more_o exact_a and_o copious_a than_o any_o that_o have_v appear_v before_o for_o he_o think_v that_o st._n jerom_n and_o beda_n have_v handle_v this_o matter_n too_o careless_o and_o it_o be_v even_o report_v that_o the_o emperor_n charles_n the_o bald_a to_o who_o he_o dedicate_v his_o book_n have_v set_v he_o at_o work_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o he_o do_v every_o thing_n answerable_a to_o the_o zeal_n of_o his_o age_n for_o martyr_n and_o relic_n which_o notwithstanding_o his_o diligence_n and_o all_o the_o care_n he_o take_v can_v effect_v no_o more_o than_o the_o discovery_n which_o he_o make_v of_o two_o other_o theb._n soldier_n namely_o cassius_n and_o florentius_n who_o be_v also_o record_v by_o helinand_n but_o further_o have_v it_o pass_v for_o current_n at_o that_o time_n that_o the_o three_o saint_n in_o st._n maximus_n sermon_n be_v theb._n soldier_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o they_o can_v have_v escape_v the_o diligent_a search_n of_o vsuard_n if_o after_o this_o any_o one_o shall_v allege_v to_o we_o the_o life_n of_o saint_n as_o the_o legend_n of_o octavius_n aventitius_n and_o soluter_n we_o have_v no_o other_o answer_n for_o they_o but_o that_o there_o be_v none_o so_o blind_a as_o they_o that_o will_v not_o see_v but_o since_o it_o have_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o maximus_n his_o sermon_n have_v give_v we_o a_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o st._n ambrose_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v by_o without_o some_o reflection_n the_o silence_n of_o this_o father_n in_o this_o particular_a viz._n concern_v the_o theb._n legion_n and_o their_o martyrdom_n though_o in_o a_o hundred_o place_n of_o his_o work_n he_o speak_v of_o saint_n and_o famous_a martyr_n in_o general_n the_o time_n he_o live_v be_v not_o long_o after_o that_o wherein_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v cut_v off_o he_o be_v bishop_n at_o milan_n not_o very_o far_o distant_a from_o agaunum_n where_o this_o martyrdom_n be_v say_v to_o have_v happen_v and_o he_o have_v converse_v sometime_o with_o theodorus_n bishop_n of_o octodurum_n or_o martigni_n where_o agaunum_n be_v situate_v both_o these_o bishop_n be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o aquileia_n assemble_v to_o give_v a_o decision_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o palladius_n and_o secundianus_n arrian_n bishop_n in_o illyria_n they_o meet_v again_o at_o milan_n where_o theodorus_n sign_v the_o letter_n which_o st._n ambrose_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n write_v to_o pope_n siricius_n concern_v the_o condemnation_n of_o jovinian_a who_o have_v utter_v blasphemous_a expression_n against_o the_o virginity_n of_o the_o bless_a mother_n of_o god_n and_o though_o the_o false_a st._n eucherius_n in_o the_o letter_n already_o relate_v do_v write_v to_o the_o bishop_n salvius_n that_o theodorus_n who_o he_o call_v vir_fw-la anterioris_fw-la temporis_fw-la have_v inform_v isaac_n bishop_n of_o geneva_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o ever_o speak_v of_o it_o to_o st._n ambrose_n see_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o in_o all_o the_o work_n of_o this_o father_n but_o let_v we_o come_v now_o to_o another_o sort_n of_o writer_n and_o ask_v the_o father_n who_o have_v compose_v chronology_n or_o church-history_n these_o perhaps_o will_v tell_v we_o something_o of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n for_o this_o be_v not_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o transaction_n as_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v overlook_v or_o lose_v among_o the_o crowd_n of_o those_o great_a event_n which_o they_o have_v to_o relate_v it_o be_v a_o memorable_a matter_n of_o fact_n worthy_a of_o their_o pen_n and_o to_o be_v recommend_v to_o posterity_n for_o it_o be_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n and_o the_o most_o famous_a historian_n of_o the_o church_n either_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o this_o suppose_a martyrdom_n or_o write_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o i_o mean_v eusebius_n socrates_n sozomen_n theodoret_n evagrius_n jerom_n orosius_n sulpitius_n severus_n if_o this_o martyrdom_n be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o have_v they_o know_v it_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v they_o will_v all_o have_v conspire_v together_o to_o leave_v we_o in_o the_o dark_a about_o it_o to_o begin_v with_o eusebius_n of_o who_o those_o who_o favour_v he_o least_o as_o joseph_n scaliger_n do_v eusebe_n yet_o agree_v that_o with_o great_a care_n he_o have_v search_v into_o the_o original_a piece_n concern_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o first_o see_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n the_o persecution_n move_v by_o enrage_a pagan_n against_o the_o primitive_a christian_a religion_n the_o many_o conflict_n of_o the_o bless_a martyr_n for_o its_o defense_n and_o the_o victory_n which_o their_o faith_n and_o constancy_n have_v obtain_v over_o infidelity_n and_o error_n st._n jerom_n or_o whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o letter_n to_o chromatius_n and_o heliodorus_n agree_v with_o the_o remark_n of_o precedent_n cousin_n upon_o the_o care_n and_o diligence_n of_o eusebius_n in_o collect_v the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n it_o be_v say_v in_o that_o letter_n that_o the_o emperor_n constantine_n at_o his_o arrival_n at_o caesarea_n permit_v eusebius_n to_o ask_v he_o whatever_o he_o have_v most_o a_o mind_n to_o and_o that_o eusebius_n desire_v he_o to_o command_v that_o they_o shall_v send_v he_o from_o all_o the_o court_n and_o tribunal_n of_o judicature_n throughout_o the_o empire_n all_o the_o process_n trial_n and_o sentence_n concern_v martyr_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v particular_o inform_v of_o their_o right_a name_n quality_n and_o number_n and_o also_o of_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o their_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o of_o the_o province_n town_n and_o day_n of_o their_o excecution_n and_o last_o with_o what_o patience_n and_o courage_n they_o have_v suffer_v their_o torment_n therefore_o antipater_n bishop_n of_o bostra_n in_o arabia_n think_v to_o obscure_v the_o glory_n and_o reputation_n of_o eusebius_n say_v in_o his_o confutation_n of_o origen_n apology_n i_o allow_v eusebius_n to_o be_v excellent_o verse_v in_o history_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n which_o he_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o but_o the_o emperor_n authority_n favour_v his_o design_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n for_o he_o to_o gather_v up_o whatever_o write_n be_v scatter_v all_o over_o the_o world_n so_o that_o eusebius_n have_v so_o many_o way_n of_o be_v imform_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyrdom_n no_o body_n can_v deny_v but_o he_o be_v a_o well_o qualify_v witness_n to_o be_v call_v and_o hear_v upon_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o because_o he_o not_o only_o be_v alive_a at_o the_o time_n of_o this_o martyrdom_n but_o of_o age_n to_o know_v what_o be_v then_o transact_v in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o constantine_n life_n he_o say_v that_o in_o his_o youth_n he_o first_o see_v this_o prince_n in_o palestina_n in_o the_o retinue_n of_o the_o emperor_n dioclesian_n and_o in_o the_o three_o book_n of_o his_o church_n history_n speak_v of_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n 〈◊〉_d he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n that_o he_o be_v raise_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n see_v therefore_o that_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n die_v in_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o gallienus_n reign_n eusebius_n his_o birth_n must_v necessary_o precede_v the_o death_n of_o this_o prince_n the_o learned_a doctor_n cave_n conjecture_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v about_o the_o year_n 270._o as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o gallienus_n death_n we_o be_v under_o great_a uncertainty_n cardinal_n baronius_n place_v it_o in_o the_o year_n 269_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n who_o will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v reign_v but_o fifteen_o year_n but_o antonio_n pagi_n be_v of_o a_o different_a opinion_n and_o think_v he_o live_v some_o few_o year_n long_o and_o this_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o medal_n of_o gallienus_n speak_v of_o by_o mezabarba_n with_o this_o inscription_n p._n m._n tr._n po._n xvi_o con._n vii_o so_o that_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o difficult_a thing_n to_o assign_v precise_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n his_o birth_n but_o it_o be_v not_o our_o business_n here_o to_o cast_v the_o horoscope_n of_o this_o father_n or_o to_o make_v a_o exact_a calculation_n of_o the_o time_n of_o his_o nativity_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o purpose_n that_o the_o circumstance_n here_o specify_v will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o eusebius_n be_v at_o least_o fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o year_n old_a when_o maximian_n go_v into_o
