CHAP. L. In what manner Licinius attempted to frame Trea∣cheries against Constantine.
HE raises therefore an * 1.1 irreconcileable War against his Benefactour; without calling to mind the Laws of friendship; not considering his Oaths, his affinity, or the Leagues [that were between them.] For, the most Benigne [Constantine,] that he might give him the surest evidence of his sincere Benevolence and affection, made him partaker of his own pater∣nall Lineage, and of that Imperiall bloud he drew from his Ancestours, by matching his Sister to him; and permitted him to enjoy the Colleague-ship of the whole Roman Empire. But Licinius's thoughts were contrary hereto, being taken up in contriving Machinations and ill-designes against his Better; inventing various sorts of * 1.2 Treacheries successively, that with mischiefs he might reward his Benefactour. And at the beginning he pretended friendship, and performed all things with deceit and fraud; hoping that his audacious designs might be kept concealed. But God discovered those Trea∣cheries of his, hatch't in darkness, to his Ser∣vant [Constantine.] Whereupon Licinius, because detected in his first attempts, betook himself to second frauds; sometimes preten∣ding friendship; at others, procuring himself belief [by the Religion] of Oathes and Leagues: then on a sudden he would violate what he had agreed to; and again, would crave pardon by an Embassie; after which he would render himself infamous by Lyes. But at length he proclaimed open War; and, instiga∣ted by a desperate madness of mind, took a resolution in future to bear Arms against God himself, of whom he well knew the Emperour [Constantine] was a Worshipper.