CHAP. XVII. Concerning Paulus Bishop of the Novatianists, and concerning the Miracle done by him, when he was about to have baptized a Jewish Impostour.
AT the same time, Chrysanthus also Bishop of the Novatianists, having presided sea∣ven years over the Churches * 1.1 of his own Sect, ended his life in the Consulate of Monaxius and Plintha, on the twenty sixth of August. He was succeeded in the Bishoprick by Paulus: who before had been a Teacher of Roman Eloquence: but afterwards bad adieu to the Roman tongue, and betook himself to an Ascetick course of life. And having gathered together a Mona∣stery of Religious men, he followed a way of living not unlike that led by the Monks in the desart. For I found him to be really such a person, as Evagrius says the Monks who live in the Solitudes ought to be. For he imitated them exactly in all things, in continued fasts, in speaking little, and in abstaining from eating creatures that have life. Moreover, for the most part he abstained from oyl and wine. Besides, his care and solicitude about the poor was eminent and extraordinary. He was very diligent in his visits to the imprisoned; he interceded likewise for many persons with the Judges, who readily hearkned to him on account of his eminent piety. What need I be large in my relation concerning him? I will mention one action of his, highly worthy to be recorded in writing. A Jewish Impostour pretending himself converted to the Christian Religion, had been frequently baptized, and by that device had gathered much money. When he had deceived many Sects [of the Christians] by this fraud: (for he had received baptism from the Arians and Macedonians:) having no more persons whom he might put tricks upon, at length he came to Paulus Bi∣shop of the Novatianists: and affirming that he earnestly desired Baptism, requested he might obtain it from his hand. He approved of the Jews desire: but said he would not give him Baptism, before he had been instructed in the grounds and principles of the Faith, and had exercised himself with fastings severall days. The Jew therefore having contrary to his own mind, been compelled to fast, was so much the more urgent in his intreaties for Baptism. Where∣fore Paulus, because he would not offend him, now grown importunate; by any longer delays, makes provision for his Baptism. And having bought him a white vestment, and ordered the * 1.2 Font to be filled with water, he brought the Jew to it with a design to Baptize him. But † 1.3 an invisible act of divine power caused the water to vanish [on a sudden.] In regard the Bishop and those that were present, (having not the least suspicion of any such thing as had hap∣ned,) supposed the water to have run out by the passage underneath, whereby it was usually let out; they filled the Font again, having with great accuracy stopt up its passages every where. And when the Jew was brought the second time to the Font, all the water disappeared again. Then Paulus spake these words: either you are an Impostour, O man, or else, being ignorant, you have been baptized already. A great multitude of people therefore running together to see this Miracle, one of them knew the Jew, and was certain that it was the same person who had been baptized before by Atticus the Bishop. This Miracle was performed by the hands of [Pau∣lus] Bishop of the Novatianists.