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orange_n but_o what_o if_o some_o impostor_n here_o disguise_v himself_o under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o famous_a disciple_n of_o st._n cesarius_n at_o least_o this_o pretend_a disciple_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v much_o inform_v of_o his_o master_n affair_n he_o say_v in_o one_o place_n that_o st._n cesarius_n send_v some_o grave_a and_o learned_a man_n to_o a_o council_n assemble_v at_o valence_n to_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o pelagius_n which_o have_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o valence_n i_o â—ind_v nothing_o in_o they_o concern_v the_o heresy_n of_o pelagius_n wherein_o st._n cesarius_n can_v have_v any_o hand_n so_o that_o be_v mistake_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o this_o importance_n he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v over-seen_a in_o join_v eucherius_n and_o cesarius_n in_o the_o cure_n of_o that_o disease_a woman_n câ—sario_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o learned_a doctor_n cave_n rely_v a_o little_a too_o much_o upon_o 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be_v dead_a three_o or_o four_o year_n before_o sigismond_n have_v found_v that_o monastery_n gregory_n of_o tours_n say_v that_o he_o cause_v the_o same_o to_o be_v build_v and_o rich_o endow_v it_o after_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n gombaldus_fw-la but_o marius_n bishop_n of_o avanche_n mark_n precise_o the_o year_n in_o his_o chronicle_n and_o say_v that_o sigismond_n found_v the_o agaunian_a monastery_n under_o the_o consulship_n of_o florentius_n and_o anthemius_n viz._n four_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n this_o remark_n be_v owe_v to_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr valois_n in_o his_o notice_n of_o the_o gaul_n heaunum_n where_o he_o say_v that_o he_o can_v understand_v how_o severine_n can_v have_v be_v abbot_n of_o that_o monastery_n in_o clovis_n time_n nevertheless_o the_o miraculous_a recovery_n of_o a_o great_a king_n be_v of_o great_a credit_n to_o the_o prayer_n and_o suffrage_n of_o monastery_n usuard_n and_o aimonius_a who_o be_v both_o monk_n cause_v prayer_n to_o be_v make_v for_o clovis_n in_o agaunum_n even_o before_o king_n sigismond_n have_v it_o in_o his_o thought_n to_o build_v a_o monastery_n there_o it_o be_v true_a that_o bollandus_n will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o this_o prince_n do_v only_o repair_v and_o beautify_v it_o but_o this_o he_o assert_n without_o any_o ground_n since_o both_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o agaunian_a monastery_n do_v all_o general_o agree_v that_o it_o be_v st._n sigismond_n king_n of_o burgundy_n who_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v build_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o that_o place_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o agaunum_n concern_v the_o thebean_a legion_n be_v as_o false_a as_o the_o act_n of_o their_o passion_n but_o whether_o king_n sigismond_n only_o beautify_v the_o monastery_n of_o agaunum_n or_o whether_o he_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n thereof_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o we_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o passion_n which_o we_o assert_v to_o be_v false_a be_v posteriour_a to_o all_o this_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o can_v be_v deny_v since_o mention_n be_v make_v there_o of_o the_o basilick_n which_o be_v dedicate_v at_o agaunum_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n if_o you_o be_v not_o please_v to_o rely_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o their_o passion_n as_o it_o be_v relate_v in_o surius_n and_o baronius_n and_o wherein_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o the_o rule_v make_v by_o st._n sigismond_n in_o the_o agaunian_a monastery_n we_o shall_v willing_o pitch_v upon_o and_o refer_v ourselves_o to_o the_o latter_a act_n that_o be_v mend_v since_o in_o these_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o a_o miracle_n that_o happen_v when_o the_o church_n of_o agaunum_n be_v a_o build_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n for_o if_o king_n sigismond_n do_v only_o repair_v and_o adorn_v that_o church_n the_o time_n of_o these_o work_n must_v necessary_o be_v place_v in_o the_o year_n 500_o and_o consequent_o st_n eucherius_n can_v not_o have_v make_v mention_n of_o they_o see_v all_o do_v agree_v that_o he_o die_v about_o the_o year_n 440._o we_o may_v strengthen_v this_o argument_n with_o another_o take_v from_o the_o act_n of_o a_o council_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v assemble_v by_o order_n of_o king_n sigismond_n at_o agaunum_n and_o in_o which_o sixty_o bishop_n put_v it_o into_o his_o head_n to_o gather_v the_o bone_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n and_o to_o dedicate_v a_o basilick_n or_o stately_a church_n to_o they_o though_o this_o council_n be_v visible_o false_a and_o supposititious_a yet_o it_o will_v be_v of_o good_a help_n to_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o soldier_n of_o agaunum_n father_v upon_o st._n eucherius_n the_o act_n of_o this_o pretend_a council_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o four_o tome_n of_o the_o council_n by_o labbe_n and_o cossart_n 1557._o these_o two_o learned_a jesuit_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o the_o forgery_n of_o these_o act_n but_o it_o will_v have_v be_v too_o much_o against_o the_o grain_n to_o have_v confess_v it_o they_o be_v therefore_o content_a to_o say_v they_o wonder_v they_o do_v not_o see_v among_o the_o subscription_n the_o name_n of_o avitus_n archbishop_n of_o vienna_n who_o both_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o eminent_a quality_n and_o for_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o see_n aught_o of_o course_n to_o have_v be_v present_a at_o that_o council_n the_o oratory-priest_n be_v fair_a dealer_n than_o the_o jesuit_n le_fw-fr cointe_n one_o of_o they_o free_o declare_v in_o his_o 534._o annal_n that_o the_o act_n of_o this_o council_n be_v altogether_o false_a however_o as_o false_a as_o they_o be_v they_o
we_o know_v now_o who_o we_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o and_o who_o it_o be_v we_o be_v to_o encounter_v before_o this_o while_o we_o attack_v the_o act_n which_o surius_n and_o baronius_n have_v leave_v we_o and_o be_v prove_v that_o st._n eucherius_n bishop_n of_o lion_n can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o it_o may_v have_v be_v answer_v we_o take_v pain_n to_o no_o purpose_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v know_v that_o there_o have_v be_v two_o st._n eucherius_n and_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o agaunian_a passion_n be_v of_o the_o latter_v compose_v who_o 227._o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o orange_n in_o the_o year_n 529._o this_o very_a thing_n theophilus_n raynaldus_n have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o the_o saint_n of_o lion_n so_o that_o after_o all_o our_o endeavour_n we_o may_v chance_v to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o plunge_n with_o the_o sofia_n in_o plautus_n concern_v the_o two_o amphytrion_n and_o with_o the_o parliament_n of_o toulouse_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o two_o martin_n guerra_n but_o now_o we_o must_v return_v our_o thanks_o to_o father_n chifflet_n for_o have_v help_v we_o out_o of_o these_o doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n he_o agree_v with_o baronius_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o st._n eucherius_n and_o his_o reason_n be_v so_o weighty_a and_o strong_a that_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o the_o learned_a dr._n cave_n who_o must_v needs_o have_v see_v quidem_fw-la they_o in_o the_o paulinus_n illustratus_fw-la of_o that_o author_n shall_v yet_o be_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o theophilus_n raynaldus_n about_o the_o two_o sts._n eucherius_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o junior_a the_o act_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n we_o shall_v now_o go_v on_o with_o our_o proof_n against_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n and_o shall_v draw_v they_o from_o that_o ancient_n and_o accurate_a manuscript_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o which_o father_n chifflet_n have_v reform_v those_o act_n which_o both_o surius_n and_o baronius_n have_v follow_v chap._n viii_o that_o the_o style_n of_o the_o true_a st._n eucherius_n be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o agaunian_a soldier_n publish_v by_o chifflet_n if_o we_o compare_v chifflet_n copy_n with_o that_o of_o surius_n we_o shall_v observe_v in_o it_o the_o same_o style_n the_o same_o expression_n thought_n and_o opinion_n so_o that_o one_o will_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o piece_n that_o place_n only_o except_v where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o king_n sigismond_n who_o in_o that_o copy_n be_v not_o contemporary_a with_o the_o true_a st._n eucherius_n by_o many_o year_n but_o one_o can_v find_v in_o these_o act_n of_o chifflet_n the_o style_n genius_n and_o air_n of_o st._n eucherius_n erasmus_n conferendum_fw-la who_o have_v not_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v too_o liberal_a of_o his_o praise_n think_v he_o can_v never_o extol_v too_o much_o the_o true_a st._n eucherius_n letter_n to_o valerian_n de_fw-fr contemptu_fw-la mundi_fw-la he_o say_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n never_o have_v any_o writer_n no_o not_o among_o the_o great_a professor_n of_o eloquence_n who_o can_v valerianum_fw-la match_v he_o in_o his_o style_n and_o way_n of_o write_v andrea_n schottus_n call_v his_o letter_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o st._n eucherius_n s_o work_n a_o golden_a letter_n but_o these_o so_o high_a praise_n and_o give_v too_o by_o man_n of_o so_o refine_a a_o knowledge_n be_v in_o no_o wise_a suitable_a to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o our_o martyr_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o eucherius_n bishop_n of_o lion_n compose_v that_o letter_n to_o valerian_n he_o never_o can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o agaunian_a soldier_n it_o be_v true_a a_o author_n can_v always_o be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o his_o work_n the_o most_o happy_a genius_n do_v not_o like_o a_o fertile_a soil_n always_o bear_v alike_o nor_o yield_v so_o plentiful_o at_o one_o time_n at_o it_o do_v another_o the_o treasure_n of_o invention_n and_o eloqence_n do_v not_o lie_v open_a at_o all_o hour_n even_o to_o the_o great_a wit_n there_o be_v some_o lucky_a moment_n for_o composition_n that_o be_v not_o at_o our_o command_n beside_o the_o difference_n of_o age_n cause_v some_o difference_n in_o the_o production_n of_o the_o brain_n as_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o iliad_n and_o odyssey_n of_o homer_n some_o subject_n be_v delightful_a we_o be_v fond_a of_o they_o and_o fall_v greedy_o to_o work_v whereas_o other_o because_o dry_a and_o insipid_a do_v natural_o cause_v in_o we_o some_o neglect_n nay_o sometime_o a_o subject_a do_v even_o require_v a_o man_n to_o descend_v from_o his_o usual_a greatness_n and_o to_o lay_v aside_o all_o the_o pomp_n and_o loftiness_n of_o style_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v few_o writer_n how_o able_a soever_o that_o can_v bear_v up_o with_o a_o constant_a and_o continue_a evenness_n therefore_o the_o learned_a vossius_fw-la be_v in_o the_o right_a to_o condemn_v massius_n for_o deny_v xenophon_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o expedition_n of_o cyrus_n because_o the_o critic_n forsooth_o do_v not_o observe_v in_o it_o all_o the_o stroke_n of_o that_o unimitable_a eloquence_n which_o be_v the_o character_n of_o that_o excellent_a writer_n for_o although_o for_o the_o reason_n we_o have_v hint_v at_o a_o author_n may_v sometime_o deviate_v from_o his_o character_n yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o will_v still_o be_v discover_v in_o his_o style_n a_o tincture_n as_o it_o be_v of_o himself_o and_o a_o particular_a air_n that_o be_v proper_a to_o no_o other_o but_o he_o fannius_n pronounce_v public_o in_o rome_n a_o oration_n and_o there_o be_v some_o who_o envy_v the_o applause_n he_o have_v