members all had one minde and the same readinesse of fayth the celebration of the diuinitie amonge all was one Moreouer the orderly seruice of such as gouerned the Churches and publique ministration of the holy thinges appoynted of them for the purpose comely rites and ceremonies of the Churches were celebrated â—â—â—e with psalmodies and other songes of praise deliuered vs from aboue there with diuine and misticall ministration as the secret pledges of the Lords passion were solemnized and withall men and women of euery age with all might that in them lay with cheerfull minde and will in prayer and thankesgeuing honored God the autor of all goodnes to be short the gouernours of the Churches as many as were present with solemne Sermons euery one as much as in him lay set forth and extolled the solemne meeting and assemblies There went vp into the pulpitt one among all the rest counted very sage expert in the words of God well exercised in preaching who chose a parcell of Scripture discoursed at large as it were in the gathering together of the members and vniting of the congregations whome many learned clerkes and famous Bishops hearde with quiet and atteâ—tiâ—â— eare This preacher therefore in the presence of Paulinus a Bishop that passed all other for rare and singuler gifts by whose meanes and procurement also the famous temple of Tyrus in Phoenicia was buylded with moste gorgeous furniture vttered this Sermon in such sort as followeth CAP. IIII. A solemne Sermon in prayse of the buylding of the Churches but expressly directed vnto Paulinus Bishop of Tyrus OYe friendes and Priestes of the most high God which are bewtified with holy robes and the heauenly crowne of glory with the sacred oyntment and priestly atyre of the holy ghost and thou the ornament of the newe holy temple of God which art honored of God him selfe with wisedome of auncient yeares yet hast brought to passe noble deeds and enterprises with fresh and florishing vertue to whome God him self comprehending the whole world hath graunted this great honor that thou shouldest build and repairs on earth this house vnto Christ the onely begotten and his first begotten word vnto his holy and noble spouse whome one may very wel call ether a new Beseleel chief builder of Gods tabernacle or Solomon king of a new and more mighty Ierusalem or else a new Zorâ—babel which hast purchaced farre greater glory vnto the temple of God then it had before and O you the sucklinges of the holy stocke of Christe the house of good literature the schoole of wisedome the honest and godly audiencâ— of pietye It was lawefull for vs of olde to laude God with hymnes and songes which haue heâ—â—â—â— out of holy Scripture the mainelous wonders of God and the miraculous bountifulnes of the Lorde shewed towards mankind being to this ende instructed that we should say â–ª O God vve haue heard vvith our eares our fathers haue declared vnto vs the vvorkes thou hast vvrought in their dayes of olde but nowe haue we learned it not by hearing neither by reheatsall and rumor of the high arme and heauenly hande of our God and high King but by deedes and as I may so say with the eyes them selues beholding the thinges of olde to be certayne and true we may sing an mother hynme of victory and to good purpose shoute and saye like as vve haue hearde so haue vve seene in the citye of the Lorde of hosts in the citye of our God â–ª I meane in an other citye then this lately buylded and exected vnto God vvhich is the Churche of the liuing God the piller and grounde of all trueth of the which a certayne other testimony of holy Scripture thus happely reporteth Glorious thinges are spoken of thee o thou citie of God In so much as then we are gathered by the benefitt of Almighty God through the grace of the onely begotten vnto this Churche let euery one of vs here presently assembled together prayse and laude God and with all crye and saye I vvas glad vvhen they sayd vnto me vve vvill goe vp into the house of the Lorde and agayne Lorde I haue loued the bevvty of thy house and the place vvhere thine honour dvvelleth And not onely he which sitteth but also altogether with one spirite and with one minde honoring the Lorde let vs then singe and saye greate is the Lorde and vvorthy to be praysed in the citye of our God euen vpon his holy hill for he truely is greate and his house greate highe wide and bewetifull in comparison of the sonnes of men greate is the Lorde vvhiche alone doth vvonderfull thinges greate is the Lorde doing greate thinges vnsearcheable things glorious and excellent things vvhereof there is no number great changing moments and times remouing and ordayning things raysing the poore out of the dust and lifting the needy out of the myre he hath deposed the mighty from their seates and exalted the meeke out of the earth he hath filled the hungry vvith good things and hath broken the armes of the proude thus hath he confirmed the memory of the thinges rehearsed of olde not onely to the faythfull but also vnto the Infidels it is the Lorde of all the maker of the whole worlde the Almighty the moste excellent the one and the onely God which doth wonderfull and greate thinges vnto whome we obediently doe singe a newe songe euen vnto him vvhich alone doth maruelous thinges because his mercy endureth for euer vvhich smote great Kings slevv mighty Kings because his mercy endureth for euer because that vvhen vve vvere brought lovve the Lorde vvas mindefull of vs and deliuered vs from our enemies with these prayses let vs not cease to celebrate God the vniuersall father but also the seconde person author of all goodnes exhibited vnto vs the bringer of the knowledge of God the teacher of true pietye the rooter out of the wicked the dispatcher of all tyrants the gouernour of our whole life let vs whose case was lamentable honour him sounding continewally with mouth and minde I meane our Sauiour Iesu for he alone the onely most excellent sonne of the most excellent father according vnto the will of his father wherewith he loued man most willingly like a passing cunning Phisicion for the health of the pacients tooke vpon him our nature whiche laye as it were in a bottomlesse pitt of perdicion the beholding of whome in this case was very greeuous and the handling vnpleasant and of the miseries of others he heaped vnto him selfe greate miseryes he saued not onely such as were sicke with fore botches and festered woundes but also such as laye amonge the deade he him selfe by him selfe hath deliuered vs from the moste darke dungeons of death there was not so much power geuen to any other in heauen whiche coulde without offence and vndoubtedly minister the saluation of so many castwayes but he alone tooke vpon him
of Alexandria Eusebius Bishop of Dorilaeum Peter Bishop of Alexandria Gregorie B. of Antioch Of Gaius Cornnâ—ius Iulius Liberius Bishops of Rome Of the Councels as the Synode in Palaestina and Antioch the Councel of Nice Ariminum Ephesus Chalcedon and Constantinople Of learned vvriters as Quadratus Rhodon Africanus Miltiades Apollonius Maximus Macarius Origen Euagrius and Symeon If vve be disposed to see the Emperours their Decrees Epistles Constitutions and Edicts vve may soone finde them euen froâ— Iulius Caesar the first vnto Mauricius the last vvithin the first sixe hundred yeres namely Augustus Tiberius Caligula Claudius Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasiaâ— Titus Domitian Nerua Traian Adrianus Antoninus Pius Verus Comodus Pertinax Didius Iulianus Seuerus Caracalla Macrinus Heliogabalus Alexander Maximinus Gordianus Philip Decius Gallus Aemilianus Valerianus Claudius Quintilius Aurelianus Tacitus Florianus Carus Diocletian and Maximianus CoÌ„stantius and Maximinus Constantinus Magnus and Licinius Constantinus the yonger Constantius and Constans Iulian the Apostata Iouian Valentinianus and Valens Gratian Valentinianus the yonger and Theodosius Magnus Arcadius and Honorius Theodosius iunior Martianus Leo Zeno Anastasius Iustinus Iustinianus Iustinus the 2. Tiberius and Mauricius VVe may see the Bishops hovve they gouerned Ministers hovv they taught Synodes vvhat they decreed Ceremonies hovv they crept into the Church Heresies hovv they rose and vvere rooted out If vve stande vpon the Theater of Martyrs and there beholde the valiant vvrastlers and inuincible champions of Christ Iesu hovv can vve chuse but be rauished vvith zeale vvhen vve see the professors of the truth torne in peeces of vvilde beastes crucified beheaded stoned stifled beaten to death vvith cudgels fried to the bones slaine aliue burned to ashes hanged on gibbettes drovvned brained scurged maimed quartered their neckes broken their legges savved of their tongues cutte their eyes pulled out and the emptie place seared vvith scalding iron the vvrapping of them in oxe hides vvith dogges and snakes and drovvned in the sea the inioyning of them to kill one an other the gelding of Christians the paring of their flesh vvith sharpe rasors the renting of their sides vvith the lashe of the vvhip the pricking of their vaines vvith bodkins and famishing of them to death in deepe and noysome dungeons It is a vvonder to see the zeale of their prayers their charitie tovvards all men their constancie in torment and their confidence in Christ Iesus These be they vvhome S. Iohn in his Apocalypse savve in a vision vnder the altare that vvere Martyred for the vvord of God and the testimonie of Christ Iesus vvhich cried vvith a loud voyce saying Hovve long tariest thou Lord holy and true to iudge and to aueÌ„ge our bloude on them that dvvell on the earth And long vvhite garments vvere geuen vnto euery one of them and it vvas sayd vnto them that they should rest yet for a litle season vntill their felovve seruaunts and their brethern that should be killed as they vvere vvere fulfilled The Angell telleth him vvho they vvere that vvere arayed in long vvhite garmentes and vvhence they came saying these are they vvhich came out of great tribulation and haue vvashed their long robes and made them vvhite by the bloude of the Lambe therfore are they in the presence of the throne of God and serue him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth in the throne vvill dvvell among them They shall hunger no more neither thurst and God shall vvipe avvay all teares from their eyes Very comfortable vvordes But the executioners the tyrantes and tormentours hearts vvere so hardened that neither voyces from aboue nor signes in the â—er threatning vengeance and the vvrath of God to light vpoÌ„ them neither the svvetting of stones nor the monsters that the earth brought forth could mollifie their stonie mindes The sea ouerflovved the land the earth opened and left daungerous gulphes Earthquakes ouerthrevve their Tovvnes and Cities fire burned their houses yet vvoulde they not leaue of their furie They vvere as S. Paul sayeth turned into a reprobate sense they left no villanie vnpractised in the ende many of them fell into frensie and madnes they ranne them selues vpon naked svvordes they brake their ovvne neckes they hanged them selues they tumbled them selues headlong into riuers they cutte their ovvne throtes and diuersly dispatched them selues This is the viall full of the vvrathe of God vvhich the Angell in the reuelation povvred vpon the vvaters and the voyce that folovved after may very vvell be spoken of them O Lord vvhich art and vvast thou art righteous and holy because thou hast geuen such iudgements for they haue shed out the bloud of Saincts and Prophets and therefore hast thou geuen them bloud to drinke for they haue deserued it The aforesaid Martyrs gaue forth godly sayings diuine precepts for the posteritie they sealed their doctrine vvith their ovvne bloude they spared not their liues vnto the death they are gone before they shevved vs the vvay to follovv after these good Christian reader vvith other things are to be seene throughout these Histories The Chapiters in the Greeke vvere in many places very small if I shoulde haue follovved the Greeke diuision then had I left much vvast paper I haue sometimes ioyned tvvo or three together some other times taken them as they lay yet vvhere I altered the diuision I noted in the marge the number of the Greeke Chapiters There is no raigne of any Emperour no storie almost vvorthie the noting but thou hast in the marge the yeare of the Lord for the better vnderstanding therof VVhatsoeuer I found in the Greeke vvere it good or bad that haue I faithfullie vvithout any parcialitie at all laide dovvne in English VVherfore if ought be vvell done geue the praise vnto God let the paines be mine and the profit the Readers PSAL. 113. Non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam The life of Eusebius Pamphilus out of Sainct Ierome EVSEBIVS Bishop of Caesarea in Palaestina one that was very studious in holy scripture and a diligent searcher together with Pamphilus martyr of the diuine librarie wrote infinite volumes and amongest others these which followe Of Euangelicall preparation 15 bookes as preparatiues for such as were to learne the doctrine of the Gospel Of Euangelical demonstration 20 bookes where he proueth and confirmeth the doctrine of the newe Testament with a confutation of the aduersarie Of diuine apparition 5 bookes Of the Ecclesiasticall historie 10 bookes Of Chronicall Canons a generall recitall with an Epitome thereof Of the disagreeing of the Euangelists tenne bookes vpon the Prophet Esay against Porphyrius who wrote then in Sicilia as some doe thinke 30 bookes whereof onely twentie came to my handes One booke of Topiks An Apologie or defence of Origen in 6 books The life of Pamphilus in three books Of martyres certaine other books Vpon the 150 Psalmes very learned commentaries with sundry other workes He florished chiefly vnder the Emperour Constantinus Magnus and Constantius
victorie Then the Gentiles fled to Alexandria and as many Ievves as they founde there they tooke executed The Ievves which wandred throughout Cyren a region of Aegypt being destitute of ayde spoyled the countrey of corne and cattell hauing one Lucas to their captaine against whome the Emperour sent Marcus Turbo with a great power of footemen and horsemen by lande and a nauye by sea who nether in shorte space nether without long cruell warres slewe many millions of the Ievves not onely of them of Cyrene but also of the Aegyptians which ayded their King captaine Lucas The Emperour also suspecting the Ievves which inhabited Mesopotamia lest that they traiterously shoulde ioyne with the other commaunded Lucius Quintius to banish them the prouince who hauing gathered an hoaste marched towardes them and ioyning with them slewe a greate multitude of the Ievves there abiding for the which facte he was appointed by the Emperour president of Iudaea These thinges haue the Heathen historiographers then liuing paynted for the knowledge of the posteritie folowinge CAP. III. Of them which in the raigne of Adrian published Apologies in the defence of the fayth WHen Traian had raigned twentie yeares six moneths excepted Aelius Adrianus succeded him in the Empire Unto whome Quadratus dedicated a booke intitled an Apologie of the Christian fayth for certain spitefull and malicious meÌ„ went about to molest the Christians This booke is as yet extant among diuerse of the brethren a coppye thereof remayneth with vs. By the which we may perceaue vnderstande the markes of this man to be according vnto the true vnderstanding and the right rule of the Apostolicke doctrine That he was of the auncient elders it may be gathered by his owne testimony where he writeth thus The vvorkes of our Sauiour vvere manifest and open for they vvere true such as vvere healed raysed from the dead vvere not onely healed and raysed in sight and outvvarde shevve but they continually constantly remayned such in deede Nether liued they onely the tyme our Sauiour had his abode here on earth but a longe time after his ascention yea and a numbre of them vnto our time Suche a man was Quadratus Aristides likewise a faythfull man one that laboured for the furtherance of godlines published an Apologie as Quadratus did before of the Christian fayth with a dedicatorie epistle vnto Adrian the Emperour which booke of his is read in many handes at this daye CAP. IIII. Of the Bishoppes of Rome and Alexandria vnder Adrian THe third yere of this Emperours raygne Alexander bishop of Rome after that he had gouerned tenne yeres departed this life whome Xystus succeded And about that time Primus byshop of Alexandria when he had preached there twelue yeres dyed after whome Iustus succeeded CAP. V. The number and the names of the Bishops of Ierusalem from our Sauiour vnto the 18. yere of Adrian THe yeares of the bishopes of Ierusalem I find wrytten no where It is sayd they liued a shorte time Onely out of certaine bookes I haue learned that vntill the destruction of the Ievves vnder Adrian there were fifteene byshops of Ierusalem successiuely all which they say by auncient lyne to haue bene Hebrevves and sincerely to haue embraced the word of God and there to haue bene thought worthy to rule by such as then could well discerne such thinges The church then stoode flourished through the faithfull Hebrevves which continued from the Apostles vnto y â— Calamity in the which the Ievves rebelling againe vnder the Romaines with no small warres were ouerthrowne because that then the byshops of y â— circumcision fayled I thinke it necessary to name them from the originall The first was Iames called the brother of the Lord the second Symâ—on the third Iustus the fourth Zachâ—us the fift Tobias y â— sixt Beniamin the seuenth Iohn the eight Matthias y â— ninth Philip the teÌ„th Sâ—nnecas the eleuenth