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 FIRST BOOKE OF THE ECCLE∣SIASTICALL HISTORIE OF EVAGRI∣VS SCHOLASTICVS. (Book 1)

CAP. I.

The proëme of Euagrius to his historie.

EVsebius syrnamed Pamphilus, a man without all peraduenture as in other thinges profounde so in penninge excellent, is of such efficacie in his works, y^• although he can not make the readers perfect christians, yet can he so draw them by perswasion that with prompt and willing mindes they will embrace the Christian fayth. Eusebius, Socrates, Sozomenus, & Theodoret haue written most exquisitly of the incarnation of our most louing sauiour, of his ascention into the heauens, of the famous acts of the Apostles, of the combats and per∣secutions of y^• holy martyrs, & what other thing so euer was thought worthy the noting, or otherwise vnto some part of Theodosius iunior his raigne: In so much therefore such thinges as ensued after seeme nothing inferior vnto the rest, and haue bene hitherto recorded in no perfect order, although also I my selfe seeme vnfitt by reason of my smale habilitie to take so great an enterprise in hand, yet I take it to be my duetie to imploy what labour and industrie lieth in me for the compyling of this worke, and to put my whole trust and confidence in him which indued the fishermen with heauenly wisedome, and filed the rough tongue for readie deliuerie and soundinge of euery syllable, to thend I may reuiue the famous actes which nowe doe slumber in the duste of forgetfulnesse, so sturre them with my penne and print them to immortall memory, that not onely euerie man may know what hath happened vntill this our age, when, where, in what sort, against whome, by what men, but also that no worthie act through rechelesse securitie, and languishinge slouthfulnesse the sister of obliuion, be cleane put out of remembrance. Wherefore by the helpe of almightie God there will I beginne to write where the aforesaide writers made an end of their histories, when the outragious crueltie of Iulian had sucked his fill of the blessed sainctes and martyres blood, when the mad furie of Arius false and counterfeit doctrine was bridled with the sounde canons of the Nicene councell, when both Eunomius and Macedonius were sore pricked at Bosphorus with the power of the holy Ghoste and vtterly foyled at the famous Cytye of Constantinople, when the holy Churche had purged her of her filthe and infection the whiche she lately receiued and now recouered her former glorie, being as it were all layde ouer with gli∣stering golde, and gorgeously araid for her louer and bridegrome: Satan the sworne aduersarie to all godlinesse, because he could not away with these graces and benefites bestowed from aboue, raised against vs a straunge battaile contrarie to the course of nature. And when he sawe the ido∣latrie of pagans was trode in the puddle of contempt, & that the seruile and abiect opinion of Arius was quite banished the Churche, although he staggered and staide openly from oppugninge the christian faith, specially seeing it was confirmed and fortified by so many auncient and godly fa∣thers (for in besieging and assaulting of it, his power was very muche diminished) secretly and by* 1.1 stelth he wrought his feates, he deuised certaine obiections and resolutions and laboured to con∣ueigh the errour after his newe founde inuention vnto the Iewishe superstition, forgetting like a wretche as he is, that in partaking with them he was lately foyled and ouerthrowen. Whereas a foretime he had one aduersarie, now craftely he seemed to reuerence and in maner to embrace the same: his deuise and endeuour was not to withdrawe the Church generally from the whole faith, but to see whether he might possibly corrupt one worde or syllable comprised therein. Wherefore being wrapped in his owne malice he craftely went about to alter, yea one letter which seemed to appertaine vnto the sense and vnderstanding of the sentence▪ but how in pronunciation he seuered the tongue from the trueth of the worde, so that the sounde and sense of the phrase might not ioint∣ly laude God and extoll him with diuine prayses, moreouer into what issue neither of them did

growe and what ende they enioyed I will declare when I come to entreate of them, I will also adde there vnto what other thing so euer may be thought worthie of memorie, though therein I may seeme to digresse, and there will I ceasse to write where God of his goodnesse will haue the historie ended.

CAP. II.

Howe Nestorius through the procurement of Anastasius his disciple called the blessed mother of God, not the mother of God but the mother of Christ, and therefore was counted an hereticke.

In so much that Nestorius (who called together against Christ a seconde councell with Caiphas, who builded a slaughterhouse of blasphemies where Christ a newe is both slaine and solde, who seuered and deuided a sunder his natures that hong on the crosse and had not as it is written no* 1.2 not one bone broken throughout all the members of his bodie, neither his vnseamed coate parted of such as put the Lorde to death) reiected the clause of the mother, or bearing of God, framed of the holy Ghost, by the meanes of many learned and godly fathers, set against it this saying the mother or bearing of Christ, leudly forged of his owne braine and filled the Churche of God with sedition, ciuill warres and cruell bloodshed: I thinke verily my penne can not wante mat∣ter to paint and orderly to continue the historie, and so to proceede vnto the ende, if that first of all through the helpe of Christ the ayder of all men, I beginne with the blasphemie of Nestorius. the schisme which thē rose in the church had such a beginning as followeth. Anastasius a certain priest of a corrupt and peruerse opinion, an earnest maintainer of the Jewishe doctrine of Nestorius, and his companion in the voyage he tooke from Antioch to be byshop of Constantinople, whē he heard the leude reasons and conference which Nestorius had with Theodolus at Mopsouestia in Cicilia, he fell from the right fayth, and as Theodorus writeth of that matter in a certaine epistle, he pre∣sumed in the open audience of the Church of Constantinople in the hearing of such people as serued God deuoutly to say these wordes: let no man call Marie, the mother of God, for Marie (saith* 1.3 he) was a woman, and it is vnpossible that God shoulde be borne of a woman. when the religious people misliked with his reasons and counted not without cause of his doctrine as of blasphemie: Nestorius the ringleader of his impietie not onely not forbad him, neither maintained the right o∣pinion, but first of all confirmed his sayings to be true, and was very earnest in the defence of them. Wherefore after he had annexed and lincked thereunto his owne opinion, and the deuise of his owne braine, when he had powred into the Church of God the venome of his poysoned doctrine,* 1.4 he endeuoured to establish a farre more blasphemous sentence to his owne destruction. he said as followeth: I verily will not call him God who grewe to mans state by two monethes, three mo∣neths and so forth, euen as Socrates Scholasticus and the former councell helde at Ephesus haue in∣formed of him.

