The auncient ecclesiasticall histories of the first six hundred yeares after Christ, wrytten in the Greeke tongue by three learned historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. Eusebius Pamphilus Bishop of Cæsarea in Palæstina vvrote 10 bookes. Socrates Scholasticus of Constantinople vvrote 7 bookes. Euagrius Scholasticus of Antioch vvrote 6 bookes. VVhereunto is annexed Dorotheus Bishop of Tyrus, of the liues of the prophetes, apostles and 70 disciples. All which authors are faithfully translated out of the Greeke tongue by Meredith Hanmer, Maister of Arte and student in diuinitie. Last of all herein is contayned a profitable chronographie collected by the sayd translator, the title whereof is to be seene in the ende of this volume, with a copious index of the principall matters throughout all the histories

THE NINTHE BOOKE OF THE EC∣CLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA. (Book 9)

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, Maxi∣minus 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 commaunde∣ment, & 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* 1.1 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 empe¦rour, 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 com∣mitted 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* 1.2 and onely true God. Some of our men which faithfully & manfully endured the combatt of perse∣cution, 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^• midd high wayes throughout the market places and frequented assemblies. There mightest thou haue seene them who a little before after most greuous punishments were fettred, and banished their natiue soyle to receaue & enioy their proper houses, w^t a cherefull and mery countenance, in so much that they which afore time cried out against vs, nowe reioyced together with vs at this wonderful sight, happening be∣yond all mans expectation.

CAP. II.

Maximinus againe shewing his hatred against the christians forbiddeth the assemblies in churchyards and goeth about to banishe them Antioch.

THe tyrant enemy to all honesty and chiefe practiser of wicked counsell against all y^• godly, whome wee sayde to haue borne rule in the Easterne partes not well brookinge these things: permoited them not to continewe in the same state, no not six whole moneths. wher¦fore he putteth in vre euery mischiuous practise to the ouerthrowe of peace and tranquillity: first by a certaine pretense he goeth about to barre vs our liberty of meeting in churchyardes, next by sending certaine malicious men, he pricked and prouoked against vs the citizensof Antioch, that they should begg of him for a great benefitt, y^• he would permitt no christian at all to dwell within his dominiōs. This he assayed by y^• aduise of others, y^e author of all which mischief, was Theotec∣nus, who solicited the cause, and egged them of Antioch forewards, a man he was of authority, an inchaunter, very spitefull and farre from the signification of his name, who then was liuetenante of that city.

CAP. III.

Theotecnus goeth about to mischiefe the christians, he incenseth the tyrant against them, and setteth vp an Idole at Antioch.

THis Theotecnus therefore when he had vehemently impugned vs and procured euery kind of way that the christians should diligently be sought out of their dennes and apprehended for haynous robbers: and had imagined all meanes to the end we should be charged and ac∣cused: and had bene the cause of death to an infinite number, at length he erecteth the Idoll of Iup∣piter* 1.3 as of the God of frendship, with certains inchauntments and sorceryes: and inuenteth there∣unto impure ceremonyes, execrable sacrifices & detestable oblations: & causeth report to be made vnto the emperour of the straunge things the Oracle seemed to vtter. This Theotecnus also, being a flatterer (wherwith he seemed to please y^• emperour) raysed a wicked spirit against the christiās and sayd: God so commaunded that the christians should be banished out of the citie, and the liber∣ties thereof, For that they were rebells and traitors to the crowne.

CAP. IIII.

Maximinus againe raiseth persecution by his decrees.

WHen that Theotecnus first of all had done this of his owne accorde, all the other magi∣strats inhabiting the cities of his dominion promulgated the like sentence: & when as the presidents throughout the prouinces sawe this pleased the emperour, they egged the subiects also to do the like: & y^• tyrant very promptly consented by his rescript vnto theyr ordi∣nances, so y^t againe y^e heate of persecutiō was blowen against vs & that againe Idol priestes were ordained by the decree of Maximinus throughout euery city & village and moreouer high priests which specially excelled in pollicies and passed others in all thinges who also were zelous fo∣lowers of their religion and bestowed greate labor about the seruice of them whome they wor∣shiped. Wherefore the emperours superstition and Idolatricall minde was againe as it were a fresh incensed against vs, & that I may vtter the whole in fewe words he brought all his dominiō both magistrats & inferior subiects, to practise euery kinde of mischiefe for his sake against vs, & to thinke they requited him fully and shoulde haue great fauour asmany as desired to obtaine any benefit at his hand, if they oppressed vs w^t slaughter & executed certaine new mischiefs against vs.

CAP. V.

The heathens goe about to defame christian religion fayning blasphemyes against the actes of Christ and Pilate, and with certaine womens confession extorted from them by the gouernour of Damascus.

AGaine they forge certaine actes as of Pilate and our Sauiour, full of blasphemy against Christ, the which by consent of the emperour they sende abrode throughout his dominions cōmaunding by their letters y^• y^• same throughout all places both city & countrey should be expounded & deliuered to y^• youth by scholmaisters, to be committed vnto memory in stead of their indited vulgars & exercised discipline. These things being thus brought to passe a certaine ruler of the host, whome the Romaines call a captaine, drewe from the markett place of Damascus in Phoenicia, certaine infamous women and brought them by threates of torments to that passe that after a register or recorde was shewed they shoulde confesse them selues somtimes to haue beene christians & priuey to the wicked and lasciuious actes which y^• christians committed amonge thē selues at their solemne meeting on the sundayes: & what other things it pleased him they shoulde vtter to y^• sclaunder of our religion, the which words were registred, copied and lent to the empe∣roure who also commaunded the same euery where, in euery place and city to be published.

