be conceived by any one who shall seriously ob∣serve the nature and condition of the actions per∣formd by the Emperours Diocletian, Maximia∣nus and Constantius, how happy a death this Em∣perour obtain'd from God, whom he served with such zeale and piety, far unlike in his manners and life to those who were partakers of the same Empire with him.
3. Only one thing was now wanting to his full contentment, which was the pre∣sence of his Son Constantin, who at this time was at Rome, there detained, as a pledge or hostage by Galerius. This was a great affli∣ction to Constantius, who though he had with him other Sons born to him by Theodo∣ra, received small satisfaction from them, considering their want of spirit and cou∣rage.
4. Zonaras reports that at this time whilst Constantius was sick, and afflicted in mind by reason of the unfitnes of his other children to suc∣ceed him, an Angell appeard to him, comman∣ding him to leave the Empire to Constantin. Eu∣sebius likewise more then once affirmeth that it was by Divine counsell & ordinance that Constantin succeeded his Father in the Empire. And hereto the Oratour Eumenius though a Pagan, may seem to allude, where speaking to Constantin he says, But why should we flatteringly commend thy Fathers private af∣fection to thee? Thy Succession in the Empire was the Decree of all the Gods, first prescribed by their authority, and afterwards confirm'd by mature counsell of men. At that time thou wast call'd to be a saving guardian of the Empire by celestiall signs and divine suffrages.
5. This affliction of Constantius for the absence and dangerous condition of his be∣loved Son, did not long continue: for God was pleased in an extraordinary manner to restore him to him before his death. This is thus express'd by Eusebius, Those Princes, saith he, which then govern'd the Empire, with envy and fear look'd upon Constantin, observing him to be a generous, valiant, tall young man, of a noble and erected mind. Whereupon they watch∣fully sought an opportunity to doe some notable mischeif to him. This the young man perceiving (for by a Divine instinct their private designs against him were severall times discovered) he at last sought to secure himself by flight: therin imi∣tating well the example of the great Prophet Moyses. Now Almighty God graciously disposed all things for his safety and advancement, wisely ordaining that he should opportunely be present to succeed his dying Father.
6. Aurelius Victor adds an Act of Constan∣tins, full of prudence and subtilty, by which he secured his flight from all danger of pur∣suers, to elude whom, he through all his long iourney from Rome to Brittany gave command that all the publick Post-horses should be killd: by which means, saith the Oratour, he arriv'd in Brittany with so prosperous a voyage, that he seem'd to have been brought thither not riding by the ordinary Post, but moun∣ted and flying in a heavenly Chariot.
7. Now with what ioy and affection he was received by his Father, Eusebius thus describes, Assoon as Constantius saw his Son beyond his expectation arriv'd, he leaping from his bed with a tender affection embrac'd him, saying that now his min'd was freed from the only trouble remaining in it, which was his Sons ab∣sence: for which he offred his Prayers and thanks∣giving to God with great devotion. Now he esteem'd death almost as wellcom to him as im∣mortality. Presently after this he disposed of his family and all worldly affaires in good order: and placing himself in the midst of his Sons and daughters, which like a Quire encompass'd him lying in his royall Palace and bed, he bequeathed the inheritance of the Empire, according to the common Law of Nature, to that Son which in age went before the rest, and so departed out of this life.
8. When Constantius was dead, his fune∣ralls were celebrated by his Son with all pompe and solemnity, infinite numbers of people assisting, and with ioyfull acclamations and sweet harmony of Hymns celebrating his happines, saith the same Eusebius. Moreover that he was according to the Roman Heathe∣nish manner consecrated and refer'd among their Gods ancient coyns doe testify, in which he is inscribed with the Title of Divus, or a person Deified, and on the other side is repre∣sented a Temple and two Eagles, over which are the words Happy Memory: all which are manifest signs of Consecration, as it is des∣crib'd by Herodian.
9. He was buried in the Citty of York: For, saith Camden, men of good credit have re∣ported to us that when the houses of Monks there were in the memory of our Fathers demolish'd, there was found a lamp burning in a little vaul∣ted Chappell, in which the Tradition was that Constantius had been buried. For Lazius a lear∣ned writer relates that the Ancients had the art to maintain a flame burning for many ages, by the means of gold dissolved into a kind of li∣quid oyle. So that Mathew of Westminster is mistaken when he reports that at Caer-cu∣stenith neer Snoudon hills was found the body of the glorious Emperour (Constantius,) Father of the Noble Emperour Constantin, and by the Kings command removed, and honourably placed in the Church of Caërnarvon. That body questionles belonged to some other of the same name: for all Historians agree that this Constantius dyed and was buried at York.