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. Concerning the bold Act of Origen.

AT this time while Origen perform'd the Office of Chatechizing at Alexandria, an act of an unripe and youthfull mind was commit∣ted by him, but which withall contain'd a most manifest token of Continence, and true faith; for he taking these words [some * 1.1 Eunuchs there are which have made themselves Eumuchs for the King∣dom of Heaven's sake] in the more simple mea∣ning, unadvisedly like one of his juvenile years, thinking it both his duty to fulfill our Saviours words, and also [considering] that during his youthfull years he was to converse not onely with men, but women about the things which appertain to God: that he might exclude the Infidels from all suspition of obscene slanders, his mind was full bent to perform really our Saviour's words, taking great care that it might escape the knowledge of many of his familiars: but 'twas impossible for him al∣though he was desirous, to conceal such a fact. But when Demetrius understood it, as being then Governour of the Church there, he both greatly admires him for his boldness, and also, (having commended his alacrity of mind, and sincerity of faith,) forthwith encourages, and excites him to a more diligent imployment about the duty of Catechizing: for such at this time was [Deme∣trius's] opinion of this act: but no long time after, when he saw Origen doe well, and that he was famous, and well reported of by all men; being affected with the frailties of Mankind, he endeavoured by letters, sent to all the Bishops in the world, to describe what was done as a most absurd action. a 1.2 For the Bishops of Caesarea and Je∣rusalem, the most approved and most famous of all the Prelates in Palestine, judging Origen worthy of dignity and the highest pitch of ho∣nours, had by imposition of hands ordain'd him Presby∣ter. Therefore when he had ascended to great honour, and had purchas'd a name amongst all men in all pla∣ces, and no small fame for his virtue, and wisdom; Demetrius, being furnisht with no other accusation, made a great and malicious complaint against that act which he had done in his youth. Daring also to in∣volve the Bishops in his ac∣cusations who had promoted him to the Office of a Pres∣byter. These things were done a little after. But then Origen b 1.3 freely and without any impediment perform'd his Office of teaching the divine doctrine to all that came to him by day or by night: laboriously spending all his time either in divine learning, or upon them who came to him. c 1.4 After Severus had held the Empire eighteen years, his son Antoninus suc∣ceeds him. At this time there [lived] one d 1.5 Alexander, one of their number who had be∣hav'd themselves manfully in the Persecution, and also by the providence of God had been preserv'd after their combats during their confessions; him we before manifested to have been Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. Now because he was famous for his confession of Christ in the time of the Per∣secution, he is promoted to the afore-mentioned Bishoprick, whilest Narcissus, his predecessour was yet alive.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. Chap. 19. v. 12.
• a 1.2

  Eusebius here laies open the the reason why Demetrius who was formerly so much Origen's friend, should now so persecute him by his letters; which was, because the Bishops of Caesarea and Jerusalem had ordain'd him Priest. In which thing no small injury was done to Demetrius, both by the Bishops, and Origen; by Origen because he had yielded to be ordain'd by forreign Bishops; and by the Bishops, because by doing this they had translated the Catechist of Alexandria into their Church. Moreover, there arises a difficulty not to be pass'd by, viz. why two Bishops together should ordain Origen? By this means he had power to sit in two Churches, and to communicate with other Priests. See the 23. and 27. cha∣pters following; where this con∣jecture is confirm'd. 'Twas the ••••der when either Deacons or Priests were ordain'd, some Bi∣shops should be present, that the ordination might be more solemn, (saies Innocentius in his Epistle to Marcianus the Bishop.) Photius, in Biblioth. Chap. 118. says that Theoctistus solemniz'd the ordina∣tion, but Alexander gave his ap∣probation. Christophorson also says these were the names of the Bishops; Theoctistus was Bishop of Caesarea, and Alexander of Je∣rusalem. Vales.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (the word here) has several significations; Rufinus explains it thus, when a man has free power to do a thing all impediments being remov'd; which ex∣planation seems best; for, before Origen made himself an Eunuch, for fear of a scandalous report he had reason to be cautious of conversing with women, and teaching them; but when he had unman'd himself, as he did, he might do it freely without suspicion. Vales.
• c 1.4

  Rufinus's old book which was in the Church at Paris begins a new Chap∣ter here, and so does Christo∣phorson. Vales.
• d 1.5

  Concer∣ning this Alexander, Eusebius, in his Chronicle, in the 12 year, of Severus's Reign, which was the second year of this Persecution, writes thus. Alexander was accounted famous for his confession of the Name of the Lord. Vales.