CAP. VI.

The confusion of the captaine of Damascus: the commendation of certaine martys and the places where they florished.

BUt this captaine in a while after procured his owne death with his proper hād & suffred pu∣nishment due for his malicious deserte. Then againe banishment & greuous persecutiō was raised against the christians, & againe the presidents of seuerall prouinces beganne vtterly* 1.4 to rebell against vs, so y^• diuerse of them which excelled in y^e doctrine of Christ Iesu, bare away the ineuitable sentence of death. of which number were three christians in Emisa a city of Phoenicia, who of there owne accord professed christianity & were deliuered to be deuoured of rauening bea∣stes. Among these also was Siluanus a byshop, farre stroken in years, hauing executed y^• functiō of the ecclesiasticall ministery y^• space of forty years full. About y^• time Petrus who notably gouerned y^• churches of Alexandria, excelling all other godly bishops, for his vertous lif & godly exercise of preaching; for no other cause thē you heare without hope of any reward, sodainly & vnaduisedly by y^• commaundement of Maximinus was beheaded: & together w^t him after y^• same maner, many Ae∣gyptian bishops were executed. Againe Lucianus a notable man, for his continency of lif, & for his skill in holy Scripture highly cōmended, being an elder of y^• church of Antioch was brought to Nicomedia in which city y^• emperour thē abode. & after he had exhibited vnto the emperour (ene∣my to all goodnes) an Apollogie in defence of y^• doctrine which he taught & where with he bare rule, was cast into prison and shortly after executed. This Maximinus in shorte space exercised so great a tyranny & crueltye towards vs, that the later persecutiō seemed farre more greuous vnto vs then the former.

CAP. VII.

The Edict of Maximinus against the christians and the calamities which ensued after the publishing thereof and daunted the braggery of the tyrante.

IN the midds of euery towne (which before was neuer seene) y^• decrees of cities & besids them y^• copies of y^• imperiall edicts engrauen in brasen tables were nayled vp. And children in scholes sounded euery day Iesus & Pilate & other what so euer for farther contumely cold be forged. It seemeth very expediēt, for this place to annexe the coppy of the edict, which Maximinus nayled to pillers so that the insolent & arrogant temerity of this man: his spite towards God: his euidente contumacy: and againe y^• vigilāt iustice of God against impious persons, which immediatly ouer∣tooke him according vnto the celestiall wisedome of God, may be reuealed: wherewith he beinge prouoked though he imagined not mischiefs very long against vs, yet at that time he confirmed them with publique edicts. The coppy whereof was thus:

The coppy of Maximinus translated edict, ratifying the decrees published against vs and borowed of that which was nayled to a post at Tyrus.* 2.1

At length the weake resistāce of mans mind laying a side & scattering all obscurity & mist of

