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. XLVI. Concerning the death of Paulus Bishop of the Novatianists, and concerning Marcianus who was his successour.

SOme little time after the Removall of Johan∣nes's body, died Paulus also Bishop of the Novatianists, in the same Consulate, about the twenty first day of July. Who at his own Funerall reduced all the disagreeing Heresies in∣to one Church in a manner. For they all ac∣companied his body to the * 1.1 Grave with sin∣ging of Psalmes: because whilest he lived, all [Sects] loved him exceedingly for his † 1.2 Sanctity of life. But, because the same Paulus performed a memorable action just before his death, I judge it usefull to insert it into this History, for their advantage who shall peruse this Work. For, that during his sickness he observed his usuall Ascetick [discipline as to his] dyet, and transgressed not in the least [the rules] thereof; and, that he never omit∣ted performing the [usuall] prayers with a fervency; [all this] I think fit to leave un∣mentioned: least by spending time in giving a narrative hereof, I should obscure that me∣morable and most usefull action (as I have said) which he performed. What that is, must now be declared. Being neer dying, he sent for all the Presbyters belonging to the Churches under him, to whom he exprest himself thus: Take care about electing a Bishop [over your selves] whilest I am alive; least afterwards your Churches be disturbed. When they made answer, that the Election of a Bishop was not to be left to them: for in regard [said they,] some of us have one Sentiment, others another, we shall never nominate the same person: but we wish, that you your self would name that man whom you desire [to be your successour.] To which Paulus made this return: deliver me then this profession of yours in writing, [to wit,] that you will Elect him whom I shall ap∣point to be chosen. When they had done that, and confirmed it by their subscriptions, a 1.3 he sate on his bed, and (without dis∣covering it to those who were present,) wrote Mar∣cianus's name in the paper. This person had been pro∣moted to the Presbyterate, and likewise had been instructed in a•• Asce∣tick course of life under Paulus: but was then gone to travell. After this he Sealed up

the paper himself, and caused the chief of the Presbyters to Seal it up also, and then delivered it to one Marcus, (who was Bishop of the Novatianists in Scythia, but had at that time made a journey to Constantinople;) to whom he spake these words: If God shall permit me to continue much longer in this life, restore this * 1.4 depositum to me [now] committed to your trust to be kept safely. But, if it shall please him to remove me out of this world, in this paper you will find whom I have Elected to be my successour in the Bishop••ick. When he had spoken these words, he died. On the third day therefore after his death, when they had unsealed the paper in the presence of a great multitude, and found Marcianus's name there∣in, they all cried out that he was a worthy and fit person. And without delay they dis∣patcht away some messengers who might seize him. They took him by a pious fraud at his residence in Tiberiopolis [a City] of Phrygia; from whence they brought him along with them, and about the twenty first b 1.5 of the same month ordained, and placed him in the Epis∣copall Chair. But enough concerning these things.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Tomb.
• † 1.2

  Or, Re∣ctitude.
• a 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Nicephorus 'tis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, he sate upon; in which Author these words are added, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and having taken the paper: which seem altogether necessary. Vales.
• * 1.4

  This pledge, or, Gage.
• b 1.5

  Although our M. SS. Copies al∣ter▪ not the reading here▪ yet I agree with Christophorson and S^r Henry Savill, who have mended it thus [of the month August.] Doubtless, in regard Paulus Bi∣shop of the Novatianists died on the twenty first of July, and the paper wherein he had named Marcianus to be his successour, was unsealed three days after his death, as Socrates has told us before; 'tis not to be supposed, that Marcianus could be ordained Bishop on the twenty first of the same month, to wit, July; in regard he ab∣sconded in Tiberiopolis a City of Phrygia: from whence he was to be brought to Constantinople, that he might be there constituted Bi∣shop of the Novatianists. Vales.