Iustus the twelfe Leui the thirteneth Ephrem the fourteneth Ioseph the fifteneth last of all Iudas So many bishops were there of Ierusalem from the Apostles tymes vnto the sayd Iudas all of the circumcision In the twelf yeare of the raigne of Adrian after that Xystus had ben bishop of Rome tenne yeares Telesphorus succeded him being the seuenth from the Apostles After a yeare fewe moneths Eumenes was chosen byshop of Alexandria the sixt by succession when as his predecessour had gouerned that church eleuen yeares CAP. VI. The last besieging of the Iewes in the time of Adrian WHen as the Jewish rebellion waxed vehement and greuous Ruffus Liuetenant of Iudaea being sente with a great power from the Emperour fiercely withstood their furie And forthwith slewe an innumerable multitude of men women children destroying as by law of armes it was lawfull their regiâ—s contries The Ievves theÌ„ had to their capitain one called Barchochebas which be interpretation is a starre a man otherwise giueÌ„ to murther theft Which alluding to his name lyed shamefully saying y â— he was come froÌ„ heauen as a light to shine comfortably in the face of the Ievves now oppressed with slauery and bondage afflicted to death When the warres in the eighteneth yeare of the emperour Adrian waxed hott about the towne Beththera well fortifyed neither farre distant belonging to Ierusalem the slege lasting longer then was looked for and the rash raysers of sedition by reason of famine were redy to yelde vp the last gaspe and the guide of this vngodly dealing had receaued due vnto his desert as Aristion Pâ—llâ—us writteth this whole nation was vanished that towne and generally the whole contrey of Ierusalem by the lawes decrees and specially the constitutions of Adrian so that by his commaundement it was not lawfull for these seely soules to behould their natiue soyle no not through the least chinke of the dore This citie then at the vtter ruyne of the Jewish nation and the manifold ouerthrowe of auncient inhabitours being brought to confusion began to be inhabited of straunge nations and after that it was subdued to the Romaine empire the name was quite changed for vnto y â— honour of the conquerour Aelius Adrianus it was called Aelia And the church being gathered there of the Gentiles Marke was first byshop there after them of the circumcision When as the churches of God now shined as starres throughout the world and the faith of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesu flourished Sathan enimie to all honesty as a sworne aduersary to the trueth and mans health and saluation impugneth the churche with all meanes possible arming himself against hir with outward persecution then depriued of that vsed the ayde of subtle sorcerers and sleyghty inglers as fitt instrumeÌ„ts and authors of perditioÌ„ to the destruction of seely soules Which sorcerers iuglers bearing the same name title and in shewe professinge the same doctrine with vs by his subtle inuention might the sooner snare
sure the Gods are not so secure but that they disclose hurtfull persons For these men punishe such as vvil not vvorship the Gods more greuously then you doe vvhich thus vexe them and confirme the opinion vvhich they conceaue of you to be Atheists or godlesse men It is their desire in Gods quarell rather to dye then to lyue so that they become conquerers yeldinge their liues vnto the deathe rather then they obey your edictes It shall seeme very necessarye to admonishe you of the earthquakes vvhich haue and doe happen among vs that being thervvith moued ye may compare our estate vvith theirs They haue more confidence godvvardes then you haue you during the tyme of your ignorance despise other Gods contemne the religion of the immortal God banish the Christians vvhich vvorship him persecute them vnto the death In the behalfe of these men many of the prouinciall Presidentes haue vvritten heretofore vnto our father of famous memory vvhome he aunsvvered in vvriting againe that they vvere not to be longer molested vnlesse they had practised treason agaynst the Romayne empire many haue giuen notice vnto vs of the same matter vvhom vve aunsvvered as our father did before vs. If any therefore hereafter be founde thus busied in other mens affayres vve commaund that the accused be absolute free though he be founde such a one I meane faulty and that the accuser be greeuously punished This edict was proclaymed at Ephesus in the hearing of the greate assembly of Asia witnesse hereof is Meliton Bishop of Sardis which florished at y e time in his profitable Apologie for our doctrine deliuered vnto the Emperour Verus CAP. XIIII Of Polycarpus Bishop of Smyrna IRenaeus reporteth that while Anicetus was Bishop of Rome Polycarpus as yet liued and came to Rome and questioned with Anicetus â–ª concerning the day of Easter An other thinge yet he reporteth of Polycarpus in his thirde booke against heresies which needefully must here be annexed Polycarpus sayth he vvas not only instructed by the Apostles and conuersant vvith many vvhich savve Christe but also of the Apostles ordayned Bishop of Smyâ—na in Asia â–ª vvhome vve in our youthe haue also seene for he lyued long and vvas very olde and at lengthe finished this lyfe vvith moste glorious â–ª and renovvned Martyrdome â–ª vvhen he had continually taught that he learned of the Apostles vvhich the Churche at this daye deliuereth for vndoubted trueth All the Churches of Asia and as many vnto this daye as succeeded him in that seae beare vvitnesse that Polycarpus vvas vvorthier of credit thâ—n Valentinus Marcion then the vvhole rabble of peruerse people For he being 〈◊〉 Rome in conference vvith Anicetus conuerted many of the foresayd Heretickes vnto the Church of God preaching the one and onely trueth receaued of the Apostles and deliuered by the Churche There be yet aliue vvhich hearde him reporting hovve that Iohn the Disciple of Christ entring into a bath at Ephesus to bayne him selfe and spying vvithin the Hereticke Cerinthus departed the bath vnbayned and sayd Let vs departe hence lest the bath fall vvherein Cerinthus the svvorne enemy of the trueth bayneth him selfe And Polycarpus on a tyme meeting Marcion face to face vvhich sayd vnto him knovve vs aunsvvered I knovve thee for the firste begotten sonne of Satan So zelous vvere the Apostles and their Disciples that they communicated not in vvorde vvith the corrupters of the trueth according vnto that of Paul eschevv him that is an Hereticke after the first and seconde admonition knovving that such a one is peruerse and condemned a sinner by the testimony of his ovvne conscience There is extant an epistle of Polycarpus vnto the Philippians very profitable for such as are carefull of their saluation vvhere they may knovve the true character of fayth and the right rule of doctrine So farre Irenaeus Polycarpus in the foresayde Epistle vnto the Philippians at this daye extant alleadgeth testimonyes out of the former Epistle of Peter When that Antoninus syrnamed Pius had ended twenty and two yeares in the Romayne Empire Marcus Aurelius Verus and Antoninus his sonne togither with Lucius his brother succeeded him CAP. XV. The martyrdome of Polycarpus and diuers other Sainctes in Smyrna vnder Verus the Emperour WHen Asia was visited with greate persecution Polycarpus was crowned with martyrdome I suppose it necessary to penne in this our historye his ende which at this daye is published in writing The Epistle is in the person of the Churche where he was President vnto the Parishes throughout Pontus signifying the circumstance about Polycarpus in this sorte The Church of God which is at Smyrna vnto the Church at Philomilium and vnto all the congregations of the holy Catholicke Church throughout Pontus mercy to you peace and the loue of God the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ be multiplyed VVe haue vvritten vnto you brethren of such as suffred martyrdome and of blessed Polycarpus vvho signed and sealed this persecution vvith his ovvne bloud And before they make relation of Polycarpus they rehearse the constancy and pacience of other Martyrs saying The behoulders vvere amazed seeing the flesh of the Martyrs rent vvith scurges euen into the inner vaynes and sinovves so that the most secret entrayles of their bodies their bovvels invvard priuityes vvere piteously to be seene Behoulding againe the sharpe shells of sea fishe pimple stones stravved vnder the Martyrs backes and brused bodies vvith euery kinde of torment that could be deuised Last of all throvvn to be torne in peeces and deuoured of vvilde beastes Specially they wrote of Germanicus that he valiantly endured and ouercame through the grace of God that corporall feare of death graffed in the frayle nature of man For when as the Proconsull exhorted him to relent admonished him of his tender yeares prayed him to pitye his owne case being nowe in the flowre of his youth â–ª He without intermission entyâ—ed the beaste to deuoure him yea constrayned and compelled that with speede he might be dispatches of this wrongfull and wicked life Which patience and constancye of the blessed Marâ—â—â— â–ª and of the whole Christian nation the multitude of Inâ—â—dels behoulding sodainly began to shoâ—â—â— â—â—â—oue the vvicked seeke out Polycarpus And when there was a great tumuâ—â—e raysed by reason of this clamor a certaine Phrygian by name Quintus lately come out of Phrygia trembled at the flerâ—e rage of the terrible beasts and shrinked at the sight of their grimme visage and betrayd his owne safety with his slacknes of courage For the same epistle testifieth of him that he personally appeared together with the rest before the barre more of rashues then of any religion and being taken be publickly protested that none ought to intruâ—e him selfe amonge such men without good deuotion neither intermedle in mâ—â—â—â—â—s wherewith he hath not to doe But of these men thus much Toutching the renowned Polycarpus they write that he hearing the report of this
communicated his diuine and godly labour and industry not onely to such as were his charge but also to strangers shewing himself most profitable vnto all people by those Catholicke epistles which he directed vnto the Churches of which numbre is that epistle written by him vnto the Lacedaemonians â–ª contayning y e right institution of christian peace vnitie Moreouer his epistle wrytt vnto the Athenians stirreth the mindes of faythfull men vnto the embracing of the trueth and euangelicall conuersation of life repâ—enâ—endeth the gainesayers despisers thereof chargeth diuerse of them that they were now in manner fallen from the fayth although Publius there bishop in their time had there bene martyred He remembreth Quadratus the successor of Publius after his martyrdome in the byshoprick testifieth of him that by his meanes they were vnited and stirred to the fayth He sheweth moreouer howe that Dionysius Areopagita conuerted vnto the fayth according vnto that which is wrytten in the Actes of the Apostles â–ª was by Paul placed the first byshop of Athens There is extant also an other epistle of his vnto the Nicomedians where repugninge the heresie of Marcion he fortifieth the right rule of fayth And vnto the Churche of the Gortynenses together with other congregations throughout Creta he wryteth commending Philip there byshope for that the Church committed vnto his charge was beautified and bedecked by the proufe of many vertuous properties warninge withall that they should auoide the wilfulnes of peruerse heretickes And wryting to the Church of Amastris together with the rest throughout Pontus he mentioneth Bachilides and Elpistus at whose instant motion he wrote and Galma there byshop interlacing expositions of sundry places of Scripture He admonisheth them at large toutching mariage and virginitieâ— commaundinge also to receaue after repentance such as fell how soeuer it happened eyther of purpose or by heretical perswasioÌ„ Unto this there is annexed an epistle vnto the Gnosij where theyr byshope Pinytus is admonished not to charge necessarily the brethren with the greuous burthen of vowed chastitie but to haue consideration of the frail imbecillity of many natures vnto the which epistle Pinytus making answere extolleth commendeth Dionysius yet agayne by way of admonition requireth that stronger meat beinge deliuered he fead the flocke coÌ„mitted vnto his charge with more absolute and profound doctrine least that they lingering in their milkesoppes and smothe exhortacions waxe old through negligence in childish nurture In the which epistle of Pinytus the right rule of fayth diligent care for the saluation of his flocke discretion also vnderstanding of holy scripture is liuely set forth last of all there remaineth an epistle of Dionysius vnto the Romaines namely vnto Soter their byshop whereof if we alleage some parte it shall not seeme impertinent where he commendeth the Romaine manner obserued vnto the persecution of our time wryting thus It hath bene your accustomed manner euen from the beginning diuersely to benefitt all the brethren and to send relief throughout the citie supplying the vvant of the poore by refreshing them in this sorte and specially the vvante of the brethren appointed for slauishe drudgerie and digging of mettalls you Romaynes of old do retaine the fatherly affection of Rome vvhich holy Soter your bishop not onely obserued but also augmented ministringe large and liberall relief to the vse of the sainctes embracing louingly the conuerted brethren as a father doth his sonnes vvith exhortation of vvholsome doctrine Here also he remembreth y â— epistle of Clemens wrytten to the Corinthians shewing the same of auncieÌ„t custome to haue bene read in the Church for thus be writeth VVe haue this day solemnized the holy sunday in the vvhich vve haue read your epistle alvvaies vvill for instructions sake euen as vve do the former of Clemens vvritten vnto vs. The same author reporteth of his owne epistles that they were patched corrupted in these words VVhen I vvas intreated of the brethren to vvrite I vvrote certaine Epistles but the messengers of Satan haue sovven them vvith tares pulling avvay some putting to other some vvhose condemnation is layd vp for certaine no maruell then though some endeuored to corrupt the sacred Scriptures of God vvhen as they vvent about to counterfett such vvrytinges of so smale authoritie Yet be sides all these there is founde an other epistle of Dionysius to Chrysophora a faithfull sister where as it was most mete he ministreth vnto her spirituall foode conuenient for her calling thus much toutching Dionysius CAP. XXIII Of Theophilus byshop of Antioche and his workes OF Theophilus byshop of Antioch before meÌ„tioned there are found three bookes of ElemeÌ„tall Institutions dedicated vnto Antolicus again an other entitled Against the heresie of Hermogenes where he alleageth many testimonies out of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn there are also certaine other bookes of his intitled of Institutions but there was neuer no greater plague or pestilence then the poyson of heretickes which then infected after the manner of tares the true seede of Apostolicke doctrine whome the pastors of the Churches repelled from the flocke of Christ as if they had bene certen sauadge beastes partely by adinomtions exhortations vnto the brethren partly also by encountring with the heretickes them selues sometimes disputing and questioning with them face to face to the vtter ouerthrow of their trifling fantasies sometimes by theyr wrytten commentaries diligently confuting by way of reprehension theyr fonde opinions Among whome Theophilus together with others which then labored against theÌ„ was counted famous who also wrote a booke leaueling at Marcion the which we knowe together with the rest at this day to be extaÌ„t after the desease of this Theophilus Maximinus being the 7. from the Apostles succeeded him in the Church of Antioche CAP. XXIIII Of Philip byshop of Gortyna Irenaeus and Modestus PHilip whome by the reporte of Dionysius we haue learned to haue bene byshop of the Church of Gortyna wrote a most exquisite tract agaynst Marcion so did Irenaeus and Modestus which of all others chiefly detected his error vnto the worlde so did sundrye other learned men whose bookes are yet to be seene with diuerse of the brethren CAP. XXV Of Melito byshop of Sardis in Asia and his workes ABoute this time Melito byshop of Sardis and Apollinarius byshop of Hierapolis florished who both wrote vnto the Emperour of Rome then raygning seuerall bookes and Apologies in the behalfe of our faith whereof these of Melito his doinges came to our handes 2. bookes of Easter of Politicke conuersation and the Prophets of the church of the sundaye of the nature of man of the molde of man of the obedience of fayth of the senses Moreouer of the body and soule also of our regeneration or nevvbirth of the trueth â–ª of the faith and the natiuitie of Christ likewise a booke of his of prophecie of the soule body â–ª of hospitalitie And a booke