have_v speak_v of_o the_o rule_n which_o king_n sigismond_n cause_v to_o be_v establish_v there_o add_v that_o this_o rule_n be_v strict_o observe_v there_o usque_fw-la â—odie_fw-la to_o this_o very_a day_n so_o that_o be_v it_o true_a that_o st._n eucherius_n be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o work_n he_o must_v of_o necessity_n not_o only_o have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o king_n sigismond_n but_o more_o than_o that_o he_o must_v have_v outlive_v he_o many_o year_n but_o now_o it_o happen_v to_o be_v quitâ—_n contrary_a for_o st._n eucherius_n be_v dead_a when_o sigismond_n be_v yet_o on_o the_o throne_n most_o historian_n do_v reckon_v the_o death_n of_o this_o king_n of_o burgundy_n to_o have_v happen_v about_o the_o year_n 520_o and_o place_n that_o of_o st._n eucherius_n in_o 175._o the_o year_n 441._o it_o be_v true_a that_o mr._n dupin_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o year_n 454._o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o prosper_n chronicle_n some_o on_o the_o contrary_n carry_v it_o as_o far_o back_o as_o the_o year_n 421._o among_o who_o be_v gennadius_n and_o ado._n but_o there_o be_v much_o reason_n to_o suspect_v in_o both_o these_o author_n the_o disingenuity_n of_o some_o transcriber_n since_o it_o can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o gennadius_n and_o ado_n that_o st._n eucherius_n be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o orange_n where_o his_o name_n be_v find_v among_o the_o subscriber_n and_o that_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o by_o every_o body_n that_o this_o council_n be_v hold_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 441._o some_o indeed_o to_o save_v this_o anachronism_n pretend_v that_o there_o have_v be_v two_o eucherius_n like_o the_o jew_n who_o to_o mend_v their_o desperate_a cause_n have_v invent_v two_o messiah_n to_o reconcile_v in_o both_o the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o oracle_n which_o they_o can_v apply_v to_o one_o alone_a but_o in_o short_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o st._n eucherius_n bishop_n of_o lion_n shall_v be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n unless_o we_o allow_v he_o to_o have_v have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o make_v he_o speak_v prophetical_o of_o those_o rule_n which_o be_v to_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o monastery_n of_o agaunum_n several_a age_n after_o his_o death_n shall_v some_o person_n now_o put_v out_o any_o write_n under_o the_o name_n of_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr marca_n or_o of_o cardinal_n duperron_n and_o mention_v therein_o the_o establishment_n and_o foundation_n of_o st._n cyr._n to_o show_v that_o these_o write_n aught_o not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o these_o two_o great_a man_n it_o will_v suffice_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v dead_a several_a year_n before_o lewis_n the_o 14_o the_o make_v this_o foundation_n nevertheless_o this_o so_o plain_a a_o demonstration_n of_o forgery_n have_v not_o hinder_v surius_n in_o his_o relation_n of_o the_o sâ—p_n martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n on_o the_o 22._o of_o september_n from_o confident_o assert_v that_o st._n eucherius_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o act_n of_o their_o passion_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o baronius_n shall_v 3â—5_n make_v the_o same_o blunder_n both_o in_o his_o annal_n and_o in_o his_o note_n on_o the_o roman_a martyrology_n and_o indeed_o this_o will_v seem_v yet_o more_o strange_a be_v it_o not_o plain_a that_o this_o learned_a cardinal_n undertake_v in_o his_o annal_n not_o so_o much_o to_o give_v we_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o defend_v the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o ambitious_a pretension_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n therefore_o when_o it_o be_v a_o advantage_n to_o he_o to_o overlook_v some_o supposititious_a and_o counterfeit_n write_v he_o pretend_v he_o see_v neither_o contradiction_n nor_o anchronism_n in_o it_o he_o be_v no_o long_o that_o able_a critic_n who_o piercing_a knowledge_n nothing_o can_v escape_v and_o who_o clear_v and_o extricate_v the_o most_o obscure_a and_o knotty_a thing_n of_o antiquity_n euch._n in_o a_o word_n he_o be_v no_o more_o baronius_n cardinal_n bellarmine_n who_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n do_v not_o yield_v to_o that_o of_o baronius_n have_v take_v another_o way_n to_o save_v the_o â—ruth_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v object_v to_o his_o church_n that_o it_o worship_v some_o for_o saint_n who_o never_o have_v so_o much_o as_o a_o be_v in_o the_o world_n for_o since_o man_n will_v at_o the_o very_a first_o sight_n be_v startle_v to_o see_v so_o long_a a_o interval_n of_o time_n between_o st._n eucherius_n and_o st._n sigismond_n he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o cut_v it_o much_o short_a and_o to_o render_v it_o so_o little_a as_o that_o it_o may_v pass_v whole_o unobserved_a or_o however_o be_v but_o very_o little_o mind_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o bishop_n of_o lion_n live_v till_o the_o year_n 499._o and_o he_o ground_n his_o conjecture_n upon_o a_o place_n in_o the_o life_n of_o st._n cesarius_n bishop_n of_o arles_n compose_v by_o cyprian_a the_o priest_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o these_o two_o bishop_n be_v in_o company_n together_o restore_v a_o woman_n to_o her_o former_a health_n who_o be_v afflict_v with_o a_o very_a sore_a distemper_n if_o there_o be_v any_o certainty_n in_o this_o conjecture_n of_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n eucherius_n will_v have_v be_v almost_o contemporary_a with_o king_n sigismond_n for_o messanius_n a_o priest_n and_o stephen_n a_o deacon_n two_o other_o disciple_n of_o st._n cesarius_n in_o the_o book_n they_o have_v add_v to_o the_o life_n of_o this_o holy_a prelate_n say_v that_o he_o die_v forty_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v make_v a_o bishop_n and_o since_o every_o body_n know_v that_o he_o succeed_v ennoius_n about_o the_o year_n 504._o his_o death_n shall_v be_v place_v in_o the_o year_n 544_o or_o 545._o for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n in_o 524_o and_o at_o the_o second_o council_n of_o orange_n in_o 529_o and_o to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v alive_a in_o 528._o we_o have_v a_o letter_n that_o pope_n vigil_n write_v to_o he_o under_o the_o consulship_n of_o john_n and_o volusian_n but_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v cardinal_n bellarmine_n conjecture_n not_o to_o be_v groundless_a yet_o he_o will_v be_v but_o little_a the_o better_a for_o it_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o prolong_v st._n eucherius_n life_n to_o the_o year_n 499._o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n likewise_o to_o prove_v that_o st._n eucherius_n may_v have_v see_v st._n cesarius_n bishop_n of_o arles_n king_n sigismond_n die_v about_o the_o year_n 520._o and_o they_o must_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o st._n eucherius_n outlive_v he_o a_o great_a many_o year_n to_o make_v good_a the_o usque_fw-la hodie_fw-la of_o the_o place_n we_o have_v before_o quote_v now_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o st._n eucherius_n do_v outlive_v st._n sigismond_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n that_o he_o live_v till_o the_o year_n 499._o according_a to_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n conjecture_n it_o appear_v by_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o orange_n that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o lion_n in_o 4â—1_n and_o consequent_o he_o must_v have_v be_v then_o at_o least_o thirty_o or_o forty_o year_n old_a for_o at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v not_o usual_a to_o raise_v any_o person_n under_o that_o age_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n bishopric_n be_v not_o yet_o bestow_v as_o reward_n upon_o family_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o canon_n hold_v yet_o out_o against_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o usurpation_n of_o king_n now_o since_o we_o be_v certain_a of_o this_o can_v we_o think_v it_o probable_a that_o st._n eucherius_n shall_v live_v to_o see_v st._n cesarius_n bishop_n of_o arles_n who_o be_v not_o raise_v to_o that_o dignity_n till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o ennoius_n about_o the_o year_n 504_o indeed_o i_o think_v a_o man_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o bold_a in_o his_o conjecture_n who_o can_v allow_v st_n eucherius_n to_o have_v live_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n if_o he_o have_v no_o other_o warrant_n for_o it_o but_o that_o place_n of_o the_o life_n of_o st._n cesarius_n those_o who_o shall_v careful_o examine_v this_o life_n of_o st._n cesarius_n will_v agree_v that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o too_o much_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v polite_a and_o judicious_a enough_o for_o that_o age_n and_o seem_v not_o unworthy_a of_o he_o who_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o disciple_n of_o st._n cesarius_n and_o who_o for_o his_o great_a piety_n and_o merit_n be_v raise_v to_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o name_n find_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o second_o council_n of_o
orange_n but_o what_o if_o some_o impostor_n here_o disguise_v himself_o under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o famous_a disciple_n of_o st._n cesarius_n at_o least_o this_o pretend_a disciple_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v much_o inform_v of_o his_o master_n affair_n he_o say_v in_o one_o place_n that_o st._n cesarius_n send_v some_o grave_a and_o learned_a man_n to_o a_o council_n assemble_v at_o valence_n to_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o pelagius_n which_o have_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o valence_n i_o â—ind_v nothing_o in_o they_o concern_v the_o heresy_n of_o pelagius_n wherein_o st._n cesarius_n can_v have_v any_o hand_n so_o that_o be_v mistake_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o this_o importance_n he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v over-seen_a in_o join_v eucherius_n and_o cesarius_n in_o the_o cure_n of_o that_o disease_a woman_n câ—sario_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o learned_a doctor_n cave_n rely_v a_o little_a too_o much_o upon_o this_o life_n of_o st._n cesarius_n he_o say_v in_o his_o history_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o this_o holy_a bishop_n understand_v that_o he_o be_v suspect_v of_o pelagianism_n cause_v a_o council_n to_o be_v assemble_v at_o valence_n to_o clear_v himself_o of_o this_o accusation_n and_o be_v hinder_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o illness_n of_o his_o health_n from_o go_v to_o it_o he_o maintain_v there_o public_o by_o his_o legate_n that_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o sin_n can_v work_v out_o his_o salvation_n without_o a_o prevent_a grace_n but_o if_o instead_o of_o follow_v this_o cyprian_a disciple_n of_o st._n cesarius_n and_o who_o be_v afterward_o bishop_n of_o thoulon_n doctor_n cave_n have_v give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n to_o look_v over_o the_o council_n of_o valence_n he_o will_v have_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o first_o which_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o year_n 734._o their_o whole_a business_n be_v about_o bigamy_n that_o in_o the_o second_o which_o meet_v in_o 599._o some_o place_n it_o in_o the_o year_n 684_o and_o some_o in_o 589._o they_o be_v whole_o take_v up_o with_o the_o great_a donative_n which_o guntran_v king_n of_o burgundy_n have_v bestow_v upon_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o