those who had been instructed by him became Martyrs THe first of them was the aforementioned Plutarchus whom when he was led to Execution he of whom the discourse is accompanied to the last hour of his life and again wanted little of being kill'd by the men of his own City as seeming the cause of Plutarchus's death But then also the providence of God preserv'd him Next to Plutarch the second of Origen's disciples that was a Martyr was Serenus Who by fire gave a triall of the faith which he had receiv'd Heraclides was made the third Martyr of the same School The fourth after him was Heron. Both which persons were beheaded the former of them while he was yet learning the Principles of Christianity the latter when he was newly Baptiz'd Besides these another Serenus different from the former is declared the fifth Champion of Piety who came out of this School Who 't is reported was punish'd with the loss of his head after a most patient sufferance of many Torments And of women Heraïs who as yet was learning the Principles of Christianity did as he himself somewhere says depart this life having received Baptism by fire CHAP. V. Concerning Potamiaena LEt Basilides be reckoned the seventh among these who lead the most renown'd Potamiaena to Execution concerning which woman even yet there is a famous report amongst the inhabitants of those Countries for that she combated many times with her lovers in defence of the chastity and virginity of her body for which she was famous for besides the vigour of her mind there flourisht in her a comliness of body who having suffer'd many things for her faith in Christ at last after grievous Torments and horrible to be related was together with her mother Marcella consumed by fire Moreover they say that the Judge whose name was Aquila after he had inflicted grievous stripes upon every part of her body threatned at last he would deliver her to the Gladiatours to abuse her body But she having considered of the matter some short time being asked what her determination was return'd they say such an answer as thereby she seem'd to speak some thing which was accounted impious amongst them Forthwith therefore she receiv'd the definitive sentence of the Judge and Basilides one of the Military Apparitors took and lead her to Execution but when the multitude endeavour'd to molest and reproach her with obscene words he prohibited them thrusting away them who reproach'd her shewing much commiseration and humanity towards her She taking in good part the mans commiseration shown towards her exhorts him to be of good courage for when she was gone hence she would entreat her Lord for him and within a little while she would make him a requital for what he had done for her When she had spoken these things they say she valiantly underwent death hot scalding pitch being leisurely and by little and little poured upon all the several members of her body from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head such was the combat fought by this famous virgin But not long after Basilides upon some occasion being desir'd by his fellow-soldiers to swear avouch'd t was not lawfull for him to swear at all for he was a Christian and he openly confess'd it at first they thought he onely spake in jest but when he constantly maintain'd it he is brought before the Judge and after he had made profession of his stedfastness before him he was put into bonds And when some of the brethren in the Lord came to him asking him what was the cause of this sudden and unexpected change he is reported to have said that Potamiaena three days after her Martyrdom stood by him in the night put a crown about his head and said she had entreated the Lord for him and had obtain'd her request And within a little while the Lord would take him upto himself After these things the brethren imparted to him the Seal of the Lord and the day after being famous for his testimony of the Lord he was beheaded they relate that many more throughout Alexandria came thick at that time to the doctrine of Christ to wit such as Potamiaena had appear'd to in their sleep and invited them to be converted to the Gospel But for these things let thus much suffice CHAP. VI. Concerning Clemens Alexandrinus CLemens who succeeded Pantaenus was Master of the Catechetick School at Alexandria till this time So that Origen when he was a boy was one of his Scholars Moreover this Clemens committing to writing the subject of that work of his entitled Stromateis in his first Volume explains the series of times and determines his computation at the death of Commodus So that it is plain those books were elaborated by him in the Reign of Severus the History of whose times this book of ours contains CHAP. VII Concerning Judas the Writer AT this time also liv'd Judas another Writer who commented upon the Seventy Weeks in Daniel and puts an end to his computation of the times at the tenth year of Severus's Reign His Opinion was that even at that time the coming of Antichrist which was so much talk'd of drew nigh So great a disturbance did the raising of the Persecution then against us cause in many mens minds CHAP. VIII Concerning the bold Act of Origen AT this time while Origen perform'd the Office of Chatechizing at Alexandria an act of an unripe and youthfull mind was committed by him but which withall contain'd a most manifest token of Continence and true faith for he taking these words some Eunuchs there are which have made themselves Eumuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake in the more simple meaning unadvisedly like one of his juvenile years thinking it both his duty to fulfill our Saviours words and also considering that during his youthfull years he was to converse not onely with men but women about the things which appertain to God that he might exclude the Infidels from all suspition of obscene slanders his mind was full bent to perform really our Saviour's words taking great care that it might escape the knowledge of many of his familiars but 't was impossible for him although he was desirous to conceal such a fact But when Demetrius understood it as being then Governour of the Church there he both greatly admires him for his boldness and also having commended his alacrity of mind and sincerity of faith forthwith encourages and excites him to a more diligent imployment about the duty of Catechizing for such at this time was Demetrius's opinion of this act but no long time after when he saw Origen doe well and that he was famous and well reported of by all men being affected with the frailties of Mankind he endeavoured by letters sent to all the Bishops in the world to describe what was done as a most absurd action For the Bishops of Caesarea
which he was upon to the Studious in sacred matters About the same time Eusebius comprized a Description of the Jerusalem-Church and of the sacred Gifts which had been consecrated there in a small Book and Dedicated it to the Emperour Constantine Which Book together with his Tricennalian Oration he had plac'd at the close of his Books concerning the Life of Constantine But this Book is not now extant At the same time also Five Books were written by Eusebius against Marcellus the last three whereof De Ecclesiasticâ Theologiâ he Dedicated to Flaccillus Bishop of Antioch Now Flaccillus entred upon that Bishoprick a little before the Synod of Tyre which was conven'd in the Consulate of Constantius and Albinus on the year of Our Lord's Nativity 335. 'T is certain Eusebius in his First Book against Marcellus De Ecclesiasticâ Theologiâ Chap. 14 writes in express words that Marcellus had been deservedly condemned by the Church Now Marcellus was first condemned in the Constantinopolitan Synod by those very Bishops who had consecrated Constantine ' s Church at Jerusalem that is on the year of Christ 335 or else 336 as Baronius will have it Indeed Socrates acknowledges but Three Books of Eusebius ' s against Marcellus those namely which are entituled De Ecclesiasticâ Theologiâ whereas nevertheless the whole Work against Marcellus was by Eusebius comprized in Five Books Farther of all Eusebius's Books the last seem to be those Four concerning the Life of Constantine For they were written after the death of that Emperour whom Eusebius did not long survive For he dyed about the beginning of Constantius Augustus ' s Reign a little before the death of Constantine Junior which hapned when Acindynus and Proculus were Consuls on the year of Christ 340 as may be gathered from Socrates's Second Book Now what Scaliger says in his Animadversions upon Eusebius pag. 250 of the last Edition that Eusebius's Books against Prophyrius were written under Constantius Son to Constantine the Great can't so easily be admitted of by us in regard 't is confirmed by the Testimony of no ancient Writer But what the same Scaliger adds in that very place that the three last Books of The Evangelick Demonstration the eighteenth namely ninteenth and twentieth were written by Eusebius against Prophyrius therein he does manifestly blunder Saint Jerome writes indeed that Eusebius answered Porphyrius in three Volumes that is in the eighteenth nineteenth and twentieth who in the twelfth and thirteenth of those Books which he published against the Christians had attempted to confute the Book of the Prophet Daniel But Saint Jerome does not mean Eusebius's Books concerning Evangelick Demonstration as Scaliger thought but the Books he wrote against Porphyrius which had this Title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Books of Confutation and Apology as may be gathered from Photius's Bibliotheca Farther I am of Opinion that these Books were written by Eusebius after his Ecclesiastick History And this I conjecture from hence because Our Eusebius in the Sixth Book of his Ecclesiastick History where he produces a famous passage out of Porphyrius's Third Book against the Christians makes no mention of those Books wherein he had answered Porphyrius whenas nevertheless he is wont to be a diligent Quoter of his own works and does frequently referre the Studious to the reading of them But because a fit opportunity presents it self I have a mind to make some few Remarks here concerning his Books of Ecclesiastick History For on their account chiefly all this Labour hath been undertaken by us Indeed much hath been written by Our Eusebius for the profit and advantage of the Catholick Church and in confirmation of the truth of the Christian faith partly against the Jews and partly against the Heathens Nevertheless amongst all his Books his Ecclesiastick History does deservedly bear away the Bell. For before Eusebius many persons had written Books in defence of the Christian Faith and by most cogent Reasons had confuted the Jews Contumacy and the Errour of the Heathens But there was no person before Eusebius who would deliver to posterity an History of Ecclesiastick Affairs On which account Our Eusebius is the more to be commended who was both the first that found out this Subject and also after he had attempted it left it entire and perfect in every respect 'T is certain although many have been found after him who incited by his example have undertaken to commit to writing Ecclesiastick matters yet they have all begun their History from those times wherein Our Eusebius had closed his Work but the History of the foregoing times which he had set forth in Ten Books they have left to him entire and untoucht Wherefore should any one have a mind to term him the Father and Founder of Ecclesiastick History truly that person would seem to give him this surname not absurdly nor without cause Now what way Eusebius applied himself to this Subject 't is not hard to conjecture For whereas in the last part of his Chronical Canons he had accurately noted the Time of Our Lords Coming and of his passion the names also of the Bishops who had sate in the four chief Churches and of the famous men who had flourished in the Church and lastly in their own time and order had digested the Heresies and Persecutions wherewith the Church had been disquieted He was led by the hand as 't were by little and little to the writing an Ecclesiastick History that he might handle those matters more largely and copiously in his Ecclesiastick History which in his Chronical Canons he had comprized in a Summary as ' t were Indeed he himself in the Preface to his Ecclesiastick History does plainly shew that which I have said Where also he requests that Pardon may be granted him by candid Readers if peradventure he shall not so largely and copiously pursue and finish this Subject for he says that he was the first person who applied himself to this sort of writing and first began to walk in a way which had not before been worn by any one's footsteps But this may seem to some persons not so much an excuse and desire of Pardon as an endeavour to procure praise and glory Farther notwithstanding it appears evident from Eusebius ' s own Testimony that he wrote his Ecclesiastick History after his Chronological Canons yet 't is strange that Both those Works proceed to one and the same Limit namely to Constantine's twentieth year which was the year of Christ 325. That moreover may deservedly be wondred at that although the Nicene Synod was celebrated on Constantine's Vicennalia yet no mention is made of it either in his Chronicon or Ecclesiastick History For whereas in his Latine Chronicon at the Fifteenth year of Constantine these words occur Alexandrinae Ecclesiae 19. ordinatur Episcopus Alexander c Alexander is ordained the nineteenth Bishop of the Alexandrian Church by whom Arius the Presbyter being ejected out of that
of ill-gotten money was in a short time mightily enriched For that Law was put in execution not only where the Emperour was present but in those places also to which he came not At the same time also the Pagans made incursions upon the professours of Christianity and there was a great conflux of such as termed themselves Philosophers Moreover they constituted certain detestable Rites in so much that they sacrificed young children as well males as females inspected their entrails and tasted of their flesh And these were their practises both in other Cities and also at Athens and Alexandria At which City likewise they framed a calumnious accusation against Athanasius the Bishop acquainting the Emperour that he would destroy that City and all Egypt and therefore that it was requisite he should be driven from that City The Prefect also of Alexandria according to the Emperours command made an attempt against him CHAP. XIV Concerning Athanasius's Flight BUt he Fled again saying these words to his intimate acquaintance Friends let us recede a little while for 't is a small cloud which will soon vanish Having spoken these words with all possible celerity he went aboard of a ship and passing over the Nile fled into Egypt They who endeavoured to apprehend him made a close pursuit after him When he understood that his pursuers were not far behind those that accompanied him perswaded him to fly into the wilderness again But by making use of prudent advice he escaped those that pursued him For he perswaded his followers to turn back and meet the pursuers which was done with all possible speed When therefore they who a little before fled approacht the pursuers the persons who sought for Athanasius ask't his followers nothing but this whether they had seen Athanasius They gave them notice that he was not far off and said that if they made hast they would soon apprehend him Being after this manner imposed upon they pursued him very hotly but in vain Athanasius having made his escape came privately to Alexandria and absconded there till such time as the Persecution ceased Such were the miseries which befell the Bishop of Alexandria after his frequent persecutions and troubles occasioned partly by the Christians and partly by the Heathens Moreover the Presidents of Provinces supposing the Emperours superstition to be a fair opportunity of increasing their private gain treated the Christians very ill beyond what the Imperial Order commissioned them to do one while exacting greater sums of money from them than they ought to have done at other times inflicting on them corporal punishments These things the Emperour was sensible of but connived at them And to the Christians making their addresses to him upon this account his answer was 'T is your duty when you are afflicted to bear it patiently for this is the command of your God CHAP. XV. Concerning those who in the Reign of Julianus suffered Martyrdom at Merus a City of Phrygia AT the City Merus Amachius President of the Province of Phrygia gave order for the opening of the Temple there and commanded it should be cleansed from the filth heapt up therein by length of time and that the images in it should be polished and trim'd up This fact did sorely trouble the Christians One Macedonius Thcodulus and Tatianus out of their zeal to the Christian Religion were unable to bear that indignity But having acquired a warmth and fervency of affection towards Vertue they rushed into the Temple by night and brake the images in pieces The Governour highly incensed at what was done resolved to destroy many in that City who were guiltless whereupon the authours of this Fact rendred themselves on their own accord And chose rather to die themselves in defence of the Truth than to see others put to death in their stead The Governour having seized these persons ordered them to expiate the crime they had committed by sacrificing Upon their refusal to do that he threatned them with punishment But being persons endowed with a great courage of mind they disregarded his menaces and shewed themselves prepared to undergoe any sufferings whatever And chose to die rather than be polluted by sacrificing