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. XVII. Concerning the Retractation of the Emperours.

MOreover, whilest he was strugling with these many and great miseries, he began to be sensible of the villanous acts he had performed towards the worshippers of God: * 1.1 having there∣fore seriously recollected himself, first he made his confession to the supream God. Then, having cal∣led

together the a 1.2 chief Officers of his Palace, he ordered them without any delay to inhibite the persecution of the Christians, and by his decree and Imperial Edict comman∣ded that their Churches should with all expedition be built, wherein they might perform their usual [solem∣nities,] and make supplica∣tions [to God] for the * 1.3 Emperour. Therefore, what he had given order for in words being immediately followed by an actual per∣formance, the Imperial E∣dicts were set forth in every City, containing a revoca∣tion of the [persecution] against us, according to this form following.

EMPEROUR CAESAR GALERIUS VALERIUS MAXIMIANUS, IN∣VICTUS, AUGUSTUS, PONTI∣FEX MAXIMUS, GERMANICUS MAXIMUS, AEGYPTIACUS MAXI∣MUS, THEBAÏCUS MAXIMUS, SARMATICUS MAXIMUS the Fifth time; b 1.4 PERSICUS MAXIMUS, CARPICUS MAXIMUS the Second time, ARMENICUS MAXIMUS the Sixth time, MEDICUS MAXIMUS, AD••AB••NICUS MAXIMUS, c 1.5 TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE XX. d 1.6 EMPEROUR XIX. CONSUL VIII. FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, PROCONSUL. And, EMPEROUR CAESAR FLAVIUS VALERIUS CONSTANTINUS, PIUS, FELIX, INVICTUS, AUGUSTUS: PON∣TIFEX MAXIMUS, e 1.7 TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE V. EMPE∣ROUR V. CONSUL, FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, f 1.8 PROCONSUL. And, EMPEROUR CAESAR VALE∣RIUS LICINIANUS, PIUS, FE∣LIX, INVICTUS, AUGUSTUS; PONTIFEX MAXIMUS; TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE IV. EMPE∣ROUR III. CONSUL, FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, PROCONSUL: To the Subjects of their own Provinces, Greeting.

Amongst other things which we have constituted for the profit and utility of the Republick, it was our desire in the first place, that all things should be redressed according to the ancient Laws, and publick Ordinances of the Romans. And we earnestly en∣deavoured to effect this, that the Christians, who had relinquished the Rites and Usages of their Pa∣rents, should be reduced to a good mind and inten∣tion. For, so great an g 1.9 ar∣rogancy and unadvisedness has (by a considerateness as it were) possest and invaded them, that they would not follow those sanctions of their Ancestours, which even their Parents 'tis likely had before Ratified: but according to their own arbitrement, and as each person had a desire, so they would make Laws, and observe them, and assemble various multitudes, of dif∣ferent factions and dissenting about their opinions. Therefore, when we had published such an Edict, as should [oblige] them to return to the Rites and Ordinances of their Ancestours; many of them having been exposed to imminent dangers, and many having been terrified [with the menaces of punish∣ment,] underwent various sorts of death. But, when many persisted in this madness, and we perceived they did neither exhibite a due worship to the immor∣tal Gods, nor yet to the God of the Christians; having a respect to our humanity and that continued usage by which we have been accustomed to bestow Pardon on all sorts of men: we have thought good that our indul∣gence should most readily be extended in this matter also; that the Christians should again be [tolerated,] and that they may [have licence] to rebuild the houses wherein they used to assemble themselves,

that so [in future they may be forced] to do no∣thing contrary to their discipline. In a particular Rescript we will signifie to our Judges what it shall behov•• them to observe. Wherefore, upon account of this our Indulgence they are obliged to supplicate their God for our safety, that of the Republick, and their own; that so both the Publick State of Affairs may in all respects be continued in an entire and safe posture, and they themselves live undisturbed in their own habitations▪ Th••se words (which we have, according to our ability, translated out of the Roman into the Greek Language,) are thus: now therefore it is an opportune time to take a Prospect of what followed hereupon.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This expression Musculus renders thus, ad semetipsum reversus, being come to himself: Christophorson thus, mentem igitur recolligens, & tanquam rediens ad se, recollecting therefore his mind, and returning as it were to himself: Valesius thus, totâ mentis aci•• in semet ipsum con∣versâ, the whole sharpness of his mind being turned upon himself.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which words Rufinus renders very well, thus. Convocatis his qui in officio publico parc••ant; having called together those who served in any publick office. Eusebius usually means, by this phrase, the Grandees of the Palace, whom Amm. Mar∣cellinus does commonly term, aulae summates, & Imperatoris proximos, the chief Court officers, and those necrest to the Emperour. Vales.
• * 1.3

  In the original 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for the Imperial Palace: But Nicephorus reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for the Emperour. Vales.
• b 1.4

