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 an Imperial Rescript, by which [Constantine] Summons a second Synod, to put an end to all Dissension amongst the Bishops.

Constantinus Augustus, to Chrestus Bishop of Syracuse. When as heretofore some began wickedly and perversly to separate from the holy Religion, the celestial power, and the Catholick Opinion; We desirous that such pertinacious contentions as these should be pared off, took such order that (some Bishops being sent out of France, and also those summoned out of Africa, who being of contrary factions, pertinaciously and continually quarrelled * 1.1 amongst themselves, the Bishop of Rome being also present,) this [dissension] which seemed to be raised after a most careful examination, might in their presence be composed. But in regard (as it commonly happens) some persons, forgetful both of their own salvation, and of the veneration due to the most holy Religion, cease not as yet to im∣prove their private grudges and animosities, being unwilling to acquiesce in the sentence already pas∣sed, but positively asserting, that they were but a few [Bishops] who gave their Sentiments and Opinions; and that (before they had carefully enquired into all things which ought to have been first inspected) they proceeded with too much hast and precipitancy to pass a definitive sentence. From all this it happens that even they, whose duty it is to preserve a brotherly and unanimous unity of mind, unworthily or rather impiously create Schismes a∣mongst one another; and also give an occasion of scorn and derision to those men, whose soules are alienated from the most holy Religion. Wherefore it was our chiefest care, that these [divisions,] (which ought, after sentence already given to have been terminated by a voluntary assent) might now at last be concluded in the presence of many Bishops. Since therefore we have summoned many Bishops out of di∣vers and innumerable places, to assemble themselves on the Calends of August, at the City Orleans: we thought good to write to you also, that having re∣ceived a publick Chariot from the most eminent La∣tronianus l 1.2 Corrector of Sicily, and taking into your company two m 1.3 of the second Order, whom you shall think fit to chuse, and also bringing along with you three servants which may minister to you in your journey, you meet on the very day appointed at the place aforesaid, that both by your Gravity, and also by the unanimous and concordant prudence and perspicacity of the rest there assembled, this dissension (which has shamefully been continued hi∣therto by certain detestable quarellings, after all things have been heard which shall be said by the now disagreeing parties, whom we have summon'd to appear also,) may now at last be restored to a fit and congruous [observancy of] Religion and faith, and to a Brotherly union. God Almigh∣ty preserve you in health many years.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In stead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, mu∣tually, it should be undoubted∣ly [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, amongst them∣selves:] so 'tis cor∣rected in the margin of the Ge∣neva-Edi∣tion: and so also Sir Henry Sa∣vill had mended it, in the mar∣gin of his copy. Vales.
• l 1.2

  The Maz. Fuk. and Med. M. SS. read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but without doubt we should read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (that is) from Latronia∣nus Cor∣rector of Sicily, we find men∣tion of this Latronia∣nus in an old inscri∣ption at Panormus, which is attested by Gualtherus, in Tabulis Siculis, number 164. D. N. FL. VALERIO LICINIO AUG. DOMITIUS LATRONIANUS V. C. CORR. P. S. DEVOTUS N. M. QUE EJUS. Gualtherus also in his Annotations upon this inscription, quoteth and correcteth this place of Eusebius. Vales.
• m 1.3

  By these words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Eusebius meaneth the Presbyters, who were commonly called Sacerdotes secundi ordinis, (Priests of the second order) which may be collected out of several good Authours, as Optatus Milevitanus, and Jacobus Sirmondus in his notes upon Sidonius page 78. Hieronymus, in his Epitaph on the blessed Paula, says, There were present the Bishops of Hierusalem and other Cities, and an innumerable company of Priests [inferioris gradus] of the lower order, &c. So also says Gregor. Nazianz. in Carm. Jamb. de vitâ sua pag. 6. Hence comes this distinction; the Bishops in the Church, sate in more losty thrones, the Presbyters sitting on both hands on lower seats, and the Deacons standing by in white garments, saith the same Greg. Naz. in his dream De Ecclesiae Anastasia pag. 78. Eusebius also, in his description of the Church of Tyre, allotteth the thrones which were in the Church next the Altar, to the Bishop and Presbyters, but the benches to the Deacons, where also he calls the Presbyters, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. those which have the second places next the Bishop. See S^t Augustin's 148^th Epistle. Vales.