error which hitherto possessed the witts as wel of impious & miserable mē, wrapped in the per∣nicious darknes of ignorāce, hath beneable to discerne, that the same is gouerned by the proui∣dēce of the immortal gods, embracīg goodnes, the which thīg may not be expressed, how accep table, hovv pleasing, & gratfull it vvas vnto vs, and hovv greate a try all it shevved of your godly* 2.2 will, vvhē as also afore time euery mā knew your disposed diligēce & piety towards the immor∣tal gods, whose faith is made manifest, not by naked & fruteles words, but by firme & wōderful vvorks. vvherfore your citie may iustly be called the seate of the immortal gods, & by many exā∣ples it is apparēt hovv she florisheth hauīg the celestial Gods present with her. For behold, your citie laying aside all the thīgs which specially cōcerned her, & despising the thīgs vvhich chiefly should haue bene sought for her vvealth, vvhen as she perceiued, that cursed vanitie, agayne to creepe & like cōtēned & couered sparcles of fire by blowing againe to sēd forth mighty flames, immediatly without further deliberatiō you hau••g recourse vnto our grace as vnto the metropo litane of all deuine worship haue made supplicatiō for remedy & ayde: the vvhich soūd mind, it is manifest, the gods for your trusty seruice, haue ingraffed in you. He therfore I meane the most hygh & mighty Ioue, vvho ruleth your most renovvmed citie, to the end he might deliuer your cōtrie gods, your wiues, your childrē, your houshould gods & houses frō all vtter corruptiō, hàth inspired your minds with this wholsome coūsell, shewing & declaring how excellēt, & notable a thing it is to embrace the religion & sacred seruice of the immortall gods with devv worship. who may be found so bereaued of all his witts vvhich cānot vnderstād this thing to happē vnto vs by the fauorable care of the gods, that neither the earth denieth the seede she receaued frustra tīg the hope of the husbād mē by vaine expectatiō: neither is that shew of wicked warr on earth strēgthened without offēce: neither doth the noisome tēperature of the aire dispatch with death the corrupt bodies: neither is the sea swollē with vnportunate winds, ouerflowen the banks, nei∣ther do the stormes which fall downe vnloked for, sturr vp pernicious tēpest: neither is the earth which is fostrer & mother of all, drowned in her owne bottomlesgulfs by terrible earthquakes: neither the moūtaines setled on earth swallowed vp by rēting of the earth asuder: al which euils* 2.3 yea greater thē these, who knoweth not often to haue happened heretofore. Yet all these things came to passe, because of the meere folly of those wicked mē, whē as that shamefull spot ouer∣shadowed their minds & welnigh as I may so terme it, preuailed ouery vvhere. Againe a litle af∣ter he addeth: Let them behold the wide & broade field, the florishing corne, and ouerflovving eares, the pleasaunt medowes clothed with herbes & flowers moistned vvith shoures from hea∣uē, & the weather become tēperate & calme. againe let al reioyce, because that the might of the most potēt & sturdy Mars is pacified through your seruice, sacrifices & worship. let thē reioyce because that therfore cōstantly we enioy quiet peace, & as many as left that blind error & retur∣ned vnto the right & best minde, may the rather be glad for that they are deliuered frō that so∣daine storme & greuous disease, & hēceforh attained vnto the sweetnes of a pleasaūt life. But if they persist in that execrable vanitle, our will & pleasure is (according vnto your request) that they be seuered & banished farre from your city & the bordering regions, that your citie by this meanes after your laudable industry beīg made free frō all impurity may busily occupy her selfe according vnto her disposed minde in offeringe of sacrifices with dew honor of the immortall gods. & that you may throughly vnderstād how gratefull your request in this behalfe hath bene vnto vs (yea without intreaty or great sute) volūtarily our most prōpt mind to promote good en∣deuers hath grāted vnto yourdeuotiō, that what gift so euer of our boūtifulnes ye list, ye craue it of vs in cōsideration of this your godly purpose. & that this thīg may be accōplished forthwith, aske & haue, which being done, shalbe a perpetuall testimony vnto your citye of piety towards the immortall gods, & shalbe a proofe vnto your sonnes & posteritie, how that you haue bene vvorthely revvarded by our goodnes for this your desire to leade a right life.

Whē these things were nailed to pillers throughout euery prouince they bereaued vs of all hope of better succes, as much as lieth in mā, so y^• welnigh accordīg vnto y^• deuine sayīg of Christ, The elect thē selues (if it* 2.4 cold possiblye) had bene offēded at these thīgs. but whē as in maner y^• hope of many lay for dead, immediatly while they were yet in their iorney, which were authorized to publish in certaine pla ces y^• foresayd edict: God y^• defender of his church, not only resisted y^• insolēt outrage of this tyrāt, but shewed vnto y^• world his celestiall ayde in our behalfe. For showres & rayne in winter season, seased frō their wōted streames in watrīg y^e earth: & famine vnloked for oppressed thē, after this en sued y^e pestilēce & a certain greuous disease, in forme of a botch, termed for y^• feruēt burning therof▪

a carbuncle. this spredding it selfe ouer the whole bodie, brought such as therwith were infected into doubtfull daunger of their liues, but specially taking them about the eyes, it blinded an infi∣nit number both of men, women and children. Moreouer there rose warre betwene the tyrant and the Armenians, who vnto that time from the beginning were friendes and fellowes of the Ro∣maines. These Armenians when as they were Christians and carefull about the seruice of God, the tyrant (enemie to God) endeuoured to constraine them to do sacrifice vnto idols and deuills, & in stede of friends he made them foes, in stede of felows, enemies. These things sodainly meeting together in one and the same time haue quelled the boasting of the presumptuous tyrant againste God, wherwith he gloried that neither famine, neither pestilence, neither warre, fell in his time, for that he carefully worshipped idols and impugned the Christians.

CAP. VIII.

Of the grieuous famine and pestilence in the tyme of Maximinus, & of the godly affection which the Christians shewed to their heathen enemies.