When therefore he had made these men undergoe all manner of tortures at last he gave order they should be laid on Grid-irons under which he commanded fire to be put and so destroyed them At which time they gave the highest and most Heroick demonstration of their sortitude by these words of theirs to the President Amachius if you desire to eat broyled flesh turn us on the other side least we should seem half broyled to your tast After this manner these persons ended their lives CHAP. XVI How when the Emperour prohibited the Christians from being educated in the Grecian Literature the two Apollinaris's betook themselves to writing of Books BUt that Imperial Law which prohibited the Christians from being educated in the Grecian Literature made the two above mentioned Apollinaris's far more eminent than they had been before For whereas both of them were persons well skilled in humane Learning the father in Grammar the son in Rhetorick they shewed themselves very usefull to the Christians at that juncture of time For the father being an exquisite Grammarian composed a Grammar agreeable to the form of the Christian Religion he also turned the Books of Moses into that termed Heroick verse And likewise paraphrased upon all the Historical Books of the Old Testament putting them partly into Dactylick Verse and partly reducing them into the form of Dramatick Tragedy He designedly made use of all sorts of Verse that no mode of expression peculiar to the Grecian Language might be unknown or un-heard-of amongst the Christians But the Younger Apollinaris a person provided with a good stock of Eloquence explained the Gospels and Apostolick writings by way of Dialogue as Plato amongst the Grecians had done Having rendred themselves usefull after this manner to the Christian Religion by their own Labours they vanquished the Emperours subtlety But Divine Providence was more prevalent and powerfull than either these persons industry or the Emperours attempt For that Law quickly became extinct together with the Emperour who made it as we will manifest in the procedure of our History And these mens Works are reputed no otherwise than if they had never been written But some one will perhaps make this formidable objection against us How can you affirm these things to have been effected by Divine Providence For it is indeed evident that the Emperours sudden death proved very advantagious to the Christian Religion But certainly the rejecting of the Christian writings composed by the two Apollinaris's and the Christians beginning again to be cultivated with an education in the Grecian Literature can in no wise be of advantage to Christianity For the Grecian Literature in regard it asserts Polytheism is very pernicious To this objection we will according to our ability make such
more certainly of the death of King Agrippa than he who dedicated his work to him Which I indeed wish had not dropt from so acute a man For how can an Historian testifie of the death of him to whom he dedicates his History unless we say that Justus dedicated his Chronicle to Agrippa when he was dead which is absurd But as Scaliger without all ground asserted that Justus Tiberiandensis dedicated his Chronicle to K. Agrippa so what he inferrs therefrom is also absurd But from Photius his testimonie it is manifest that that work was put forth by Justus after the death of King Agrippa Josephus relates that the History of the Jewish wars was published by Justus also after the death of Agrippa although it was written twenty years before A book of this same Justus his whose title was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is quoted by Laërtius in the life of Socrates which Photius says was the same with his Chronicle Vales. d He means Julius Archelaus and Herod as Josephus himself declares in his first book against Apion Julius Archelaus was brother in law to King Agrippa for he had married his Sister Mariamne so says Josephus at the end of his 19 and 20 books of Antiquit. Vales. e Nicephorus in his 3 book chap. 11. interpreting these words of Josephus says that Titus with his own hand copied out the books of Josephus his History of the Jewish wars See what Johannes Langus has noted at that place of Nicephorus But all interpreters who have translated this place of Josephus into Latine understand thereby that Titus onely subscribed the books of Josephus with his own hand and did not copy them out himself But I would rather follow the opinion of Nicephorus Neither do these words of Josephus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seem to sound any thing less to me Thus this place is pointed in all Copies as well M. S. as Printed But if this place of Josephus were to be understood onely of Titus his Subscribing Josephus his books with his hand then the distinction or comma ought to be put after the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but here you see it put after the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. f In the most excellent M. SS Maz. Med. Fuk. and in S r Hen. Savills M. S. it is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which reading all interpreters seem to have followed but I like Rufinus his Version best who translates it To be publickly read in which sense the same word is used by Eusebius in chap. 22. of his second book where he speaks of the General Epistles of James and Jade and in chap. 3. of his 3 book But from these words of Josephus we may gather that the History of the Jewish wars was put out by him in the Reign of Vespasian but his Antiquities were published by him in the thirteenth year of Domitian as he himself testifies at the end of his 20 book and at the close of his book of his own life But that which Scaliger affirms in Animad Euseb. p. 187. to wit that the book of Josephus his own life was by him put out seven years after his Antiquities seems not probable to me for that book is as we made it out before onely the conclusion of his twentieth Book of Antiquities and at the end of it Josephus reckoning up the Roman Emperours concludes with Domitian Vales. a This account of Eusebius his here agrees not with what he has written in that work of his called his Chronicon for there he writes that presently after the death of James Simcon was elected to wit in the seventh year of Nero. But here he makes it evident that after the murder of James the Episcopal See was vacant for the space of about eight or nine years Which intervall of time that the Authour Chronici Alexandrini might fill up he places the death of James on the first year of Vespasian Vales. b That is because as we conjecture he married Mary which was Sister to the B. Virgin upon which account Simeon the son of this Cleophas is here called Cousin-German by the mothers side to our Saviour for so we translate the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not patruelem i. e. Cousin-German by the fathers side as it is in the version of Valesius but consobrinum i. e. Sisters son For Mary the wife of Cleophas and the B. Virgin were Sisters see Jo. 19. 25. and so Simeon the son of the former Mary and our Saviour the son of the latter were Sisters children See the Learned B◠Pearson on the Creed p. 175 176. Edit Lond. 1669. And Petavius in hares 78. Epiphan cap. 7 14. and also St Jerom in Catalog a I know not why R. Stephens read Anacletus seeing that all our books have it written Anencletus And so Nicephorus Constantinopolitanus and his Translatour Anastasius Bibliothecarius in Chronolog Tripartit reads it So also Nicephorus Calistus in Libr. 3. cap. 2. and Georgius Syncellus and the M. SS copies of Rufinus So likewise Irenaeus in Lib. 3 where he reckons up the Roman Bishops in order names him Anencletus and omits the name of Cletus which to me seems to be made of a piece of the word Anencletus Neither does Optatus nor S. Augustine in his 165 Epistle where he counts up the Romish Bishops acknowledge Cletus But on the contrary in two very antient Catalogues of the Roman Bishops one whereof is in the Monastery of S. German and the other in the Jesuits Colledge at Clermont there is no mention of Anencletus but onely of Cletus who succeeded Linus and sat eleven years one month and two daies From whence its evident that Cletus and Anencletus was the same man See more of this in P. Halloixius in notat ad cap. 7. vitae Irenaei Vales. a That is the First after Mark So Eusebius said before concerning Linus Bishop of Rome at the 2 chap. of this book For Mark was the Apostle of the Alexandrians as we before have said But the Apostles were not reckoned amongst the number of the Bishops There was therefore no need of putting in here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Nicephorus did See Seldens notes ad Eutychium patriarcham Alexandr Vales. b Rufinus and the other Translatours call this man Abilius and also Jerom himself in Chronico not so rightly as I judge For he ought to be called Avilius which is a Roman name as well as Annianus who was Bishop before Avilius Besides the order of the chapters is here disturbed in the common Editions this chap. of the succession of Avilius being put before that of the succession of Anencletus but we by the direction of the M. SS copies Maz. and Fuk. have placed them in their true order This was a very antient mistake for in the Index of the chapters prefixed before the 3 B. of Rufinus his translation and in all the Greek copies except in that of Fuk. the same errour is committed But in the
Apollinaris as Rufinus and Christophorson supposed Vales. p This was a great man amongst the Montanists who boasted himself to be a Confessour and a Martyr and was so audacious as like an Apostle to write a general Epistle to the Churches in recommendation of this New Prophecy Apollonius speaks much concerning this man in the following chapter Vales. a In the foregoing chapter we observed that the name Miltiades was put for Alcibiades On the contrary here Alcibiades is crept into the Text of Eusebius instead of Miltiades In Nicephorus t is Miltiades but neither he nor Christophorson understood this place Vales. b Rufinus and Baronius were mistaken in that they supposed these following words were taken out of Miltiades's book For this nameless Authour quotes nothing out of Miltiades's book but onely out of the Cataphrygians answer to Miltiades's book which thing translatours understood not Now the meaning of this place is this there is a great difference between the true Prophets and the false For the true Prophets who were filled with the spirit of God did foretell things future in a quiet and serene temper of mind But the false Prophets as was Montanus uttered what they said in a raging and mad temper of mind Indeed this was the chief objection of the Ecclesiasticks against the Montanists who boasted they were inspired with a Prophetick spirit because they Prophecied in an extasie But we read that no Prophet either under the Old or New Testament did ever Prophecy in an extasie Therefore Miltiades wrote a book against them which was thus entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. a Prophet ought not to speak in an extasie of mind See Epiphanius advers Haeres Montanist chap. 2. 4 and Chrysostom Homil. 29. on the 1 Epist. Corinth Vales. c Jerom Refinus and other Translatours thought Miltiades dedicated his Apology to the Roman Emperours called here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But because at that time there was onely one Roman Emperour to wit Commodus I judge the Governours of Provinces are here rather meant For the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does commonly signifie the Presidents of Provinces To these therefore Miltiades dedicated his Apology as did Tertullian afterwards who calls this Miltiades the Rhetorician of the Churches Vales. a Montanus instituted three â—ents every year and besides them two weeks of abstinence wherein nothing but dry meats were to be eaten So Tertullian in his book de jejuniis and Jerom in his Epistle to Mercella Apollonius objects here against Montanus his instituting fasts by a Law not that 't is a fault to observe fasts or as if 't were not lawfull for some in the Church to proclaim fasts for the Apostle S t John appointed a three days fast â—t Ephesus before he betook himself to the writing his Gospel But Montanus had no power to proclaim a fast being an Heretick an excommunicated person and no Presbyter Apollonius therefore does deservedly blame him because of his own head not by Apostolick tradition he instituted fasts Vales. b In the Maz. Med. Fuk. M. SS and in Nicephorus this woman is called Prisca which is confirmed by Rufinus Tertullian and Firmilianus Robert Stephens calls her Priscilla Vales. c The Montanists covered their avarice under the pretext of Religion and specious term of Oblations as Apollonius says a little before in this chapter Vales. d Christophorson thought the Cross was meant here but doubtless Apollonius means bonds which Themison could not endure for Christs sake For that which he calls the sign of confession here in the next words he terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bonds Vales. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the term in the original At Athens there was an house so called behind the Temple of Minerva Polias wherein the publick treasury was laid So says Harpocration on that word In all the Temples there was such a place as Varro asserts B. 4. But here this term must mean the publick Registry where the publick Records are kept Vales. * Mat. 10. 9 10. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the term which Rufinus translates an Apostate Vales. * He means Montanus g The Greeks call that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Latines term crines tingere seu rutilare to die or make the hair red To doe which they made use of ashes which had been put into lye as Varro says See Hesychius in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vales. * That is a kind of colouring stuff which is used to make the eye-brows black h I perceive now why Eusebius places Apollonius after the Authour without a name of whom he spake in the foregoing Chapter For because that anonymous authour says he wrote his books fourteen years after the death of Montanus and Maximilla and in regard Apollonius does here say Montanus broacht his new Prophecy 40 years before he wrote therefore Eusebius supposed Apollonius to be a later writer than that anonymous Authour In which as I judge he is much out For Apollonius wrote his book whilest Montanus and his mad Prophetesses Priscilla and Maximilla were yet alive which appears from these passages Let the Prophetess answer us concerning Alexander who terms himself a Martyr with whom she feasts c and again And yet the Prophet does pretend himself ignorant of this man whom he has converst with for many years Eusebius quotes in this Chapter Apollonius therefore does not say 40 years were past from the death of Montanus when he wrote this book but onely that Montanus had set a broach his false Prophecy 40 years before he went about to write this book against him Let us suppose therefore Montanus to be thirty years old when he set up to be a Prophet he could not be above 70 years old when Apollonius wrote his book against him Neither had he Maximilla and Priscilla for his companions as soon as ever he began his heresie but as I judge they were ensnared by him a long while after Vales. a Eusebius in his 6 th B. cha 12. calls these men Pontius and Caricus Jerom in Catalogo calls them Carinus and Pontius Vales. b So the Ancients termed the prophesie of Montanus and his associates as may be seen from Tertullian de Jejuniis Jerom in Catalogo Firmilian in his Epistle to Cyprian and the old Authour quoted by our Eusebius chap. 16. of this B. Vales. c The reading of the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savill M. SS agrees with our translation to wit by all the Brotherhood in the world The Kings M. S. and Robert Stephens read it thus by all the Brotherhood in Christ over the whole world Vales. d Debeltum or Develtum a Colony in Thracia is mentioned by Geographers and in the old Coyns which John Tristan put forth Anchialus also hereafter named is a City of Thracia sufficiently known But why should the subscriptions of the Bishops of Thracia be put to the Epistle of Serapion Bishop of Antioch If I may make a conjecture I
