raygned 3. yeares after him departed this life Socrat lib. 4. ca. 1. 26. 31. Basilius b. of Caesarea in Cappadocia florishedabout this time wheÌ„ Valens the emperour sent for him out of Caesarea into Antioch he be haued him selfe very stoutly in the defence of the trueth Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 21. Gregorie Nazianzen the maister of S. Ierom liued in the time of Valens dyed in the raygne of Theodosius Magnus Socrat. li. 4. cap. 21. Ierom catalog eccles script A councell of Nouatians met at Pazum and decreed contrary to the Nicen couÌ„cell that the feaste of Easter shoulde be kept alike with the Iewes Socrat. li. 4. cap. 23. Nepos Meletiê° came the seconde time to be Byshop Democh    368.  Ambrose b. of Millayne beiÌ„g Liuetenant of the prouince was chosen to gouerne the church by the vniforme consent of the people coÌ„firmed by Valentinianus Ierom suspended his iudgemeÌ„t of him because he liued in his time Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 25. A councell of macedoniaÌ„smet at Antioch and condemned the Nicene councel with the clause of one substance Socrat. lib. 5. ca. 4   Damasus was b. of Rome an Dom. 369 after Liberius where he continewed 18. yeres Socrat lib. 4. cap. 17. 24. lib. 6. ca. 9. lib 7. ca. 9. Ierom. chronic   378.   A couÌ„cel of 90. Byshops called at Rome by Damasur where Arius Eunomius Macedonius Photinus HebioÌ„ and theyr disciples were condemned where also the holye Ghost was sayd to be of one substaÌ„ce with the father and the sonne tom 1. concil    Peter was b. of Alexandria after Athanasius an Dom. 375 the AriaÌ„s by autoritie froÌ„ the emperour clapt him in prison and chose Lucius in his roume Peter got out of prison fled vnto Damasus b. of
without a head which reuiled the councell of Chalcedon and sayde that Christ had but one nature Palmer chron 458. Arthur kinge of bryttaine a noble and a valiaÌ„t Prince is sarde about this time to be of great fame throughout the west parts of the world Seuerus was Emperour of the west and abode at Rauenna after Maioranus 4. yeres Palmer chronic Anthemius was sent from Leo to be Emperour of Rome where he continewed 5. yeares Euag. lib. 2. cap. 16. Olymbrius was emperour 7. moneths Glycerius was Emperour 5. yeares whome Nepos deposed Nepos was Emperor of Rome 56 dayes whom Orestes deposed Orestes made Augustulus his sonne emperor   Anastasius was b. of Ierusalem after Iuuenalis one as it is reported that subscribed vnto the condemnation of the councel of ChalcedoÌ„ for fear of Basiliscus Euagr. li. 3. cap. 5. Basilius b. of Antioch Euagr lib. 2. ca. 10.     Augustulus the sonne of Orestes raygned one yeare he was the laste Emperour of Rome of the thousand three hundred yeares since the â—aygne of Romulus I â—â—ough edition ciuill warres it fell out that the Empire came to nought many raygned in the west of aequall autoritie Odoacer that succeeded Augustulus would not call him selfe Emperour but kinge â–ª there was no Emperour of the west the space of 330 yeares afore the yeare of our Lorde eight hundred â–ª when Carolus Magnus king of Fraunce was by Leo the 3. of that name b. of Rome crowned Emperoure From that tyme the Emperours of the west were called the Emperoures of Germanie â–ª Euagr lib. 2. cap. 16. Math. Palmer chronic Ieno succeeded Leo in the empire a wickâ—d a beastly lyuer Basiliseus the tyrante oueâ— came him became Emperour 2. yeares ê“â—laimed his soÌ„ne   Peter Cnapheus b. of Antioch He was an hereticke and condemned the couÌ„cell of ChalcedoÌ„ He was afterwardes deposed by Zeno the Emperoure Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 5. 