CAP. XXXV.
Socrates proueth that it is not forbid but that there may be a translation of Bi∣shops from one seae to an other.
INsomuch that some by reason of the Ecclesiasticall Canon which they allendged for them sel∣ues haue inhibited Proclus intitled Bishop of Cyzicum from being placed in the Bishops ••eae of Constantinople, I thought good presently to say somewhat thereof▪ such as tooke vpon them to iustifie that saying, in myne opinion did not reporte the trueth: but eyther of enuie against Pro∣clus forged such a decree or of wilfull ignorance considered not then of the canons and other con∣stitutions oftentimes established for the profitt and commoditie of the Church of God▪ for Eusebi∣us Pamphilus in the sixt booke of his Ecclesiasticall history reporteth that one Alexander Bishop of some citie in Cappadocia, taking his voyage towards Ierusalem, was of the citizens of Ierusa∣lem caused to tary and stalled Bishop in the rowme of Narcissus, where he continewed vnto the ende of his life. It was an indifferent matter of olde time among the auncient fathers as oft as the Ecclesiasticall affayres so constrayned to translate bishops from one seae vnto an other. If it be a∣ny thing auaileable to annect the canon decreed in this behalfe vnto this our present history, let vs see howe shamelesse these men were who therefore thrust Proclus besides the bishopricke of Con∣stantinople, and how vntruely they reported of the canon, for it is read as followeth. If any Bishop be assigned to gouerne any Church whatsoeuer, & goeth not thither, the fault being not in him selfe but either that the people repelled him, or some other necessary cause doe staye him: vnto him be it lawfull to enioy the honour & the priestly function, so that he be not troublesome vn∣to the Church whereof he is appointed Bishop, but approue whatsoeuer the prouinciall coun∣cell shall determine of the matter called in controuersie. These be the wordes of the Canon. But that it may appeare more euidently that many Bishops were translated from one citye vnto an o∣ther vpon necessary and vrgent causes, I wil here lay downe the names of such as were remoued. Perigenes being chosen bishop of Patras in Achaia and refused by the citizens of that place, was by the commaundement of the Bishop of Rome placed in the Metropolitane seae of Corinth to suc∣ceede the late deseased, where he continewed all the rest of his life. Gregorie Nazianzene was first bishop of Sasimum a city in Cappadocia, next of Nazianzum, afterwards of Constantinople, last of all he went back againe to Nazianzum. Meletius was chosen Bishop of Sebastia in Armenia, but afterwardes remoued to Antioch. Dositheus Bishop of Seleucia was by Alexander Bishop of Antioch, translated vnto Tarsus in Cilicia. Berentius Bishop of Arcae in Phaenicia was brought thence into Tyrus. Iohn was sent from Gordus a city of Lydia to gouerne the bishoprick of Proco∣nesus. Palladius was translated from Helenopolis to Aspunis: Alexander from Helenopolis vnto Adrian: Theophilus from Apamea in Asia to Eudoxopolis, which of old was called Salabria: Po∣lycarpus from Sexantapristae a city in Mysia, vnto Nicopolis in Thracia: Hiero•• hilus from Trape∣zupolis in Phrygia vnto Plotinopolis in Thracia: Optimus from Andagamia in Phrygia, vnto Antioch in Pisidia: and Siluanus bishop of Philippopolis in Thracia was translated vnto Troas. but these many shall suffice in steede of many others who were translated from their proper seaes vnto other bishopricks.