all_o the_o function_n of_o the_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o principal_a one_o first_o christ_n have_v teach_v man_n the_o true_a and_o only_a way_n that_o lead_v to_o heaven_n have_v bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o 10._o light_n through_o the_o gospel_n second_o christ_n by_o his_o death_n have_v reconcile_v god_n to_o man_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o cross_n be_v the_o source_n of_o their_o peace_n and_o righteousness_n god_n have_v make_v he_o to_o be_v sin_n 21._o for_o we_o who_o know_v no_o sin_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n in_o he_o in_o the_o three_o place_n christ_n be_v the_o dispenser_n of_o all_o those_o good_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o that_o eternal_a and_o new_a covenant_n which_o he_o have_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n and_o seal_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n upon_o the_o cross_n all_o power_n be_v giveâ—_n he_o both_o in_o heaven_n 25._o and_o earth_n that_o he_o may_v save_v to_o the_o uttermost_a all_o that_o come_v to_o god_n by_o he_o now_o we_o think_v we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o accuse_v the_o roman_a church_n of_o attribute_v to_o the_o saint_n these_o function_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n for_o as_o if_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a rule_n to_o direct_v we_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n the_o romish_a church_n teach_v that_o her_o dominick_n francis_n loyola_n &c._n &c._n have_v receive_v from_o heaven_n rule_v more_o certain_a and_o powerful_a to_o raise_v those_o who_o follow_v they_o to_o a_o high_a perfection_n than_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n itself_o and_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o they_o produce_v the_o heavenly_a vision_n divine_a apparition_n and_o other_o miracle_n wherewith_o they_o pretend_v god_n have_v honour_v the_o call_n of_o these_o founder_n of_o order_n moreover_o the_o romish_a church_n hold_v that_o by_o christ_n death_n only_o our_o mortal_a sin_n and_o the_o eternal_a punishment_n due_a to_o they_o be_v expiate_v so_o that_o man_n must_v have_v recourse_n to_o other_o way_n of_o expiation_n both_o for_o their_o venial_a sin_n and_o the_o temporal_a punishment_n due_a to_o their_o mortal_a one_o therefore_o be_v purgatory_n invent_v and_o to_o that_o purpose_n be_v likewise_o apply_v the_o fast_n the_o discipline_a whip_n the_o obit_n or_o office_n for_o the_o dead_a the_o pious_a foundation_n the_o mass_n and_o the_o canonical_a penance_n enjoin_v by_o the_o confessor_n at_o the_o tribunal_n of_o penitence_n as_o they_o call_v it_o but_o the_o most_o powerful_a machine_n be_v the_o treasury_n of_o indulgence_n that_o treasury_n which_o have_v draw_v so_o much_o money_n into_o the_o pope_n exchequer_n and_o which_o they_o say_v be_v sill_v up_o with_o the_o overplus_n of_o the_o satisfaction_n and_o merit_n of_o saint_n which_o superabundance_n be_v by_o indulgence_n apply_v either_o for_o the_o expiation_n of_o venial_a sin_n or_o for_o a_o compensation_n for_o the_o temporal_a penalty_n due_a to_o mortal_a sin_n this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o prayer_n which_o the_o priest_n say_v in_o the_o mass_n when_o he_o ask_v of_o god_n the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o merit_n of_o those_o saint_n who_o relic_n be_v at_o rest_n under_o the_o altar_n final_o the_o roman_a church_n make_v her_o address_n to_o the_o saint_n as_o to_o the_o dispenser_n of_o heavenly_a grace_n and_o we_o may_v observe_v a_o hundred_o place_n in_o their_o prayer-book_n ritual_n breviaries_n and_o other_o book_n of_o their_o religion_n where_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o they_o ask_v of_o they_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n the_o grace_n of_o perseverance_n and_o good_a disposition_n for_o die_v well_o but_o here_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o its_o practice_n between_o christ_n mediation_n and_o that_o of_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o one_o of_o her_o most_o famous_a writer_n sad_o complain_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o most_o of_o the_o people_n put_v 4._o more_o trust_n in_o the_o intercession_n of_o the_o saint_n than_o in_o christ_n intercession_n and_o that_o they_o have_v recourse_n with_o more_o zeal_n to_o their_o protection_n than_o to_o the_o patronage_n of_o that_o great_a redeemer_n and_o after_o all_o this_o distinction_n of_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n and_o mediator_n of_o intercession_n be_v very_o injurious_a to_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o fullness_n of_o his_o priesthood_n the_o apostle_n willing_a to_o condemn_v the_o partiality_n of_o the_o corinthian_n some_o say_n they_o