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THe Bishops of the Arian party assumed a greater degree of boldness from the Im∣perial Edicts. And upon what account they at∣tempted to convene a Synod, we will relate a lit∣tle afterwards. But we will first briefly recite
those things done by them before the Synod Acacius and Patrophilus having ejected Maximus Bishop of Jerusalem, placed Cyrillus in his See. Macedonius subverted the Provinces and Cities a lying near to Constantino∣ple, preferring those that were embarqued in the same wicked design with him a∣gainst the Churches. He or∣dained Eleusius Bishop of Cyzicum; and Marathonius Bishop of Nicomedia, who had before been a Deacon, placed under Macedonius: he was also very diligent in founding Monasteries of men and women. But after what manner Macedonius subver∣ted the Provinces and Cities which lay round Constanti∣nople, we are now to declare. This person therefore, ha∣ving possest himself of the Bishoprick in such a man∣ner as is before related, did innu∣merable mischiefs to those who would not entertain the same sentiments with him. Nor did he persecute those only who were discerned [to be members] of the Church, but the Novations also, knowing that they al∣so embraced the Homoöusian Faith. These therefore were together with the others disquieted, undergoing most deplorable sufferings. † Their Bishop, by name Agelius, made his escape by ••light: But many of them, eminent for their piety, were taken, and tortured, because they would not com∣municate with him. And after their tortures, they forcibly constrained the men to partake of the holy mysteries. For they wrested their mouthes open with a piece of wood, and thrust the Sacrament into them. Such persons as un∣derwent this usage, looked upon it to be a punish∣ment far exceeding all other tortures. Moreover, they snatcht up the women and children, and forced them to be initiated [by Baptism.] And if any one refused, or otherwise spoke against this, stripes im∣mediately followed, and after stripes bonds, impri∣sonments, and other accute tortures. One or two [instances] whereof I will mention, that I may ren∣der the hearers sensible of the apparent barbarity and cruelty of Macedonius and those persons who were then in power. They squeezed the breasts of those women who refused to be communicants with them in the Sacrament, between [the doors of] † Presses, and cut them off with a Saw. They burnt the same members of other women, partly with iron, and partly with eggs exceedingly hea∣ted in the fire. This new sort of torture, which even the Heathens never used towards us, was invented by those who professed themselves Chri∣stians. These things I heard from the long-liv'd Auxano, of whom I have made mention in the first Book. He was a Presbyter in the Church of the Novatians. And he reported that he himself indured not a few miseries [inflicted up∣on him] by the Arians, before he received the dignity of a Presbyter. For he said that he was cast into Prison together with Alexander Paph∣lagon, (who with him led a monastick life,) and sustained innumerable stripes. Which tor∣tures [as he related] he was enabled to indure: but Alexander died in Prison by reason of his stripes. His Sepulchre is now [to be seen,] on the right hand as you sail into the Byzantine Bay, which is named b Ceras, near the Rivers: where there is a Church of the Novati∣ans, which bears Alexan∣ders name. Moreover, the Arians, by Macedonius's order, demolished many o∣ther Churches in divers Ci∣ties; as also a Church of the Novatians, scituate in Constantinople near Pelargus. Why I have made particu∣lar mention of this Church, I will here declare, as I heard it from the very aged c Auxano. The Emperours Edict and Macedonius's vio∣lence gave order for the demolishing of their Chur∣ches who embraced the Homoöusian opinion. This Edict and Violence threat∣ned this Church also with ruine, and they were at hand, to whom the execution hereof was commit∣ted. I cannot choose but ad∣mire, when I reflect upon the great zeal and earnestness of the Novatians towards their Church, and the kindness which they had for those per∣sons, who at that time were ejected out of the Church by the Arians, but do now peace∣ably and quietly enjoy their Churches! When therefore they, to whom the execution hereof was enjoyned, were ur∣gent to demolish this Church also, a great multitude of peo∣ple that were Novatians, and others who embraced the same sentiments with them, flock't together thither. And when they had pulled down their Church, they conveyed it to another place. This place is scituate over against the City [Constantinople;] the name of it is Sycae, and 'tis the thirteenth Ward of the City. Moreover, the removal of the Church was performed in a very short time, it being carried away by a numerous multitude of people with an incredible alacrity of mind. For one carried Tiles; another Stones; a third Timber. Some took up one thing, some another, and carried it to Sycae. Yea, the very women and little children assisted in this business, look∣ing upon it as an accomplishment of their desires, and esteeming it as a great gain, that they were vouchsafed to be pure and faithful preservers of the things consecrated to God. In this manner there∣fore was the Church of the Novatians at that time removed to Sycae. But afterwards, when Constantius was dead, the Emperour Julian or∣dered the place to be restored to them, and per∣mitted them to rebuild their Church. At which