  We find that the Persians were but once con∣quered by Galerius, which was in the year of Christ 297; as 'tis affir∣med in Fa∣stis Idatii, and in the Alexandri∣an Chro∣nicle. The same is confirmed by Liba∣nius, in his oration in∣titled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; where he relates that the Per∣sians, after that great defeat they received from the Romans under the conduct of Galerius▪ spent fourty years in preparations to make amends for that overthrow; and that, a little before the death of Constantine the Great, they entred upon a war with the Romans. Indeed, from that year of Christ we mentioned (i. e. Anno 297) to the year wherein Constantine dyed, there are fourty years. Therefore, Eusebius's Chronicle must be cor∣rected, in which this Persian victory is placed on the seventeenth year of Diocletian; whereas it should be placed on his thirteenth year; as it is in the Edition of Arnaldus Pontacus. Seeing therefore we can find no other victory that Maximianus obtained over the Persians, this place ought to be pointed (as it is in Nicephorus, and as we have done in our translation) after this manner: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sarmaticus Maximus the Fifth time; Per∣sicus Maximus. In Rufinus's old copy, there is at this place no distin∣ction by points; but 'tis thus, Sarmaticus quinquies Persicus bis Carpi∣cus Sexies Armenicus Medorum & Adiabenorum Victor.
• c 1.5

  Rufinus▪ renders this passage thus, Tribuniciae potestatis vicies, having been Tribune of the people twenty times. This is the reading in the M. SS. From this place we may perceive, that Galerius was made Caesar, and Colleague in the Tribunician power (or, Tribune of the people) at the same time; since in this Edict he accounts the years of his Tribunician power from that time when he was proclaimed Caesar. Now, he was made Caesar in the year of Christ 291, on the Calends of March. Moreover, he put forth this Edict in favour of the Christians, in the year of Christ 311, in his eighth Consulate, as the in∣scription of the Edict declares: whence it followes, that this Edict was written before the Calends of March. For from that time Galerius began his Tribunician Power. Vales.
• d 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; i. e. Emperour the Nineteenth time: for that's the reading in the most ancient copy of Rufinus. Christophor∣son translated this term ill, thus, Dictator. He knew not what was the import of the word Imperator. Imperator signifies one thing in the titles of the Emperours, when 'tis put in the First place like a Pronoun; but it imports another thing, when 'tis subjoyned to the rest of the titles. For the word [Emperour] put in the Second place, denotes the victory of the Emperours, and shews how often they were stiled Emperours by the Army, after they had obtained a victory; so Dio ••••forms us. Vales.
• e 1.7

  In all copies, there is an omission of the number of times that Con∣stantine had born the office of Tribune of the people, when this Edict came forth. I have added the figure [V] which denotes the Fifth time of his bearing the Tribune-ship: which addition is grounded upon a most certain conjecture. Vales.
• f 1.8

  After this word [Proconsul,] (in the Maz. Med. Fuk. and Savil M. SS. and in Nicephorus) there are these following words [And, Emperour Caesar Valerius Licinianus, Pius▪ Faelix, Invictus, Augastus, Pontifex Maximus; Tribune of the people IV. Emperour III. Consul, Father of his Country, Proconsul: To the Subjects of their own Provinces Greeting.] Which passage, although it occurs not in Ruffinus, yet is of good authority. And first▪ as to Licinius's Tribunician Power, the same must be thought of that which was of Galerius's, to wit, that it is to be begun from the time of his being made Caesar. Now, Licinius was made Caesar in the year of Christ 308, on the third of the Ides of November, as it appears in the Fasti of Idatius. Therefore, the ••ourth year of Licinius's Tribunician Power began in the year of Christ 311, on the third of the Ides of November. But this disagrees with what we noted before, when we treated concerning the Tribunician Power of Galerius. Wherefore one of these places must necessarily be false. For if it were then the fourth year of Licinius's Tribunician Power, it was the twenty first of Galerius's. On the contrary, if this were the twentieth year of Galerius's being Tribune of the people, it was but the third year of Licinius's bearing that dignity. As to the consulate of Licinius, there is mention thereof in the Fasti of Prosp••rus, Cas∣siodorus, and Victorius; where he is placed Consul with Maximianus Augustus Cos. VIII. In my notes on Amm. Marcellinus, I had remarked, that Licinius was made Augustus by Galerius, a little before Gale∣rius's death; which I collected from hence, because in this Edict, we now speak of, Gallerius had made no mention of Licinius's being his Colleague: but since in our M. SS. and in Nicephorus Licinius is stiled Augustus in this Edict of Galerius, that conjecture of ours is wholly destroyed. Vales.
• g 1.9

  In the Fuk. Savil, Maz. and Med. M. SS. the reading is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, So great an arrogancy and unadvisedness—has possest and in∣vaded them.] Vales. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (which Valesius here renders arrogantia, arrogancy) is by Democrates (in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) defined to be speaking all, and no•• enduring to hear any body else. D^r Hammond has given a large account of the significantions of this word, in his note on Rom. 1. v. 29.