mountains were firmly set and before all hills begat he me When he spread and prepared the Heavens I was present with him and when he bound in due order the depths under Heaven I was by composing all things I was she in whom he daily delighted rejoycing continually before his face when he rejoyced at the perfect finishing of the World That therefore the Word of God subsisted before all things and that to some he appeared though not to all men let thus much suffice at this time to have been by us briefly delivered Now for what cause he was not Preached of old unto all men and unto all Nations as now he is thus it shall evidently appear That antient generation of men was not able to receive the most wise and most excellent doctrine of Christ. For immediately in the very beginning after that primitive happy state of life the first man being careless of the commandment of God fell into this mortal and frail life and changed this cursed earth for those heavenly delights and pleasures of old And his posterity when they had replenished this world appeared fâ—r worse one or two excepted they gave admission to certain savage and bruitish manners and led a life not worthy to be called life And moreover they busied not their minds to erect either City or Common-wealth nor to profit in Arts or Sciences They had not amongst them so much as the name either of Laws or Statutes or moreover of Virtue or Philosophy But wandring in deserts they lived like wild and fierce Savages They corrupted their natural understanding and the seeds of Reason and gentleness sown in mans mind with their excessive willfull malice yielding up themselves wholly to all abominable wickednesses sometimes they defiled one anothers bodies sometimes they shed one anothers bloud and sometimes they spared not to devour one anothers flesh yea they audaciously undertook to wage war with God and attempted those Gigantiâ—k-combats so much talk't of determining in their minds to pile up the earth in manner of a Bulwark and so to Scale Heaven and such was their outragious madness they prepared to give Battel to God himself who is over all Wherefore they behaving themselves on this manner God the Overseer of all things came upon them with Floods and fiery destructions as if they had been a wild Thicket overspreading the whole earth also he cut them off with continual Famines and Pestilences with Wars and Thunderbolts from Heaven Repressing with most sharp Punishments that grievous and most pernicious malady as it were of their souls Moreover when this fullness of wickedness was now come to its height and had in a manner spread it self over all shadowing and darkning the minds almost of all men as it were a certain grievous and dead fit of drunkenness then that First begotten and Preexistent Wisedom of God and the same Word that was in the beginning with God out of his superabundant loving kindness unto Man appeared sometimes by Vision of Angels unto the inhabiters on earth sometimes by himself as the saving power of God unto some one or two of the Antients that were beloved of God in no other form or figure than that of Man for otherwise it could not have been After that by them the seeds of Gods Worship were now sown and scattered amidst the multitude of men and that whole Nation which originally descended from the Hebrews had now addicted themselves to the worship of God He by the Prophet Moses delivered unto them as unto a multitude yet corrupted and tainted with old Customs Figures and Signes of a kind of Mystical Sabbath and Circumcision and introductions unto other intelligible contemplations but not the perfect and plain initiation into the sacred Doctrines But when the Law famous among them was published abroad and diffused like a most sweet Odour amongst all men and thereby many of the Gentiles then had their mindes and manners civilized by Law-makers and Philosophers every where and their rude and bruitish savageness changed into a meek and mild temper and behaviour so that there ensued perfect Peace and friendship and mutual commerce amongst them then at the last to all men and to the Gentiles throughout all the world as it were now prepared and fitted to receive the knowledge of the Father the same Person again the School-master of Virtue his Fathers Minister in all goodness the Divine and Celestial Word of God manifested himself about the beginning of the Roman Empire in Humane shape for bodily substance nothing differing from our Nature and therein wrought and suffered such things as were consonant with the Oracles of the Prophets who foreshewed there should come into the world such a one as should be both Man and God a mighty worker of Miracles an Instructer of the Gentiles in the worship of his Father and withall they foretold his Miraculous Birth his New Doctrine his wonderfull Works moreover the manner also of his Death his Resurrection from the Dead and last of all his Glorious and Divine Return into Heaven The Prophet Daniel therefore by the Divine Spirit beholding his Kingdom that shall be in the latter Age of the World having been moved by the power of that Divine Spirit hath thus more after the manner of Man and to Mans capacity described the Vision of God For I beheld saith he untill the Thrones were placed and the Antient of days sat thereon his garments were as the white snow the hairs of his Head as pure wooll his Throne a flame of fire his wheels burning fire A fiery stream slided before his face Thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgment was set and the Books were opened And afterwards I beheld saith he and beheld one coming in the clouds like the Son of Man and he came unto the Antient of days and he was brought before him and to him was given Principality and Honour and Rule and all People Tribes and Tongues shall serve him His Power is an everlasting Power which shall not pass and his Kingdom shall never be destroyed These things can manifestly be referred to none other than to our Saviour the Word that was in the Beginning with God God the Word termed the Son of Man by reason of his Incarnation in the latter times But because we have in proper and peculiar Commentaries collected the Oracles of the Prophets touching our Saviour Jesus Christ and have elsewhere confirmed by evident demonstrations those things which have been delivered concerning him at this present we will be content with the premisses CHAP. III. That the very Name of Jesus and also that of Christ was from the Beginning both known and honoured among the Divine Prophets NOw that the Name both of Jesus and also of Christ was of old honoured among the Prophets beloved of God it is now an opportune time to declare First of all Moses knowing the
heard concerning Jesus by his disciple and Apostle Thaddaeus who without the help of Herbs or Medicines restored him to his former soundness And not onely him but one Abdus also the son of Abdus who had the Gout he coming and falling down at Thaddaeus's feet received a blessing by prayer and the laying on of his hands and was healed Many others also of the same City with them were cured by the Apostle who wrought wonderfull Miracles and Preached the Word of God After all this Agbarus spake thus We believe Thaddaeus whatever thou dost thou performest by the power of God and therefore we greatly admire thee But We pray thee moreover give us some farther account of the Advent of Jesus How and after what manner it was of his power also and by what virtue he wrought those mighty Works we have heard I shall now be silent replied Thaddaeus because I am sent to publish the Word of God But assemble all the men of thy City together to me to morrow and I will Preach the Word of God to them and will disperse the Word of life among them and expound the Advent of Jesus after what manner it was his Commission and for what reason his Father sent him the power of his Works the Mysteries he declared to the world by what power he wrought so great Miracles his new Preaching the slender and mean reputation he made himself of the despicableness of his outward man how he humbled himself even unto death how he lessened his Divinity how many and great things he suffered of the Jews how he was Crucified how he descended into Hell and rent asunder that Inclosure never before severed how he rose again and together with himself raised those from the dead who had layn buried many ages how he descended from heaven alone but ascended to his Father accompanied with a great multitude how with glory he is set down at the right hand of God his Father in Heaven and how he will come again with power and glory to judge both quick and dead Agbarus therefore commanded the men of his City to come together very early and hear Thaddaeus Preach After this he commanded that Gold and Silver should be given to Thaddaeus But he refused it saying how shall we who have left all that was our own take any thing that is anothers These things were done in the Three hundredth and fortieth year All this being translated word for word out of the Syriack Tongue and not unprofitable to be read we have thought good to set down opportunely in this place THE SECOND BOOK Of the Ecclesiastical History OF EUSEBIUS PAMPHILUS The PREFACE WHatsoever was necessary to be premised by way of Preface to Our Ecclesiastical History both concerning the Divinity of the comfortable Word the Antiquity of the points of our doctrine and Evangelical Politie and also moreover concerning the Manifestation our Saviour lately made of himself his Passion and the Election of the Apostles we have Treated of in the foregoing Book and briefly summed up the proofs thereof Now therefore in this we will diligently look into what followed upon his Ascension partly from what we find noted in Holy Writt and partly from other Records which we will mention in due place CHAP. I. Of those things which were instituted by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ. FIRST of all therefore Matthias who as before hath been manifested was one of the Lords disciples by lot was elected into the Apostleship of the Traitour Judas Then seven approved men were by prayer and imposition of the Apostles hands Ordained Deacons for the publick Administration of the Churches affairs of which number Stephen was one who immediately after his Ordination as if he had been made Deacon onely for this was the first that after the Lord was slain by those very Jews that had been the Lords murtherers who stoned him to death And thus he being the first of the worthily victorious Martyrs of Christ gained a Crown answerable to his Name Then James also who was termed the brother of the Lord because he also was called the Son of Joseph for Joseph was the father of Christ to whom Mary being Espoused before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost as the Sacred History of the Gospel doth declare This same James I say who for his eminent virtue the Antients surnamed the Just was as they relate the first that had the Episcopal seat of the Church at Jerusalem delivered to him So Clemens affirms in the sixth Book of his Institutions For he says That after our Saviours Ascension Peter James and John although our Lord had preferred them before the rest did not contend for the Dignity but chose James the Just Bishop of Jerusalem The same Author in the seventh Book of the same work says this farther of him The Lord after his Resurrection conferred the gift of Knowledge upon James the Just John and Peter which they delivered to the rest of the Apostles and those to the Seventy Disciples one of whom was Barnabas But there were two James's the one surnamed the Just who was cast head-long from the Battlement of the Temple and beaten to death with a Fullers Club the other was beheaded Paul makes mention of this James the Just writing thus Other of the Apostles saw I none save James the Lords brother At this time also all that our Saviour had promised to the King of the Osdroënians was fulfilled For Thomas moved thereto by Divine impulse sent Thaddaeus to Edessa to be a Preacher and Evangelist of the Doctrine of Christ as from a Record there found we have a little before manifested He when he was come thither did in the Name of Christ both cure Agbarus and also astonished all the Inhabitants of the country with the wonderfulness of his Miracles And when he had sufficiently prepared them with such Works and brought them to an adoration of Christs power he made them disciples of his wholesome Doctrine From that very time untill now the whole City of the Edessens has continued to be Consecrated to Christs Name enjoying no trivial evidences of our Saviour's graciousness towards them And these things are said as from the History of the old Records We will now return again to Holy Writ After the Martyrdom of Stephen when the first and sorest persecution of the Church at Jerusalem by the Jews arose all the disciples of Christ except the Twelve onely being scattered throughout Judea and Samaria some of them travelling as far as Phoenice and Cyprus and Antioch as Holy Scripture testifieth were not able to be so bold as to communicate the Word of Faith to the Gentiles but Preach't to the Jews onely At that time Paul also untill then made havock of the Church entring into every house of the faithfull haling men and women and committing them to prison Moreover Philip one of those who was ordained
the common people amongst the multitude and forbidding them to use their swords but commanding them to strike those that cried out with clubs gave them a sign from his Tribunal So the Jews were beaten and many of them killed some by the blows they received perished others being troden to death in the croud by those of their own party that fled And so the multitude being astonished at the calamity of those that were slain were silent Moreover the same Writer relates innumerable other commotions raised in Jerusalem and shews that even from that time forward both the City and all Judea was distracted with Seditions Wars and continual contrivances of mischief following one upon another untill at last the Siege in the Reign of Vespasian by way of revenge befell them After this manner therefore hath divine vengeance pursued the Jews for their execrable wickedness committed against Christ. CHAP. VII That Pilate made himself away IT is also worth knowing how that this same Pilate who condemned our Saviour in the Reign of Caius whose times we now Treat of fell as it is famed into so great troubles that he was forced to be his own Murderer and Revenger laying violent hands on himself Divine justice as it was meet not long deferring his punishment This those Grecians do Record who have written Olympiads giving an account what was done and in what time performed CHAP. VIII Of the Dearth that happened in Claudius his time BUt Caius having held the Empire not full out four years Claudius the Emperour succeeded him In whose times a Dearth oppressed the whole world of which those Historians make mention who are wholly averse from our Religion And so the prediction of the Prophet Agabus of whom there is mention in the Acts of the Apostles concerning this Dearth that should come upon all the world was compleated Luke having in the Acts mentioned this Dearth that happened in the time of Claudius adds this farther saying That the brethren which were in Antioch every one according to his ability sent to them who were in Judea by the hands of Barnabas and Paul CHAP. IX The Martyrdom of James the Apostle NOw about that time to wit in the Reign of Claudius Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church and he killed James the brother of John with the sword Concerning this James Clemens in the seventh Book of his Institutions relates a memorable History speaking as he had heard from his predecessours For he says that he that accused him before the Judgment-seat seeing him openly and willingly testifie and declare the faith of Christ was moved thereat and professed that he also was a Christian. And so says he they were both together led away to suffer And as they were going he besoughâ—â— James to pardon him who after a short deliberation said peace be to thee and kissed him and so they were both beheaded together Then also as Holy writ declares Herod perceiving that the killing of James very much pleased the Jews set upon Peter also and having put him in bonds would forthwith have put him to death had he not been miraculously delivered out of prison by a divine apparition to wit by an Angel coming to him by night being dismist for the ministration of Preaching All which happened to Peter by the disposition of divine providence CHAP. X. How Agrippa called also Herod persecuting the Apostles presently felt Divine vengeance BUt the Kings attempt to do violence to the Apostles remained not long unrevenged for a chastizing Minister of divine justice pursued him He therefore soon after his bloudy plot against the Apostles going down to Caesarea as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles and being there upon the great festival day dressed in a white and Royal garment made an Oration to the people from his lofty throne and when all the multitude gave a shout with loud acclamations at his Oration as at the voice of God and not of Man Sacred writ declares that he was immediately smitten by an Angel and was eaten up of worms and gave up the ghost But the consent between Holy writ and the History of Josephus in the account given of this strange thing is worthy of admiration In which he giving evident testimony to the truth in his nineteenth Book of Antiquities does plainly declare this wonderfull thing in these words thus The third year of his reign over all Judea was now compleated when he went to the City Caesarea heretofore called the Tower of Straton There he exhibited shewes in honour of Caesar knowing that Festival to have been instituted for the prosperity of him Hereunto flockt a great multitude of those who were honourable and excelled in dignity throughout that whole Province On the second day therefore of the shews being clothed with Robes made all of silver admirably wrought he entred the Theatre early in the morning When the silver of his Robes shining by reason of the beams the rising Sun cast on them made a wonderfull glistering striking those who steadfastly looked on him with wonder and amazement presently his flatterers some from one place some from another cryed out with voices most pernitious to him terming him God and beseeching him to be propitious to them Hitherto said they we have reverenced thee as a Man but now we acknowledge thee to be above mortal nature But the King neither rebuked them nor rejected their impious flattery presently after looking up he espied an angel sitting over his head whom he forthwith understood to be the cause of mischief towards him having heretofore been the foreteller of his prosperity A pain that pierced his very heart immediately seized him He had besides a griping all over his belly which began with a vehement sharpness and was continual and without intermission Looking therefore upon his friends I your God says he am now compelled to end my life fatal necessity forthwith demonstrating the falshood of your boasting acclamations even now uttered concerning me I who by you was stiled immortal am now snatch't away by death But that destinie is to be born with which God hath decreed We have in no wise lived ill and despicably but in such splendor as was look't upon to be most fortunate When he had spoken these words he was spent with the vehemency of his pain Being therefore presently carried into the Palace a rumour was immediately spread abroad that the King was in imminent danger of his life straightway the whole multitude with their wives and children sitting upon spread sackcloth after their country fashion made supplications to God for the King Every place was filled with wailings and lamentations But the King lying in an High-bed-chamber looked down upon them as they lay prostrate and could not refrain weeping At length having been for five days space continually tormented with pains of his Belly he died in the fifty fourth year