time the people, in the same manner as before, carried the materialls back again, and built the Church in its former place: and having made it more beautifull and stately, they would have it called Anastasia, a name apposite and signifi∣cative. This Church therefore was afterwards erected again, as I said, in the Reign of Ju∣lian. But then both parties, as well the Catholicks as the Novatians, were after the same manner persecuted. Wherefore the Catholicks ab∣horred to d pray in those Oratories, wherein the Ari∣ans assembled themselves. But, in the other three Churches (for so many O∣ratories the Novatians had within the Ci••y [Constan∣tinople]) the Catholicks assembled with them, and prayed together. And there wanted but little of their being entirely united, had not the Novatians, who ob∣served their old injunction, refused to do that. But as to other matters, they preser∣ved such a singular benevo∣lence and kindness mutually, that they were rea∣dy to die for one another. Therefore both parties were at the same time persecuted, not only in the City Constanti∣nople, but in other Provinces and Cities also. For in Cy∣zicum, Eleusius the Bishop there did the same things against the Christians that were acted by Macedonius, putting them to flight and disquie∣ting them every where. He also totally demo∣lished the Church of the Novatians at Cyzicum. But Macedonius finished the enormous Villanies he had perpetrated, after this manner. Being in∣formed that in the Province of Paphlagonia, and especially at Mantinium, there were very many persons of the Novatian Sect, and perceiving that so great a multitude could not be driven [from their habitations] by Ecclesiastick persons, he procured four Companies of Souldiers to be by the Emperours order sent into Paphlagonia; that being terrified by those armed men, they might be induced to embrace the Arian opinion. But they who inhabited Mantinium, out of a zeal to [defend] their Sect, made use of despe∣ration against the Souldiers. And many of them getting together in one Body, and providing themselves with long Hooks and Hatchets, and whatever weapon they could lay hands on, they Marched out to meet the Souldiers. An En∣gagement therefore hapning, many of the Paphla∣gonians were therein slain: but all the Souldiers (except a very few) were cut off. This I heard from a Country man of Paphlagonia, who said he was present at that action. But many other Paphlagonians do affirm the same. Of this sort were Macedonius's brave exploits in defence of Christianity, [to wit,] Murders, Fights, Capti∣vities, and intestine Wars. But these practises of Macedpnius's raised a deserved † Odium a∣gainst him, not only amongst those he had in∣jured, but amongst them also who were his ad∣herents. Yea, the Emperour himself was offen∣ded at him, both upon this account, and also for another reason, which was this. The Church, wherein lay the Coffin that contained the body of the Emperour Constantine, was threatned with Ruine. e Wherefore for this reason, as well they who had entred that Church, as those that continued in it and prayed, were in a great fear. Macedonius therefore resolved to remove the Emperours bones, that the coffin might not be f spoiled by the ruine [of the Church.] The people understanding this, attempted to hinder it, saying that the Emperours bones ought not to be removed; in regard that would be the same, as if they were dug up again. Imme∣diately the people were divided into two parties. The one affirmed, that no hurt could be done to the dead body by its being removed: the other side asserted it to be an impious thing. Those of the Homoöusian opinion met together also, and opposed the doing hereof. But Ma∣cedonius, disregarding those that resisted him, removes the body of the Emperour into that Church, wherein lies Acacius the Martyr's body. This being done, the multitude, divided into two parties, ran forthwith to that Church: and when the two Factions were drawn up against each other, immediately an engagement followed: Wherein so great a number of men were slain, that that Church-yard was full of bloud; g and the Well therein overflowed with bloud, which ran even into the adjacent Portico, and from thence into the very street. The Emperour, informed of this calamitous accident, was incensed against Macedonius, both upon ac∣count of those that were slain, and also because he had been so audacious as to remove his Fathers body without his consent. Having therefore lest Julianus the Caesar to take care of the We∣stern parts of the Empire, he himself went into the East. But, how Macedonius was soon after this deposed, and underwent a punishment short of his enormous impieties, I will relate a little afterwards.
This place is in an especial manner to be taken notice of. For from it we conclude, that the Bishop of Constantinople had even then a right of ordaining throughout Hellespont and Bi∣thynia, before the Council of Con∣stantinople [was held.] The same is confirmed from the Acts of Eudoxius Bishop of Constanti∣nople, who made Eunomius Bi∣shop of Cyzicum; Indeed, the Bishops of Byzantium had a very great addition of authority and power, from the time that the Emperour Constantine gave that City his own name, and ordered it should be equal to the Senior Rome. Also, Eusebius of Nico∣media, after his translation to that See, brought no small in∣crease [of jurisdiction] to it. For he was the most potent Pre∣late of his own times. Further, the Reader is to take notice, that the reading should be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, lying near to Constantinople;] so Epiphanius Scholasticus reads it. Unless we should say, that the words are transposed here. (as it frequently happens in these books;) and that the place is thus to be construed [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Ma∣cedonius in Constantinople subver∣ted the neighbouring Provinces, &c. Vales.
