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. XXIV. Concerning Nepos, and his Schism.

BEsides, Dionysius wrote two Books concerning the promises. The occasion of his writing these Books was Nepos, an Aegyptian Bishop, who taught that the promises, which were made to the Saints in the sacred Scriptures, should be performed in the * 1.1 Jewish sence, and affirmed that there was to come a thousand years state upon earth, which should be spent in bodily pleasures. Now he supposing he could confirm his own opinion out of John's Revelation, wrote a Book upon this Question, and intitled it, A Confutation of the Allegorical Expositors; which piece Dio∣nysius confutes in his Books concerning the Pro∣mises. In the first Book of which he proposeth his own opinion concerning the Question. In the second he discourseth concerning the Reve∣lation of John, where in the very beginning he makes mention of this Nepos, and writes thus concerning him:

But because they produce a Book of Nepos's, on which they rely very much, as if it did a 1.2 infallibly de∣monstrate that the King∣dom of Christ should be [set up] on earth: in∣deed for several other things I commend and love Nepos, for his faith, his industry and study in the Scriptures, and also for the many b 1.3 Psalms and Hymns he composed, with which many of the Bre∣thren are even at this time much delighted. And I re∣verence the man for this reason chiefly, because he is c 1.4 dead. But I judge truth most to be beloved, and to be the most precious of all things. It is our duty to praise, and freely to commend what-ever is truly said: but we are al∣so to examine and correct what-ever unsound opinion appears to have been com∣mitted to writing. Now could he be present, and discusse his opinion by word of mouth, then a bare discourse by Questions and Answers, without any wri∣ting might suffice to con∣vince and reduce the ad∣verse party to an agree∣ment. But since there is a Book published (and as to some it seems) a most perswasive one; since some Teachers look upon the Law and the Prophets to be of no value; neglect to follow the Gospels; have small esteem for the Epistles of the Apostles; and d 1.5 promise great things concerning the Doctrine of this Book, as containing some great and hid∣den▪ Mystery; since they will not suffer the more ig∣norant of our brethren to think of any thing that is sublime and great, neither of the glorious and truly divine advent of our Lord, nor of our Resurrection from the dead; our ga∣thering together to him, and our being made like him: e 1.6 But perswade them to think that men hope for nothing in the Kingdom of God, but abject and mortal things, such as they now hope for. It is necessary we enter into a dispute against our Brother Nepos, as if he himself were present.

After some words he continues, saying;

When I was in the Province of the f 1.7 Arsinoitae (where, as you know, this opinion was long since propagated so far, that there were Schisms and revoltings of whole Churches together▪) having convened the Presbyters and

Teachers of the Brethren in every particular Vilage, (such Brethren also as had a mind to come being present,) I advised them that there might be researches made into this Doctrine, in the presence of a publick Assembly. And when they produced this Book as a defence, and an impregnable bulwark, sitting with them three whole days together from morning till evening, I endeavoured to discusse the contents thereof. In all which time I did extraordinarily ad∣mire the constancy of the Brethren, their love to truth, and the g 1.8 great quickness and readiness of their understanding, with so much order, modesty and moderation did we pro∣pose Questions, propound doubts, and yield our as∣sents. For we took special care never pertina∣ciously to defend our former opinions, when once they were found to be erroneous: neither did we shun the objections of others: But to the utmost of our power, we endeavoured to h 1.9 keep close to the points of the present Question, and confirm them as well as we could: Neither, if we were convinc't, were we ashamed to be perswaded out of our opinion, and consent with others: But with a good con∣science, unfeignedly, and with i 1.10 hearts displai'd to God, we received what-ever was grounded upon the demonstrations and declarations of the sacred Scripture. In the conclusion, the chief maintainer and champion of this Doctrine, by name Coracio, confessed, and made a protesta∣tion to us in the Audience of all the Brethren there Assembled, that he would no longer ad∣here to this opinion, nor dispute concerning it, nor mention it, nor preach it, so powerfully was he convinc't by the Arguments which had been brought against it. And the rest of the Brethren, which were present, rejoyced at this conference, and at the k 1.11 reconciliation and unanimity which was amongst all men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  That is, that the Promises were to be literally understood.
• a 1.2

  We have here sufficient evi∣dence that this Book concerning the Promises was written in an∣swer to Nepos: I wonder that Hieronymus in his Preface before the eighteenth Book of his comments upon Esaias, should affirm that this Book was written against Irenaeus Bishop of Lions. Indeed Irenaeus was one of them who believed that Christ should come and Reign on the Earth a 1000 years, which opinion was grounded on Papias's Authority, as Hieronymus himself affirms, and also our Authour Eusebius in the end of the third Book. But as well from this place, as also from Hieronymus himself, in his Book De Script▪ Ecclesiastic. we may gather that this Book was not written against Irenaeus, but against Nepos. Vales.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, we have here translated, the Composition of Psalms and Hymns; according to the custom of the Christians who used to compose Psalms and Hymns in honour of Christ, as Eusebius in the end of the fifth Book attesteth. We also find mention of these Hymns in the Epistle of the Council of Antioch a∣gainst Paul of Samosata, and in th•• last Canon but one of the Council of Laodicea, where there is an ex∣press prohibition that▪ no Psalms which in Greek are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, composed by private or ignorant persons, should be sang in Churches. Vales.
• c 1.4

  Pliny in his 28 Book Chap. 2. asketh, why we affirm, when we mention any dead persons, that we will not vex or disturb their me∣mory. Vales.
• d 1.5

  This word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies properly to promise a great while before any performance; it is a Metaphor taken from the My∣steties of the Grecians, who pro∣mised strange and great things to them who are initated, and tor∣mented them with a long ex∣pectation; that by keeping their thoughts thus in suspence, they might beget in them an opinion, and a fear and reverence. Vales.
• e 1.6

  The true reading of this place in the Greek, we owe to the Maz. M. S. according to which reading we have here translated it. Vales.
• f 1.7

  This Province was so called from Arsinoe, who was Queen of it, before it was a Roman Pro∣vince. Vales.
• g 1.8

  '〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is the term in the original; I have rendred it docilitatem, aptness to be taught. For auditours are properly said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when they apprehend the sense of words. Vales.
• h 1.9

  The Greek phrase is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Va∣lesius renders, ad ea de quibus in∣stituta erat disputatio eniti; and we, to keep close to the points of the Question in hand, or the present question.
• i 1.10

  This phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is truly tran∣slated thus, expansis cordibus, & patefactis, with hearts unfoulded, and as it were spread abroad: but some translate it puris & simplicibus cordibus, with pure and single hearts: which sense though the words may bear, yet it is not so good in this place, as the other Version. Vales.
• k 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is not put in this place for dispensation, but for the same as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (i. e.) an union, and reconciliation: and so Dionysius uses the word a little before: S^t Paul also in his Epist. to the Colossians, Chap. 2. v. 2. & 19. useth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in this sence. Vales.