CHAP. IV. Of the first Succession of the Apostles THat Paul therefore Preaching to the Gentiles laid the foundations of those Churches from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum is manifest both from his own words and also from what Luke has related in the Acts. Likewise in what Provinces Peter Preaching the Gospel of Christ to those of the Circumcision delivered the doctrine of the New Covenant is sufficiently apparent from his own words out of that Epistle of his which we have said is universally acknowledged as genuine which he wrote to the Jews that were dispersed throughout Pontus and Galatia Cappadocia and Asia and Bithynia Now how many and what sincere followers of them have been approved as sufficient to take the charge of those Churches by them founded it is not easie to say except such and so many as may be collected from the words of Paul For he had very many fellow labourers and as he termed them fellow souldiers many of which were by him vouchsafed an indeleble remembrance he having in his own Epistles ascribed to them an everlasting commendation But Luke enumerating in the Acts the disciples of Paul makes mention of them by name Moreover Timothy is reported to have been the first that was chosen to the Bishoprick of the Ephesian Church as also Titus of the Churches in Orâ—â—t Luke by original extract an Antiochian by profession a Physitian for the most part accompanied Paul and being diligently conversant with the rest of the Apostles has left us in two Books written by divine inspiration Lessons that are medicinable for our souls which he prâ—â—ured of them The one is the Gospel which he professes he wrote even as they delivered it unto him who from the beginning were eye witnesses and Ministers of the Word in all which things he says he had perfect understanding from the very first The other is the Acts of the Apostles which Treatise he composed now not of such passages as he had received by report but of what he had seen with his own eyes They say also that Paul was wont to mean the Gospel according to Luke when speaking as it were of his own Gospel he says According to my Gospel Of the rest of the followers of Paul Crescens is by the Apostle himself declared to be one who was sent by him into Gallia Linus also whom in his second Epistle to Timothy he mentions to be at Rome with him who was before manifested to have been the first that was chosen to the Bishoprick of Rome after Peter Clemens also who was likewise constituted the third Bishop of Rome is attested by Paul himself to have been his fellow labourer and companion in sufferings Furthermore that Areopagite by name Dionysius whom Luke in the Acts records to have been the first that believed after the Sermon made by Paul to the Athenians in Areopagus another Dionysius one of the Antients a Pastour of the Corinthian Church relates to have been the first Bishop of the Athenian Church But as we goe on with this work of ours we will in due place declare the successions of the Apostles in their several times Now we will proceed to that part of our History which follows in order CHAP. V. Of the last Siege of the Jews after Christs death AFter Nero who held the Government thirteen years Galba and Otho having reigned a year and six months Vespasian grown famous in the wars against the Jews was made Emperour in Judea being proclaimed by the Army there He therefore going immediately to Rome committed the management of the war against the Jews to his son Titus Moreover after the Ascension of our Saviour when the Jews besides the audacious wickedness committed against him had now contrived and executed very many cruel designs against his Apostles first Stephen being stoned to death by them then after him James the son of Zebedee and brother of John beheaded and last of all that James who was first chosen into the Episcopal seat there after our Saviours Ascension Murthered according to the fore mentioned manner when the rest of the Apostles were by innumerable wiles laid wait for to be put to death and being driven out of Judea were gone to Preach the doctrine of the Gospel to all nations assisted by the power of Christ who had said unto them Goe and teach all Nations in my Name And furthermore when the whole congregation of the Church in Jerusalem according to an Oracle given by revelation to the approved persons amongst them before the war were commanded to depart out of the City and inhabit a certain City they call it Pella beyond Jordan into which when those that believed in Christ had removed from Jerusalem and when the holy men had as it were totally relinquished the Princely Metropolis of the Jews and the whole Country of Judea then at length divine vengeance seized them who had dealt so unjustly with Christ and his Apostles and utterly destroyed that wicked and abominable generation from among men But how great calamities then befell the whole nation in every place and how they especially who were inhabitants of Judea were driven to the extremity of misery and how many Myriads of men together with women and children were destroyed by Sword and Famine and by infinite other kinds of death and how many and what Sieges there were of the Jewish Cities and how great miseries and more than miseries they beheld who fled into Jerusalem it self as into the best fortified Metropolis and also the manner and order of the whole war and every particular action therein and how at length the abomination of desolation predicted by the Prophets was set up in the very Temple of God heretofore famous but now about to suffer all manner of pollution and to undergoe its last destruction by fire He that is desirous to know it may accurately read all this in the History written by Josephus But how the same Writer relates that a multitude of about thirty hundred thousand persons assembled together from all parts of Judea at the time of the passeover feast were shut up in Jerusalem as it were says he in a prison I think it requisite to shew in those his own words For it was fit that at that very time wherein they had killed the Saviour and Benefactour of all Christ the Son of God that in the same days I say they should be shut up as it were in a Prison to receive that destruction from divine vengeance which awaited them But I will omit the particular relation of those miseries which befell them and their great sufferings by the Sword and otherwaies and doe think it necessary to propose onely the Calamities of the Famine that so they who shall read this our work may from that part of their sufferings understand that the divine punishment for their enormous impieties committed against the Christ of God did not long after
the same Writer relates saying that a Prophecy was found in the holy Scriptures comprehending thus much to wit that about that time one was to come out of their Country who should rule over the whole world which this Writer understood to have been fulfilled in Vespasian But he did not rule over the whole world onely obtained the Roman Empire This therefore may more justly be referred to Christ to whom it was said by the father Desire of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession And the sound of whose Holy Apostles at the very same time went out into all Lands and their words unto the ends of the world CHAP. IX Of Josephus and the Writings he left AFter all this it is fit that we should not be ignorant of this same Josephus who has given us so great assistance in the History we now have in hand from whence and of what stock he came And he himself does manifest even this also saying after this manner Josephus the son of Mattathias a Priest of Jerusalem who my self also at first fought against the Romans and was by necessity forced to be present at what was done afterwards This man was esteemed the most eminent person of all the Jews of those times not onely by his own country men but also by the Romans insomuch that he was honoured with a Statue dedicated to him in the City of Rome and the Books compiled by him were accounted worthy to be placed in the publick Library He wrote all the Jewish Antiquities in twenty entire Books and the History of the Jewish war in his own time in seven Books which History he himself testifies he put forth not onely in Greek but also in his own Country language and He is worthy to be credited both in this and in other things There are also two other Books of his extant very worthy to be read which are about the Ancientness of the Jews in which he answers Apion Grammaticus who at that time wrote a Volume against the Jews and some others who had attempted to calumniate the Antiquity and Laws of the Jewish Nation In the former of these he sets forth the number of the Canonical Books of that called the Old Testament which of them are among the Hebrews unquestionable and undoubted as being received from antient tradition discoursing of them in these words CHAP. X. How Josephus makes mention of the Holy Bible THere are not therefore amongst us an innumerable company of Books disagreeing and contradicting one another but onely two and twenty containing an Historical account of all times which are worthily believed to be divine And five of these are the works of Moses which comprehend both the Laws and also a continued Series of the generations of men and what was done by them from their first creation untill his own death This space of time wants little of three thousand years And from the death of Moses untill the Reign of Artaxerxes King of the Persians successour to Xerxes the Prophets who succeeded Moses wrote what was done in their Ages in thirteen Books The remaining four contain Hymnes to God and precepts and admonitions for the well ordering of mens lives Also from Artaxerxes untill our own times every thing is indeed recorded but these Books have not been accounted worthy of the like authority with the former in that the succession of the Prophets was not so accurately known But it is manifestly apparent how highly we revere our own Writings For in so many ages now passed over no one has dared either to adde or to diminish from them or to change any thing therein but it is implanted upon all us Jews immediately from our very birth to think that these are the Precepts of God and to persevere in them and if need so require willingly to die for them And let these words of this Writer be profitably here inserted He compiled also another elaborate work not unworthy of himself about the Empire of Reason which some have entitled Maccabees because it contains the conflicts of those Hebrews in the writings called the Maccabees so termed from them who valiantly fought for the worship of God And at the end of his twentieth Book of Antiquities he intimates as if he purposed to write in four Books according to the opinion of the Jews which they had received from their Ancestours of God and of his essence also of Laws why according to them some things are lawfull to be done and others forbidden Himself also in his own Books mentions other works compiled by his diligence Moreover it is also consonant to reason to adjoyn those words of his which he has inserted at the conclusion of his Antiquities for the confirmation of the quotations and Authorities we have taken out of him He therefore blaming Justus Tiberiensis who had taken in hand as well as he to write an History of those very times as having not related the truth and accusing the man of many other faults at last adds thus much in these words But I was not in that manner as you were timorous concerning my Writings but gave my Books to the Emperours themselves when the deeds done were fresh and almost yet to be seen for I was conscious to my self that I had all along faithfully observed the delivery of the truth upon account whereof hoping for their evidence I was not disappointed of my expectation and moreover I communicated my History to many others some of whom were actually present in the war as was King Agrippa and several of his Relations Also Titus the Emperour was so willing that the knowledge of what was done should be delivered to men solely out of them that he subscribed my Books with his own hand and gave command they should be publickly read And King Agrippa wrote Sixty two Epistles testifying therein that the truth was delivered by me Two whereof Josephus there adjoyns But let thus much be thus far manifested concerning him We will now proceed to what follows CHAP. XI How after James Simeon Governed the Church at Jerusalem AFter the Martyrdom of James and the taking of Jerusalem which immediately followed thereupon report goes that the Apostles and disciples of our Lord who were yet alive met together from all parts in the same place together also with the kinsmen of our Lord according to the flesh for many of them hitherto survived and that all these held a consultation in common who should be adjudged worthy to succeed James and moreover that all with one consent approved of Simeon the son of Cleophas of whom the History of the Gospel makes mention to be worthy of the Episcopal seat there which Simeon as they say was Cousin German by the Mothers side to our Saviour for Hegesippus relates that Cleophas was the brother of Joseph CHAP. XII How
peace concord and love Let thus much be here profitably placed concerning the affection of these blessed persons towards those of the brethren that fell upon account of the inhumane and merciless disposition of those who afterwards behaved themselves most cruelly towards the members of Christ. CHAP. III. What a Vision appeared to the Martyr Attalus in his sleep MOreover the same Epistle of the forementioned Martyrs contains also another relation worthy to be remembred which for the information of the Readers we will very willingly insert Thus it is For when Alcibiades one of the Martyrs who led an austere course of life and in the foregoing part of his life hitherto had fed on nothing at all but onely made use of bread and water attempted to lead the same course of life during his imprisonment it was revealed to Attalus after the first combat which he finished in the Amphitheatre that Alcibiades did not well in his not making use of Gods creatures and leaving an example of scandall to others But Alcibiades submitted fed on all meats afterwards promiscuously and gave God thanks For they were not destitute of the grace of God but the holy Spirit was their directour These things were after this manner Now when Montanus Alcibiades and Theodotus began then first of all to be lookt upon in the opinion of most men as Prophets for very many miracles of divine grace at that time wrought in many Churches made most men believe that they also were Prophets and when there arose a dissention concerning these foresaid persons The brethren that were in Gallia did again subjoyn their private opinion also concerning these men which was Religious and most Orthodox and annexed several Epistles of those Martyrs that had ended their lives amongst them which being yet in bonds they wrote to the brethren in Asia and Phrygia and also to Eleutherus then the Bishop of Rome being Embassadours for the peace of the Church CHAP. IV. How the Martyrs by their Epistle recommended Irenaeus BUt the same Martyrs recommended Irenaeus who at that time was a Presbyter of the Church at Lyons to the forementioned Bishop of Rome giving the man a very good testimony as their own words doe manifest which are these We pray that you may in all things and always rejoyce in God Father Eleutherus we have entreated Irenaeus our brother and companion to bring you these letters and we beseech you that you would have him recommended being a follower of the testament or covenant of Christ. For if we knew that place would procure any man righteousness we would chiefly have recommended him as being Presbyter of the Church which degree he is of What need we recount the Catalogue of the Martyrs in the foresaid Epistle some whereof were perfected by being beheaded others were cast for food to the wild beasts and others again dyed in prison Or what need we reckon up the number of the confessours which till that time survived For he that is desirous may easily and fully know all these things by taking into his hands that Epistle which as I said is inserted entire into our collection of the Martyrs And such were the things that happened in Antoninus's time CHAP. V. How God having from heaven heard the prayers of some of our Religion sent rain to Marcus Aurelius Caesar. REport says that when M. Aurelius Caesar brother to this Emperour had drawn up his men in Battalia in order to a fight against the Germans and Sarmatians his army was brought into so great a streight by reason of thirst that he knew not what course to take and that the Souldiers of the Legion of Melitina so it was called which Legion upon account of their faith has continued