THese things running in a heape and together, contained foresignes of his death. for he to∣gether with his army was sore vexed with the warres against the Armenians, and the rest I meane the inhabitors of his cities sore pined away with famine & pestilence, so that one measure of wheate was solde for two thousand & fiftie A••••icks. An infinite number dyed through out the cities, but more throughout the cōtries and villages, so that nowe the sundry and auncient sised valuations of husbandmen were in maner quite done awaye for because that all sodainely through want of foode & grieuous maladie of the pestilence were perished. Many therfore sought to sell vnto the welthier sort, for most sclender foode, the dearest things they enioyed. Others sel∣ling their possessions by peeces fel at length into the miserable perill of extreme pouertie, others gnawing the small shreded toppes of greene grasse and withall confusely feeding on certaine ve∣nemous herbes vsed them for foode, whereby the healthie constitution of the bodie was perished and turned to poyson. diuers noble women throughout the cities, driuen to extreme neede and ne∣cessitie went a begginge into the contrey, shewing forth by their reuerend countenance and more gorgeous apparell an example of that auncient and free maner of feeding, certaine others whose strength was dryed vp tottering to and fro, wending and slyding much like carued pictures with∣out life, for that they were not able to stand fell downe flat in the middest of the streets, groueling vpon the grounde, with their faces vpwarde and stretched out armes, makinge humble supplica∣tion that some one woulde reache them a little peece of breade, and thus lying in extremitie, ready to yeelde vp the ghost, cryed out that they were hungrie, beyng onely able to vtter these wordes: others which seemed to be of the wealthier sort, amazed at the multitude of beggers, after they had distributed infinitely they put on an vnmercifull and sturdye minde, fearinge lest they shortly shoulde suffer the like neede with them that craued. Wherefore in the myddest of the markett place and throughout narrowe lanes the deade and bare carcasses lay many dayes vnburyed and cast a longe, which yeelded a miserable spectacle to the beholders. Yea many became foode vnto doggs, for which cause chiefely such as lyued, turned them selues to kill dogges, fearing lest they should become madd and turne them selues to teare in peeces and deuoure men. And no lesse truly did the plague spoyle euery house and age, but specially deuouring them whome famine through want of foode could not destroy. Therfore the ritche, the princes, the presidents, and many of the magistrats as fitt people for a pestilent disease (because they were not pinched with penury) suf∣fred a sharpe and most swift death. All sounded of lamentation, throughout euery narrowe lane, the market places and streetes, there was nothing to be seene but weeping together with their wonted pipes and the rest of minstrels noyse. death after this sort waging battaile with double armour, to wete, with famine and pestilence: destroyed in short space whole families, so that the dead carcasses of two or three were seene borne to the graue in one funerall. These were recōpen∣ces for the bragging of Maximinus, & the edicts which he published aganst y^• Christiās through∣out* 2.5 the cities, when as by manifest tokens it appeared vnto all men how seruiceable & godly the christians were in al things. For they alone in so great an ouerflowing of mischiefe shewed forth true compassion, and studious curtesie, euery day some busily occupyed them selues in curing and burying the deade, wheras infinite were otherwise despised of their owne friends: others gathe∣ring together throughout the whole city, into one heape and place, the multitude of them which were in great daunger by reason of famine, distributed breade vnto all: to the end they myght make

that benefite manifest & famous vnto all men, wherby they might glorifie y^• God of the Christiās, & cōfesse that they alone were godly in deede, and sound by their works to be the only worshipe•••• of God. These things being thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might to passe, the great & celestiall God defender of y^• Chri∣stians, which by the aforesayd calamities shewed his wrath & indig••••iō against mortall men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 because they had vexed vs aboue measure, made the bright countenance of his prouid••••e towards vs, placable & cōfortable, so that therby peace shined with great admiratiō vnto vs like light vnto such as sate in darknes, & made manifest vnto all men that God him selfe is the continewall ouer∣seear of our affaires, which chastiseth his people and exerciseth them with calamities for a season▪ yet after sufficient correction appeareth againe tractable and mercifull vnto such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trust in him.

CAP. IX.

The victory of Constantinus against Maxentius, the Edict of Maximinus in the behalfe of the Christians.

WHerfore Cōstantinus whome we haue termed emperour, sonne of an Emperour, godly of a most godly mā, & gracious in all things, being raised vp by the highest king y^• god & sauiour of all, against these most impious tyrants, waging battaile with thē by law of armes and boulstred with the ayde of God, ouerthrewe miraculously Maxentius at Rome, and foyled him vtterly. Maximinus also in the east, suruiuing a litle after his depare••••e one of this ••••f••, dyed a most shamefull death procured by Licinius, who thē as yet had not raged against vs, nethe•• turned him selfe to persecute the christians. but the forsayde Constantinus, who was ••••st in honor and possession of the empire, tendering y^• Romaines estate, whome the tyrant oppressed, made sup∣plication vnto the celestiall God & his word, euen to visus Christ the sauiour of all y^• world for aide & succour, to the end he might deliuer vnto the Romaines the libertie they enioyed from their fore∣fathers, and girded him selfe to battaile together with his whole host, while that Maxētius in the meane space trusting more in his magicall arts, thē in y^• good will of his subiects, durst not march forwards to meete him, no not out of y^• towne walls, but fortified euery place, euery ••••ast and city with innumerable multitudes of armed souldiers, infinite garrisons full of fleight placed here and there on euery side throughout all Italie & the other contries of his dominion. wherfore Costātinus the emperour being ayded from aboue, set vpō the first, the second, & third band of the tyrāts host, valiantly ouercame all, & so cōquering y^• chiefe part of Italy draweth nowe nigh to Rome. & lest he shold be cōstrained for y^• tyrāts sake to assault the Romaines, God draweth forth very far without the gates of y^• citie the tyrant him selfe as if he had bene bound with certaine chaines & setteth forth & cōfirmeth againe, that auncient power against impious persons, incredible and fabulous perad∣uēture vnto many: but vnto y^• faithfull, certaine & ingraffed in holy scripture, wōderfully with the eyes thē selues to be beheld, (in trueth it selfe) of all (and that I may speake in fewe wordes) both faithful & infidels. euen as therfore vnder Moses & that aunciēt & godly nation of the Hebrevves, he* 2.6 ouerthrew the chariots of Pharao & his host, & couered with the waues of the sea the chosen hors∣men, & drowned the souldiers in the running streames of the read se•••••••• Maxentius and his armed souldiers, and whole troope descended like a stone plunginge into the deapth of the water, when as he went about to auoyde and flie away from the power of God (by whome Constantinus was assisted) and to passe ouer y^• water, y^• which he had carefully ouerlayd with cockboats, like bridges linked together and prepared to his owne destruction. wherfore then also it might haue bene said, He made a pitt & digged it vp, & fell him selfe into the destructiō he made for other, for his tra∣uell* 2.7 shall returne vpon his ovvne head, & his vnrighteousnes shall light vpō his owne pate. For the bridge which was made vpō y^• riuer being ouerthrowen, y^• passage was hindered, & the boates forthwith together with the men in thē suncke into the bottome, & first of all y^• most impious tyrāt him selfe, next his gard which were w^t him, according vnto y^• foresaying of holy scripture, plunged like lead into y^• depth of y^• rūning streame. so y^• very well, this victory being obtained by y^• helping hand of God, y^• selfe same which of old was sayd against y^• impious tyrāt, though not in word yet in dede euen as they which were w^t Moses the great seruāt of God, might haue bene song and sayde after this sort: Let vs singe vnto the Lorde, he is gloriously magnified, he hath ouerthrowen the* 2.8 horse and rider in the sea, he is become my helper and defender, so that I perishe not. And vvho is like vnto thee o Lorde amonge the Gods, vvho is like vnto thee. glorified in the sainctes, vvonderfull, & gloriously bringing straunge thinges to passe. When Constantinus had songe by his works these & others to the like purpose vnto God the prince whose power reacheth ouer all