three_o in_o which_o pelagius_n hinmark_n and_o john_n scot_n be_v condemn_v and_o the_o act_n whereof_o be_v cite_v by_o forbesius_n in_o his_o instruction_n be_v not_o call_v till_o the_o year_n 855._o as_o appear_v by_o the_o act_n of_o it_o be_v present_v to_o the_o emperor_n lothary_n and_o to_o charles_n the_o bald._n now_o st._n cesarius_n be_v unborn_a at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o council_n since_o doctor_n cave_n bring_v he_o into_o the_o world_n only_o in_o the_o year_n 469._o and_o he_o be_v dead_a when_o the_o second_o meet_v according_a to_o the_o same_o doctor_n who_o place_v his_o death_n in_o the_o year_n 542._o and_o it_o be_v i_o think_v needless_a to_o add_v that_o he_o be_v not_o concern_v in_o the_o three_o which_o be_v hold_v in_o 855._o and_o in_o which_o the_o pelagian_a opinion_n be_v condemn_v this_o short_a digression_n which_o we_o have_v think_v necessary_a to_o remove_v st._n cesarius_n from_o st._n eucherius_n time_n will_v not_o seem_v i_o hope_v unseasonable_a it_o appear_v then_o that_o bellarmine_n for_o all_o his_o conjecture_n can_v bring_v st._n eucherius_n near_o enough_o to_o st_n sigismond_n king_n of_o burgundy_n the_o distance_n be_v too_o great_a to_o admit_v of_o any_o mean_n of_o reconcile_a the_o dispute_n we_o shall_v observe_v by_o the_o way_n that_o usuard_n and_o aimonius_n have_v commit_v the_o like_a mistake_n but_o because_o it_o be_v but_o a_o matter_n of_o three_o or_o four_o year_n difference_n they_o may_v perhaps_o find_v friend_n to_o help_v they_o out_o these_o two_o writer_n say_v that_o clovis_n be_v deliver_v from_o a_o dangerous_a sickness_n by_o the_o vow_n and_o prayer_n of_o st._n severine_n abbot_n of_o agaunum_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o clovis_n be_v dead_a three_o or_o four_o year_n before_o sigismond_n have_v found_v that_o monastery_n gregory_n of_o tours_n say_v that_o he_o cause_v the_o same_o to_o be_v build_v and_o rich_o endow_v it_o after_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n gombaldus_fw-la but_o marius_n bishop_n of_o avanche_n mark_n precise_o the_o year_n in_o his_o chronicle_n and_o say_v that_o sigismond_n found_v the_o agaunian_a monastery_n under_o the_o consulship_n of_o florentius_n and_o anthemius_n viz._n four_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n this_o remark_n be_v owe_v to_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr valois_n in_o his_o notice_n of_o the_o gaul_n heaunum_n where_o he_o say_v that_o he_o can_v understand_v how_o severine_n can_v have_v be_v abbot_n of_o that_o monastery_n in_o clovis_n time_n nevertheless_o the_o miraculous_a recovery_n of_o a_o great_a king_n be_v of_o great_a credit_n to_o the_o prayer_n and_o suffrage_n of_o monastery_n usuard_n and_o aimonius_a who_o be_v both_o monk_n cause_v prayer_n to_o be_v make_v for_o clovis_n in_o agaunum_n even_o before_o king_n sigismond_n have_v it_o in_o his_o thought_n to_o build_v a_o monastery_n there_o it_o be_v true_a that_o bollandus_n will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o this_o prince_n do_v only_o repair_v and_o beautify_v it_o but_o this_o he_o assert_n without_o any_o ground_n since_o both_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o agaunian_a monastery_n do_v all_o general_o agree_v that_o it_o be_v st._n sigismond_n king_n of_o burgundy_n who_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v build_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o that_o place_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o agaunum_n concern_v the_o thebean_a legion_n be_v as_o false_a as_o the_o act_n of_o their_o passion_n but_o whether_o king_n sigismond_n only_o beautify_v the_o monastery_n of_o agaunum_n or_o whether_o he_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n thereof_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o we_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o passion_n which_o we_o assert_v to_o be_v false_a be_v posteriour_a to_o all_o this_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o can_v be_v deny_v since_o mention_n be_v make_v there_o of_o the_o basilick_n which_o be_v dedicate_v at_o agaunum_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n if_o you_o be_v not_o please_v to_o rely_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o their_o passion_n as_o it_o be_v relate_v in_o surius_n and_o baronius_n and_o wherein_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o the_o rule_v make_v by_o st._n sigismond_n in_o the_o agaunian_a monastery_n we_o shall_v willing_o pitch_v upon_o and_o refer_v ourselves_o to_o the_o latter_a act_n that_o be_v mend_v since_o in_o these_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o a_o miracle_n that_o happen_v when_o the_o church_n of_o agaunum_n be_v a_o build_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n for_o if_o king_n sigismond_n do_v only_o repair_v and_o adorn_v that_o church_n the_o time_n of_o these_o work_n must_v necessary_o be_v place_v in_o the_o year_n 500_o and_o consequent_o st_n eucherius_n can_v not_o have_v make_v mention_n of_o they_o see_v all_o do_v agree_v that_o he_o die_v about_o the_o year_n 440._o we_o may_v strengthen_v this_o argument_n with_o another_o take_v from_o the_o act_n of_o a_o council_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v assemble_v by_o order_n of_o king_n sigismond_n at_o agaunum_n and_o in_o which_o sixty_o bishop_n put_v it_o into_o his_o head_n to_o gather_v the_o bone_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n and_o to_o dedicate_v a_o basilick_n or_o stately_a church_n to_o they_o though_o this_o council_n be_v visible_o false_a and_o supposititious_a yet_o it_o will_v be_v of_o good_a help_n to_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o soldier_n of_o agaunum_n father_v upon_o st._n eucherius_n the_o act_n of_o this_o pretend_a council_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o four_o tome_n of_o the_o council_n by_o labbe_n and_o cossart_n 1557._o these_o two_o learned_a jesuit_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o the_o forgery_n of_o these_o act_n but_o it_o will_v have_v be_v too_o much_o against_o the_o grain_n to_o have_v confess_v it_o they_o be_v therefore_o content_a to_o say_v they_o wonder_v they_o do_v not_o see_v among_o the_o subscription_n the_o name_n of_o avitus_n archbishop_n of_o vienna_n who_o both_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o eminent_a quality_n and_o for_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o see_n aught_o of_o course_n to_o have_v be_v present_a at_o that_o council_n the_o oratory-priest_n be_v fair_a dealer_n than_o the_o jesuit_n le_fw-fr cointe_n one_o of_o they_o free_o declare_v in_o his_o 534._o annal_n that_o the_o act_n of_o this_o council_n be_v altogether_o false_a however_o as_o false_a as_o they_o be_v they_o
contradiction_n instead_o of_o one_o thebean_a legion_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n he_o relate_v the_o passion_n of_o two_o thebean_a legion_n he_o say_v that_o the_o legio_n secunda_fw-la flavia_n constantia_n thebaeorum_n be_v raise_v by_o constantius_n and_o put_v in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o second_o thebean_a who_o be_v christian_n and_o have_v be_v massacre_v at_o treves_n by_o rictiovarus_fw-la a_o perfect_a of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n and_o as_o for_o the_o legio_n secunda_fw-la fellix_fw-la valentis_fw-la thebaeorum_n pancirollus_n will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o emperor_n valens_n raise_v it_o to_o make_v up_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o legion_n which_o perish_v at_o agaunum_n on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o alps_n for_o refuse_v to_o take_v the_o military_a oath_n with_o the_o pagan_a ceremony_n that_o which_o lead_v he_o into_o this_o error_n be_v his_o have_v read_v in_o other_o legend_n that_o maximian_n have_v pass_v the_o alps_n make_v a_o detachement_n of_o some_o cohort_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n with_o some_o other_o troop_n to_o reinforce_v the_o army_n wherewith_o he_o design_v to_o oppose_v carausius_n thus_o this_o famous_a antiquary_n of_o these_o few_o cohort_n have_v make_v a_o entire_a legion_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n the_o same_o thebean_a soldier_n who_o be_v now_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v send_v against_o carausius_n will_v furnish_v we_o with_o new_a proof_n against_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o whole_a thebean_a legion_n chap._n xiii_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o this_o legion_n be_v true_a there_o will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o it_o happen_v another_o character_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o deserve_v our_o observation_n be_v the_o uncertainty_n and_o contrariety_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n concern_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o suppose_v the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n be_v so_o memorable_a a_o event_n that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v write_v and_o describe_v in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n in_o the_o annal_n of_o the_o church_n and_o though_o the_o ecclesastical_a writer_n have_v be_v so_o negligent_a as_o to_o be_v silent_a therein_o yet_o aurelius_n victor_n eutropius_n jordanes_n or_o some_o other_o author_n will_v undoubted_o have_v make_v amends_o for_o this_o omission_n titus_n livius_n fail_v not_o to_o relate_v the_o tragical_a end_n of_o that_o legion_n whereof_o all_o the_o soldier_n be_v condemn_v to_o death_n for_o mutine_a and_o possess_v themselves_o of_o rhegium_n during_o the_o war_n of_o the_o roman_n with_o pyrrhus_n and_o yet_o some_o will_v have_v it_o that_o six_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o six_o officer_n and_o soldier_n be_v massacre_v by_o the_o emperor_n order_n upon_o their_o refusal_n to_o swear_v by_o his_o false_a god_n and_o to_o join_v with_o the_o other_o troop_n that_o be_v heathen_n in_o shed_v of_o christian_n blood_n though_o not_o one_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v either_o in_o profane_a or_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n whereby_o to_o discover_v the_o exact_a time_n of_o a_o event_n which_o so_o many_o circumstance_n render_v so_o extraordinary_a and_o wonderful_a neither_o do_v the_o able_a writer_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n agree_v upon_o the_o year_n the_o pope_n or_o the_o consul_n under_o who_o it_o happen_v cardinal_n baronius_n put_v their_o martyrdom_n under_o the_o pontificate_n of_o marcelline_a in_o which_o