The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.

CHAP. XXIII. A Relation concerning John the Apostle.

AT the same time, the Apostle and also Evan∣gelist John, (the same whom Jesus loved) remaining yet alive in Asia, governed the Churches there, being returned from his Exile in the Island after the death of Domitian: For that he was hitherto alive, it is sufficiently confirmed by two, who evidence the matter: and they are very wor∣thy of credit, having been constant assertours of Catholick sound Doctrine: I mean these persons Irenaeus and Clemens Alexandrinus. The for∣mer of whom, in his second book against Heresie, writes thus word for word: * 1.1

And all the Elders, that were conversant in Asia with John the disciple of our Lord, do testifie that John de∣livered it to them: for he continued among them untill Trajans time.

And in the third book of that work he manifests the same thing in these words:

Moreover the Church at Ephesus was founded indeed by Paul, but John, conti∣nuing among them untill Trajans time, is a most faithfull witness of the Apostolick Tradition.

And Clemens likewise, having evidently shown the time, adds withall a Relation very necessary for those who delight to hear good and profitable things (in that work of his which he entitled who that rich man is that shall be saved.) Let us there∣fore take his book and read the story, which is thus.

Hear a Relation, which is not a feigned story, but a real truth, delivered concerning John the Apostle, and kept in remembrance. For after the death of the Tyrant he returned from the Island Patmos to Ephesus, and being thereto requested, he went to the neighbouring Pro∣vinces, in some places constituting Bishops, in others setting in order whole Churches, a 1.2 and o∣ther where electing into the Clergy some one or other of those who were made known to him by the Spirit. Coming there∣fore to one of the Cities not far distant, the b 1.3 name whereof some mention, and moreover having c 1.4 re∣freshed the brethren; at length casting his eyes up∣on a youth of a goodly stature of body, comely countenance, and lively dis∣position, he lookt upon him whom he had Ordained Bishop, and said, This youth I doe with all ima∣ginable care commit to thy charge, in the presence of the Church, and of Christ as a witness. And when he had undertaken this charge, and promised his utmost care thereof, John declared and desired the same again; And afterwards returned to Ephesus. But the d 1.5 Pres∣byter, taking home the youth committed to his custody, educated him, kept him within compass, and cherished him; and at length baptized him: but after that, he abated some∣thing of his great care and caution over him; be∣cause he had fortified him with that most absolute de∣fence, to wit, the e 1.6 Seal of