and author of y^• victorie he came conquerour to Rome, where immediatly with cheerefull counte∣nance and from the hart he was receaued of all both men, women, and children, senators and other noble personages, and of all the people of Rome with gladsome shouts and vnspeakable ioye, as a deliuerer from oppression, defender of the city, and general benefactor vnto all. but as one hauing the seruice of God engrassed within him, not moued with these triumphant acclamations, nei∣ther puffed vp with prayses, yet priuey well inough to the ayde of God, commaunded immediatly the banner of the Lords passion should be set vpon the ryght hand of his picture, so they set it vp in the most famous place of Rome, holding in his right hande the holsome signe of the crosse, in the which he commaunded this superscription to be ingrauen in Romaine letters. In this wholsome signe, the true conizance of fortitude, I haue deliuered our citie from vnder the tyrants yoke, & haue sett the senate and people of Rome at libertie, restoring them to their auncient honor and renowne. Moreouer whē as Constantinus him self & also Licinius y^• Emperour together with him, (who as yet was not fallen to tyrannie and madnes, whereof afterwardes he was gyltie) both to∣gether pacified God the author of all goodnes: with one minde and will they make a lawe in most absolute and ample wise in the behalf of the Christians: they send notice also vnto Maximinus who as yet ruled in the east, howe wonderfully God wrought with them, and the victorye againste the tyrant and the lawe it selfe, and the friendship hypocritically he pretended towards them. but he like a tyrant acknowledging these thinges to be most true, became very sorowfull, next, lest he shoulde seeme to yelde vnto others, and againe about to swarue from the edict, for feare of them which had ordayned this lawe, as of his owne accord and authoritie he gaue forth vnto the presi∣dents of his dominion this edict necessarily in the behalfe of the Christians, in the which craftely against him selfe he fayneth the things that neuer were done by him.

Acoppie of Maximinus the tyrants epistle in the behalfe of the Christians.

Iouius Maximinus, Augustus vnto Sabinus sendeth greting. I hope it is well knowen vnto your* 3.1 wisdome and to all mortall men, our lieges and lordes Diocletian and Maximinian, our fathers, to haue notably decreed, whē as they saw in maner all men laying aside the seruice of the gods, and ioyning them selues to the Christian nation: that as many as seuered them selues from the seruice of the immortall Gods, shoulde be called againe vnto the religion of the gods with vn∣doubted* 3.2 paynes and punishments. I truely first of all when that happely I came into the east & vnderstoode of many men which might haue profited the cōmon wealth, and were banished by the Iudges for the aforesayd cause, gaue this to euery Iudge in charge: that none of them thenceforwards should deale seuerely with them of their prouinces, but call them backe vvith faire speaches & exhortations vnto the worship of the Gods. VVhen these thigs then according vnto our will were accomplished, it fell out that none of the easterne partes, eyther was bani∣shed or found obstinate, but by reason that nothing was greuously or seuerely practised against them, they might be reuoked vnto the seruice of the Gods. VVhen as the last yeare prosperously I came to Nicomedia, and there made my abode, the citizens of Nicomedia came vnto me to∣gether with the images of their gods, crauing earnestly that in no case I shoulde permitt such a nation to inhabite their contrey. But forasmuch as I knevve very many men of that religion to dvvell in those parts, I framed them an ansvvere in this sort: that I liked vvell of their petition, but I sawe that all did not request the same. VVherefore if any continewed in that superstition, (our will was) that euery one should be left to follow the free purpose of his vvill, so that they vvould acknowledge the seruice of the gods, in like sort they should enioye the same city toge∣ther with the citizens of Nicomedia and the other cities also, vvhich made the like request vnto me, that not one of the Christians might dvvell among them. It vvas needefull that I should an∣svvere them friendly and louingly, the vvhich all the auncient Emperours obserued and is of the gods them selues approued, through whome all mortall men and the gouernment it self of the commonvvealth doth stande. It pleased vs then to ratifie so great a request made vnto vs in the behalfe of the seruice of their hygh God. VVherefore though chiefely heretofore also vve haue vvritten vnto your vvisdome & commaunded the like, that nothing seuerely were done against them of the prouince vvhich vvent about to succour such a nation, but shoulde paciently be o∣beyed, and that they should suffer contumelies and vexations neither of the officials neither of any other vvhatsoeuer. I haue thought good by these my letters to admonishe your prompt