from that time hitherto kneeling down upon the ground whilst the Army was setting in aray against the enemy according to our usual custom in prayer betook themselves to the making supplications to God Which sight seeming very strange to their Adversaries report says that there soon after followed another thing much more wonderfull ta wit both a terrible Lightning which put the Enemy to flight and destroyed them and also a great shower of rain which fell upon that Army who had prayed to God and refreshed it when all the men in it were just ready to perish with thirst Which story is related both by those Writers who are wholly estranged from our Religion whose care it was to commit to writing matters done in those times and 't is also set forth by our own writers But the Heathen Historians because they are alienated from the Faith have mentioned the wonder indeed but confess not that it was done by the prayers of those of our Religion But our men in that they are lovers of Truth have delivered what was done in a plain and ingenuous manner Amongst which number is Apollinaris who says from that time that Legion which by prayer had wrought that miracle had a name given it by the Emperour accommodate to what was done being called in the Roman tongue Fulminea Tertullian also is a witness of this matter worthy to be credited who dedicated to the Roman Senate an Apologie for our faith which we have before made mention of wherein he confirms this story by a greater and more manifest demonstration Thus therefore he writes saying that the Letters of the most intelligent Emperour Marcus were extant in his time wherein he attests that his Army in Germany being ready to perish for want of water was preserved by the Christians prayers He says moreover that this Emperour threatned those with death who attempted to accuse them of our Religion To which the forementioned Writer adds these words also What-manner of Laws therefore are these which the impious unjust and cruel persons bring against us such Laws as Vespasian did not observe although he had conquered the Jews which Trajan in part disanulled forbidding that the Christians should be sought for which neither Adrian although an inquisitive searcher into all things that were curious nor he who was surnamed Pius did make authentick But let every one determine concerning these things according to his own pleasure we will proceed upon the Series of the subsequent parts of our History Pothinus therefore having finished his life together with those that suffered Martyrdom in Gallia when he was ninety years old compleat Irenaeus succeeded in the Bishoprick of Lyons which See Pothinus presided over This Irenaeus was we understand an auditour of Polycarps in his younger years This person setting down in his third book against Heresies the succession of the Bishops of Rome closes his Catalogue with Eleutherus whose times and actions we now make our researches into because in his time he compiled that elaborate work he writes thus CHAP. VI. A Catalogue of those who were Bishops of Rome THe blessed Apostles therefore having founded and built the Church delivered the
after this manner This their stubborn contention therefore against the Church and this New Heretical separation from it had this original There is said to be a certain Village in that Mysia which borders upon Phrygia called by the name of Ardaba There they say one of those who had newly embraced the Faith by name Montanus when Gratus was Proconsul of Asia by reason of his immoderate desire after and love for the chief place gave the adversary an entrance into himself and was filled with the devil and being on a suddain possest with a â—urious and frantick temper of mind became perfectly mad and began to utter strange and barbarous expressions foretelling what was to come a thing which is contrary to the order and institution of the Church received from antient tradition and propagated by a continued succession Now of those who at that time were at the hearing of his counterfeited expressions some with indignation rebuked him as being moved by and possest with a devil and a spirit of errour and as being a disturber of the multitude they prohibited him also to speak for they were mindfull of the Lords premonition and his menaces whereby we are commanded with vigilancy to beware of the coming of false Prophets But others as if they had been inspired by the Holy Ghost and with the gift of Prophecy conceiving also very high thoughts of themselves and being unmindfull of the Lords premonition provoked that infatuating flattering and seducing spirit to speak and being enticed and deceived by it forbad it should any more be silenâ—'t By this art or rather by this method of subtilty and mischief the devil plotted destruction against those who were disobedient to the Lords premonition and being undeservedly honoured by them he excited and enkindled their minds which had forsaken the true Faith For he stirred up two other women and filled them with a counterfeit spirit so that they like the fore-mentioned person uttered extravagant foolish and strange expressions and those who delighted in and boasted of that matter that spirit pronounced blessed and puft them up with the greatness of the promises Sometimes also making use of conjecturall and credible arguments he condemned them publickly that so he might also seem a reproving Spirit Those few who were deceived were Phrygians But this insolent spirit taught them to revile the whole Church under heaven because this spirit of false Prophecy received neither honour from nor found any way of entrance into it For when the faithfull throughout Asia had met often and in many places of Asia upon this account and had inquired into this new doctrine and determined it to be prophane and rejected this Heresie they were expelled out of the Church and interdicted communion with the Faithfull Having related thus much in the beginning of his work and subjoyned throughout that whole book a confutation of their errour in his second book he says these words concerning the death of the forementioned persons Whereas therefore they have termed us the Murderers of the Prophets because we have not admitted of their prattling and lying Prophets for these they say are those whom the Lord promised to send his people let them answer us for God's sake is there any one of those most excellent who even from Montanus and his women began to speak that hath been persecuted by the Jews or slain by the impious not one Is there any one of them who has been apprehended and crucified for the name of Christ None at all Neither hath any of their women been scourged in the Synagogues of the Jews or stoned not one of them any where or in any wise yea Montanus and Maximilla are said to have dyed another manner of death For t is famed both these persons incited thereto by that furious spirit hanged themselves not together but each of them at the time of their death as t is strongly reported And so they dyed and put an end to their lives after the same manner that the traitour Judas did In like manner also common â—ame says that that admirable fellow Theodotus who was as it were the first Procuratour of that they stiled their Prophecie was possest with a false ecâ—tasie of mind as if at some time or other he should be lifted up and assumed â—nto heaven and that having given himself wholly up into the power of that spirit of errour he was thrown into the air by him and dyed miserably 'T is said indeed that this thing was thus done but in as much as we saw it not we doe not suppose O Macarius that we certainly know any thing hereof For peradventure Montanus Theodotus and the foresaid woman dyed after this manner perhaps they did not so die Again in the same book he says the holy Bishops of that time did attempt to confute the spirit which was in Maximilla but were prohibited by others to wit those that were favourers of that spirit He writes thus And let not the spirit in Maximilla say to me as 't is related in the same book of Asterius Urbanus I am driven as a wolf from the sheep I am not a wolf I am the Word the Spirit and the Power but let him evidently manifest and prove that Power in the Spirit and let him by that Spirit compell those that were then present to confess that they tried and conferred with that babling spirit I mean those approved men and Bishops Zoticus of the Town Comanes and Julianus of Apamea whose mouths Themison and those of his party having stopped would not suffer that lying spirit to be reproved by them Again in the same book having interposed some words to confute the false Prophecies of Maximilla he evidences both the time when he wrote these things and also mentions her predictions wherein she had foretold there should be Wars and Commotions the falsehood of which predictions he reprehends in these words And has not this lie been already made apparently manifest For to this day 't is more than thirteen years since this woman died and yet there has not been either a particular or an universal war in the world Yea rather by the mercy of God the Christians have had a firm and lasting peace And thus much out of his second book Out of the third I will also add some few words where he says thus to those who boasted that many even of their party had suffered as Martyrs When therefore they can return no answer having been confuted in all passages we have mentioned they endeavour to flee to the Martyrs saying they have many Martyrs and that is a certain and undoubted evidence of that power by them called the Prophetick spirit But this in my judgment is much more untrue For some followers of other Heresies doe boast they have many Martyrs and yet we shall not I think upon this account embrace their opinion nor confess they have the truth amongst them Those also
these sorts of Life and discontinuing their studies of eloquence embraced a Monastick life Having therefore had a taste of the precepts of Philosophy from him who at that time taught Philosophy at Antioch not long after they procured Origen's Works and from them got an insight into the interpretation of the sacred Scriptures For the great fame of Origen did at that time fill the whole world When they had with great studiousness exercised themselves in the perusal of those Books they powerfully opposed the Assertours of Arianism And although the Arians cited Origen's Books in confirmation as they supposed of their own opinion yet these two persons confuted them and evidently demonstrated that they understood not the meaning of Origen Indeed the Arians and their then Abettor Eunomius although they were at that time accounted persons of great eloquence yet as often as they engaged in a discourse with Gregorius and Basilius 't was made evidently apparent that they were men altogether ignorant and unlearned Basilius was first promoted to a Diaconate by Meletius Bishop of Antioch after that he was preferred to the Bishoprick of his own Country I mean Caesarea in Cappadocia and undertook the care of the Churches For being afraid least the novelty of the Arian opinion should prey upon and devour the Provinces of Pontus he went with great hast into those parts Where he constituted Monasteries instructed the inhabitants in his own doctrines and confirmed the minds of those that wavered Gregorius being constituted Bishop of Nazianzum a small City in Cappadocia over which Church his own father had before presided took the same course that Basilius did For he also went up and down to the Cities and corroborated those that were feeble and dispirited as to the faith But more especially he made frequent journeys to Constantinople and confirmed the Orthodox in that City by his Preaching and Discourses Upon which account he was soon after constituted Bishop over the people at Constantinople by the suffrage of many Bishops When therefore what both these persons did came to the Emperour Valens's ears he forthwith ordered Basilius to be brought from Caesarea to Antioch Immediately therefore he was conveyed thither and by the Emperours order was set before the Tribunal of the Praefects when the Praefect put this question to him why he would not embrace the Emperours Faith Basilius with a great deal of confidence found fault with the Emperours Religion and commended the Homoöusian Faith But when the Praefect threatned him with death would to God said Basilius it might happen to me to be delivered from the bonds of the body upon account of the truth Then upon the Praefects admonishing him to inspect and consider the matter more seriously with himself 't is reported that Basilius said I am the same this day that I shall be to morrow I wish that you would not have changed your self After this Basilius continued that day in custody Not long after it hapned that Valens's son a young child whose name was Galates was seized with a sore distemper in so much that his recovery was despaired of by the Physitians The Empress Dominica his mother did positively affirm to the Emperour that she had been sorely disquieted with fearfull and horrid visions in her dreams and that the child was visited with sickness because of the Bishops injurious usage The Emperour taking these things into consideration sends for Basilius And to make tryal of him expresses himself to him after this manner If your Opinion be true pray that my son may not dye If you will believe O Emperour replied Basilius as I doe and if you will assent that the Church shall be united the child shall live When the Emperour would not consent to that the will of God therefore be done said Basilius concerning the child After Basilius had spoken these words the Emperour ordered he should be dismist But the child died not long after Let thus much be compendiously said concerning these persons Moreover each of them wrote and published many and those incomparable Books Some of which Rufinus says were by him translated into Latine Basilius had two brothers Petrus and Gregorius Petrus imitated Basilius's monastick course of life but Gregorius followed his eloquent way of teaching He also finished that Book concerning the Six days-days-work which Basilius had taken pains about and left imperfect after his Brother's death And recited a Funeral Oration in praise of Meletius Bishop of Antioch at Constantinople There are also several other Orations of his extant CHAP. XXVII Concerning Gregorius Thaumaturgus BUt in regard some are apt to mistake because of the likeness of the name and by reason of the Books which in their title are ascribed to Gregorius you are to know that there was another Gregorius of Pontus who had his original extract at Neocaesarea in Pontus and was ancienter than these Gregorius's For he was Origen's Scholar This Gregorius's fame is very great at Athens at Berytus over the whole Pontick Dioecesis and I had almost said over the whole world For having left the Schools at Athens he went to Berytus and studied the Civill Law Where being informed that Origen did interpret the sacred Scriptures at Caesarea he went in great hast to that City And having been an hearer of the Magnifick exposition of the sacred Scriptures he bad far-well to his study of the Roman Laws and in future became wholly addicted to Origen By whom he was instructed in the true Philosophy and after that his Parents recalling him he returned into his own country Where first of all whilst he was a Laïck He did many miracles sometimes healing the diseased at others driving away devills by Letters in fine he brought over the professours of Gentilism to the faith not only by his words but much more by the works he did He is mentioned also by Pamphilus the Martyr in the Books he wrote concerning Origen Whereto is annexed Gregorius's Oration wherein he returned thanks to Origen at his departure from him There were therefore that I may speak briefly many Gregorius's The first is this ancient Origens Scholar the second Nazianzenus the third Basilius's Brother There was also another Gregorius at Alexandria whom the Arians constituted Bishop of that City during the time of Athanasius's exile Thus much concerning these persons CHAP. XXVIII Concerning Novatus and those from him termed Novatians And that those Novatians who inhabited Phrygia altered the time of celebrating the Festival of Easter and kept it on the same day the Jews did ABout this very time the Novatians who inhabited Phrygia altered the day of celebrating the Feast of Easter How this was done I will declare having first of all told you upon what account the accurate and exact Canon of their Church does at this present flourish in the Provinces of Phrygia and Paphlagonia Novatus a Presbyter of the Roman Church