opportunitie or subtle shift to snare men in stirred vp againe straunge heresies to molest the Church and of those Heretickes some crept into Asia and Phrygia after the manner of venemous serpents whereof the Montanists bragge and boaste of Montanus as a comforter and of his women Priscilla and Maximilla as Prophetisses of Montanus others some preuayled at Rome whose captayne was Florinus a Priest excommunicated out of the Churche and together with him one Blastus subiect to the same daunger of soule both these haue subtly circumuented many and perswaded them to their purpose euery one seuerally establishing newe doctrine yet all contrary to the trueth CAP. XIIII The censure of the olde writers toutching Montanus and his false prophetes THe victorious and inuincible power of the trueth alwayes preuailing hath raysed vp Apollinarius of Hierapolis of whome we spake before as a stiffe and strong defence together with many other discreate persons of those tymes to the confutation of the foresayd Phrygian heresie whiche haue left behinde them matter sufficient and very copious for this our historye Wherefore one of them taking penne in hande to paynte out these heretickes signifieth at the entrance how he rebuked them with vnwritten elenches he beginneth thus It is novv a great vvhile agoe vvelbeloued Auircus Marcellus since thou diddest enioyne me this taske ▪ that I should publish some booke against the follovvers of the hereticke Miltiades vvherupon I doubted vnto this day vvhat vvas best to be done not but that I vvas able to confute their falsehoode and geue testimony vnto the trueth but that I feared greatly lest by vvriting I shoulde adde something vnto the perfect vvordes of the nevv testament vvhereto nothing may be added and vvherefro nothing may be taken avvay by him that vvill leade a life agreeable to the Gospell I being of late at Ancyra in Galatia founde the Churche throughout Pontus filled not vvith Prophets as they call them but rather as it shall be proued vvith false Prophets vvhere through the Lorde as much as in me laye I disputed in the Churche the space of many dayes against them and their seuerall obiections so that the Churche reioysed and vvas thereby confirmed in the trueth but the contrary parte yet repyned and the gaynesayers vvere very sorovvefull and vvhen the Elders of that place required of me in the presence of our fellovve minister Zoticus Otrenus that I vvould leaue them in vvriting some commentary of such things as vvere vttered against the aduersaries of the trueth At that time I did not but promised that I vvoulde shortly through the helpe of the Lorde vvrite somevvhat therof vnto them these and the like thinges layd downe in the proeme in processe of his booke he writeth thus VVherefore the originall of them and their nevve founde opinion against the Churche of God vvas after this sorte there is a certaine village in Mysia a region of Phrygia called Ardabau vvhere histories recorde that first of all one Montanus a late conuerte in the time of Gratus Proconsul of Asia pufte vp vvith an immoderate desire of primacy opened a gappe for the aduersary to enter into him and being madde and sodainly estraunged and berefte of his vvitts vvaxed furious and published straunge doctrine contrary to the tradition and custome and auncient succession novv receaued vnder the name of prophecy they vvhich then vvere auditors of this vnlavvfull preaching some chasticed checked him for a lunaticke one that vvas possessed of the spirite of error forbad him to preach being mindful of the forevvarning threatning of our Sauiour tending to this ende that vve shoulde take diligent heede of false prophets others some vvaxed insolent boasted bragged of him not a litle as if he vvere endued vvith the holy Ghost the gift of prophecye being forgtefull of the forevvarning of God they called vpon the dissembling the flattering and seducing spirite of the people by the vvhich they vvere snared deceaued that through silēce he should no more be hindred the deuil through a certain arte or rather the like subtle methode vvorking the destruction of disobedient persons being more honored thē his merit did require stirred vp kindled their mindes svvarued already from the faith slumbring in sinne so that he raised tvvo vvomen possessed of a foule spirit vvhich spake fonde foolish fanaticall thinges euen as he had before they reioyced gloried in the spirite vvhich pronounced them happy and puffed them vp vvith infinite faire promises yet sometimes by signes and tokens he rebuked them to their faces so that he seemed a chasticing spirite there vvere fevve of the Phrygians seduced notvvithstanding that boulde and blinde spirite instructed them to blaspheme and reuile generally euery Church vnder heauen because they neyther did homage neyther curteously receaued amonge them that false spirite of prophecye the faithfull throughout Asia for this cause men often and in many places examined the nevve founde doctrine pronounced it for prophane ▪ they excommunicated reiected and banished this hereticall opinion out of their churches When he had written these thinges in the beginning and throughout his first booke reprehended their error in his seconde booke he writeth thus of their endes because they charge vs with the deathe of the Prophets for that vve receaue not their disordered fantasies these saye they are the Prophets vvhiche the Lorde promysed to sende his people let them aunsvvere me I charge them in the name of the liuing God ôye good people is there any one of the secte of Montanus and these vvomen vvhich hath bene persecuted by the Ievves or put to deathe by any tyrant not one of them bearing this name vvas eyther apprehended or crucyfied neyther vvas there any vvoman of them in the Synagogues of the Ievves eyther scurged or stoned at all but Montanus and Maximilla are sayde to dye an other kinde of deathe many doe vvrite that both these throughe the motion of their madde spirit not together at one tyme but at seuerall tymes hanged them selues and so ended their lyues after the manner of Indas the traytour euen as the common reporte goeth of Theodotus that iolly fellovve the first founder of their prophecye vvho being frenticke persvvaded him selfe on a certayne tyme through the spirit of error to take his flight vp into the heauens and so being caste into the ayre tombled dovvne and dyed miserably thus it is reported to haue come to passe yet in so muche vve savve it not vvith our eyes vve can not Ovvorthy Syr alleadge it for certayne vvhether Montanus Theodotus and the vvoman dyed thus orno Agayne he writeth in the same booke howe that the holy Bishops going about to rebuke the spirite which spake in Maximilla were hindered by others that wrought with the same spirite sayinge as followeth let not the spirite of Maximilla saye as it is in the Epistle to Asterius Vrbanus I am chaced as a
among the Ievves whiche were written in Hebrevve letters he searched and conferred the septuagints translation of holy scripture with others at that time extant CAP. XVI Origen compiled and sette forth the translations of holy scripture terming the one edition Tetrapla that is fourefolde the other Hexapla that is sixfolde ORigen founde certeine other translations besides the common and vulgare variyng among them selues to wete the translation of Aquila of Symachus of Theodotion â–ª which I wote not where lying hidde of a long while he searched out and set forth vnto the worlde of the which by reason they were obscure dusty mothe eaten he knewe not the authors but this onely he signified that the one he founde at Nicopolis on the shore Actiâ—eke the other in some other odd place In the sixefolde edition of the psalmes after the foure famous translations he annexed not onely the fifte but the sixte and the seuenth reportinge againe howe that he founde one of them at Hiericho in a tunne in the time of Antoninus the sonne of Seuerus These being compacted together in one volume and the pages deuided into pillers or columnes euery copie sette righte ouer against the other together with the Hebrevve he published the same and entituled it Hexapla ioyning withall seuerally the translations of Aquila of Symachus of Theodotion and of the Septuagints entituling them Tetrapla yet haue we to vnderstande that of these interpreters Symachus was an Ebionite The Ebionites opinion was recounted an heresie for that they taught Christ to be borne of Ioseph and Marie and that Christ vvas but a bareman They taught that the lavve vvas to be obserued after the Ievvishe manner as we haue learned by histories heretofore The commentaries of Symachus are at this daye extant wherein he inueyeth against the Gospell after Mathewe endeuoring to establishe vphold the foresaide 〈…〉 opinion These works of Symachus together with other traÌ„slations of holy scripture Origen tâ—porteth him selfe to haue found with a certaine woman called Iuliana which sayde that Symachus deliuered hir them to keepe CAP. XVII Origen reuoketh Ambrose from the heresie of Valentinus he professeth diuinitie and philosophie with greate admiration AT that tyme Ambrose addicted vnto the Valentinian heresie and 〈…〉 by Origen was lyghtened with the trueth whiche shyned as the sonne beames and embraced the sounde doctrine of the churche together with manie other learned men whiche resorted vnto him When the rumor was nowe euerie where bruted abrode of the fame of Origen they came to trye the trueth of his doctrine and to haue experience of his vtterauntâ— in preachinge Heretickes also very many and philosophers specially of the moste famous â–ª whereof not a fewe gaue diligent eare and attentiue heede and were instructed of him not onely in deuine but also in prophane literature as many as he perceaued towardly and sharpe wiâ—â—e◠〈…〉 them vnto philosophicall discipline expoundinge vnto them Geometrie and Arithmeticke with the other liberall artes againste the absurde opinions of philosophers he alleaged philosophers autorities and expounded them consideringe seuerally of them as by waye of commentarie so that he was renowmed famous and recounted amonge the Gentiles for a greate philosopher he perswaded also vnto the studie of the liberall artes many of them which were dull witted affirminge they shoulde thence procure vnto them selues great commoditie and helpe to the contemplation and increase of knowledge in holye scripture for he was of this opinion that the exercise of prophane and philosophicall discipline was very necessary and profitable for him selfe CAP. XVIII VVhat diuers men thought of Origen THe heathenishe philosophers who then florished are witnesses approued of his good purpose and industrie in this behalfe in whose commentaries we finde often mention made of this man wherof some haue dedicated their bookes vnto him other some haue deliuered vp their works vnto him as vnto the censure of their maister But what shall I speake of them when as Porphyrius himselfe then in Sicilia striuinge and strugglinge against vs with his bookes endeuouring to confute holy scripture remembred the interpreters thereof And beynge not able to charge neither to impugne to any purpose our doctrine any kinde of waye now voyde of reason he fell to rayling speaches and sclaundering of the expositors of which number namely he goeth about to accuse Origen whome he reporteth to haue knowen of a child yet through his vnaduised forgetfulnesse he commendeth the man sometyme reporting truely when as he coulde not otherwise chuse sometime vntruely thinking thereby to delude others and whilest that nowe he accuseth him for being a Christian anone he paynteth forth and wondereth at his singular gyfte and excellencie in philosophicall discipline heare him therefore for thus he writeth Many beyng desirous to finde out not the imperfection and impietie of Ievvishe scriptures but the resolution haue turned them selues vnto expositions not cohaerent interpretations of the scriptures inconuenient and not onely allovvinge of forged scriptures but also approuing and extollinge the commentators for they alleaging the darke speaches vvhich are sayd to be manifest in Moses and publishing them as Oracles replenished vvith hydd concealed mysteries they frame a charmed iudgement through the arrogancie of their minde and shevv forth their expositions Agayne after a fewe lynes he sayeth This is the absurde manner and guyse of that man vvith vvhome I beyng very yonge haue had conference vvho then vvas very famous and at this daye also by reason of the commentaries he lefte behinde him I meane Origen is muche spoken of vvhose greate prayse is blased farre and nyghe among the maisters and fauourers of that doctrine For vvhen he vvas the disciple of Ammonius vvho in our tyme excelled for his fame in philosophie he profited very muche vnder him beyng his maister and obtayned greate knovvledge in the sciences but as toutchinge the right institution of lyfe he tooke in hande an other trade quite kame from his for Ammonius beyng a Christian and brought vp of christian parents vvhen he had grovven into rypenesse of iudgement and the knovvledge of philosophie forthvvith he framed his trade of lyfe conformable vnto the lavves but Origen beynge a Gentile and brought vp in the sciences of the Gentiles degenerated and fell into that barbarous temeritie vvherevvith beynge taken he corrupted both him selfe and the perfection of those sciences leading a lyfe after the maner of the Christians contrary vnto the lavves according vnto their opinions of celestiall matters and of God preferring straunge fables before the science of the gentiles He continevvally perused Plato he readde ouer the vvorkes of Numenius Cronius Apollophanes Longinus Moderatus Nicomachus and the reste of the Pythagoreans counted vvise and profounde men he vvas vvel seene in Chaeremon the Stoicke and in the vvorkes of Cornutus vvhence he borovvinge of the Grecians maner the allegoricall interpretation of mysteries applyed it vnto the Ievvishe scriptures These thinges
haue contayned them He vvrote also the reuelation beyng commaunded to conceale and not to vvrite the vvordes of the seuen thunders He left behinde him an epistle comprising very fev ve verses be it that the seconde and the thirde be annexed though some take them not for his In bothe vvhiche there are not an hundreth verses Moreouer of the epistle vnto the Hebrevves in his homelyes expoundinge the same he writeth thus The character of the epistle vnto the Hebrevves setteth not forth the style of Paul vvho confessed him selfe to be rude in speache for the phrase of that epistle sauoreth very muche of the Greeke tongue VVhosoeuer he be that hath any iudgement in discerninge of phrases vvyll confesse the same Agayne that the doctrine of this epistle is sounde not inferior to those epistles vvhiche vvithout contradiction are knovven to be the Apostles vvho so euer vvyll vvith iudgement reade the Apostle he vvyll also confesse the same to be most true A little after he sayeth thus I truely of myne ovvne parte if I maye speake vvhat I thinke do saye that the doctrine of this epistle is the Apostles for vndoubted but the phrase and style an other mans vvhich noted the sayinges of the Apostle and contriued such thinges as he had hearde of his maister into certayne scholyes VVherefore if any churche heretofore hath receaued the same as the epistle of Paul â—et her still embrace and receaue the same vnder this name For the learned men of olde haue not vvithout greate consideration deliuered the same vnto vs for the epistle of Paul But who wrote it God the onely trueth knoweth yet histories haue declared vnto vs that some thought it to haue bene written by Clemens bishop of Rome some by Luke who wrote both the Gospel and the Actes of the Apostles but of these thinges thus muche in this sorte CAP. XXV Origen professeth diuinitie at Caesarea Heraclas is chosen byshop of Alexandria IT was in the tenth yeare of the raygne of the aforesayde Emperour when Origen left Alexandria and gotte him to Caesarea when also he committed the office of catechizinge there vnto Heraclas In a while after Demetrius the bishop of Alexandria dyeth when he had continewed in the same rowme the space of three and fortie yeares him succeeded Heraclas There florished also at that same tyme Firmilianus byshop of Caesarea in Cappadocia CAP. XXVI Of the byshops that were Origens familier friendes THis Firmilianus so highly esteemed of Origen that one whyle he sent for him vnto his owne prouince to edifie his churches an other while he tooke his voyage vnto Iudaea vnto him where for a certayne space he continewed with him for farther vnderstandinge of the holy scriptures Besides him Alexander byshop of Ierusalem and Thâ—â—ctistus byshop of Caesarea continewally were of his side and embraced him permittinge vnto him alone as maister the interpretation of holy scripture with the rest of the ecclesiasticall function CAP. XXVII Of the persecution which Maximinus the Emperour raysâ—â— AFter that the Emperour Alexander had ended the raigne of therteene yeares Maximinus â—â—sar succeeded him who beyng iâ—censed with the anger spite â–ª and grudge he â—are vnto the house of Alexander whiche â—arhored many of the faythfull â–ª styâ—red 〈◊〉 the fyrye flame of pâ—rsecution and gaue commaundement that â—he gouernouâ—s â—nely of the churches as principal authors of the doctrine of our sauiour should be put to death â–ª â—â—t that â—â—mâ— Origen wrote a booke of Martyrs the which he dedicated vnto Ambrose and Protoctaetus minister of Caesarea for that both they suffered no small affliction in that troublesome tyme. When as also they had endured moste constantly examination and confession Maximinus him selfe continewinge Emperour no longer then three yeares Origen noted the tyme of this persecution both in the two and twentieth tract of his commentaries vpon Iohn and in sundry of his epistles When Gordianus had succeeded Maximinus in the empire of Rome Anterus also folowed Pontianus after he had gouerned sixe yeares in the bishops seae of Rome CAP. XXVIII Of the straunge election of Fabianus bishop of Rome of the succession of byshops at Antioche and Alexandria â–ª AFter that Anterus had enioyed the ecclesiasticall function the space of one moneth Fabianus succeeded him who as reporte goeth came from the contrey after the death of Anterus together with certaine others for to dwell at Rome When such a thinge as neuer was seene before at the election of a bishop happened then by the deuine and celestiall grace of God For when all the brethren had gathered them selues together for the election of a bishop â–ª many thought vpon diuers notable and famous men Fabianus him selfe there present together with others when as euery one thought least nay nothinge at all of him sodaynly from aboue there fell a Doâ—e and rested vpon his head after the example of the holy ghost which in likenesse of a Doue descended vpon our sauiourâ— the whole multitude beynge moued thereat with one and the same spirite of God cryed out cheerefully with one accorde that he was worthy of the bishopricke and immediately as they reporte he was taken and stalled bishop At that tyme when Zebinus bishop of Antioche had departed this lyfe Babylas came in place and at Alexandria when Heraclas the successor of Demetrius had finished his mortall race Dionysius one of Origens disciples supplyed the rowme CAP. XXIX Of Gregorius and Athynodorus disciples of Origen WHen Origen executed his accustomed maner of teachinge at Caesarea many flocked vnto his lessons not onely that contrey men but also infinite foraynerâ— who forsaking their natiue foyle became his disciples of whiche number as chiefe we haue knowen Theodorus he was the same Gregorius the moste renowmed byshop amonge vs and his brother Athynodorus he beynge moste studious in the Greeke and Romaine discipline so perswaded them that they embracinge the syncere loue of philosophie altered their former studies vnto the exercise and study of holy scripture And after that they had continewed with him the space of fiue yeares they profited so much in holy scripture that both beinge as yet yonge men they were ordayned byshops of certayne churches in Pontus CAP. XXX Of Aphricanus an ecclesiasticall writer and his bookes ABout that tyme also was Aphricanus renowmed and muche spoken of the author of thâ—se commentaries intituled of Cestes or vvedding gâ—rdels there is extant also an epistle of his vnto Origen to this effect that he doubted whether the historie of Susanna commonly redde in Daniel was true or fayned Whome Origen fully satisfâ—ed There came also to our handes of the same Aphricanus doynge fiue volumes of Cronicles curiously penned where he reporteth himselfe to haue trauailed vnto Alexandria because of the greate fame of Heraclas whome excellinge in philosophicall sciences and discipline of the Gentils we haue shewed before to haue bene