minde, that vvith fayre speaches and exhortations you brynge them of our dominions to ac∣knovvledge the carefull prouidence of the Gods. VVherfore if any of his ovvne accorde thinke good to acknovvledge the seruice of the Gods, such a one is vvorthie to be embraced: but if some vvill cleaue to their peculier religion, lette them do it at their free vvill and pleasure. Your vvisdome hath therefore to obserue that vvhich is decreed of vs, that none henceforth haue this povver giuen him to oppresse vvith contumelies, ratling speaches, & shaking troubles, our lo∣uing subiects, sithen that as it is vvritten before, it behoueth vs rather vvith faire speaches and milde exhortations to reuoke them vnto the seruice of the immortall gods. And to the ende this our commaundement be knovven of all our prouincials, our vvill is that you publishe by pro∣clamation directed from yourselfe, that vvhich is commaunded by vs

When Maximinus being constrained of necessitie & not of his owne accord had cōmaunded these things, for all this was he not of all men thought true in his dealing, either worthy of trust, for because that afore time after the like graunt, he shewed a turncoate, a wauering mind, & a lying mouth. There durst none of vs gather a synode together or medle with publique affaires, for these letters licenced not this: but onely commaunded: that we should not be afflicted with any violence or contumelie, it commaun∣ded not that conuenticles should be made, that churches should be buylt, or the rest of our wonted ceremonies should be retained. although Constantinus & Licinnius princes of peace and piety, had written vnto Maximinus that he should graunt these things and permitted the same vnto all their subiects by Edicts and decrees: yet the most wicked woulde not hitherto haue remitted his ty∣rannie, had not he by deuine iudgement bene compelled and brought at length against his will to this passe, for such a trouble besett him as followeth.

CAP. X.

Maximinus wageth battayle with Licinnius, and is ouercome, he rageth against his inchaunters, he publisheth an Edict in the behalfe of the Christians, at length dyeth miserably.

WHen as he was no longer able to sustayne the weyght of the Empire, which vnworthe∣ly he had chalenged vnto him selfe, but went about his affaires otherwise then became him, through want of skill beynge voyde of a moderate minde required in an Empe∣rour, and vnaduisedly puffed in minde with ouerflowinge arrogancie and pride: he presumed to waxe stately against his fellowe Emperours, farre excellinge him in lynage and learninge, in worthinesse and wisdome, but especially agaynst him which passed all other in wisdome and pie∣tie towardes the true God, and to chalenge vnto him selfe the maiestie of the chiefe Emperour. He became so furious and madd that he broke the league made with Licinnius, and raysed an irre∣conciled* 3.3 battaile. In short space therfore with all might, he molested in maner euery cytie, and hauing gathered all his host together, and mustred a multitude of many millions of souldiers, he marcheth to battayle and directeth the forefront of his bande agaynst him, trustinge in deuils whome he tooke for gods, and was arrogant because of his infinite multitude of armed souldiers. But in the skirmishe it selfe, he is destitute of Gods helpe, and God the one and the onely ayder & succourer of all mē, giueth the victory to Licinnius: & first of all the force of armed souldiers wher∣in he trusted fayleth him, afterwardes he was left alone, destitute of all companie, forsaken of the souldiers that were about him which fled vnto the cōquerour, the vnhappy man put of quickly the imperiall attire not pertayning vnto him, timorous, cowardy, and effeminate, he ioyneth him self to the multitude and flyeth away, and hiding him selfe in fields and villages, he hardly escaped the hand of the enemy, while by all meanes he sought to saue his life, in very deede notably approuing the holy scripture, & shewing for manifest trueth where it was sayd: There is no king that can be* 3.4 saued by the multitude of an host, neither is any mightie man deliuered by much strength. A horse is counted but a vaine thing to saue a man, neither shall he deliuer any man by his greate strength. Beholde the eye of the Lorde is vpon them that feare him, and vpon such as trust in his mercy that he may deliuer their soules from death. After this sort the tyrant subiect to most vile shame and reproche came to his owne coasts, and first of all being stroken with rage & madnesse, he slewe many priests and prophets of their gods, whome before he had suspected, and by the pro∣curement and trust of whose oracles he had taken armour vpon him to wage battaile▪ as inchaun∣ters & deceauers, which also had villanously betraied his person, afterwards whē he had glorified the God of the Christians, and ordayned a most perfect and absolute decree in the behalfe of their

libertie, sodainly vexation ended his life, so that there remained no time afterwards for him to de∣liberate, the lawe which he published was thus.

The coppie of Maximinus the tyrants constitution in the behalfe of the Christians translated out of Romaine letters into the Greeke tonge.