Acacius should come into his presence to the end he might enjoy a sight of the man and that that was effected by the Emperour Theodosius's order When therefore God had given so eminent a Victory to the Romans many persons who excelled for their eloquence wrote Panegyricks in praise of the Emperour and recited them in publick Moreover the Emperour's Wife wrote a Poem in Heroick Verse for she was a woman of a great eloquence For being the daughter of Leontius the Athenian-Sophist she had been instructed by her Father and cultivated with all manner of Literature When the Emperour was about marrying of this woman Atticus the Bishop made her a Christian and at her Baptism instead of Athanaïs named her Eudocia Many persons therefore as I have said recited Panegyricks some with a design to make themselves taken notice of by the Emperour others endeavouring to publish the powerfullness of their own eloquence being altogether unwilling that that Learning they had gotten by much labour should lie concealed CHAP. XXII Concerning the excellencies wherewith the Emperour Theodosius Junior was endowed BUt I who am neither studious about being taken notice of by the Emperour nor desirous of making a shew of eloquence have taken a resolution of setting forth those excellencies wherewith the Emperour is endowed sincerely and without any Rhetoricall flourishes For in regard his virtues are so singularly usefull my Sentiment is that to pass them over in silence would be a loss to posterity which would be defrauded of the knowledge thereof In the first place therefore although he was born and educated in the Imperiall Pallace yet he contracted nothing of an effeminacy oâ— stupidity from that education But was always so prudent as to be reputed by those who addressed to him to have attained a knowledge and experience in most affairs His patience in undergoing hardships was such that he could endure heat and cold couragiously and would fast frequently especially on those days termed Wednesdaies and Fridaies And this he did out of an earnest endeavour of observing the Rites of the Christian Religion with an accuracy He governed his Pallace so that it differed not much from a monasterie Wherefore he together with his sisters rose early in the morning and recited alternative Hymns in praise of God Moreover he could say the sacred Scriptures by heart And with the Bishops who conferred with him he discoursed out of the Scriptures as if he had been an Ecclesiastick of a long standing He was much more diligent in making a Collection of the sacred Books and of the Expositions which had been written thereon than Ptolemaeus Philadelphus had been heretofore For clemency and humanity he excelled all men by far The Emperour Julianus although he was a profest philosopher yet could not moderate his rage and anger towards the Antiochians who had derided him but inflicted most acute tortures upon Theodorus But Theodosius bad farwell to Aristotle's Syllogismes and exercised Philosophy in deeds getting the mastery over Anger Grief and Pleasure He never revenged himself upon any one who had been injurious to him Yea no man ever saw him angry Being on a time asked by one with whom he was pleased to be familiar why he never put to death any person who had injured him his answer was Would to God it were possible for me to restore to life those that are dead To another questioning him about the same thing 'T is no great or difficult thing said he for him that is a man to die but 't is Gods property only by repentance to restore to life him that is once dead Further his Practise of this Virtue was so constant and earnest that if any person had hapned to commit a crime which deserved a capitall punishment he was never led so far as the City-gates onwards on his way to the place of Execution before a pardon was granted whereby he was immediately recalled When on a time he exhibited a Show of hunting wild beasts in the Amphitheatre at Constantinople the people cried out Let one of the boldest Bestiarii encounter the enraged wild beast To whom he gave this answer You know not that We are wont to be spectatours at Shows with clemency and humanity With which saying he instructed the people to be in future delighted with Shows wherein there was less of cruelty Further his piety was such that he honoured all God's Priests but most especially those whom he knew to be more eminent for sanctity of life 'T is reported that when the Bishop of Châ—bron had ended his life at Constantinople he desired to have his Hair-cloth-Cassock which although it was very foul and nasty he wore instead of a Cloak believing he should thereby partake something of the dead Bishop's sanctity There hapning tempestuous weather one year he was forced to exhibit the usuall and set Shows in the Cirque in regard the people were extreamly earnest for them But when the Cirque was filled with Spectatours the Storm increased and there was a vast fall of Snow at which time the Emperour gave an evident demonstration how he was affected towards God for he made proclamation by the Cryer to the people in these words 'T is much better that we should omit the Show and all joyn in prayer to God that we may be preserved unhurt from the imminent Storm The Cryer had scarce made an end of proclaiming these words when all the people began to supplicate God in the Cirque with the greatest joy immaginable and with a generall consent sang Hymns to him And the whole City became one congregation The Emperour himself went in the midst of the multitude in a private habit and began the Hymns nor was he frustrated of his hope at that time For the air returned to its former serenity and instead of a scarcity of bread-corn the divine benevolence bestowed a plentifull crop upon all persons If at any time a War was raised in imitation of David he fled to God knowing him to be the disposer of Wars and by his prayers he managed them successfully I will here relate therefore how a little after the Persian War when the Emperour Honorius was dead in the Consulate of Asclepioâ—otus and Marianus on the fifteenth of the month August by putting his confidence in God he vanquished the Tyrant Johannes For 't is my Sentiment that the Actions which hapned at that time are worthy to be recorded because what befell the Hebrews who were led by Moses in their passage over the red Sea the same almost hapned to the Emperour's Commanders at such time as he sent them against that Tyrant Which Actions I will relate in short leaving the ampleness of them which does require a peculiar work to be set forth at large by others CHAP. XXIII Concerning Johannes who Tyrannized at Rome after Honorius the Emperour's death And how God mollified by Theodosius's prayers delivered him into the
King But God rewarded him forthwith by making him Lord and Master and the only Conquerour of all the Emperours that ever were alwaies invincible and insuperable and he advanced him to be so great an Emperour on account of his Victories and Trophies as no one is ever recorded to have been in former ages so happy and dear to God so pious and every way fortunate that with all facility imaginable he reduced more Nations to a Subjection under himself than the former Emperours had vanquished and continued possest of his Empire free from disturbance and disquietude to the very moment of his Expiration CHAP. VII Constantine compared with Cyrus King of the Persians and with Alexander the Macedonian ANcient History relates Cyrus King of the Persians to have been more renowned and glorious than all the Princes that ever were But the conclusion of his life 't is said was in no wise fortunate but reproachfull rather and ignominious in regard he was slain by a woman The Greeks tell us that Alexander King of the Macedonians vanquished innumerable Nations but before he had perfectly arrived at man's estate he ended his life by an untimely death and was taken off by Debauchery and Drunkenness He finished the whole course of his Life within the space of two and thirty years â— not much more than a third part of which years determined the time of his Reign He march't on through bloud and slaughter being a person that may be compared to thunder and incompassionately enslaved Nations and whole Cities without any respect had to Age. But when he was scarce arrived at the flower of his Age and whilst he bemoaned his Catamite Death approach't him on a sudden and took him off Childless without any Stock or Kindred before he had raised a family and in an Enemies Country far remote that he might not any longer be the Ruine of Mankind His Kingdom was immediately rent insunder each of his Servants striving to pull and tare off some part for themselves And yet this person is extolled for such mischiefs as these CHAP. VIII That he subdued almost the whole World BUt Our Emperour began to Reign from that year of his Age whereon the Macedonian ended his life and he lived twice as long as Alexander did but trebled the length of his Reign Further having cultivated his Army with the mild and modest Precepts of Piety he march't into Britannia and to those who dwell in the very Ocean which is diffused far and wide at the setting of the Sun He likewise subdued all Scythia which lyes under the North it self and is divided into innumerable Nations of Barbarians differing both in name and manners Moreover having extended his Empire to the utmost confines of the South to the Blemmyae namely and Aethiopians he look't upon a dominion over them who dwell at the rising Sun not to be forreign and inconvenient In fine having with the brightest rayes of Piety enlightned all mortalls inhabiting within the circumference of the whole Element of the Earth even to the utmost bounds of the Continent that is as far as the Outermost Indians and the Nations inhabiting round on every side he brought all the Reguli Ethnarchs and Satrapae of the Barbarous Nations under a subjection to himself all which gave him voluntary and joyfull Salutes sent him Embassies and Presents and put an high value upon his knowledge and friendship So that each person within his own Province paid him honour partly by Pictures and partly with Statues publickly dedicated to him and Constantine the only person of the Emperours was known and famous over the whole World Even as far as these Nations therefore he Proclaimed his own God by his Imperial Acclamations with all the freedome and liberty Imaginable CHAP. IX That he was the Son of a Pious Emperour and left his Empire to his Sons who were Emperours NOr performed he this by words only and was disappointed in the thing it self but proceeding on in all manner of Virtue he abounded with the various fruits of Piety oblieging his Friends with Magnificent Benefactions Governing by the Laws of Clemency and making his Empire easie and desirable to all his Subjects Till at length after long periods of years that God whom he worshipped Crowned him when wearied out by various Conflicts and Exercises with the Divine Rewards of an Immortality and from a mortall Kingdome translated him to an endless life which he hath treasured up with himself for holy Souls after he had raised him up three children who might succeed him in his Empire In this manner therefore the Imperiall Dignity descended to him from his Father and by the Law of Nature is reserved for his Children and for their descendants and like some paternall Inheritance shall henceforward be forever propagated and prolonged And indeed God himself who hath exalted this most blessed Emperour as yet conversant amongst us to divine Honours and hath adorned his Death with singular advantages proceeding from himself can only be a fit Writer of his Life in regard he has Recorded his Glorious Actions and Conflicts on Celestiall Tables and Monuments CHAP. X. That this History is necessary and advantagious to the Souls and Mindes of Men. BUt though I am convinc't of the difficulty of saying any thing befitting the Blessedness of so great a Person and that to be silent is safe and without danger nevertheless I count it necessary to consecrate to eternall Memory the Portraicture of a most pious Emperour drawn in the Colours of words in imitation of mortall Paint to the end I may clear my self of the imputation of sloth and negligence For I should be ashamed of my self should I not confer the utmost of my abilities though they are slender and mean on him who with a transcendency of piety honoured God Further 't is my Sentiment that this work will prove both advantagious to the life of man and necessary to my self also wherein are contained the Actions of a Great-minded Emperour which are highly acceptable to God the Supream King For how can it be otherwise than disgracefull that the Memory of a Nero and of some other Impious and Atheisticall Tyrants far worse than he should not have wanted indefatigable Writers who have adorned their Subjects which were ill Actions with a politeness and elegancy of Style and made them up into voluminous Histories but that we should be silent for whom God himself hath vouchsafed to procure such an Emperour as no Age hath seen and to whom he has allowed a liberty of coming into his presence to His knowledge and converse CHAP. XI That he will at present relate only the Pious Actions of Constantine WHerefore 't is certainly incumbent on us rather than on any other person to give a full Narrative of all the good things we have heard to those
therefore he rendred the whole time of his Reign even undisturbed and pacate and consecrated his whole Family his wife namely and children and all his servants to one God the supream King In so much that that Company which conversed together within the walls of his Pallace differed in nothing from a Church of God Amongst whom were Ministers of God also who performed uninterrupted Acts of worship to the Deity in behalf of the Emperour's safety when as commonly amongst the rest not so much as the bare name of those sort of men that were Religious was permitted to be mentioned CHAP. XVIII That after the Resignation of Diocletian and Maximian Constantius was the first Augustus and was adorned with a Numerous Issue FUrther in recompense of these things a reward from God attended him not long after in so much that he obtained the first and chiefest place of the Empire For those Augusti who were His Seniours by what means I know not divested themselves of their Imperial Dignity which sudden Change befell them on the first year after the demolishment of the Churches from whence forward only Constantius was declared the first and Chiefest Augustus Who at first was adorned with the Diadem of the Caesars together with Galerius and had obtained precedency but after he had given an Egregious Specimen of his own worth in that digniâ—y of Caesar he was invested with the highest honour amongst the Romans and was styled the First Augustus of those Four afterwards proclaimed Moreover he was the only person that excelled all the other Emperours in a numerous issue being surrounded with a great Quire of Children as well Males as Females Lastly after he had attained to a mature old Age and being ready to pay the Common debt of Nature was at the point of making his departure out of this life then did God again demonstrate himself to him the performer of wonderfull Works and by his providence took care that Constantine the eldest of his Sons should be present with him at his Death in order to his taking possession of the Empire CHAP. XIX Concerning his Son Constantine who when a young man came into Palestine together with Diocletian FOr he convers't with the Emperours who were his Father's Colleagues and made his Residence amongst them agreeable to that ancient Prophet of the Lord Moses as we have already said And having newly past over his years of childhood and arrived at those of his youth he was vouchsafed the highest honour and esteem amongst the foresaid Emperours At which Age of his we Our Selves saw him when he past through the Province of Palestine in Company with the Senior Augustus At whose right hand he stood and appeared a most excellent and glorious person to those who were desirous of seeing him and such a one as even then gave indications of an Imperial height of mind For as to the beautifull shape of his body and his tallness of Stature there was no other person that might be compared to him Moreover he so far excelled his equalls in strength and courage that he was a terrour to them But he was far more illustrious and eminent for the Virtues of his mind than for his bodily endowments and accomplishments And in the first place he beautified his mind with modesty after that with Polite Literature and as well an innate prudence as a wisdome infused from above adorned him in a most transcendent manner CHAP. XX. The departure of Constantine to his Father because of Diocletian's treacherous designes against him FUrther when the then Emperours perceived that the Young man was Couragious strong and Great and endewed with an height and vigour of mind they were wounded with fear and envy They watch't therefore in expectation of a fit opportunity wherein agreeable to their desire they might involve him in ignominy and disgrace Which the young man being sensible of for the treacherous designes which had been once and twice framed against him by the consent and appointment of God were discovered He opened away to his own safety by flying and herein likewise he imitated the great Prophet Moses Further God gave him his assistance in all things and by his Divine providence disposed affairs in such a manner that he should be present with his Father in order to his succeeding him in the Empire CHAP. XXI The Death of Constantius who left his Son Constantine Emperour WHen therefore he had avoided these Treacherous contrivances he made all imaginable hast to his Father into whose presence he came after a long space of time At that instant of his arrivall his Father was at the very point of dying When therefore Constantius beheld his Son present with him whom he did not in the least expect he leapt from his Bed and cast his arms about him and affirming that that only Grief which troubled him now ready to conclude his life to wit the absence of his Son was wholly removed out of his mind he put up a prayer of thanks to God and said that now he accounted Death to be better for him than Immortality Further when he had disposed of his affairs in a manner agreeable to his own mind and had taken leave of his Sons and Daughters who like a Quire surrounded him on every side He ended his life in his Pallace lying on his Royall Bed after he had surrendred the Administration of his Empire agreeable to the Law of Nature into the hands of his eldest Son CHAP. XXII How after the Death of Constantius the Army saluted Constantine Augustus NOr did the State continue deprived of an Emperour But Constantine was adorned with his Fathers Purple and proceeding forth of his Father's House gave all men a demonstration that by a resurrection as 't were the Father continued as yet to Reign in him his Son Then he lead out his Father's Funerall accompanied with the Friends of his Father some of whom went before others followed and with all the splendour imaginable celebrated the Obsequies of that Pious Prince All persons honoured the Thrice-blessed Emperour with Acclamations and Praises and agreed in an unanimous consent that the succession of the Son in the Empire was a Resurrection of the dead Father And forthwith even at the first word they Saluted the young Prince Emperour and Augustus with fortunate Acclamations Which expressions uttered in praise of the Son were an ornament indeed to the dead Emperour but they loudly proclaimed the Son Blessed who was declared the Successour to so great a Father Moreover all the Provinces subject to his Empire were filled with gladness and a joy that was inexpressible because they had not during the smallest moment of time been deprived of the assistance of an Imperiall Providence and inspection Thus in the Emperour Constantius God gave a demonstration to all persons of our Age that