See chap. 16. of this book.
That is, the Bishop of the No∣vatians.
That is, the Bread and Wine in the Eu∣charist.
Or, Chests.
Polybius says the same, in the fourth book of his History, and Strabo, in his sixth book, to wit, that Ceras is a Bay near By∣zantium, so termed from its like∣ness to an Harts horn. But Pli∣ny calls a promontory by this name, scituated in that Bay. To whom agrees Amm. Marcellinus, book 22. pag. 212. Edit. Paris. 1636. which place (because the common reading of it is very cor∣rupt, and is not yet mended in our Edition,) shall be here set down by me, as it ought to be read; thus: & promontorium Ceras, praelucentem navibus vehens constructam celsius turrim: quapro∣pter Ceratas appellatur ventus in∣de suctus oriri praegelidus: i. e. and the promontory Ceras, on which stands a Tower built very high which gives light to the ships: wherefore, that extream cold winde, which usually arises from thence, is termed Ceratas. Thus I have corrected this place, having followed the footsteps of the written reading: for the com∣mon reading, (which is this, & promontorium Ceras pralucentem navibus vehens constructam celsius turrim, quapropter pharos appella∣tur: & vetus inde fons Euripu•• pragelidus.) The Authour where∣of was Petrus Castellus, is with∣out any sense. It was the usage of the ancients to name the winds from those places whence they blew. Thus, the Athenians called the North-west wind Sci∣ronites, because it blew from the promontory Sciron, as Strabo re∣lates. After the same manner therefore, that wind was by the Constantinopolitans called Cera∣tas, which blew from the pro∣montory Ceras. Vales.
In the Allat. M. S. and in Epiphanius Scholasticus, this old man is called Auxonius. But at the beginning of this chapter, and in Socrates's first book, he is named Auxano. From this Aux∣ano Socrates seems to me to have had all the stories throughout his History, which he relates con∣cerning the Novatians, of whom he tells very many. Vales.
Or, bring ruine upon this Church also.
That is, the Resur∣rection, a fit name; in regard it rose again, as it were, in the same place it stood in before.
Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] the reading must undoubtedly ••e [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to pray;] which I wonder Christophorson did not perceive. Further, what Socrates relates here, to wit, that the Catholicks prayed in the Churches of the Novatians, seems to me incredi∣ble. Our Socrates was, in my judgment imposed upon by old Auxano, who fixed that upon all the Catholicks, which was per∣haps done by some few Chri∣stians, who were less cautious. For there is nothing more con∣trary to Ecclesiastick, discipline, than to communicate with Here∣ticks, either in the sacraments, or in prayer. But in my opini∣on they are mistaken, who from this relation do conclude Socrates to have been a Novatian: yea, it is evidently manifest from this place, that he was a Catholics. For in this chapter he frequently terms the Catholicks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, those of the Church; and opposes them to the Novatians. Therefore he lookt upon the Novatians to be without the Church. Vales.
Or, they chose.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, numbers.
Hatred.
The a∣mendment of this place is to be acknow∣ledged as due to the Allatian M. S. wherein 'tis thus written [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Where∣fore for this reason, as well they who had en∣tred that Church, as those that continued in it and prayed, &c.] For in the Flo∣rent, and and Sfor∣tian M. S. this place is enlarged but by one word only, thus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Wherefore for this rea∣son they who pres••∣ded over &c.] But this Chasme is made up by the Allat. M. S. to which agrees Epiphan. Scholasticus's Version. But his rendring [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Custodes, Keepers] I like not, I should rather translate the term thus, those that made their abode for some time in the Church, upon account of praying there. Vales.
In the Sfortian M. S. the reading is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, spoiled, which I think to be better than▪ [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, comprehended, or contained.] Vales.
I made good this place from the incomparable Allat. M. S. Our other▪ M. SS. make no alteration here: but when I perceived the vulgar reading (which is this, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. and it ran to the adjatent Porch, even to the street) to be wholly un••outh, I was not scrupulous of admitting the reading of the Allat. M. S. which is this [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. and the Well therein overflowed with bloud, which ran even into, &c.] Socrates says, there was so great a slaughter of men, that the Church-yard of Saint Aca∣cius was filled with mans bloud; and the Well therein overflowed with bloud, in such sort that it ran into the neighbouring Porch, and from thence into the Street. Vales.