The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

Sinodes for the cause of Athanasius.

The Emperour Constantine considering the number of

the accusers of Athanasius, and the crimes wherewith hee was charged, published a Sinode at Cesaria in Palestine, whereat A∣thanasius not appearing, there was doubted if was for feare of the Bishop of that place, or of the Eusebians; and for that cause hee caused a Councell of the Nations to be assembled at Tyre, calling Athanasius to it by Letters full of indignation. Socrat. li 1. chap. 28. Theodoret. lib. 1. chap. 27. Sozom. lib. 1. chap. 25. and Athanasius himselfe in his second Apologie.

At the said Sinode were found 60. Bishops, the most part Orientalls.* 1.1 Athanasius came thither accompanied with Timo∣theus a Priest. The Eusebians to begin their wicked part, brought in a woman of dishonest life, whom they had subor∣ned, who faining to haue vowed chastitie, maintained that Athanasius in the night would haue rauished her: beeing then pressed to answer to that accusation, he spake not a word. Timothius perceiuing why Athanasius held his peace, tur∣ned himselfe towards the woman and said vnto her. Had I euer acquaintance with thee? Did I euer lodge nigh thee? The woman cried more then before. And poynting at the said Timothius with her finger, shee said. It was thou and no other which by force hast violated mee. This calum∣niation beeing thus made knowne to the great confusion of them that inuented it: notwithstanding, the Iudges which gouerned and sufficiently knew Timothius and Athanasius, let the said woman goe, sauing the good right of Athanasius, who maintained that at the least she should haue named them of whom she was hyred.

An other impudent accusation was againe attempted against him. The aduersaries brought forth the hand of one who was named Arsenius, whom they maintained to haue beene murthered by Athanasius. Hee demaunded if any amongst them knew Arsenius: to which question, many answered that they knewe him very well. Arse∣nius was then brought before theyr presence. Beeing againe asked if it were that Arsenius whose hand was cut off, they con∣fessed all that it was hee. Herevpon Athanasius discouering

his cloake, shewed hee was whole of both hands which God had giuen him.

This so liuely a refutation made the aduersaries infamous: but their refuge was, to trouble the Sinode by tumult and sedi∣tion. Theodoret. li. 1. cap. 29. One of the said aduersaries called Achab, or Iohn, got from the Iudiciall seate, and escaped in this tumult. Socrat. lib. 1. chap. 30.

Athanasius seeing that the tumult fell to great sedition, withdrew himselfe. The Sinode in his absence condemned him, and deposed him from his Bishopprick. Hee then got him to Constantinople, and shewed the Emperour the in∣iuries that this Sinode hadde done vnto him: And be sought him that hee himselfe would take the knowledge of the cause. The Emperour then by his Letters Patents called againe all the Bishops of the Sinode of Tyre to Constantinople, that they might yeeld a reason of the sentence giuen against Athanasi∣us. And as Sozomene. Lib. 2. Chap. 28. sayth, that Eusebi∣us. Theognes, and other heretickes arriuing at Constantinople, did assuredly affirme to the Emperour, all that they had deui∣sed against Athanasuis, and hyred witnesses which depo∣sed that all that which was brought against Athanasius was true.

The Emperour mooued rather with a desire to pacifie the Churches, thē with the accusation of his aduersaries, banished Athanasius into Gaul, into the Citie of Herers. But the Empe∣rour by certaine Letters written to the people of the Catho∣lique Church of Alexandria, witnesseth himself to haue confi∣ned him thither only to the end his bloudy enemies should not grieue nor touch the sacred head of such a person (these bee his words.) And in the meane while all things necessary were sent to Athanasius.

Iulius the first of that name was ordained Bishop after Marc. the 25. yeare of Constantine. After the Chronicle of Hierome, hee gouerned the Church about 16. yeares. Hee was the son of one Rustike; who had great combats to maintaine the quarels of Athanasius, and of other faithfull Doctors against the Arrians. The tripartite history saith, that the Councell of Nice

was in the time of Iulius. And is it possible that he was there as being Bishop of some other place? Howsoeuer it is, it is plaine inough that the last age of the Emperour Constantine, is repor∣ted by Ierome to be in the time of this Iulius.

The ordinance is attributed vnto him, that a Priest should plead no where but before a Iudge Ecclesiasticall. That hee reprehended the Bishops of the East, that they assēbled coun∣cels without his authoritie. There is an Epistle gratulatory of this Iulius, for the restitution of Athanasius. Socrates reciteth it, Lib. 2. Chap. 23. & Sozo. lib. 3. cap. 20.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Athanasius called to the Sinode.