be_v of_o paul_n and_o other_o of_o cephas_n ask_v they_o with_o indignation_n 13._o have_v paul_n apollo_n or_o cephas_n be_v crucify_a for_o you_o and_o may_v not_o we_o then_o with_o more_o reason_n ask_v the_o doctor_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n have_v francis_n dominick_n or_o ignatius_n loyola_n be_v crucify_a for_o you_o for_o christ_n priesthood_n comprehend_v two_o part_n namely_o sacrifice_n and_o intercession_n one_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o other_o in_o heaven_n one_o on_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o other_o beyond_o the_o veil_n in_o the_o true_a and_o incorruptible_a sanctuary_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o his_o intercession_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o continuation_n of_o his_o priesthood_n and_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o be_v our_o advocate_n be_v because_o he_o be_v crucify_v for_o we_o but_o in_o what_o order_n of_o mediator_n can_v the_o romish_a church_n put_v st._n christopher_n st._n longine_n st._n catharine_n the_o eleven_o thousand_o virgin_n and_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n since_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o at_o the_o best_a they_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a figment_n they_o will_v not_o sure_o offer_v to_o own_v they_o mediator_n of_o intercession_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v confess_v that_o they_o have_v err_v and_o be_v still_o in_o error_n the_o seven_o device_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o excuse_v the_o worship_n they_o render_v to_o saint_n iâ—_n that_o they_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v not_o determine_v this_o worship_n to_o be_v necessary_a but_o only_o simple_o declare_v that_o it_o be_v a_o good_a and_o profitable_a practice_n to_o which_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o oppose_v this_o argument_n that_o practice_n must_v needs_o be_v hold_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n for_o the_o not_o observe_v of_o which_o people_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v damn_v now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n damn_v all_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o saint_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v pray_v to_o from_o whence_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v infer_v that_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n be_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n a_o practice_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o proof_n for_o the_o minor_a of_o this_o argument_n be_v find_v in_o the_o 25_o session_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n where_o be_v a_o canon_n that_o anathematize_v all_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o call_v upon_o saint_n conformable_o to_o the_o use_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n unless_o they_o will_v say_v that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v pronounce_v these_o anathemas_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o worship_v of_o saint_n be_v not_o a_o practice_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o while_o they_o go_v about_o to_o set_v off_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o father_n assemble_v in_o that_o council_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a that_o they_o accuse_v they_o both_o of_o levity_n and_o want_v of_o charity_n in_o damn_v man_n for_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v either_o do_v or_o let_v alone_o without_o prejudice_n to_o salvation_n the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v hardly_o put_v to_o it_o to_o know_v what_o thing_n the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v judge_v ceremonial_a and_o what_o dogmatical_a and_o essential_a to_o religion_n that_o which_o give_v occasion_n to_o these_o dispute_n be_v that_o in_o some_o state_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o pope_n authority_n the_o decision_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v be_v receive_v as_o to_o the_o dogmatical_a part_n of_o religion_n though_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v they_o as_o to_o rite_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n i_o shall_v observe_v by_o the_o by_o that_o the_o illustrious_a peter_n de_fw-fr maâ—ca_n frequent_o lay_v iâ—_n down_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o france_n approve_v of_o and_o receive_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o the_o year_n 79_o of_o the_o last_o age._n however_o we_o find_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o cardinal_n duke_n of_o joyeuse_n compose_v by_o haberi_fw-la a_o barester_n at_o the_o parliament_n of_o paris_n a_o brief_a of_o pope_n paul_n the_o v._o send_v to_o the_o cardinal_n of_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