error_n he_o be_v follow_v by_o two_o learned_a father_n of_o the_o oratory_n namely_o gestis_fw-la le_fw-fr cointe_n and_o morin_n antonius_n pagi_n refer_v this_o martyrdom_n to_o the_o first_o year_n of_o emperor_n the_o jesuit_n 216._o labbe_n forsake_v here_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o baronius_n and_o it_o be_v he_o perhaps_o who_o antonius_n pagi_n follow_v his_o word_n be_v these_o it_o be_v say_v that_o about_o the_o year_n 286_o sebastianus_n tiburtinus_fw-la tranquillus_n marcellinus_n zeus_n mauricius_n and_o several_a other_o with_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n for_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n at_o agaunum_n at_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o pennine_a alps_n this_o agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o pontificate_n of_o cajus_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o whereas_o cardinal_n baronius_n refer_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n to_o the_o year_n 297._o it_o happen_v according_a to_o father_n labbe_n computation_n in_o the_o year_n 286_o viz._n immediate_o after_o that_o carinus_n be_v kill_v and_o that_o dioclesian_n have_v take_v maximian_n into_o the_o government_n which_o if_o true_a what_o 45._o will_v become_v of_o mr._n duchesne_n argument_n in_o his_o history_n of_o pope_n who_o to_o prove_v that_o pope_n marcelline_n do_v not_o sacrifice_n to_o idol_n in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n as_o be_v most_o common_o believe_v say_v that_o this_o pope_n administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o confirmation_n to_o the_o thebean_a legion_n when_o they_o pass_v by_o rome_n and_o earnest_o exhort_v they_o to_o piety_n and_o to_o perseverance_n in_o religion_n here_o labbe_n and_o pagi_n put_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o this_o legion_n several_a year_n before_o the_o pontificate_n of_o marcelline_a in_o the_o mean_a while_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a fair_a deal_n of_o this_o jesuit_n who_o do_v not_o give_v we_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n as_o a_o thing_n whereof_o he_o himself_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v and_o of_o which_o he_o have_v find_v any_o authentic_a record_n and_o proof_n but_o only_o with_o a_o it_o be_v say_v or_o give_v out_o and_o this_o no_o doubt_n he_o do_v as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o vouch_v for_o a_o relation_n which_o he_o find_v to_o be_v somewhat_o fabulous_a now_o if_o it_o be_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v not_o fair_o do_v to_o deny_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n mere_o because_o its_o epoch_n be_v uncertain_a it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o one_o transaction_n and_o another_o that_o there_o be_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n several_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v which_o this_o argument_n will_v prove_v of_o no_o great_a force_n but_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o extraordinary_a so_o singular_a and_o so_o remarkable_a in_o itself_o that_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o say_v it_o happen_v make_v it_o very_o suspicious_a and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n several_a person_n doubt_v of_o the_o dispute_n of_o st._n peter_n with_o simon_n magus_n and_o of_o the_o surprise_v death_n of_o this_o wicked_a man_n who_o the_o devil_n let_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n after_o they_o have_v bear_v he_o up_o for_o some_o considerable_a time_n in_o the_o air._n it_o be_v true_a that_o eusebius_n sulpitius_n severus_n and_o st._n austin_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o memorable_a event_n but_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v false_a do_v reply_n that_o one_o ought_v not_o always_o to_o trust_v to_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a author_n because_o the_o zeal_n they_o have_v for_o religion_n make_v they_o not_o always_o very_o nice_a in_o the_o choice_n of_o proof_n and_o example_n and_o sometime_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o oppose_v one_o miracle_n to_o another_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a pagan_a religion_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o apparition_n of_o their_o false_a go_n they_o add_v far_o that_o have_v this_o event_n happen_v as_o it_o be_v report_v it_o will_v have_v occasion_v so_o much_o noise_n in_o rome_n and_o through_o the_o whole_a empire_n that_o some_o footstep_n thereof_o will_v have_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o write_n of_o pagan_a author_n and_o that_o after_o all_o though_o it_o be_v believe_v by_o eusebius_n sulpitius_n severus_n and_o st._n austin_n this_o do_v not_o make_v it_o less_o dubious_a since_o those_o three_o writer_n do_v not_o agree_v about_o the_o time_n wherein_o it_o happen_v eusebius_n put_v it_o under_o the_o empire_n of_o claudius_n st._n austin_n and_o several_a other_o under_o that_o of_o nero_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 67._o and_o sulpitius_n severus_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o time_n when_o st._n paul_n come_v to_o rome_n towards_o the_o year_n 57_o and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a argument_n we_o urge_v against_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v refer_v either_o to_o a_o general_n or_o to_o a_o local_a and_o particular_a persecution_n another_o character_n of_o falsehood_n yet_o more_o palpable_a and_o in_o the_o very_a fact_n be_v this_o that_o if_o
if_o it_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o particular_a one_o it_o must_v be_v to_o that_o which_o be_v raise_v at_o rome_n and_o in_o which_o baronius_n relate_v that_o st_n sebastian_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o to_o any_o other_o but_o of_o this_o the_o cardinal_n observe_v that_o 286._o it_o extend_v not_o much_o further_a than_o rome_n and_o consequent_o not_o so_o far_o as_o the_o alps_n and_o to_o agaunum_n in_o short_a before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o general_n persecution_n we_o find_v some_o christian_n condemn_v to_o death_n in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o before_o the_o unhappy_a congress_n at_o nicomedia_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o show_v anywhere_o during_o the_o whole_a reign_n of_o dioclesian_n any_o such_o massacre_n as_o that_o of_o a_o whole_a legion_n chap._n xv._n that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o history_n and_o year_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n the_o character_n of_o forgery_n which_o we_o have_v dispatch_v in_o the_o precedent_n chapter_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o evident_a by_o consider_v further_o that_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n by_o order_n of_o maximian_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o martyrdom_n either_o in_o the_o life_n or_o year_n of_o this_o emperor_n the_o copy_n of_o surius_n and_o chifflet_n and_o all_o the_o legend-writer_n who_o have_v follow_v they_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o this_o emperor_n cause_v the_o thebean_a soldier_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o a_o expedition_n which_o he_o make_v into_o gaul_n according_o then_o a_o place_n must_v be_v find_v for_o their_o martyrdom_n in_o some_o of_o maximian_n voyage_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o alps_n lactantius_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o persecutor_n make_v mention_n of_o three_o of_o they_o the_o first_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o marriage_n of_o his_o daughter_n fausta_n with_o constantine_n to_o who_o he_o give_v the_o title_n of_o augustus_n he_o have_v have_v only_o that_o of_o caesar_n before_o he_o be_v force_v to_o undertake_v the_o second_o to_o shun_v the_o fury_n of_o his_o soldier_n who_o be_v extreme_o incense_v against_o he_o for_o design_v to_o deprive_v his_o son_n maxentius_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o who_o he_o have_v be_v restore_v to_o the_o purple_a which_o he_o have_v free_o abdicate_v before_o and_o he_o come_v the_o three_o time_n into_o gaul_n at_o his_o return_n from_o his_o journey_n into_o hungary_n whither_o he_o go_v but_o unsuccessful_o to_o solicit_v dioclesian_n to_o resume_v the_o government_n and_o it_o be_v then_o that_o constantine_n perceive_v the_o ill_a design_n he_o have_v form_v to_o destory_n he_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o prevent_v he_o and_o cause_v he_o to_o be_v strangle_v but_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n do_v not_o answer_v to_o any_o of_o these_o expedition_n since_o they_o be_v all_o posterior_n to_o the_o year_n 306._o and_o all_o historian_n agree_v that_o the_o general_n persecution_n at_o that_o time_n begin_v to_o abate_v in_o the_o west_n beside_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o maximian_n in_o none_o of_o these_o progress_v pass_v the_o alps_n with_o a_o army_n and_o that_o his_o fortune_n and_o the_o posture_n of_o his_o affair_n at_o that_o time_n do_v not_o put_v he_o into_o a_o condition_n to_o deprive_v himself_o of_o a_o whole_a legion_n where_o shall_v we_o then_o find_v a_o four_o expedition_n of_o maximian_n into_o gaul_n in_o which_o this_o emperor_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v murder_v the_o whole_a thebean_a legion_n there_o be_v none_o leave_v but_o that_o which_o be_v mention_v by_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n these_o two_o historian_n agree_v that_o some_o troop_n of_o banditi_n or_o rapperee_n who_o be_v call_v bagaud_n have_v raise_v a_o tumult_n in_o gaul_n and_o put_v themselves_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n dioclesian_n make_v maximian_n his_o partner_n in_o the_o government_n and_o send_v he_o in_o all_o haste_n with_o a_o army_n to_o punish_v those_o rebel_n but_o the_o time_n of_o this_o expedition_n be_v not_o agree_v upon_o 31._o father_n petau_n relate_v at_o large_a the_o different_a opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a concern_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o time_n he_o think_v that_o maximian_n reign_n begin_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285._o dioclesian_n be_v then_o emperor_n and_o vest_v the_o second_o time_n with_o the_o tribunitian_a power_n and_o he_o confute_v baronius_n who_o be_v lead_v into_o a_o mistake_n by_o a_o passage_n of_o lactant._n mamertine_n mr._n baluze_n affirm_v that_o dioclesian_n have_v be_v raise_v to_o the_o empire_n on_o the_o 20_o of_o november_n