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. VIII. After what manner Irenaeus makes mention of the divine Scriptures.

BUt because in the beginning of this work of ours, we promised, that we would produce in due place the words of the ancient Ecclesiastick Presbyters and Writers, wherein they have deli∣vered in writing the traditions concerning the books of the Old and New Testament which came to their hands, (a 1.1 of which number Irenaeus was one;) Come on, we will here ad∣joyn his words; and first what he has said of the sa∣cred Gospels, after this man∣ner;

Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews, written in their own Language, whilest Peter and Paul were Preaching the Gospel at Rome, and founding the Church. b 1.2 After their death, Mark the disciple and interpreter of Peter, delivered to us in wri∣ting what Peter had Preached. Luke also, the follower of Paul, compiled in a book the Go∣spel Preach't by him. Afterwards John the disciple of the Lord, he that leaned on his breast, publisht a Gospel, when he lived at Ephesus [a City] of Asia.

Thus much the foremen∣tioned Authour has said in the third book of the foresaid work: And in his fifth book he discourses thus concerning the Revelation of John, and the number of Antichrist's name,

These things be∣ing thus, and this number being extant in all ac∣curate and antient copies, and those very per∣sons who saw John face to face, attesting the truth of these things, even reason doth teach us, that the number of the beasts name according to the computation of the Grecians, is made appa∣rent by the letters contained in it.

And after some other passages, he speaks thus concerning the same John,

We therefore will not run the ha∣zard of affirming any thing too positively con∣cerning the name of Antichrist; for if his name were to have been openly declared in this age, it would have been express't by him who saw the Revelation. For it was not seen long since, but almost in our age, about the end of Domi∣tian's Reign.

Thus much is related by the foresaid Authour concerning the Revelation: He mentions also the first Epistle of John, and pro∣duces many authorites out of it; as also out of the second Epistle of Peter. He not onely knew, but also approved of the book, called Pastor▪ saying,

Truly therefore hath that book said, which con∣tains this, Before all things believe that there is one God, who created and set in order all things, and so forth.

He quotes some words out of the c 1.3 Wisedom of Solomon, say∣ing in a manner thus;

The vision of God procures in∣corruption, and incorrupti∣on makes us neer unto God.

He makes mention also of the d 1.4 sayings of an Apostolick Presbyter, (whose name he has concealed,) and annexes his expositions of the divine Scriptures. Moreover, he makes mention of Justin Martyr and Ignatius, quoting also authorities out of their writings. The same person has promised to confute Marcion, in a separate Volume, by argu∣ments pickt out of his own writings. And concerning the translation of the divinely inspired Scriptures, hear what he writes word for word,

God there∣fore was made man, and the Lord himself saved us, having given the sign of the Virgin. But not as some say who are so audacious as to traduce the Scripture thus, Behold, a young woman shall conceive, and bring forth a Son; as e 1.5 Theodotion the Ephesian has translated it, and A∣quila of Pontus, both Jewish proselytes. Whom the Ebionites having fol∣lowed, say that Christ was begotten by Joseph.

Here∣unto, after a few words, he adds, saying;

For before the Romans had firmly com∣pleated their Empire, (the

Macedonians as yet possessing the Government of Asia,) f 1.6 Ptolemaeus the son of Lagus, endea∣vouring with much care and industry to adorn the Library he had prepared at Alexandria, with the writings of all men, which were ac∣curately compiled, requested those of Jerusalem, that he might have g 1.7 their Scriptures translated into the Greek Language. They (for till that time they were subject to the Ma∣cedonians) sent to Ptole∣maeus the Seventy Seni∣ours, which were the most skilfull persons among them in the Scriptures, and most expert in both the Languages; h 1.8 satis∣fying the Kings desire herein. [Ptolemy] de∣sirous to make tryal of every one of them, and being fearfull least by com∣pact they should agree to conceal the truth of the Scriptures by their tran∣slation i 1.9 separated them one from another, and commanded every one of them to write a transla∣tion: and this he did throughout all the books. When they were come all together into the same place in the presence of Ptolemy, and had com∣pared together the ver∣sion of every particular person amongst them, God was both glorified, and the Scriptures acknowledged to be truely di∣vine: For they all from the beginning to the end, set down the same things in the same words and in the same expressions; in so much that the Gentiles which were present, acknowledged the Scriptures were translated by the inspiration of God. Neither need it seem marvellous that God should doe this; seeing that in the capti∣vity of the people under Nebuchodonosor, (the Scriptures being then corrupted,) when after Seventy years the Jews returned into their own Country, afterwards in the times of Artaxerxes King of the Persians, He inspired Esdras the Priest of the tribe of Levi to recompose all the books of the former Prophets, and restore to the people the Law delivered by Moses.

Thus far Ireneus.

