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. XLIII. Concerning Novatus, what manner of person he was as to his moralls; and concerning his Heresie.

FOr Novatus, a Presbyter of the Church of Rome, being puffed up with pride against these * 1.1 men, as if there were no further hopes of salva∣tion left for them, although they perform'd all things appertaining to an unfeigned conversion, and a sincere confession, constituted himself the Ringleader of a peculiar Sect, of those who by reason of their haughty minds stil'd themselves † 1.2 Cathari. Upon this account a very great Synod was assembled at Rome, consisting of sixty Bishops, but of Presbyters and Deacons [the number] was greater. And when the Pastours of each re∣spective place in the rest of the Provinces, had consulted by themselves concerning what was to be done; a 1.3 This Decree was promulged to all:

That Novatus, together with all those who imitated his pride, and who presum∣ptuously assented to his un∣charitable and most inhu∣man Opinion, should be accounted as alienated from the Church: but that the Brethren who were fallen into the calamity [of the lapsed,] should be healed and cured by the remedies of▪ repentance.

There came to our hands the E∣pistles of Cornelius Bishop of Rome, to Fabius Bishop of Antioch: which set forth the Acts of that Synod at Rome, and the Opinions of all those in Italy, and Africa, and the Provinces there. There are also extant other Epistles written in Latine, by Cyprian and those Bishops' assembled with him in Africa: by which it appears that they consented to the relieving of those who were fal∣len into Temptation, and that the Authour of this Heresie ought with good reason to be expelled out of the Catholick Church, together with all those who had been seduced by him. There is also annex'd to these b 1.4 another E∣pistle of Cornelius's concer∣ning the Decrees of that Synod: and also another concerning the mischievous Acts of Novatus. Part of which, nothing hinders but that we may here insert, that so they who read this work, may have a perfect know∣ledge in all things concerning Novatus. Cornelius there∣fore, informing Fabius what a man this Novatus was as to his course of life, writes these very words:

But that you may the better un∣derstand how this admi∣rable fellow heretofore co∣veted a Bishoprick, and concealing this his hot am∣bition

continued undiscovered, for a cove•••• for his folly, usually from the beginning having the Confessours in his company, I will make this de∣claration to you: c 1.5 Maxi∣mus a Presbyter of our Church▪ and Urbanus, which men have the se∣cond time acquired great renown to themselves for their confessions, Sidonius also, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a man who has most patiently en∣dured all sorts of tortures through God's mer••y; and having corroborated the weakness of the flesh through the strength of his faith, utterly vanquished the adversary: These men [I say,] when they had made enquiry in∣to the man, and d 1.6 detected his subtilty and de∣ceit, his perjury and lyes, his unsociableness and wolfish friendship, returned to the holy Church; and divulged all his subtile devices, and his vil∣lanies (which he had kept conceal'd within himself for a long time, refusing to declare them) in the presence both of a suffi∣cient number of Bishops, and also of a great many Presbyters and Laicks; Lamenting, and repenting, because, having been seduced by this subtile and wicked beast, for some small time they had abandoned the Church.

After some few words, he also adds this (

Dear Brother) What a wonderfull change and alte∣ration we saw made in a short time in him? For this most excellent fellow, (who affirmed with ter∣rible protestations and oathes, that he did not in the least cove•• the Office of a Bishop,) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •• sud∣den appears a Bishop, as if he had been e 1.7 thrown into the midst by an Engine. For this brave Doctour, who [pretended himself] to be a Main∣tainer of the Church discipline, when he endea∣voured by force to acquire to himself, and su••re∣ptitiously to steal the Bishoprick which was not as∣sign'd to him by God, ••hose for his confidents two men, who despaired of salvation, that he might send them into some little corner, and the most despicable part of Italy, and there delude three Bishops, who were simple and unlearned men, by a certain fraudulent enterprise, affirming and protesting that with all possible speed they must post to Rome, that all the disagreement which had been there, might by their mediation, toge∣ther with the other Bishops, be composed. When f 1.8 they arrived, being (as we said before) per∣sons unexperienced in the plots and subtilty of these wicked m••n, having been shut up close by some per∣sons like himself who were assign'd for that purpose, at ten of the clock he com∣pell'd them, being drunk and dozed with over much wine, to give him the Bishoprick by g 1.9 an imagi∣nary and an ineffectual imposition of hands: And he laid claim to that by craft and subtilty, which did in no wise appertain to him. One of those Bishops not long after return'd to the Church, bewailing and confessing his sin, whom, through the mediation of all the people then pre∣sent, h 1.10 we received into the communion of the Laity. We ordain'd successours for the other two Bishops, and sent them away to pos∣sess their Sees. i 1.11 This main∣tainer therefore of the Go∣spel, knew not that 'twas meet there should be but one k 1.12 Bishop in the Church of Rome. In which he was not ignorant (for how could he be?) that there should be l 1.13 46 Presbyters, seven Deacons, Seven sub-Deacons, Clerks 42; Exor∣cists, Readers, together with Janitors, 52. Widows, and m 1.14 indigent persons, which could not maintain themselves, above a thou∣sand and five hundred. All these the grace and bounty of the Lord maintain'd. But neither could so great multitude, so necessary in the Church, (a congre∣gation which by Gods pro∣vidence is both rich, and numerous, together with a great and innumerable mul∣titude of people,) make this man ashamed of this so desperate an attempt, or deter him from proceeding in it, or recall him into the Church.