God had graunted him that might and power that neither he in no wise colde be kept backe from his wilfull malice and wickednes neither these men for their manifolde sundry cōflicts should be depriued of their reward glory For which cause by the decree of the most wicked emperour Maximinus there were in one day nine thirty martyrs beheaded These were the martyrdoms suffred in Palaestina during the whole tearme of eight years and such was the persecution raysed against vs which first beganne with the ruine and ouerthrowe of the churches which also encreased dayly more and more by reason that the emperours at sundry times renewed the same whereupon also it fell out that there were manifold and sundry conflicts of valiāt champions wrastling for the trueth in Christ and an innumerable multitude of martyrs in euery prouince reaching from Libya throughout all Aegypt Syria the Eastern countreys and euery where euen vnto the cōfines of Illyricum And the coasts adioyning vnto the aforesayd countreys as all Italy Sicilia Fraunce and the VVeasterne coūtreis and such as reach vnto Spayne Mauritania Aphrike where they were not persecuted fully two years but quickely through the mercy and goodnes of God obtained peace and tranquillitie because that the deuine prouidence of almighty God for there faith and innocencyes sake pitied their lamentable estate For that which from the beginning was not remembred to happen in the Romaine empire came now in the end to passe amongest vs beyonde all hope expectation The empire was deuided into two partes because of the persecutiō raised against vs. And though in some part of the world the brethren enioyed peace yet in other regions and countreis they suffred infinite conflicts and torments But when that at length the grace of God shewed vnto vs his louing his mercifull his fauorable coūtenance and watchefull care ouer vs then I say then the gouernours and magistrates euen they which afore time raysed persecution agaynst vs remembred themselues somwhat better altered their mind song a recantation quenching the firie flame of persecution flashing among vs with more circumspect decrees milder constitutions in y ◠christians behalfe Nowe let vs record vnto the posterity the recantation of Maximinus the tyrant The ende of the eyght booke THE NINTHE BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA CAP. I. Though Maximinus went not seriously about to succoure the christians and to relent the persecution yet it profited Sabinus published abroade his letters in the behalfe of the christians so that peace was restored THis recantation set forth by the commaundement of the emperours was published euery where throughout Asia and all his prouinces which thing being done Maximinus the Eastern tyrant most impious of all chief enemy to y ◠seruice of God not pleased w t these proclamations in steade of y ◠wryttē edict commaunded his princes by word of mouth y ◠they should make league w t the christians And because he durst none other but obey the sentence of the higher power he begāne to imagine howe to conceale the decree already proclaimed to prouid lest that it were made manifest vnto the countreis of his dominiō by this aduise he commaunded his inferior magistrats by word not by wryting that henceforth they should persecute vs no more But they certified one an other of this commaundement Sabinus who then among them was in highest dignity certified by epistle wrytten in the latine tongue the seuerall presidents of the prouinces of the emperours decree by translatiō thus The maiesty of our Lordes and most noble emperours hath decreed nowe a good while agoe with great care deuotion to induce the mindes of all mortall mē vnto the holy right trade of liuing to the ende these also whiche haue alienated them selues from the Romaine maner should exhibite due worship vnto the immortall gods but the stubburnes of some the mind of all other most obstinate so farre resisted that they could be vvithdravven from theyr purpose nether by ryght nor by reason neyther be terrified vvith any tormēt that was laied vpon them For as much as therefore it fell out by this meanes that many putt themselues in great perill the maiesty of our lieges most puysant emperours after their noble piety iudging it a thing farre from their most noble purpose for such a cause to cast men into so great a daunger gaue me in charge that with diligence I shoulde write vnto your industry That if any of the christians be founde to vse the relligion of his owne sect you neyther grieue nor molest him at all neyther thinke any man for this cause worthy of punishment when as it appeareth in so long a tract of time they can by no meanes be induced to sursease from such a pertinacy Your industrie hath therefore to write to the liuetenāts captaines cōstables of euery citie village that they passe not the bounds of this edict to presume any thing contrary to the same The presidents through out the prouinces hauing receaued these letters thinking this to be the true meaning of the emperour in these lettres contayned declare forthwith by their epistles y ◠emperours decree vnto y e liue tenants captaynes and vnto such as gouerned the common people of the countrey Neither were they onely satisfied with the sending of letters but rather by the deed doing it selfe to bring about the emperours will brought forth and sett at liberty such as they held captiues in prison for the confession of christian religion yea releasinge them also which for punishmentes sake were committed to y e mine pitts digginge of mettalls for they being deceaued thought this would please the emperour These things being thus brought to passe immediatly after the sonne beames of peace shined brightly as if it had bene after a darke or mysty night Then might a man haue seene throughout euery city congregations gathered together often synods and there wonted meeting celebrated At these thinges the incredulous heathen were much dismaied and wondering at the maruelous straūgnes of so great a chaūge shouted out that the God of the christians was y e great and onely true God Some of our men which faithfully manfully endured the combatt of persecution enioyed againe there liberty amōg all men but others some faynting in the faith of abiect mindes in the storme of persecutiō greedely hastened vnto their salue and sought of such as were strong and sound y e forewardnes of health and destred the Lord to be mercifull vnto them Againe the noble champions of godlines beinge sett at liberty from the affliction they suffred in the mine pitts returned vnto their owne home passing throughout euery city with valiant and chearefull courage w t vnspeakeable ioy and replenished with inexplicable liberty of mind They went in y ◠voyage and returne lauding God in songs psalmes throughout y
sought out How great what horrible blasphemies God of his goodnes be mercifull vnto vs haue some vnreuerently vttered against our great sauiour against our hope and life and impudētly not only blased things cōtrary vnto the scriptures inspired from aboue the sacred faith but also affirmed they beleued the same For vvhen as three hundreth bishops and aboue men of great fame both for modestie of minde sharpnesse of witt had confirmed one the same faith which was founde to be a true faith by the trueth it selfe and playne testimonies of holie scripture sought out for the purpose Arius alone was found beyng ouercome with the power and fraude of the deuill to fall from the same and beynge prone therevnto through the peruersitie of his minde scattered and sovved first of all amongest you aftervvardes amongest vs this poysoned errour of perdition VVherefore lett vs embrace that doctrine vvhich almightie God the father of heauen hath deliuered vnto vs let vs returne vnto our dearely beloued brethren vvhome the wicked impudēt minister of Satan hath seuered asunder let vs vvith might and mayne and as commonly vve say vvith all the vaynes in our hart go home agayne vnto the generall societie and body of the church and vnto our ovvne naturall members This aboue all other things behoueth your wisdome your faith holines after the remouīg frō your minds the cākred poysō of the aduersary who set him selfe opposite against the trueth that without all delaye ye haue recourse vnto the grace and goodnes of almightie God For that which seemed good vnto the three hūdred bishops is no othervvise to be taken then for the sentence of God specially in as much as the holie Ghost vvas resiant in the mindes of so vvorthie and so notable men inspiring them vvith the deuine vvill of God him selfe VVherfore let none of you stagger at the matter let none of you make any delay at all but all ioyntly vvith most vvillinge mindes returne vnto the most perfect way of trueth that as soone as I my selfe come amōgst you I may together with you rēder dew thāks vnto the god whose eye nothīg doth escape because that he hath not onely reuealed vnto vs the true syncere faith but also geuen vnto vs most graciously the loue and charitie which vvas to be vvished of vs all God keepe and preserue you vvelbeloued brethren This the Emperour wrote vnto the people of Alexandria signifying in playne words that the finall conclusion definitiue sentēce of the faith was not layde downe vnaduisedly neither came to passe by happe hazard but after great labour industrie after diligent searching and sifting out of the trueth to haue bene published by the councell and not some thinges to haue bene handled some other things to haue bene omitted but all whatsoeuer seemed necessary to be entreated of toutching the confirmation of y ◠doctrine of faith to haue bene sufficiently discoursed neither to haue bene firste vnaduisedly decreed before all were curiously handled in so much that all what so euer seemed to breede occasion of controuersie or discord was quite plucked vp by the rootes But that I may vtter all in one word Constantine calleth the censure of the whole assembly the sentence of God him selfe neither doubted he but that so great a company of bishops was vnited linked together in one mind in one opinion by y ◠motion instinct of the holy ghost Yet for all this Sabinus who is the ringleader of the Macedonian heresie wilfully and of sett purpose impugneth these thinges yea moreouer he termeth such as mett at Nice vnlearned and doultishe idiots neither is he ashamed to charge Eusebius bishop of Caesarea with the reprochefull spot and blemishe of ignorance neither weyeth he this with him selfe that such as were present at the coūcell though they were vnlearned men as he reporteth yet being inspired from aboue endued with the grace of the spirite of God could in no wise straye from the trueth But let vs heare what the Emperour layde downe in other letters against the opinions of Arius and his complices the which also he sent abroade vnto the bishops and congregations throughout christendome An other Epistle of Constantine COnstantinus the puyssāt the mighty noble Emperour vnto the bishops pastors people whersoeuer Inasmuch as Arius traceth the stepps of detestable impious persons it is requisite that he be partaker with them of the selfe same infamie and reproche For as Porphyrius the svvorne aduersarie deadly foe of deuine seruice vvho lately published levvde cōmentaries in the cōfutation defiance of Christian religion vvas revvarded according vnto his desert and so recōpenced that within the cōpasse of these fewe yeares he was not only grieued with great reproche blemished with the shamefull spot of infamie but also his impious blasphemous works perished vtterly were abolished euen so now it seemed good vnto vs to call Arius his complices the vvicked broode of Porphyrius that looke vvhose maners they haue imitated they may enioye also the priuiledge of their name Moreouer we thought good that if there can be founde extant any worke or booke compiled by Arius the same shoulde be burned to ashes so that not only his damnable doctrine may thereby he vvholly rooted out but also that no relique thereof may remaine vnto the posteritie This also we straightly cōmaunde charge that if any man be found to hyde or conceale any booke made by Arius and not immediatly bring forth the sayd booke deliuer it vp to be burned that the sayde offender for so doing shall die the death For as soone as he is taken our pleasure is that his head be stricken of from his shoulders God keepe you in his tuition An other epistle of Constantine COnstantinus the Emperour vnto the churches throughout christēdome sendeth greeting VVhen as I perceaued by the florishing prosperous estate of the publicke weale how greatly we are beholding vnto the goodnes of almightie God conferred vpon vs I deemed that aboue all things it behoued me of dutie to foresee that in the most holy and sacred assemblies of the Catholicke church vnder heauen there shold one faith syncere loue charitie vniforme consent agreement toutching the religion seruice of almightie God vnuiolably be retayned But sithence that the same could by no other way or meanes be compassed neither in any other sure or certaine place be setled vnlesse that either all the bishops or at lestvvise the greater part of them assembled together layde downe their seuerall censures concerning the most holy religion seruice of God therfore when the greatest company that coulde be gott mette together I my selfe as one of your number vvas present vvith them Neyther tooke I in scorne vvhereat novve I greatly reioyce that I coupled my selfe vvith you in those affayres VVe proceeded so farre in the premisses and handled all thinges so exquisitely vntill
