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. XIII. Concerning Rhodon, and the dissention of the Mar∣cionites, which he has made mention of.

ABout the same time also Rhodon, born in Asia, (who, as himself relates, had been instructed at Rome by Tatianus, whom we men∣tioned before,) wrote many books, and together with others ingaged against the Heresie of Mar∣cion. Which, he relates, was in his time divided into several opinions. He has recorded the Au∣thours of this dissention, and with exquisite dili∣gence confuted the lies invented by every one of them. Hear therefore what he has written in these words.

Wherefore also they disagree amongst themselves, because they are assertours of an opi∣nion which is ill put together. For Apelles, one of their gang, (a 1.1 who boasts of his age and pretends to lead a more abstemous and strict course of life,) confesses there is but one prin∣ciple; but says the Oracles of the Prophets pro∣ceed from an opposite spirit, being induced to be∣lieve this by the responses of a Virgin, possessed with a devil, by name Philumena. But others of them, (in like manner as does Marcion himself, the b 1.2 Mariner) assert there are two Principles; of which number are c 1.3 Potitus, and Basilicus; and these followers of that * 1.4 Wolfe of Pontus, being unable to find out the distinction of things, (which neither could he doe,) have given themselves over to rashness, and have simply and without any thing of demonstration affirmed there are two Principles. Others a∣gain [differing] from these, and running them∣selves into worse [assertions,] suppose there are not onely two, but also three natures. Of which sort Syneros was the ringleader and first founder, as the defenders of his doctrine doe say.

The same Authour writes that he discours't with A∣pelles; he says thus;

For the old man Apelles, ha∣ving had a conference with us, was convinc't that

he maintained many things that were false; upon which account he said ••aith should in no wise be too severely inquired into, but, that every one should persist in what he had believed. For he asserted that those who hoped in [Christ] cru∣cified should be saved, provided they be found doing of good works. He concluded the [que∣stion] concerning God, to be to him (as we said before) the most obscure thing of all. For he affirmed there was but one principle, as our religion [asserts.]

Then, having set forth his whole opinion, he subjoyns these words;

But when I said to him, whence have you this demon∣stration, or for what reason can you affirm there is but one principle, tell us? He answered, that the prophecies confuted themselves, because they uttered nothing that was true: For they dis∣agree, and are false, and opposite to them∣selves; but, how there was but one principle, he profes't he knew not, but was induced onely to think so. After this, when I conjured him to speak the truth, he swore he spoke what was true, to wit, that he knew not how there could be one unbegotten God, but he believed it. I laughed, and reprehended him, because he stiled himself a Doctour, and knew not how to make good what he taught.

But, in the same book which he dedicated to Callistion, the said Rhodon doth confess that he himself was instructed at Rome by Tatianus. Moreover he says, Tatianus com∣piled a book of Questions; wherein Tatianus ha∣ving promised to explain the dark and obscure passages of the sacred Scriptures, this Rhodon pro∣fesses he would set forth the solutions to his Qu••∣stions. There is also extant of this Persons, a Com∣ment upon the six days Work of the Creation. In∣deed, this Apelles uttered many impious expres∣sions against the Law of Moses, in many books speaking irreligiously of the divine Scriptures, and using his utmost diligence to confute, and (as he thought) to overthrow them. But thus much concerning these things.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Rufinus does well translate this pas∣sage thus, qui absti∣nentiae & senectutis praerogati∣v••usus, &c. who making an advan∣tage of his abstinence and old age, &c. For [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] does usual∣ly signifie abstinence and a more strict course of life. But I understand not how A∣pelles could boast of his continen∣cy; who was reject∣ed by Marcion, because he was a fornicatour, and afterwards retreated to Alexandria▪ as Tertullian affirms in his book de praescription. Wherefore let us see whether the word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] does not signifie something else here; it sometimes denotes the Office of a Decurio, or, Captain over ten horsemen; for these Commanders are by the Graecians called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as I have observed in my notes on Amm. Marcellinus. Also, a man may conjecture, that this place should be written thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. his venerable hoary ha••rs and old age. For Apelles was commonly cal∣led old man; and so Rhodon terms high in this chapter. Eusebius fa∣vours our conjecture, B. 6. chap. 39. where speaking of Alexander the Bishop, he uses this very phrase. Vales.
• b 1.2

  The Kings M. S. and Stephens Edition doe here insert these two words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; the mariner] but they are wanting in the Maz. Med. and Fuk. M. SS. Indeed Tertullian, in his book de praescription, does testifie that Marcion was at first a Mariner▪ ubi ••unc, says he, Marcion Ponticus nauclerus, Stoica studiosus? Vales.
• c 1.3

  The Kings M. S. and Robert Stephens Edition call this man's name Potimus; the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savill M. SS▪ term him Potitus▪ so does Rufinus, in his Version▪ and Theodoret B. 1. H••r••t. Fab. Vales.
• * 1.4

  He means Marcion; see B. 4. chap. 11.