CAP. III.

VVhat Cyrill the great wrote vnto Nestorius the hereticke and of the third•• councell of Ephesus, whereunto Iohn byshop of Antioch and Theodoritus came shorte.

CYrill byshop of Alexandria, a man of great fame and renowne confuted the leude opinion of Nestorius in seuerall letters, yet for al that, Nestorius stiffely withstood his confutation, yel∣ded not one iote, neither vnto Cyrill, neither vnto Celestinus byshop of olde Rome, but vo∣mited out the venome of his cankered stomacke vpon the Churche and made sute vnto Theodosius the younger who was Emperour of the East, that by his authoritie the first councell of Ephesus might be called together. Wherfore the Emperour wrote vnto Cyrill and to all y^• other ouerseers, and byshops of the Churches throughout euerie citie geuinge them to vnderstand that the day of* 1.5 Pentecost was prescribed for their assemblie, on which day the liuing and ghostly spirit descending from heauen shined among vs. but Nestorius by reason that Ephesus is not farre from Constantino∣ple was there before them. Cyrill together with his company came thither also before the day ap∣pointed. Iohn byshop of Antioch was absent with his prouince not of set purpose according vn∣to

their report which defend his doings, but because he coulde not in so short a space call together the byshops of his prouince, for many of their cities were distant from Antioch (of olde so called, but now Theopolis) vnto a swift and stoute goer twelue dayes iourney, vnto some others more, and Ephesus is from Antioch about thirtie dayes iourney. And when as Iohn aunswered plainely he was not able to meete them on the Sundaye appointed (for so was the day called) all his diocesse sturred not a foote from home.

CAP. IIII.

Howe Nestorius the hereticke was deposed by the councell of Ephesus in the absence of Iohn byshoppe of Antioch,

When the day appointed for their meeting and fifteene dayes ouer were expired, the by∣shops which assembled at Ephesus thinking verily that the easterne byshops would not come, or if peraduenture they came it woulde be long ere they mette together, when as Cyrill also moderated the councell in steade of Celestinus who (as I said before) gouerned the seae of Rome, called Nestorius before them and willed him to aunswere vnto the crimes that were laid to his charge. And when as the first day he promised to come if the case so required, and being af∣terwardes thrise cited to appeare, made light accompt of his promise, the byshops that were pre∣sent called the matter into controuersie, and began to reason thereof. Wherefore after that Mem∣non byshop of Ephesus had numbred the dayes that were past since the prescribed time, to wit, se∣uenteene: after they had reade the epistles of the reuerende Cyrill vnto Nestorius, and suche as he wrote vnto Cyrill againe, together with the holy epistle of the renowmed Celestiniu sent in like sort vnto Nestorius: after that Theodotus byshop of Ancyra, and Acacius byshop of Melitina, had made relation of the blasphemous sentences whiche Nestorius bolted out at Ephesus: and after that many notable sayinges to the iustifying of the sincere fayth were vttered in that assembly of* 1.6 holy and learned fathers interlacing sometimes the vnaduised and blasphemous phrases of Nesto∣rius, the holy councell pronounced this sentence against Nestorius in maner as followeth: Omit∣ting other hainous crimes of the reuerend Nestorius, in so much he was cited and would not ap∣peare, neither entertaine the most holy and religious byshops which we had sent vnto him, vve were driuen of necessitie to sifte and examine his leude and wicked doctrine: And seeinge vve founde him to haue belieued impiously and to haue taught heretically, partly by perusing of his bookes and epistles, and partly also by the blasphemous sentences he vttered of late in this no∣ble citie, we were moued both by the canons of the Church and the graue censure of the most holy father & our College Celestinus byshop of Rome (yet not without sheding of many teares) to pronounce against him this seuere and sharpe sentence. VVherefore our Lord Iesus Christ in derogation of whose maiesty Nestorius sticked not to pronounce such horrible blasphemie hath decreed and ordained by this sacred assembly that he shoulde both be deposed of his byshop∣pricke and banished the companie of clergie men.

CAP. V.

Howe Iohn byshop of Antioch came fifteene dayes after and deposed Cyrill byshop of Alexandria of his byshopricke together with Memnon byshop of Ephesus: whome of the contrarie side the councell absolued remouing Iohn with his company and in the ende howe that Cyrill and Iohn by the meanes of the Em∣perour Theodosius letters became friends and ratified the depriuation of Nestorius.

When they had pronounced the aforesaid most iust sentence, Iohn byshop of Antioch fiue dayes after the depriuation of Nestorius came to Ephesus together with the priests and* 1.7 byshops of his diocesse, called together his clergie and deposed both Cyrill and Memnon. Afterwardes when Cyrill and Memnon had exhibited supplications vnto the councell assembled with them (though Socrates peraduenture vnacquainted with the circumstance report it other∣wise) Iohn was called of them to render an accompt why he deposed the byshops, and being cited thrise came not at all. Then Cyrill and Memnon were absolued, and Iohn with his clergie excom∣municated

and depriued of al priestly autoritie. but when Theodosius (who at the first misliked with the deposing of Nestorius, yet afterwardes vnderstanding fully of his blasphemous opinion con∣sented thereunto) had sent his gracious and godly letters vnto Cyrill of Alexandria, and to Iohn of Antioch, they became friends and ratified the sentence pronounced against Nestorius.

CAP. VI.

The comming of Paulus byshop of Emisa into Alexandria and the commendation which Cyrill gaue vnto the epistle of Iohn.

