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. XXV. That the Macedonians and Acacians, meeting to∣gether at Antioch, confirmed the Nicene Creed.

BUt the affairs of the Christians were in no wise in a sedate posture. For the princi∣pal heads of every party made their a 1.1 addresses to the Emperour, supposing they should obtain from him power and authority against those by them reputed to be their adversaries. And in the first place, those termed Macedoniani present a Libel to him, requesting that they who asserted the Son to be unlike the Father, might be ejected out of the Churches, and themselves put into their places. The persons who presented this Suppli∣catory Libel, were Basilius [Bishop] of Ancyra, Silva∣nus of Tarsus, Sophronius of Pompeiopolis, Pasinicus of b 1.2 Zelae, Leontius of Comani, Callicrates of Claudiopolis, and Theophilus of Castabali. The Emperour having re∣ceived their Libel, sent them away without an answer. He exprest himself only thus to them: I abominate (said he) Contentiousness: But I Love and Honour those that are * 1.3 desirous of Unity and Concord. When these expressions were divulged in the hearing of the other parties, they mollified the stiffness of those who were de∣sirous of Contention. And this fell out agreeable to the Emperours intent and design. Moreover, the contentious disposition of the Acacians was then also clearly manifested, and they evidently demonstrated their continual usage of complying with their sentiments who were vested with the supream power. For, meeting together at An∣tioch in Syria, they entred into discourse with Melitius, who having separated from them a little before, had embraced the Homoöusian opi∣nion. And this they did, in regard they saw Me∣litius was highly esteemed by the Emperour, who then resided at Antioch. Having therefore made a profession of the Homoöusian opinion, and con∣firmed the Nicene Creed, by a general consent they drew up a Libel, which they presented to the Emperour. The Contents whereof are these.

To the most Pious and most Dear to God, Our Lord JOVIANUS VICTOR AUGUSTUS, The SYNOD of Bishops present at ANTIOCH, Assem∣bled out of divers Provinces.

Even we our selves are fully satisfied, most Pious Emperour, that your Piety has in the first place studied to Assert and Constitute the Peace and Unity of the Church. Nor are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 insensible, that You have rightly judged a Draught of the true and Orthodox Faith to be the Head and Fountain of this Unity. Wherefore, that we may not be reputed

of their number who adulterate the Doctrine of truth, we declare to Your Piety, that we do embrace and firmly adhere to the Creed of the holy Synod heretofore convened at Nicaea. Especially, since that term therein, which to some seems c 1.4 new and unusual, (we mean the term Homoöusios,) has with Caution been explained by the Fathers; so, as to denote, that the Son was begotten of the Fa∣thers substance, and that he is like the Father as to his substance. Not, as if any passion were to be understood in relation to that inexplicable Ge∣neration: nor, is the term▪ Ousia taken by the Fa∣thers according to any usual signification of it a∣mongst the Grecians; but, ['tis made use of] in order to the subversion of what has been impiously and audaciously asserted by Arius concerning Christ, [to wit,] that he existed of things which are not. Which [Tenet] the Anomaeans, who are newly sprung up, do with a far greater boldness and audaciousness impudently assert, to the utter ruine of Ecclesiastick unity. Wherefore, we have annexed to this our Declaration a Copy of that Creed set forth by the Bishops convened at Nicaea, which we also embrace. It is this, We believe in one God the Father Almighty, and d 1.5 all the rest of the Creed.

* 1.6 I Meletius Bishop of Antioch have presented [this Libel,] and do give my consent to what is above written. [And so do I] Eusebius of Sa∣mosata, Evagrius of e 1.7 Siculi, Uranius of Apamaea, Zoilus of Larissa, Acacius of Caesarea, Antipater of Rhosus, Abramius of Urimi, Aristonicus of Se∣leucia upon Belus, f 1.8 Barlamenus of Pergamus, U∣ranius of Melitina, Magnus of Chalcedon, Eu∣tychius of Eleutheropolis, g 1.9 Isacoces of Armenia The Great, Titus of Bostra, Petrus of h 1.10 Sippi, Pelagius of Laodicaea, i 1.11 Arabianus of Antros, Piso of Adani, by k 1.12 Lamydrion the Presbyter, Sa∣binianus of Zeugma, Athanasius of Ancyra, by Orphitus and Aëtius Presbyters, l 1.13 Irenius of Gaza, Piso of Augusta, Patricius of Paltus, by Lamyrion the Presbyter, Anatolius of Be∣roea, Theotimus of Arabi, Lucianus Arcenus. We found this Libel recorded in that work of Sabinus's, entitled A Collection of Synodick Acts. Moreover, the Emperour had taken this reso∣lution with himself, that by kind words and per∣swasives he would extirpate the contentiousness of the disagreeing parties; and he declared that he would not create trouble to any person of what belief soever he were of: but that he would love and highly value such as should be the prin∣cipal promoters of the Churches Unity. That these things were after this manner done by him, Themistius the Philosopher does also attest. For in the Oration he composed upon his Consulate, he admires the Emperour, m 1.14 for his allowing every person a free liberty of worshipping the Deity in such a manner as he desired; whereby he repressed the humours of flatterers. Upon whom he made very facetious reflections, saying, 'tis experimentally known, that they worship the Purple, not God; and that such persons differ not from the Euripus, which sometimes throws its Waves this way, at others the quite con∣trary.

