Page 334
CAP. XXI.
Of Basilius bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and Gregorie* 1.1 byshop of Nazianzum.
EUen as Didymus by the appointment of God him selfe withstoode the Arians at Alexandria, so in other cities did Basilius of Caesarea, & Gregorie of Nazianzū, of whome now fit oppor∣tunitie is ministred to discourse. Although the fame of them is ryfe in euery mans mouth, and the great profitt that riseth by their workes, is of greate force to their prayse and commenda∣tion: yet seeinge that then the Christian faith was greately furthered by them as by two greate lightes, it is our parte to say somewhat of them. If in case that any will compare Basilius with Gregorie, and with longe discourse conferre the life and learninge of the one with the other, it will be longe ere he shalbe able to discerne whether to preferre of them both. They were both equally matched for right trade of life, for both kinde of knowledge, diuine and prophane. Beynge yonge men in the floure of their youth, they hearde at Athens the famous Rhetoricians, Hymerius and Proaeresius: afterwardes at Antioche in Syria, they frequented the schoole of Libanius, in the ende they excelled in Rhetoricke. When they were thought worthie men to deliuer vnto the worlde the preceptes of philosophie, and were entreated of many to take that function vpon them: when as also others perswaded with them to become Orators: they sett nought by both those trades, they despised the maner a••d guise of Rhetoricians, and gaue them selues vnto solitary and monasticall life. Wherefore as soone as they had sufficiently profited in philosophie, vnder a certaine reader, who then was a professor at Antioche: they prouided for thē selues the cōmenta∣ries of Origen (who then was famous throughout the worlde) and learned out of them to expounde and interprete the holy and sacred scripture. beynge exercised in them, they valiantly encountred with the Arians. And when as the Arians alleaged out of Origen for the confirmation of their he∣reticall opinion, they refuted their ignorance: and shewed by plaine demonstrations that they vn∣derstoode not the minde and meaning of Origen. For Eunomius a fauourer of that sect, and as ma∣ny Arians as were of greatest reputation, and accompted the profoundest clerkes in respect of all the rest: when they disputed with Gregorie and Basil, proued them selues starke fooles, and vnlear∣ned persons. Basil first of all being ordained Deacon of Meletius bishop of Antioche, afterwards* 1.2 bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was borne: gaue him selfe wholly to the furtherance and profit of the churche of God. When he feared greately lest the newe deuise of Arius brayne would creepe throughout the prouinces of Pontus, he got him into those parts in all the hast, and ordained there the exercise of monasticall life, instructed men in his opinion, and confirmed the waueringe minde of weakelinges in the faith. Gregorie also being made bishop of Nazianzum a meane citie of Cappadocia, (wherof his father had bene bishop before him) did y• like vnto Basils doings. As he passed throughout yt cities, he cōfirmed y• faynt & weake in the faith: by oft visiting of Constantinople, he setled with his graue lessons and great learning the minds of all them that embraced the faith of One substance. Wherefore in a short while after, he was by the voyces and consent of many bishops, chosen bishop of Constantinople. When the fame of them both was ••lased so farre, that it came to the Emperour Valens eares, in all the hast he gaue forth commaun∣dement, that Basil shoulde be brought from Caesarea before him to Antioche. He was no sooner* 1.3 come, but the Emperour charged he should be brought before the tribunall seate of the president. When the President demaunded of him, why and wherefore he liked no better of the Emperours religion? Basil vnfaynedly and freely spake his minde of the Emperours opinion, yet highly cō∣mended the faith of One substance. When the President threatned him wt present death: I would to God (sayth Basil) it woulde fall out so well of my side, that I might leaue this carcasse of mine in the quarell of Christ, in the defence of my head and captaine. Whē the President aduised him, againe and againe to remember him selfe better, the report goeth that Basil sayde vnto him. As I am today, so shalt thou find me tomorow, but I pray God thou alter not thy minde. Then lay Ba∣sil in prison that whole daye. In a whyle after the Emperour Valens sonne, by name Galates, of youthly and tender yeares, fell to so daungerous a disease that the phisicions gaue him vp, and de∣spaired of his recouery, whose mother Dominica the Empresse tolde her husband the Emperour, that the same nyght she was wonderfully disquieted in hir sleepe with vglesome shapes, & dread∣full visions of deuells and wicked spirites: that the child was visited with sicknesse, because of the cōtumelie and reproche he had done vnto Basil the bishop. The Emperour marking diligently the