ABout the same time when Paulus byshop of Emisa came to Alexandria, and pronounced in the Churche the sermon which at this day is extant in the worlde and beareth his name, Cyrill byshop of Alexandria, extolled the epistle which Iohn had sent vnto him and wrote* 1.8 back againe as followeth. Let the heauens reioyce, and let the earth be glad: the midwal of ran∣kor is battered downe: the boylinge choler which bereaued the mindes of quietnes is purged from among vs, & al the occasiō of discord & discention is banished away: for our sauiour Iesus Christ graunted peace vnto the Churches vnder heauen, and the most vertuous and holy empe∣rours haue perswaded yea and compelled vs thereunto: who by imitating with great zeale the godly steppes of their auncesters doe firmely retaine in their mindes the true and syncere fayth, prouiding with singuler care for the profite and furtherance of the holy Churche, so that thereby they purchase vnto them selues an immortall fame, and set forth the glorie of their im∣periall scepter, whome the Lorde of hostes doth so liberally rewarde and so bountifully recom∣pence with diuine graces and benefites, that they are wont not onely to foyle the enemies but all wayes to winne of them the renowmed garland of victorie. Neither is it possible that God shoulde lye, which saith: As truely as I liue, I doe glorifie them which glorifie me▪ but when the Lorde our brother, and most godly fellovve byshop Paulus came to Alexandria, I was vvon∣derfull glad, for I coulde not otherwise chuse: because that he being a notable man became a meane, laboured in preaching beyond the reache of his strength, to thende he might ouercome the enuie of Satan, couple together in loue the loose and seuered members of the Churche, and reduce our Church in like sort with yours vnto peace and vnitie. Immediately after he wrote as followeth: Now I am fully perswaded that the quarrell which rose in the Church was fond, and beganne vpon light occasion, in so much my most vertuous Lord Paulus the byshopp brought letters vnto me, comprising a sound and syncere protestation of the faith, the which he auout∣ched to haue bene written of your holinesse and of the most godly byshops whiche are of your prouince. The forme and phrases of Cyrills epistle were as is aforesayde, but toutching the clause which signified the mother of God, there was written as followeth. VVhen we had perused the godly sentences and clauses within contained, and perceaued plainely that you were of one minde and opinion with vs (for there is but one Lorde, one fayth, one baptisme) we rendered vnto God diuine prayses who is the conseruer of the whole worlde: and presently we conceaue exceeding ioye, seeing that as well your Churches as ours being driuen thereunto partly by the force and power of the holy scriptures, and partly also by tradition deliuered vnto vs of our most holy fathers doe embrace one faith and opinion. Who so euer will diligently sift out the true hi∣stories of those times will easily attaine vnto the knowledge of the aforesaide.

CAP. VII.

Of many thinges whiche Nestorius reported in writing of him selfe: and howe in the ende his tongue whiche vttered blasphemie was eaten vp of wormes in the Isle Oasis, where he departed this life.

HOwe Nestorius was exiled, what afterwardes became of him, the manner of his ende and the punishments he endured for his blasphemous opiniō, are not laid downe in writing of such as deliuered his life vnto the worlde: all whiche in processe and continuance of time would quite haue bene forgotten and not once remembred had not I by meere chaunce lighted on a certen Pamphlet written by Nestorius him selfe, where the aforesaid are rehearsed at large. Wher∣fore

Nestorius the father of blasphemy builded not vpon the sure and setled fundation, but vpon the sand, which according vnto the parable of our sauiour is subiect to speedy ruine & ouerthrowe: be∣sides* 1.9 sundry other his shifts wherby he laboured to defend his blasphemous sentēces, he wrote vn∣to such as charged him with y^e raising of rash & vnaduised nouelties, with his fonde request, for the summoning of y^e coūcel at Ephesus, that he was driuen of necessity to do as he did, seing the church* 1.10 was deuided and y^t the one side affirmed Mary was to be called the mother of man, y^e other the mo∣ther of God. I (said he) of my part do speake vnfainedly to thend I might not erre in either side, by affirming either that he was not mortall & subiect to death, or of the other side by saying he was not immortal, haue deuised that Mary should be called the mother of christ. furthermore in y^e aforesaid pamphlet of his, first of all he declareth how Theodosius ratified not his depriuation be∣cause of y^e entire loue & affection he bare towards him: againe after y^e certain byshops of either side were sent in Embassie frō Ephesus vnto Theodosius y^e emperour (for so y^e emperour had willed) y^t he had licence giuen him to returne vnto his monastery being before y^e gates of Antioch which now is called Theopolis, y^e name whereof Nestorius hath not laid downe, yet as I learne it was called Eu∣prepius monastery, & sure I am it stood before y^e gates of Antioch not two furlongs of. Nestorius re∣porteth y^t he made there his abode y^e terme of foure yeres, y^t he was highly reuerēced, y^t he recea∣ued many presēts & afterwards y^t by the cōmaundemēt of Theodosius he was banished thence into O∣asis. but y^e chiefest thing of all he quite ouerskipped. neither forsoke he his blasphemy for all he liued there so y^t Iohn byshop of Antioch gaue of him this sentence in y^e open face of the world: to wit, that Nestorius was to be banished for euer. moreouer Nestorius wrote subtely an other pamphlet vnto a certain Aegyptian where at large by occasion of his banishment into Oasis he discourseth of the a∣foresaid matters. but y^e plagues & punishments which lighted vpō him for y^e blasphemy he had con∣ceaued (seing there is nothing so secret but y^e maiesty of god seeth it) we may easily gather out of y^e letters which he wrote vnto y^e gouernour of Thebais, for there we may see though he escaped y^e hād of man yet y^e vengeance of God ouertoke him, led him like a bondslaue & cast him into a lamentable plight▪ whē as he deserued far greater punishmēt being set at liberty of the people Blemmyes in Li∣bya & Theodosius hauing ordained by his edicts he should returne, as he wādred frō on place into an other about y^e furthest parts of Thebais, broising & beating him self to y^e ground, he enioyed such an* 1.11 end as was corespondēt to the life y^t went before, & shewed him self at his end a secōd Arius, wher∣by it is euident & knowen for certen vnto y^e whole world what recōpence is set forth for such as bolt out horrible blasphemies to y^e derogatiō of y^e diuinity of Christ. for both Arius & Nestorius blasphe∣med him alike, y^e one affirming he was a creature, the other taking him for man. wheras Nestorius cōplaineth y^t the acts of y^e Ephesine councel were established not as right & reason required but after y^e subtle & iniurious fetches of Cyrill who went about to work him mischief, I would gladly learne of him wherefore it came to passe seeing Theodosius loued him so intirely (as he said) y^t he was con∣strained to go frō one cuntrey to an other, without any cōpassion enioyned to endure such grieuous banishment & happened vpō so vnfortunate an end? Or what other thing was it thē y^e diuine censure laid down by Cyrill together w^t the priests of his assēbly, seing both of thē now are departed this lif, (& as it pleased an heathē philosopher to say: he is euer honored of al men w^t hart & good wil where there is no iust cause to y^e contrary) Nestorius is adiudged y^e autor of blasphemy, & the sworne ene∣my of god: but Cyrill is highly cōmended for one y^t preached the word of god faithfully & for an ear∣nest maintainer of y^e true & sincere doctrine. but lest we be charged with forgery & faining of crimes let vs heare Nestorius him selfe who can instruct vs further herein. Goe to Nestorius let me heare* 1.12 thee repeat some part of y^e epistle which thou wrotest of late vnto y^e gouernour of Thebais touching y^e sacred canons of y^e Ephesine coūcell. I was cōstrained (saith he (by the emperours edict to depart into Oasis otherwise called Ibis. againe after a few lines he saith: whē the aforesaid Oasis was takē of the Barbarians & al destroied with fire, sword, & slaughter, of a sodain, the Barbarians pitied my case, why & wherefore I knowe not, & set me at libertie, charging me with dreadfull threats that with al spede I should get me out of that cuntrey. for they said the people Mazici after my departure were like imediatly to take the city. I came therfore into Thebais together with certen captiues whō the Barbariās brought in my cōpany, what their meaning was I could not learne▪ last of al such as came in my cōpany, got thē to their owne home, & I with spede wēt me to Pa∣nopolis. I feared greatly lest any quarelled with me or pickt occasion to molest me, for that I was a captiue, or charged me that I was a fugitiue or otherwise howsoeuer (malicio{us} mouths are ne∣uer to seeke for sclaūders) to thend through fraud & deceit they might bring me into trouble &

