surrounded the Church, and instead of going to prayers, there hapned a sight. After this, Geor∣gius (sent by them out of Cappadocia,) arriving in Lent, increased those mischiefs which he had learn't from them. For after Easter-week, the Virgins were cast into Prison: the Bishops, bound in chaines, were led away by tho Souldiers: the houses of Orphans and Widdows were plundered, and the stock of Bread-corn [was pillaged:] they broke into houses. And the Christians were carried out [to burial] in the night. The houses were sealed up: and the brethren of those that were Clergy-men, were in danger upon their brethrens account. These things were horrid: but those afterwards committed were much more horrid. For the week after the holy Pentecost, the people, after they had fasted, went out to the Coemetery to pray, because they all abominated Georgius's communion. But that Villanous wretch understanding this, instigated Sebastianus the Captain, who was a Manichaean, against them. He with a company of Souldiers, carrying Armour, naked Swords, Bows, and Darts, made a violent attack upon the people on the very Lords day. And finding some few at their prayers (for most of them were gone away by reason of the time of the day;) he did such exploits as became the Arians to have performed amongst them. For having kindled a fire, he set the Virgins close to it, forced them to say, that they professed the Arian Faith. But when he perceived they were not to be vanquished, and that they despised the fire, he afterwards stript them, and beat them on the face in such a manner, that for a time they could scarce be known. And having seized fourty men, he beat them after a new and unusual manner. For he forthwith cut Rods from off Palm-trees, which yet had their pricks on them, and flea'd their backs after such a manner, that some of them by rea∣son of the pricks that stuck in their flesh, were for∣ced to make frequent use of Chirurgions: others of them, not able to endure [the pain,] died. Imme∣diately he took all the rest, that were left, and together with them a Virgin, and bani∣shed them into Oasis the Great. Moreover, they would not at first suffer the bodies of those that were dead to be given to their relations: but casting them forth unburied, they hid them as they thought good, that they might seem not to know of so barbarous a cruelty. And this these madmen did, having a blindness upon their minds. For, in as much as the Relations of those that were dead, rejoyced upon account of their confes∣sion, but mourned because their bodies lay un∣buried; their impiety and barbarity was so much the more plainly detected and divulged. Soon after this, they carried away into banishment out of Egypt and both the Libya's these Bishops, Ammonius, Thmuis, Cajus, Philo, Hermes, Plinius, Psenosiris, Nilammon, Agatho, Anagamphus, Ammonius, Marcus, Dracontius, Adelphius, another Ammo∣nius, another Marcus, and Athenodorus: and these Presbyters, Hierax, and Dioscorus. And they treated them so cruelly in their conveying them into banishment, that some of them died in the journey, and others in the very place of their exile. They drove away more then thirty Bishops. For it was their earnest desire, according as Ahab did, whol∣ly, if possible, to destroy the truth. Thus much Atha∣nasius hath related in his own words concerning the Villanies committed by Georgius at Alexan∣dria. But the Emperour marcht his Army into Illyricum. For the necessity of the publick af∣faires required his presence there; more espe∣cially, because Vetranio was proclaimed Empe∣rour there by the Souldiers. Being come to Sirmium, he made a League with Vetranio, after which he discoursed with him, and brought affaires to such a pass, that those Souldiers, who had proclaimed Vetranio, revolted from him to Constantius's side. Having therefore deserted Vetranio, they cried out that only Con∣stantius was Augustus, King and Emperour. No mention was made of Vetranio in their acclama∣tion. Vetranio, becoming sensible immediately that he was betrayed, laid himself prostrate at the feet of the Emperour. Constantius took his Imperial Crown and Purple from him, and trea∣ted him kindly, exhorting him to lead a more sedate and quiet life in the habit of a private per∣son. For [he told him] that a life void of dis∣quietude was much more sutable for a man of his years, than to have a name full of care and solli∣citude. Such was the conclusion of Vetranio's affaires. But the Emperour ordered, that he should be allowed an ample revenue out of the publick tribute. Afterwards he wrote frequently to the Emperour whilst he made his residence at Prusa in Bithynia, declaring to him, that he had been the Authour of the greatest happiness to him, in that he had freed him from cares, and the troubles that accompany a Crown: and said, that he himself did not do well, because he would not enjoy that happiness which he had bestowed upon him. Thus far concerning these things. At the same time, the Emperour Constantius, having created Gallus, his Fathers Brothers Son, Caesar, and given him his own name, sent him to Antioch of Syria, designing that he should guard the Eastern parts. Whilst he was making his entry into Antioch, the Sign of our Saviour appeared in the East. For a Pillar in the form of a Cross appearing in the heavens, struck the beholders with a great a∣mazement. The rest of his chief commanders he sent against Magnentius, at the head of a very great Army. In the interim, he himself made his residence at Sirmium, expecting the issue of affaires.