for his s••••ctity is said to have ended his life by Martyrdom. Not that any were then putt to death for Christian Religion, but he is call'd a Martyr, according to the phrase of that Age, for the persecution he had suffred formerly during the rage of Dio∣cletian and Maximianus. He is in the English Martyrologe stiled the eighth Bishop of that See: wheras more truly he should have been call'd the seaventh: for S. Augulus, of whom shortly, is by Historians nam'd the eighth.
2. In the year of Grace three hundred and two upon occasion of the death of Ascle∣piodotus whom he had left President here, Constantius seems to have return'd into Brit∣tany, establishing peace in that Church which himself had begun: whilst in all other Pro∣vinces of the Empire whole rivers of Chri∣stian blood were shed with all imaginable cruelty and immanity.
3 Now Brittany being the countrey where, as Zosimus says, Constantius made his longest abode (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,) and where for diverse respects he both express'd and received the greatest proofs of affection, it is most pro∣bable that in Brittany, and about these times were performed by him those memorable actions of bounty, clemency and piety recor∣ded by Historians, which rendred him admi∣red and beloved through the whole Empire.
4. An illustrious Example of the prudent moderation of his Government, of his libe∣rality, and of the mutuall affection between him and his subjects, was, as Eusebius, records, declared on this occasion. The Emperour Dio∣cletian being inform'd that Constantius by his too profuse liberality and negligence had utterly impoverished his Treasure, by messengers sent on purpose sharply reproved him for it. Constantius, having desired the messengers to expect a few days for his answer, in the mean space sent notice through his whole dominions to all his subjects, especially such as abounded with wealth, that he stood in great need of money, and that a more fitt opportunity could never be offred them to testify their duty and affection to him. Hereupon with∣out any delay, and with extreme chearfullnes and ardour each contended with other who should send most, so that in a short time his Treasure was filld with innumerable summes of money. This being perform'd, Constantius invited the Messen∣gers to be spectatours of his wealth, desiring them to testify to the Emperour what they had seem Telling them withall that all, those riches had been deposited by him in the owners hands, as the most safe guardians. The Messengers seeing the wonder∣full aflection shew'd to Constantius by his subjects, were astonishd at it. When they were gone, the kind and bountifull Emperour restored all that ma••se of treasure to the owners, expressing withall an affectionat resentment of their duty and good will to him.
3. Another worthy action of the same Prince, denoting both the sharpnes of his iudgment, and religious disposition, is to this effect related by the same Authour:
Bring desirous to order his family and Court distracted into factions by persons of va∣rious Sects and Religions, he publish'd an Edict, That whosoever would continue in his office, should conform himself to the Roman Idolatry: for he was resolved that no other should remain in his Court. As for others, they should be permitted to enioy the liberty, and possession of what they had, but they must avoyd his presence. This Or∣dinance caused great trouble in the minds of such Christians as ambitiously affected worldly honour and wealth, who therfore preferring Mammon before God, relinquishd their profession to conform themselves to Caesars Religion. But severall other sincere and genuine Disciples of Christ, shewd them∣selves willing rather to forsake their Princes seruice then Gods. Which being observ'd by Constantius, he chased from his Court all those fainthearted, hypocriticall dissemblers, saying, they would never preserve their fide∣lity to him, which had basely betrayd their Faith to God. And those who continued con∣stant, he prefer'd to dignities, committing the care of his safety to them.
6. From hence it came that the Brittains, who generally were Christians, became Guards both to him and other Emperours. This is affirm'd by Nicetas Choniates, who therfore calls them (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Brit∣tish Guards which always encompass'd the Emperour, being arm'd with long halberts.
7. Such piety and constancy of Brittish Christians being observ'd by Constantius, might probably be one strong motive indu∣cing him to forsake Idolatry: For so much is implied by Eusebius, saying, Constantius having for a long space shewd forth illustrious signs of vertues becoming a Prince, at last he wholly re∣nounced the impious Idolatry and worship of many Gods, willingly acknowledging the onely true God, Governour of all the world, and firmly establsshd his Court by the Prayers and assistance of holy men. Thus with great glory he pass'd the remainder of his life in tranquillity, being free from all trouble.
8. To this happy change it is not to be doubted but S. Helena his wife did much contribute, whose presence with him at this time the same Eusebius seems to imply in the words following: Thus did he through all the remaining time of his raign procure a constant peaceable state to his children and wife, together with his whole family, all which he consecrated to God the supreme king, insomuch as his Court seem'd litle to differ from the form of a Church: in which the Ministers and servants of God offre•• continually Prayers and Sacrifices for him: wheras in the other Princes courts and countreys the very name of the true Gods worshippers could not without utmost danger be pronounced. Thus wri¦tes he of Constantius his family. Now if inqui∣ry be made which was that wife mention'd by him, it cannot be suppos'd to be Theodora the daughter in law of Maximianus, for w••