exceptions as were lawefully prescribed for the defendant And first of all he excepteth against Eusebius and his adherents as open enemyes saying by lawe it was not permitted for the enemyes to be iudges Secondarily he requireth that they shewe vnto him whether Ischyaas the accuser had lawfully receaued orders and priesthoode for so it was layd downe in the bill of enditement But the iudges considered nothing of these circumstances the lawe proceedeth against Macarius When the accusers were to seeke for proofe the sute is delayd vpon this consideration that certayne chosen men shoulde goe in commission to Mareôtes and there sitt vpon this matter When that Athanasius perceaued such as he had excepted against to haue bene pricked in the commission for Theognis Maris Theodorus Macedonius Valens Vrsacius were sent he exclaymed that there was deceat double dealing in the handling thereof He pronounced that it was open wrong for to keepe Macarius the Priest in fetters and close prison and to suffer his accuser to accompany such iudges as were knowen to be his professed enemies He sayd moreouer that it was for no other ende but that records and the doings of the one side might be knowen the other vnknowen the one quitted the other condenmed When that Athanasius had sounded out these and the like sentences when that he had both called the whole assembly to wittnesse and also opened this lamentable plight before Dionysius the Senator and no man pityed the case he pryuily conueyed him away Such as were sent into Mareôtes recorded onely the Actes of one side and looke what the accuser reported the same was iudged to be most true As soone as Athanasius was gone and straight way taken his iourney to the Emperour he was first of all condenmed by the councell the party being absent and the cause vnknowen Next when as the dealings in Mareôtes were ioyned with these they agree vpon his deposition many sclaunders are contumeliously fathered vpon him at the recitall of the causes which moued them to depose him but not a worde of the sclaunderers for they runne them ouer with silence that of malice falsely accused him and were shamefully foyled them selues Arsenius who afore was reported to haue bene slayne is nowe entertayned of them And he who afore time was counted a Bishop of the Meletian sect euen then subscribed to the deposition of Athanasius and called him self Bishop of Hypsepolis And that which seemeth incredible he that was said to haue died vnder the handes of Athanasius is now aliue and deposeth Athanasius CAP. XXII How that the councell assembled at Tyrus remoued to Ierusalem and celebrated the dedication of the newe Ierusalem at what tyme the Arians were admitted to the communion And how that the Emperour by his letters caused the councell summoned at Tyrus to meete at Constantinople that in his presence the trueth toutching Athanasius cause might the more narrowely be sifted out Immediatly after these thinges the Emperours letters came to the councels handes signifying that with all speede his will was they shoulde repayre to Ierusalem Therefore the bishops laying all other matters aside do leaue Tyrus and take their iourney to Ierusalem A solemne feast is there held for the consecration of those places Arius with his confederats is admitted into the Church for the bishops sayd that in that behalf they would satisfie the Emperours letters wherby he had signified vnto them that he allowed very well of the sayth of Arius and Enzoius The bishops also wrote vnto the Churche of Alexandria that they shoulde banishe from among them all rankor spite and malice and setle their Ecclesiasticall affayres at peace and quietnes They signified moreouer by their letters that Arius had repented him of his heresie that he had acknowledged the trueth that thenceforth he would cleaue vnto the Church and that therefore they had not without good cause receaued him and by the consent of them all exiled Athanasius Of the selfe same things likewise they wrote vnto the Emperour While these things were in handling there came eftsones other letters from the Emperour vnto the councell signifying that Athanasius was fledd vnto the Emperour him selfe and that of necessity they must meete at Constantinople about his matters The letters sent from the Emperour were written as followeth Constantinus the puysant the mighty and noble Emperour vnto the Bishope assembled at Tyrus sendeth greeting VErily I knowe not what matters your assemblie through tumult and troublesome sturre hath decreed me thinkes the trueth it selfe you haue in maner subuerted by meanes of your hurlyburly and kindled heat of contention for whilest that you prosecute your priucy spire and hatred one towards an other the which you wil leaue in no wisovnpractised you seeme to neglect the seruice of God the furtherance of his truteh But I trust the diuine prouideÌ„co of God willâ—…gâ—o passe that after the proofe of this pestileÌ„t contention it may wholy be banished that we may also perceaue whether your couÌ„cel assembly hath had any care of the trueth also whether you haue decided of the matters called into question geuen sentence without parcial fauor poysoned malice VVherfore my wil is that with spede you all repaire vnto me to the end you your selues by no other then your selues may yeld an exquisite accoÌ„pt The cause that moued me to writ this vnto you to suÌ„mone you hither by my letters you may learne by that which followeth As I rode in my waggon vnto a certain place within the city that happy soil called after thy name CoÌ„stantinople Athanasius the bishop together with certaine other priestes in his company meâ—â— me in the middest of the streete vpon a sodame vnlooked for which amazed me not a litle â–ª I take God to witnesse who seeth al things that I coulde not haue knowen him 〈◊〉 the first fight had not some of my trayne when that I gaue diligent eare thereunto as reason did require both tolde me who he was and what iniury he had done vnto him I truely did neyther talke vvith him at that time neyther reason of any circumstance And when he entreated that I woulde geue him the hearing I was so farre from it that with the deniall I had almost caused him to be sent packing with rough entertainment His sute was nothing else but that all you might be brought thither to the ende he might in our presence expostulate face to face with you the iniurie he suffred ne cessity driuing him thereunto The which sute of his seeminge very reasonable vnto me and the season also requiring the same made me very willing to write this vnto you that all you being already assembled at Tyrus shoulde forthvvith hasten vnto my campe and iustifie in my presence whome you will not denye to be the right seruant of God your right and syncere iudgement and sentence in this behalfe For peace raigneth euery where through my religious
men he was taken as it were out of their iawes which menaced him commaunded to liue vnder my dominion where though his excellent vertue ministred vnto him from aboue wey nothinge at all the greuous casualties of aduersity euen as in the city he liued before he may haue plenty want no necessaryes for the maintenance of his porte Therefore when as our Lorde and my father of famous memory Constantine the Emperour had purposed in his mind to haue restored him a Bishop to his owne sâ—ae and proper seate the which he enioyed among you that are knowen to beare greate zeale to godlines and being preuented with death as it fareth with mankind before he coulde accomplishe his desire I thought it verely my parte and duety to execute the intent of so godly an Emperoure VVith what estimation and reuerence I haue entertayned the man he shall reporte with his owne mouth after his returne vnto you Neither is it to be maruelled at all that I shewed him such curtesie For me thinkes I sawe in him the great longing ye had for him and I behelde also the fatherly reuerence and grauity of the man himselfe all which moued me not a litle thereunto nay throughly perswaded me God of his goodnes welbeloued brethren haue you in his tuition Athanasius with the confidence he had in these letters returneth to Alexandria whome the people of Alexandria doe receaue with most willing mindes But such as in that citie were infected with the leprosie of Arianisme conspired against him so that many skirmishes and tumultes were raised which ministred occcasion vnto the confederats of Eusebius falsly to accuse Athanasius before the Emperoure that of his owne doinge without the generall consente of the assembly of Bishops he had setled him selfe in that church The accusation was so odious that the Emperoure being therewith incensed against Athanasius draue him out of Alexandria But howe this was compassed I will shewe hereafter in an other place CAP. III. Howe that after the death of Eusebius Pamphilus Acacius was chosen Bishop of Caesarea and of the death of Constantinus the yonger ABout that time Eusebius whose sirname was Pamphilus Bishop of Caesarea in Palaestina departed this life and Acacius his scholer succeeded him in the Bishopricke Who besids sundry other workes of his industrie wrote a booke of the life of his maister Eusebius Not long after Constantinus the yonger so called after his fathers name brother to y â— Emperor Constantius inuading by force certaine countreys vnder Constans his yonger brothers dominion by fighting hand to hand with the soldiers was slaine Acindinus and Proclus beinge Consuls CAP. IIII. Howe that Alexander Bishop of Constantinople departinge this life nominated two men Paulus and Macedonius that they shoulde chuse one of them to succeede him in the Bishoprike AT that time there ensued immediately the â—edicions mentioned before an other tumulte in the citie of Constantinople and that for this cause Alexander the Bishop of that churche who valiantly encountred with Arius hauing continewed Bishop there the space of three and twenty yeares and liued fourescore and eighteene departed this life He consecrated none to succeede him but charged the electors to choose one of two whome he would nominat vnto them And following his aduise if they would place in the rowme a man sit for to instruct y â— people of an vpright conscience of good lise and godly conuersation they shoulde take Paulus whome he had made priest who though he were yonge and of greene yeares yet in learninge olde and of greate wisedome But in case they woulde haue him whome the etymologie of noble prowesse did highly commend they should preferre Macedonius to the dignitie â–ª who latly had bene deacon of the same church and then was farre strucken in yeares Wherefore about the election of a Bishop there was greater sturre theÌ„ heretofore and the churche was more grieuously turmoyled The people were deuided into two parts the one was egerly set with the heresy of Arius the other cleaued very constantly to the decrees of the Nicene Councell And whilest that Alexander liued they which embraced the creede comprising the clause of One substance had the vpper hand ouer the Arians which dayly striued and contended very stifly in the maintenance of their heretical doctrine But as soone as he departed this life the contention among the people was diuers and variable For such as fauored the clause of One substance chose Paulus to be their Bishop such as of the contrary cleaued vnto Arianisme endeuored with all might to place Macedonius Wherefore in the temple of God called the church of peace next vnto the great church then called great but nowe bearing the name of wisedome Paulus was chosen Bishop in which election the voyce of the desseased did preuaile CAP. V. Howe that Constatinus the Emperoure displaced Paulus that was chosen byshope of Constantinople and translated to that seae Eusebius byshop of Nicomedia And howe that Eusebius caused an other Synode to be summoned at Antioch in Syria where there was an other forme of fayth layde downe SHortely after the election of Paulus moued the Emperoure not a litle at his coming to Constantinople For summoning together an assembly of Byshops which sauored of the filthie sinke of Aruis he procured the deposition of Paulus and causing Eusebius of Nicomedia to be â—â—anslated thither he proclaimed him Bishop of Constantinople These thinges being done the Emperoure gott him to Antioch Yet Eusebius for all this colde not sette his hart at rest but rolled as commonely we saye euery stone to bringe his wicked purpose to passe He summoneth a councell at Antioch in Syria pretending the dedicatioÌ„ of the church whose foundations Constantine the father of these Emperours had layd after whose death Constantius his sonne tenne yeares after the laying of the first stone finished the buylding and as I may boldely say the trueth to the ouerthrowe and subuersion of the fayth Of one substance Unto this synod there came out of diuers prouinces Bishops to the number of fourscore and tenne But Maximus bishop of Ierusalem who succeeded Macarius woulde not come thither supposinge verely that if he came he shoulde be constrayned to subscribe vnto the depriuation of Athanasius Neyther did Iulius Byshop of Rome shewe him selfe there neither sente he any to supply his rowme when as the ecclesiasticall canon forbiddeth that any constitution be thrust into the Churche without the censure of the Bishope of Rome To be shorte the councell mette at Antioch in the Consulship of Marcellus and Probinus where Constantius the Emperoure was present It was the fift yeare after the death of Constantine father vnto these Emperours Placitus was then bishop of Antioch for he succeeded Euphronius But the confederacy of Eusebius side imployed their chiefe labour and industry falsly to accuse Athanasius and first they charge him with the violating of their canon to wete
the meane space the Arians translated Gregorius from Alexandria for that the people hated him deadly neyther onely for that but also for the fyringe of the temple and moreouer because he maynetayned their opinion very sclenderly They sent for Georgius borne in Cappadocia one that was nusled in the opinion they maynetayned CAP. XI Howe that Athanasius byshop of Alexandria and Paulus byshop of Constantinople went to Rome and procured Iulius the byshop of Rome his letters for the recouery of their seaes the which letters were answered by the byshops of the East saying that the byshop of Rome had nothing to doe with them AThanasius as yet was short of his iourney into Italie At y e time Constans who was y e yoÌ„gest brother of y e three Emperours after y e death of his brother CoÌ„stantine who as we sayd before was slaine by y e souldiers gouerned that westerne countries Then also Paulus bishop of CoÌ„stantinople Asclepas bishop of Gaza Marcellus bishop of Ancyra in Galatia y e lesser Lucius bishop of Adrianopolis being accused one for one thing an other for an other thing depriued of their churches were at y e princely citie of Rome certified Iulius bishop of Rome of their whole estate trouble Iulius then by reason of the prerogatiue of the churche of Rome vphelde their side with his letters he wrote freely vnto the bishops of the east that euery one of the aforesayd bishops should be restored againe sharply rebuking such as procured their deposition rashly and without aduisement They leaue Rome and trusting to bishop Iulius his letters they returne euery man to his owne church conuey the letters vnto whome they were written These men when his letters came to their hands tooke the correction of Iulius for a contumely or sclaunder they summone a Councell at Antioch There as soone as they had assembled together they deuise an epistle by vniforme consent of them all wherein they inuey bitterly against Iulius and signifie withall that if any were banished the churche and excommunicated by their decree and censure it were not his part to intermedle neither to sitt in iudgement vpon their sentence For when as he had remoued Nouatus out of the churche of Rome they neither resisted neither contraryed his doinges This in effect was that which the bishops of the East wrote vnto Iulius bishop of Rome But in as much as at the comming of Athanasius into Alexandria there was great sturre and tumultes raysed by Georgius the Arian for the report goeth that by his meanes there was much harme murther and maÌ„slaughter committed that the Arians charged Athanasius w t the sedition as if he had bene the cause author of all those mischiefes I thinke it needefull with as much breuitie as may be presently to say somewhat hereof Although God alone who is the true iudge knoweth the certaintie thereof yet is it not vnknowen vnto wise and discrete men that such things most commonly fall out where the people are at ciuill discord and dissention among them selues Wherfore the accusers of Athanasius did him wronge they charged him iniuriously And Sabinus euen the greate patron of Macedonius his heresie if that he had deepely weyed with him selfe how great and what greeuous mischiefes the Arians went about to practise against Athanasius and all such as cleaued stedfastly vnto the creede contayning the clause of One substance or what hainous crimes and heauy complaints the CouÌ„cells assembled about Athanasius his cause exhibited againste him or what horrible deuises the graunde hereticke Macedonius practised against all the churches of God certainly he should haue either runne them ouer with silence or if that he had once opened his mouth he shoulde haue vttered such thinges as would haue tended to the detection of such shamefull and reprochefull dealinges Nowe hath he winked at all this and blased abroade the sclaunderous crimes those beastly men charged Athanasius withall But he sayeth not a word of Macedonius the ringleader of those heretickes whilest he endeuoureth to coÌ„ceale his horrible practises and tragicall acts And that which is most of all to be maruailed at he reporteth not ill of the Arians whome he abhorred Moreouer he hath not once remembred the election of Macedonius whome he succeeded for if he had but once opened his mouth to discourse of him he must needes haue paynted vnto the world his deuilishe dealings and lewde behauiour euen as the circumstances of that election do plainely set forth But of him so farre CAP. XII How the Emperour sent Philip the gouernour to remoue Paulus byshop of Constantinople out of the byshopricke into banishment and to place Macedonius in his rowme AS soone as the Emperour Constantius remaining at Antioche had vnderstoode that Paulus yet againe was placed in the bishops seae of Constantinople he tooke greate displeasure and was sore incensed against them He gaue out a commission vnto Philip the president who was of greater authoritie then all the other his liuetenaÌ„ts called the second person in the empire to remoue Paulus and to appoynt Macedonius in his steede Philip then fearinge the rage and tumult of the multitude circumuenteth Paulus very subtlely couertly he concealeth the Emperours pleasure He fayneth the cause of his comminge to be for the common affaires of the citie he getts him straight vnto the publicke bathe called Zeâ—xippus he sendes thence one vnto Paulus that should honorably salute him and will him in any wise to repaire vnto the Emperours Liuetenant As soone as he came the gouernour opened vnto him his lorde the Emperours coÌ„maundement The bishop taketh paciently his sentence although vniustly decreed against him But the gouernour standing in great feare of the furious rage of the multitude and such as stoode in compasse about him for many by reason of the suspicious rumor flocked vnto the publicke bath gaue commaundement that one of the backe windowes of the bath should be opened that Paulus should be let downe at the sayd windowe into a shippe readily appoynted for the purpose and thence be conueyed to exile The gouernour had commaunded him that he should saile thence straight to Thessalonica the head citie of Macedonia for thence his auncetors came and there make his abode that it was lawfull moreouer for him freely and without daunger to frequent y â— cities of Illyrium but he would in no wise geue him leaue to come nigh the countries of the East To be short Paulus thinking litle or nothing of all this is both depriued his church banished the citie and forthwith brought to exile Philip the Emperours debitie gott him with speede from the publique bath into the church Macedonius accompanyed him for it was so concluded before sitting by his side in the waggon in the face of the whole multitude the souldiers garded them with naked swordes so that the multitude in compasse was amazed thereat and strocken with sodaine feare All ranne to the