vexation wherefore I humbly request your honor that as the laws haue prouided, you haue care ouer my captiuity & that you suffer no prisoner & banished man to fal into the hands of wicked varlets: lest the posterity in time to come wil cry vengeaunce & soūd out this lamentable saying: better it is to be led captiue of Barbariās thē to flie for succour vnto the empire of Rome. Againe with solempne protestations he requested as followeth: my sute is that by your permission it may be lawful for me heare to make mine abode where I came frō Oasis, when the Barbarians set me at liberty that now at length I may enioy what God hath appointed for me. In the second epistle which Nestorius wrote vnto y^• aforesaid gouernour there was written as followeth. These letters* 1.13 which I write vnto your noble minde, if ye accept of them as a token of my loue & harty good will towards you, or as an admonition of a father sent vnto his sonne, I beseche you wey the cō∣tents therof, matter there is great store cōprised in as fewe words as possibly I could. Oasis other∣wise called Ibis was lately ouerrūne & destroied by a great multitude of Nomades. & a litle after. which things being thus brought to passe your honor gaue cōmaundement, I wotnot what mo∣ued you thereunto, that certen Barbarian soldiers should bring me frō Panopolis to Elephantina an Isle situated in the furthest part of Thebais, & thither was I violently haled of them after a la∣mentable sort▪ but as I was ouercome with the long iourney, & now altogether weried, againe I heard frō you by word of mouth that I should returne to Panopolis. vvherefore being feeble and faint by reason of the great vexations vvhich befel vnto me in that vverisome & tedious voyage, my body being vvasted vvith sicknes & vveakned vvith age & gray heare, the flesh of my hands being shronke & the ribs broken in my sides I came the second time to Panopolis & there partly vvith misfortune & partly vvith the pains of the bruised vvoūds I vvas redy to yeld vp the ghost. After al this your lordship gaue forth a commaundement in vvriting, by vertue vvhereof I vvas faine to remoue from Panopolis vnto a certen cuntrey that bordered thereupon▪ but vvhilest that novv at length I hoped the edicts published against me vvould haue an end & vvaited the plea∣sure of the most vertuous & puisant emperours touching my exile & misery, vnlooked for there ensued (I speake vnfainedly) a cruel cōmaundement that novv I should be banished the fourth time. Againe after a few lines. Be cōtent I beseche you vvith these circumstances: let it suffice for one body to haue endured such chaūge of banishment: cease novv I humbly request your honor frō iniurying me any 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* 1.14 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 lear∣ned 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 tempo∣rall 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 bysho∣prick* 1.15 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 prouinci∣all* 1.16 councell to be summoned at Constantinople where Eusebius byshop of Dorylaeum being an elo∣quent 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* 1.17 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 by∣shopps 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 se∣conde 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* 1.18 of this councell, Chrysaphius gouernour of the pallace, had craftely brought this about to thende the hatred owed vnto Flauianus might be set on fire: thither also came Iuuenalis by∣shop 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. Theo∣dosius 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 con∣trouersie. 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 Car∣ra, 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 Cyre∣stes 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 chri∣stians because the latter byshops haue abrogated the sentence of their predecessors and seme al∣wayes 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 & prin∣ciples of Christian religion whiche alwayes ought vnuiolably be retained we are all of one opi∣nion. 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 li∣berty 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* 1.19 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^• skies. But the eth∣niks fauourers & fosterers of error which imploy no labour & industerie for y^• sifting out of y^• 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 im∣maginations, 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 thende 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* 1.20 transformed into the shape of an Egle snatched away through wantonnesse a Phrygian boye, de∣liuered him a cuppe in rewarde of the filthie and haynous offence, lycensed him for loue sake to beginne vnto him, to thende eyther of them ioyntly with the Nectar might sucke shame and re∣proche. 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 cau∣sed by the acte of venerie that suche a thinge seemed to haue bene done by him contrarye to na∣ture. * 1.21 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. * 1.22 They report of this Aegiochus and thun∣deringe Ioue an other haynous acte, that he murthered his father, whiche crime ought seuerely to be punished of all the nations vnder heauen. * 1.23 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 Ʋenus Cypria be∣gotten 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 ta∣kinge him in his snares, Mars and Ʋenus were brought forth doinge the deede to pastime and re∣create the gods. * 1.24 Who is it that wil not contemne with laughter their Phalli, Ithyphalli, Phallago∣gia, the mishapen and deformed * 1.25 Priapus, the god * 1.26 Pan honored for his filthie member & the my∣steries celebrated in * 1.27 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 re∣maineth 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* 1.28 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 ho∣ly Churches: if lay persons that they be accursed. There are other lawes of his made in the be∣halfe 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* 1.29 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 vnder∣stande the secrecie and mysteries thereof. They went both in together, consecrated the imma∣culate 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 cer∣tayntie, 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 where∣fore 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 messen∣ger 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* 1.30 shoulde licence him to goe on still in his owne way (they perswaded them selues that his obedi∣ence 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 fa∣thers 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 feruent that he wrote freely vnto the Emperour Theodosius, who had made a lawe that the Iewes inhabitinge Antioch shoulde enioye againe suche synagogs as the Christians had taken from them, rebuking him sharply (for he feared only God who was his emperour) that The∣odosius for to please the Christians called in his proclamations, deposed the magistrate which put in his head the restoringe of the synagogs, entreated this holy man and namely Erius the martyr to pray for him vnto God, & to make him partaker of his blessing. This Symeon leading so austere a life, continued his mortal race six and fiftie years. for he liued nine years in the monasterie where he was trained vp in the diuine precepts of vertuous life: in Mandria, (so was the place called) seuen and forty yeares: tenne of these he spent in a very narrowe rowme: seuen in straicter pil∣lours, and thirtie yeares in a pillour of forty cubits. After his deceasse his holy corps was brought to Antioch in the raigne of Leo the Emperour and Martyrius byshop of Antioch, vnto that time Ardaburius captaine of the Easterne garison remained in Mandria, together with his power, keepinge the corps of holye Symeon leste the borderinge cities shoulde by force carie it away. Wherefore the holye corps of Symeon is brought to Antioch after the workinge of manye mi∣racles by the way: the whiche Leo the Emperour afterwardes requested of the people of An∣tioch, but the Antiochians of the other side made humble sute vnto the Emperour in suche sort as followeth: In so muche our citie is not inuironed vvith vvalles (the Emperours furious* 1.31 rage had ouerwhelmed them to the grounde) VVe haue transported hither (O Emperour) the holy corps of Symeon that it may be both vnto vs and to our citie in stede of a fortified wall Leo being thus intreated of thē yelded vnto their request, & graūted thē their sute▪ many parts of his car∣casse were reserued vnto these our days, I my self saw his skul, at what time Gregorie a man of great renowne bishop of y^• church, and Philippicus required that the reliques of the saincts for the speedier