get_v they_o give_v out_o that_o he_o be_v oblige_v for_o it_o to_o his_o friend_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o make_n it_o but_o stylus_fw-la tully_n on_o the_o contrary_a maintain_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o because_o in_o the_o discourse_n of_o fannius_n both_o the_o style_n the_o turn_n and_o harmony_n all_o over_o the_o same_o according_a to_o this_o supposition_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o father_n upon_o the_o true_a st._n eucherius_n the_o passion_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n for_o instance_n let_v we_o but_o compare_v it_o with_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o he_o upon_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n and_o worldly_a philosophy_n wherein_o his_o way_n both_o of_o thought_n and_o expression_n and_o indeed_o every_o thing_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o the_o former_a one_o will_v take_v this_o letter_n to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o augustus_n age_n when_o the_o latin_a tongue_n be_v in_o its_o great_a purity_n whereas_o the_o style_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o agaunum_n taste_v like_o that_o of_o the_o empire_n in_o its_o declension_n and_o of_o the_o age_n of_o cassiodorus_n mr._n du_n pin_n a_o doctor_n of_o paris_n so_o much_o to_o be_v commend_v both_o for_o his_o diligence_n and_o sincerity_n have_v without_o doubt_n peruse_v the_o act_n which_o father_n chifflet_n have_v take_v out_o of_o his_o old_a manuscript_n and_o see_v how_o he_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o his_o bibliotheca_fw-la 175._o nova_fw-la the_o history_n say_v he_o of_o the_o passion_n of_o st._n mauritius_n and_o of_o the_o other_o thebean_a soldier_n be_v not_o the_o style_n of_o our_o st._n eucherius_n but_o perhaps_o we_o have_v be_v too_o favourable_a to_o this_o relation_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o agaunum_n in_o attribute_v it_o to_o the_o age_n of_o cassiodorus_n for_o in_o the_o 1564._o old_a edition_n of_o st._n eucherius_n print_v at_o rome_n and_o at_o basil_n they_o have_v insert_v among_o the_o work_n of_o this_o father_n some_o commentary_n on_o genesis_n and_o upon_o the_o book_n of_o king_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v not_o in_o cassiodorus_n time_n but_o even_o since_o gregory_n the_o great_a that_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moral_n of_o this_o pope_n be_v cite_v in_o these_o commentary_n this_o remark_n have_v be_v make_v long_o ago_o by_o possevinus_n and_o sixtus_n senensis_n and_o there_o be_v much_o more_o resemblance_n between_o the_o style_n and_o character_n of_o these_o commentary_n and_o the_o style_n and_o character_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n than_o there_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n this_o conjecture_n be_v strengthen_v by_o the_o epistle_n dedicatory_a prefix_v to_o these_o commentary_n on_o genesis_n it_o will_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o set_v it_o here_o eucherius_n to_o the_o holy_a and_o most_o bless_a bishop_n salulus_n i_o have_v send_v to_o your_o
which_o the_o roman_n call_v comitatense_n but_o our_o business_n be_v to_o examine_v which_o be_v that_o thebean_a legion_n whereof_o it_o be_v speak_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o agaunians_n martyr_n the_o copy_n both_o of_o surius_n and_o chifflet_n do_v agree_v that_o maximian_n cause_v this_o legion_n to_o come_v from_o the_o east_n so_o that_o according_a to_o the_o pretend_a st._n eucherius_n it_o can_v be_v either_o prima_fw-la maximiana_n thebaeorum_n or_o tertia_fw-la dioclesiana_n thebaeorum_n these_o two_o legion_n remain_v in_o thracia_n appoint_v to_o guard_n those_o frontier_n of_o the_o empire_n this_o legion_n then_o must_v have_v be_v one_o of_o those_o which_o be_v under_o the_o command_n of_o the_o general_n of_o the_o foot_n in_o the_o east_n but_o it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a that_o the_o emperor_n shall_v have_v send_v for_o a_o legion_n so_o far_o to_o persecute_v the_o christian_n in_o gaul_n or_o to_o quell_v a_o sedition_n raise_v there_o the_o legion_n on_o the_o rhine_n on_o the_o danube_n in_o moesia_n and_o in_o illyria_n be_v much_o near_o at_o hand_n no_o example_n can_v be_v show_v in_o history_n that_o to_o make_v war_n against_o the_o gaul_n garrison_n be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o frontier_n place_n of_o egypt_n or_o mesopotamia_n shall_v it_o be_v reply_v that_o the_o roman_n be_v at_o peace_n with_o the_o persian_n and_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v quiet_a upon_o the_o confine_n of_o africa_n and_o asia_n that_o the_o danger_n be_v press_v in_o gaul_n that_o rome_n do_v tremble_v at_o the_o first_o news_n of_o a_o mutiny_n in_o those_o part_n and_o at_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o tumultus_fw-la gallicus_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o appear_v so_o strange_a that_o legion_n be_v call_v from_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o east_n and_o shall_v it_o be_v add_v in_o confirmation_n of_o this_o conjecture_n 9_o that_o the_o danger_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v very_o great_a since_o the_o historian_n do_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o reason_n which_o induce_v dioclesian_n to_o divide_v the_o empire_n with_o maximian_n to_o the_o end_n that_o be_v invest_v in_o the_o imperial_a dignity_n and_o have_v a_o great_a authority_n he_o may_v soon_o make_v a_o end_n of_o this_o business_n all_o these_o reply_n make_v for_o we_o by_o lessen_v the_o probability_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n for_o the_o war_n which_o maximian_n be_v to_o undertake_v be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a he_o will_v wilful_o have_v deprive_v himself_o of_o a_o legion_n which_o he_o have_v send_v for_o from_o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o suppose_v maximian_n have_v be_v as_o zealous_a as_o ever_o emperor_n be_v for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o god_n and_o as_o implacable_a a_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n yet_o after_o all_o we_o ought_v not_o without_o good_a reason_n to_o make_v a_o mad_a man_n of_o he_o and_o so_o bad_a a_o politician_n as_o to_o imagine_v he_o will_v have_v command_v one_o of_o his_o best_a legion_n to_o be_v massacre_v in_o the_o very_a face_n as_o i_o may_v say_v of_o the_o enemy_n and_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o a_o war_n the_o success_n whereof_o ought_v to_o have_v commend_v to_o the_o world_n the_o choice_n which_o dioclesian_n have_v make_v of_o he_o and_o by_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o for_o what_o bâ—â—um_fw-la aurelius_n victor_n say_v of_o he_o viz._n that_o though_o he_o be_v but_o half_a a_o courtier_n yet_o he_o be_v a_o brave_a and_o skilful_a warrior_n beside_o this_o if_o with_o father_n labbe_n we_o refer_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n to_o the_o year_n 286._o it_o be_v like_a that_o at_o that_o time_n the_o state_n of_o affair_n do_v not_o permit_v that_o the_o frontier_n of_o egypt_n and_o of_o the_o eastern_a province_n shall_v be_v unguarded_a since_o it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o that_o achilleus_n take_v the_o purple_a upon_o he_o and_o that_o the_o quingentians_n or_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o five_o town_n join_v their_o force_n against_o the_o empire_n and_o if_o this_o martyrdom_n be_v place_v in_o the_o year_n 297._o with_o cardinal_n baronius_n i_o question_v very_o much_o whether_o the_o war_n be_v not_o then_o rage_v upon_o the_o frontier_n of_o persia_n and_o whether_o the_o emperor_n galerius_n have_v by_o that_o time_n repair_v the_o loss_n of_o that_o unfortunate_a day_n in_o which_o all_o his_o army_n be_v defeat_v and_o he_o himself_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o escape_v but_o now_o i_o come_v to_o something_o more_o positive_a the_o very_a name_n which_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v give_v to_o those_o thebean_a legion_n which_o be_v in_o the_o east_n may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o the_o martyrdom_n here_o mention_v can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o of_o they_o for_o one_o of_o these_o legion_n be_v call_v secunda_fw-la flavia_n constantia_n thebaeorum_n where_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o roman_n give_v different_a name_n to_o their_o legion_n for_o distinction_n sake_n as_o prince_n do_v now_o to_o their_o regiment_n these_o name_n be_v sometime_o take_v from_o the_o order_n or_o time_n of_o their_o creation_n as_o the_o first_o second_o third_z and_o four_o legion_n and_o sometime_o they_o be_v give_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o remarkable_a action_n whereby_o they_o have_v signalise_v themselves_o according_o one_o be_v call_v the_o victorious_a another_o the_o conquer_a the_o iron_n legion_n etc._n etc._n now_o and_o then_o they_o take_v their_o name_n from_o the_o country_n and_o frontier_n that_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n as_o the_o germanic_a and_o the_o pannonick_a legion_n appoint_v to_o guard_n the_o empire_n in_o hungary_n and_o germany_n some_o of_o they_o have_v also_o their_o name_n from_o the_o country_n where_o they_o have_v be_v raise_v as_o the_o nervian_n and_o isaurian_a legion_n mezeray_fw-fr in_o his_o history_n of_o france_n before_o clovis_n time_n give_v this_o very_a same_o reason_n for_o the_o name_n of_o the_o thebean_a 218._o legion_n maximian_n say_v he_o have_v also_o take_v upon_o himself_o the_o defence_n of_o gaul_n depart_v from_o nicomedia_n and_o take_v with_o he_o some_o legion_n and_o among_o they_o that_o of_o the_o thebean_o so_o call_v from_o its_o have_v be_v raise_v in_o thebais_n of_o egypt_n but_o most_o common_o the_o legion_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o emperor_n who_o have_v raise_v they_o such_o be_v the_o ulpian_n trajan_n claudian_n dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n legion_n and_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a the_o two_o thebean_a legion_n which_o be_v in_o the_o east_n be_v of_o this_o last_o order_n for_o one_o of_o they_o be_v call_v flavia_n constantia_n thebaeorum_n from_o the_o name_n of_o the_o emperor_n constantius_n pancirollus_n observe_v judicious_o that_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o 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think_v that_o at_o the_o time_n when_o maximian_n be_v raise_v to_o the_o empire_n and_o when_o he_o undertake_v his_o expedition_n into_o gaul_n constantius_n father_n to_o constantine_n have_v not_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o raise_v legion_n in_o the_o east_n and_o to_o give_v they_o his_o own_o name_n and_o since_o the_o other_o legion_n be_v call_v secunda_fw-la fellix_fw-la valentis_fw-la thebaeorum_n from_o the_o emperor_n valens_n his_o name_n it_o follow_v that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v possible_o suffer_v martyrdom_n by_o the_o order_n of_o maximian_n who_o be_v take_v into_o a_o partner-ship_n of_o the_o government_n several_a year_n before_o constantius_n and_o valens_n come_v to_o the_o throne_n 34._o pancirollus_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v sensible_a of_o this_o difficulty_n but_o find_v no_o way_n to_o evade_v it_o he_o fall_v with_o all_o his_o knowledge_n into_o pitiful_a