The Emperour Caesar, Caius, Valerius, mighty, lord of Germanie, lorde of Sarmatia, gratious,* 4.1 fortunate, puissant Augustus. It is requisit that without ceasing we prouide for the prof•••• of our prouincials & by all meanes that we be willing to exhibit those things vnto them whereby they may obtaine such things as may chiefly profit thē. The things which auaile for publique profit & cōmoditie, the aduātage of the cōmō wealth & pleasing vnto euery mā, we are well perswa∣ded that there is none but knoweth thē very well▪ that euery one hath recourse vnto that vvhich is done, & that euery wight in the world vnderstādeth of our affaires. whē as afore time it came to our knowledge, that for the same cause (for the which it was cōmaūded by Diocletian & Ma∣ximinian, our progenitors of famous memory, the synodes & assēblies of the christians should be cutt shorte) many were troubled & spoiled by the officials, & the same as yet we perceaue to be further practised against our louig subiects, whome chiefly as reasō requireth we ought to pro∣uide for, whose substāce was takē away. by our letters sent vnto the presidēts throughout euery prouīce of our dominiōs the last yere we haue decreed: that if any were disposed to cleaue vnto such ceremonies, or to addict thē selues vnto the obseruatiō of that religion, it might be lawfull for thē without offēce to follow their owne wil, & that they should be hīdred or forbiddē by no mā. our pleasure was moreouer that without feare & suspitiō they should vse that seruice which pleased euery mā best. Neuertheles you can not be ignorāt of this, that certaine iudges despised our decrees & made our subiects vncertaine of our edicts, & to haue done it of set purpose, that they might the lōger abide in those rites which pleased thē better. That therfore hereafter all su∣spiciō, doubt & feare may be remoued, we haue decreed to publishe this edict, wherby it may appeare manifest vnto all mē that it may be lawfull for thē as many as will follow that opinion & religiō, by this our gracious gift & letters patēts, as euery one listeth & is delited, so to vse that religiō which him pleaseth, & after his owne maner to exercise the same. Besides this also is per∣mitted vnto thē that they may buyld places of praier for the lord. last of al that this our gyft may be the greater, we haue voutchsafed to decree that also: that if any house or manours heretofore belōging vnto the christians title, by the cōmaundement of our auncetors haue passed vnto the crowne, either presently enioyed by any citie either otherwise soulde, or giuen to any man for a reward, all these we haue cōmaūded, they should be reuoked, to the aunciēt right of the chri∣stiās, wherby all may haue experiēce of our pietie & prouidēce in this behalfe.

These words of y^• tyrāt, not one yeare being fully past, followed y^e edicts which against y^• christiās were ingrauen in pillers▪ & to whome a litle before we seemed prophane, impious, & the plague of all mankind, so y^• he forbad vs to dwell not only in y^• cities but also in y^e fields, yea & in y^e desert: by y^• same mā, edicts & iniunctiōs are decreed nowe in y^e behalfe of the christians: & they which of late were in perill of fire & sword, & the rauenous deuour••g of beasts & ••oules of y^e aire before y^• tyrāts face, & suffred all sort of paines & punishmēts, & miserable ends of this life as prophane & impious persōs: vnto thē now it is permitted, opēly to exercise & vse y^e christiā religiō, & to buyld places for praier vnto the Lord, againe y^• tyrāt affirmeth this vnto thē y^t they may enioy certaine rights & priuiledges. whē* 4.2 he had proclaimed this his protestatiō therfore in y^e ende he receaued this, in stead of recōpence, y^• endurīg y^• lesser tormēt which by right he shold haue suffred, he being strickē of God w^t a sodaine plague frō aboue, should die in y^• second skirmishe of y^• battaile. he dyed not as captaines in warre fighting mātully in battaile for their cōtry, for vertue & their friends, are commōly wōt to endure couragiously a glorious death: but like an impious persō & a rebell to God (his army as yet lyīg in y^e field, & he tarying at home & in secret) he suffreth dew punishmēt, being strokē with a sodaine plague of God ouer all his body so y^t he was vexed w^t great torments & griefes, pyned away with hūger, fell downe frō his bed, his fleshe altogether wasted by inuisible fire sent from aboue, so y^t it consumed, dropped away, & lost al y^e fashiō of y^e old forme, whē as there remained nothīg vnto him saue onely the bare bones like a paynted image, dryed vp of a longe time. Neyther did the behol∣ders take his bodie for other then the sepulcher of the soule, buryed in a body that was nowe dead, and all together consumed. When that as yet he burned more vehemently then the boyling bathes are wōt, out of y^e inward closets of y^e marow, his eyes lept forth & passing their bounds left* 4.3

him blinde. but he breathing as yet in these torments making his confession vnto the Lorde, cal∣led for death, and at length confessing himselfe to haue suffred these thinges iustly, and in steede of reuengment, for the madnesse he presumed and practised against Christ Iesu, gaue vp the ghost.

CAP. X••.

After the death of Maximinus, the Christian affaires beganne to be in better estate. the executors of Maximinus tyrannie are punished. Constantinus and Licinnius are proclaymed Emperours.