Christ the first according to Eusebius 139. 2. Z. ZEla a City of Cappadocia 303. 2. Zeno whether Bishop of Majuma 354. 1 2. Zozimus the Historian did not live in the Times of Theodosius Junior 472. 2 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THE END Books Printed for and Sould by Hannah Sawbridge at the Bible on Ludgate Hill Folio THE Lives of the Noble Graecians and Romans by that Learned Historiographer Plutarch Translated from the Original with the Addition of the Lives of many Eminent Persons and their Effigies Engraven in Copper Plates A Chronicle of the Kings of England containing all the passages of State and Church by the famous Sir Richard Baker Knight with a continuation of all material Affairs of State to this time Astronomia Britannica Authore Vincentio Wing In qua hi Quinque Tractatus traduntur I. Logistica Astronomica II. Trigonometria III. Doctrina Sphaerica IV. Theoria Planetarum V. Tabulae Novae Astronomicae Riverus Practice of Physick in 17 severall Books Translated into English by Nicholas Culpeper Phys. and Astr. Abadiah Cole Doct. Phys. and William Rowland Physician Anatomy Riolanus Bartholinus Veslingus All three Translated by Nicholas Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology The Compleat Surveyor containing the whole Art of Surveying Land by William Leybourne Cambridge Concordance with Additions being the compleatest extant by S. N. A Large Bible Cambridge print fit for Churches Doctor Holiâ—kes Large Dictionary being the best and largest in Print Gallileus's Mathematical System of the World with Cuts Englished by T. Salsbury Esq Learned Cooks Comment on Litletons Tenures Maynards Edward the 2d. Doctor Cowels Interpreter with T. Manlys Additions Corrected from former Errors Now in the Press Morgans Heraldry Epitomized a large sheet Dyers Reports with 2 Tables Townsends Tables C. L. Physick Refined being the Works of that famous and profound Philosopher and Chymical Physician John Baptista Van Helmot The Year Books Compleat J. Rolls Abridgement Rastalls Entries Cooks Reports French Entries Doctor Heylins Life of Bishop Laud. Quarto Gouldman's Dictionary Thesaurus Graecae Linguae c. by W. Robertson A. M. Thesaurus Linguae Sanctae c. by W. Robertson A. M. With many other Quarto Books and Books of lesser Volumes which we have not room here to insert His Epistle Dedicatory to Robert E. of Leicester bears date December the 15 th 1584. He dyed at Dublin of the plague anno 1604. See Fuller's Worthies of Wales Flintshire pag. 39. See Godwiâ— de Prâ—sulibus Angliae pag. 561 and Fuller's Worthies Lancashire a Valesius Dedicated His first Volume which contains Eusebius's Ten Books of History His Life of Constantine Constantine's Oration and His Own to the Arch-Bishops Bishops and the whole Clergy of the Gallican Church b See Origen's Works second part pag. 46. Edit Paris 1619. a He allowed Valesius a yearly pension of 1500 Livers which sum the Cardinal sent him yearly as long as he lived and by his Will continued it till Valesius's death See Valesius's Life written by his Brother Hadrian b See Amm. Marcellinus Book 14. pag. 14. Edit Paris 1636. c Or Cryers a Scholia b He means the distinguishing the Periods one from another and the Clauses and Members of each period by poynts c Full poynt a Chap. 1. Pag. 45. Edit Paris 1590. b A pause c Actuâ— verborum d Comma's e He means the French Clergy f In His Epistle Dedicatory g Chap. 40. h Or Critical Art a These four Dissertations are published at the Latter end of Valesius's first Volume of the Ecclesiastick Historians a Eccles. Hist. Book 2. Chap. 4. b See Chap. 19. c Chap. 43. where see Note a. d See Chap. 2â— at the Beginning e Eusebius's f Book 7. Chap. 26. g Which occurs in Theodoret's Eccles. Hist. Book 1. Chap. 5. Edit Vales. h Chap. 32. a Chap. 4. where see Note â— b The Remembrance of c. c His other Life d Or Right e Chap. 3â— towards the end f Chap. 4. a He should have said his fiâ—th Book where see Chap. 2 and 3. p. 307 c. Ediâ— Thys b Chap. 32. c See Chap. 4. where Eusebius has inserted this his Speech d Valesius after this his account of Eusebius's Life writings adds a Collection which he had made himself of the Testimonies of the Ancients both for and against Eusebius a translation whereof into English was lookt upon as needless e Chap. 6. a Or Wing b Chap. 1. where see Note a. c Chap. 11. d Chap. 19. e Or Form of Faith f See this Letter in Socrates Book 1. Chap. 8. pag. 217 c. of our English Version g See the Story in Theodoret's Eccles. Hist. Book 1. Chap. 21. Edit Vales. h See Life of Constantine Book 3. Chap. 59. note c. i This calumny the Melitians fram'd instigated by Eusebius of Nicomedia as Athanasius tells us in his Apology to Constantius See his Works Tom. 1. p. 778. Ediâ— Paris 1627. k That is sacrifice to Idols a Chap. 46. b Life of Constant. Book 1. Chap. 28 30. c Id. B. 4. Chap. 36. d Book 4. Chap. 34 35. e Eccles. Hist. B. 2. Chap. 20. where see Nese k. f Chap. 4. 5. g In his Preface to his Comments on Daniel h Chap. 19. a Book 1. Chap. 1. b Twentieth year of His Empire c Chap. 8. d Judge or give sentence e Double-Tongue'd See Sâ—crat Book 1. Chap. 23. a In His Martyrology b In Epist. tertiâ ad Eliam Aqueleïensem alios Episcopos Istriae c See his defence of him in Book 2. Chap. 21. d Book 2. De Synod Nicaenâ Chap. 1. d See Scaliger's Elench Trihâ—res chap. 27 and Book 6. De Emend Temp. chap. 1. about the end and his Animadversions on Eusebius's Chronicon pag. 8. a I cannot approve of Christophorsons translat on who renders the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Provinces Neither am I pleased with the amendment of Curterius or whoever it was that translated it Churches Indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Church amongst Christian Writers and particularly in our Eusebius not in one place The original of which signification came from hence as I judge because the Church is as it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Stranger or Sojourner in the earth but its Country and freedom is in heaven Hence we often meet with this phrase in our Eusebius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Book 4. B 4. Chap. 23. And Clemens in His Epist. to the Corinthians writes thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But in this place of Eusebius we must not translate this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Churches For then the same word must be repeated twice in the same clause thus Who have governed and presided over the Church especially in the most famous Churches I should rather translate it Cities or Sees or with Rufinus in celeberrimis locis in the most famous places Sometimes this word is taken for
second with which he was then charged he adds these words The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly Kingdom apparently manifesting his death by these words This is the meaning of this place which neither the translatours nor I my self at first understood Wherefore in the words of Eusebius it must be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in two distinct words or else the accent must be changed thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indeed in the Maz. M. S. it is thus written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in two distinct words Moreover Jerome in his Book De Scriptorib Ecclesiast has quoted this place of Eusebius where he speaks of Paul but he apprehended not Eusebius's meaning as it will be apparent to the Reader Wherefore Sophronius also when he translated this place of Jerome into Greek omitted some words which seemed to hinder the meaning Vales. a The first succession of the Apostles is extended to the times of M. Aurelius Antoninus For in his Reign Polycarp the disciple of John the Apostle was crowned with Martyrdom Hegesippus therefore is rightly said to have lived in the first succession of the Apostles in that he flourished in the Reign of the sons of Antoninus Pius And coming to Rome when Anicetas was Bishop he stayed there to Eleutherus's time In the Alexandrian Chronicle which I would more willingly call the Antiochian Hegesippus is said to have died in the Reign of Commodus He was therefore cotemporary with Ireneus who also was next to the first succession of the Apostles as Eusebius testifies Book 5. chap. 20. Vales. b Scaliger in his Animadvers Eusebian p. 178. has examined this whole passage of Hegesippus's and finds fault with many things in it which are well worth reading See also Dionysius Petavius in Not. ad Heâ—esim 78. Epiphanii P. Halloixius in his Notes on the Life of Hegesippus chap. 3. Vales. c The learned Nich. Fuller Book 3. chap. 1. of his Miscellan has thus corrected this place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. He was called Saddick and Ozleam which signifies in English a just man and the defence of the people For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hebrew signifies a just man And Ozleam is made up of these two Hebrew words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifie the strength or defence of the people the Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being the sign of the Genitive or Dative case with the Hebrews The original of this appellation is taken from Psalm 28. 9. where we meet with these words in the original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord shall give strength to his people Fullers Miscell B. 3. chap. 1. d This place of Hegesippus wherein he says he wrote concerning the seven Heresies we shall meet with in the 4 B. of Eusch Eccles. Hist. where we will speak more concerning them Vales. e By Gate here is meant nothing else but the way of Entrance to Christ which is by Faith in God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Agreeable hereto its said Psal. 118. 20. This is the gate of the Lord the righteous shall enter into it Vales. f The Pharisees who were one branch of these Sects believed the Resurrection from the dead Vales. g Petavius does here deservedly reprove Scaliger who had denied that it was lawfull for any Gentile to be present at the Festivals of the Jews For besides that place which Petavius quotes John 12. 20. we are supplied with many testimonies out of Joscphus to evidence this matter Vitellius the President of Syria went up to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover and was honourably entertained by the Jews as we may read chap. 6. B. 18. of Josephus's Antiq. He writes the same concerning Quadratus the President of Syria B. 20 of his Antiq. Vales. h This word Hosanna is a corruption of the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies preserve me or make me safe being the Imperative mood Hiph with the Assix◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 derived from the Theme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See the original Text of Jer. 17. 14. And also see Bishop Pearson on the Creed in his marginal notes pag. 70. Edit Lond. 1669. i These words which Hegesippus says the Jews then uttered ought to be understood of Christ rather than of James For when James was set upon the battlement of the Temple and had declared Jesus to be the Christ and Redeemer of mankind those that embraced the Faith of Christ began to cry out Hosanna to the Son of David that is to Jesus Christ. Vales. k So the 72 Translate Esai 3. v. 10. Their words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the Hebrew copy differs much from this Translation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which our Translation following renders thus in English Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Compare the Sept. Translat of Isai. 3. 10. with the Hebrew Text of that place l As if he had said one of the Priests the son of Rechab of the family of the Rechabites which last words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are therefore added that Rechab the father of this Priest might be distinguished from other Rechabs For many were called by the same name of Rechab but this man of whom Hegesippus speaks was of the stock of the Rechabites spoken of by the Prophet Jeremy chap. 35. Vales. m Epiphanius in Haresâ— 78 writes that these words were not spoken by the Rechabite Priest but by Simeon the son of Cleopas Vales. n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the Kings M. S. reads it which Stephens followed in his Edit But our other three M. SS Maz. Med. and Fuk have it thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is and they buried him in that place near the Temple which reading Nicephorus and Rufinus doe confirm Vales. o How can it be that the Grave-stone or Monument of this James should remain after the destruction of the City by the Romans Neither is that very likely which Hegefippus says to wit that James was buried neer the Temple For the Jews used to bury their dead without the City as appears from the Gospel and from the Sepulchre of Helena which before we spoke of at chap. 12 of this Book Rufinus therefore leaves out this whole clause in his Version In the most antient Maz. M. S. I found at the Grave-stone this note written in the margin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is you must know that this Monument was nothing else but a stone not formed into any shape upon which the name of James there buried was cut from whence even to this time the Christians set up stones on their Sepulchres and either write Letters thereon or engrave the sign of the Cross. Vales. p What can be more different yea contrary than this relation of Josephus and that of Hegesippus about James's Martyrdome For Josephus says he was
Dionysius Bishop of Corinth flourisht in the Reign of M. Antoninus Vales. b He means the persecution in Diocletians Reign Vales. c Dionysius means those brethren who usually came from remote Countreys to Rome to procure some relief for such as in their own Countrey were in distress and necessity Vales. d To this fragment of Dionysius's Epistle to the Roman Clergy is to be joyned that other passage of the same Epist. quoted by our Eusebius chap. 25. B. 2. Vales. a Concerning this Hermogenes and his Heresie see Baronius ad annum Christi 170. But I cannot give my assent to him as to what he affirms viz. that Hermogenes taught in Asia Vales. The Heresie of this Hermogenes is related by Theodoret Heret fab L. 1. cap. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. This Hermogenes asserted that the body of the Lord was deposited in the Sun and that the devil and the civil spirits should be turned into matter The Seleuciani and Hermiani taught the same to wit that the body of Christ ascended no farther than the sun the occasion of which assertion they took from those words of the Psalmist Psal. 19. 5. which in S. Jeroms translation is thus rendred in sole posuit tabernaculum suum but in the Psalms used in our Liturgy 't is thus worded In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun See D r Hammond on that Text. The same opinion Gregory Nazianzen attributeth to the Maâ—icheans Epist. 1. ad Cledonium and S. August Tract 34. in Joh. This opinion is more largely and clearly set down but without a name in the Catena patrum on Psal. 18. where 't is said that these Hereticks assert that after his resurrection our Saviour deposited his body in the sphere of the sun to be preserved there till his second coming a In all ouâ— M. SS copies this title concerning the true way of converse and of the Prophets evidently appears to be the title but of one book Jerom in his book de Eccles. Scriptor which is almost wholly taken out of Eusebius entitles this piece of Melito's thus de vitâ Propbetarum i. e. concerning the life of the Prophets Vales. b Melito wrote a book upon this subject because there were some Hereticks who asserted that such men as were carnal believed by the help of their senses but those who were spiritual believed by reason So Heraclio expounded that Text in S. Johns Gospel c. 4. 48. Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe Which words Heraclio said were properly directed to those who by works and their senses had the nature of obeying but not of believing through reason Origen Tome 13. Enarrat on S. John's Gospel mentions and confutes this opinion where he declares that neither spiritual nor carnal men can believe unless it be by sense Vales. c In the Maz. Med. and Fuk. M. SS and in Nicephorus this book of Melito's is intitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. i. e. concerning the Origination c. which reading we doubt not but is true Rufinus as appears by his Version and Robert Stephens as may be seen in his Edit read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. concerning Faith c. The ancient Fathers who lived before the Nicene Council meant by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely such a creation as is made out of nothing but also all sort of production whatsoever and therefore the divine origination of the Word Those words of the Apostle Colos 1. 