Notes

• a 1.1

  These words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. of which num∣ber Irenaeus was one] seem to be superfluous, and written in the margin onely, by some Scholiast. But they are in the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savil. M. SS. Vales.
• b 1.2

  Irenaeus, in that he affirms here that The Gospel according to Mark was written after the death of Paul and Peter, does contradict what Eusebius related before▪ at the 15^th chap. of the second book: where he says Mark's Gospel was publish't at Rome, whilest Peter was alive, and approved of by that Apostle. But 'tis no wonder that the antient fathers disagree amongst themselves in this matter: seeing we have almost nothing of certainty about the writing of the sacred Gospels, save that they are four, and written by four several Authours. But when, or for what reason they were written, and whether the Gospel of S. Matthew were first penned in Hebrew, its not very evident. Vales.
• c 1.3

  All the ancient Ecclesiastick Writer▪ (as before was noted) call that book the Wisedom of Solomon, which we now call the Proverbi. But that B. entitled now the Wise∣dom of Solomon, is Apocryphal. Vales.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (the term here in the original) does properly signifie, the sayings of wise men, which are repeated by heart. Vales.
• e 1.5

  Irenaeus is the ancientest wri∣ter that makes mention of Theo∣dotion. Wherefore we will see, if from hence we can make out the time when Theodotion lived. Epi∣phanius (in his book de ponderib.) says Theodotion flourished under Commodus, and then put forth his translation. The Chronicon of Alexandria follows Epiphanius's opinion, and says he publisht that work in the sixth year of the Em∣perour Commodus. I Judge Theo∣dotion to be somewhat ancienter. For, seeing Irenaeus has mentioned him in his books against Heresies, (which books, tis manifest, he wrote when Eleutherus was Bishop of Rome, for he says so in the 3^d B. of tha•• work,) we must necessarily grant that Theodotion flourisht before Eleutherus was made Bishop of Rome. Vales.
• f 1.6

  Some of the An∣cients doe declare that the Greek translation of the holy Scriptures was per∣formed under Ptolemaeus the son of Lagus; others mention it to have been done under Ptolemaeus Philadelphus. Which latter opi∣nion in that 'tis confirmed by the authority of the greater number of writers, has at last prevailed. Anatolius says the translation of the 72 was made both in the Reign of Ptolomy the Son of La∣gus, and also in that of his suc∣cessour Philadelphus: which to me seems very probable. For, seeing Aristobulus, Josephus, and Tertullian doe say in express words, that Demetrius Phalereus put Ptolomy upon this business; and it being manifest that the said Demetrius was in great favour with, and authority under, Ptolomy the son of Lagus, and died soon after him, we must necessarily say that this translation (if it were done by the procurement of Demetrius) was begun in the Reign of Ptolomy the son of La∣gus. And, seeing that Philadel∣phus reigned about two years to∣gether with his father, being made his Colleague in the King∣dom, therefore perhaps 'tis re∣lated that this translation was made under both the Princes. Vales. The Learned Petavius is of the same opinion with Vale∣sius, in this matter; as may be seen from his Annotations on E∣piphanius's Book de ponderib. pag. 379. Edit. Paris. 1622.
• g 1.7

  Cle••oens Alexandri∣nus says the 72 Seniours translated all the books (as well those of the Law, as those of the Pro∣phets) of the Scri∣pture into Greek. To whom a∣grees The∣odoret, in his Preface to his com∣ment on the Psalms, O∣lympiodorus, and almost all other writers. But Aristobulus and Josephus, both Jewish writers, doe intimate that the Law onely was by them turn∣ed into Greek. Aristobulus's words may be seen B. 13. of Eusebius de praparat▪ and Josephus's in his Preface to his Antiquities. But to this it may be answered, that the Jews, under the name of the Law, doe sometimes comprehend the Prophets also. See Ma••ius's Preface to the Greek Edition of Joshua. Vales.
• h 1.8

  Valesius reads this passage thus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. satisfying the Kings desire herein.] He says Christophorson read this place so, and S^r Hen. Savill in his M. S. But the Kings, the Maz. Med. and Fuk. M. SS. (as he says) and Robert Stephens, in his Edit. read it thus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. God having done according to his own will. We follow Valesius; but leave the Reader to his liberty.
• i 1.9

  Justin the Martyr (in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to the Gentiles) says the 72. Seniours were by Ptolomy put into so many cells; the ruines of which he saw at Alexandria: Epiphanius (in his book de ponderib.) says the King placed them two and two in a cell. These words of Irenaeus agree best with Justin's account of this matter. Others there are, who deride this whole story about the cell; because neither Josephus, nor Aristeas, nor Philo make any mention of them. See Petavius's Annotat. on Epi∣phanius, pag. 378. Edit Paris; and M^r Gregorie's discourse (of Ox∣ford) concerning the 70 Interpreters.