contradiction_n instead_o of_o one_o thebean_a legion_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n he_o relate_v the_o passion_n of_o two_o thebean_a legion_n he_o say_v that_o the_o legio_n secunda_fw-la flavia_n constantia_n thebaeorum_n be_v raise_v by_o constantius_n and_o put_v in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o second_o thebean_a who_o be_v christian_n and_o have_v be_v massacre_v at_o treves_n by_o rictiovarus_fw-la a_o perfect_a of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n and_o as_o for_o the_o legio_n secunda_fw-la fellix_fw-la valentis_fw-la thebaeorum_n pancirollus_n will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o emperor_n valens_n raise_v it_o to_o make_v up_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o legion_n which_o perish_v at_o agaunum_n on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o alps_n for_o refuse_v to_o take_v the_o military_a oath_n with_o the_o pagan_a ceremony_n that_o which_o lead_v he_o into_o this_o error_n be_v his_o have_v read_v in_o other_o legend_n that_o maximian_n have_v pass_v the_o alps_n make_v a_o detachement_n of_o some_o cohort_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n with_o some_o other_o troop_n to_o reinforce_v the_o army_n wherewith_o he_o design_v to_o oppose_v carausius_n thus_o this_o famous_a antiquary_n of_o these_o few_o cohort_n have_v make_v a_o entire_a legion_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n the_o same_o thebean_a soldier_n who_o be_v now_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v send_v against_o carausius_n will_v furnish_v we_o with_o new_a proof_n against_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o whole_a thebean_a legion_n chap._n xiii_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o this_o legion_n be_v true_a there_o will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o it_o happen_v another_o character_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o deserve_v our_o observation_n be_v the_o uncertainty_n and_o contrariety_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n concern_v the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o suppose_v the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n be_v so_o memorable_a a_o event_n that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v write_v and_o describe_v in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n in_o the_o annal_n of_o the_o church_n and_o though_o the_o ecclesastical_a writer_n have_v be_v so_o negligent_a as_o to_o be_v silent_a therein_o yet_o aurelius_n victor_n eutropius_n jordanes_n or_o some_o other_o author_n will_v undoubted_o have_v make_v amends_o for_o this_o omission_n titus_n livius_n fail_v not_o to_o relate_v the_o tragical_a end_n of_o that_o legion_n whereof_o all_o the_o soldier_n be_v condemn_v to_o death_n for_o mutine_a and_o possess_v themselves_o of_o rhegium_n during_o the_o war_n of_o the_o roman_n with_o pyrrhus_n and_o yet_o some_o will_v have_v it_o that_o six_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o six_o officer_n and_o soldier_n be_v massacre_v by_o the_o emperor_n order_n upon_o their_o refusal_n to_o swear_v by_o his_o false_a god_n and_o to_o join_v with_o the_o other_o troop_n that_o be_v heathen_n in_o shed_v of_o christian_n blood_n though_o not_o one_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v either_o in_o profane_a or_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n whereby_o to_o discover_v the_o exact_a time_n of_o a_o event_n which_o so_o many_o circumstance_n render_v so_o extraordinary_a and_o wonderful_a neither_o do_v the_o able_a writer_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n agree_v upon_o the_o year_n the_o pope_n or_o the_o consul_n under_o who_o it_o happen_v cardinal_n baronius_n put_v their_o martyrdom_n under_o the_o pontificate_n of_o marcelline_a in_o which_o error_n he_o be_v follow_v by_o two_o learned_a father_n of_o the_o oratory_n namely_o gestis_fw-la le_fw-fr cointe_n and_o morin_n antonius_n pagi_n refer_v this_o martyrdom_n to_o the_o first_o year_n of_o emperor_n the_o jesuit_n 216._o labbe_n forsake_v here_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o baronius_n and_o it_o be_v he_o perhaps_o who_o antonius_n pagi_n follow_v his_o word_n be_v these_o it_o be_v say_v that_o about_o the_o year_n 286_o sebastianus_n tiburtinus_fw-la tranquillus_n marcellinus_n zeus_n mauricius_n and_o several_a other_o with_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n for_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n at_o agaunum_n at_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o pennine_a alps_n this_o agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o pontificate_n of_o cajus_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o whereas_o cardinal_n baronius_n refer_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n to_o the_o year_n 297._o it_o happen_v according_a to_o father_n labbe_n computation_n in_o the_o year_n 286_o viz._n immediate_o after_o that_o carinus_n be_v kill_v and_o that_o dioclesian_n have_v take_v maximian_n into_o the_o government_n which_o if_o true_a what_o 45._o will_v become_v of_o mr._n duchesne_n argument_n in_o his_o history_n of_o pope_n who_o to_o prove_v that_o pope_n marcelline_n do_v not_o sacrifice_n to_o idol_n in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n as_o be_v most_o common_o believe_v say_v that_o this_o pope_n administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o confirmation_n to_o the_o thebean_a legion_n when_o they_o pass_v by_o rome_n and_o earnest_o exhort_v they_o to_o piety_n and_o to_o perseverance_n in_o religion_n here_o labbe_n and_o pagi_n put_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o this_o legion_n several_a year_n before_o the_o pontificate_n of_o marcelline_a in_o the_o mean_a while_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a fair_a deal_n of_o this_o jesuit_n who_o do_v not_o give_v we_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n as_o a_o thing_n whereof_o he_o himself_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v and_o of_o which_o he_o have_v find_v any_o authentic_a record_n and_o proof_n but_o only_o with_o a_o it_o be_v say_v or_o give_v out_o and_o this_o no_o doubt_n he_o do_v as_o be_v unwilling_a to_o vouch_v for_o a_o relation_n which_o he_o find_v to_o be_v somewhat_o fabulous_a now_o if_o it_o be_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v not_o fair_o do_v to_o deny_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n mere_o because_o its_o epoch_n be_v uncertain_a it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o one_o transaction_n and_o another_o that_o there_o be_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n several_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v which_o this_o argument_n will_v prove_v of_o no_o great_a force_n but_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o extraordinary_a so_o singular_a and_o so_o remarkable_a in_o itself_o that_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o say_v it_o happen_v make_v it_o very_o suspicious_a and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n several_a person_n doubt_v of_o the_o dispute_n of_o st._n peter_n with_o simon_n magus_n and_o of_o the_o surprise_v death_n of_o this_o wicked_a man_n who_o the_o devil_n let_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n after_o they_o have_v bear_v he_o up_o for_o some_o considerable_a time_n in_o the_o air._n it_o be_v true_a that_o eusebius_n sulpitius_n severus_n and_o st._n austin_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o memorable_a event_n but_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v false_a do_v reply_n that_o one_o ought_v not_o always_o to_o trust_v to_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a author_n because_o the_o zeal_n they_o have_v for_o religion_n make_v they_o not_o always_o very_o nice_a in_o the_o choice_n of_o proof_n and_o example_n and_o sometime_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o oppose_v one_o miracle_n to_o another_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a pagan_a religion_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o apparition_n of_o their_o false_a go_n they_o add_v far_o that_o have_v this_o event_n happen_v as_o it_o be_v report_v it_o will_v have_v occasion_v so_o much_o noise_n in_o rome_n and_o through_o the_o whole_a empire_n that_o some_o footstep_n thereof_o will_v have_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o write_n of_o pagan_a author_n and_o that_o after_o all_o though_o it_o be_v believe_v by_o eusebius_n sulpitius_n severus_n and_o st._n austin_n this_o do_v not_o make_v it_o less_o dubious_a since_o those_o three_o writer_n do_v not_o agree_v about_o the_o time_n wherein_o it_o happen_v eusebius_n put_v it_o under_o the_o empire_n of_o claudius_n st._n austin_n and_o several_a other_o under_o that_o of_o nero_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 67._o and_o sulpitius_n severus_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o time_n when_o st._n paul_n come_v to_o rome_n towards_o the_o year_n 57_o and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a argument_n we_o urge_v against_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v refer_v either_o to_o a_o general_n or_o to_o a_o local_a and_o particular_a persecution_n another_o character_n of_o falsehood_n yet_o more_o palpable_a and_o in_o the_o very_a fact_n be_v this_o that_o if_o
if_o it_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o particular_a one_o it_o must_v be_v to_o that_o which_o be_v raise_v at_o rome_n and_o in_o which_o baronius_n relate_v that_o st_n sebastian_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o to_o any_o other_o but_o of_o this_o the_o cardinal_n observe_v that_o 286._o it_o extend_v not_o much_o further_a than_o rome_n and_o consequent_o not_o so_o far_o as_o the_o alps_n and_o to_o agaunum_n in_o short_a before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o general_n persecution_n we_o find_v some_o christian_n condemn_v to_o death_n in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o before_o the_o unhappy_a congress_n at_o nicomedia_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o show_v anywhere_o during_o the_o whole_a reign_n of_o dioclesian_n any_o such_o massacre_n as_o that_o of_o a_o whole_a legion_n chap._n xv._n that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o history_n and_o year_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n the_o character_n of_o forgery_n which_o we_o have_v dispatch_v in_o the_o precedent_n chapter_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o evident_a by_o consider_v further_o that_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n by_o order_n of_o maximian_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o martyrdom_n either_o in_o the_o life_n or_o year_n of_o this_o emperor_n the_o copy_n of_o surius_n and_o chifflet_n and_o all_o the_o legend-writer_n who_o have_v follow_v they_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o this_o emperor_n cause_v the_o thebean_a soldier_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o a_o expedition_n which_o he_o make_v into_o gaul_n according_o then_o a_o place_n must_v be_v find_v for_o their_o martyrdom_n in_o some_o of_o maximian_n voyage_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o alps_n lactantius_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o persecutor_n make_v mention_n of_o three_o of_o they_o the_o first_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o marriage_n of_o his_o daughter_n fausta_n with_o constantine_n to_o who_o he_o give_v the_o title_n of_o augustus_n he_o have_v have_v only_o that_o of_o caesar_n before_o he_o be_v force_v to_o undertake_v the_o second_o to_o shun_v the_o fury_n of_o his_o soldier_n who_o be_v extreme_o incense_v against_o he_o for_o design_v to_o deprive_v his_o son_n maxentius_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o who_o he_o have_v be_v restore_v to_o the_o purple_a which_o he_o have_v free_o abdicate_v before_o and_o he_o come_v the_o three_o time_n into_o gaul_n at_o his_o return_n from_o his_o journey_n into_o hungary_n whither_o he_o go_v but_o unsuccessful_o to_o solicit_v dioclesian_n to_o resume_v the_o government_n and_o it_o be_v then_o that_o constantine_n perceive_v the_o ill_a design_n he_o have_v form_v to_o destory_n he_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o prevent_v he_o and_o cause_v he_o to_o be_v strangle_v but_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n do_v not_o answer_v to_o any_o of_o these_o expedition_n since_o they_o be_v all_o posterior_n to_o the_o year_n 306._o and_o all_o historian_n agree_v that_o the_o general_n persecution_n at_o that_o time_n begin_v to_o abate_v in_o the_o west_n beside_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o maximian_n in_o none_o of_o these_o progress_v pass_v the_o alps_n with_o a_o army_n and_o that_o his_o fortune_n and_o the_o posture_n of_o his_o affair_n at_o that_o time_n do_v not_o put_v he_o into_o a_o condition_n to_o deprive_v himself_o of_o a_o whole_a legion_n where_o shall_v we_o then_o find_v a_o four_o expedition_n of_o maximian_n into_o gaul_n in_o which_o this_o emperor_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v murder_v the_o whole_a thebean_a legion_n there_o be_v none_o leave_v but_o that_o which_o be_v mention_v by_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n these_o two_o historian_n