Notes

• a 1.1

  It must be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which has the same import with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ap∣proaches, or addresses. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signi∣fies another thing, to wit, Pro∣gressus, proceedings. Vales.
• b 1.2

  Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Zeni] it should be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Zelae] ac∣cording as Epiphan. Scholasticus read it. Zelae or Zela is a Town of Cappadocia, as Pliny and others do affirm. Basilius mentions this place in his 72 Epist. ad Evae••e∣nos; and in Epist. 73. ad Monachos suos. Vales.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, those that hasten towards, &c.
• c 1.4

  The term [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, new or unusu∣al] was added by Christo∣phorson out of Nice∣phorus. For, in the Kings M. S. (which Robert Ste∣thens fol∣lowed,) and in the Florent▪ and Sfor∣tian M. SS. this word is wanting. Nor did E∣piphanius Scholasti∣cus meet with it in his Copy, as 'tis ap∣parent from his Version. For thus he renders it: Quando etiam Consubstantialitatis nomen, quod aliter se quibusdam habere videtur, dicimus cautam interpretationem a patribus excepisse. Vales.
• d 1.5

  We remarked before (Socrat. book 1. chap. 8. note (a.) that the term 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is by the Greeks used to signifie the Creed, be∣cause 'twas commonly learnt by heart. But, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is useless here. In my judgment, it would be placed better after these words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,] thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, It is this in full. Vales.
• * 1.6

  Here fol∣low the names of those Bi∣shops who presented and con∣sented to this Li∣bel.
• e 1.7

  In the Sfortian M. S. it is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Siculi,] which reading is truer than [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sicclus.] It is the name of a City Situate in the East, concerning which I have yet met with nothing. Amongst the Bishops of the Acacian party who subscribed the Seleucian Synod, Evagrius of Mitilene, of the Province of the Islands, is recounted. Vales.
• f 1.8

  This is neither a Greek, nor a Latine name. In the Tripartite-History it is Barbabentus. Vales.
• g 1.9

  Epiphanius Scholasticus terms him Isacius. He seems to be the same person with him that is called I••saces in Basilius's 69 Epistle, which is the Synodick Epistle of the Antiochian Council under Me∣letius. He is recounted between Cosroës and Narses. Vales.
• h 1.10

  Upon my warrant, make it Hippi. This Petrus was Bishop of Hippi, a Province of Palestine. He subscribed the Seleucian Synod, together with the others of the Acacian party here recounted, to wit, Zoïlus of Larissa, Eutychianus of Eleutheropolis; as you may read in Epiphanius, in Haeres. Semiarian. Hippos was a Town in Palestine, thirty Stadium's distant from Tiberias; Josephus mentions it in his own Life. Vales.
• i 1.11

  In Epiphanius Scholasticus's Version he is called Arabianus Adren∣••is, very right. For this is the Arabianus, or Arabion, Bishop of the Adraï, who subscribed the Seleucian Synod, amongst the Bishops of the Acacian party, as Epiphanius relates in Heres. Semiarian. Where he is placed after Exeresius Bishop of Gerast, and next before Charisius Bishop of Azotus. Adra, or Adraon, is a City of Arabia▪ under the Bishoprick of Bostra, as Guillelmus Tyrius informs us. 'Tis certain, Uranius Bishop of Adra is reckoned amongst the Bishops of the Pro∣vince of Arabia in the first Constantinopolitan-Synod. But, in the fifth Constantinopolitan-Synod, one Dorymenius is counted Bishop of Adra. Vales.
• k 1.12

  I should rather write it Lamurio, agreeable to Epipha∣nius Scho∣lasticus; for 'tis a name formed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies Talka∣tive. A little after this, instead of A••etius, the said Epiphanius reads Aëtius; and so I found it written in the Florentine M. S. Vales.
• l 1.13

  This person is mentioned by Marcus the Deacon, in his Life of Por∣phyrius Bishop of Gaza, which you have in Surius. Vales.
• m 1.14

  Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] it should be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and we have rendred it according∣ly. Vales.