church such as defended the creede contayning the clause of One substance flocked to the church as well as the Arian hereticks As soone as the gouernour together with Macedonius was now come nygh the church a maruelous great feare amazed both the multitude and the souldiers them selues There was so great a multitude gathered together that there was no passage for the gouernour to leade Macedonius the souldiers were faine to thrust the people of this side and that side but the throng was so great and the rowme so narowe that they coulde not geue backe neither recoyle The souldiers supposinge the multitude had set them selues againste them of set purpose stopped their walke that the gouernour might haue no passage theraway drewe their swords let flye amongest them and layd on lustyly The report goeth that there fell about three thousande one hundred and fifty persons whereof some were slayne by the souldiers some other styfled in the throng crushed to death But Macedonius after all these famous acts as if he had committed no offence as if he were innocent and gyltles toutching all this haynous and horrible slaughter is stalled in the bishops seate more by the censure of the gouernour then the canon of the church These were the meanes that Macedonius and the Arians vsed to clim◠by slaughter and murther to be magistrates in the church About that tyme the Emperour buylded a goodly churche nowe called The church of wisdome and ioyned it vnto the churche called by the name of Peace the which beyng of small compasse his father afore him had both in bygnes enlarged and in beautie sett forth and adorned Nowe were they both inuironed with one wall and called after one name CAP. XIII Howe Athanasius being terrified with the Emperours threats fled the second tyme to Rome ABout that tyme there was an other sclaunder raysed by the Arians agaynst Athanasius which forged out such an accusation agaynst him as followeth Constantinus the father of these Emperours had geuen a good whyle before certaine grayne for almes to the reliefe of the poore within the churche of Alexandria This they sayde that Athanasius had soulde and turned it to his owne lucre and gayne The Emperoure taketh their sclaunderous reporte for trueth and threatneth him with death Athanasius then vnderstandinge of the Emperours hygh displeasure against him fled away and hidd him selfe in a secrete and obscure place Iulius bishop of Rome hearing the molestation and iniuries the Arians offred Athanasius and nowe hauing receaued the letters of Eusebius who lately had departed this lyfe vnderstandinge of the place where Athanasius hydd him selfe sent for him willinge him to repayre to Rome At the same tyme he receaued letters from the Councell assembled at Antioch and other letters also sent vnto him from the byshops of Aegypt which playnely affirmed that all such crymes as Athanasius was charged withall were meere false Wherefore Iulius by sendinge of contrary letters answered at large the byshops which assembled at Antioche and firste he sheweth what griefe and heauines he conceaued by their letters secōdly that they had transgressed the canon of the church in not callinge him to the Councell in so much the canon commaundeth that no decree be thrust vpon the church without the censure of the bishop of Rome moreouer that they had couertly corrupted the fayth also that they concluded by mayne force and double dealing such things as of late they had lewdely handled at Tyrus in that they of spyte had procured the relations of one side duely to be registred at Mareôtes and that their forged leasinges of Arsenius were meere sclaūders false reports These other such like thīgs Iulius layd downe in his letters vnto y ◠bishops assēbled at Antioch we would haue layd downe here y ◠epistles vnto Iulio his vnto others were it not that the length of their writings and the tediousnesse of their discourse perswaded vs to the contrary Sabinus the fauourer of Macedonius his fond opinion of whome we spake before though in his booke intituled The collection of Councells he omitted not y ◠epistle of the bishops assembled at Antioche vnto Iulius yet layde he not downe the letters of Iulius vnto them agayne It was his accustomed maner so to doe for what epistles so euer were written by any Councells either altogether disanullinge or at lest wise passing ouer with silence the clause of One substance them he carefully cyted and collected diligently looke such as were of the contrary them of sett purpose he ouerskipped CAP. XIIII Howe that the VVesterne Emperour requested his brother to sende vnto him such as were able to iustifie the depositions of Athanasius and Paulus and howe the legats brought with them a newe forme of faith NOt long after Paulus leauyng Thessalonica fayned he woulde to Corinth and gott him straight into Italie there both he Athanasius ioyntly do open their estate vnto the Emperour The Emperour whose dominions were y ◠contries of the West esteeming of their iniuries as his owne aduersitie wrote vnto his brother requesting him in his letters to send vnto him three men that might render afore him iust causes of the deposition of Paulus Athanasius There were sent vnto him Narcissus the Cilician Theodorus the Thracian Maris the Chalcedonian and Marcus the Syrian After their comming they woulde not reason with Athanasius but concealing the forme of faith decreed at Antioche the bishops frame out an other the which they exhibited vnto the Emperour in these words VVe beleue in one God the father almightie creator and maker of all things of vvhome all fatherhoode is called both in heauen and earth and in his onely begotten sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ begotten of the father before all vvorldes God of God light of light by vvhome all thinges vvere made both in heauen and in earth be they visible or inuisible who is the vvorde the wisdome the power the life the true light who in the later dayes was incarnate for our sakes vvas borne of the holie Virgine vvas crucified dead and buryed vvho rose agayne the thirde day from the dead ascended into the heauens sitteth at the right hand of the father and shall come againe at the ende of the vvorld to iudge the quicke and the dead and to reward euery man according vnto his vvorks whose kingdome shall haue no ende but shall continew foreuer For he shall sitt at the ryght hande of the father not onely vvhile this vvorlde lasteth but also in the lyfe to come And vve beleeue in the holie Ghost that is in the comforter whome he promised he vvould sende the Apostles whome also he sent after his ascention into the heauens for to informe and instruct them in all thinges by vvhome their soules shall be sanctified vvhich faithfully beleue in him VVhosoeuer then dare affirme that the sonne hath his being of nothinge or that he is of any other substance then of the
against the Emperour for banishing many Priestes and Bishops which refused to communicate with Eudoxius the Arian Not long after in the aforesayd consulship the foure and twentieth of August Valentinianus created his sonne Gratianus Emperour The yeare following being the seconde Consulship of Valentinianus and Valens the eleuenth of Octobre there was in Bithynia a greate earthquake which ouerthrewe the citie of Nice It was the twelf yeare after the ruyne of Nicomedia Immediatly after many peeces of Germa a citie in Hellespontus were turned vpside downe w t an other earthquake for all these dreadfull sights were behelde in the open face of the worlde the lewde disposition of Eudoxius the Arian Bishop and the peruerted minde of the Emperour Valens was nothing moued to incline vnto piety and right reformation of true religion for they obserued no meane but furiously raged against all such as helde the contrary faith and opinion These earthquakes were no otherwise to be taken then for manifest tokens of the schisme tumults then raysed in y ◠church And though many of the priestly order were depriued of their dignities yet of all the rest Basilius Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and Gregorius Bishop of a small and meane citie bordering vpon Caesarea by the prouidence of God for their great pietie were not banished their natiue soile Of whome I shall haue occasion hereafter to discourse more at large CAP. XI How the sect of Macedonius being put to their shifts by reason of the Emperours displeasure sent their letters vnto Liberius Bishop of Rome where they subscribed vnto the fayth of one substance WHen as at that tyme such as cleaued stedfastly vnto the clause of one substance being the true Christians were vexed aboue measure the Macedonians also were pursued of the wicked and godlesse persecutors These men partly for feare and partly for their fayth being brought to their witts ende wrote letters and sent messengers from their bishopricks one vnto the other signifying that of necessity they must flie for refuge both vnto the Emperours brother and to Liberius Bishop of Rome and subscribe rather vnto their fayth then condescende to communicate with Eudoxius the Arian Wherefore they sende Eustathius Bishop of Sebastia one that had bene often times deposed Siluanus Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia and Theophilus Bishop of Castabala a citie likewise of Cilicia these men are charged not to disagree as toutching the faith with Liberius but to communicate with the Churche of Rome and to ratifie by their subscriptions the faith of one substance When these men had receaued their letters which impugned the faith at Seleucia in all the hast they post to olde Rome They shewe not them selues vnto the Emperour for he was in Fraunce busily occupying him selfe about the battell against the Sarmatians but deliuer their letters vnto Liberius Liberius refuseth to geue their letters the reading he tolde them they were Arians and therefore in no wise to be entertayned of the Church because they had abrogated the creede of the Nicene councell Unto whome they make answere that his words were true yet that they repented them afterwards of their folly that they acknowledge the trueth that of late they had condemned the opinion which affirmeth the sonne to be vnlike the father that they confessed the sonne in all thinges and in all respects to be like the father and that the clause of likenes differed nothing from the sense of one substance When they had made this protestation by word of mouth he requireth them to doe the same in writing They immediatly exhibite vnto him a supplication where in the forme of faith published and established by the councell of Nice was comprised And lest that I seeme ouertedious vnto the reader my purpose is to omitt the letters they wrote from one company to an other namely from Smyrna in Asia from Pisidia Isauria Pamphilia and Lycia onely here to lay downe the supplication which Eustathius sent from his lodging vnto Liberius it was written as followeth Vnto their Lorde and brother their fellow minister Liberius Eustathius Theophilus Syluanus sende greeting in the Lorde To the ende vve may remoue all suspicion of heresie and partaking vvith sects vvhatsoeuer which heretofore haue molested the quiet estate of the catholick church presently we do allow of the synods assemblies of bishops which mett at Lampsacum Smyrna at sundry other places maintaining the right soūd faith that these our words may seeme for no other thē our true meaning we are legats haue brought letters vnto your holines vnto al the bishops of Italie to the other churches whatsoeuer of the west contrey whereby it shall manifestly appeare that vve are of the Catholick faith that vve defende the sacred Canons of the Nicene councell established in the happy raygne of the holy Emperour Constantine by three hundred and eyghteene Bishops the which vnto this day haue bene continewally obserued and vnuiolably retained where the clause of one substance was godly enterlaced to the ouerthrowe of the poisoned opinion of Arius for by subscribing with our owne hands we doe plainly protest that we are of no other opinion then these fathers were of but that heretofore presently also we embrace the same faith with them mind firmely to continew therin vnto our last houre Moreouer we cōdemne Arius his detestable opinion his disciples his complices the whole heresie of Sabellius all the Patropassians Marcionists Photinians Marcelliās to be short the wicked sect of Paulus Samosatenus VVe pronounce these mens doctrine for accursed together with all that holde with them all heresies like wise which are contrary vnto the aforesayd sacred faith generally godly framed by those holy fathers assembled in the city of Nice VVe accurse also the forme of faith that was repeated at the councell of Ariminum partly for that it repugneth the Nicene Creede partly for that diuers vvere fraudulently brought to subscribe vnto the same at Constantinople through vviles periury mistaking the title for they tooke Nice a city of Thracia for Nice in Bithynia The beliefe faith vve are of of them likewise vvhose legats vve are is as followeth VVe beleeue in one God the father almighty maker of all things visible inuisible in one onely begotten God our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of God begotten of the father that is of the substance of the father God of God light of light very God of very God begotten not made being of one substance with the father by whom all things were made either in heauen or in earth who for vs men for our saluation came downe from heauen was incarnate made man he suffred rose againe the third day he ascended into heauen shall come againe to iudge both the quicke the dead And we beleue in the holy Ghost such as say there was a time when he was not or that he was not before his