in_o the_o year_n 284._o take_v maximian_n into_o the_o government_n on_o the_o first_o of_o april_n in_o the_o year_n 285._o and_o set_v it_o down_o as_o a_o point_n universal_o agree_v in_o history_n that_o the_o i_o wenti_v year_n of_o maximian_n ought_v to_o answer_v his_o eight_o consulship_n from_o whence_o he_o conclude_v that_o dioclesian_n reign_v twenty_o year_n five_o month_n and_o twelve_o day_n and_o maximian_n twenty_o year_n and_o a_o full_a month._n so_o that_o if_o this_o calculation_n be_v just_a the_o beginning_n of_o maximian_n reign_n ought_v to_o be_v reckon_v from_o the_o first_o of_o april_n in_o the_o year_n 285._o father_n 112._o pagi_n follow_v the_o author_n of_o the_o alexandrian_a chronicle_n and_o have_v place_v 8._o the_o beginning_n of_o dioclesian_n reign_n on_o the_o 17_o the_o of_o september_n in_o the_o year_n 284_o he_o add_v that_o maximian_n be_v create_v caesar_n on_o the_o 20_o of_o novemb_n the_o same_o year_n eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n be_v different_a in_o their_o expression_n concern_v the_o character_n which_o dioclesian_n give_v to_o maximian_n when_o he_o send_v he_o into_o gaul_n against_o the_o bagand_n eutropius_n say_v herculeum_n caesarem_fw-la misit_fw-la and_o aurelius_n victor_n say_v imperatoreâ—_n jubet_fw-la which_o difference_n occasion_v another_o dispute_n among_o the_o critic_n viz._n whether_o maximian_n be_v make_v first_o caesar_n and_o then_o augustus_n according_a to_o the_o usual_a custom_n or_o whether_o both_o the_o dignity_n be_v confer_v on_o he_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n anthony_n pagi_n and_o henry_n noris_n differ_v only_o in_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o suppose_v maximian_n be_v raise_v to_o the_o dignity_n of_o augustus_n and_o they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o before_o this_o he_o be_v make_v caesar_n but_o though_o both_o of_o they_o be_v great_a master_n and_o seem_v able_a to_o pronounce_v upon_o this_o matter_n yet_o mr._n baluze_n in_o his_o note_n on_o lactantius_n be_v for_o the_o contrary_a and_o allege_v several_a law_n from_o whence_o he_o gather_v that_o maximian_n be_v first_o create_v augustus_n against_o which_o opinion_n of_o he_o a_o medal_n of_o francis_n angelo_v inscribe_v nobilis_fw-la caesar_n and_o on_o the_o reverse_n principi_fw-la iwentutis_fw-la be_v think_v to_o make_v very_o much_o but_o this_o difficulty_n the_o famous_a mr._n cuper_n in_o his_o note_n on_o lactantius_n have_v remove_v where_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o medal_n ought_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o galerius_n maximianus_n by_o reason_n that_o several_a of_o his_o be_v find_v with_o the_o same_o inscription_n which_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o of_o the_o medal_n of_o herculeus_n maximianus_n collect_v by_o count_n mezabarba_n but_o the_o subject_a we_o have_v before_o we_o do_v not_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v trouble_v ourselves_o about_o these_o chronological_a question_n we_o be_v in_o search_n of_o the_o time_n when_o maximian_n take_v another_o journey_n into_o gaul_n not_o mention_v by_o lactantius_n now_o the_o difficulty_n be_v not_o to_o find_v out_o that_o time_n see_v it_o be_v circumstance_v both_o in_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n by_o two_o memorable_a event_n one_o of_o which_o be_v his_o exaltation_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o the_o other_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n under_o their_o leader_n amandus_n and_o aelianus_n both_o which_o do_v show_v that_o he_o undertake_v the_o gallican_n expedition_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285._o to_o wit_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o above_o eighteen_o year_n before_o he_o take_v his_o other_o journey_n speak_v of_o by_o loctantius_fw-la but_o our_o business_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o we_o can_v fix_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n to_o that_o time_n and_o the_o dispute_n be_v at_o a_o end_n if_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o those_o act_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n which_o both_o surius_n and_o baronius_n have_v follow_v for_o there_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o bagaud_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n of_o maximian_n s_o assumption_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o of_o
his_o expedition_n into_o gaul_n with_o the_o thebean_a legion_n all_o which_o do_v agree_v well_o enough_o with_o the_o time_n we_o have_v assign_v for_o the_o same_o expedition_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o cardinal_n baronius_n who_o have_v follow_v the_o act_n of_o surius_n and_o ought_v consequent_o to_o have_v join_v the_o time_n of_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n with_o that_o of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n have_v notwithstanding_o this_o place_v their_o martyrdom_n in_o the_o year_n 297_o viz._n twelve_o year_n after_o dioclesian_n have_v take_v maximian_n into_o the_o government_n and_o send_v he_o into_o gaul_n to_o suppress_v the_o rebellion_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n and_o since_o these_o two_o event_n fall_v out_o so_o well_o to_o the_o purpose_n one_o will_v wonder_v father_n chifflet_n shall_v be_v so_o transport_v upon_o his_o find_v a_o manuscript_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n speak_v of_o the_o begaud_n noâ—_n of_o amandus_n nor_o aelianus_n if_o it_o be_v not_o that_o king_n sigismond_n unlucky_o appear_v there_o also_o among_o the_o rest_n for_o as_o these_o two_o concuring_a event_n very_o much_o favour_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n so_o what_o be_v there_o relate_v of_o st._n sigismond_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o st._n eucherius_n can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o act_n of_o that_o martyrdom_n since_o he_o die_v several_a year_n before_o this_o prince_n come_v into_o the_o world_n bollandus_n think_v he_o may_v save_v the_o credit_n of_o this_o piece_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v the_o work_n of_o this_o holy_a bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o remove_v the_o anachronism_n by_o say_v that_o there_o be_v former_o a_o monastery_n at_o agaunum_n and_o that_o king_n sigismond_n only_o repair_v and_o beautify_v it_o but_o because_o it_o be_v but_o a_o poor_a shift_n destroy_v both_o by_o the_o act_n of_o surius_n and_o the_o account_n which_o all_o the_o historjans_n give_v of_o that_o martyrdom_n father_n chifflet_n be_v overjoy_v upon_o his_o find_v a_o manuscript_n wherein_o not_o the_o least_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o king_n sigismond_n or_o of_o the_o bagaudian_a insurrection_n we_o have_v already_o declare_v how_o good_a a_o opinion_n we_o have_v of_o father_n chifflet_n integrity_n which_o we_o do_v pretend_v to_o retract_v nevertheless_o if_o he_o be_v not_o the_o man_n who_o have_v help_v this_o place_n out_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n no_o body_n ought_v to_o find_v fault_n with_o we_o if_o we_o suspect_v that_o some_o other_o may_v have_v conjure_v it_o away_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v the_o antiquity_n of_o father_n chifflet_n manuscrpit_fw-la sure_o displicebant_fw-la it_o be_v that_o impopostor_n be_v yet_o much_o ancient_a than_o it_o now_o i_o hope_v father_n ruinart_n will_v not_o except_v against_o we_o for_o make_v some_o advantage_n of_o the_o advice_n he_o himself_o give_v in_o his_o answer_n to_o mr._n dodwel_n viz._n that_o the_o collector_n of_o the_o act_n of_o murtyr_n have_v frequent_o add_v too_o and_o lop_v off_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o do_v not_o like_a but_o let_v we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o matter_n itself_o and_o examine_v whether_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v make_v to_o fall_v in_o with_o maximian_n four_o expedition_n into_o gaul_n mention_v by_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n the_o emperor_n dioclesian_n fear_v lest_o the_o gallican_n revolt_n shall_v be_v of_o dangerour_n consequence_n assume_v he_o into_o the_o government_n to_o the_o end_n that_o by_o his_o assistance_n he_o may_v with_o more_o ease_n to_o himself_o undergo_v the_o weight_n of_o it_o he_o raise_v a_o army_n with_o all_o speed_n to_o suppress_v this_o threaten_a insurrection_n in_o its_o birth_n than_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o he_o send_v for_o the_o thebean_a legion_n from_o the_o east_n to_o serve_v in_o the_o expedition_n and_o yet_o they_o needs_o will_v have_v it_o that_o have_v pass_v the_o mountain_n with_o they_o and_o in_o a_o manner_n face_v the_o enemy_n such_o a_o frenzy_n of_o superstition_n on_o a_o sudden_a seize_v he_o as_o make_v he_o weaken_v his_o army_n by_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o this_o whole_a legion_n we_o take_v notice_n before_o that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o romance_n be_v not_o very_o cautious_a in_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o probability_n but_o because_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v true_a though_o they_o do_v not_o seem_v very_o probable_a we_o shall_v therefore_o add_v something_o of_o more_o weight_n than_o mere_a conjeure_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o assertion_n first_o then_o let_v a_o man_n be_v never_o so_o little_o verse_v in_o roman_a history_n he_o will_v find_v no_o ground_n there_o to_o believe_v that_o maximian_n be_v but_o late_o admit_v to_o a_o share_n in_o the_o empire_n shall_v by_o his_o own_o single_a authority_n cut_v off_o a_o whole_a legion_n for_o though_o dioclesian_n have_v make_v he_o augustus_n determinaverant_a yet_o be_v they_o master_n in_o common_a and_o joint_a sharer_n of_o the_o province_n arm_n and_o legion_n of_o the_o empire_n galesius_n and_o constantius_n be_v the_o first_o that_o share_v the_o empire_n this_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n take_v very_o ill_a look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o diminution_n of_o its_o power_n and_o glory_n but_o this_o share_n of_o the_o empire_n end_v in_o the_o victory_n which_o constantine_n get_v over_o all_o his_o competitor_n rome_n become_v again_o the_o mistress_n of_o the_o universe_n whereupon_o the_o poet_n porphyrius_n in_o a_o poem_n which_o he_o compose_v in_o the_o 15_o the_o year_n of_o this_o prince_n have_v these_o word_n lacera_fw-la cruentis_fw-la imperii_fw-la pars_fw-la fessa_fw-la poli_fw-fr diversa_fw-la gemehat_fw-la