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.

A Copy of the Imperial Edict translated out of Latine.

Having long since perceived, that a liberty of Religion ought not to be denied, but that licence should be permitted to every ones will and arbi∣trement of being careful about their Religious performances according to their own mind and judgment, We have Decreed, that as well all other persons, as those that are Christians should retain the faith [and observances] of their own Sect and Religion. But because in that Rescript wherein this liberty was granted them, a 1.1 many and different sorts of Sects seemed to be expresly set down, for which reason peradventure some of them not long after desisted from such an observance. Where∣fore when We Constantine, and Licinius, Augusti, came fortunately to Mediolanum, and had in debate all matters which might conduce to the good and utility of the publick; amongst other things which to us seem'd several ways profit∣able to all in general, (or rather which we judged ought to be decreed before any thing else) we supposed such con∣stitutions were to be made, as therein should be contained the worship and veneration of the deity: that is, that we should allow a free choice both to Christians and all o∣thers of following what way of worship they please: that so by this meanes that Godhead and heavenly being, what∣ever it is, might be propi∣tious to us, and to all that live under our Government. We have therefore proclaimed this our will and pleasure, after we had taken a most wholesome and deliberate con∣sideration thereupon, that li∣cence be denied to none at all of following or choosing the observances or Religion of the Christians: and that free power be granted to every one to apply his mind to that Religion, which he judgeth most congruous and agreeable to himself: that so God may in all things mani∣fest his usual care and loving kindness towards us. It was also convenient that we should signifie to you this our pleasure; that all those Sects which were included in our former Rescript to your De∣votion concerning the Christians should be quite left out, both that whatever seems hurtful and disagreeable to our clemency should be wholly re∣moved, and also that in future all that have re∣solved to make choice of, and keep the observances of the Christian Religion, might observe them

freely and firmly, without any molestation. These things we therefore determined fully to signifie to your carefullness; that you may be certified, that we have granted to the Christians a free and absolute liberty of being careful about the exercise of their Religion. b 1.2 In as much as we have already freely and absolutely granted them this, your de∣votedness does hereby perceive that we have allowed a li∣berty to others also, who are desirous of following their own observances and Religion: Which, 'tis apparent, is agree∣able to the tranquillity of our times, to wit, that every one should have a liberty and power of choosing and being careful about wor∣shiping whatever Deity he has a mind to. And this we therefore did, that we might seem not in the least to have lessened or detracted from any man∣ner of▪ divine worship or Religion whatsoever. We have also further Decreed in favour of the Chri∣stians; that those their places (wherein they used to convene in times past (concerning which places there was c 1.3 another Rule or Form appointed in our Re∣script formerly sent to your devotedness,) in case it ap∣pears that they have been pur∣chased by any persons, either of our Exchequer, or of any one else) be immediately and without all hesitancy restored to the Christians themselves, without money, and without a∣ny exaction of an * 1.4 additional price or value: and if any have received these places by way of gift, that they in like manner forthwith restore them to the Christians. But if those, who have purchased, or had the grants of these places, have a desire to de∣mand any thing of our good∣ness, let them make their Ad∣dress to the Governour that presides as Judge in that Pro∣vince, that by our bounty pro∣vision may be made for them: all which places it shall behove you to see forthwith restored to the society of Christians by your care and diligence without the least delay. And in as much as the said Chri∣stians are known to have had possession not only of those places wherein they usually assembled themselves, but of others also, which did not particularly and apart belong to any private persons amongst them, but were the Right of a Society of them, that is, of the Christians; you shall give order that all these places (according to the d 1.5 afore∣said Law) be without all manner of hesitancy restored to the said Christians, that is, to every Society and Assembly of them: The Rule afore∣said being observed, (viz.) that such as shall restore those places [to the Christians,] without a restitution of the price they gave for them, as we have said, may expect to be indemnified by our Gracious Liberality. Now it is your du••y to act most vigorously in all these things in behalf of the aforesaid body of the Christians; both that our Mandate may with all speed be fulfilled; and also that in this matter provision may be made by our goodness for the common quiet and tranqui∣lity of the publick. For by this means, as is afore∣said, the divine care and goodness towards us, which we have already experienced in many affairs, will continue firm and lasting for ever. Moreover, to the end that the definitive determination of this our Law, and of our gracious indulgence may come to all mens knowledge, 'tis expedient that this Rescript of ours be proposed to publick view, and made known to all persons, that so no body may be ignorant of the establishment of this our gracious indulgence.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Because that first Rescript or Letter, mentioned here by Con∣stantine, is lost, we cannot easily resolve what Constantine meanes when he says, that in that Edict were named many and several sorts of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sects; for which reason many desisted from professing Christianity. Christoph. translates [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] doubtful and controverted opinions; as if the sense or meaning of this first Edict had been ambiguous. So also Ba∣ronius understands Christoph. his words at the year of Christ 313. Langus and Musculus translate [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] opiniones & haereses, Heresies and opinions; far better then Christoph. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 can∣not signifie the sense, or [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] meaning of a place: but it signi∣fies an Opinion or Sect. When the Emperour Constantine therefore had in that former Edict permit∣ted this Liberty of Conscience to all, he added, that that priviledge was not granted to the Christians only, but to all men of every Sect, (that is) to Jews, Samaritans, Marcionists, &c. and to all Sects of all Religions. This the Chri∣stians took to be no small injury to their Religion, that it should be reckon'd amongst Schisma∣ticks, and unbelieving Jews▪ Constantine being advertised here∣of by the Catholicks, corrected it in this latter Edict; that clause, which mention'd all Sects, being taken out: and this is that which is meant by these words a little further, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. (i. e.) that all those Sects which were in our former Rescript should be quite left out. Vales.
• b 1.2

