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. IX. Concerning the Miracles of Narcissus.

THe Inhabitants of this Diocess report ma∣ny Miracles of this Narcissus, by tradition derived from a continued succession of the Bre∣thren: Amongst which they relate such a like Miracle as this done by him; 'tis reported that on the great vigils of Easter the Ministers oil fail'd them, for which great pensiveness of mind having seized the whole multitude, Narcissus gave command to them who took care of the Lights that they should draw water out of the well which was nearest at hand, and bring it to him, which being forthwith done, he prayed over the water, and commanded them to pour the water into the Lamps with a sincere saith in the Lord. When they had done this also, contrary to all reason and expectation, by a miraculous and divine power, the nature of water was changed in∣to the a 1.1 fatness of oil. Some small specimen of this mi∣racle then done, has been preserv'd amongst many of the brethren for a long time, even from that to our age. They also relate several o∣ther things worth remem∣brance cencerning this mans life. Amongst which there is such a [story] as this: Some vile fel∣lows who could not endure this persons vigour, and his perseverance in leading of a pious life, fearing least when they were caught they should suffer punishment, because they were conscious to themselves of many evil actions, they [resolve to] prevent him by patching up a plot against him, and utter a grievous calumny against him. Then, that they might perswade the hearers to credit them, they confirm'd their accusations with oaths: one of them swore it was true which he said, or he wish'd he might be consum'd by fire; another, if 'twas not true, that his body might be wasted by some terrible unhappy b 1.2 disease; and the

third, that he might be depriv'd of his sight: but none of the faithful gave heed to them although they swore thus, because Narcissus's continency was alwaies resplendent amongst all men, and his course of life most eminently virtuous and pious; but he being in-no-wise able to endure the wicked∣ness of what had been said against him; and, be∣sides this, for a long time being desirous to em∣brace a Philosophical life; retired from the whole Congregation of his Church, and liv'd many years lying hid in solitudes and in obscure fields. But the great Eye of justice could not quietly wink at what was done: But was quickly reven∣ged upon these wicked men by those curses with which they had bound them∣selves, being c 1.3 forsworn a∣gainst themselves. The first therefore was burnt toge∣ther with his whole fami∣ly, the house in which he liv'd being burnt in the night by d 1.4 the fall of a little spark of fire upon it, which upon no occasion given came out of it. The second person's body was totally infected from the bottom of his feet to his head with the disease he had punish'd himself with. But the third, seeing the end of the two former and fearing the unavoidable ven∣geance of the all-seeing God, e 1.5 publickly confess'd to all what they had plotted together in common amongst themselves, and he pin'd away with so great complaints, repenting of what he had done, and never ceas'd weeping so long, till he lost both his eyes. And these suffer'd such punishments for their lying accusation.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, into the nature or quality of oil; we should rather read it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the fatness of oil. Rufinus translates it thus, aquae naturâ in olei pinguedinem versâ, and in Moraeus's book 'tis so corrected in the margin; the Fuk. M. S. also reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ru∣finus renders thus, Regio morbo: But Langus calls it morbus sonticus, the falling sickness. Christophorson, morbus scevus & faedus, an un∣fortunate, or cruel and filthy disease; which comes nearest to Rufinus's Version: for by this morbus Regius he means the Leprosie, as ap∣pears by what follows. For in the 10 Book and 25 chapter he speaks thus of Eunomius; vir corpore & anima Leprosus, & interiùs, exteriús∣que morbo Regio corruptus. Gregorius Nyssenus also in his first Book against Eunomius certainly affirms he was a Leper. pag. 307. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He who goes into another mans house not invited, and keeps not the filthiness under his own Roof, considers not what natural abhorrence they who are sound have towards those who are infected. Hieronymus in the Life of Hilario speaks thus, of his Scholar Adrianus, post aliquantum temporis computruit morbo Re∣gio. Vales.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The interpreters seem not to have rightly understood this place. Eu∣sebius's meaning is this, those perjur'd men did not forswear themselves against Narcissus, but against themselves, alluding with∣out doubt to that of the Psalmist, he ly'd mischief to himself; For craft often falls upon the Author's own head, though he intends it for another. Vales.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Nicephorus thinks 'twas the snuff or spark which fell from a candle. Christo∣phorson and Musculus render the place, as if fire had fell from hea∣ven upon this perjur'd man's house, but Eusebius confutes that, saying it came 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 makes a publick confession. So the Kings M. S. reads, but the Med. and Fuk. M. SS. read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which tense the following word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 confirms. Vales.