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. XXVIII. Concerning Novatus, and those from him termed Novatians. And, that those Novatians who inhabited Phrygia, altered [the time of cele∣brating] the Festival of Easter, and kept it on the same day the Jews did.

ABout this very time, the Novatians, who in∣habited Phrygia, altered the day of cele∣brating the Feast of Easter. How this was done, I will declare; having first of all told you, upon what account the accurate and exact Canon of their Church does at this present flourish in the Provinces of Phrygia and Pa∣phlagonia. a 1.1 Novatus, a Pres∣byter of the Roman Church, made a separation therefrom, in regard Cornelius the Bi∣shop admitted those Belie∣vers to communion, who had sacrificed in that Persecution, which the Emperour Decius raised against the Churches. Becoming a Separatist therefore upon this account, and being elected to the Bishoprick [of Rome] by such Prelates as embraced the same sentiments with him, he wrote to the Chur∣ches every where, that they should not admit such persons as had sacrificed, to the [sacred] My∣steries: but should exhort them to repentance, and leave the pardoning of their offences to God, who is able, and has power to remit sins. The Inhabitants of every Province having received such Letters as these, gave their judgments of the things therein signified, according to their own * 1.2 dispositions and humours. For whereas No∣vatus had given notice, that those were not to be vouchsafed the participation of the † 1.3 Mysteries, who after Baptism had fallen into [any] deadly sin; the promulgation of this Canon seemed se∣vere and cruel to some: but others admitted of this Rule, as just and equitable, and [of great use] for the establishing a pious and more re∣gular course of life. b 1.4 In the interim that this great controversie was in debate, arrive the Letters of Cornelius Bishop [of Rome,] promising in∣dulgence to those who had sinned after Baptism. Upon these two persons writing thus contrary to one another, and each of them confirming what he asserted by testimony of the sacred Scriptures; c 1.5 every inhabitant of the Provinces betook him∣self to that party, whereto he had before enter∣tained a greater propensity and inclination. For, such persons as delighted in sin, laid hold of the Indulgence then granted, and in future abused it to all manner of impiety. [Moreover,] the people of Phrygia seem to be more sober, and persons of better Moralls, than other Nations. For 'tis very rare that the Phrygians do swear. Indeed, the Scythians and Thracians are very rea∣dy to be overcome with anger and passion; and those who inhabit that Region [which lyes] towards the rising Sun, are more addicted to the serving of their lusts. But the Paphlagonians and Phrygians are not prone to either of these vices. For, neither Cirque-Sports, nor Theatri∣cal-Shews, are at this present * 1.6 esteemed amongst them. On which account, as well these persons, as others who embrace the same Sentiments with them, in my judgment seem to have given their assent to what was then written from Novatus. For, amongst them whoring is reputed a most enormous wickedness. 'Tis apparently known, that the Phrygians and Paphlagonians do live more modestly and temperately, than any other Sect of men what ever. I am of opinion, that it was the very same reason likewise [which prevailed] with those that inhabit the Western parts; who also have followed Novatus's opinion. But, No∣vatus (although he was a Separatist upon ac∣count of an accurate and more strict course of life, yet) made no alteration in [the celebra∣tion of] the Feast of Easter. For he always celebrated that Festival, after the same manner that those in the Western parts did. Now, the Inhabitants of those parts do always keep that Feast after the Aequinox, agreeable to an usage very anciently delivered to them, even from the time that they first embraced Christianity. [Fur∣ther,] this * 1.7 person suffered d 1.8 Martyrdom af∣terwards, [to wit] in the Reign of the Em-Emperour Valerian, who raised a Persecution a∣gainst the Christians. But those in Phrygia who from his name are called Novatians, e 1.9 having an aversion even for that communion they were permitted [to hold with the rest of the Catho∣licks in the celebrating] of this [Festival.] about this time changed the Feast of Easter also.

For, some few (and those in no wise eminent) Bishops of the Novatians in Phrygia, having convened a Synod in the Village Pazum, (at which place are the * 1.10 heads of the River San∣garius,) promulged a Canon, that it should be observed [yearly on what day] the Jews cele∣brated their Feast of unleavened bread, and that together with them the Feast of Easter should be kept. These things were told me by a cer∣tain f 1.11 old man, who said that he was the son of a Presbyter, and was together with his Fa∣ther present at the foresaid Synod. At which Synod, neither Agelius Bishop of the Novatians at Constantinople, was present, nor yet Maximus of Nicaea; neither were the Bishops of Nico∣media, or Cotuaeum at it: although these persons were the chief Regulatours of the Novatian Religion. These things were after this manner transacted at that time. But, not long after, the Church of the Novatians was divided into two parties upon account of this Synod, as we will declare in due place. We must now pass from hence, to [a relation of] what hapned at this very time in the Western parts.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The Greeks usually term him Novatus, whose right name was Novatianus. Concerning whose Heresie, you may consult Euse∣bius, (Eccles. Hist. book 6. chip. 43,) Epiphanius, the Authour of the questions on the Old and New Testament, and Theodoret. Vales.
• * 1.2