the Lord. But, having obtained his free∣dom a little too early, some idle dissolute young men; that were inured to all manner of vice, f 1.7 keep him com∣pany: and first of all they entice him with sumptuous Banquets; then going out by night to rob and strip those they could meet with, they carry him a long with them: afterwards they desire him to be their complice in greater rogueries: So by little and little he was accustomed to lewdness; and be∣cause he was high spirited, having once left the right way (like a strong hard mouthed horse holding the bitt between his teeth,) he was so much the more fiercely hurried into destru∣ction▪ In fine, despairing of the salvation of God, he spent not his thoughts now upon any trifling designe; but attempted some enormous wickedness, in as much as he was wholly past all hope, he g 1.8 scorned to run the hazard of so mean a punishment as other theeves did. Taking therefore those his accomplices, and having for∣med them into a Troop of theeves, he was rea∣dily made their commander in chief; being the fiercest, the most bloudy, and cruelest person of them all. Sometime after, and there happening some necessity for it, they send again for John; who, after he had set in order those things upon account whereof he came, said, Come on, Bishop, restore us that which was committed to thy cu∣stody, which I and Christ delivered to thee to take care of, in the presence of the Church as witness, over which thou dost preside. But he at first was astonished, supposing himself to be falsely accused about money which he had not received; neither could he give credit to John concerning his demand of what he had not, nor yet durst he disbelieve him. But when John had said, I demand the young man and the soul of our brother; the old man fetching a deep sigh and also weeping, said, he is dead. How? and what kind of death? To God, said he, he is dead; for he proved wicked, and extreamly naught, and in conclusion a thief. And now instead of continuing in the Church, he hath taken possession of the mountain with a troop of associates like himself. The Apostle therefore having rent his garment, and with a great out••ry smiting his head, I left, said he, an excellent keeper of our brothers soul! But let an horse be presently brought me, and let me have a guide to direct me in the way. He rode (as he was) forthwith from the Church, and com∣ing to the place, is taken by the watch which the Theeves had set; he flyes not, nor makes en∣treaty, but calls out, For this purpose I came, bring me to your captain: he in the mean time, armed as he was, stood still; but as soon as he knew John approaching, being ashamed, he fled: But he, forgetfull of his Age, with all possible speed pursued him: crying out, Son, why doest thou flee from thy Father, unarmed, and aged? Have compassion on me, my son; fear not; as yet there is hopes of thy salvation; I will intercede with Christ for thee; if need require, I will willingly undergoe death for thee, as the Lord underwent it for us; I will by way of recom∣pence give my soul for thine; stand still; be∣lieve me, Christ hath sent me. He, having heard this, first stood still looking downward; then he threw away his armour; afterwards trembling, he wept bitterly, and embraced the approaching old man, craving pardon as well as he could for crying, and being as it were baptized the second time with tears; onely he hid his right hand. The Apostle, promising him, and solemnly swearing that he had obtained remission for him of▪ our Saviour, praying, kneeling, and kis∣sing the young mans right hand, as being now cleansed by repentance, brought him into the Church again. And partly by abundant prayers making supplication for him, partly with con∣tinual fastings striving together with him, and also comforting his mind with divers h 1.9 sentences out of holy Scripture, he departed not, as they say, untill he had i 1.10 restored him to the Church; having hereby shown a great example of true repentance, an illustrious instance of regenera∣tion, and a Trophie of a conspicuous Resur∣rection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Irenaeus. Lib. 2. cap. 39.
• a 1.2

  The words of Eusebius in the Edit. of Valesius (which in our translation we follow) are these, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. In Rob. Stephens Edit. of Euseb. it is thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Valesius says, he altered the rea∣ding here upon account of the Authority of the three M. SS. Maz. Med. and Fuk. rejecting the reading of the Kings M. S. (which Rob. Stephens followed) in that he was not able to make sense of it: And moreover, says Valesius, Rufinus his Version con∣firms this our emendation; for he translates this place thus: Roga∣batur etiam vicinas lustrare pro∣vincias, quò vel Ecclesias ••undaret, in quibus non erant locis; vel in quibus crant, sacerdotibus ac mini∣stris instruerct, secund••m quod ei de unoquoque Spiritus Sanctus in∣dicasset. Vales.
• b 1.3

  The Author of the Chronicon Alexandrinum calls the name of this City Smyrna. Vales.
• c 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This verb occurs often in the New Testament, as in 1 Cor. 16. 18. 2 Cor. 7. 13. &c. where our Eng∣lish translation generally renders it [to refresh] upon which ac∣count we thus translate it here.
• d 1.5

  See D^r Hammond, concer∣ning the use of this word Presby∣ter by the Apostles and writers of the New Testament, and by the Fathers in the first Apostolical times, in his notes on Acts 11. 30.
• e 1.6

  The Primitive Christians so termed Baptism, as Gregor. Na∣zianz. Orat. 40. where he ob∣serves that Baptism is called by Christians by divers names; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Now the reason why Baptism is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Seal, is annext by the same Gregory Nazianz▪ because, to wit, Baptism is, as it were, a preservation, or a mark of dominion. Vales.
• f 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the word here in the original is the same, insig∣nification, with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. accedere ad aliquem, adjungi, to be of the same company, or, to be fami∣liarly acquainted: onely it is taken in a bad sense. Vales.
• g 1.8

  Grut••rus reads it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and so Rufinus and Mus∣culus seem to have read; I should ra∣ther like 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, he scorned, &c. Vales.
• h 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, are sayings or sentences taken out of the holy Bi∣ble, with which John comforted the young mans mind. Vales.
• i 1.10

  There is a difference between being brought in, and restored to the Church: he is brought into the Church, who promises he will repent: but he is restored to the Church, who, having been actually and truely penitent, is received into it again and owned as a member thereof. Vales.