temple_n we_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o many_o of_o the_o infidel_n neighbour_n nation_n be_v also_o employ_v in_o it_o and_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o because_o the_o jew_n apply_v themselves_o more_o to_o husbandry_n than_o to_o other_o mechanic_n arts._n it_o be_v by_o god_n order_n that_o 24_o the_o gold_n and_o silver_n of_o the_o idolatrous_a jericho_n be_v put_v into_o the_o sacred_a treasury_n those_o table_n and_o precious_a vessel_n and_o the_o other_o rich_a present_n which_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n and_o queen_n helena_n send_v to_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v no_o doubt_n of_o the_o gentile_n make_v nevertheless_o 649._o they_o be_v accept_v of_o by_o the_o high-priest_n and_o consecrate_a to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o what_o school_n then_o do_v the_o thebean_a soldier_n learn_v that_o piece_n of_o morality_n that_o it_o be_v not_o allowable_a in_o a_o pagan_a to_o help_v in_o the_o building_n of_o christian_a church_n certain_o the_o romish_a church_n must_v think_v that_o saint_n have_v nowadays_o much_o abate_v of_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o moral_n and_o be_v grow_v much_o more_o humane_a and_o tractable_a since_o in_o the_o cathedral_n in_o rome_n a_o brazen_a st._n peter_n be_v see_v which_o former_o be_v a_o statue_n of_o jupiter_n and_o in_o who_o hand_n the_o key_n be_v put_v instead_o of_o the_o thunder-bolt_n and_o fiery_a arrow_n that_o they_o hold_v before_o and_o since_o the_o pantheon_n which_o be_v the_o temple_n dedicate_v to_o all_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v now_o a_o church_n consecrate_a to_o the_o bless_a mother_n of_o our_o lord_n chap._n xi_o in_o which_o the_o thought_n and_o disposition_n for_o martyrdom_n which_o be_v attribute_v to_o those_o saint_n in_o the_o act_n of_o agaunum_n be_v examine_v we_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o the_o historian_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n represent_v they_o all_o possess_v with_o a_o burn_a zeal_n for_o martyrdom_n he_o say_v that_o they_o be_v all_o inflame_v with_o a_o noble_a desire_n to_o die_v for_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o emperor_n be_v arrive_v to_o put_v his_o barbarous_a order_n in_o execution_n the_o thebean_a soldier_n make_v not_o the_o least_o resistance_n or_o endeavour_n to_o escape_v but_o â—endered_v their_o neck_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n to_o the_o executioner_n this_o be_v not_o set_v down_o without_o some_o design_n the_o author_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o answer_v before_o hand_n a_o difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v object_v by_o the_o reader_n he_o fore_z see_v that_o it_o will_v not_o well_o go_v down_o with_o some_o consider_v man_n that_o a_o whole_a legion_n well_o arm_v have_v suffer_v their_o throat_n to_o be_v cut_v without_o make_v the_o least_o opposition_n and_o that_o these_o brave_a soldier_n who_o fight_v like_o lion_n in_o so_o many_o battle_n shall_v have_v permit_v themselves_o to_o be_v lead_v as_o lamb_n to_o the_o slaughter_n but_o now_o he_o think_v he_o have_v remove_v the_o difficulty_n by_o say_v that_o they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o fiery_a heat_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o fury_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o martyrdom_n as_o appear_v especial_o in_o that_o victor_n who_o death_n be_v relate_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o agaunum_n who_o seek_v for_o death_n and_o bring_v it_o upon_o himself_o by_o his_o own_o indiscretion_n for_o be_v invite_v by_o some_o pagan_a soldier_n to_o come_v and_o make_v merry_a with_o they_o with_o the_o spoil_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n he_o return_v their_o kindness_n with_o a_o thousand_o imprecation_n and_o curse_n and_o declare_v without_o necessity_n that_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o christian_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o perhaps_o so_o certain_a as_o to_o leave_v no_o manner_n of_o suspicion_n behind_o they_o it_o be_v true_a that_o we_o find_v in_o eusebius_n sulpitius_n severus_n and_o lactantius_n many_o fine_a thing_n say_v upon_o the_o noble_a ardour_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o primitive_a age_n for_o martyrdom_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v neither_o but_o in_o the_o church_n history_n there_o be_v particular_a example_n of_o some_o who_o have_v more_o zeal_n than_o knowledge_n and_o who_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o they_o may_v have_v make_v their_o escape_n or_o hide_a themselves_o choose_v rather_o to_o