clergie we the layty of the communion referring vnto God alone y â— power of remitting their sinne The same Atticus had the foreknowledge of his death for taking his leaue of Nice he sayd vnto Calliopius the minister of that Church make haste to Constantinople before Autumne that thou mayst againe see me aliue for if thou linger make delayes thou shalt see me no more in this world In vttering these wordes he hitt the trueth on the head for he departed this life the one and twentieth yeare of his consecration the tenth of October in the eleuenth Consulship of Theodosius and the first of Valentinianus Caesar Theodosius the Emperour returning from Thessalonica came short to his funerall for Atticus was buried the day before the comming of the Emperour into Constantinople Shortly after the creation of Valentinianus the yonger was proclaymed to wit the three and twentieth day of the same moneth CAP. XXVI Of Sisinius the successor of Atticus in the bishoprick of Constantinople AFter the desease of Atticus there was great contention in the Churche of Constantinople about the election of a Bishop â–ª for some woulde haue Philip a minister some other Proclus who also was a minister preferred to the rowme but all the people with vniforme consent desired Sisinius He was like wise a priest not of any of the Churches within the walls of Constantinople but of Elae a Church in the suburbes ouer against the citie where all the people of Constantinople are wont to celebrate the feast of our Sauiours ascention All the laytye laboured by all meanes to haue him to their Bishop partly because he was counted a very godly man partly also for that he endeuored to relieue the poore beyond the reach of his substance To be short the layty got the vpper hande and Sisinius was consecrated the eyght and twentieth of February in the twelse Consulship of Theodosius and the seconde of Valentinianus Augustus the yonger Philip the minister seeing that Sisinius was preferred before him stomacked the matter wonderfully and inueyed bitterly agaynst his consecration in the worke which he wrote and intitled the Christian history While he inueyeth against Sisinius that was consecrated agaynst the Bishops who were consecrators and especially agaynst the laytye who were electors he wrote such thinges as I am loth to report for I can not chuse but blame him greatly that euer he durst be so bold to lay downe so rash and vnaduised reasons yet in my opinion it will not be amisse presently to say somewhat of him CAP. XXVII Of Philip a Priest bred and brought vp in Sida PHilip of whome we spake before was borne at Sida a citie in Pamphilia where also Trophilus the Sophist had his original of whome Philip boasted not a litle that he was his kinsman This Philip being a Deacon and of great familiaritie with Iohn the Bishop was as it were driuen to bestowe great labour and diligence in the study of good learning so that he wrote many bookes of diuerse sortes his stile was asiaticall proude and lofty and to the ende he might confute the workes of luhan the Emperour he compiled a volume and intitled it The Christian historie the which he deuided into six and thirty bookes euery booke hath sundry tomes the number of all mounteth very nigh to a thousande the argument prefixed to euery one is in maner as bigge as the tome it selfe this worke he entitled not the Ecclesiasticall but the Christian historie where he patched together many matters for to let the worlde vnderstand that he was seene in Philosophy Wherefore he alleadgeth very oft precepts and rules of Geometrie Astronomie Arithmetick Musick Moreouer he describeth Isles mountaines trees with other thinges of smal importance so that it grewe to a huge volume full of bumbast and vayne ostentation In my simple iudgement it is a worke that is prositable neyther for the learned neyther the vnlearned For the learned will condemne the often repetition of the same wordes which is riâ—e throughout the booke the vnlearned haue not the capacitie to comprehende the insolent stile and affected sentences of his arrogant minde but let euery one iudge of his owne doings as he shall thinke good I dare affirme that the order he followed in laying downe of the times is both confuse farre from good order for when he had runne ouer the raygne of Theodosius back againe he getts him to discourse of Athanasius the Bishops tymes â–ª the which I note to be his vsuall maner but of Philip so farre Now to the history of Sisinius tyme. CAP. XXVIII Howe that Sisinius made Proclus Bishop of Cyzicum whome the Cyziceni woulde not receaue AFter the desease of the Bishop of Cyzicum Sisinius appoynted Proclus to be their Bishop The citizens vnderstanding of his comming preuented him and chose Dalmatius a religious man to gouerne the bishoprick This they did neglecting the lawe canon which commaundeth that no Bishop be appoynted and ordayned without the consent and autoritie of the Bishop of Constantinople They made no accompt of that canon because it commaunded namely as they thought that the sayd autoritie shoulde be geuen vnto Atticus alone Wherefore Proclus being not admitted to execute the function of a bishop in the Church where he was ordayned continewed at Constantinople where he occupied him selfe in preaching and purchased vnto him selfe thereby great fame and commendation but of him I shal haue occasion of speake more hereafter Sisinius had scarse bene Bishop two yeares when he died it was in the Consulship of Hierius and Ardaburius the foure and twentieth of Decembre He was a man highly commended for temperancie for godly and vertuous life and to be shorte for his liberalitie bestowed vpon the poore He was a man both gentle and familier playne without fraude or guyle and therefore he neuer molested any in his life he was a great enemie to busie bodyes and to quarellers and therefore taken of many for a cowarde CAP. XXIX After the desease of Sisinius Bishop of Constantinople Nestorius was sent for to Antioch for to enioy the bishoprick who immediatly reuealed him selfe what kinde of man he was IT seemed good vnto the Emperour after the desease of Sisinius because ofdiuers vaine glorious persons to chuse none of that Church to be bishop though many made sute for Philip and many againe for Proclus but determined with him selfe to send for a straunger out of Antioch there was in those dayes there a man whose name was Nestorius by birth he was a Germaine a loude voice he had and an eloquent tongue and therefore as it was thought a fitt man to preach vnto the people They put their heades together they sent for Nestorius and brought him from Antioch to Constantinople three moneths after who though his temperance was highly commended of many yet the wisest sort and sagest people perceaued well inough his other conditions when he first beganne to preach for immediatly after his
councel held at Aurelia laid downe many godly decrees tom 2. concil  Domninus b. of Antioch after Euphremius Euagr. lib. 4. ca. 37 Felix 4. was b. of Rome after Iohn and continewed 4. yeares Anton. chronic Bonifacius 2. was b. of Rome after Felix 2. yeres Anton. chronic tom 2. concil Iohn 2. was b. of Rome after Bonifacius 2. yeres tom 2. concil Agapetus was b. of Rome after Iohn 2. one yere Anton. chronic Siluerius was b. of Rome after Agapetus one yere tom 2. coÌ„cil â–ª Zoilus was b. of Alexandria after Theodosius Euagr. lib. 4. ca. 11 Theodora the wife of Iustinianus the Emperour was of Eutyches opinion Euag. lib. 4. cap. 10. Iustinianus the emperor wrot an edict but God bereaued hiÌ„ of his lyfe afore he published it where he affirmed that the bodye of Christ was not subiect to corruption that it was voyd oâ— the naturall affections whiche appertaine thervnto that he eate before his passioÌ„ as he diâ— after his resurrection that his most holy body was nâ— thing chauÌ„ged for all the framing thereof in the mothers womb foâ— all the natural aâ—â— voluntary affectioÌ„ Euagr. lib. 4. cap. â— this is that Iustinâ—â— whose lawes are muche made of throughoute thâ— worlde 557.  Menas patriarche of CoÌ„stantinople florished about this time tom 2. concil The councell of Auergne was held in the time of Vigilius tom 2. conc Macarius was b. of Ierusalem after Peter he was deposed for heresie Euagr. li. 4 cap. 36. Anastasius was b. of Antioche after Domninus he rebuked Iustinianus for his heresie Iustinus 2. deposed him vpon false reports as some say because he woulde not geue him mony for his bishopricke Euag. lib. 4 cap. 38. 39. lib. 5. cap. 5 Vigilius was b. of Rome after Siluerius anno Do. â—39 where he continewed 18. yeares Palmer chron Anton chron â–ª Euag. lib. 4. cap. 37. Pelagius was b. of Rome after Vigilius anno Dom. 557. wher he continewed 11. yeares tom 2. concil Apollinarius was b. of AlexaÌ„dria after Zoilus Euag. lib. 4 cap. 36. Anthimus b. of Câ—â— stantinople was 〈◊〉 Eutyches the herâ—ticks opinion aâ—â— therefore depoâ—â— by Iustinian â—â—â—demned in the â—â—nerall councell 〈◊〉 Constantinople uag lib. 4. cap. 9â— Andreas an 〈◊〉 went about 〈◊〉 trey leading 〈◊〉 hande a blind 〈◊〉 dogge told 〈◊〉 fortunes but 〈◊〉 brought them to great 〈◊〉 by deceauing them with 〈◊〉 fables Eâ—â—â—â— Ab. Vsperâ— â–ª 566. Iustinus the second of that name succeded Iustinianus in the empire he lyued wantonly fared deliciously soulde beneâ—ices vnto ignorant priestes He craftelye compassed the death of Iustinus his cosinâ— In the ende he fell into a frensie vttered lamentable speaches bequâ—athed the empire vnto Tiberius he raigned 12 yeres and 10. monethes Euagr. lib. 5. cap. 1. 2. 3. 7. 8. 11. 13. 23.  The 4. 5. councells of Aurelia were called together in the tyme of Pelagius 1. tom 2. conc A â— councell helde at Tours in Fraunce tom 2. concil   Iohn the 3. was b. of RoÌ„e after Pelagi ' coÌ„tinewed 12. yeres to 2. concil Iohn succeeded Apollinarius in the seae of Alexandria Euag. lib. 5. ca. 16  577. Tiberius became Emperor after that Iustinus 2. fell into frensie he was a godly man he raygned 7. yeres and 11. monethes Euagr. lib. 5. cap. 11. 13. 23.  A councel called at Paris toutchinge churche goods â—om 2. concil A councell was called at Hispalis in Spayne toutching the church goods in the tyme of Pelagius 2. tom 2. concil Eustochius b. of Ierusalem Euagr lib. 4. cap. 32.  Benedictus was b. of RoÌ„e after Iohn 3. ann Do. 576. where he coÌ„tinewed 4. yeres tom 2. concil Palm chron   583. Mauricius the Emperour succeeded Tiberius in the empire  The 3. councell of Toledo condemned the Arian heresie to 2. coÌ„cil The 1. 2. synods called at Lions for the remouing of schisme raysed in the churche tom 2. concil   Pelagius 2. was b. of RoÌ„e after Benedictus continewed 10. yeares tom 2 concil   595. 12. Mauriâ—ij  The 1. 2. synods called at Matiscona reformed ecclesiasticall matters tom 2. concil Iohn b. of Ierusalem Euagr. lib. 5. cap. 16. Gregorius b. of Antioch after the depositioÌ„ of Anastasius Euagr. lib. 5. cap. 6. Gregorius was b. of Rome after Pelagiê° ann Do. 590. coÌ„tinewed 13. yeares to 2. concil Eulogius succeeded Iohn in the bishoprick of Alexandria who as Nicephorus reporteth coÌ„tinewed 25 yeares Euagr lib. 5. cap. 16.  Hitherto gentle reader haue I runne ouer in this Chronographie the principall things vvhich are â—o be considered vvithin the firste six hundred yeares after Christ as farre forthe as these authors â—vhose histories I translated haue continevved theyr times Euagrius the laste of these Historiograâ—hers ended the 12. yeare of Mauricius the Emperour and there I reste vvith him leauing the times â—ollovvinge vvhich are vvonderfully corrupted to such as are disposed to discourse of them This trauell haue I taken that the trueth of the purest age after Christ might appeare and the state of the moste auncient churches might be knovven of such as in these dayes seeke to ouerthrovve the state bring the religion to contempt the Christians to a lavvelesse securitye hopinge that by the vievve of orderlye discipline things vvhich be amisse may be redressed accordingly I vvish thee health knovveledge of the trueth feare of God faith to beleue in him thy soules health saluation in the end Farevvell The Index A. ABacuk the Prophet and his life pa. 528. Abasgi a Barbarian nation receaued the faith pag. 479. Abdias the Prophet and his life pag. 524. Abdus a goutie man was cured by Thaddaeus pa. 17. Abel was murthered pa. 519. Abilius b. of AlexaÌ„dria pa. 46. thirtene yeres 47. Abgatus looke Agbarus Ablaatus b. of Persia pa. 380. Aborigines people so called pa. 501. Abraham talked with Christ worshipped pa. 3 Acasius bishop of Caesarea in Palaestina pa. 255. Acacius the martyr was hanged pa. 376. Acacius bishop of Amida sold the treasure of the church to relieue prisoners captiues p. 388. Acesius a nouatian b. was called to the councel of Nice pa. 223. Achaab the accuser of Athanasius ran away for shame pa. 248. Achillas minister of Alexandria of great fame pa. 144. Achillas b. of Alexandria pa. 217. Adaarmanes a Persian captaine was folled of the Romaines pa. 500. Addaeus a traytor is executed pa. 491. Addo the prophet and his life pa. 522. Adrian looke Aelius Adrianus Adrianus was beheaded for the faith pa. 171. Adulterie is forbid pa. 54. 336. 351. Aedesius a martyr was drowned pa. 163. Aedesius priest of Tyrus preached to the middle Indians pa. 240. Aegesippus liued immediatly after the Apostles pag. 33. he is alleaged pag. 45. 46. 47. 53. 61. 62. 70. Aelius Adrianus was Emperour after Traian pa. 58. he wrote fauourably for the christians pa. 61. he raigned
Cap. 38. in the greeke The craft of Arius in swea ring before the Emperour The miserable ende of Arius the he retike The sonnes of Constantinus magnus 1. Constantinus 2. Constantius 3. Constans Cap. 39. in the Greeke The death â—f Constanâ—â—nus magnê° â—nno Dom. 40. â—ap 40. in 〈◊〉 Greeke The seconde booke of Socrates compriseth the history of 25. yeares being the full raign of Constantius ending Anno Dom. 365. * The error of Ruffinus By this we gather that there be two editions of Socrates history the first as he sayth him selfe vnperfect the seconde the last which is this very perfect absolute One rotten sheepe infecteth an other Illyrium is nowe called Sclauonia Cap. 3. in the Greeke The epistle of Constantinus the yonger vnto the Churche of Alexandria for the admission of Athanasius their Bishop Cap. 4. in the greeke Eusebius Pamphilus dyeth Acarius bishop of Caesarea * Cap. 5. in the Greeke Cap. 6. in the Greeke AlexaÌ„der bishop of CoÌ„stantinople dyed beingfourescore and eightene yeares olde Macedonius signifieth excellency Templum pacis Templum Sophiae Cap. 7. in the grecke * Cap. 8. in the Gâ—â—el e. A councell of Arians summonâ—d at Antioch Anno Dom. 344. Maximus b. of Ierusalem Iultus b. of Rome Placitus b. of Antioch Athanasius is sclaundered in the councell of Antioch Cap 9. in the Greeke Georgius b. of Laodicea Cap. 10. in the Greeke Gregorie an Arian bishop of Alexandria A forme of fayth layde downe by the hypocriticall Arian bishops which assembled at the councell of Antioch denying that they followed Arius An other Creed of the Arian byshops which is to be rede waryly Iohn 1. Iohn 6. Math. 28. Earthquake Cap. 11. in the greeke Athanasius was fayne to runne awaye for the â—aâ—egaâ—de of his lite Cap 12. in he Greeke Eusebius â—ome time â—â—shop of Nicomedia â—fterwardes â—â—ishop of â—onstaunoâ—le dyeth an 〈◊〉 The Arians caused greate murther and slaughter in the church Cap. 13. in the greeke The Greeke measure was 2. folde one was called Atticus coÌ„tainiÌ„g of our measure six galloÌ„s 1. pottel 1. quart An other was called Georgicus of our measure one bushell a peck one pynt * Cap. 14. in the Greeke Cap. 15. in the greeke The epistle of Iulius vnto the bishops of the East their answere vnto him againe is to be seene in the first â—ome of the Councells The church of Rome hath nothiÌ„g to doe with the churches of the East and so of the contrary Sabinus This Sabinus â—rot a booke â—tituled the collection of â—he couÌ„cells Socra lib. 1. â—ap 13. lib. 3. â—ap 21 where â—e â—ayth noâ—ing of the â—uersaries â—f the trueth â—ap 16. in 〈◊〉 Greeke The greate slaughter which the Arians caused at Constantinople about the placing of Macedonius the hereticke Cap. 17. in the Greeke Athanasius is falsely accused Cap. 18. in the Greeke Paulus b. of CoÌ„stantinople gott him to Rome The Creede of certaine AriaÌ„ bishops exhibited vnto Constans the emperour where they dissemble egregiously The heresie of Photinus Cap. 19. after â—he Greeke The bishops â—f the East summone a councell and sende abrode this theyr Creede with long expositions therof 1. Corinth 11. The heresie of Paulus Samosatenus The word of God is no vocal or meÌ„tall worde Marcellians Photinians Ancyrogalatians Gen. 1. 2. Gen. 12. 18. Exod. 19. 20. Hebr. 1. Sabellians PatropassiaÌ„s Prouerb 8. The bishops â—f the VVest â—hurches â—ere stayed â— religion Cap. 20. in the Greeke The couÌ„cell of Sardice was held An. Dom. 350. The Arians were loth to come to the couÌ„cel therfore they dissemble and fayne excuses The Acts of the councell of Sardice Paulê° bishop of CoÌ„stantinople Athanasius bishop of AlexaÌ„dria Marcellê° b. of Ancyra are by the councell restored to their churches Cap. 21. in the Greeke Euseb de vit Constantini lib. 3. Euseb lib. 1. contra Marcellum Prouer. 8. Euseb lib. 3. contra Marcellum 1. Pet. 2. Act. 2. Psal 50. Ephes 2. Cap. 22. in the Greeke The diuision of the East West churches The letters of Constanâ— the Emperour vnto his brother Constantius * Cap. 23. in the greeke 1. Corinth 2. The conference of Constantius and Athanasius Ca. 24. in the Greeke The councell of Ierusalem Anno Dom. 351. Maximus bishop of Ierusalem forsooke the Arians Vrsacius and Valens being Arians repeÌ„â— theÌ„ of there folly Cap. 25. in the Greeke Magnentius the tyrant is of Futropius called MaxeÌ„tius Bretanion a tyrant Nepotianus a traitor Cap. 26. in the Greeke Athanasius is accused The councel of AlexaÌ„dria Paulus Bishop of Constantinople exiled and there stifled â—o death Marcellus is deposed Lucius dieth in prison Theodulus Olympius Cap. 27. in the greeke The persecution of the christians by the AriaÌ„ heretickes Cap. 28. in the Greeke Athanasius Apollogie Sabastianusa captaine yet a Manichee and a greate blood sucker These bishops were sent to exile by the AriaÌ„s The clemeÌ„â—y of Constantius towards Bretanion Gallus Caesar The signe of the Crosse seene in the aër * Cap. 29. in the Greeke Photinus the hereticke The councel of Sirmium was held Anno Dom. 355 Cap. 30. in the greeke A forme of faith exhibited by Marcus Bishop of Arethusa vnto the councell of Sirmium Act. 2. 〈…〉 â— say 43. 44. Iohn 1. Gen. 1. 2. Gen. 32. Gen. 19. Psal 110. Iohn 15. 16. This forme of fayth is so â—atched together without time or â—asoÌ„ that in many places â— requireth a â—â—ry reader â—e authors â—ereof misâ—â—ed with it â—â—emselues â— called it in â—gaine as apâ—â—areth in â—e ende of â—s chapiter â—â—m 3. Esay 53. Math. 28. Photinus the hereticke was â—oyled in open disputation Cap. 31. in the Greeke Cap. 32. in the Greeke The crueltie of Magnentius The miserable death of Magnentius Decenius hanged himselfe Siluanus the tyrant was no sooner vp but he was dispatched * Cap. 33. in the Greeke The Iewes become rebells are ouercome * Cap. 34. in the greeke Gallus a rebell being in great trust became a traitor so lost his head This Iuliamus was Emperoure after Constantius became an Apostata â—uhus Bishop of Rome 15. yeares Liberius Bishope of Rome Anno â—om 352. â—a 35. in the â—â—ecke Cap. 35. in the Greeke VVhere in Aëtius differed from the Arians Leontius b. of Antioch The Greeke worde is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the speciall title of Aristotles predicaments yet doth it signifie as the sense here otherwise geueth vs to vnderstand his booke of Elenches by him intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VVhy Aëtius was called an Atheist Eunomius the hereticke Cap. 36. in the Greeke The couÌ„cel of Millayne * Cap. 37. in the Greeke Eudoxius b. of Antioche A forme of faith layde downe in the councell of Aâ—imino in â—â—aly by certaine Arian â—ishops â—h 14. 16. The answere of the Catholicke bishops The epistle of Athanasiê° vnto his familier frieÌ„ds where he laieth downe his censure of the creede going before condemning it for hereticall Luc. 2.