8. Simplicius was b. of Rome after Hilarius Anno Do. 470 â–ª where he continewed 15. yeares he wrote vnto Zeno the Emperour Zeno vnto hiÌ„ againe toutching Iohn b. of Antioche that was deposed Palmer chronic Euagr â–ª li. 3. cap. 15. Timotheus AElurus was called from exile where he had bene 18. yeares by Basilisâ—us the tyrant restored to the seae of Alexandria he accursed the councell of Chalcedon Zeno purposed to persecute him but seing that he was an olde man he lette him alone shortly after he died Eua. lib. 3. cap. 4. 6. 11. Peter Cnapheus b. of Antioche was an Eutychian he accursed the councell of Chalcedon trobled all Aegypt set the religious men by the eares Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 16. 17. 22. Idle monkes within the prouince of AlexaÌ„dria fell to the heresie of Eutyches to reuile the councell of Chalcedon Euag lib. 3. cap. 17 475.  Leâ—us a learned man was burned by Honoricus the Arian Anto. chron   Stephan b. of Antioch after the deposition of Peter but the Antiochians dispatched him with a câ—uell death Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 10.  Petrus Moggus was made b. of Antioch after the desease of Timo theus Aelurus but Zeno was offeÌ„ded with it and thrust him out Eua. lib. 3. cap. 11. Petrus Moggus b. of Alexandria was an heretick Euagr. 485. Marcus Caesar this Basiliscus sent letters euery where and condemned in them the councell of Chalcedon but he was faine by reason of the schisme that rose therof at Constantinople to call in his letters and not longe after Zeno came with greate power and ouerthrewe him slewe him his wife and children This Zeno raygned 17. yeares and dyed of the falling sicknes Euag. lib. 2. cap. 17. lib 3. cap. 1. 3. 4. 7. 8. 29. Dionysia with Maioricus her sonne suffred infinite tormeÌ„ts for the faith in Christ Auton chro Fulgentius florished about this time Palmer chronic Hesychius wrote a learned coÌ„mentarie vpon Leuiticus Conrad Lycost A councell held at Tarraco in Spayne in the tyme of Felix layde downe certaine canons for the reforma tion of the clergie tom 2. concil Martyrius was bishop of IerusaleÌ„ after Anastasius Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 16.  Felix the 2 of that name was b. of RoÌ„e after Simplicius an Dom. 485. where he coÌ„tinewed 9. yeares Euag. lib 3. cap. 18. 19. 20. Anton. chron Timotheus Basilicus is by Zeno called from exile and restored to his bishop ricke Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 11. Iohn succee â–ª ded Timothe he made sute in his predecessors dayes that the Emperor would graunt him the nominatinge oâ— the nexte incumbent and swore he woulde not take it him selfe wheÌ„ the seae was voyd he gaue the electors money forgot his othe and became bishop hiÌ„ selfe therfore the Emperour deposed him Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 12. Honoricus king of the Vandals was an Arian and exiled 334. bishops Honor. catalog heret But sayth Anton chronic He exiled of the clergie and laytye to the nuÌ„ber of 4975. persons Euagr. lib. 4. cap. 14. The east churches were woÌ„derfully infected at great dissentioÌ„ about the heresies of Nestorius Eutyches and Dioscorus Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 31.  From the raigne of Augustus in the 42. yere of whose Imperie Christ was borne vnto the death of Zeno and the creation of Anastasius there are 532. yeares and 7. moneths from the raigne of Diocletian 207. yeares and seauen moneths from the raygne of Alexander Magnus king of Macedonia 832. yeares and 7. moneths from the building of Rome and the kingdome of Romulus 1052. yeares and seaueÌ„ moneths from the destruction of Troie 1686. yeares and 7. moneths Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 29.  