expedition of his martial affaires in the East shoulde be sent vnto him. And that which was great∣ly to be marueiled at, the heare of his heade was not worne away but remained whole as if he had bene a liue, and conuersaunt amonge men. the skinne of his foreheade beinge onely shronke into wrinkles and withered yet was not consumed: many also of his teeth being not pulled out by the handes of the faythfull declared vnto the worlde, the shape and stature of holy Symeon. moreouer there was laid vp the iron chaine which hong about his neck and with it the corps so much spoken of, of all men for enduringe suche great hardnesse and miserie was honored with diuine prayses. All which circumstances both for mine owne profitt and the commonditie of the reader, I woulde rehearse at large were it not that Theodoritus (as I sayde before) had sufficiently discoursed of them.

CAP. XIIII.

Of the starre that was sene in the porche of Symeons pillour the which Euagrius together with many others sawe.

NOwe I am about to write a certaine thing whiche I sawe with mine owne eyes. I was wonderfull desirous to see the Churche of holy Symeon, it standes at the furthest from The∣opolis that is Antioch, three hundred furlongs, set vpon the top of a hill. the cuntreymen call that place Mandria borowinge the name as I suppose of the seuere discipline and austere trade of life exercised by Symeon therein, the hill riseth in height to a twentie furlongs. the buildinge of the Church is after the manner of a crosse notably set forth with porches of fouresquare. The porches haue pillours annexed vnto them finely wrought of freestone which lift vp the roufe on high and that very artificially. The entire that is to the middes of the temple is wide open very cunningly wrought where the aforesaide pillour of forty cubites standes, in the which the earthly and corpo∣real angel ledde an heauenly life. The porches haue as it were lattises on high the which they cal windowes, fallinge both towardes the entrie and porches them selues. At the left hand of the pil∣lour in one of the lattises, I my self together with many cuntrey men assembled together, and com∣passing the pillour, sawe a starre of a wonderfull bignesse running and wandringe hither and thi∣ther throughout the chinkes and clefte lattises twinkelinge in the eyes of the beholders: neither that once, twise or thrise, but oftener, and the same oftentimes fading and vanishinge away, after∣wardes immediatly appearinge againe, the whiche is commonly scene on this sainctes holiday. There are which report (and verily we haue to belieue the myracle partly for their creditt which testifie the same, and partly also for that which we sawe our selues) that they sawe the very shape of his person, houering here and there, in a long berde with a * 1.32 hatt on his heade after his wonted manner. suche men as trauell that way may easily goe in and see all, and some times they ride a∣bout the pillour. There is a porter which continually watcheth the porches of the Church that no woman enter in (the cause I doe not learne) but if any drawe nigh they stand without and beholde the miracle. for one of the porches standeth ouer against the bright starre.

CAP. XV.

Of Isidorus the pelusian and Synesius byshop of Cyrene.

VNder the raigne of the same Emperour there florished one Isidorus, the fame of whose say∣ings* 1.33 and doinges is spred farre and nigh, and rife in euery mans mouth, he so tamed the flesh with continuall toyle and labour and so fedd the minde with misticall and heauenly doctrine, that he led on earth the life of an Angell and commended vnto the worlde the liuely and expresse forme of the monasticall and contemplatiue trade of liuinge. he wrote beside many other notable workes of his great labour and studie, one vnto Cyrill whereby we gather that he liued at one time with the renowmed Cyrill. Nowe that I haue runne ouer these thinges aftermy sclender hability,* 1.34 let vs not forget Synesius byshop of Cyrene, that the excellencie of his vertues may set forth the sim∣plicitie of our stile. This Synesius was so eloquent a man and so profounde a philosopher that he was had in great admiration of suche christians as iudged of him without parcialitie, respectinge neither the venome of malice, neither the vaine flatterie of friendship. Wherefore they perswade him to be baptized and to take vpon him the priestly function though he admitted not the article of the resu••ection, neither woulde be brought to belieue the same, hopinge of him very charitably

that these things woulde followe after his other vertues, and that the grace of God woulde suffer nothing to want in him that appertained vnto his soules health & saluation. which hope of theirs was not frustrate. for how excellently he proued, both the learned epistles he wrote after the recea∣uing of priesthood, also the booke whiche he dedicated vnto Theodosius with other notable monu∣ments of his industrie doe declare.