longer refer the sentence vvhich is to be giuen of me vnto the most puisant emperours let me haue iustice it appertaineth vnto thē to deale vvith me according vnto their pleasure take these mine aduises as proceeding from a fatherly affection vnto you as my louing sonne If you presently take the matter in dugin as you haue heretofore go on a gods name if reason can not bridle your rage Thus doubted not Nestorius w t letters as with fist foote to kick aswel against y ◠emperours as their magistrates to reuile them all to nought neither could he be brought to modest behauiour for all his woe misery his ende departure out of this life I learned of a certē writer to haue bene as followeth to wit his tongue to haue bene eaten vp of worms and so by the iust iudgement of God to haue passed from these bodely to ghostly from these temporall to eternall punishments CAP. VIII How Maximianus succeeded Nestorius in the seae of Constantinople after him Proclus and after Proclus Flauianus WHen wicked Nestorius had departed this life Maximianus succeeded him in the byshoprick of the famous citie of Constantinople in whose dayes the Church of God enioyed peace and tranquility After his deceasse Proclus gouerned the seae who when he had runne the race of his mortall lyfe left the rowme vnto Flanianus CAP. IX Of Eutyches the infortunate hereticke how he was deposed of Flauianus byshop of Constantinople and of the councell which assembled there and deposed him IN the dayes of Flauianus the poysoned heresie of Eutyches sprang vp whiche caused a prouinciall councell to be summoned at Constantinople where Eusebius byshop of Dorylaeum being an eloquent Rhetorician called for the records and first of all conuinced the blasphemie of Nestorius When Eutyches was sent for and come he was founde in reasoninge to maintaine the aforesaide error for I confesse saith he that our Lorde consisted of two natures before the diuinitie was coopled with the humanitie but after the vnitinge of them I affirme that he had but one nature he sayd moreouer that the bodie of the Lord was not of the same substance with ours Wherefore he was vnministred yet at his humble sute vnto Theodosus he reported that Flauianus had forged records against him the first councell of Constantinople was called together of the borderinge byshopps to sitte vpon that matter where not onely the councell but also diuers other byshopps sifted out the doinges of Flauianus there the records beinge founde true were confirmed and a seconde councell summoned to meete at Ephesus CAP. X. How by the meanes of Dioscorus byshop of Alexandria and Chrysaphius it came to passe that a wicked councell was called together at Ephesus where Eutyches the hereticke was restored to his former degree DIoscorus who succeded Cyrill in the byshopricke of Alexandria was appointed moderator of this councell Chrysaphius gouernour of the pallace had craftely brought this about to th ende the hatred owed vnto Flauianus might be set on fire thither also came Iuuenalis byshop of Ierusalem who some time gouerned the seae of Ephesus together with many priests of his traine Domnus who succeeded Iohn in the Churche of Antioch met them Iulius also the substitute of Leo byshop of olde Rome besides these Flauianus was present together with his prouince Theodosius commaunded Elpidius as followeth such as in times past gaue sentence of Eutyches the most vertuous Abbot good leaue haue they to be present at the councell but let them be quiet and their voyces suspended my will is that they waite for the generall and common sentence of the most holy fathers seeing that such things as were afore time decided by them are now called into controuersie to be short Dioscorus together with such byshops as were of his opinion in this councell restored Eutyches into his former dignitie as it appeareth more at large in the actes of the sayde councell As for Flauianus Eusebius byshop of Dorylaeum they were deposed of their byshopricks the same councell excommunitated also and depriued Ibas byshop of Edessa Daniel byshop of Carra Irenaeus byshop of Tyrus and Aquilinus byshop of Biblus They layde downe moreouer certaine decrees against Sophronius byshop of Constantinople they remoued Theodoritus byshop of Cyrestes and Domnus byshop of Antioch of whom what became afterwards I doe not learne and thus was the second councell of Ephesus broken vp CAP. XI The Apologie of Euagrius touching the varietie of opinions among the Christians and of the ridiculous vanitie of the heathen godds I Would haue none of al the ethniks which dote ouer their idolatricall seruice to deride vs christians because the latter byshops haue abrogated the sentence of their predecessors and seme alwayes to add some thing vnto the forme of our faith for we of our part though we sifte out with great care the long sufferance of God which may neither in worde be expressed neither in deede be found out yet are we so affectionated though we leane either to this side or to y ◠side y t we always honor it extol it aboue al other things Neither was there any one of al the heretickes among the christians that of set purpose at any time would vtter blasphemy fal of his owne accord to reuile the maiesty of God but rather perswaded him self in auoutching this or that opinion that therein he was of a sounder doctrine then the fathers that went before him As touching the ground principles of Christian religion whiche alwayes ought vnuiolably be retained we are all of one opinion for the godhead which we adore is the trinitie the persons whom we so highly praise are in vnity the word of God also was begotten before y ◠fundations of the world were laid we beleeue that in these latter dayes he tooke flesh because of the fauour and compassion he had on the worke of his owne hand If in case that any nouelty be founde out as touchinge other matters they come to passe freely of mans owne accorde seeing it pleaseth God so to dispose of thē and to graunt them liberty to thinke as it pleaseth them best to the ende the holy Catholicke and Apostolicke Churche may reforme what is found amisse determine of both sides guyd vnto the true godlines and direct her selfe according vnto the plaine character of sound and sincere doctrine And therfore it was said of the Apostle It must nedes be that heresies doe raigne among you that they vvhich are perfect amonge you may be knovven Herein verily we haue to wonder at the secret wisedome of God which sayth thus vnto S. Paule My strength is made perfect in vveakenesse For looke what the things be which deuide the members of the Churche of God euen out of the same sound doctrine is culled out void of al reprehension polished more curiously laid vp more safely the Catholicke church encreaseth therby more more
euery day is extolled in manner vnto y â— skies But the ethniks fauourers fosterers of error which imploy no labour industerie for y â— sifting out of y â— trueth in God neyther to vnderstande of his care and prouidence ouer mankinde these men I saye doe abolishe both their olde decrees and their newefounde constitutions sometimes by inuentinge newe Gods one after the other some other times by consecratinge for Gods their vayne immaginations and the fonde affections of their mindes attributinge vnto them the names of Gods and to be short by fatheringe vpon the Gods the practisinge of suche thinges to th ende their intemperate desires may escape vnpunished And therefore truely it commeth to passe that he which is honored of them for their chiefe God the father to witte of God and man beinge transformed into the shape of an Egle snatched away through wantonnesse a Phrygian boye deliuered him a cuppe in rewarde of the filthie and haynous offence lycensed him for loue sake to beginne vnto him to th ende eyther of them ioyntly with the Nectar might sucke shame and reproche The same God folded himselfe in other infinitt blemishes verye odious to the seeminge of the vulgar sort of people for by takinge vpon him the forme of euerye vnreasonable creature he became both male and female and though his wombe bare no burthen yet they saye he caused by the acte of venerie that suche a thinge seemed to haue bene done by him contrarye to nature They saye that Bacchus was his sonne and that he was also Androgynus both man and woman a great sclaunder to both sexe the ringleader of dronkennesse quaffinge surfettinge vomitinge and all the mischiefe that ensueth thereof They report of this Aegiochus and thunderinge Ioue an other haynous acte that he murthered his father whiche crime ought seuerely to be punished of all the nations vnder heauen For Saturne whiche begate him to his owne destruction is saide by him to haue bene thrust out of his kingdome What shall I speake of the whoredome and leacherie that raigneth amonge the Gods where they appoint Venus Cypria begotten in the shell of a fishe to be the chiefe autor thereof whiche detesteth chastitie as an haynous and horrible offence delighteth in all leacherous and beastly actes and will be pacified with suche sacrifices with whome when Mars had committed adulterie and Vulcan her husband takinge him in his snares Mars and Venus were brought forth doinge the deede to pastime and recreate the gods Who is it that wil not contemne with laughter their Phalli Ithyphalli Phallagogia the mishapen and deformed Priapus the god Pan honored for his filthie member the mysteries celebrated in Eleusis yet to be commended for this one thinge that the sunne beholdeth not their shamefull actes for they are done in the night season but leauinge these foule sacrifices and sacrificers let vs returne where we lefte and painte forth vnto the posteritie that whiche remaineth of Theodosus raigne CAP. XII Howe Theodosius the Emperour condemned the heresie of Nestorius THeodosius laide downe a godly decree which is founde in the Code of Iustinian the thirde law of the first title where he condemned Nestorius for euer and pronounced him to be held for accursed beinge moued thereunto no doubt by the instinct of the holy ghoste for all that Nestorius him selfe bragged that the Emperour bare him entire and singuler good will For thus he writeth VVe decree moreouer that vvhosoeuer doe embrace the vvicked opinion of Nestorius and geue eare vnto his leude doctrine if they be byshops that they be banished the holy Churches if lay persons that they be accursed There are other lawes of his made in the behalfe of our religion to be sene extant whiche plainely set forth his seruent minde and earnest zeale to the furtherance of the Christian faith CAP. XIII Of Symeon a religious man whiche lyued in a pillour IN those dayes there was of greate fame and renowne one Symeon a godly man and muche spoken of he was the firste that taught to dwell in a pillour and made therein his lodginge scarse two cubitts wyde At that tyme Domnus was byshoppe of Antioch who comminge vnto Symeon wondered at his mansion and trade of life desired of him verye earnestly to vnderstande the secrecie and mysteries thereof They went both in together consecrated the immaculate bodye of Christ and became partakers of the liuely communion This Symeon being in the fleshe imitated in lyfe the trade of the Angellicall powers withdrewe him selfe from worldly affayres forced nature whiche of her selfe leaneth downewardes and followed after loftie thinges beinge placed as it were in the middest betweene heauen and earth he sought conference with God he praysed him together with the Angels he lifted the prayers of men vp from the earth vnto heauen and offered them to God he brought the goodnesse of God from heauen to earth and made the worlde partaker thereof his life is written by one whiche sawe him with his eyes also by Theodoritus byshoppe of Cyres who amonge other thinges omitted this one historie which I haue founde recorded amonge the inhabitaunts of the holye desert and learned of them for certayntie when this Symeon who liued on earth as an Angell and in the fleshe muche lyke a citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem had begonne this trade of life both straunge and suche as the worlde was not before acquainted withall the religious men of the desert sent a messenger vnto him for to demaunde of him what he meant by that newefounde and vnknowen kinde of lyfe and wherefore he forsooke the wonted trade the steppes and traces of the sainctes whiche went before and deuised to him selfe a forraine and vnknowen waye they exhorte him moreouer by their messenger to come downe from his lodging and to followe the holy fathers which were his predecessors They had moreouer commaunded their Legate that if he sawe him yelde and come downe he shoulde licence him to goe on still in his owne way they perswaded them selues that his obedience woulde declare whether God had guyded him to leade suche a life and to take vpon him in this worlde so weightie a combatt for to chastise his carcasse but if he stubburnely resisted if he were frowarde and wilfull not yeldinge with all speede vnto their counsell and aduise he shoulde pull him downe with a vengeance When the messenger came to him exhorted him as the fathers had willed and sawe that immediatly he beganne to rise yeldinge vnto their exhortation he permitted him to proceede on and continewe as he beganne sayinge vnto him as followeth be of good cheare and behaue thy selfe manfully thy mansion no doubt is ordayned of God These thinges though other writers haue omitted them yet haue I thought them worthie the penninge vnto the knowledge of the posteritie The grace of God beinge resiant in the closset of his breste was so