agree_v that_o some_o troop_n of_o banditi_n or_o rapperee_n who_o be_v call_v bagaud_n have_v raise_v a_o tumult_n in_o gaul_n and_o put_v themselves_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n dioclesian_n make_v maximian_n his_o partner_n in_o the_o government_n and_o send_v he_o in_o all_o haste_n with_o a_o army_n to_o punish_v those_o rebel_n but_o the_o time_n of_o this_o expedition_n be_v not_o agree_v upon_o 31._o father_n petau_n relate_v at_o large_a the_o different_a opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a concern_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o time_n he_o think_v that_o maximian_n reign_n begin_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285._o dioclesian_n be_v then_o emperor_n and_o vest_v the_o second_o time_n with_o the_o tribunitian_a power_n and_o he_o confute_v baronius_n who_o be_v lead_v into_o a_o mistake_n by_o a_o passage_n of_o lactant._n mamertine_n mr._n baluze_n affirm_v that_o dioclesian_n have_v be_v raise_v to_o the_o empire_n on_o the_o 20_o of_o november_n in_o the_o year_n 284._o take_v maximian_n into_o the_o government_n on_o the_o first_o of_o april_n in_o the_o year_n 285._o and_o set_v it_o down_o as_o a_o point_n universal_o agree_v in_o history_n that_o the_o i_o wenti_v year_n of_o maximian_n ought_v to_o answer_v his_o eight_o consulship_n from_o whence_o he_o conclude_v that_o dioclesian_n reign_v twenty_o year_n five_o month_n and_o twelve_o day_n and_o maximian_n twenty_o year_n and_o a_o full_a month._n so_o that_o if_o this_o calculation_n be_v just_a the_o beginning_n of_o maximian_n reign_n ought_v to_o be_v reckon_v from_o the_o first_o of_o april_n in_o the_o year_n 285._o father_n 112._o pagi_n follow_v the_o author_n of_o the_o alexandrian_a chronicle_n and_o have_v place_v 8._o the_o beginning_n of_o dioclesian_n reign_n on_o the_o 17_o the_o of_o september_n in_o the_o year_n 284_o he_o add_v that_o maximian_n be_v create_v caesar_n on_o the_o 20_o of_o novemb_n the_o same_o year_n eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n be_v different_a in_o their_o expression_n concern_v the_o character_n which_o dioclesian_n give_v to_o maximian_n when_o he_o send_v he_o into_o gaul_n against_o the_o bagand_n eutropius_n say_v herculeum_n caesarem_fw-la misit_fw-la and_o aurelius_n victor_n say_v imperatoreâ—_n jubet_fw-la which_o difference_n occasion_v another_o dispute_n among_o the_o critic_n viz._n whether_o maximian_n be_v make_v first_o caesar_n and_o then_o augustus_n according_a to_o the_o usual_a custom_n or_o whether_o both_o the_o dignity_n be_v confer_v on_o he_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n anthony_n pagi_n and_o henry_n noris_n differ_v only_o in_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o suppose_v maximian_n be_v raise_v to_o the_o dignity_n of_o augustus_n and_o they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o before_o this_o he_o be_v make_v caesar_n but_o though_o both_o of_o they_o be_v great_a master_n and_o seem_v able_a to_o pronounce_v upon_o this_o matter_n yet_o mr._n baluze_n in_o his_o note_n on_o lactantius_n be_v for_o the_o contrary_a and_o allege_v several_a law_n from_o whence_o he_o gather_v that_o maximian_n be_v first_o create_v augustus_n against_o which_o opinion_n of_o he_o a_o medal_n of_o francis_n angelo_v inscribe_v nobilis_fw-la caesar_n and_o on_o the_o reverse_n principi_fw-la iwentutis_fw-la be_v think_v to_o make_v very_o much_o but_o this_o difficulty_n the_o famous_a mr._n cuper_n in_o his_o note_n on_o lactantius_n have_v remove_v where_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o medal_n ought_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o galerius_n maximianus_n by_o reason_n that_o several_a of_o his_o be_v find_v with_o the_o same_o inscription_n which_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o of_o the_o medal_n of_o herculeus_n maximianus_n collect_v by_o count_n mezabarba_n but_o the_o subject_a we_o have_v before_o we_o do_v not_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v trouble_v ourselves_o about_o these_o chronological_a question_n we_o be_v in_o search_n of_o the_o time_n when_o maximian_n take_v another_o journey_n into_o gaul_n not_o mention_v by_o lactantius_n now_o the_o difficulty_n be_v not_o to_o find_v out_o that_o time_n see_v it_o be_v circumstance_v both_o in_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n by_o two_o memorable_a event_n one_o of_o which_o be_v his_o exaltation_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o the_o other_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n under_o their_o leader_n amandus_n and_o aelianus_n both_o which_o do_v show_v that_o he_o undertake_v the_o gallican_n expedition_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285._o to_o wit_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o above_o eighteen_o year_n before_o he_o take_v his_o other_o journey_n speak_v of_o by_o loctantius_fw-la but_o our_o business_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o we_o can_v fix_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n to_o that_o time_n and_o the_o dispute_n be_v at_o a_o end_n if_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o those_o act_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n which_o both_o surius_n and_o baronius_n have_v follow_v for_o there_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o bagaud_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n of_o maximian_n s_o assumption_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o of_o
upon_o they_o the_o government_n of_o province_n without_o oblige_v they_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o idol_n and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o add_v who_o can_v recount_v the_o great_a number_n of_o those_o who_o come_v over_o every_o day_n to_o make_v profession_n of_o our_o faith_n how_o many_o church_n be_v erect_v in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o what_o crowd_n come_v people_n to_o pay_v their_o homage_n to_o god_n insomuch_o that_o the_o ancient_a building_n prove_v too_o narrow_a to_o receive_v they_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o have_v other_o build_v more_o large_a and_o capacious_a neither_o can_v the_o envy_n of_o devil_n or_o malice_n of_o man_n put_v a_o stop_n to_o this_o progress_n of_o christianity_n so_o long_o as_o the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v not_o unworthy_a of_o his_o almighty_a protection_n and_o favour_n but_o when_o the_o excessive_a liberty_n we_o enjoy_v have_v slacken_v the_o strictness_n of_o our_o discipline_n so_o that_o we_o begin_v to_o make_v war_n among_o ourselves_o with_o abusive_a and_o bitter_a word_n and_o bishop_n incense_v against_o bishop_n raise_v dissension_n and_o disorder_n in_o a_o word_n when_o malice_n and_o cozenage_n be_v come_v to_o their_o height_n then_o divine_a justice_n lift_v up_o his_o hand_n to_o punish_v we_o first_o gentle_o as_o it_o use_v to_o do_v and_o permit_v those_o among_o the_o faithful_a who_o make_v profession_n of_o arm_n to_o be_v persecute_v first_o now_o who_o can_v believe_v that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n be_v massacre_v at_o the_o time_n here_o describe_v by_o mamertine_n and_o eusebius_n can_v any_o one_o style_n that_o a_o reign_n of_o peace_n meekness_n and_o felicity_n in_o which_o above_o six_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o person_n be_v at_o one_o time_n inhuman_o murder_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o maximian_n command_v they_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n upon_o their_o refusal_n to_o sacrifice_n to_o idol_n and_o yet_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o just_a now_o that_o both_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n confer_v the_o government_n of_o province_n on_o christian_n without_o any_o obligation_n to_o offer_v sacrifice_n it_o be_v then_o the_o custom_n among_o the_o roman_n that_o the_o proconsul_n the_o govenour_n and_o other_o magistrate_n shall_v sacrifice_v to_o the_o god_n to_o the_o safety_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o shall_v be_v present_a at_o all_o the_o public_a sacrifice_n offer_v to_o they_o which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o the_o first_o christian_n shun_v those_o employment_n as_o very_o dangerous_a bait_n and_o occasion_n of_o sin_n but_o their_o exemplary_a integrity_n be_v without_o doubt_n a_o motive_n to_o the_o emperor_n to_o desire_v they_o may_v be_v employ_v in_o place_n of_o public_a trust_n eusebius_n observe_v that_o they_o acquit_v they_o from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d obligation_n of_o do_v sacrifice_n as_o mr._n de_fw-fr valois_n read_v that_o passage_n out_o of_o the_o manuscript_n of_o the_o medicean_n and_o the_o mazarine_a library_n it_o be_v true_a that_o eusebius_n say_v that_o the_o faithful_a who_o make_v profession_n of_o arm_n be_v persecute_v first_o but_o this_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n for_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o this_o legion_n be_v barbarous_o massacre_v and_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o 〈◊〉_d a_o persecution_n whereby_o god_n do_v only_o gentle_o and_o modarate_o chastise_v the_o church_n but_o certain_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n can_v be_v call_v a_o light_n and_o gentle_a chastisement_n but_o three_o these_o last_o word_n of_o eusebius_n show_v clear_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o make_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n fâ—ll_o in_o with_o maximian_n expedition_n into_o gaul_n against_o the_o begaud_n eusebius_n have_v say_v express_o that_o the_o faithful_a who_o make_v profession_n of_o arm_n be_v persecute_v first_o we_o need_v only_o find_v out_o the_o time_n when_o that_o persecution_n against_o the_o soldier_n begin_v for_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o year_n 285._o we_o may_v suppose_v indeed_o that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n be_v then_o condemn_v to_o death_n since_o it_o be_v about_o that_o time_n that_o maximian_n be_v take_v into_o the_o government_n and_o cause_v the_o legion_n to_o march_n into_o gaul_n to_o suppress_v the_o rebelion_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n as_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n relate_v but_o what_o will_v they_o say_v if_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o soldier_n do_v not_o begin_v till_o above_o twelve_o 298._o year_n after_o that_o time_n father_n pagi_n place_v it_o in_o the_o year_n 298._o and_o mr._n dodwel_n in_o 301._o who_o reason_n may_v be_v see_v in_o his_o dissertation_n upon_o st._n cyprian_n but_o without_o enter_v upon_o these_o dispute_n of_o chronology_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o soldier_n happen_v several_a year_n after_o maximian_n expedition_n 10._o into_o gaul_n now_o the_o account_n which_o lactantius_n have_v give_v both_o of_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n leave_v no_o place_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o he_o say_v that_o dioclesian_n be_v anxious_a about_o the_o success_n of_o the_o war_n against_o the_o persian_n which_o he_o have_v leave_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o galerius_n consult_v the_o aruspices_fw-la concern_v the_o event_n thereof_o and_o add_v that_o the_o inspector_n have_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o christian_n hinder_v he_o from_o make_v any_o discovery_n in_o the_o entrail_n of_o the_o victim_n the_o emperor_n thereupon_o command_v that_o the_o soldier_n shall_v sacrifice_v to_o the_o idol_n and_o upon_o refusal_n shall_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o their_o respective_a rank_n and_o disband_v mr._n baluze_n on_o this_o place_n of_o lactantius_n say_v that_o eusebius_n have_v very_o well_o observe_v that_o the_o persecution_n begin_v with_o the_o soldier_n and_o that_o real_o none_o but_o those_o who_o serve_v in_o the_o army_n be_v at_o first_o persecute_v we_o ought_v especial_o to_o observe_v processiâ—_n that_o lactantius_n say_v express_o that_o the_o emperor_n anger_n and_o fury_n against_o the_o soldier_n proceed_v no_o further_o at_o that_o time_n than_o to_o cashier_v they_o which_o act_n of_o he_o eusebius_n call_v a_o punishment_n for_o among_o the_o roman_n to_o be_v cashier_v and_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o army_n be_v account_v a_o great_a shame_n and_o