  This was Constantin's second Edict, directed to the Prae∣fect of the Praetorium, the same person to whom was sent Con∣stantin's first Edict for the Chri∣stians. The first Edict was signed or dated at Rome, Constantine 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and Licinius II. Coss. and it was immediately sent into the East, to Maximin; see book 9. chap. 9. But this second Edict was dated at Mediolanum on the year fol∣lowing. Vales.
• c 1.3

  Concerning the Restitu∣tion of the publick places and Coemiteria of the Christians, there is extant an Edict of Gallienus's in book 7. chap. 13. of this Hi∣story, in which these places are commanded to be restored to the Christians. In the first Decree therefore, which Constantine and Licinius (after Maxentius was con∣quered,) published in favour of the Christians; a Copy of which they sent to Maximinus the Em∣perour into the East, they only Decreed that all places where the Christians used to assemble themselves, which had been heretofore taken from them, should be restored to them again; but they said nothing expresly concerning the restitution of the price: Neither in the Edict of Maximin, which was published soon after the Decree of Constan∣tine and Licinius, was there any caution concerning repaying of the price, as we may see in book 9. chap. 9. of this History. It was necessary therefore that Constantine should Decree some∣thing more distinctly concerning that point. That the Christians might recover those places which had been taken from them or sold, or given by the Treasury, without repaying the price. Vales.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. So he terms adjectiones, i. e. the ad∣ditions to the prices in sales of Goods or Estates. These adjecti∣ones (which Civilians in other words call additamenta pretii, ac∣cessions to the price) we in France call encheres. Vales.
• d 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (ac∣cording 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the De∣cree afore∣said) (i. e.) according to that Edict signed at Rome. Constantine II. and Licinius II. Coss. which Edict Constantine mention'd before. That was Constantine's first Decree for the Christians. But Constantine, having in that Law shew'd himself too favourable towards the Chri∣stians in that in it he had extolled their Religion, and condemn'd all other Sects and Ceremonies, was forced in this second Edict to ex∣plain his mind, for fear, least the Heathens should murmur at the pro∣hibiting and abolishing the worship of their Gods. Wherefore Con∣stantine saies, that he granted free liberty to every one to worship what Gods, and follow what Sect and Religion he pleased. This se∣cond Decree therefore is nothing else but an explication of the first▪ For in the first Edict there were some words with which the Gentiles and also the Schismatical Christians were not a little offended; in that they saw themselves named Hereticks. The Catholick Christians also resented it, because they were joyned in the same Decree with the Gentiles and Hereticks. Wherefore Constantine, that he might shew himself kind to all, desired that those words might be razed out▪ And this is the sense of those former words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. That the names of these S••its in our former Rescript might be wholly taken out, &c. Vales.