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. XXXIV. That the Emperour by his Letter summoned the Synod to attend him, that Athanasius's case might be accurately discussed in his presence.

VICTOR CONSTANTINUS, MAXIMUS, AUGUSTUS, to the Bishops Assembled at Tyre.

IT is indeed unknown to Us, what hath tumul∣tuously and tempestuously been determined by your Synod. But the truth seemeth in a manner to be perverted by a certain turbulent disorder, to wit, whilst by reason of your mutual contention, which you are desirous should be insuperable, you consider not those things that are well pleasing to God. But it will [We hope] be the work of Divine Pro∣vidence, to dissipate the mischiefs of this pertina∣cious contentiousness, after they are manifestly de∣tected; and to make it perspicuous to Us, how great a care you that have been convened have had of the Truth, and whether you have determined the matters that have been discussed by you without any favour or malice. Therefore, all of you must of necessity with speed attend upon Our piety, that you your selves may render an accurate account of what hath been done by you. Now, for what rea∣son we thought it requisite to write these things to you, and to summon you before our selves by this Letter, you shall understand from the sequel. As We were making our entry into Constantinople the City that bears Our name, [scitua••e in] Our own most flourishing Countrey; (it hapned that We then rode on Horse-back:) on a sudden Athana∣sius the Bishop, together a 1.1 with some Presbyters whom he had about him, approacht Us in the midst of the high way so unexpectedly, that he put Us into a consternation. For God the Inspectour of all things is our witness, that at first sight We were unable even to dis∣cern who he was, had not some of Our [servants] upon Our enquiry told Us (as it was meet) both who he was, and what injuries he had suffered. At that time We nei∣ther spoke to, nor had any discourse with him. But when he requested that he might be heard, and We had refused that, and in a manner ordered he should be removed from our presence; with a greater confidence he said, that he desired nothing else but your appearance here, that (being necessi∣tated thereto) he might in Our presence make a complaint of his sufferings. Wherefore, in regard this seemed reasonable to Us, and a matter befitting Our times, We willingly gave order for the writing of these things to you: that all you, who made up the Synod convened at Tyre, should without delay hasten to the Court of Our piety, in order to your making a real demonstration of the integrity and unbyassedness of your determination; to wit, in the presence of Us, whom none of you can deny to be a genuine servant of God. For by the worship we ex∣hibit to the deity, peace doth every where flourish, and the name of God is sincerely praised even by the b 1.2 Barbarians themselves, who till this time have been ignorant of the truth. Moreover, it is mani∣fest, that he who knows not the truth, acknowledges not God. Nevertheless, as we said before, even the Barbarians have (upon Our account who are Gods genuine servant) acknowledged the Deity, and have learned to pay a Religious worship to him, by whose Providence, as they have been really and truely made sensible, we are every where protected and provided for. Upon which account chiefly they have been brought to the knowledge of God; whom they worship out of a dread towards Us. But c 1.3 we, who seem to have a greater est••em for, (for We will not say, to defend) the holy mysteries of his Church: We say, We do nothing else, but what belongs to discord and hatred, and (to speak plain∣ly) what tends to the destruction of mankind. But, as we said before, come all of you to Vs speedily; with a full assurance, that with our utmost vigour we will endeavour the accomplishing of this, [name∣ly] that those things [comprehended] in the Law of God may most especially be preserved firm and unshaken (on which no reproach or ill opinion can possibly be fixt,) to wit, by dissipating, breaking to pieces, and utterly destroying the enemies of the Law, who under the covert of [Christs] holy name introduce various and different sorts of Blas∣phemies.

Notes

• a 1.1

  In Athanasius's second Apo∣logy against the Arians (where this Epistle of Constantines is re∣corded) the reading is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, together with some others.] But the reading we follow, to wit, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with some Presbyters] is bet∣ter; which is confirmed by Epi∣phan. Scholasticus. Vales.
• b 1.2

  Perhaps he means the Iberi∣ans, con∣cerning whose con∣version So∣crates has spoken be∣fore. Vales.
• c 1.3

  In Leo Allatius's M. S. and in Athana∣sius, the reading of this place is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Ye, who seem to have a greater e∣st••em for—the holy mysteries of his clemen∣cy.] Epi∣p••anius Scholasti∣cus read this passage thus also, as appears from his version: where, instead of [We, who seem, &c.] it is [ye, who seem, &c.] which is confirmed by the Fl••rent. M. S. Vales.