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. XIII. Concerning Saint Symeon the * 1.1 Stylite.

IN these times, Symeones, [a person] of an holy a 1.2 and most celebrated memory, flouri∣shed and was * 1.3 eminent: he was the first person that instituted the Station upon a pillar, the circumference of whose Mansion was scarce two Cubits; at which time Domnus presided over the Church of An∣tioch. Who when he was come to Symeones, and had admired his station and manner of life, was desirous of some more secret [converse with him.] Both of them therefore met together, b 1.4 and having consecrated the immaculate Body [of Christ,] they gave one another the Vivi∣fick Communion. This person in the flesh emu∣lated the converse of the Celestiall powers, with∣drew himself from affairs upon-earth, and put∣ting a force upon Nature which tends down∣ward, pursued things sublime. And having pla∣ced himself in the midst, [as it were] between heaven and things upon earth, he conversed with

God, and together with the Angels glorified him: offering to God▪from the earth his sup∣plications for men, and procuring from heaven the supernall benevolence upon men. This per∣sons * 1.5 Miracles have been written by one that was an eye-witness of what he did. Theodoret also Bi∣shop of Cyrus has † 1.6 recorded them very elo∣quently. [c 1.7 But] we have found, that they have been most especially defective in this [following passage,] which to this day is pre∣served amongst those of the Holy Solitude, and from which very persons, we have received it. When therefore Symeones, that Angel upon earth, that Citizen in the flesh of the Jerusalem which is above, had instituted this new, and [hitherto] un∣known way of living to men; the Inhabitants of the Holy Desert send a messen∣ger to him, whom they ordered to enquire [of Symeones,] what this new and strange course of life was, and why he left that way which had been trodden and worn by the Saints, and proceeded in another new one, [hitherto] wholly unknown to men? And [they bade the messenger tell him] that they commanded him to come down, and go on in the way of the Elect Fathers. Now, if he should shew him∣self d 1.8 ready [and willing] to come down, their order was, that he should be per∣mitted to follow his own [way.] For by his obe∣dience [they said] it would be manifest, that by the di∣rection of God he had un∣dertaken this troublesome and afflictive way of living. But if he refused, and would be the servant of his own will, nor would with a readiness forthwith obey their ad∣monition, ['twas their order] that he should be pulled down by force. When therefore the messenger was come to him, and had acquain∣ted him with the command of the Fathers, and Symeon's had forthwith put down one of his feet, resolving to fulfill the Order of the Fa∣thers; [the messenger who had been sent to him] permitted him to proceed on in his own way; and spake these words [to him:] Be strong, and behave thy self like a man: thy sta∣tion is of God. This truly memorable action [▪of Symeon's] which I have related here, is omitted by those who have written concer∣ning him. [Further,] this person was in so high a manner influenced by the power of di∣vine grace, that when the Emperour Theodosius had issued out an Order, that the Synagogues of the Jews inhabiting Antioch (which had been taken from them by the Christians,) should be restored to them again; he wrote to the Em∣perour with so much freedome and confidence, and reproved him so smartly, (revering [God] only his own King,) that the Emperour Theo∣dosius revoak't his own Orders, fulfilled all things in favour of the Christians, removed the Praefectus Praetorio, who had suggested these things to him, from his Government, and entreated the most Holy and e 1.9 Aërial Martyr in [these] ex∣press words, that he would put up his supplica∣tions and prayers for him, and impart to him his own blessing. Moreover, Symeon spent six and fifty years in this afflictive and au∣stere course of life. In the fi••st Monastery, wherein he had been imbued with the pre∣cepts of a divine life, [he spent] nine years.

And seven and fourty in that place called * 1.10 The Mandra: during ten years [of which time] he performed his combat in a certain narrow place; [he dwelt] seaven years in the shorter pillars, and thirty years upon a pillar of fourty cubits long. His most sacred body, after his departure out of this life, in the succeeding times was brought to Antioch, [to wit,] when Leo swayed the Imperiall Scepter, and Martyrius pre∣sided over the Church of Antioch; at which time also Ardaburius Master of the Orientall Milice, came to Symeon's Mandra, accompanied with those Military Forces he had about him, and with other multitudes; and guarded the most pretious dead body of the blessed Symeones, to the end that the neighbouring Cities might not meet together and steal it. His most holy body therefore is conveyed to Antioch, very great miracles having been performed even by the way. The Emperour Leo desired it might be given to him by the Antiochians. But the In∣habitants of Antioch presented a supplicatory Li∣bell to him, wherein were contained these words: In regard we have no wall to our City, (f 1.11 For 'tis faln by reason of the wrath [of God:]) we have brought [hither] the most Holy Body that it may be to us instead of a wall and a fortifica∣tion. By which words the Emperour Leo was prevailed upon, granted their request, and per∣mitted them [to enjoy] the Holy Body. Ma∣ny of this persons [Reliques] have been pre∣served untill our times. Even I my self have seen his holy head, (severall Ecclesiasticks being then present,) at such time as the most celebrated Gre∣gorius was Bishop of Antioch; when Philippicus requested, that the pretious Reliques of the Saints might be sent to him, in order to the guarding and defending the Orientall Milice. And, which is to be wondred at, the hair of his head was not faln off; but is preserved perfect and entire, as if he were yet alive, and conversant amongst men. The skin also of his forehead was wrinkled indeed, and become hard: but 'tis as yet preser∣ved whole, as are also most of his teeth, g 1.12 exce∣pting so many of them as have by force been taken away by the hands of faithfull persons. [Which teeth of his] do by their * 1.13 form declare, what, how great, and eminent a man of God this Symeones was. There lies likewise at his head, a chain made of Iron which he wore about his neck; with which his much-renowned body, worn out by austerities, hath shared the honours [given] by God.