sâ—eptra_fw-la &_o ausoniae_fw-la moerebat_fw-la perdita_fw-la jura_fw-la during_o the_o division_n of_o the_o empire_n each_o emperor_n act_v as_o he_o please_v in_o his_o own_o district_n and_o be_v under_o no_o obligation_n to_o communicate_v his_o affair_n and_o conduct_v to_o the_o other_o emperor_n whereas_o when_o the_o empire_n be_v possess_v joint_o by_o two_o or_o three_o emperor_n they_o consult_v one_o another_o in_o all_o affair_n of_o importance_n because_o each_o have_v a_o equal_a right_n to_o the_o whole_a aequo_fw-la jure_fw-la as_o eutropius_n say_v speak_v 7._o of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o of_o lucius_n verus_n whence_o we_o may_v judge_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a in_o reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o maximian_n will_v of_o his_o own_o head_n have_v command_v a_o whole_a legion_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o without_o so_o much_o as_o consult_v dioclesian_n have_v alarm_v all_o the_o christian_n throughout_o the_o empire_n by_o so_o violent_a a_o persecution_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o if_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n cut_v off_o by_o the_o command_n of_o a_o choleric_a and_o enrage_a prince_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o trifle_a matter_n and_o of_o no_o consquence_n to_o the_o state_n there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o great_a need_n for_o maximian_n upon_o this_o occasion_n to_o have_v ask_v the_o advice_n of_o his_o colleague_n but_o i_o question_v much_o whether_o any_o consider_a person_n will_v think_v it_o so_o second_o let_v we_o reflect_v upon_o what_o the_o historian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o reign_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n till_o the_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o persecute_v the_o christian_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o represent_v those_o time_n to_o we_o as_o time_n of_o ease_n and_o plenty_n and_o they_o speak_v of_o their_o government_n as_o manage_v with_o clemency_n and_o moderation_n 13._o matermin_v tell_v maximian_n that_o no_o soon_o have_v the_o light_n of_o his_o government_n shine_v upon_o the_o empire_n but_o it_o overspread_v all_o place_n with_o peace_n and_o security_n eusebius_n in_o the_o 12_o the_o and_o 13_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o 8_o the_o book_n of_o his_o church-history_n can_v forbear_v make_v frequent_a mention_n of_o the_o happiness_n which_o both_o the_o church_n and_o empire_n enjoy_v before_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n have_v resolve_v to_o exterminate_v the_o christian_n who_o can_v express_v say_v he_o the_o prosperity_n and_o plenty_n which_o the_o empire_n enjoy_v so_o long_o as_o those_o who_o govern_v be_v well_o and_o kind_o affect_v towards_o we_o he_o have_v say_v before_o we_o want_v word_n to_o express_v the_o great_a value_n and_o esteem_v which_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n meet_v with_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n and_o the_o perfect_a liberty_n and_o tranquillity_n which_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o enjoy_v before_o the_o persecution_n which_o be_v raise_v against_o the_o church_n in_o our_o day_n the_o particular_a affection_n the_o emperor_n show_v towards_o those_o of_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o honour_n they_o do_v they_o in_o confer_v
into_o armenia_n and_o mesopotamia_n which_o happen_v several_a year_n after_o maximian_n advancement_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o his_o bagaudian_a expedition_n chap._n xvi_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n for_o refuse_v to_o persecute_v they_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v make_v a_o against_o we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o persecution_n mention_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n do_v not_o begin_v till_o near_o the_o year_n 298_o or_o 301_o but_o that_o maximian_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v off_o the_o theb._n legion_n upon_o another_o account_n which_o be_v that_o those_o people_n who_o have_v revolt_v and_o go_v under_o the_o nickname_n of_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n the_o emperor_n be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o theb._n soldier_n who_o 219._o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n shall_v join_v with_o the_o rebel_n and_o therefore_o he_o think_v it_o the_o best_a course_n he_o can_v take_v to_o get_v himself_o thus_o rid_v of_o they_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o indeed_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o martyrdom_n here_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o mezeray_n say_v in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o origin_n of_o the_o french_a concern_v this_o matter_n these_o be_v his_o word_n after_o carinus_n at_o his_o departure_n from_o gaul_n have_v draw_v thence_o all_o his_o legion_n to_o go_v and_o encounter_n dioclesian_n the_o province_n be_v free_v from_o the_o troop_n that_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n attempt_v likewise_o to_o shake_v off_o the_o heavy_a yoke_n of_o settle_a tax_n and_o the_o arbitrary_a extorsion_n of_o their_o governor_n which_o lie_v heavy_a upon_o the_o country_n people_n they_o take_v up_o arm_n first_o &_o aelianus_n and_o amandus_n two_o officer_n in_o the_o roman_a army_n be_v so_o unwise_a as_o to_o put_v themselves_o at_o the_o head_n of_o they_o such_o slave_n as_o be_v hardly_o use_v by_o their_o master_n join_v with_o they_o some_o come_v into_o this_o party_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o other_o be_v surprise_v into_o it_o several_z be_v sollioit_v but_o most_o of_o they_o scorn_v the_o invitation_n this_o rise_n be_v call_v bagaud_n and_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o bagaud_n or_o bagaudian_n which_o word_n as_o some_o say_v signify_v revolt_n and_o perhaps_o a_o revolt_n of_o such_o as_o live_v in_o wood._n the_o wood_n according_a to_o the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n from_o the_o ancient_a celtic_a language_n for_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o those_o people_n have_v no_o other_o fortress_n and_o place_n to_o retire_v to_o but_o wood_n they_o there_o entrench_v themselves_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o german_n and_o ancient_a gaul_n there_o be_v many_o wood_n without_o doubt_n in_o several_a place_n of_o that_o country_n but_o the_o chief_a and_o big_a of_o they_o be_v two_o league_n from_o paris_n on_o the_o river_n marne_n in_o a_o place_n where_o now_o stand_v the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n call_v des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr or_o of_o the_o ditch_n because_o they_o have_v dig_v up_o a_o very_a spacious_a trench_n to_o incamp_v there_o most_o of_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o who_o know_v but_o that_o after_o so_o many_o horrid_a persecution_n which_o they_o have_v suffer_v their_o patience_n do_v turn_v at_o last_o into_o a_o just_a fury_n in_o arm_v they_o both_o against_o the_o torment_n and_o their_o tormentor_n maximian_n take_v a_o review_n of_o his_o troop_n near_o the_o town_n of_o aoste_n on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o alpê_n the_o theb._n legion_n refuse_v to_o take_v the_o oath_n with_o the_o ceremony_n use_v among_o the_o pagan_n and_o be_v encourage_v by_o the_o speech_n of_o their_o tribune_n mauritius_n choose_v rather_o to_o undergo_v two_o or_o three_o decimation_n and_o at_o last_o to_o be_v all_o cut_n to_o piece_n then_o to_o desite_fw-la themselves_z by_o those_o abominable_a rite_n the_o whole_a legion_n be_v not_o there_o some_o cohort_n have_v be_v detach_v who_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o another_o place_n signalise_v themselves_o by_o a_o like_a victory_n so_o many_o brave_a man_n who_o despise_a death_n will_v have_v sell_v their_o life_n to_o the_o roman_n at_o a_o very_a dear_a rate_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v more_o glorious_a to_o die_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o profess_v than_o to_o fight_v for_o it_o i_o say_v further_o that_o they_o will_v have_v strengthen_v very_o much_o the_o bagaudian_a party_n have_v their_o religion_n permit_v they_o to_o dissemble_v till_o they_o have_v join_v they_o however_o maximian_n have_v defeat_v some_o of_o these_o bagaud_n and_o receive_v other_o into_o his_o favour_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n have_v divide_v they_o he_o besiege_v their_o great_a entrenchment_n both_o by_o land_n and_o by_o water_n with_o so_o great_a vigour_n and_o resolution_n that_o at_o last_o he_o take_v it_o all_o those_o who_o be_v find_v in_o it_o be_v put_v to_o the_o sword_n without_o exception_n and_o their_o strong_a work_n be_v so_o entire_o ruin_v and_o demolish_v that_o nothing_o of_o they_o but_o some_o few_o ditch_n remain_v we_o be_v to_o believe_v say_v the_o author_n of_o the_o life_n of_o st._n baboulene_n that_o these_o man_n be_v christian_n and_o despise_v their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n pass_v through_o martyrdom_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o though_o we_o have_v not_o their_o act_n in_o writing_n nevertheless_o their_o memory_n and_o name_n shall_v never_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n these_o be_v the_o new_a weapon_n wherewith_o m._n de_fw-fr mezeray_fw-fr furnish_v the_o asserter_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n now_o all_o these_o difficulty_n we_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o remove_v the_o better_a to_o clear_v this_o piece_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n first_o than_o it_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o objection_n that_o most_o part_n of_o the_o bagaud_n army_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n cause_v the_o theb._n legion_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o for_o fear_v so_o many_o brave_a man_n shall_v join_v with_o and_o strengthen_v the_o rebel_n then_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o objection_n be_v take_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a anonymous_n writer_n who_o have_v give_v we_o the_o life_n of_o st._n baboulene_n and_o who_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v credit_v by_o reason_n that_o these_o transaction_n happen_v in_o a_o age_n near_o to_o his_o than_o to_o our_o time_n our_o answer_n to_o this_o will_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v i_o hope_v