disgrace_n as_o hirtius_n tell_v we_o speak_v africano_n of_o the_o african_a war_n however_o eusebius_n be_v in_o the_o right_n to_o call_v this_o ignominy_n a_o light_n and_o gentle_a punishment_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o evil_n which_o the_o christian_n suffer_v some_o year_n after_o therefore_o perveniret_fw-la sulpitius_n severus_n after_o have_v say_v that_o licinius_n contend_v for_o the_o empire_n with_o constantine_n command_v the_o christian_a soldier_n either_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o idol_n or_o to_o lay_v down_o their_o arm_n add_v but_o we_o don_v it_o reckon_v this_o among_o the_o persecution_n as_o be_v too_o inconsiderable_a a_o thing_n to_o deserve_v a_o place_n among_o the_o wound_n which_o the_o church_n receive_v have_v the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v martyrdom_n at_o that_o time_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v reckon_v among_o the_o soldier_n who_o suffer_v persecution_n and_o because_o so_o great_a and_o remarkable_a a_o event_n as_o this_o can_v not_o have_v escape_v the_o knowledge_n both_o of_o eusebius_n and_o laciantius_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a the_o latter_a will_v have_v say_v that_o the_o emperor_n do_v only_o at_o first_o cashier_v the_o soldier_n and_o the_o former_a will_v not_o have_v call_v this_o persecution_n a_o light_n and_o gentle_a punishment_n and_o since_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o those_o who_o make_v profession_n of_o arm_n be_v persecute_v first_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n can_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o expedition_n which_o maximian_n make_v into_o gaul_n to_o suppress_v the_o revolt_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n for_o maximian_n undertake_v this_o expedition_n some_o month_n after_o his_o admission_n to_o the_o government_n about_o the_o year_n 285._o and_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o soldier_n according_a to_o lactantius_n do_v not_o begin_v till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o same_o author_n say_v that_o the_o persian_a war_n do_v then_o take_v up_o all_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o court_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o expedition_n do_v not_o happen_v till_o after_o he_o have_v settle_v his_o affair_n in_o egypt_n and_o severe_o punish_v those_o who_o have_v follow_v the_o party_n of_o achillaeus_fw-la and_o at_o the_o time_n when_o he_o be_v put_v himself_o into_o a_o condition_n to_o be_v revenge_v upon_o narses_n king_n of_o persia_n who_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o egypt_n make_v eruption_n
the_o gospel_n in_o gaul_n viz._n gatian_n at_o tours_n trophimus_n at_o arles_n paul_n at_o narbonne_n dionysius_n at_o paris_n astremonicus_n at_o lermont_n and_o martial_a at_o lymoges_n these_o be_v then_o the_o new_a evangelist_n send_v in_o the_o time_n of_o decius_n to_o re-kindle_a the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o gaul_n which_o have_v be_v so_o long_o extinguish_v there_o from_o whence_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o then_o make_v any_o great_a progress_n among_o the_o gaul_n since_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o there_o be_v need_n to_o preach_v comprebendit_fw-la it_o a_o fresh_a there_o and_o even_o at_o narbonne_n and_o arles_n city_n rather_o belong_v to_o italy_n then_o to_o gaul_n and_o which_o sulpitius_n mean_v not_o to_o speak_v of_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v father_n pagi_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a then_o to_o imagine_v that_o four_o year_n after_o the_o reign_n of_o decius_n the_o christian_n shall_v be_v so_o multiply_v in_o gaul_n as_o to_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v up_o vast_a arm_n and_o those_o so_o formidable_a as_o to_o strike_v a_o terror_n into_o rome_n itself_o and_o to_o perplex_v its_o emperor_n this_o they_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o by_o assert_v peremptory_o that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o maximian_n destroy_v the_o theb._n legion_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o he_o be_v afraid_a they_o shall_v join_v with_o they_o but_o three_o they_o be_v at_o a_o very_a great_a loss_n for_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o their_o theb._n legion_n when_o they_o be_v force_v to_o this_o shift_n of_o suppose_v those_o bagaud_n to_o have_v be_v christian_n for_o they_o cast_v no_o small_a blemish_n upon_o the_o ancient_a gallican_n church_n who_o fix_v such_o a_o character_n upon_o her_o son_n &_o beside_o they_o be_v very_o much_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o primitive_a age_n who_o think_v they_o be_v capable_a of_o such_o injustice_n and_o violence_n as_o the_o bagaud_n stand_v charge_v with_o in_o history_n therefore_o mezeray_n receive_v the_o bagaud_n into_o the_o church_n think_v fit_a to_o clear_v they_o from_o these_o odious_a aspersion_n and_o to_o justify_v their_o proceed_n who_o know_v say_v he_o but_o that_o have_v suffer_v so_o 219._o many_o horrible_a persecution_n their_o patience_n turn_v at_o last_o into_o a_o just_a fury_n in_o arm_v themselves_o both_o against_o the_o torment_n and_o the_o tormentor_n bucherius_n endeavour_v likewise_o to_o excuse_v they_o say_v that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v move_v to_o a_o rebellion_n 220._o which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n just_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o cruelty_n and_o tyrannical_a imposition_n of_o their_o governor_n incitates_fw-la salvianus_n do_v the_o same_o before_o they_o who_o perhaps_o they_o have_v both_o follow_v 5._o he_o say_v that_o the_o bagaud_n oppress_v by_o their_o unjust_a judge_n lose_v all_o romani_fw-la respect_n for_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o empire_n because_o they_o have_v be_v strip_v of_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o roman_a liberty_n in_o short_a the_o emperor_n augustus_n the_o better_a to_o procure_v himself_o the_o good_a affection_n of_o the_o gaul_n have_v grant_v to_o some_o of_o they_o the_o roman_a to_z other_o the_o latin_a and_o to_o other_o again_o the_o italic_a law_n and_o liberty_n whence_o salvian_n take_v occasion_n to_o say_v we_o call_v the_o bagaud_n rebel_n and_o profligate_v villain_n when_o it_o be_v we_o that_o have_v hurry_v they_o into_o these_o outrage_n for_o how_o come_v they_o to_o be_v bagaud_n but_o by_o our_o own_o injustice_n by_o our_o proscription_n of_o their_o person_n and_o violent_a usurpation_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o be_v condemn_v to_o death_n and_o hang_v for_o the_o robbery_n of_o their_o judge_n that_o they_o be_v now_o become_v like_o barbarian_n because_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v before_o to_o live_v like_o roman_n that_o priest_n of_o marseilles_n who_o write_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 495_o add_v several_a other_o thing_n whereby_o the_o crime_n and_o violence_n which_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o bagaud_n be_v lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o gaul_n of_o their_o judge_n and_o of_o the_o collector_n of_o the_o tax_n but_o he_o never_o speak_v the_o least_o word_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o way_n of_o speak_v on_o their_o behalf_n show_v plain_o enough_o that_o they_o do_v not_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v his_o apology_n with_o those_o of_o athenagoras_n of_o st._n austin_n of_o tertullian_n and_o especial_o of_o arnobius_n who_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n these_o father_n speak_v of_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o of_o the_o piety_n meekness_n charity_n and_o innocence_n of_o those_o happy_a age_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o salvian_n apologise_v for_o the_o bagaud_n by_o excuse_v their_o crime_n of_o injustice_n violence_n and_o rebellion_n be_v that_o true_a which_o mezeray_n say_v of_o they_o perhaps_o eutropius_n and_o aurelius_n victor_n will_v have_v tell_v we_o something_o concern_v their_o religion_n prosper_n may_v also_o have_v take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o since_o he_o make_v mention_n just_a of_o they_o in_o his_o chronology_n so_o likewise_o eumenius_n in_o his_o panegyric_n wherein_o he_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o bagaud_n have_v besiege_v autun_n that_o city_n implore_v the_o emperor_n assistance_n but_o it_o be_v most_o incredible_a that_o marmertine_n will_v have_v be_v silent_a in_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o panegyric_n which_o he_o make_v at_o treves_n in_o praise_n of_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n mr._n cuper_n say_v that_o he_o make_v it_o in_o the_o 91._o year_n 288._o the_o learned_a henry_n norris_n put_v it_o a_o year_n late_a in_o his_o curious_a dissertation_n upon_o the_o medal_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n howsoever_o it_o be_v mamertine_n make_v this_o public_a speech_n but_o few_o year_n after_o the_o defeat_n of_o the_o bagaud_n wherein_o he_o endeavour_v to_o quicken_v his_o discourse_n by_o droll_v upon_o their_o army_n and_o est_fw-la make_v a_o mere_a jest_n of_o it_o that_o a_o crew_n of_o ignorant_a rustic_n shall_v pretend_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o arm_n and_o military_a discipline_n that_o the_o ploughman_n shall_v change_v his_o goad_n for_o a_o pike_n the_o shepherd_n leave_v his_o flock_n to_o turn_v trouper_n and_o that_o the_o husband_n man_n shall_v plunder_v and_o waste_v his_o own_o estate_n and_o destroy_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o own_o labour_n with_o as_o little_o concern_v as_o the_o most_o barbarous_a enemy_n will_v have_v do_v from_o which_o sharp_a and_o pungent_a expression_n one_o may_v give_v a_o shrewd_a guest_n at_o what_o he_o will_v have_v add_v have_v the_o bagaud_n profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n precedent_n fauchet_n be_v one_o of_o the_o french_a writer_n who_o have_v make_v the_o great_a discovery_n in_o the_o gallic_a antiquity_n but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o bagaud_n gall._n be_v christian_n for_o he_o say_v of_o they_o the_o gaul_n be_v overburden_v with_o public_a subsidy_n and_o tax_n rise_v up_o in_o arm_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 290_o or_o thereabouts_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n and_o take_v the_o name_n of_o bagaud_n which_o some_o say_v signify_v in_o the_o old_a gallic_a language_n force_a rebel_n or_o traitor_n and_o some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o they_o be_v all_o peasant_n and_o will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o word_n bagaud_n signify_v tribute_n the_o heavy_a tax_n be_v in_o some_o part_n of_o france_n not_o many_o year_n ago_o call_v bagoges_n these_o trouble_n be_v appease_v by_o maximian_n 222._o dioclesian_n partner_n in_o the_o empire_n joseph_n scaliger_n say_v that_o bagaud_n be_v not_o a_o french_a word_n but_o the_o name_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o people_n and_o that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o highwayman_n and_o robber_n be_v call_v bagaud_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o vocant_fw-la aurelius_n victor_n say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n gather_v together_o great_a number_n of_o peasant_n and_o robber_n and_o that_o which_o show_v it_o to_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o party_n according_a to_o joseph_n scaliger_n observation_n be_v that_o idacius_n in_o his_o chronology_n speak_v of_o the_o bagaud_n who_o mutine_v in_o spain_n in_o the_o province_n of_o tarragonia_n under_o the_o king_n rechila_n and_o theodoricus_n it_o be_v also_o very_o likely_a that_o they_o wander_v from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o as_o the_o horde_n of_o the_o tartar_n do_v