For that dear and friendly iron deserted not Symeones, even when dead. I would have given h 1.14 a particular account of this persons perfor∣mances, (which would yield no small advantage, both to my self relating them, and also to those who should read them;) were it not, that Theo∣doret (i 1.15 as I have said before,) hath declared them more at large.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, who dwelt in [or, upon] a pillar.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. S^r Henry Savil in his Copy makes it one word, thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But I had rather write it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For so Grecians do usually speak; as when they say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 most eminently laudable, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 most Holy, and the like. Our Evagrius speaking hereafter concer∣ning Gregorius Bishop of Antioch, gives him this Elogy, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the most celebrated Gregorius. Vales.
• * 1.3

  Or, con∣spicuous.
• b 1.4

  Heretofore the Presbyters celebrated the Church-Service to∣gether with the Bishop, and received the Eucharist from his hand. So in the tenth Action of the Chalcedon Councill, Bassianus Bishop of Ephesus, in his Supplicatory Libell to Marsianus the Emperour, amongst other things says these words: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Having on the day after all of us performed the Publick-Ser∣vice together, &c. And, at a great distance from that place, the same Bas∣sianus says, pag. 303, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Stephanus my Presbyter was with me four years, he performed the Publick-Service with me, communicated with me, and received the Communion from me, as from his Bishop. The same usage also was heretofore practised in the Roman Church, to wit, that the Presbyters should every day celebrate the Publick-Service together with the Bishop of Rome, and receive the Communion from his hand. But on Sundays, when the Presbyters were necessitated to perform the Publick-Service apart in their own Titles, [Parishes, or, Cures.] on account of the people committed to their charge; they received the Lords Body sent by the Acolythi from the Bishop of Rome: that they might not seem to be separated from the communion of their own Bishop, especially on that day; as Pope Innocent informs us in his Epistle to Decentius. Vales.
• * 1.5

  Or, Pre∣dictions.
• † 1.6

  See The∣odoret's works, Tom. 3. pag. 876, &c. Edit. Paris. 1642.
• c 1.7

  This place has been severall ways corrected by Learned men, to wit, by Christophorson and Cur∣terius, or rather by those from whose Copies they transcribed these emendations. For some, after the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, add the verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Others read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and understand that concerning Theodoret only. But I suppose this place is to be restored thus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And so I have ren∣dred it: nor do I doubt but Eva∣grius wrote it thus. Vales.
• d 1.8

  In the incomparable Flo∣rentine M. S. I found these words, written at the margin: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that is, The judg∣ment of the Fathers concerning the Great Symeon [was] truly spirituall in Christ. Vales.
• e 1.9

  These seem to be the words of the Em∣perour The∣odosius, ta∣ken out of the Letter he wrote to the blessed Symeones. The Emperour therefore had prefixt this title before his Letter; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, To the most Holy and Aërial Martyr. Where he terms him Martyr; on account of those great seve••ities wherewith he afflicted his own body: and he stiles him Aërial, because he stood on high in the air, in a pillar. The words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 do undoubtedly declare what I have said; to wit, that those now mentioned, or them immediately following, are the words of the Emperour Theodosius. Notwithstanding, Christophorson has pointed this place otherwise, as 'tis apparent from his Version. For he renders it thus: Et sanctissimum ac Aërium oraret Martyrem, uti nominatim pro ipso Deum obs••••raret, And he besought the most Holy and Aërial Martyr, that he would beseech God expressly for himself. Which punctation of this passage I can in no wise approve of. Vales.
• * 1.10

  See the following chapter. note (a.)
• f 1.11

  After this clause, Ni∣cephorus adds these words; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a great earth∣quake ha∣ving hap∣ned. Vales.
• g 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chri∣stophorson and S^r Hen∣ry Savil have men∣ded this place thus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as many as have not by force, &c.] But, the place may be mended by a smaller change, thus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. excepting so many of them as, &c. Instead of these words, Nicephorus uses, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which is more elegant. Vales.
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by [their] figure, form, or shape: Valesius ren∣ders it by their greatness▪
• h 1.14

  Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] I had ra∣ther it should be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a particular account of this persons, &c.] Which emendation seems to me to be altogether necessary; although Nicephorus defends the common reading. Christophorson seems to have read according as I have said. Vales.
• i 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I am of the same mind with S^r Henry Savil, who in the margin of his Copy has mended it thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as I have said before. The same fault is corrected before in this chapter, where the Synagogues are spoken of, which the Antiochians had heretofore taken away from the Jews. And so it is plainly writ∣ten in the Tellerian. M. S. Vales.