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.

The PREFACE.

MOreover, Soter Bishop of the Roman Church having presided there eight years, ended his life. In whose place succeeded Eleutherus, the twelfth from the Apostles. It was then the a 1.1 seventeenth year of the Emperour Antoninus Verus; at which time a more sharp persecution being in some parts of the world raised against us by a popular incursion throughout every City; how vast the number was of such persons as were dignified with Martyrdom over the whole world, may be conjectured from what happened in one Province. Which things were by accident put in writing and transmitted to posterity, as being truely worthy of an indelible remembrance. Now the Acts, which contain a most perfect and compleat account of these things, are set down entire in that Collection we made of the Martyrs; which comprehends not onely an Historical relation of what was done, but also Rules and Precepts of Piety and Holiness: But notwithstanding, we will from thence at present make a selection of such passages as are agreeable to the Subject we no whave in hand, and here insert them. Other Historians indeed have wholly made it their business to record in their works Warlike Victories, and Trophies erected against their conquered Enemies; the valour of Generals, and brave exploits of Souldiers, b••smeared with bloud, and polluted with innumerable slaughters, in defence of their Children, Countrey, and Estates: But we, who set forth the History of a Divine society of men, will record upon immortal Monuments, inscribed with indelible Characters, the most pacate Wars, waged for the obtaining of Spiritual peace; and the valiant Acts of those persons who in such encounters contended more for the Truth than their Countrey, and for Religion rather than their dearest Relations: publishing for the perpetual remembrance of posterity, the continued earnestness of those Champions who fought for Piety, their fortitude in undergoing manifold torments, the Trophies erected against the Devils, the victorious conquests obtained over invisible Adversaries, and last of all, their Crowns.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The per∣secution of the Christi∣ans in the Reign of Marcus ra∣ged not e∣very where at the same time; nor was it en∣ded in one years space. In Asia it began first in the se∣venth year of M. ••nto∣ninus; and that not by the Edict of the Em∣perour, but by a tumul∣tuous in∣surrection of the populace against them: where it lasted to the end of that Emperours Reign, as 'tis evident from these words in Melito's Apology [For from that time the power of the Roman Empire began to be eminently great, and was much augmented: of which Empire you by succession are the most acceptable inheritour that could be wisht for, and shall so continue together with your son, &c. See chap. 26. B. 4. note (f.)] Now, Commodus was by his father received as his partner in the Empire, when Melito presented this Apology to the Emperour. His being made Colleague in the Empire, 'tis evident, happened about the latter end of M. Antoninus's Reign: wherefore the persecution of the Christians in Asia must necessarily have lasted till that time. But this persecution was more sharp and violent in Asia, in the Gallias, and in other Pro∣vinces, in the seventeenth year of the said Antoninus, as Eusebius does here say expresly. See Baronius, ad annum Christi 179. Vales.