All the bishops of Aphricke came together by the coÌ„maundement of Honoricus the AriaÌ„ where his heresie was confirmed and 444. godly bishops exiled Anton. chron part 2. tit 11. Salustius was b. of Ierusalem after Martyrius Eua. lib. 3. cap. 36. Calandio was b. of Antioche after the death of Stephan he accursed both the letters of Basilisâ—us and of Timothe Euagr lib. 3. cap. 10. Petrus Cnapheus after the desease of Calandio was restored vnto the bishop rick Euag. lib. 3. ca. 16  Petrus Moggus is agayne restored by Zeno vpon conditioÌ„ that he will renounce his heresie Euagr lib. 3. ca. 12  492. Anastasius succeeded Zeno in the Empire He tooke not onely the Empire after him but also his wife WheÌ„ he sawe the great sedition that raygned in the church he called the people together and tolde them he woulde be Emperourno longer but the people seinge this quieted themselues requested him to continewe their Emperour so he did and dyed shortly after when he had raygned 27 yeares three monethes and three dayes Euagr. lib. 3. cap. 29. 44. Egesippus a great diuine florished about this time Sabell A synod of 70. b. was called together at RoÌ„e by Gelasius where the Canonicall scriptures were seuered from suche as were Apocrypha tom 2. concil  Palladius was b. of
a noble vvoman vvas banished for the faith pag. 47. Flauianus B. of Constantinople was murthered by heretickes pag. 426. Florinus an hereticke pag. 86. 90. 91. Florus a cruell Liuetenant of Iudaea pag. 35. Frumentius a Byshop conuerted the middle Indians pag. 240. G. GAd the Prophete and his life pag. 521. Gainas the rebel and his end pag. 364. 365. Gaius B. of Rome pag. 35. 51. 53. 108. 142. Galba was Emperour a shorte while pa. 37. 469 Galen the phisicion is worshipped of heretickes pag. 95. Galienus vvas Emperour after Valerianus and restored peace he raygned fifteene yeres pag. 131. 139. Galilaeans and their heresie pag. 70. Gallus was Emperour after Decius pag. 121. his end pag. 469. Gallus the brother of Iulian the Apostata rebelled and was beheaded pag. 278. Galma B. of Amastris pag. 71. Georgius the Arian B. of Alexandria and his miserable end pag. 298. Germanicus for his faith was torne in peeces of wilde beastes pag. 64. Germanion B. of Ierusalem pag. 102. Germanus vvas beheaded for the fayth pag. 167 Gitton a village in Samaria where Simon Magus was borne pag. 26. 27. Gnostici were heretickes pag. 60. God diuersly plagued the old vvorld pag. 5. Golauduch a vvoman was martyred pag. 510. Gomarius a rebell is savved a sunder pag. 320. Gomorha was ouerthrowen vvith fire and brimstone pag. 4. Gordianus vvas Emperour after Maximinus and raygned 6 yeares pag. 111. 112. his ende pag. 496. Gordius B. of Ierusalem page 102. Gorgonius a page of the Emperour Diocletian after tormet was hanged for the faith pa. 145. 148. Gorthaeus an hereticke pag. 70. The Gospell after Marcke pag. 28. 57. 84. 104 110. The Gospell after Mathew was vvrytten in Hebrewe pag. 49. 57. 84. 85. 109. The Gospel after Iohn pag. 49. 50. 84. 104. 110. The Gospell after Luke pag. 37. 49. 50. 84. 110. Gospells were published by heretickes pag. 50. 51. 103. The Gotths receaued the Christian fayth page 338. 339. Gratianus was made Emperour pag. 322. his death 347. Gregorius Neocaesariensis the disciple of Origen pag. 111. 131. 335. Gregorius B. of Alexandria and the sturre about him pag. 258. Gregorie Nazianzen vvas of great fame pa. 322. 334. 335. 343. Gregorie the brother of Basil was B. of Nissa pa. 335. 345. Gregorie B. of Antioch pag. 493. H. HAnani the Prophet and his life pag. 523. Helcesaitae were heretickes and their opinioÌ„ pag. 113. Helen Queene of the Osroemians distributed corne in time of famine pag. 26. Helen the mother of Constantinus Magnus foâ—d the Crosse at Ierusalem pag. 237. 