And again, after some other words, which intervene, he adjoyns these.

But come on, let us in our following words declare, in what works of his own, or what good practices he was so confident, as to aspire to a Bishoprick. Was it upon this account, that from the begin∣ning he had been conversant in the Church, and had fought many combats in defence of it, and had been in many and great perils upon account of Religion? No; this is nothing so. For the devil who had entered into him, and for a long time dwelt in him, was the occasion of his being a believer. He being relieved [thereof] by the Exorcists, fell into a grievous distemper, and it being supposed that he would die immediately, he received Baptism, (* 1.15 being besprinkled with water,) on the bed whereon he lay: (if that

can be termed Baptism:) Neither, when he had escaped that sickness, did he afterwards receive the other things which the o 1.16 Canon of the Church injoyneth should be received: nor was he p 1.17 sealed by the Bishops imposition of hands; which if he never received, how did he receive the holy Ghost?

And again, a little after, he saith;

This man in the time of Persecution, through timerousness and a desire of life, deny'd that he was a Presbyter. For being desired and intreated by the Deacons that he would come out of his Chamber, in which he had shut him∣self up, and succour the Brethren as far as it was meet and possible for a Presbyter to succour the distressed Brethren, who wanted assistance; he was so far from complying with the Deacons who intreated him, that with great indig∣nation he went his way, and departed. For he said he would no longer▪ be a Presbyter; but was a fa∣vourer of another kind of Philosophy.

Having ran over some few passages, he makes this addition hereto in these words:

For this ex∣cellent fellow has deserted the Church of God, in which▪ after he had re∣ceived Baptism, he was q 1.18 vouchsafed the degree of Presbyter by the favour of the Bishop, who by impo∣sition of hands Ordain'd him Priest. Who being r 1.19 denyed [Orders] by all the Clergy, and many of the Laity, (because it was not lawfull for one who had been baptized in his bed by reason of some infirmity, as he was, to be admitted into s 1.20 any sacred Order,) the Bishop in∣treated licence might be granted him to Ordain this person onely.

To these impious acts he afterwards subjoyneth this other, the worst of all his wicked exploits▪ saying thus▪

For he made oblations, and distributed to every one a part thereof, which when he had t 1.21 deli∣vered; instead of blessing them, he compelled the wretched men to swear, holding the hands of him that received with both his hands, and not letting them go, till the persons had sworn, pro∣nouncing these words: (for I will here make use of his own words:) Sweat to me by the body and bloud of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou wilt never desert me, and revolt to Cornelius▪ So the miserable man was not permitted to taste, before he had u 1.22 cursed himself. And at the receiving of the bread, instead of saying † 1.23 Amen, he says, I will never return to Cor∣nelius.

Again, after some other words he says thus:

Now you must understand he is stript naked of all his followers, and le••t de∣solate. The Brethren daily deserting him, and returning to the Church: And x 1.24 Moses a blessed Martyn, (who lately amongst us suffered a fa∣mous and admirable Martyrdom,) taking no∣tice in his life time▪ of this man's impudence and folly, y 1.25 deprived him of communion, toge∣ther with the five▪ z 1.26 Presbyters, who with him had voluntarily separated themselves from the Church.