CAP. XVI.

Howe Ignatius was translated by Theodosius from Rome and buried at Antioch.

THe bigger sort of bones which the beasts left vndeuoured vnto holy Ignatius, (after the bles∣sed martyr as Iohn the Rhetorician with others doe recorde had according vnto his desire enioyed the bowells of beastes in stede of his resting graue at Rome in the theatre and stage striuing of rauenous beasts) were translated into the Churchyard of Antioch in the raigne of The∣odosius which was a long time after his martyrdome. for it was almightie God no doubt that in∣spired Theodosius with that good motion, highly for to reuerence that godly martyr, and to conse∣crate the temple whereof old deuells were honored, called y^• temple of the goddesse of fortune vn∣to Ignatius the holy martyr. That which of olde was dedicated vnto fortune is nowe become a san∣ctuarie and a famous temple to celebrate the memore of Ignatius, whose holy bones were caried in a chariott with great solemnitie and buried within the temple. for whiche cause there is an holy day kept with great ioye euen at this day, the which Gregorie the byshop hath set forth with grea∣ter royaltie. These thinges came there to passe in such sort as you heare, because God would haue there the memoriall of his saincts celebrated with honor and reuerence. for the impious and wicked tyrante Iulian the Apostata being emperour and requiringe an aunswere of the oracle of Apollo (who prophecied in Daphnis and spake by vertue of the fountaine Castalia) whiche had not the power to open his mouth (holy Babylas the martyr whose corps was hard by interred, had tyed his iawes together) Iulian I say against his will and as it were forced thereunto, translated verie ho∣norably the corps of Babylas and builded a goodly Churche which stands at this day without the the gates of Antioch: this he did to thende the dettells afterwarde might accomplishe their won∣ted treacheries euen as reporte goeth they promised before vnto Iulian. but this came to passe through the prouidence of God partly that the force and vertue of martyrs may be sene of all men, and partly also that the holy bones of this blessed martyr should be buried in hallowed ground and beautified with so gorgeous a building.

CAP. XVII.

Of Attilas king of Scythia howe he destroyed both the Easterne and westerne parts of the worlde: of the great earthquake and straunge wonders that were seene in the worlde.

IN those dayes there was a battell raised by Attilas king of Scythia, which at this day is much* 1.35 spoken of: but Priscus Rhetor declareth at large with flowing stile howe he inuaded both east and west, howe many and what great cities he wonne, and howe nobly he behaued him selfe vn∣to the finall end of his frayle life. Furthermore in the time of the aforesaid Theodosius raigne there was a marueilous great earthquake, the straungenesse whereof exceeded all the wonderfull earth∣quakes that euer were before, which stretched it selfe in manner throughout the whole worlde: so that many turretts within the pallace were turned downe to the grounde: the longe wall of Cher∣ronesus came to ruine: the earth opened and swallowed vp in her gulphes many villages: many woefull mischaunces befell vnto mankinde both by sea and by lande, many welspringes were dri∣ed vp, againe where fountaines were neuer seene before it flowed out: manie trees were pluc∣ked vp by the rootes: the valleis became high mountaines: the sea threwe out fishes for dead: many Islands were drowned, the sea ouerrunning the bankes and ouerflowing the cuntreys: ma∣ny shipps sulcating in the maine seas were seene on ground, the sea falling backe not yelding his wonted streames: many cuntreys throughont Bithynia, Hellespontus, and both Phrygia endured such calamities that they were vtterly vndone. This misery endured toe toe long yet did it not pro∣ceede with such vehement anoyance as it beganne, for it fell and slaked by a litle and a litle vntill at length all was ended.

CAP. XVIII.

The buildinges of Antioch and the founders thereof.

ABout the same time Memnonius, Zoilus and Calixtus, great patrons of the true pietie and Christian profession were sent from Theodosius the Emperour to gouerne the noble citie of Antioch. of which number Memnonius buylded from the grounde with gorgeous and good∣ly* 1.36 workemanship, the place which we cal Psephium, leauing in the middest an hal open in height to the tempered aer vnder heauen. Zoilus erected the princely porche so called vnto this day, and cu∣riously* 1.37 wrought which is towarde the South side of the pallace called Ruffine. moreouer Calixtus* 1.38 founded a goodly monument whiche both of olde and of late vayes is called Calixtus porche, afore the shire hall and the iudgement seates ouer against the market and the princely house where the captaines of the garrisons are wont to lye. After all these Anatolius president of the Emperours* 1.39 power in the east beinge sent thither buylte the tower whiche beareth his name, and set it out with sundrie kindes of buylding. Though these things seeme from the purpose yet in mine opinion the knowledge of them is profitable for the studious reader.

CAP. XIX.

Of sundrie battailes that were fought both in Italie and in Persia in the time of Theodosius the Emperour.

WHile Theodosius was Emperour there was great sedition throughout Europe, yea whē Valentinianus gouerned the Romane dominions: all which Theodosius with great pow∣er of horsemen and footemen by sea and by land suppressed. And so quelled the hauti∣nes and furious race of the Persian blood, whose king was Isdigerdes the father of Bararanes or (as Socrates writeth) Bararanes him selfe, for when they had sent Legates vnto him to entreate for peace he graunted it, the whiche continewed vnto the twelfe yeare of Anastasius raigne. the whiche things are also remembred of other writers, partly compendiously gathered by Eustathius Syrus of Epiphania otherwise called Antioch who layeth downe in like sort howe Amida was taken. It* 1.40 is reported moreouer that then Claudian and Cyrus the famous Poets did florishe: and that Cy∣rus was made chiefe president (which our auncetors doe tearme the heade officer of the hall) and then appointed general captaine of the Romane power in the west dominions when Carthage was wonne of the Vandalls and Genzerichus captaine of the Barbarian host.

CAP. XX.

Of Eudocia the Empresse and her daughter Eudoxia, of her voyage to Ierusalem and the picture where with the people of Antioch did honor her.

THeodosius through the procurement of Pulcheria the Empresse being his sister, maried Eu∣docia, borne in Athens and of goodly beawtie, after she had bene baptised in the Christian fatth, on whom he got a daughter by name Eudoxia. when she came to ripenesse of yeares and mariageable Valentinianus the Emperour tooke her to wife: brought her from Constantino∣plc to olde Rome. Eudoxia went afterwardes to the holy citie of Christ who is God, where, in the* 1.41 Oration she made vnto the people about the latter ende she rehearsed this verse,

My birth I boast of you beganne, your blood in me doth bragge.