238. Helena a vvitch the yoke mate of Simon Magus pag. 27. Hemerobaptists and theyr heresie pag. 70. Heraclides a Martyr pag. 97. Heraclitus vvrote coÌ„mentaries vpoÌ„ Paul pa. 94. Heretickes corrupt the vvorkes of auncient vvryters pag. 71. Heresies reade in the Chronographie the catalogue of all the heresies vvithin the first six hundred yeares after Christ Heraclas B. of Alexandria pag. 97. 105. 110. Hermes vvrote a booke intitled Pastor vvhiche vvas reade in the Church pag. 36. 84. Hermogenes an Arian captaine is cruellye put to death pag. 259. Hermon B. of Ierusalem pag. 144. Hermophilus an hereticke translated the Scriptures pag. 95. Herode vvas kinge of the Ievves vvhen Christe vvas borne pag. 9. 10. Herode Antipater pag. 9. Herode Ascalonites pag. 9. Herode shutte vp vnder his seale the holy robe of the highpriest pag. 10. Herode burned the genealogies of the Ievves to make him selfe a Gentleman pag. 11. Herode commaunded the infantes to be slayne pag. 12. Herode is tormented he seeketh to dispatch him selfe and dieth miserably pag. 12. 13. Herode caused the chief of the Ievves to be clapt in prison and to be slaine at his departure that the Iewes might lament his death pa. 13. Herode the Tetrarch was banished into Vienna together with his harlot Herodias pag. 14. 21. Herode Agrippa is by Caius Caligula made king of the Iewes pa. 21. he imprisoneth Peter the Apostle and dierâ— miserably pa. 23. 24. 25. Herodian an historiographer pa 502. Herodias the harlot of Herode the Tetrarch pa. 14. Heron was beheaded for the faith pa. 98. Heros b. of Antioch after Ignatius pa. 55. Hesychius Bishop of Aegypt was martyred pag. 153. Hilarius b. of Poetiers pa. 304. Hippolitus and his works pa. 108. Honorichus the Arian king of the Vandals persecuted the christians pa. 476. Honorius is created Emperour pa. 359. Hormisda king of Persia pa. 50â— Hulda a prophetesse and her life pa. 527. Hyginus was bishop of Rome 4. yeares pa. 62. 83. Hymenaeus b. of Ierusalem â–ª pa. 131. Hypatia a learned womaÌ„ was of spite cruelly executed pa. 384. Hyrcanus an high priest of the Iewes was taken captiue of the Persians pa. 9. 10. I. IAcob saw God face to face pa. 4. he prophecied of Christ pa. 9. Iames the Apostle called the brother of the Lord was the first b. of Ierusalem and brained with a club pa. 19. the order of his martyrdome is to be seene pa. 32. 33. 34. 37. 519. Iames the brother of Iohn was beheaded by Herode Agrippa pa. 19. 23. 37. 519. his life pa. 532. Iberians receaued the fayth pa. 241. 242. Idithum the prophet and his life pa. 522. Iehaziel the prophet and his life pa. 523. Iehu the prophet and his life pa. 523. Ieremie the prophet and his life pa. 526. Ierusalem had 15. bishops from the Apostles vnto the 18. yeare of Adrian pa. 59. Ierusalem was wonne very oft pa. 44. Ierusalem was called Aelia pa. 59. 60. Iesus is a word of great mysterie pa. 6. Iesus the Christ of God as Iosephus witnesseth pa. 15. Iesus was the sonne of God by the testimonie of Agbarus king of Edessa pa. 17. Iesus shoulde haue bene canonized by the consent of Tiberius in the number of the Romaine gods but the senate would not pa. 20. Iesus the sonne of Dannaeus was an high priest of the Iewes pa. 34. Iesus the sonne of Ananias cried woe woe in Ierusalem pa. 42. the Iewes became tributaries vnto the Romains pa. 10. the Iewes were plagued by Seianus pa. 22. the Iewes were vexed by Pilat pa. 22. the Iewes were banished Rome by Claudius pa. 31. the Iewes to the number of 30000. were slaine vpon Easter day pa. 31. 38. the Iewes were vexed vnder Nero. pa. 31. the Iewes were slaine vnder Florus pa. 35. the Iewes were besieged in Ierusalem pa. 37. their famine slaughter and greate miserie pa. 38. 39. 40. the Iewes were searched and ript to see whether they had hid meate or eaten golde pa. 39. 44. the Iewes were torne of wilde beastes solde and led captiue pa. 41. the Iewes were plagued vnder Traian pa. 58. the Iewes which perished and their infinit number during all the warres pa. 42. 43. the Iewes were destroyed vnder Adrian pa. 59. the Iewes rased certaine places out of the Bible pa. 69. the Ievves rebelled in Diocaesarea and vvere all destroyed pa. 278. the Ievves vvere vtterly foyled vvith terrible signes from aboue in the time