Now at the end of his Epistle, he makes a catalogue of those Bishops who were present at Rome, and condemn'd the folly of Nova∣tus. He also gives an account of their names, and the name of every ones particular Church, in which he Govern'd. He does also expresly men∣tion those, who were not then present [at Rome,] but by letters approved of the sentence of the fore∣said Bishops, together with their names, and the names of the Cities, from which each of them wrote. Thus much Cornelius has recorded in his Epistle to Fabius Bishop of Antioch.

Notes

• * 1.1

  That is, the lapsed.
• † 1.2

  That is, the pure.
• a 1.3

  Rufinus translates this phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Decre∣tus significatur quid facto opus esset, but the other Translatours in my Opinion turn it better, by tran∣slating it thus; Decernitur ab omnibus. Vales.
• b 1.4

  Rufinus confounds, and mix∣eth this Epistle with that which Eusebius afore mentioned, for he owns but two Epistles of Corne∣lius, Hieronymus in his book, De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis, reckons up four, but Eusebius in this place gives us an account of three onely. The first, and the third seem as if Cornelius had writ them in Greek, which may be proved by several Arguments, for Eusebius quotes several things out of the third Epistle, but does not in the least signifie that it was ever translated out of Latine into Greek, which thing he al∣ways does as often as he quotes any Latine Authours. Moreover, in this very Chapter Eusebius sig∣nifies that the first Epistle was writ in Greek, for speaking of it, he adds that there was another E∣pistle of Cyprian annex'd to it, which was written in Latine. Which clause certainly he had not added, had not Cornelius's Epistle been written in a contrary Language. Vales.
• c 1.5

  Concerning this Maximus the Presbyter, Urbanus, and Sidonius Confessours, how they deserted Novatianus, and were converted to the Church, see Cornelius the Pope's Epistle to Cyprian. There was also at the same time another Maximus Presbyter of the Church of Rome, whom Novatianus Im∣ploy'd as Embassador to Cyprian into Africk, together with Ma∣ch••us▪ and others: Afterwards the Schismaticks made this Maximus a Bishop in Africk, as Cyprian in his Epistle to Cornelius tells us, Vales.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sig∣nifies to catch a man in the very act of Robbery, whilest the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or things which he hath stolen are yet in his hands, hence it signifies to being any plot, robbery or any other wickedness to light, to bewray, or disclose. Vig••r. Idi••••. pag. 27.
• e 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (the phrase here in the ori∣ginall) has the same import with [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which is a proverbial speech in Greek, and signifies, ex insperato, improvis••; i. ••. unlooks for, or on a sudden. See Erasm. A∣d••g. pag. 46. Edit. F••ob••••.
• f 1.8

  The••dores in his 3^• book of his H••••••••le. Fabu••. Chap. 5. w••••tes, that Novatus himself went into Italy to fetch th••se Bishops, and when he, with the Bishops upon their journey, came into some town or other, he forced them to Ordain him, which those Bi∣shops complain'd of when they came to Rome; but this Epistle of Cornelius refutes that story of his. Vales.
• g 1.9

  Go••••••••ius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this a•• imper∣fect, and ineffectual Ordination, because it was solemniz'd by Bishops of another Diocess, and not by those Bishops who had the right and power of Ordaining the Bishops of Rome, which were the Bishops of Ostia, T••bu•• and others; 'twas also ineffectual and vain, because it was done by men who were drunk, by force, at the tenth hour of the day, none of the Clergy, or people being present, and lastly, because another Bishop was before regularly Ordain'd. Cornelius both here, and in his Epistle to Cyprian, says Novatianus was Ordain'd by thr•••• Bishops, whereas P••••ia••••s says, in his a^d Epistle to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he was Ordain'd by the letters commendatory of the Confessours: but these differences we may thus reconcile. Novatianus was named to be the Bishop, by the Epistle of the Confessours, but was afterwards Conse∣crated by three Bishops. Vales.
• h 1.10

  Hence we may gather that Cornelius degraded the Bishops which assisted in the Consecration of Novatianus, and also excom∣municated them all, except one who by the mediation of the peo∣ple, obtain'd the Priviledge of the communion which the Laicks have: Which was to kiss the Bishop after they had taken the Eucharist of him, as Hieronymus, and Paulus Diaconus affirm. Vales.
• i 1.11