induce_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o maximian_n army_n be_v christian_n only_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o author_n of_o st._n baboulene_n life_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o examine_v what_o can_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o writer_n authority_n and_o iâ—_n we_o cast_v but_o half_a a_o eye_n upon_o this_o work_n of_o he_o we_o shall_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o whole_a from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o nothing_o but_o fabulous_a legend_n and_o fiction_n the_o manucript_n be_v keep_v at_o paris_n in_o the_o library_n of_o st._n german_a desprez_a and_o james_n dubrcuil_n a_o monk_n of_o that_o abbey_n make_v a_o abrigdment_n of_o it_o and_o publish_v it_o in_o the_o year_n 1614_o mr._n du_n chesne_n insert_v it_o some_o year_n after_o in_o his_o history_n of_o france_n father_n le-cointe_a take_v notice_n of_o it_o also_o scripsit_fw-la in_o his_o annal_n and_o reject_v it_o as_o altogether_o unworthy_a of_o credit_n for_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o writer_n exact_o follow_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o anonymous_n impostor_n who_o write_v the_o act_n of_o the_o king_n of_o france_n of_o which_o he_o give_v these_o follow_a particular_n first_o that_o he_o make_v erchenald_n major_a of_o the_o palace_n in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o clovis_n whereas_o fredegair_n call_v he_o who_o be_v then_o in_o that_o office_n aeganes_n second_o that_o he_o confound_v aubert_n bishop_n of_o paris_n under_o king_n clovis_n with_o agilbert_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o â—â—e_v under_o clotary_n son_n to_o clovis_n three_o that_o of_o two_o baboulenes_n one_o of_o who_o be_v abbas_n bobâ—ensis_n and_o the_o other_o abbess_n fosatensis_n he_o make_v but_o one_o four_o that_o he_o reckon_v but_o 85._o year_n from_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n the_o first_o to_o the_o death_n of_o clovis_n the_o second_o five_o that_o he_o make_v clovis_n the_o second_o to_o succeed_v his_o father_n dagobert_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 643_o in_o the_o first_o indiction_n and_o several_a other_o fault_n he_o find_v in_o the_o same_o author_n all_o contrary_a to_o the_o know_a truth_n of_o history_n but_o a_o most_o notable_a one_o be_v his_o say_v that_o the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr be_v situate_a in_o the_o place_n where_o former_o the_o camp_n of_o the_o bagaud_n be_v and_o that_o they_o encamp_v there_o because_o there_o be_v then_o stand_v a_o old_a castle_n build_v by_o julius_n caesar_n enclose_v with_o wall_n and_o secure_v on_o all_o side_n with_o large_a ditch_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o that_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n be_v call_v by_o several_a writer_n of_o the_o late_a age_n castrum_n bagaudarum_fw-la mr._n menage_n in_o his_o origines_fw-la upon_o the_o word_n bagaud_n say_v that_o in_o a_o charter_n of_o the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n grant_v in_o the_o year_n 868._o st._n maur_n des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr be_v call_v castrum_n bagaudarum_fw-la and_o add_v because_o ancient_o it_o be_v a_o fort_n of_o the_o bagaud_n but_o who_o tell_v that_o anonymus_fw-la author_n that_o julius_n caesar_n have_v build_v there_o a_o noble_a castle_n nobiliter_fw-la constructum_fw-la he_o be_v the_o only_a writer_n who_o speak_v of_o that_o castle_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o the_o commentary_n of_o julius_n caesar_n though_o all_o his_o action_n in_o gaul_n be_v therein_o write_v with_o the_o great_a exactness_n moreover_o this_o 25._o impostor_n make_v orosius_n to_o say_v thing_n which_o he_o never_o think_v of_o for_o orosius_n say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n have_v get_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o peasant_n together_o raise_v great_a disturbance_n in_o gaul_n which_o oblige_v dioclesian_n to_o create_v maximianus_n herculeus_n caesar_n and_o to_o send_v he_o thither_o who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o considerable_a experience_n in_o war_n easy_o disperse_v that_o army_n of_o peasant_n which_o be_v altogether_o without_o order_n and_o discipline_n but_o this_o anonymous_n scribbler_n make_v orosius_n to_o say_v that_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o they_o revolt_v only_o because_o they_o think_v that_o their_o religion_n do_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o obey_v pagan_a prince_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a impudence_n this_o first_o to_o invent_v fable_n and_o then_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o they_o to_o quote_v a_o famous_a historian_n if_o we_o take_v this_o author_n quotation_n out_o of_o he_o for_o truth_n orosius_n attribute_n very_o noble_a and_o evangelical_n moral_n to_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o three_o century_n in_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n only_o because_o they_o be_v not_o 868._o of_o their_o own_o religion_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr tirlemont_n make_v a_o remark_n very_o suâ—iable_a to_o the_o purpose_n it_o be_v upon_o the_o act_n of_o st._n maximus_n relate_v by_o baronius_n in_o the_o year_n 254._o there_o arise_v say_v he_o yet_o great_a difficulty_n from_o what_o optimus_fw-la say_v that_o the_o edict_n of_o decius_n command_v all_o christian_n to_o forsake_v their_o superstition_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v their_o lawful_a prince_n on_o who_o all_o thing_n depend_v and_o to_o worship_n his_o go_n against_o which_o mr._n tirlemont_n with_o great_a reason_n do_v except_v thus_o what_o do_v all_o this_o mean_a shall_v then_o the_o christian_n have_v make_v any_o difficulty_n to_o acknowledge_v decius_n for_o their_o emperor_n by_o no_o mean_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o though_o they_o be_v the_o most_o submissive_a and_o true_a subject_n to_o their_o prince_n nevertheless_o because_o they_o do_v not_o prefer_v they_o to_o god_n himself_o they_o be_v deem_v to_o fall_v from_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o allegiance_n in_o fine_a this_o anonymous_n writer_n of_o mezeray_n relate_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n very_o different_o both_o from_o the_o counterseit_n st._n eucherius_n surius_n and_o father_n chifflet_n for_o he_o say_v that_o maximian_n have_v order_v that_o all_o the_o soldier_n of_o his_o army_n shall_v swear_v upon_o the_o altar_n of_o his_o god_n sacrifice_n to_o they_o and_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o a_o oath_n that_o they_o will_v persecute_v the_o christian_n wherever_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o any_o of_o they_o mauritius_n answer_v for_o the_o whole_a theb._n legion_n under_o his_o command_n we_o know_v o_o emperor_n how_o to_o fight_v against_o rebel_n and_o wicked_a person_n but_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o make_v war_n upon_o good_a man_n and_o our_o own_o fellow_n subject_n though_o we_o be_v all_o well_o arm_v yet_o we_o do_v make_v any_o resistance_n as_o be_v more_o willing_a to_o have_v our_o own_o blood_n shed_v than_o to_o shed_v that_o of_o other_o so_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n they_o stretch_v out_o their_o neck_n to_o the_o executioner_n and_o be_v raise_v by_o their_o torment_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o paradise_n and_o thus_o this_o anonymous_n author_n lead_v we_o immediate_o to_o the_o end_n of_o his_o romance_n whereas_o the_o suppose_a st._n eucherius_n after_o maximian_n have_v give_v his_o barbarous_a order_n make_v the_o theb._n legion_n to_o withdraw_v suppose_n that_o it_o refuse_v to_o march_v sai_z that_o it_o be_v only_o decimate_v at_o first_o make_v the_o emperor_n to_o reiterate_v his_o order_n relate_v their_o speech_n to_o this_o prince_n and_o so_o entertain_v his_o reader_n with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o intervening_a particular_n he_o at_o last_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o catastrophe_n of_o his_o tragedy_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v not_o original_o find_v but_o in_o false_a and_o supposititious_a write_n and_o be_v only_o relate_v at_o first_o by_o impostor_n one_o invent_v and_o publish_v the_o story_n of_o this_o martyrdom_n another_o vouch_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o narrative_a by_o another_o of_o his_o own_o and_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o these_o two_o relator_n hundred_o of_o other_o believe_v it_o and_o at_o last_o it_o become_v a_o common_a opinion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o a_o tale_n never_o miss_v to_o be_v credit_v when_o it_o begin_v to_o grow_v ancient_a and_o we_o see_v every_o day_n that_o when_o any_o relation_n have_v pass_v for_o current_n for_o fifty_o or_o threescore_o year_n it_o be_v then_o almost_o too_o late_o to_o contradict_v or_o call_v it_o in_o question_n chap._n xvii_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o some_o cohort_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v detach_v out_o of_o maximian_n army_n to_o march_v against_o carausius_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o counterfeit_a agaunian_a act_n there_o be_v a_o passage_n which_o afford_v we_o another_o proof_n that_o this_o story_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v a_o forgery_n etc._n it_o be_v say_v the_o author_n a_o common_a report_n that_o
of_o st._n alexander_n infestabant_fw-la three_o eutropius_n say_v that_o carausius_n be_v by_o the_o roman_n commissionated_a at_o bologne_n to_o free_v those_o sea_n from_o the_o piracy_n of_o the_o frank_n and_o saxon_n consederunt_fw-la and_o helinaud_n make_v carausius_n procurator_n for_o the_o roman_n in_o a_o province_n border_v upon_o the_o frank_n contrary_a to_o the_o geography_n of_o those_o time_n which_o place_n the_o frank_n in_o germany_n and_o very_o far_o from_o the_o belgic_a frontier_n beside_o if_o eutropius_n represent_v the_o belgick_n infest_a by_o the_o frank_n he_o observe_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o be_v pirate_n who_o keep_v the_o sea_n and_o consequent_o who_o place_n of_o abode_n may_v have_v be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n ut_fw-mi if_o any_o body_n will_v undertake_v to_o defend_v helinaud_n relation_n he_o will_v do_v we_o a_o kindness_n to_o mark_v we_o out_o the_o province_n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o frank_n when_o drive_v a_o second_o time_n out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n come_v to_o settle_v near_o the_o confine_n of_o the_o gaul_n and_o saxon_n and_o whereby_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o gaul_n and_o saxon_n be_v neighbour_n this_o particular_a we_o shall_v examine_v no_o further_o but_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o that_o be_v better_o verse_v in_o ancient_a geography_n but_o four_o what_o do_v helinaud_n mean_a by_o that_o town_n of_o the_o frank_n to_o which_o the_o inhabitant_n give_v the_o name_n of_o troy_n or_o xanthus_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o ancient_n troy_n from_o whence_o their_o ancestor_n come_v unless_o one_o shall_v imagine_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o with_o troy_n in_o champain_n as_o some_o ignorant_a writer_n have_v do_v who_o be_v lead_v into_o that_o mistake_n by_o that_o french_a name_n for_o ancient_o that_o town_n be_v not_o call_v troja_n but_o trecae_n as_o appear_v by_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n but_o mezeray_n be_v not_o to_o be_v excuse_v when_o he_o pretend_v to_o find_v any_o tolerable_a sense_n in_o this_o discourse_n of_o helinaud_n especial_o when_o he_o himself_o discover_v so_o great_a a_o blunder_n in_o it_o and_o which_o make_v he_o in_o his_o translation_n of_o this_o place_n of_o helinaud_n at_o large_a to_o leave_v out_o the_o word_n xanthus_n which_o be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o river_n that_o run_v near_o the_o wall_n of_o troy_n and_o which_o the_o frank_n as_o helinaud_n say_v give_v to_o their_o town_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o ancient_n troy_n mezeray_n who_o in_o his_o history_n of_o france_n before_o glovis_n do_v affect_v to_o appear_v well_o verse_v in_o the_o old_a gallic_a geography_n will_v have_v be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o have_v produce_v any_o good_a geographer_n or_o exact_a historian_n that_o make_v any_o mention_n of_o that_o troy_n build_v by_o the_o frank_n after_o they_o be_v drive_v the_o second_o time_n out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n this_o be_v exact_o the_o fable_n that_o be_v revive_v by_o the_o abbot_n trithemius_n and_o be_v by_o all_o the_o learned_a reject_v as_o a_o