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. XI. This Writers Apology in defence of the variety [of opinions] amongst us [Christians,] and his Derision of the Pagan Tri••••es.

BUt, let * 1.1 none of the Heathens deride us, because the latter [Bishops] depose the former, and always find out some new thing [which they add] to the faith. For we ma∣king researches after the ineffable Love of God [towards men,] which is past finding out, and being desirous to honour and extoll it in the highest manner, doe betake our selves to this, or that [opinion.] Nor was any one of those, who invented Heresies amongst the Christians, so weak, that he would † 1.2 designedly blaspheme; nor has [any such person] fallen into an errour, with a desire to dishonour the Deity: but 'twas rather his supposition, that if he should assert this opinion, he should speak better than * 1.3 those who went before him. Besides, those [points] which are essentiall a 1.4 and fun∣damentall, with a generall consent we all confess and acknowledge. For 'tis the Trinity which we adore, and the Unity which we Glo∣rifie: and God the Word, begotten before [all] ages, who was incarnate by a se∣cond Generation, out of his compassion * 1.5 to man. But if innovations have been introduced about some other [points,] they have procee∣ded from God our Saviour's giving [us] a free liberty of judging concerning these things; to the end that the Holy Catholick and Aposto∣lick Church may † 1.6 reduce the things that are said on the one side and on the other, to what is decent and pious, and ‖ 1.7 may [make them] fall into one exact and right way. And for this reason the Apostle [Saint Paul] has most per∣spicuously and truly said: * 1.8 There must be also Heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest [among you.] And in this also the unspeakable wisdome of God is to be admired, who has said to the divine [Saint] Paul: † 1.9 For my strength is made▪ perfect in weak∣ness. For, for what reasons the members of the Church have been rent in sunder, for the very same [causes] the true and irreprehensible ‖ 1.10 Dogmata have been more accurately polished and set forth; and the Catholick and Apostolick Church has increased, and been advanced even to the Hea∣vens. But the nourishers of Heathenish errour, who are not desirous of finding out either [the nature of] God, or his providentiall care about men, do mutually overthrow both their own,

and their Ancestours opinions. For they invent Gods upon Gods, and choose and name them from their own perturbatiens of mind; to the end that by taking to themselves such Gods, they may procure pardon for their own lusts and de∣baucheries. So forsooth, he who amongst them [is accounted] the supream Father of men and Gods, having Metamorphoz'd himself into a bird, lasciviously snach't up the Phrygian Boy; and, as the reward of his uncleanness, gave him his Cup, b 1.11 permitting him to begin to drink an inviting Cup to himself, that so both of them might in common swallow down their shame together with the Nectar. The same [Jupiter defiled himself] with infinite other impieties, which have been interdicted even amongst the vilest of men. And having changed himself into all the shapes of irrationall creatures, (he himself being of all the most brutish▪) is made an * 1.12 Androgynus, and c 1.13 bears a child not in his belly, but on his thigh, to the end that these things contrary to nature might be done by him. At which Birth Bacchus [is brought forth,] who was himself an Andro∣gynus also, and brought a reproach upon both Sexes: he was the Prince of drunk••nness, of sot∣tishness caused by fulness of wine, of su••••••i••s and debauches proceeding from so profuse drin∣king, and of all the distempers rising there∣from. To this d 1.14 Aegiochus, this Loud Thun∣derer▪ they ascribe this e 1.15 as some brave and great [Action,] they term him parricide (a Vil∣lany judged by all men to be of the greatest mag∣nitude,) because he drove Saturn, who had un fortunately begat him, out of his Kingdome.

What should I say of Whoredome, which * 1.16 has been consecrated amongst them, over which they have made the Cyprian Venus, begotten of a Shell, to preside; which [Goddess] abominates con∣tinency as a most execrable thing and altogether intolerable: but she is delighted with whoredomes and all manner of filthy actions, wherewith 'tis her desire to be appeased. With whom Mars commits an unclean Act, and by the craft of Vulcanus is [taken and] exposed to the view and derision of the other Gods. Any one may also deservedly laugh at their Phalli, their Ithy∣phalli, Phallagogia, their vast Priapus, and Pan who is worshipped with an obscene member; and at their mysteries [celebrated] at Eleusine, commendable for this thing only, [to wit,] that the Sun sees them not, but they are condemned to dwell in darkness. But, leaving these things as well to the obscene worshippers as to the worshipped, let us spur on our horse * 1.17 to the end of the Race, and render the remaining [transactions] of Theodosius'•• Reign, manifest and evident to the eyes of all men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, none of those who are mad up∣on Idolls.
• † 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ori∣ginally, or▪ primarily.
• * 1.3

  Or, him who went before him.
• a 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Nicephorus (book 14. chap. 48. where he transcribes this passage of Evagrius,) the reading is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and opportune] which rea∣ding is not so good, as I judge. Yet, I found it expressly ••o written in the Tellerian M. S. Vales.
• * 1.5

  Or, To the crea∣ture.
• † 1.6

  Or, C••∣private.
• ‖ 1.7

  Or, May meet in one exact, &c.
• * 1.8

  1 Cor. 11. 19.
• † 1.9

  2 Cor. 12. 9.
• ‖ 1.10

  Doctrines, or, points.
• b 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He means (I suppose) that Story, which we are told concerning Ganymed Son of Tros King of Troas (which was one part of Phrygia.) This Boy, Ju∣piter having turned himself into an Eagle, snatch't up, and ad∣mitted him his Cup-bearer, in the room of Hebe, whom he had displaced; and makes him his Catamite.
• * 1.12

  A person that is both male and female.
• c 1.13

  The story is this. Se∣mele ('tis said) be∣ing great with child by Jupiter, (to whom that god had sworn to give whatever she should ask of him,) was by Juno's craft put upon making this request to him; viz. that he would lie one ••••••ht with her in the same manner be used to lie with Juno. The God-Lover granted her desire; and Semele is burnt up with Thunder▪ but the Boy was taken out of her womb, and put upon Jove's thigh; of whom he was delivered (in such manner as women are) at the due time. On which account Bacchus (who was the child thus brought forth,) had the name of Bimater, one that had two mo∣thers.
• d 1.14

  'Tis an Epith••te given to Jupiter, either (1) because he wore the sacred ••••gis, [that is, Brest-plate,] or (2) because he was the raiser of Storms, or rather (3) in regard he wore the skin of the Goat Am••••thaea, which had been his Nurse. See Servius upon Virgil's 8^th Aeneid. Col. 1320, Edit. Basil. 1586.
• e 1.15

  In stead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and some brave, &c. I doubt not but it should be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as some brave, &c.] For, in these books of Evagrius, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is frequently used instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vales.
• * 1.16

  Or, has had divini∣ty attribu∣ted to it; or, has been deified.
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the Mark, or, Goal.