Where she signified that the inhabitants of that citie came from Greece. but if any man be dest∣rous to know more erquisitly the trueth of these thinges let him repaire vnto Strabo the Geogra∣pher, Plegon, Diodorus Siculus, Arrianus, Pisander the Poet, Vlpianus, Libanius and lulian the re∣nowmed Rhetoricians where they are discoursed of at large. Afterwardes when she came to An∣tioch the people of that citie erected her picture of brasse very artificially handled in honor of her which is as yet to be seene. It was through her procurement that Theodosius became a benefactor of Antioch, that he enlarged their citie, and lengthened their wall vnto the gate whiche bringeth to Daphnis in the suburbes as it is of euerie man to be seene. for the fundations of the olde walles are at this day to be seene whereupon the newe buyldinge was laide and leade vs as it were by the hand vnto the gate. There be some which write that the walles were enlarged by the elder Theo∣dosius,

and that he gaue two hundred pounde to repayre the bath of Ʋalens whiche was burned of the one side.

CAP. XXI.

Howe Eudocia did many worthie actes at Ierusalem and of the diuers trade in lyfe, and dyet of the religious men in Palaestina.

EVdocia went twise from Constantinople to Ierusalem, and though I purpose to leaue for suche as haue written her life (who in mine opinion haue not reported the trueth) wherefore, vpon what occasion, and to what ende she did it: yet it is knowen well inough that during her a∣bode in that holy citie of Christ she wrought many worthie actes to the settinge forth of the glory of God. for she founded religious houses and made the streete commonly called the great causey, in whiche religious houses though the manner of liuinge be diuerse, yet their trade and discipline tendes to one ende, and the same very godly. for some of them liue in a societie, enioyinge not one iote of the thinges whiche commonly allure and weye downe the mindes of mortall men after worldly affayres, as much to say, they haue no golde, but what haue I saide, golde? nay they haue not a ragge of their owne to couer the bare, neyther foode to satisfie nature. for the cloke or coate* 1.42 which the one nowe weareth, an other in a while after putts on the same, so that the garments of all seemed to be one mans, and ones clothing in common to all. moreouer they all had but one ta∣ble, not furnished with daynties or other kinde of foode what soeuer, but onely with hearbs, roots, and pulse, and so muche onely as sufficed nature, and preserued life. furthermore in prayers onely which they poured ioyntly vnto God they spent day and night: they so wasted their bodyes and mortified them selues that they seemed as deade men lyinge vnburied vpon the face of the earth. some of them doe more then their decrees and statutes enioyne them, for they fast the space of two dayes, yea and three dayes also. there are of them which abstaine fiue dayes and ouer, and scarse then doe they take as muche foode as sufficeth nature. Other some followe an other trade and order of liuing farre otherwise then the former men, for they shutte vp them selues seuerally in litle cabanes which are of such heighth and breadth that they can not stand bolt vpright, neyther bowe* 1.43 themselues downewardes at their pleasure. Of which number some as the Apostle saith liue all the dayes of their liues in caues and dennes together with bruite beastes and praye vnto God in certaine secret and vnknowen buries of the earth. but some of them hane founde out an other kinde of life which exceedeth all patient sufferance. for men and women hyde them selues in the drye de∣sert which scaldeth with scorchinge heate coueringe onely suche members as of necessitie are con∣strained to serue nature, the other parts of the bodye they yeelde all bare both vnto the parchinge* 1.44 heat of sommer, and pinching colde of winter contemning either of them alike. These men more∣ouer layinge aside such nourishement as other men vsed, fedd vpon greene grasse and were called foragers or pasturers and liue onely vpon that, so that in processe of time they became like beasts and differed from men both in bodely shape and behauiour of minde. If peraduenture they see men immediatly they runne away, and if any pursue after them, eyther their feete with swiftnesse caries them away, or they poppe them selues into suche hollowe places of the earth where others can not come vnto them. An other thing yet I will rehearse which for all it seemeth to passe all the rest I had almost forgotten. Although there be not many in number of this sort, yet some there are who being voyde through vertuous disposition and free from all perturbations of the minde, come a∣brode into mens companies, mingle them selues with the thronging multitudes and faine they are madde and so they treade vayne glorie vnder foote, which the soule (according vnto the saying of wise Plato) vseth to shake of as the last couer of shame and reproche. They take so litle delight in feeding of them selues and therein vse suche Austere discipline that if necessitie constraine them to host at a tippling house or in the stewes they neither reiect the place, neither couer their faces, nei∣ther thereat blushe at all. moreouer they bayne them selues very oft, and most commonly they are conuersant with women and bath together and so they seeme voyde of all carnall affections as if they had brought nature captiue vnto them: in so much they can not be led neyther with the wan∣ton lookes, neyther with the toying and daliance, neither with the amorous clipping and embra∣cing of a woman to the naturall motion of venerie. but with men they are as men and with women