dream_n though_o he_o will_v fain_o have_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o he_o collect_v it_o out_o of_o the_o two_o famous_a author_n vastaldus_fw-la and_o hunibaldus_n who_o he_o make_v to_o say_v that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n some_o trojan_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o frantion_n fix_v their_o abode_n near_o the_o palus_n moeotis_n from_o whence_o be_v expel_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n they_o retire_v into_o hungary_n where_o they_o build_v the_o town_n sicambria_n which_o they_o forsake_v afterward_o to_o make_v a_o irruption_n into_o germany_n where_o they_o conquer_v the_o country_n of_o the_o old_a sicambrian_n which_o they_o possess_v till_o the_o year_n 420_o when_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o vandal_n visigoth_n and_o burgundian_n they_o spread_v first_o into_o gaul_n and_o come_v to_o settle_v into_o gueldria_n but_o that_o after_o have_v get_v several_a victory_n and_o drive_v the_o burgundian_n and_o visigoth_n from_o their_o conquest_n they_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o gaul_n all_o which_o agree_v with_o the_o romance_n which_o the_o cistercian_n monk_n have_v give_v we_o 18._o and_o wherewith_o he_o have_v also_o set_v off_o another_o romance_n to_o wit_n the_o contexuit_fw-la martyrdom_n of_o geryon_n and_o some_o other_o theb_n soldier_n now_o shall_v we_o after_o all_o this_o depend_v upon_o cardinal_n baronius_n who_o cite_v helinaud_n with_o such_o high_a commendation_n call_v he_o a_o famous_a writer_n who_o take_v every_o thing_n he_o write_v out_o of_o very_o ancient_a monument_n and_o draw_v they_o up_o into_o a_o compendious_a history_n five_o we_o have_v former_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v very_o ordinary_a for_o impostor_n to_o thwart_v and_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o we_o must_v here_o again_o make_v the_o same_o remark_n because_o in_o the_o agaunian_a tragedy_n we_o see_v none_o but_o liar_n and_o cheat_n appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n the_o counterfeit_a st._n eucherius_n say_v not_o one_o word_n there_o of_o those_o cohort_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n detach_v from_o maximian_o army_n and_o send_v down_o the_o rhine_n to_o join_v the_o body_n which_o be_v assemble_v against_o carausius_n but_o according_a to_o his_o act_n the_o whole_a theb._n legion_n be_v at_o agaunum_n and_o suffer_v there_o for_o he_o say_v that_o maximian_n by_o one_o sentence_n condemn_v etc._n all_o the_o theb._n soldier_n and_o the_o more_o effectual_o to_o put_v his_o sentence_n in_o execution_n he_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v surround_v by_o several_a body_n of_o his_o other_o legio_n soldier_n and_o thus_o say_v he_o that_o true_o angelical_a legion_n be_v slay_v but_o if_o we_o believe_v helinaud_n the_o whole_a legion_n be_v not_o at_o agaunum_n for_o a_o great_a detachment_n have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o it_o against_o carausius_n and_o geryon_n be_v martyr_a near_o colen_n with_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o soldier_n while_o victor_n have_v in_o another_o place_n the_o same_o destiny_n with_o the_o three_o hundred_o &_o thirty_o who_o accompany_v he_o add_v to_o these_o the_o nine_o who_o suffer_v martyrdom_n near_o bonne_fw-fr and_o you_o shall_v find_v that_o after_o helinaud_n own_o reckon_n six_o hundred_o fifty_o nine_o suffer_v in_o other_o place_n then_o at_o agaunum_n where_o the_o supposititious_a st._n eucherius_n affrm_v the_o whole_a legion_n to_o have_v be_v barbarous_o slay_v but_o sixthly_a because_o these_o two_o city_n colen_n and_o bonne_fw-fr desirous_a to_o maintain_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o martyr_n and_o the_o worship_n which_o be_v pay_v to_o they_o may_v replay_n that_o st._n eucherius_n in_o his_o relation_n have_v follow_v the_o ordinary_a use_n of_o give_v the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o that_o what_o he_o say_v do_v not_o destroy_v the_o account_n give_v by_o helinaud_n viz._n that_o maximian_n upon_o his_o march_n into_o gaul_n to_o suppress_v the_o bagaudian_a insurection_n understand_v that_o carausius_n have_v revolt_v and_o threaten_v the_o confine_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o he_o divide_v his_o army_n and_o send_v part_n of_o it_o with_o all_o speed_n against_o this_o rebel_n we_o object_n that_o this_o answer_n and_o the_o account_n of_o helinaud_n suppose_v that_o the_o revolt_v of_o the_o bagaud_n and_o of_o carausius_n happen_v both_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n which_o supposition_n can_v be_v prove_v for_o eutropius_n and_o orosius_n who_o without_o doubt_n be_v better_o inform_v than_o helinaud_n concern_v these_o two_o event_n do_v exact_o distinguish_v they_o both_o of_o they_o say_v that_o carausius_n do_v not_o begin_v to_o move_v till_o after_o the_o bagaudian_a insurrection_n be_v over_o occupavit_fw-la and_o eutropius_n have_v speak_v of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n and_o of_o the_o disorder_n cause_v by_o the_o bagaud_n add_v that_o after_o that_o time_n carausius_n a_o man_n of_o a_o very_a low_a and_o vile_a extraction_n etc._n etc._n take_v the_o purple_a and_o possess_v himself_o of_o britain_n etc._n orosius_n place_n these_o two_o event_n in_o the_o same_o order_n as_o eutropius_n say_v that_o maximian_n defeat_v the_o bagaud_n and_o easy_o disperse_v their_o ill_n discipline_v army_n and_o that_o after_o this_o expedition_n carausius_n begin_v to_o stir_v 116._o therefore_o father_n pagi_n have_v put_v the_o bagaudian_a insurrection_n in_o max._n the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285_o refer_v the_o revolt_n of_o carausius_n to_o the_o follow_a year_n which_o the_o famous_a henry_n noris_n place_n yet_o a_o whole_a year_n late_a viz._n in_o 287_o and_o though_o these_o two_o learned_a man_n do_v not_o agree_v about_o the_o time_n that_o maximianus_n herculeus_n be_v make_v augustus_n nevertheless_o they_o both_o say_v that_o
the_o trouble_n in_o gaul_n be_v end_v before_o carausius_n form_v any_o enterprise_n against_o the_o empire_n this_o aurelius_n victor_n be_v peremptory_a in_o and_o no_o man_n that_o read_v he_o can_v doubt_v of_o it_o bagaudian_n for_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o war_n he_o add_v that_o in_o the_o same_o praefecere_fw-la war_n carausius_n a_o citizen_n of_o menapia_n distinguish_v himself_o with_o so_o much_o gallantry_n and_o valour_n that_o the_o esteem_n and_o great_a reputation_n he_o acquire_v and_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v conceive_v of_o his_o be_v a_o good_a officer_n as_o have_v bear_v arm_n from_o his_o youth_n be_v motive_n to_o the_o roman_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o he_o to_o fit_v out_o their_o navy_n and_o to_o clear_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o german_a pirate_n then_o swarm_v in_o those_o part_n from_o which_o word_n of_o aurelius_n victor_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o carausius_n make_v war_n with_o maximian_n against_o the_o bagaud_n and_o so_o signalise_v himself_o by_o his_o illustrious_a action_n as_o move_v the_o roman_n to_o entrust_v he_o with_o their_o naval_a force_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o till_o afterward_o that_o be_v inform_v they_o suspect_v he_o and_o have_v resolve_v his_o ruin_n he_o declare_v open_o against_o the_o empire_n put_v on_o the_o purple_a and_o invade_v britain_n so_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o bagaudian_a revolt_n be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o that_o of_o carausius_n now_o since_o this_o carausius_n be_v personal_o in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o imperial_a troop_n employ_v in_o the_o war_n against_o the_o bagaud_n it_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o monk_n helinaud_n be_v gross_o mistake_v in_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v we_o that_o maximian_n in_o his_o march_n against_o the_o bagaud_n detach_v some_o cohort_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n against_o carausius_n who_o at_o that_o time_n threaten_v to_o invade_v the_o frontier_n of_o the_o empire_n chap._n xviii_o that_o no_o writer_n for_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o maximian_n have_v make_v any_o mention_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n 375._o cardinal_n baronius_n in_o his_o note_n on_o the_o roman_a martyrology_n observe_v that_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v among_o its_o martyr_n one_o mauritius_n and_o his_o companion_n who_o at_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n persecution_n suffer_v death_n at_o apamea_n a_o city_n of_o syria_n he_o further_o say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o mauritius_n who_o be_v chief_a of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n that_o the_o martyr_n of_o apamea_n be_v the_o agaunian_a martyr_n and_o that_o former_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o that_o opinion_n condemn_v metaphrastes_n for_o have_v confound_v the_o eastern_a with_o the_o western_a martyr_n and_o add_v 8._o that_o he_o be_v persuade_v to_o the_o contrary_a by_o read_v a_o place_n of_o theodoretus_n bishop_n of_o cyr_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o most_o eminent_a martyr_n that_o be_v come_v to_o his_o knowledge_n it_o will_v here_o be_v superfluous_a either_o to_o examine_v this_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n or_o the_o reason_n which_o induce_v baronius_n to_o change_v his_o opinion_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o by_o this_o learned_a cardinal_n be_v own_o confession_n we_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o he_o think_v that_o mauritius_n and_o his_o companion_n be_v martyr_v at_o apamea_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o he_o look_v upon_o eucherius_n relation_n to_o be_v fabulous_a and_o that_o the_o latin_a writer_n design_v to_o do_v service_n to_o the_o western_a church_n have_v remove_v the_o scene_n of_o this_o tragedy_n from_o syria_n into_o the_o alps._n we_o can_v pretend_v to_o know_v certain_o the_o motive_n which_o baronius_n have_v then_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n nevertheless_o there_o be_v some_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o one_o of_o those_o which_o make_v the_o strong_a impression_n upon_o he_o be_v the_o universal_a silence_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n for_o above_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o this_o legion_n be_v cut_v to_o piece_n at_o agaunum_n for_o indeed_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n be_v so_o considerable_a a_o event_n that_o have_v such_o a_o thing_n ever_o be_v it_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o above_o a_o hundred_o place_n of_o church_n history_n and_o can_v any_o pertinent_a reason_n of_o this_o general_a silence_n be_v assign_v those_o who_o believe_v that_o a_o woman_n possess_v the_o roman_a see_v between_o the_o time_n of_o leo_n the_o iv_o and_o bennet_n the_o iii_o have_v something_o to_o answer_v to_o those_o who_o as_o a_o argument_n against_o it_o press_v the_o church_n silence_n for_o above_o two_o hundred_o year_n viz._n to_o the_o time_n of_o marianus_n scotus_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o who_o speak_v of_o pope_n joan._n to_o which_o they_o reply_v that_o those_o be_v very_o ignorant_a and_o barbarous_a age_n wherein_o writer_n be_v very_o scarce_o and_o that_o though_o some_o few_o of_o they_o may_v be_v find_v yet_o the_o matter_n they_o handle_v have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o succession_n of_o pope_n that_o perhaps_o those_o who_o treat_v of_o it_o be_v by_o the_o care_n and_o industry_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whole_o suppress_v or_o else_o have_v perish_v by_o the_o same_o misfortune_n that_o have_v ravish_v from_o we_o so_o many_o other_o work_v that_o hincmarus_n photius_n and_o the_o defender_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o emperor_n against_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n hildebrand_n and_o nicholas_n have_v always_o spare_v the_o chair_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n what_o other_o reason_n they_o give_v for_o this_o silence_n may_v be_v see_v in_o that_o excellent_a treatise_n concern_v pope_n joan_n late_o