  This is spoken Ironically of Novatianus, because he himself (as Cyprian in his first Epistle to Cornelius witnesseth) boasted he was a Defender of the Gospel of Christ. Vales.
• k 1.12

  The same words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] are in the Epistle of Corne∣lius to Cyprian: where the Con∣fessours, who deserted Novatianus, use these words, as a renunciation of their former Principles, by this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is here meant the Church of Rome. Vales.
• l 1.13

  Hence we may gather how many Churches there were then at Rome, for every Presbyter had his particular Church; so that if there were 46 Presbyters, there were also 46 Churches: See Ba∣ronius in the year of Christ 57. Vales.
• m 1.14

  Some Editions read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, others 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: but with∣out doubt the true reading is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, as Rufinus ren∣ders it, indigent persons, or as the Roman Clergy explain it, persons who could not maintain themselves. Chrysostome in his 67^th Homilie upon Matthew, saith, that the Church of Antioch in his days, though it had but small revenues, yet reliev'd above 3000 widows and virgins daily, besides strangers, Lepers, and Prisoners: and be∣sides Clerks, whom it supplied with meat and cloathing. Vales.
• * 1.15

  This word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ru∣finus very well renders p••••••u••us, be sprinkled; for people which were sick, and baptiz'd in their beds▪ could not be dipped in water by the Priest, but were sprinkled with water by him: this Baptism was thought imperfect, and not solemn for several reasons. Also they who were thus baptiz'd were called ever afterwards Cli••i••i, and by the 12^th Canon of the Council of Neo••••s••re••, these Cli••i••i were pro∣hibited Priesthood. Chrysostome describes this sort of Baptism in his 60^th Homily Tome the 2^• (to the Catechumen••▪) Cyprian, In his 76^th Epistle▪ ••old•• this Baptism to be lawfull, and perfect. Vales.
• o 1.16

  The Ca∣non was this, that they who were bapti∣zed in their beds, if they recovered again, should afterwards go to the Bishop, that be might supply what was wanting in that Baptism; No∣vatianus is here accused by Cor∣nelius, because, after his recovery he never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Bishop for the completion of Baptism, as the Canon of the Church injoyneth: for it is expresly commanded in the 47^th Canon of the Council of Lao∣dicea, and in Chap. 38. of the Council of Eliberis. Vales.
• p 1.17

  Rufinus thinketh that by this phrase [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is meant the Chrism, but I rather think he means the imposition of hands, by which the Bishops gave the holy Ghost to them who were baptiz'd. Cy∣prian, to Jubaianus, confirms our Interpretation. 'Tis true 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies to sign, or mark, it also signifies, to lay hands on, as Innocentius uses it in his 3^d and 6^th Chap. to Decentius, and Marcus in his life of Porphyrius Bishop of Gaza, and Ambrose (or whosoever it is who is the Au∣thour of those books) upon the 4^th Chap. of Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. This sealing of the baptized was sometimes per∣form'd with the Chrism, (that is) when the Person, in case of approaching death, had been baptiz'd by some of the inferiour Clergy, and not anointed; but if he had been perfectly baptized before, onely imposition of hands by the Bishop was required, as the Canon Arausicanus tells us. Hence I conjecture arose the custom of not using the Chrism in Baptism amongst▪ the Nova∣tians, (as Theodoret tells us they did no••, in his third book Haeret▪ Fabul.) because their Ringlea∣der Novatianus received Baptism without the Chrism. Vales.
• q 1.18

  Hence we may gather that Novatianus immediately received Priests Orders being never Or∣dained Deacon, or Subdeacon: which thing was at that time customary in the Church, as we may see in Origen and others. Vales.
• r 1.19

  Formerly Bishops could not Ordain Priests without the con∣sent of the Clergy, and People. Now concerning the requiring of the peoples votes in the Election of Presbyters, the Nicene Fathers themselves do evidence that, in their Synodical Epistle to the Bishops of Aegypt. Out of several places of that Epistle we may ga∣ther, that the consent of the people was required in the Ordination of Clergy men. The holy Fathers also in that same Epistle deprive those Bishops who adhered to Meletius the Schismatick, of all authority of proposing their names to the people, who were to be admitted into holy Orders, and onely granted it to those Bishops who were pure from all Schism. For, in those days, the Bishops gave up the names of them who were to be Ordain'd to the people, that if they had any thing to object against any of them, they might attest it openly; as we may read in the Sacramentarium of Gregory the great. There is also an excellent passage in S^t Chrysosto•••• ••pon this same thing in his 18^th Homily upon the 2^d Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. We have the whole solemnity excellently describ'd in the Sacramentarium of Gregory the Great, pag. 236▪ upon which place consult the Annotations of that most learned man Hugo Menardus. Vales.
• s 1.20