to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n and_o first_o in_o this_o account_n of_o mezeray_n support_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o anonymous_n writer_n we_o find_v the_o christian_n divide_v in_o their_o practice_n upon_o a_o very_a considerable_a point_n of_o morality_n for_o some_o of_o they_o leave_v the_o blow_n take_v up_o arm_n against_o their_o sovereign_n and_o other_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v up_o in_o arm_n lay_v they_o down_o and_o patient_o submit_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o barbarous_a order_n of_o their_o prince_n now_o to_o what_o shall_v we_o ascribe_v this_o difference_n in_o their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n be_v it_o that_o the_o morality_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o alps_o differ_v from_o that_o of_o the_o gaul_n or_o must_v we_o attribute_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o difference_n to_o the_o diversity_n of_o their_o climate_n education_n temper_n and_o manner_n but_o we_o shall_v spend_v too_o much_o time_n shall_v we_o go_v about_o to_o untie_v this_o knot_n therefore_o the_o short_a way_n be_v to_o 〈◊〉_d it_o and_o to_o 〈◊〉_d positive_o that_o both_o 〈…〉_z of_o 〈…〉_z that_o be_v christianity_n will_v rather_o loose_v than_o get_v by_o it_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v assert_v because_o it_o be_v think_v very_o honourable_a to_o christianity_n but_o then_o to_o support_v the_o assertion_n and_o insurrection_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n in_o gaul_n be_v bring_v in_o and_o a_o rebellious_a conspiracy_n to_o shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o their_o master_n so_o that_o if_o those_o who_o set_v up_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o a_o obedience_n so_o entire_o passive_a have_v in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o theb._n soldier_n a_o legion_n of_o martyr_n to_o boast_v of_o those_o who_o on_o the_o contrary_n believe_v that_o there_o be_v some_o case_n and_o time_n in_o which_o patience_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o other_o virtue_n shall_v find_v in_o the_o bagaud_n a_o whole_a army_n of_o christian_n in_o rebellion_n against_o the_o empire_n to_o oppose_v to_o that_o legion_n and_o shall_v the_o example_n of_o one_o single_a
the_o gospel_n in_o gaul_n viz._n gatian_n at_o tours_n trophimus_n at_o arles_n paul_n at_o narbonne_n dionysius_n at_o paris_n astremonicus_n at_o lermont_n and_o martial_a at_o lymoges_n these_o be_v then_o the_o new_a evangelist_n send_v in_o the_o time_n of_o decius_n to_o re-kindle_a the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o gaul_n which_o have_v be_v so_o long_o extinguish_v there_o from_o whence_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o then_o make_v any_o great_a progress_n among_o the_o gaul_n since_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o there_o be_v need_n to_o preach_v comprebendit_fw-la it_o a_o fresh_a there_o and_o even_o at_o narbonne_n and_o arles_n city_n rather_o belong_v to_o italy_n then_o to_o gaul_n and_o which_o sulpitius_n mean_v not_o to_o speak_v of_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v father_n pagi_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a then_o to_o imagine_v that_o four_o year_n after_o the_o reign_n of_o decius_n the_o christian_n shall_v be_v so_o multiply_v in_o gaul_n as_o to_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v up_o vast_a arm_n and_o those_o so_o formidable_a as_o to_o strike_v a_o terror_n into_o rome_n itself_o and_o to_o perplex_v its_o emperor_n this_o they_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o by_o assert_v peremptory_o that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o maximian_n destroy_v the_o theb._n legion_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o he_o be_v afraid_a they_o shall_v join_v with_o they_o but_o three_o they_o be_v at_o a_o very_a great_a loss_n for_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o their_o theb._n legion_n when_o they_o be_v force_v to_o this_o shift_n of_o suppose_v those_o bagaud_n to_o have_v be_v christian_n for_o they_o cast_v no_o small_a blemish_n upon_o the_o ancient_a gallican_n church_n who_o fix_v such_o a_o character_n upon_o her_o son_n &_o beside_o they_o be_v very_o much_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o primitive_a age_n who_o think_v they_o be_v capable_a of_o such_o injustice_n and_o violence_n as_o the_o bagaud_n stand_v charge_v with_o in_o history_n therefore_o mezeray_n receive_v the_o bagaud_n into_o the_o church_n think_v fit_a to_o clear_v they_o from_o these_o odious_a aspersion_n and_o to_o justify_v their_o proceed_n who_o know_v say_v he_o but_o that_o have_v suffer_v so_o 219._o many_o horrible_a persecution_n their_o patience_n turn_v at_o last_o into_o a_o just_a fury_n in_o arm_v themselves_o both_o against_o the_o torment_n and_o the_o tormentor_n bucherius_n endeavour_v likewise_o to_o excuse_v they_o say_v that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v move_v to_o a_o rebellion_n 220._o which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n just_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o cruelty_n and_o tyrannical_a imposition_n of_o their_o governor_n incitates_fw-la salvianus_n do_v the_o same_o before_o they_o who_o perhaps_o they_o have_v both_o follow_v 5._o he_o say_v that_o the_o bagaud_n oppress_v by_o their_o unjust_a judge_n lose_v all_o romani_fw-la respect_n for_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o empire_n because_o they_o have_v be_v strip_v of_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o roman_a liberty_n in_o short_a the_o emperor_n augustus_n the_o better_a to_o procure_v himself_o the_o good_a affection_n of_o the_o gaul_n have_v grant_v to_o some_o of_o they_o the_o roman_a to_z other_o the_o latin_a and_o to_o other_o again_o the_o italic_a law_n and_o liberty_n whence_o salvian_n take_v occasion_n to_o say_v we_o call_v the_o bagaud_n rebel_n and_o profligate_v villain_n when_o it_o be_v we_o that_o have_v hurry_v they_o into_o these_o outrage_n for_o how_o come_v they_o to_o be_v bagaud_n but_o by_o our_o own_o injustice_n by_o our_o proscription_n of_o their_o person_n and_o violent_a usurpation_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o be_v condemn_v to_o death_n and_o hang_v for_o the_o robbery_n of_o their_o judge_n that_o they_o be_v now_o become_v like_o barbarian_n because_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v before_o to_o live_v like_o roman_n that_o priest_n of_o marseilles_n who_o write_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 495_o add_v several_a other_o thing_n whereby_o the_o crime_n and_o violence_n which_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o bagaud_n be_v lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o gaul_n of_o their_o judge_n and_o of_o the_o collector_n of_o the_o tax_n but_o he_o never_o speak_v the_o least_o word_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o way_n of_o speak_v on_o their_o behalf_n show_v plain_o enough_o that_o they_o do_v not_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v his_o apology_n with_o those_o of_o athenagoras_n of_o st._n austin_n of_o tertullian_n and_o especial_o of_o arnobius_n who_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n these_o father_n speak_v of_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o of_o the_o piety_n meekness_n charity_n and_o innocence_n of_o those_o happy_a age_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o salvian_n apologise_v for_o the_o bagaud_n by_o excuse_v their_o crime_n of_o injustice_n violence_n and_o rebellion_n be_v that_o true_a which_o mezeray_n say_v of_o they_o perhaps_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n will_v have_v tell_v we_o something_o concern_v their_o religion_n prosper_n may_v also_o have_v take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o since_o he_o make_v mention_n just_a of_o they_o in_o his_o chronology_n so_o likewise_o eumenius_n in_o his_o panegyric_n wherein_o he_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o bagaud_n have_v besiege_v autun_n that_o city_n implore_v the_o emperor_n assistance_n but_o it_o be_v most_o incredible_a that_o marmertine_n will_v have_v be_v silent_a in_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o panegyric_n which_o he_o make_v at_o treves_n in_o praise_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n mr._n cuper_n say_v that_o he_o make_v it_o in_o the_o 91._o year_n 288._o the_o learned_a henry_n norris_n put_v it_o a_o year_n late_a in_o his_o curious_a dissertation_n upon_o the_o medal_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n howsoever_o it_o be_v mamertine_n make_v this_o public_a speech_n but_o few_o year_n after_o the_o defeat_n of_o the_o bagaud_n wherein_o he_o endeavour_v to_o quicken_v his_o discourse_n by_o droll_v upon_o their_o army_n and_o est_fw-la make_v a_o mere_a jest_n of_o it_o that_o a_o crew_n of_o ignorant_a rustic_n shall_v pretend_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o arm_n and_o military_a discipline_n that_o the_o ploughman_n shall_v change_v his_o goad_n for_o a_o pike_n the_o shepherd_n leave_v his_o flock_n to_o turn_v trouper_n and_o that_o the_o husband_n man_n shall_v plunder_v and_o waste_v his_o own_o estate_n and_o destroy_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o own_o labour_n with_o as_o little_o concern_v as_o the_o most_o barbarous_a enemy_n will_v have_v do_v from_o which_o sharp_a and_o pungent_a expression_n one_o may_v give_v a_o shrewd_a guest_n at_o what_o he_o will_v have_v add_v have_v the_o bagaud_n profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n precedent_n fauchet_n be_v one_o of_o the_o french_a writer_n who_o have_v make_v the_o great_a discovery_n in_o the_o gallic_a antiquity_n but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o bagaud_n gall._n be_v christian_n for_o he_o say_v of_o they_o the_o gaul_n be_v overburden_v with_o public_a subsidy_n and_o tax_n rise_v up_o in_o arm_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 290_o or_o thereabouts_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n and_o take_v the_o name_n of_o bagaud_n which_o some_o say_v signify_v in_o the_o old_a gallic_a language_n force_a rebel_n or_o traitor_n and_o some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o they_o be_v all_o peasant_n and_o will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o word_n bagaud_n signify_v tribute_n the_o heavy_a tax_n be_v in_o some_o part_n of_o france_n not_o many_o year_n ago_o call_v bagoges_n these_o trouble_n be_v appease_v by_o maximian_n 222._o dioclesian_n partner_n in_o the_o empire_n joseph_n scaliger_n say_v that_o bagaud_n be_v not_o a_o french_a word_n but_o the_o name_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o people_n and_o that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o highwayman_n and_o robber_n be_v call_v bagaud_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o vocant_fw-la aurelius_n victor_n say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n gather_v together_o great_a number_n of_o peasant_n and_o robber_n and_o that_o which_o show_v it_o to_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o party_n according_a to_o joseph_n scaliger_n observation_n be_v that_o idacius_n in_o his_o chronology_n speak_v of_o the_o bagaud_n who_o mutine_v in_o spain_n in_o the_o province_n of_o tarragonia_n under_o the_o king_n rechila_n and_o theodoricus_n it_o be_v also_o very_o likely_a that_o they_o wander_v from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o as_o the_o horde_n of_o the_o tartar_n do_v