  Or Mo∣ralls.
• † 1.3

  He means the Sacra∣ment of the Lords Sup∣per.
• b 1.4

  Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] it is doubtless to be thus worded [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.] Que∣stionless, Socrates left it writ∣ten thus; and we have ren∣dred it ac∣cordingly. Vales.
• c 1.5

  The ex∣pression in the origi∣nal is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which Musculus renders thus, sicut fieri solet, as it is usually done; and Christophorson thus; ut moris est, as the manner is. But I cannot approve of these Versions. For the Grecian writers make use of (not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to signifie, as it is usu∣ally done, or, as the manner is. Wherefore, I am rather of opi∣nion, that it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, every inhabitant of the Provinces: so Epiphanius Scholasticus read it. For he renders it thus; Singuli Provincialium, &c. Every Subject of the Provinces. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 has the same import with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which phrase Socrates has made use of a little before, in this chapter; where his words are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Inhabitants of every Province having received such Letters as these. Vales.
• * 1.6

  Or stu∣diously ex∣ercised or, followed.
• * 1.7

  Novatus.
• d 1.8

  The No∣vatians did boast, that the Foun∣der of their Sect was a Martyr; and they wrote a book, the Title whereof was, The Martyrdom of Novatianus. But this book, which was stuft with Lies and Fables, has long since been confuted by Eulogius Bi∣shop of Alexandria, in his sixth book against the Novatians, the Excer∣ptions whereof occur in Photius's Bibliotheca, p. 1621. Edit. David Hoeschel. 1610. Moreover, in those Acts of the Martyrdom of No∣vatianus, Novatianus was not said to have suffered Martyrdom, but only to have been a Confessour of the Faith of Christ. For, the Authour of the Acts. says, that of the eight Presbyters of the Roman Church who were under Macedonius Bishop of Rome, seven offered sacrifice to Idols together with Macedonius, and that only Novatus underwent an egregious Martyrdom of confession. And that toge∣ther with Novatianus three Bishops (almost the only persons of the Western parts) termed it a Martyrdom; to wit, Marcellus and Alexander Bishops of Aquileia, and Agamemnon Bishop of Por∣ta, or rather of Tibur. Who lived apart after that confessi∣on, held assemblies with Novatianus, and avoided their com∣munion who had sacrificed to Idols. A little afterwards they laid their hands on Novatianus, and ordained him Bishop of Rome. Vales.
• e 1.9

  This place is strangely corrupted. Nor is this fault new; but the copies were faulty even in Epiphanius Scholasticus's time; for thus he renders it: Hi vero qui ex eo nomen habuerunt, ejusque fuere participes, &c. But those who had their name from him, and were partakers thereof, &c. How Nicephorus read this passage in Socrates, 'tis uncer∣tain, in regard his Greek Text is at this place defective. But Langus, who had seen a Greek Copy of Nicephorus, renders it thus: Qui vero ejus nomine in Phrygia Censentur, &c. But those who are accounted of his name in Phrygia, when by indulging themselves, they had degenerated from his institutions and communion, at this time altered the Paschal Festival also. I say nothing concerning the other Translatours, in whose Ver∣sions you will find nothing of soundness. I am of opinion, that the place, by a small alteration, is thus to be made good: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That is, having an aversion even for that communion they were permitted [to hold with the rest of the Catholicks in the celebrating] of this [Festival.] There is nothing more plain than this sense. Before Valens's time, the Novatians in Phrygia kept Easter at the same time the rest of the Catholicks did. After that, they began to shun the communion and society of the Catholicks in this matter also. Further, although I do very much ap∣prove of Socrates's judgment, who gives an account why the Phrygians more especially embraced the Novatian Heresie; yet there may ano∣ther reason be given hereof. For, Novatus, or rather Novatianus, was (as 'tis said) by Country a Phrygian: so Philostorgius asserts book 8. Wherefore, 'tis no wonder, that he had many followers of his own opinion in that province. Vales.
• * 1.10

  Or, Fountains.
• f 1.11

  I conje∣cture, that this was long-lived Auxano, a Presby∣ter of the Novatian Church; whose te∣stimony Socrates makes use of, book 1. chap. 10, & 13. But, we must not here omit Nicepho∣rus's words concerning our Socrates: he says thus, book 11. chap. 14; Haec sibi renuntiata esse Socrates qui hoc loco non abhorrere se à Novatianorum institutis palàm prae se fert, à sene quodam scribit, &c. Socrates (who in this place plainly shews himself not to be a detester of the Nova∣tian principles) relates that these things were told him by a cer∣tain old man, &c. Notwithstanding, I am not of Nicephorus's opinion. Vales.