they liue like women, and for all they refuse not the company of both sex, yet know they onely the vse of one. To be short in this most holy and diuine kinde of life, vertue hath prescribed lawes for nature, and made peculiar decrees for her selfe, to witt: that not one of them all haue their full of necessaries, for by their lawe they must hungre and thirst, & thereafter to attyre them selues as ne∣cessitie constraineth. their trade is so measured with such singuler commendation, and their diet so moderate that if they fall into the contrary part and farre different from the other, they feele in them selues no chaunge at all. contrarieties are so tempered in them, the grace of God maketh such a commixtion of repugnancie, and againe dissolueth the same, that life and death, two thinges in nature and effect farre set one against the other, seeme to ioyne hands together, & dwell in them: and looke wherein perturbations doe raigue in others, in them they are pluckt vp by the rootes and lye for dead: and where continual prayer is to be made, there they seeme of ripe yeares, strong bodyes, and strength inuincible. These men liue both wayes, partly as it were by shaking of the flesh they seeme to liue for euer, partly againe by companying with men, and applying medicines vnto their bodies, they call to God for mercie, & runne ouer such deuout seruice as may fitly agree with y^• former life. yet want they no necessaries, neither are they boūd to one place, for almay heare alike, & company alike, they vse oftē, nay they kneele cōtinually, againe y^• wearisome standing they make, refresheth age, & the voluntary weakenes they brought them selues vnto. They are cham∣pions without flesh on their backes, they are wrastlers, yet haue they no blood in their faces, who though in steede of daynties and set dinners they vse solemne fasting, yet had they leuer take no∣thing, if in so doing they could possibly liue, then cromme them selues with delicacies. And againe if it so fall out, that a straunger come among them though it be very early in the morning, they en∣tertaine him very curteously offring him both meat and drinke, so that they deuise an other kinde of fasting, that is to eate by compulsion, and in so doing men haue them in great admiration, who though they want many thinges to the sustentation of nature, yet are they contented with litle, be∣ing enemies to their owne will, and to nature. they resemble in their doings the will and pleasure of their elders, in bridlinge the baytes of fleshly lust, the soule hath the mastery, committeth suche thinges as are pleasinge and acceptable vnto God with great discretion and diligence, but in the meane while, happie are they, and happier when they depart hence, for they bende thither all their might and hasten to enioy their wished desires.

CAP. XXII.

VVhat things Eudocia the Empresse repaired in Palaestina, and the founding of S. Stephans Churche.

THe wife of Theodosius had conference with many of those kindes of men we spake of before, and founded (as I haue likewise made mention) many suche religious houses: she repay∣red the walles of Ierusalem and made them farre more beautifull then they were before. she founded also a goodly Churche in remembrance of Stephan the firste Deacon and Martyr, not a* 1.45 furlonge of from the Citye of Ierusalem, where she was buryed after her departure vnto immortal blisse. Theodosius also as some thinke before the deceasse of Eudocia de∣parted to rest, when he had raigned here on earth thirtie eight yeares, in his rowme succeeded Martianus, a man renowmed in al things. whose famous actes while he gouerned in the Easte we will laye downe, by the helpe of God in the seconde booke followinge.

The ende of the firste booke of Euagrius.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The polli•• of Satan •• reuiuing Iewish op¦on.
• * 1.2

  Iohn. 19. Mat. 27. 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.3

  The fonde eason of A∣nastasius.
• * 1.4

  The blasphe∣rie of Ne∣orius.
• * 1.5

  The councel Ephesus ••no Dom. ••.
• * 1.6

  The sentence of the coun∣cell of Ephe∣sus pronoun∣ced against Nestorius the heretick.
• * 1.7

  Variance be∣tweene Cy∣rill b. of Ale∣xandria, and Iohn b. of Antioch.
• * 1.8

  The epistle of Cyrill b. of Alexan∣dria vnto Iohn. b. of Antioch.
• * 1.9

  Math. 7.
• * 1.10

  Nestorius the heretick excuseth his blasphemo{us} opinion in these words.
• * 1.11

  God from a∣boue plagu∣ed the here∣tick Nesto∣rius.
• * 1.12

  Nestorius the heretick in his first e∣pistle vnto the gouer∣nour of The¦bais.
• * 1.13

  Nestorius the hereticke epist. 2. vnto the gouer∣nour of The∣bais.
• * 1.14

  Nestori{us} the ••rayling here∣ticke had his tongue eaten ••p 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worms and so dyed.
• * 1.15

  Nestorius, Maximianus. Proclus. Flauianus.
• * 1.16

  prouincial ••••uncell hol 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Con∣stantinople.
• * 1.17

  Eutyches the hereticke and his opinion condemned.
• * 1.18

  An hereticall councell held at Ephesus, ergo a coun∣cell can and doth erre.
• * 1.19

  1. Corin. II 2. Corin. 12
• * 1.20

  The wanton nesse of Iup∣piter. This Phry∣gian boye was G••ny∣medes who Iuppiter made his cup bearer, in the bāquet which he made the gods. Nectar the drinke of the gods.
• * 1.21

  Bacchus the sonne of Iuppiter was an Herma∣phrodite.
• * 1.22

  Iuppiter thrust Satur∣nus his fa∣ther out of heauen.
• * 1.23

  Saturn{us} the sonne of Cae¦llus (as the Po¦ēts do fayne) fearinge lest his father shoulde get more children to inherite, cutte of his fathers pryuie members and cast them into the Sea, thereof rose a froth and of the froth Venus was borne.
• * 1.24

  Phalli and Ithyphalli vvere the pryuie members of men offered vp in honor of the god Bacchus.
• * 1.25

  Priapus the sonne of Venus gotten in adulterie by Iuppiter, and honored vvith beastly sacrifice.
• * 1.26

  Pan was the sonne of Penelope the vvise of vlysses. for vvhen as after the battell of Troie she looked still for her husband to returne, many vvere suters vnto her and because she delayed them from daye to daye they all abused her and got vpon her Pan. other doe saye that Mercurie tooke the forme of an he goat, made Penelope in loue with him and got the god Pan
• * 1.27

  In Eleusis there vvere sacrifices done in the honor of the goddesse Ceres so filthie that they may not be written.
• * 1.28

  Cod. de sum. rinit. et sid. ••ath. tit. 1. l. 3. •…•…ncimus.
• * 1.29

  Symeon an anchor. Domnus b. of Antioch.
• * 1.30

  The spirit of Symeon was tried by obe∣dience.
• * 1.31

  It is not a dead corps but the li∣uing God that is prote¦ctor of town and cuntrei••
• * 1.32

  The greeke worde is T••∣ara the attyre of Persian womē. lerom ad fab••ol cal¦leth it Gale∣••um a hatt. the worde is also taken for a M••••e or crowne.
• * 1.33

  Isidorus.
• * 1.34

  Synesius.
• * 1.35

  Anno Dom. 451. some o∣ther say 455.
• * 1.36

  Memnonius.
• * 1.37

  Zoilus.
• * 1.38

  Calixtus.
• * 1.39

  Anatolius.
• * 1.40

  Claudian the Poet. Cyrus the Poet and pre sident.
• * 1.41

  Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 43.
• * 1.42

  It behoued then that these monks should be of one sise.
• * 1.43

  Hebr. 11.
• * 1.44

  The monkes of Pala••stina became as beastes.
• * 1.45

  Theodosius iunior dyed Anno Dom. 450.