15. The first born of every creature they asserted were to be understood of the eternal generation of the Son Vales. But as D r Hammond observes in his notes on that Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. first born is used some times for a Lord or person in power who hath the priviledge of the first born dominion over all his brethren and according to this notion continues he 't is used commonly in scripture for a Prince or principal person See Psal. 68. 27. Job 18. 13. Or it may peculiarly refer to his resurrection in which he was the first born from the dead See Hammond on Colos. 1. 15. d These words are to be understood of the Christians which appears from what follows For Melito desires of the Emperour that he would first look into and examine the cause of the Christians and then determine whether they deserved to be punished or rather preserved in safety Vales. e So he terms the Jews amongst whom the Christian Religion first sprang up Upon this account Porphyrius whose words Eusebius quotes book 6. chap. 19. of this work termed the Christian Religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. an audacious Sect that had its beginning amongst Barbarians Vales. f From this place it is evident that Melito the Bishop presented his Apology to M. Antoninus after the death of Aurelius Verus For if Verus had been then living when Melito wrote this Apology he would doubtless have mentioned him here and in stead of these words together with your son would certainly have said together with your brother For L. Verus was the adopted brother of M. Aurelius Seeing therefore Melito does here mention onely the son of M. Antoninus to wit Commodus t is manifest as I said that this Apology was presented to Marcus after the death of L. Verus And therefore Eusebius in his Chronicon places it on the 10 th year of M. Aurelius to wit the year after Verâ—â—'s death Vales. g The same is asserted by Tertullian Apologet cap. 5. whose words our Eusebius quotes partly at chap. 25. B. 2. and partly at chap. 20. B. 3. h The Rescript of Antoninus Pius who is here meant in savour of the Christians is not now extant 'T is mentioned in the Restript of M. Aurelius Antoninus to the Cities of Asia which Eusebius has set down in chap. 13. of this book Vales. a In our M. SS Maz. Med. and Fuk. there is in this place no beginning of a new chapter but this 27 chapt which treats concerning Apollinaris and the following chapt concerning Musanus are both annext to chap. 26. the title whereof in our said M. SS is this concerning Melito and what he has made mention of Apollinaris and Musanus which division Robert Stephenâ— followed in the body of this fourth book For in the Contents prefixt before this 4 th book he follows the Kings M. S. and makes three chap. here to wit one of Melito another concerning Apollinaris and a third concerning Musanus but in the body of that book he follows the Med. M. S. as he always does in this particular and has put no distinction of a new chap. here but hath made all the three chapters into one We following the autority of the Kings M. S. have divided them into three chap. and the same was done before in the Geneva impression of Eusebius's History Vales. b These words His two books against the Jews are not in the
Xenophon's entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The modern Latine Authours call these taxes tituli Vales. e The phrase here us'd viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is very well rendred by Langus iteratae agrorum mensiones the re-measuring of Lands This Version Rufinus confirm's who renders it census innovare to renew the Census or the prizing of every mans Estate This Census could not be renewed without the remeasuring of Land For the Census amongst the Romans consisted of two things i. e. the measuring of Lands and the numbering of the People as I have elsewhere noted We have the testimony of Aurel. Vict. and of Victor's Epitome in confirmation of what Eusebius says concerning Licinius's avarice But what Eusebius says concerning Licinius's exactions and oppressions of his Subjects is confuted by the Testimony of two ancient Authors viz. Aurel. Victor and Libanius Victor says of Licinius that he was Agraribus plane ac rusticantibus quia ab eo genere ortus altusque erat satis utilis i. e. To the common sort of people and Rusticks because he was extracted from and maintained by that sort of men He was useful enough Libanius in his Oration Pro Templis Gentilium says 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the Cities flourished under him viz. Licinius Vales. f I doubt not but instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we should read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proscriptions for in the first book De vita Constant. cap. 55. where Eusebius repeats all these passages almost in the same words instead of this term he uses this phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 punishments of exile Vales. g Christoph translates the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here used Patricios erroneously as we before signified They were termed nobiles who were descended from those that had born any Office in Rome or in the Towns incorporate Vales. h But Licinius died in the Sixtieth year of his age as Victor affirms in his Epitome Wherefore Eusebius like an Oratour aggravates the matter here Vales. a At these words we began the 9 th chap. which conjecture of ours is confirmed by the old Maz. and Fuk. M. SS And in those M. SS this chapter is rightly call'd the eighth chapter as we remark't before Vales. * Licinius †Constantine b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these are the words in the original which Valesius renders thus modestam ac sobriam in se colligens mentem Grynaeus thus rem hanc sapienter expendit and we translate it after this manner entring into a prudent and sober consideration with himself 'T is a phrase usual with our Euschius For so he expresses himself book 3. De Vita Constant. chap. 5. and 11. * Or Prince the term in the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c By this Phrase here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Peace is meant the Peace which they restored So Seneca in his book De Clementia brings in Nero speaking thus Haec tot millia gladiorum quae pax mea comprimit ad nutum meum stringentur Where by pax mea he means the Peace he had procured So also Velleius Paterculus uses this Phrase and on some Old Coines we find this inscription Pax Augusti i. e. the Peace procured by the Emperour But Pax Romana is by the same Seneca in his book De Clementia and in that De Providentia used in another sence to wit pax ea quâ fruitur imperium Romanum i. e. that Peace which the Roman Empire enjoyeth Vales. d This word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dances here used when the discourse is concerning the Christians praising God did not please Niceph. And therefore instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he uses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eusebius in his second book De vita Constant. instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which term indeed is more tolerable But we may easily bear with this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Christians used to dance on their Festivals of the Martyrs which they kept in honour of them and thus they celebrated their Conflicts and Victories as Greg Naz. relates in Carminibus ad mulieres sese curioflus exornantes pag. 152. Basilius Magnus in his 14 th Homily against drunkenness has a sharp invective against these Choreas or Dances Vales. e The reading in the Kings M. S. which Stephens almost every where follows is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 declared by their Law published in favour of the Christians But in the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savil. M. SS this place is written far otherwise thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did by a most apparent and convincing testimony of their deeds declare to all men which reading being confirmed by the consent of more and those ancienter copies we with good reason supposed ought to be preferred before the other Vales. * See Socrat Ecclesiast Hist. Book 7. Chap. 1. note c. * Non quod in Scholas relati essent so he words it the expression is ambiguous * That is he himself Revised and Corrected it †See Eusebius's Eccles Hist. Book 6. Chap. 43. * That is Pure †See Socrates's Eccles Hist. Book 5. Chap. 19. note a. * Socrates and Sozomen a In the Kings M. S. and Robert Stephens's Edit it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the war but in the Florent and Sfort. M. SS we found it written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecution Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here us'd does not as usually signifie singillatim one by one apart but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 partly for Eusebius in his books De vitâ Constantini does indeed but partly touch the history of Arius he prosecutes it not wholly and particularly Vales. c Musculus renders these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus we will begin our History where he left off Christoph. does translate it almost after the same manner but more barbarously as to his Latine We have rendred these words thus ab iis rebus quas ille intactas reliquit operis nostri sumemus exordium i. e. we will begin our History from those matters which he has left untouch't For Socrates's meaning is that he will begin from the History of Arius which Eusebius had but partly touch't upon in his books concerning the life of Constantine for Eusebius says he made it his business in those books to enlarge upon the Emperours praises rather than to give an exact account of the Ecclesiastick Affairs but he himself resolving to commit to writing the Affairs transacted in the Church promises to give a more accurate relation of the Arian-Heresie and to begin his History from those things which Eusebius had either purposely omitted or but slightly touch't upon as not conducive to his design in hand Indeed Socrates has not begun his History where Eusebius left off For Eusebius continues that work of his concerning Constantines Life to the death of Constantine But Eusebius has continued the Series of his Ecclesiastick History down to the tumults
to maintain that the Dialogue Xenωn differed from that intitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then it must be said that Xenωn was not the proper name of any man but that thereby is rather meant the whole School of Origen wherein the Auditors and Schollars coming from divers parts of the world were conversant Which in my judgment is the truest 'T is certain if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were a proper name it would have the accent in the last syllable save one Vales. a This beginning is too abrupt especially in regard that digression concerning Origen went before Therefore in my judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should precede here and the beginning of the next period should run thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But his answer was c. Vales. * Or before a Catholick or general disquisition †Or reproach b Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and again it should in my judgement be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heretofore although this reading be disagreeable to all our copies For 't is opposed to what follows to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and now Valesius c The reading in the Florentine M. S. pleases me best which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do not hope Epiphanius to arrive in your own Country Moreover Baronius does deservedly deride these predictions of Epiphanius and Chrysostome as fabulous and forged Socrates relates them not for true and certain and in my judgment they are altogether miâ—becoming Holy men and Bishops Vales. d Baronius does indeed place that contest between Epiphanius and Chrysostome on the year of Christ 402. But concerning Epiphanius's death he dissents from Socrates Sozomen and the other writers who tell us that Epiphanius died soon after in his return to his own Country And yet Baronius confesses he knows not what year Epiphanius died on Which I cannot wonder at enough For whereas Baronius follows Socrates and Sozomen in the fore-going account of that contest which hapned between those two eminent men what reason had he to dissent from them about the death of Epiphanius They might indeed have been mistaken in their relating the mutual predictions between Epiphanius and Chrysostome nor is it sufficiently manifest whether or no they predicted those accidents to one another But the things which hapned to each of them are most certain nor could Socrates and Sozomen be ignorant hereof the latter of whom was born at Salamine over which City Epiphanius had been Bishop and both of them were almost Epiphanius's contemporaries It ought therefore to be look't upon as certain from the Testimony of these Writers that Epiphanius died at the close of the year 402 or at least on the beginning of the year following before the Synod ad Quercum Theophilus informs us hereof in his Epistle to Saint Jerome which Epistle Jerome has prefixâ— before Theâ—â—bilus's Paschal Epistles which he translated into Latine For in thâ—t Epistle Theophilus speaks these words concerning Chrysostome then condemned Sed ille ut caetera ejus flagitia taccam c. But he not to mention his other Crimes admitâ—ed the Origenists to a familiarity with himself and preferred many of them to the Sacerdotall Office on account of which fact he â—â—dned the heaâ—t of that man of God Epiphanius of Blessed memory who shined a bright Star in the world amongst the Bishops and therefore has deserved to hear Babylon is fallen iâ— fallen Where you see Theophilus does speak of Epiphanius as then dead for he terms him a man of blessed memory and he intimates that he was dead before Chrysostome's condemnation Vales. * Darkly or obscurely a Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Moreover the Emperour c. I had rather it should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For the Emperour c. Moreover Chrysostome affirms the contrary to what is said here in his Epistle to Innocentius For he says that the Emperour commanded Theophilus to come to Constantinople alone to plead his cause but that he came thither accompanied with many Bishops Notwithstanding these things may be reconciled if we say that the Emperour gave Theophilus this order at the beginning when the Monks had gone to him But afterwards at the instigation of his Wife Eudoxia who was angry with Johannes the Emperour commanded Theophilus to bring the Bishops out of Egypâ— with him Vales. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Musculâ—â— renders it inflexible Christophorson contumacious I would rather translate it inexorable for we fall down at their knees whom we entreat Vales. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Euseb. book 7. chap. 11. note k. †This was termed Synodus aâ— Quercum the Synod at the Oake c Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a Civill Law term and we have rendred it accordingly For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an Exception Now one kind of an Exception is a refusall of the Judges Vales. d John Chrysostome in his Epistle to Innocentius does attest that he was put on Shipboard late in the Evening and carried into banishment Upon which account Baronius at the year of Christ 403. charges Socrates with a mistake here But if we weigh Socrates's words more attentively we shall find them in no wise differing from Chrysostome's Narrative For Socrates says only that John Chrysostome surrendred himself to the Emperours Officers about Noon therefore the Emperours Officers might detain him in custody till the Evening that he might be conveyed into banishment with more secresie in the night Vales. a Yea he communicated with them before Johannes's case was inquired into So Sozomen tells us book 8. chap. 17. Vales. b This Town 's name is written variously Hierocles Theophanes Cedrenus Nicephorus and Moschopulus call it Pranetum Sozomen terms it Pronetum In Stephanus 't is named Pronectus In the Putingerian Table it is called Pronetio Vales. c Mannours or Farms in the Country which were at some distance from the City were termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we have remark't in our notes on Eusebius book 7. chap. 11. note k. which the Latines do sometimes call Suburbana Wherefore Ortelius in his Thesaurus Geographicus is mistaken in his supposing Marianae to be the Suburbs of Constantinople whenas it was a Village so called from its builder Sozomen book 8. chap. 18. says this Village was then in the Empress Eudoxia's possession Vales. a Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must undoubtedly be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. which is the reading in Georgius Alexandrinus's Life of John Chrysostome Vales. * Or made against * The first clause of this saying occurs at Eccles. 12. 11. b Dioscorus Bishop of Hermopolis was dead before the convention of the Synod at the Oak nor was he buried in the Church at the Oak but in S t Mocius's Church as Sozomen attests book 8. chap. 17. S t Mocius's Church was at Constantinople as we are informed by Procopius and others Wherefore