run_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o unmerciful_a judge_n and_o torment_n but_o here_o the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o for_o we_o be_v not_o speak_v of_o some_o simple_a ignorant_a people_n who_o a_o blind_a zeal_n may_v carry_v too_o far_o in_o the_o first_o heat_n of_o christianity_n but_o of_o a_o whole_a legion_n which_o they_o suppose_v have_v be_v well_o instruct_v by_o a_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o confirm_v in_o the_o faith_n by_o pope_n marcelline_n among_o these_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o officer_n who_o no_o doubt_n have_v a_o competent_a share_n of_o learning_n and_o be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o christian_a morality_n as_o not_o be_v christian_n by_o their_o birth_n and_o education_n but_o by_o choice_n in_o the_o archive_v of_o the_o metropolitan_a church_n of_o turin_n be_v keep_v a_o manuscript-life_n of_o st._n second_o one_o of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n wherein_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v of_o one_o of_o the_o best_a family_n of_o the_o province_n of_o thebaide_v bring_v up_o in_o all_o the_o best_a accomplishment_n and_o by_o his_o extraordinary_a merit_n raise_v to_o a_o considerable_a office_n in_o the_o imperial_a palace_n now_o if_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o fine_a qualification_n this_o st._n secundus_fw-la be_v leave_v out_o in_o the_o act_n of_o agaunum_n we_o may_v well_o think_v that_o mauricius_n candidus_n exuper_n ursus_n and_o victor_n who_o be_v mention_v there_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v man_n of_o transcendent_a part_n and_o ability_n nevertheless_o the_o act_n of_o their_o passion_n do_v attribute_n to_o they_o such_o thought_n as_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o moral_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o author_n of_o these_o act_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v offend_v god_n by_o endeavour_v to_o fly_v from_o the_o order_n and_o cruelty_n of_o the_o emperor_n we_o need_v no_o other_o premise_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o true_a st._n eucherius_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o this_o relation_n this_o holy_a bishop_n well_o know_v that_o christ_n do_v suffer_v his_o disciple_n when_o they_o be_v persecute_v in_o one_o place_n to_o flee_v to_o another_o he_o know_v undoubted_o very_o well_o that_o true_a religion_n strengthen_v the_o saint_n against_o danger_n but_o that_o it_o forbid_v they_o to_o stay_v for_o they_o or_o to_o go_v meet_v they_o a_o man_n that_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n promise_n and_o have_v experience_v the_o comfort_n of_o they_o will_v certain_o without_o any_o change_n or_o be_v in_o the_o least_o daunt_v look_v upon_o a_o fiery_a furnace_n but_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o run_v himself_o headlong_o into_o it_o as_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v afraid_a of_o death_n so_o neither_o be_v we_o to_o grow_v weary_a and_o prodigal_a of_o life_n ignatius_n and_o albina_n may_v serve_v as_o pattern_n to_o christian_n of_o both_o sex_n but_o not_o cato_n and_o lucretia_n the_o crown_n â—c_z of_o martyrdom_n come_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n we_o ought_v to_o wait_v for_o it_o without_o anticipate_v the_o time_n say_v st._n cyprian_n the_o great_a panegyrist_n of_o martyrdom_n the_o thebean_a soldier_n have_v a_o excellent_a model_n in_o st._n paul_n to_o frame_v themselves_o upon_o who_o be_v choose_v by_o god_n to_o â—reach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n fear_v neither_o tribulation_n nor_o anguish_n nor_o persecution_n nor_o hunger_n nor_o nakedness_n nor_o peril_n nor_o sword_n he_o challenge_v life_n and_o death_n angel_n principality_n power_n thing_n present_a and_o thing_n to_o come_v the_o height_n the_o depth_n and_o all_o the_o creature_n together_o to_o shake_v his_o unmoveable_a steadiness_n and_o fidelity_n but_o withal_o he_o never_o face_v the_o danger_n whenever_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o decline_v they_o and_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o turn_v aside_o when_o he_o foresee_v some_o great_a mischief_n in_o the_o way_n a_o instance_n of_o which_o be_v his_o go_v out_o of_o damascus_n as_o you_o see_v in_o the_o 9_o ch._n of_o the_o acts._n this_o be_v also_o a_o know_a practice_n in_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v martyrdom_n let_v one_o but_o look_n over_o the_o collection_n of_o penitential_a canon_n by_o peter_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v in_o great_a esteem_n about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n this_o bishop_n do_v there_o censure_v those_o obstinate_a martyr_n who_o have_v
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