induce_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o maximian_n army_n be_v christian_n only_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o author_n of_o st._n baboulene_n life_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o examine_v what_o can_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o writer_n authority_n and_o iâ—_n we_o cast_v but_o half_a a_o eye_n upon_o this_o work_n of_o he_o we_o shall_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o whole_a from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o nothing_o but_o fabulous_a legend_n and_o fiction_n the_o manucript_n be_v keep_v at_o paris_n in_o the_o library_n of_o st._n german_a desprez_a and_o james_n dubrcuil_n a_o monk_n of_o that_o abbey_n make_v a_o abrigdment_n of_o it_o and_o publish_v it_o in_o the_o year_n 1614_o mr._n du_n chesne_n insert_v it_o some_o year_n after_o in_o his_o history_n of_o france_n father_n le-cointe_a take_v notice_n of_o it_o also_o scripsit_fw-la in_o his_o annal_n and_o reject_v it_o as_o altogether_o unworthy_a of_o credit_n for_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o writer_n exact_o follow_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o anonymous_n impostor_n who_o write_v the_o act_n of_o the_o king_n of_o france_n of_o which_o he_o give_v these_o follow_a particular_n first_o that_o he_o make_v erchenald_n major_a of_o the_o palace_n in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o clovis_n whereas_o fredegair_n call_v he_o who_o be_v then_o in_o that_o office_n aeganes_n second_o that_o he_o confound_v aubert_n bishop_n of_o paris_n under_o king_n clovis_n with_o agilbert_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o â—â—e_v under_o clotary_n son_n to_o clovis_n three_o that_o of_o two_o baboulenes_n one_o of_o who_o be_v abbas_n bobâ—ensis_n and_o the_o other_o abbess_n fosatensis_n he_o make_v but_o one_o four_o that_o he_o reckon_v but_o 85._o year_n from_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n the_o first_o to_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n the_o second_o five_o that_o he_o make_v clovis_n the_o second_o to_o succeed_v his_o father_n dagobert_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 643_o in_o the_o first_o indiction_n and_o several_a other_o fault_n he_o find_v in_o the_o same_o author_n all_o contrary_a to_o the_o know_a truth_n of_o history_n but_o a_o most_o notable_a one_o be_v his_o say_v that_o the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr be_v situate_a in_o the_o place_n where_o former_o the_o camp_n of_o the_o bagaud_n be_v and_o that_o they_o encamp_v there_o because_o there_o be_v then_o stand_v a_o old_a castle_n build_v by_o julius_n caesar_n enclose_v with_o wall_n and_o secure_v on_o all_o side_n with_o large_a ditch_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o that_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n be_v call_v by_o several_a writer_n of_o the_o late_a age_n castrum_n bagaudarum_fw-la mr._n menage_n in_o his_o origines_fw-la upon_o the_o word_n bagaud_n say_v that_o in_o a_o charter_n of_o the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n grant_v in_o the_o year_n 868._o st._n maur_n des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr be_v call_v castrum_n bagaudarum_fw-la and_o add_v because_o ancient_o it_o be_v a_o fort_n of_o the_o bagaud_n but_o who_o tell_v that_o anonymus_fw-la author_n that_o julius_n caesar_n have_v build_v there_o a_o noble_a castle_n nobiliter_fw-la constructum_fw-la he_o be_v the_o only_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o that_o castle_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o the_o commentary_n of_o julius_n caesar_n though_o all_o his_o action_n in_o gaul_n be_v therein_o write_v with_o the_o great_a exactness_n moreover_o this_o 25._o impostor_n make_v orosius_n to_o say_v thing_n which_o he_o never_o think_v of_o for_o orosius_n say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n have_v get_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o peasant_n together_o raise_v great_a disturbance_n in_o gaul_n which_o oblige_v dioclesian_n to_o create_v maximianus_n herculeus_n caesar_n and_o to_o send_v he_o thither_o who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o considerable_a experience_n in_o war_n easy_o disperse_v that_o army_n of_o peasant_n which_o be_v altogether_o without_o order_n and_o discipline_n but_o this_o anonymous_n scribbler_n make_v orosius_n to_o say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o they_o revolt_v only_o because_o they_o think_v that_o their_o religion_n do_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o obey_v pagan_a prince_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a impudence_n this_o first_o to_o invent_v fable_n and_o then_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o they_o to_o quote_v a_o famous_a historian_n if_o we_o take_v this_o author_n quotation_n out_o of_o he_o for_o truth_n orosius_n attribute_n very_o noble_a and_o evangelical_n moral_n to_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o three_o century_n in_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n only_o because_o they_o be_v not_o 868._o of_o their_o own_o religion_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr tirlemont_n make_v a_o remark_n very_o suâ—iable_a to_o the_o purpose_n it_o be_v upon_o the_o act_n of_o st._n maximus_n relate_v by_o baronius_n in_o the_o year_n 254._o there_o arise_v say_v he_o yet_o great_a difficulty_n from_o what_o optimus_fw-la say_v that_o the_o edict_n of_o decius_n command_v all_o christian_n to_o forsake_v their_o superstition_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v their_o lawful_a prince_n on_o who_o all_o thing_n depend_v and_o to_o worship_n his_o go_n against_o which_o mr._n tirlemont_n with_o great_a reason_n do_v except_v thus_o what_o do_v all_o this_o mean_a shall_v then_o the_o christian_n have_v make_v any_o difficulty_n to_o acknowledge_v decius_n for_o their_o emperor_n by_o no_o mean_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o though_o they_o be_v the_o most_o submissive_a and_o true_a subject_n to_o their_o prince_n nevertheless_o because_o they_o do_v not_o prefer_v they_o to_o god_n himself_o they_o be_v deem_v to_o fall_v from_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o allegiance_n in_o fine_a this_o anonymous_n writer_n of_o mezeray_n relate_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n very_o different_o both_o from_o the_o counterseit_n st._n eucherius_n surius_n and_o father_n chifflet_n for_o he_o say_v that_o maximian_n have_v order_v that_o all_o the_o soldier_n of_o his_o army_n shall_v swear_v upon_o the_o altar_n of_o his_o god_n sacrifice_n to_o they_o and_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o a_o oath_n that_o they_o will_v persecute_v the_o christian_n wherever_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o any_o of_o they_o mauritius_n answer_v for_o the_o whole_a theb._n legion_n under_o his_o command_n we_o know_v o_o emperor_n how_o to_o fight_v against_o rebel_n and_o wicked_a person_n but_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o make_v war_n upon_o good_a man_n and_o our_o own_o fellow_n subject_n though_o we_o be_v all_o well_o arm_v yet_o we_o do_v make_v any_o resistance_n as_o be_v more_o willing_a to_o have_v our_o own_o blood_n shed_v than_o to_o shed_v that_o of_o other_o so_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n they_o stretch_v out_o their_o neck_n to_o the_o executioner_n and_o be_v raise_v by_o their_o torment_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o paradise_n and_o thus_o this_o anonymous_n author_n lead_v we_o immediate_o to_o the_o end_n of_o his_o romance_n whereas_o the_o suppose_a st._n eucherius_n after_o maximian_n have_v give_v his_o barbarous_a order_n make_v the_o theb._n legion_n to_o withdraw_v suppose_n that_o it_o refuse_v to_o march_v sai_z that_o it_o be_v only_o decimate_v at_o first_o make_v the_o emperor_n to_o reiterate_v his_o order_n relate_v their_o speech_n to_o this_o prince_n and_o so_o entertain_v his_o reader_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o intervening_a particular_n he_o at_o last_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o catastrophe_n of_o his_o tragedy_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v not_o original_o find_v but_o in_o false_a and_o supposititious_a write_n and_o be_v only_o relate_v at_o first_o by_o impostor_n one_o invent_v and_o publish_v the_o story_n of_o this_o martyrdom_n another_o vouch_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o narrative_a by_o another_o of_o his_o own_o and_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o these_o two_o relator_n hundred_o of_o other_o believe_v it_o and_o at_o last_o it_o become_v a_o common_a opinion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o a_o tale_n never_o miss_v to_o be_v credit_v when_o it_o begin_v to_o grow_v ancient_a and_o we_o see_v every_o day_n that_o when_o any_o relation_n have_v pass_v for_o current_n for_o fifty_o or_o threescore_o year_n it_o be_v then_o almost_o too_o late_o to_o contradict_v or_o call_v it_o in_o question_n chap._n xvii_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o some_o cohort_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v detach_v out_o of_o maximian_n army_n to_o march_v against_o carausius_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o counterfeit_a agaunian_a act_n there_o be_v a_o passage_n which_o afford_v we_o another_o proof_n that_o this_o story_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v a_o forgery_n etc._n it_o be_v say_v the_o author_n a_o common_a report_n that_o