23. after the greeke Publius a Martyr Quadratus Dionysius Areopagita 1. b. of Athens Philip. Bachilides Elpistus Galma Pinytus Vowed chastitie forbidden Dionysius wryteth of the Romains then if he were nowe to wryte he could tell an other tale Dionysius readeth in the Churche of Corinthe the epistle of the Churche of Rome and of Clemens Dionysius complaineth that heretickes corrupted his epistles Cap. 24. after the greeke Theophilus Maximinê° b. of Antioche Anno Domini 179. cap. 25. after the greeke Philip. Irenaeus Modestus Cap. 26. after the greeke Melito and the cataloge of his bookes Melito in his booke of Easter Sagaris martyred Apece of the Apologie of Melito vnto the Emperour Christian religion began to be made manifest in the time of Augustus for then Christ was borne Melito writeth vnto Onesimus of the canonical Scripture of the olde testament These 2. chapters in the Greeke were one Apollinarius Montanus the heretick Musanus Encratitis Tatianus Irenaeus li. 1. cap. 30. 31. Saturniani Marcionitae Tatianus Valentiniani Seuerus Seueriani Diatessaron Tatianus though an hereticke yet wrote â—e a learned book agaynst the Gentiles Bardesanes a Syrian Anno. 179. Eleutherius â–ª b. of Rome Anno Domini 179. The epistle of the french meÌ„ vnto the Churches of Asia Phrygia Rom. â— Vegetius Epagathus martyred Luke 1. Tenne fell in persecution Sclaunders raised against the ChristiaÌ„s Iohn 16. Sanctus a Deacon Maturus a late conuert Blandina a woman 1. Corinth 1. Blandina sheweth great pacieÌ„ce in her tormentes Blandina coÌ„fesseth her selfe to be a Christian Sanctus sheweth greate pacience Sanctus confesseth him selfe a Christian A notable saynge of Sanctus Biblis a womaÌ„ pitiously tormented Many of the Martyrs died in pryson Pothinus b. of lyons after great torments is cast into pryson where after 2. dayes he departeh this life A comparison or difference betwene such as faynted such as continwed faythfull in persecution Maturus and Sanctus beheaded Blandina hanged in gibbets so lowe that the wild beasts might reache her Blandina is cast into prison Attalus brought forth clapt in prison Many that fell repented them againe Ezech. 16. Alexander a Phisician coÌ„forteth the martyrs Alexander torne in peeces of wilde beastes Attalus fryed to death Ponticus of the yeares of 15. martyred Blandina beheaded Apocalyp 22. Deade carkases throwne vnto dogges The ashes of the burned bodyes were throweÌ„ into the riuer Rhodanus to take away the hope of the resurrection The French men write thus of their martyrs Philip. 2. The suffring of Christ is rather to be termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 redemption 1. Pet. 1. then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 martyrdome Who be martyrs and who confessors 1. Pet. 5. Act. 7. They receaue after repentaÌ„ce such as fell in persecution The Frenchmen in their foresayd epistle writ thuâ— also of Alcibiades Montanus Theodotus and Alcibiades not the former false prophets The Martyrs in Fraunce to Eleutheriê° b. of Rome in the commendation of Irenaeus b. of Lions Eusebius wrote a boke of Martyrs which is not extant Marcus Aurelius the brother of Antoninus The Christian souldiers doe pray for rayne immediatly it lightened rayned The lightening legion Tertullian in Apologâ—â— Irenaeus who in his youth was the auditor of Polycarpê° succeedeth Pothinus in the Bishoprik of Lyons in Fraunce Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 3. 