publish_v by_o mr._n spanheim_n but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o substantial_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v for_o the_o silence_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n concern_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n till_o about_o the_o time_n of_o gregory_n of_o tours_n viz._n almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o maximian_n expedition_n into_o gaul_n for_o have_v there_o be_v any_o ground_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n two_o sort_n of_o writer_n will_v have_v undoubted_o speak_v of_o it_o viz._n either_o those_o preacher_n who_o have_v make_v homily_n or_o sermon_n upon_o the_o martyr_n or_o else_o the_o compiler_n of_o chronology_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n we_o have_v still_o a_o great_a number_n remain_v of_o the_o sermon_n of_o those_o father_n who_o live_v two_o hundred_o year_n after_o maximian_n empire_n and_o which_o be_v either_o upon_o all_o martyr_n in_o general_a or_o some_o martyr_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o we_o have_v lose_v methodius_n discourse_n upon_o the_o martyr_n except_o only_o a_o fragment_n of_o it_o transmit_v to_o we_o by_o theodoret_n the_o panegyric_n of_o martyr_n by_o 37._o phileas_n a_o egyptian_a bishop_n mention_v by_o st._n jerom_n in_o his_o book_n of_o church-writer_n the_o treatise_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o christian_n by_o james_n surname_v the_o wise_a whereof_o gennadius_n speak_v with_o great_a commendation_n a_o letter_n of_o st._n jerom_n upon_o the_o suffering_n of_o martyr_n address_v to_o chromatius_n and_o heliodorus_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o cassiodorus_n a_o treatise_n of_o vigilius_n in_o praise_n of_o martyr_n and_o a_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o martyr_n among_o the_o barbarian_n cite_v by_o gennadius_n and_o though_o these_o and_o several_a like_o write_n be_v now_o lose_v yet_o if_o the_o author_n of_o they_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n doubtless_o some_o footstep_n of_o it_o will_v be_v see_v in_o the_o remain_a writer_n of_o those_o time_n who_o have_v occasion_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o work_n methodius_n write_v about_o the_o year_n 290_o phileas_n bishop_n of_o thinus_fw-la in_o egypt_n be_v behead_v in_o the_o year_n 311_o under_o the_o persecution_n of_o maximian_n and_o have_v they_o speak_v of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n lactantius_n who_o flourish_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o century_n must_v in_o all_o probability_n have_v know_v something_o of_o it_o but_o beside_o lactantius_n be_v a_o italian_a bear_v and_o call_v into_o gaul_n by_o constantine_n for_o the_o education_n of_o his_o son_n crispuâ—_n it_o be_v very_o unlikely_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v whole_o unacquainted_a with_o so_o remarkable_a a_o event_n as_o that_o of_o the_o agaunian_a martyrdom_n which_o may_v have_v happen_v but_o thirty_o year_n before_o and_o have_v he_o know_v any_o thing_n thereof_o it_o will_v have_v
more_o exact_a and_o copious_a than_o any_o that_o have_v appear_v before_o for_o he_o think_v that_o st._n jerom_n and_o beda_n have_v handle_v this_o matter_n too_o careless_o and_o it_o be_v even_o report_v that_o the_o emperor_n charles_n the_o bald_a to_o who_o he_o dedicate_v his_o book_n have_v set_v he_o at_o work_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o he_o do_v every_o thing_n answerable_a to_o the_o zeal_n of_o his_o age_n for_o martyr_n and_o relic_n which_o notwithstanding_o his_o diligence_n and_o all_o the_o care_n he_o take_v can_v effect_v no_o more_o than_o the_o discovery_n which_o he_o make_v of_o two_o other_o theb._n soldier_n namely_o cassius_n and_o florentius_n who_o be_v also_o record_v by_o helinand_n but_o further_o have_v it_o pass_v for_o current_n at_o that_o time_n that_o the_o three_o saint_n in_o st._n maximus_n sermon_n be_v theb._n soldier_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o they_o can_v have_v escape_v the_o diligent_a search_n of_o vsuard_n if_o after_o this_o any_o one_o shall_v allege_v to_o we_o the_o life_n of_o saint_n as_o the_o legend_n of_o octavius_n aventitius_n and_o soluter_n we_o have_v no_o other_o answer_n for_o they_o but_o that_o there_o be_v none_o so_o blind_a as_o they_o that_o will_v not_o see_v but_o since_o it_o have_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o maximus_n his_o sermon_n have_v give_v we_o a_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o st._n ambrose_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v by_o without_o some_o reflection_n the_o silence_n of_o this_o father_n in_o this_o particular_a viz._n concern_v the_o theb._n legion_n and_o their_o martyrdom_n though_o in_o a_o hundred_o place_n of_o his_o work_n he_o speak_v of_o saint_n and_o famous_a martyr_n in_o general_n the_o time_n he_o live_v be_v not_o long_o after_o that_o wherein_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v cut_v off_o he_o be_v bishop_n at_o milan_n not_o very_o far_o distant_a from_o agaunum_n where_o this_o martyrdom_n be_v say_v to_o have_v happen_v and_o he_o have_v converse_v sometime_o with_o theodorus_n bishop_n of_o octodurum_n or_o martigni_n where_o agaunum_n be_v situate_v both_o these_o bishop_n be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o aquileia_n assemble_v to_o give_v a_o decision_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o palladius_n and_o secundianus_n arrian_n bishop_n in_o illyria_n they_o meet_v again_o at_o milan_n where_o theodorus_n sign_v the_o letter_n which_o st._n ambrose_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n write_v to_o pope_n siricius_n concern_v the_o condemnation_n of_o jovinian_a who_o have_v utter_v blasphemous_a expression_n against_o the_o virginity_n of_o the_o bless_a mother_n of_o god_n and_o though_o the_o false_a st._n eucherius_n in_o the_o letter_n already_o relate_v do_v write_v to_o the_o bishop_n salvius_n that_o theodorus_n who_o he_o call_v vir_fw-la anterioris_fw-la temporis_fw-la have_v inform_v isaac_n bishop_n of_o geneva_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o ever_o speak_v of_o it_o to_o st._n ambrose_n see_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o in_o all_o the_o work_n of_o this_o father_n but_o let_v we_o come_v now_o to_o another_o sort_n of_o writer_n and_o ask_v the_o father_n who_o have_v compose_v chronology_n or_o church-history_n these_o perhaps_o will_v tell_v we_o something_o of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n for_o this_o be_v not_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o transaction_n as_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v overlook_v or_o lose_v among_o the_o crowd_n of_o those_o great_a event_n which_o they_o have_v to_o relate_v it_o be_v a_o memorable_a matter_n of_o fact_n worthy_a of_o their_o pen_n and_o to_o be_v recommend_v to_o posterity_n for_o it_o be_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o whole_a legion_n and_o the_o most_o famous_a historian_n of_o the_o church_n either_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o this_o suppose_a martyrdom_n or_o write_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o i_o mean_v eusebius_n socrates_n sozomen_n theodoret_n evagrius_n jerom_n orosius_n sulpitius_n severus_n if_o this_o martyrdom_n be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o have_v they_o know_v it_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v they_o will_v all_o have_v conspire_v together_o to_o leave_v we_o in_o the_o dark_a about_o it_o to_o begin_v with_o eusebius_n of_o who_o those_o who_o favour_v he_o least_o as_o joseph_n scaliger_n do_v eusebe_n yet_o agree_v that_o with_o great_a care_n he_o have_v search_v into_o the_o original_a piece_n concern_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o first_o see_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n the_o persecution_n move_v by_o enrage_a pagan_n against_o the_o primitive_a christian_a religion_n the_o many_o conflict_n of_o the_o bless_a martyr_n for_o its_o defense_n and_o the_o victory_n which_o their_o faith_n and_o constancy_n have_v obtain_v over_o infidelity_n and_o error_n st._n jerom_n or_o whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o letter_n to_o chromatius_n and_o heliodorus_n agree_v with_o the_o remark_n of_o precedent_n cousin_n upon_o the_o care_n and_o diligence_n of_o eusebius_n in_o collect_v the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n it_o be_v say_v in_o that_o letter_n that_o the_o emperor_n constantine_n at_o his_o arrival_n at_o caesarea_n permit_v eusebius_n to_o ask_v he_o whatever_o he_o have_v most_o a_o mind_n to_o and_o that_o eusebius_n desire_v he_o to_o command_v that_o they_o shall_v send_v he_o from_o all_o the_o court_n and_o tribunal_n of_o judicature_n throughout_o the_o empire_n all_o the_o process_n trial_n and_o sentence_n concern_v martyr_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v particular_o inform_v of_o their_o right_a name_n quality_n and_o number_n and_o also_o of_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o their_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o of_o the_o province_n town_n and_o day_n of_o their_o excecution_n and_o last_o with_o what_o patience_n and_o courage_n they_o have_v suffer_v their_o torment_n therefore_o antipater_n bishop_n of_o bostra_n in_o arabia_n think_v to_o obscure_v the_o glory_n and_o reputation_n of_o eusebius_n say_v in_o his_o confutation_n of_o origen_n apology_n i_o allow_v eusebius_n to_o be_v excellent_o verse_v in_o history_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n which_o he_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o but_o the_o emperor_n authority_n favour_v his_o design_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n for_o he_o to_o gather_v up_o whatever_o write_n be_v scatter_v all_o over_o the_o world_n so_o that_o eusebius_n have_v so_o many_o way_n of_o be_v imform_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyrdom_n no_o body_n can_v deny_v but_o he_o be_v a_o well_o qualify_v witness_n to_o be_v call_v and_o hear_v upon_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o because_o he_o not_o only_o be_v alive_a at_o the_o time_n of_o this_o martyrdom_n but_o of_o age_n to_o know_v what_o be_v then_o transact_v in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o constantine_n life_n he_o say_v that_o in_o his_o youth_n he_o first_o see_v this_o prince_n in_o palestina_n in_o the_o retinue_n of_o the_o emperor_n dioclesian_n and_o in_o the_o three_o book_n of_o his_o church_n history_n speak_v of_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n 〈◊〉_d he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n that_o he_o be_v raise_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n see_v therefore_o that_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n die_v in_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o gallienus_n reign_n eusebius_n his_o birth_n must_v necessary_o precede_v the_o death_n of_o this_o prince_n the_o learned_a doctor_n cave_n conjecture_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v about_o the_o year_n 270._o as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o gallienus_n death_n we_o be_v under_o great_a uncertainty_n cardinal_n baronius_n place_v it_o in_o the_o year_n 269_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n who_o will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v reign_v but_o fifteen_o year_n but_o antonio_n pagi_n be_v of_o a_o different_a opinion_n and_o think_v he_o live_v some_o few_o year_n long_o and_o this_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o medal_n of_o gallienus_n speak_v of_o by_o mezabarba_n with_o this_o inscription_n p._n m._n tr._n po._n xvi_o con._n vii_o so_o that_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o difficult_a thing_n to_o assign_v precise_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n his_o birth_n but_o it_o be_v not_o our_o business_n here_o to_o cast_v the_o horoscope_n of_o this_o father_n or_o to_o make_v a_o exact_a calculation_n of_o the_o time_n of_o his_o nativity_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o purpose_n that_o the_o circumstance_n here_o specify_v will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o eusebius_n be_v at_o least_o fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o year_n old_a when_o maximian_n go_v into_o