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies a Degree or Order of them who have any Office in the Church. So Cornelius calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Presbytership. Eu∣sebius, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very often use 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for the Dignitie of a Bishop▪ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies any degree whatsoever. Vales.
• t 1.21

  It was the proper du∣ty of the Priest to deliver the Eucharist, and the Cup into the hands of the Receivers. See Chry∣sostom's 46 Homily upon Mat∣thew: in the 2^• Council of Or∣leans, Chap. 15. the Deacons are forbid to presume to deliver the body of Christ to the belie∣vers, when the Priest is present. Vales.
• u 1.22

  Every oath has a curse an∣nexed to it, which though it is not al∣ways ex∣pressed (as in this place) yet may be ta∣citly under∣stood; which thing the Latine Transla∣tours did not take notice of, and hence they make 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to signifie▪ before he had devoted himself to him, (i. e.) as they supposed to Novati∣anus: but I had rather read it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with George Syncellus. The meaning of the place then is this, that the unhappy man was not permitted to tast, before he had solemnly cursed himself. Vales.
• † 1.23

  This phrase [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, instead of saying Amen] has the same import with what Cornelius has said a little before, viz. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, instead of blessing him.] For the faithfull (when they received the Eucharist from the hands of the priest) used to answer Amen, after the Priest, delivering the Sacrament, had said, The body of our Lord, &c. See Ambros. in his B. 4. Chap. 5. De Sa∣crament: Cyrill of Jerusalem, in his last Catechism: and August. B. 12. Chap. 10. against Faustus. Vales.
• x 1.24

  Concerning this Moses, a Presbyter of Rome, Cyprian in his E∣pistles does speak frequently. After the Martyrdom of Fabianus Bishop of Rome (who suffered Anno Christi 250) this Moses was apprehended, (together with Maximus the Presbyter and Nicostra∣tus the Deacon,) cast into prison, where after 1•• Months, and 11 days, he dyed. See Cyprian's 15^th Epistle to Moses and Maximus. Vales.
• y 1.25

  Moses being a Presbyter had no authority to excommunicate his fellow-Presbyters: all he could doe was to separate himself from their communion, when they came to visit him in prison. This phrase here [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. he deprived him of communion] the ancient writers frequently used, when they spake of those Pres∣byters, who abstained from communion with others. See Paulinus in the Life of S^t Ambros. Moses's depriving of Novatianus of com∣munion was, I suppose, done by him a little before his death. For at first Moses the Confessour had communion with Novatianus: and when the Clergy of Rome wrote that Epistle to Cyprian (which among Cyprian's Epistles is accounted the 31,) Moses then had communion with Novatianus▪ for both of them subscribed that Epistle. More∣over, Novatianus himself wrote an Epistle, as Cyprian attests in his E∣pistle to Antonianus: from which Epistle we may perceive the wit and eloquence of Novatianus; for that Epistle, we must confess, is a most elegant piece; and it was written when Moses had been a year in pri∣son, as may be collected from Cyprian's Epistles to Moses. Vales.
• z 1.26

  Who these five Presbyters were, who with Novatianus made a Schism, 'tis to me unknown. I can't think that Maximus the Presby∣ter and Confessour, who with Urbanus, Sidonius, Nicostratus, and the rest of the Confessours were reduced by Novatianus, adhered to his party any long time▪ For Maximus and the rest of the Confessors went over to Novatianus's party after Moses's death. Indeed Nova∣tianus separated himself from the Church before Moses's death, which happened in February, Decius 3, and Etruscus being Consuls: but the confessours did not betake themselves to Novatianus's ••ide till after Moses's death. So great was the power and authority of Moses. Be∣sides, 'tis evident the Confessours were not dismist of their imprison∣ment till Moses was dead; for why should they be freed rather than Moses? Therefore they became Novatianus's followers after Moses's death. One Maximus, name-sake to Maximus the Presbyter and Con∣fessour, seems to have been one of these five Presbyters; whom No∣vatianus sent as his messenger afterwards into Africa. Vales.