2. Timoth. 4. Paul Peter Linus Anacletus Clemens Euarestus Alexander Xystus Telesphorus Hyginus Pius Anicetus Soter Eleutherius Irenaeus lib. 2 cap. 57. Irenaeus lib. 2 cap. 58. Irenaeus lib. â— Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 1. Matthewe Marcke Luke Iohn Irenaeus lib. 5 VVhen the reuelation of Sainct Iohn was first sene Irenaeus allea geth pastor lib. 2. maÌ„dat 1. Marcion Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 23. 24. Esay 7. TheodotioÌ„ Aqnila Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 25. The septuagints * Comodus succeeded Antoninus Anno Domi 1826. Agrippinê° b. of Alexandria Iulianus b. of Alex. Pantaenê° mo derated the schole of Alex Euangelistes * Cap. 10. after the greke The Gospell of Matthewe in Hebrew at India Bartholomew preached in India Cap. 11. after the Greeke Clemens Alexandrinê° lib. 1. Stromatôn Cap. 12. after the greeke Narcissus b. of Ierusalem Marcus Cassianus Publius Maximus Iulianus Caius Symachus Caius Iulianus Capito Valens Dolichianus Narcissus Cap. 13. after the Greeke Rhodon an Asian Apelles Philumaena Marcion Pontinus Basilicus Lycus Synerus Rhodon reporteth of the disputati on betwene him and Apelles Rhodon in Hexameron Apelles the Hereticke wrote infinit bookes Cap. 14. after the greeke Montanus Priscilla Maximilla * Cap. 15. after the greke Florinus Blastus cap. 16. after the greeke Apollinarius b. of Hierapolis toutching Montanus his originall Apollinarius disputed and coÌ„futed MoÌ„tanê° figmeÌ„ts at Ancyra in Galatia Zoticus Otrenus Ardabau Montanus Matth. 24. 2. womeÌ„ the prophetisses of Montanê° The Churches the synodes faith full of Asia â–ª condemned Montanus Apollinarius of the endes of the false prophets Montanus Maximilla hanged them selues Theodotus the hereticke flying vp broke his necke Apollinarius of the salse prophecies of the Montanists Apollinarius lib. 3. Not the death but the cause of it proueth a Martyr Cap. 17. after the greeke Apollinarius out of Miltiades works alleadgeth this Agabus Iude. The daughters of Philip. Aminias Quadratus Miltiades bookes Cap. 18. after the greeke Apollonius against the Montanistes The prophetisses of Mon tanus receaue gifts Themison a montanist with money deliuered himself from pryson Alexander a thief yet a martyr of Montanus secte Math 10. Luk. 9. Math. 7. Stibium is a white stone founde in siluer mines by rubbinge the skinne it maketh it looke very faire Thraseas a martyr * This tradition first is to be suspected for that christ Matth. 28. Marc. 16. commauÌ„ded the Apostles to passe throughout the worlde to preache the Gospell secondly for that he charged them Luc. 24. Act. 1. to tary in Ierusalem but vntill they were endued with power from an high which was fifty dayes after the ascention Cap. 19. after the Greeke Serapion byshop of Antioch Epist ad Cari cum ponticuÌ„ * Cap. 20. after the Greke Irenaeus lib. de Ogdoade which is not extant Irenaeus vnto Florinus the schismaticke Florinus a courtier then a schismatick last an hereticke Polycarpus vsed oft to re peate this saying Cap. 21. after the Greeke The accuser of Apollonius with the breaking of his legges died miserably Apollonius a Christian philosopher exhibited an Apollogie vnto the senate of Rome and afterwards is beheaded A cruell law Cap. 22. after the Greeke Anno Dom. 192. all these bishops florished at one tyme. Victor b. of Rome Demetrius Serapion Theophilus Narcissus Banchillus Polycrates Cap. 23. after the greeke Anno Dom. 199. Exod. 12. Easter the fasting dayes going before layde downe by decree Theophilus Narcissus were chiefe in Palaestina Victor at Ro. Palmas aâ— PoÌ„tus Irenae us in FrauÌ„ce The bishops of Ostroëna in their prouinces Banchillus at Corinth not the bishope of Rome ouer all cap. 24. after the greeke