WHen Maximinus had thus departed this life, who alone continewed of all the tyrants the vtter enemy to all pietie and godlines: the churches through the grace of almighty God were buylded againe and erected from the fundations: the Gospell of Christ Iesus shining vnto the glory of the vniversall God, receaued greater libertie then aforetime: but the im∣pietie* 4.4 of the sworne enemies to godlinesse was subiect to extreme shame and ignominie. For the sayd Maximinus was declared by publique edicts the firste most deadly enemie of all the Empe∣rours, the most impious, the most ignominious, and a tyrant that was abhorred before the face of God. And what monument so euer of letters or proclamations stoode throughout euery citie to his or his childrens honor, they were partly worne and throwen from aloft vnto the pauement, partly so ouerlayd & darkened with so blacke a colour, that they became vnprofitable for publique sight. Likewise the pictures, as many as were erected to his honor, being throwen downe after the same sort, and defaced, were sett forth to the laughter and derision of such as woulde vse them* 4.5 both ignominiously and contempteously. Afterwardes all the ensignes also of others that were e∣nemies to pietie and christian religion were taken downe, all the persecutors as many as fauored Maximinus were executed, specially such as by him were honored in the heade cyties, and to the ende they might flatter him, hated more deadly our doctrine and religion, of which sort of people* 4.6 Peucetius was one, whome before all other he esteemed for most honorable, most reuerend, and of all his friends best beloued, twise, and the thirde time Consull, and had appointed him the chiefe gouernour in all his affaires: next was Culcianus enioying the authoritie of euery degree and of∣fice, who also hauinge shedde throughout Aegypt the bloode of an infinite number of Christians, was of greate fame: besides others not a fewe through whome chiefly the tyranny of Maximinus preuayled and tooke encrease. Moreouer also bengeance lyghted vpon Theotecnus, not forgetfull of the things he had committed against the Christians, who because of the image & idol he erected* 4.7 at Antioch became famous, and was also made president by Maximinus. Licinnius after his com∣ming to Antioche, to the ende he might finde out the inchaunters which had foully deceaued him he punished with torments the prophets and priests of the late erected image, & made inquisition in what sort they cloked y^• deceate. When as they driuen by torment could not conceale y^e trueth, they reueled the whole secretie to be a deceite wrought by the subtletie of Theotecnus. Wherfore* 4.8 he rewarded all with punishment dewe for their desert, and first of all Theotecnus him selfe, after∣wards the other cōpaniōs of inchauntments when he had first diuersly tormented thē, he executed to death. After all these the next turne lyghted vpon the children of Maximinus, whome he had made companions of the imperiall honour, of the pictures and publique ensignes. Last of all the kinsmen of the tyrant, who afore time by their insolencie oppressed all men, together with the aforesayde tyrant now suffred punishment with vtter shame. For they receaued not the discipline, they knewe not neither vnderstoode they the admonition which speaketh in holy scripture: Putt* 4.9 not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, for there is no help in them. VVhen the breath of man goeth forth he shall returne againe to his earth, in that daye all his thoughts and deuises shall perishe. The impious persons after this sort being bereaued of their liues, the empire stood* 4.10 very stable voyde of all enuie vnto Cōstantinus and Licinnius alone. These men (when as before all things they had wiped out of this life the enemies of God) ioyfully possessinge benefits and gra∣ces from aboue, shewed forth the studie of vertue and of godlines, pietie and thankfulnes of minde towards God, by a constitution published in the behalfe of the Christians.

The ende of the nynth booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sabinus vn∣to the presi∣dēts through out the do∣minions of Maximinus.
• * 1.2

  Such as fell in persecutiō repented thē of their fall.
• * 1.3

  Iuppiter phi∣lius.
• * 1.4

  Three chri∣stians deuou¦red of beasts Siluanus mar¦tyrd. Petrus. b. of Alexandria beheaded. Lucianus martyred.
• * 2.1

  Maximinus against Christians.
• * 2.2

  He cōmen∣deth the su∣perstition of the Tyrians, & their cru∣elty against the Christiās
• * 2.3

  A sclaunder.
• * 2.4

  Ma•• 24.
• * 2.5

  The Christi∣••ns alone ••ere endu∣••d with com¦••assion.
• * 2.6

  Exod. 14.
• * 2.7

  Psal. 7.
• * 2.8

  Exod. 15.
• * 3.1

  Maximinus in the behalf of the Chi∣stians.
• * 3.2

  An impudēt lye. he shew∣ed no such curtesie.
• * 3.3

  Maximinus wageth bat∣taile with Li∣cinnius.
• * 3.4

  Psal. 33.
• * 4.1

  Cap 10. in the Greeke. Maximin{us} in the behalfe of the Chri∣stians. He dissem∣bleth with his subiects.
• * 4.2

  The death of Maximinus the tyrant. God plagued Maximinus. Famine. Inward bur∣ning. Hewme.
• * 4.3

  Blindnesse. His last con∣fession.
• * 4.4

  The ignomi¦ny that befell Maximin{us} af∣ter his death.
• * 4.5

  The execu∣tors of ty∣rannie are plagued.
• * 4.6

  Peucetius a wicked ma∣gistrate. Culcianus a wicked ma∣gistrate. Theotecnus
• * 4.7

  Inchaunters & idolatrer•• punished.
• * 4.8

  Maximinus children, and kinsmen, re∣ceaued theyr deserts.
• * 4.9

  Psalm. 146.
• * 4.10

  Cōstantinus & Licinnius Emperours.